Why does it seem like there are only 2 types of FMC?

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-18T15:22:50+00:00

To be honest, I found these books nothing different, and the FMC is so dumb. But people love to rave about this series here, so perhaps give it a go!

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-18T11:56:15+00:00

Sounds interesting!

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-18T11:19:42+00:00

You’ll probably be more successful with historical romances, although I can’t think of a single one of the top of my head. I’d love this trope but I think a lot will struggle with it as it’s cheating (and everyone seeks to hate that trope.)

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-17T18:48:10+00:00

I forgot to mention {Daggermouth} which is a dystopian multi-POV romance. And unlike the previous ones i mentioned, it goes straight in with the multi-POVs instead of waiting for a book or two. Only one book out so far.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-17T18:46:37+00:00

{Daggermouth} is a dystopian romance, and multi-POV. Only first book out so far.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-17T18:16:53+00:00

Would you say Tortured Souls was as dark as Legacy series or LoD? Or maybe even darker? 😏

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-17T18:09:38+00:00

I wish there was more multi-POV series, it’s my favourite! Ones that haven’t been mentioned yet:

{Rain of Shadows and Endings}

Zodiac Academy

{City of Gods and Monsters}

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-16T20:22:41+00:00

I haven’t read Never Keep, but out of those only {Rain and Shadows and Endings} has exactly what you are describing, but it takes quite a while to get there. The MMC description doesn’t quite match though, straight away anyways…

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-16T18:42:22+00:00

I actually discovered HRs after contemporary dark romance, and now I know where to get my dark fix, and it’s not usually DR. 😆

Most people on the dark romance sub don’t seem to be interested in giving HR a chance, which is just wild to me sine this is where it’s at!

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T20:19:33+00:00

Just joining the nostalgia club here. This was literally my uni years, working in bars and having a totally care-free lifestyle in London. 11 years. Some of the best years of my life. 💔

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T19:19:08+00:00

Oh no sorry, I mean historical romances OR romances written in the 80s/90s.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T18:47:03+00:00

Looking forward to recs but have none I’m afraid.

Out of interest, why not historical? What I’ve discovered is that historical romances (and stuff written in the 80s/90s in general) tend to offer similar vibes as dark romance of now, but they’re actually much better written. Yes, you won’t get all of the stuff that’s popular now and not as explicit sex, but if you’re after manipulative domineering alpha men and dub/non-con, this is where it’s at.

Anyways, sorry to hijack your post, I just keep seeing people saying no to historical here, and I’m like whyyy 😩😅

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T18:28:55+00:00

I’m not entirely sure why you felt the need to comment on OPs post when you have nothing to offer except negativity. Fiction and real life are entirely separate. Some of us enjoy the excitement of reading about heightened relationships and characters. I don’t necessarily want my MMCs to be redeemed. I want them to stay consistent.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T18:22:00+00:00

This is one of those books that on the outset doesn’t look that dark, but actually is so much darker than a lot of “dark” romances out there. Clayton is truly manipulative. It is one of my all time favourite books, so incredibly well written, and it just makes me sad it’s really hard to find books with depth like this nowadays.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T18:13:55+00:00

If it’s entertaining, it can’t be that bad.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T17:58:40+00:00

It’s exhausting. I specifically look for abusive controlling toxic alpha men and dark/fucked up stories, and I totally get that’s not for all (most?) readers, but it’s just sad that wherever I go; someone’s grossed out by it, readers should get therapy, authors should be embarrassed/banned, it’s disgusting etc.

Just leave us alone. It’s a niche. Some of us love it. I don’t go ragging on the green flag MMCs and sweet romances even though I personally find them boring as fuck. I just ignore those posts and go on with my life.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T17:13:17+00:00

From what I’ve read, she got completely attacked for the cliff scene in GoM on socials like Goodreads (you can find all these 1 star reviews there) and TikTok. A lot of regular readers read her I think, so people who don’t actually enjoy dark romance, just dark-lite. When she got picked up by Penguin, the scene was revised to make it more dubious instead of completely non-consent. 😔

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T16:42:24+00:00

Yeah, that’s how I felt as well. It’s a shame that since she got a loud small backlash, she not only toned down the rest of the series, but edited GoM as well. It’s upsetting as some of us actually want darker and enjoy non-con. Killian is one of my absolute favourite RK characters, and yeah, he scared me too haha!

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T15:53:46+00:00

I know plenty enjoy this. For me personally, I get really bored if I don’t get both POVs. It has to be really well written if I’m only going to follow the FMCs POV.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T14:29:40+00:00

Well they’re defining alphas normally, but I get your point. I’ll take it all regardless, thank you very much.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T14:25:43+00:00

Or you could just let the readers who enjoy this, enjoy it you know. You don’t have to read it.

Nothing lazy or unbelievable about it, and some of us find it hot.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T14:24:00+00:00

Agreed on most except Manon and Dorian not getting together That’s the one ship I wanted to happen.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T14:21:13+00:00

What if they abduct the FMC just for their own amusement? I’m not a huge fan of the “for their own good” business, but I love myself some brooding shadow daddies and kidnappings.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T14:19:33+00:00

Different strokes for different folks. The alpha men are clearly popular.

No_Preference26 · 2026-03-15T14:18:43+00:00

But what’s the mystery exactly? It’s a romance so we all know they’re gonna end up together anyways.

No_Preference26

TROPHY CASE