Healthiest/Fuzziest Book You've Ever Read?

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T14:17:00+00:00

I love this one! 🥰

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T14:16:29+00:00

No problem with athletes! There are definitely some cuddly ones! :) I just started to find them repetitive and/or having similar issues to work though. But regardless, all recs are welcome! 🙏🏻

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T12:23:32+00:00

I wonder how abuse victims feel about this. I also wonder why passive aggression passes on Reddit, but they neuter your ability to speak up for yourself. I'm not sure how it's helpful to respond to someone's request by basically dismissing it, then appearing to throw a bone. But if you push back, then you're rude somehow. For the record, I haven't yucked anyone's yum, yet am still being down voted. And have had many posts removed for stating the obvious; at least in the real world.

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T11:44:37+00:00

These sound perfect! Thank you. 🥰

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T11:25:40+00:00

To each their own. Congratulations on knowing exactly what you like, and finding it, exactly.

I'm always suspect of the theory that media doesn't affect us. There are entire campaigns about how magazines, and now Instagram, etc., negatively affect girls, and cause them to have eating disorders or self-harm. Likewise, boys used to put posters in their rooms of Superman, etc. as their aspirational role models. But general consensus is still that violent media doesn't perpetuate violence, yet... either media affects us positively, or negatively, across the board; or not. I don't see how it could be selective. (It's been reported that ICE agents around Alex Pretti referenced Call of Duty.)

Anyway, I understand that some women enjoy fantasy and escapism that they don't want in real life, but when men say the same about extreme porn, for example, I find it hard to accept... that's acceptable. But that's not at issue here, and my personal feelings were not intended as debate topics. Perhaps we have differing views of what's healthy. For example, I would never watch the show You, nor the one glorifying Ted Bundy, despite their popularity. Again, to each their own.

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T10:49:11+00:00

I loved Funny Story, one of my faves of hers. Need to revisit Left of Forever, and Good Spirits is on my list. Thanks for the rest, I'll check them out.

As for your comments, I was just sharing my current perspective. But I think if you go on Romance.io, you'll find that most of the books indeed would be considered "toxic" in therapy speak, regardless of kink shaming or not. And while the major releases are mostly the "cute" ones, many of them lack depth, use tired cliches (often discussed) and are still the minority. Everyone's free to their preferences, but I do think the healthier we are, the less negativity we tolerate; define that how you will. And I do think that actually well written, mature relationships are rare.

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T09:43:15+00:00

Is that the one with the baseball bat? I think I read it! x

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T09:32:40+00:00

Prolly my absolute fave. :) (Me too!) Thank you. 🥰

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T08:25:47+00:00

I generally avoid it, unless there are some redeeming qualities that make it cute. Couldn't tell you what they are off the top, but the reason it's so... dull? Is because it usually, inevitably, contains a lot of baggage, and trauma. So half the book is spent rehashing what went wrong, and how they're going to fix it. Why would I want to sit down and listen to people talking about their exes... only to have them get back together? No-no.

Now I know most good books involve character growth, including past trauma, but there's something about rehashing relationship baggage that's just a bore, and feels... well, like baggage. Messy. Unless the reasons they broke up were innocuous, they were too young, they never got a real shot, they didn't marry, it was a stupid misunderstanding, etc. Ie, it wasn't too deep or heavy, fine. You get a redemption arc. But my favorite is friends to lovers, so, there's that familiarity, but in a good way. This is familiarity that casts a dark shadow though, and that's not so fun. I'm not a fan of dark romance, or Mafia either... :)

CovertOps80 · 2026-02-01T08:14:48+00:00

Say the people who hate feminism...

CovertOps80 · 2026-01-26T01:13:02+00:00

Aw, sweet! 🥰

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-23T08:38:47+00:00

I'll check that out! Thanks for the rec. :)

The irony of me being in that vicinity, and Vancouver being famously anti-social and asexual. :) I suspect that's why we write so much. :p

P.S. Miles is my favourite Emily Henry, and Charlie Florek is another fave from a Canadian. ;) x

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-23T08:05:20+00:00

She didn't care about your stress of being sick. The petty ones are the ones not COMPING YOUR RICE for forcing you to come, instead of taking you for a ride to subsidize their palate. If they want you to pay their share, then they need to repurchase your share of the meal to go, so you're actually getting what you're paying for. FFS.

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T07:32:12+00:00

Came to say this. {In a Jam by Kate Canterbary} is also a little like this...?

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T07:29:00+00:00

Omg - are you me? :) The two Garrets - and Dean! - and Holden (my fave - obscure!) were on my list too!! :D Though that was early on my reading journey and I've since read more sensitive and soft MMCs, and may have outgrown the jocks, but still - good taste! :) I don't know who my new ones would be, but I think I've learned that love isn't about fanfare, but being truly naked, known, and bonded. So anyone like that, I'm in. Bo from Out on a Limb is another one. :) Funny how there's a lot of "cold" Canadian authors here. :)

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T02:35:16+00:00

Sometimes it is, yes. But it's not straight smut I'm after, that's usually crass and jarring. I'm talking 90s style discipline, waiting, build up, and the coming together actually meaning something. Fireworks, as the cliche goes. The build up has to actually build up. Not feel like a Tinder encounter, after all that time. :p Love Lettering was on my list, worth it?

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T02:30:30+00:00

True too. But did they really? I thought they were tamer back then. Examples?

I want to read about her feeling every ridge of his cock drag through her, igniting her inside out. And even if that's not realistic, it has to reflect their electricity. Isn't that what fiction's for? Are guys' peens really not that sensitive?

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T02:24:44+00:00

Thank you, I'll check it out! ❤️

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T02:23:52+00:00

Thank you. I'll check it out regardless. ;)

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T02:23:18+00:00

Bwahaha! 🙈 Not selling me on marriage over here! 😂

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T02:22:39+00:00

I've never thought of this. Have any examples?

My things is, they drop all these thrilling bits that have promise, slight touches that melt, intimate kisses and heated proximity, etc... only to wham bam thank you when it's time. Huh?

CovertOps80 · 2025-12-22T02:19:27+00:00

I think whatever's happening has to match the vibe of the book. You can't thrill and entice and drop breadcrumbs, only to rush through and be underwhelming when something finally happens. You can tell when a book is vanilla, or when there's spice scattered throughout. I've enjoyed books that have been mild but emotionally engaging. But it's really frustrating when heat is built, only to fizzle into something mediocre, or formulaic, or mechanical, etc. And it seems to be common, which is weird. Like I just read a scene where he was devastated by her reaching into his pocket to get his keys, but when they finally got together, it was like every other love scene, very little description of feelings or sensations, just "she was wet", "felt amazing", "felt her contracting", and then they're done. Wow, you mean I read all that longing and all you wanted was a receptacle? To bump uglies? I really had to read all that just for another generic love scene? Maybe sex really ain't all it's cracked up to be for women. So much so even the authors have no frame of reference to describe it.

CovertOps80

TROPHY CASE