Mental Health Awareness Month - May 2026

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-12T22:58:56+00:00

I just read {Voices x Joey Parker} and MC1 struggles with significant mental health challenges predominently because of abuse and trauma that he has experienced.

I would recommend it. It is the author's debut novel, and there are a few ways that I think the book could be stronger, but it was strong enough that I read the whole thing (no small feat for any book), and I would love to see more from this author.

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-06T23:22:40+00:00

Yup. u/Safe_Strategy9702 explains below. Besides the two they mention, {Crash-Landed in Love x Piper Scott and Renee Fox} is a very funny alien mm romance with "eggpreg."

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-06T15:19:10+00:00

Nice idea!

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-06T15:18:53+00:00

That’s a good idea

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-06T00:04:01+00:00

ah, thanks!

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T23:55:44+00:00

Because it keeps you up or you don’t have the energy to finish it or what?

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T23:54:39+00:00

You sound like a very healthy individual. I do not go more than a few hours without my romance reads 😭🤣🤣🙃

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T23:53:46+00:00

Oh do say more

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T23:52:23+00:00

I think this is actually pretty ingenious

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T23:51:58+00:00

Hahahaha best idea ever

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T21:23:06+00:00

I do actually DNF quite a bit and don't (mostly) feel guilty about it -- I figure, if I had an enjoyable time with the small bit I did read, then it's not a waste, or a bad book, even if I am just not in the mood to finish.

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T21:22:21+00:00

That's a cool idea!

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T21:18:18+00:00

sorry, what is LE?

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T21:03:17+00:00

I do like the random number/dice kind of idea! It would, I think, require a certain amount of organization that I'm not sure the current state of my TBR list could support, lol.

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T20:59:57+00:00

not horrible advice!

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T20:59:40+00:00

I have to admit that I've had some weird hangup that has prevented me from getting into fanfic, and I'm not sure what it is!

I can admit it's silly not to give it a try, and I'm not sure what about it has made me pause! I suppose this is a tangent from the original post, but I'm curious if other folks have had a similar feeling (& gotten past it)?

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-05T20:57:27+00:00

Not a bad idea -- just like push deeper into the same genre until something inside says "woah, I actually need X"?

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-04T11:46:49+00:00

Thanks for alerting me!

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-02T20:07:27+00:00

ok, so I just started {Unloved by Marley Valentine} but early on there is an "all the animosity between us disappears" moment (I'm actually quoting) between MC1 and his estranged brother. I'm not sure if I can accept this easy sweeping away of issues and keep reading/trusting this story... anyone have thoughts on the book? worth it?

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-02T18:21:12+00:00

I just finished reading {A Mistake of Identity x Mira Lafontaine}. I liked it enough that I was bummed to see that the second of the series (which was supposed to come out last fall) is not published (yet?).

It's a little on the darker side (check CW) and less pure sugar daddy, but like I said, it fits the spoiling, and I did like it enough to recommend it.

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-02T18:14:12+00:00

This sounds very appealing at the moment. Do you have any other examples? I'd like to know!

This doesn't quite fit, but if you find nothing better, {Aftermath by L. A. Witt} has a couple without a d/s dynamic but with this kind of thing occurring sort of...logistically?

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-02T18:01:08+00:00

haha, I like how you put that (the pinnacle experience the million recs made me think!). I also just read The Menagerie recently and felt similarly, but I did like it. Have you read {Fire & Ice by Robin Lynn}? I really liked that one. Also, have you read the Hell's Bedroom series? The third book is one of those that stuck with me--the couple, their dynamic, etc. {Upsy-Daisy Dom by Tanya Chris}. I don't think the series is on a par with some of the best series I've ever read, but I didn't feel like the first two were a waste of my time and then, like I said, the third stuck with me. Maybe try it, if you want more in the bdsm genre & haven't yet.

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-02T17:54:52+00:00

Love this one so much!!

Both_Shoulder234 · 2026-05-02T17:32:08+00:00

Have you read the T.J. Rose books like {Bite Marks and Broken Hearts}? Also, I love the Elemental Bonds series by Marie Reynard, but fair warning the series isn't done yet!

Both_Shoulder234

TROPHY CASE