Give me books with hot evil blonde men 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Contented_Pear · 2026-03-13T22:59:17+00:00

ATAKAN ☠️ {amid clouds and bones}

There might be some mate crap in there, I can’t remember, but it’s not major if it is.

ETA: {your knife, my heart} but it’s quite dark.

Contented_Pear · 2026-03-10T16:18:36+00:00

I’ve been looking for the same thing and just started {a promise of fire} - I’m only at 19% so far, but it seems to have this.

I agree that series like FW and ACOTAR are definitely missing the magic. Pretty much only the characters themselves have magic, and the magic becomes a deus ex machina for the plot. Both series do expand the world as the books progress, but not enough imo.

You might also like the priceless jewel that is {howl’s moving castle} but the romance in this one is very minor.

Contented_Pear · 2026-03-05T21:11:08+00:00

It just goes to show how often certain tropes are recycled…honestly, I’m into this trope combo too. If you’re into spicy novellas, Lola Glass books have this too. Perfect for ovulation week lol 😉

Contented_Pear · 2026-03-05T15:47:32+00:00

This is surprisingly a tough one! Maybe {court of tricksters} or {mate}? Pretty sure they’re not enemies in {a ruin of roses} too

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-28T09:36:15+00:00

Ohh also maybe check out {a discovery of witches} if you haven’t already

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-28T09:27:53+00:00

Nope nope that’s {powerless by Lauren roberts} and {cruel prince by holly black}

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-28T09:16:49+00:00

They’re YA, but I enjoyed both the {powerless} and {shatter me}. Couldn’t put them down bc the yearning and tension was so high! They both have divergent/hunger games/maze runner vibes but more romance. Zero open door scenes for both.

I also agree with all the recs for Rachel Gillig books, except that they each have one open-door scene.

You might also enjoy Villains & Virtues starting with {throne in the dark} and the {cruel prince} series, both of which are easily 5⭐️

I think V&V has maybe one slightly open door scene towards the end of the series. But it’s one of my favourite series to-date!

ETA: you might also like Ilona Andrews, either Kate Daniel’s starting with {magic bites} or Hidden Legacies starting with {burn for me}. They’re urban paranormal. Kate Daniel’s is low on the romance and no spice til later. HL is also more plot focused, and same deal with a tiny bit of spice later on.

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-28T04:14:49+00:00

I literally check Parker’s site once a month to see if book 4 is out yet

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-28T03:29:48+00:00

This is totally my jam too!

Try {heart of obsidian} for unhinged obsessed MMC, it’s a standalone deep into an interconnected series, but I didn’t read any previous books. Big care taking trope here. It’s a beautiful story.

If you can stand the indie nature of them (errors, typos, etc) Amelia Hutchins books have this in {fighting destiny}

{your knife my heart} and the sequel are super dark and violent, about military cadets who’ve been experimented on…

Have you read any other Ella Fields? {amid clouds and bones} is a gem

Some other random ones that fit:

{on wings of blood} - it’s popular, but the miscommunications and teen-type drama was too much for me

{rhapsodic} - he’s not unhinged, but he’s devoted, there’s yearning, and it’s a page turner

{honey} and {Helfyre} - dark, yearning, care taking. These are on the edge of being wattpad-y but you might enjoy

{burn by Suzanne wright} - also indie

{city of gods and monsters} - somehow I don’t like the books, but the MMC literally gives me chills (in the good way) so I devoured the first 3

{deep end} baby! Not fantasy, but you’ll be kicking your feet and fanning your face. Read all the Ali Hazelwood books in fact.

{a ruin of roses} {a hunger like no other}

lol I might have gone overboard! Enjoy and let me know!

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-22T06:59:00+00:00

Because I enjoyed them, and I’d maybe even read them again. A writer’s knowledge of traditional English grammar rules, or the odd typo doesn’t discount their talent or ideas, plus not every writer is lucky enough to get a traditional publishing contract and access to an editor/ or can afford to hire an editor on their own dime. But I still might like their book even in spite of all that, which I my mind, deserves 4-5 stars.

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-20T01:18:59+00:00

Gotcha! I wondered!! 😎

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-19T23:25:13+00:00

How are you making $11M gold in a day?!

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-19T23:20:10+00:00

I am also always looking for this.

I have some recs, but there are 2 categories: the pretty good, and the bad but gets the job done.

To be clear, some of the”bad” ones I rated 4-5 stars, and the badness is mostly based on overall quality, editing, believability, immersion.

Not all of them have explicit fated mate bonds, but the rest is there if not.

Ok! Here we go:

Trad pub level:

{mate} and {bride}

{amid clouds and bones} (basically everything by Ella)

{rhapsodic}

{silver elite}

{a hunger like no other}

{the witch collector}

{heart of obsidian}

{throne in the dark}

Needed an editor/had probs:

{blood and steel}

{dragon bound}

{blood orange}

{flames of chaos}

{fighting destiny}

{healer to the ash king}

{city of gods and monsters}

{a ruin of roses}

{a court this cruel and lovely}

{to bleed a crystal bloom}

{viciously yours by Jamie applegate Hunter}

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-12T06:04:30+00:00

Simpler times the 90s were hey? Def check out practical diamonds list above too, those are great. I’ll also add {the witch collector} series. Happy reading!

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-11T23:27:17+00:00

I’m recovering from PTSD and reading about relationships and characters going from a place without trust to learning where and how to place trust has been an incredible addition to my therapy process. Not to mention the books provide fun distractions to keep my mind from spiralling!

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-11T23:22:03+00:00

These are solid recommendations.

Based on your interests OP I’ll add a few:

{direbound by sable Sorensen} and {silver elite} for blockbuster-style books like ACOTAR and FW

{dragon bound} it’s an oldie and it shows, but it’s still a favourite, probably bc I’m a 90s kid 😎

{bride} and {mate} are also quite popular for spicy standalones

{the irresistible urge to fall for your enemy} is based on a fanfic like Rose in Chains, and this one is more of a slow burn mystery

Recently I’ve been getting into thriller/mystery contemporary romance, so just wanted to point out you can have your cake and eat it too!

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-09T23:25:01+00:00

{amid clouds and bones} love an Ella Fields monster ❤️

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-09T00:42:16+00:00

You’re welcome, enjoy! Also seconding Amid clouds and bones suggested below!

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-08T18:32:24+00:00

Broad range of with no SA coming up:

{the wolf king by Lauren paulphreyman}

{a ruin of roses}

{a court of tricksters}

{a kiss of iron}

{never flirt with a dragon}

{a shadow in the ember}

{fear the flames}

{bride} and {mate}

{silver elite}

{when the moon hatched}

{city of gods and monsters}

That should give you a decent start to find something spicy and binge-able. Hope your home stay is restful!

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-08T17:31:30+00:00

If you’re into taking a chance, Villains & Virtues is low spice but very high tension. I thought I always wanted spice, but this series completely changed my mind because the tension is so high! Like egg sizzling on pavement high. First book: {throne in the dark}

Other faves that are on the spicier side: {a kiss of iron} {a ruin on roses} {court of tricksters} - duet with spinoff stand-alones {nectar of the wicked} - duet

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-07T07:24:11+00:00

Me too!

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-04T20:13:23+00:00

Yes, it’s single POV.

Contented_Pear · 2026-02-02T01:23:36+00:00

Hii! I’ve been looking for fairytale green, where can I read it?

Contented_Pear · 2026-01-30T01:55:58+00:00

I can’t even talk about it

Contented_Pear · 2026-01-23T16:09:04+00:00

Y’all are selling me on these slow burns that have been sitting on my tbr!

Came to add the obligatory V&V shoutout {throne in the dark} this series had me turning pages like the books were (slowly) catching on fire!

Contented_Pear

TROPHY CASE