As the title suggest, I’m in a need of a hero x villain book because I’m in my morally grey romance phase (thanks I Failed to Oust a Villain). I’m not really looking for smut because any novel with a huge focus on smut can often be a miss for me. Plus I just want the center of the story to be like emotional/philosophical. Bonus points if its kind of fluffy and/or comedy.
It doesn’t have to be even be action/fantasy necessarily, just romance would do as well.
What I prefer:
1. Any lgbtq+ novels.
2. If it is a straight romance, then the male lead should be the villain.
3. Kinda comedic? Or just lighthearted?
4. If its dramatic, I like the angst of the hero and the villain being friends up until a major fallout (doesn’t have to be this but I love the drama)
5. If the Hero is also dynamic enough.
Somethings that might be more meh but I would still read it:
1. Anti-hero x Hero – Would probably read it but I’m looking for genuine villains. Like actual fucking assholes. Like “I want to ruin the world”.
2. If its popular on booktok. Like some book recs are good *like The Song of Achilles* but most are just either smut or boring.
3. If the hero is an “uwu baby”. I would probably still read it but I much rather have them be the kinda idiotic.
4. Smut. Would read it if it does have smut but I’m not a fan of it. So please PLEASE make sure its not the focus.
5. Mafia romances
6. If its set in a contemporary world with absolutely no magic. Like while I am asking for fantasy (or action) romances, I’m still open for it.
7. Dark Romance. Again, I’m somewhat looking for kinda lighthearted stuff? But I can still read it.
8. The female lead is a femme fatale. If its well-written, then I can accept that.
What’s an absolute no:
1. Bully x Bullied.
I’m sorry but unless its like, really REALLY well-written, then I’m not really gonna read it.
2. Any novels with an imbalance power dynamic. Like no slave traders x slaves please.
3. Sarah J. Maas.
4. If the “villain” is just an asshole while the “hero” is a doormat. I want both of the characters to have depth.
5. Abuse. Like ik that some villains are abusive but I want a genuine romance between the two. Unless you’re VERY sure its well-written, then I’m sorry but I wouldn’t really read it.
Things that I already read/seen:
1. Any Batman x Catwoman. I mean I like this pairing but I want something new.
2. Actually, any marvel/dc pairing unless its like really REALLY obscure.
3. Acotar. Please anything but that series.
4. Anything by Margaret Rogerson. I love her but I already read 2/3 of her series (will eventually read Vespertine tho).
5. Villain with a Crush (fave)
6. Villain’s Savior (not my fave but ye)
7. Actually, almost any manhwa (jk I haven’t read them all)
8. Not sure if you could count it but I’ve dnf “These Violent Delights” by Chloe Gong.
9. Not really hero x villain but the Cruel Prince. Love the og series.
I’m sorry if it seems hyper specific but I’m genuinely just looking for something new to read. And I’m actually just really disillusioned with smut-focused books because they constantly appear on Booktok so frequently.
by Ok_Investigator62