I mean like ENEMIES, not “Oh, I kinda hate him but would love to go down on him a 100 ways till Monday”. I want tension, chemistry, character building.
I’d also love a slow burn or something comedic. Doesn’t have to be all serious all the time but still enough to have substance to the story outside the romance. I’m fine with smut and I don’t mind LGBTQ+ stories either.
Also, just saying, I’m not talking abuse vibes. Like, if they’re fighting, I want them to fight on equal footing, swords or fists. Not one-sided abuse or imprisonment. Like, I’m find with dark romance but the urge to slap the character is immense.
If Rhys did not appear in The Court of Mist and Fury, Tamlin was about to get the book thrown against a WALL. I was ready to throw HANDS. I swear, I’m patient but no “Oof, he’s hot so it’s okay that he’s an abusive biatch because I can fix him”
Madam, if you’re not a doctor and he’s not cut up physically, you do not fix him. Character development is not suffering abuse until the ML figures out he’s a cvnt.
I’m sorry, I just read a few books that were recommended as Enemies to Lovers and they were not, in fact, enemies to lovers.
Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi (all 11 books – fun – easy read – not much substance)
Liked the books, I could finish first three in 2 days but I think it was because the author was like
“And then this happened!” And that was the full event. Like there were pages and pages of rambling but a whole war was described in 2-3 page.
Storm & Silence by Robert Thier (Amazing – complex characters, funny and more than just a romance. There’s a bigger plot, a mystery)
One thing about storm and silence series that I loved is that the FL and ML both grew as people while trying not to die. I like that.
A Court of Thorn and Roses (Great – Feyra was chill, I liked her)
So, the first book was great but I honestly thought Tammy boy was kinda useless, then the second book came and he proved to be more of a cvnt. Not the kind that serves. However, I liked that it wasn’t “This was the initial love interest so you’re stuck with him!”
If anyone has any recommendations, please!
Honestly, if you have anything that fits into Fantasy/Romance/comedy/thriller and Mystery. I’m down.
Edit to add: I’m on the phone, sorry for the shiddy typing and the typos.
by Sidebiatch