I was a reader as a kid and fell out of it as I grew older and I'm wanting to get back into it. I've been recommended book after book and all I seem to be getting is fantasy enemies to lovers or female protagonists that lose their whole character when an attractive man shows up.
Example. The Cruel Prince, I loved the assassination and conspiracy plot line but as soon as they unironically say "I hate you" while making out it was a DNF. Iron Flame, Violet climbs the tower and immediately simps for this guy despite being so focussed and attentive to the challenge before, it really throws me cause it feels like it changes to a whole other genre just for a page then flips back.
I'm not saying no to romance or spice either, I just prefer it as a subplot and a background thing rather than first and foremost.
My favourite series I have read was The Hunger Games and as a child I was obsessed with Series of Unfortunate Events. I couldn't put either series down and blasted through Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes even though I hadn't read in years. I lean heavily into "teenagers overthrowing a dystopian government" plotlines and love a good mystery, thriller, crime etc. I'm a gamer and the stories I've fallen in love with are Kingdom Hearts, Persona 5 and Catherine.
by CinnamonSong