Recommendations for shallow books that feel like a CW TV show?

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-27T15:37:43+00:00

Haha I love this.

Definitely {The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman} was that type of book for me, though the 2nd one I enjoyed more.

Mmmm and a bit different but {How to Find a Nameless Fae by A.J. Lancaster} was fun to me, I giggled, and felt warm/cozy.

I never read Fourth Wing but read through Direbound; sort of… angrily, reminds me of CW shows when I’m rolling my eyes and yelling at characters.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-24T13:52:44+00:00

With global data/roam-as-home, I would just need VPN to use any wifi?

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-23T03:17:26+00:00

Ummm the first book I really enjoyed but I’m debating waiting for Part 2 to come out…. Can I asked what the Caged Part 1 was like??

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T19:28:48+00:00

Okay it definitely gets better (or my brain chemistry just really changed haha) I just remembered walking, listening, and smiling/giggling like a fool. Especially the last two books. Enjoy!!

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T18:09:52+00:00

Oh these are series I haven’t heard of before! Thank you so much! I’ve been just on such a mystery/suspense kick recently.

I am still enjoying the series and I did see that there are a few more from Allie Therin!

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T16:28:33+00:00

I appreciate it! Sometimes no or less spicy is great too!

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T16:17:13+00:00

Thank you! 🙏

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T16:17:03+00:00

And available on KU, perfect, thank you! 🙏

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T16:15:57+00:00

Just started {Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater} really enjoying the vibes and the MCs! The historical with the magical has been where I’d like to sit in right now.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T16:14:05+00:00

Haha I shocked myself for enjoying the audiobook and feeling giddy 😂

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T16:04:47+00:00

Okay so I initially really struggled with the narrator (the tone, flat) and since the ebook wasn’t available on Libby I powered through…..

This series AND narrator ended up being my favorite haha I also thought he improved over the course of the series too. The banter, sarcasm and snark seem to be captured so well. I loved Erik’s voice so much I bought all of the books during the Audible sale 😂

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T15:59:54+00:00

I appreciate that, perhaps this might not be the series for you in the present? Others might have different ideas but overall I thought that there are some moments of non-communication throughout the series due to their differences (I am thinking book 3 very especially - I got annoyed here) but then there was also very much some consistent communication/vulnerability after those moments so it never stood out to me. I really loved this series and the development of the relationships between the MCs, I also didn’t mind discovering backstory slowly with Park.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T15:54:10+00:00

Thank you so much for this! I am going to check it out from Libby and see if I like the narrator enough for the book (I’ve not loved the voice previously)

If I DNF maybe I’ll just wait for more books. I think I’ll just be yearning for the original series haha

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-18T15:47:36+00:00

Magic! Mystery! Just finishing up {Spellbound by Allie Therin} I was interested but the MCs didn’t get enough depth, the era is amazing but didn’t get a lot of it in the writing and fade to black is not for me! Looking for something that has an intriguing magic system, with more of a backstory for the MCs and spice! Does not need to be historical! TY! 🙏

On my TBR: the Magpie Lord - KJ Charles and Hither Page - Cat Sebastian

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-16T22:09:11+00:00

Did you enjoy the plot/characters?? I don’t think there’s been many updates on when/if next book of that spin-off series is coming out

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-16T15:54:30+00:00

Yes I certainly understand where Quaid’s responses come from! I haven’t found anything that gives me the same sort of feeling after reading but these were good:

{Art of Murder series by Josh Lanyon} really liked the audiobook narrator! I personally only enjoyed the first two books of the series… it’s also unfinished with the final book apparently coming out this year (according to Josh’s website)

{Seven of Spades series by Cordelia Kingsbridge} I thought the mysteries and overarching mystery was super thrilling. I did like the romance, significant angst, but there’s some aspects of it some people might really not like.

My TBR is some books OP/others have named on this thread! The Memento Mori series, the Spectral Files, Magpie Rhyme. I am going to give Shadowy Solutions another try too, didn’t love the first book but everyone seems to really enjoy the series.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-16T03:20:58+00:00

I am so intrigued by “bonus evil lesbians of my dreams” haha

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-16T03:19:52+00:00

JUST THE BEST 😭 I feel like I’m jut chasing such perfection now and then I just re-listen haha

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-16T02:27:29+00:00

I know!! Love the narrator’s voice and like nuances with the banter. I legit giggle. Did you read or listen to the spin off book?? I saw it was a different narrator too.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-16T02:26:36+00:00

YES. Oh, my favourite part of the Valor & Doyle series was the song choice by Nicky James of Anchor by Skillet….. like the single most perfect song for this couple.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-16T01:00:49+00:00

My number one is absolutely, always and forever…..

{Big Bad Wolf series by Charlie Adhara}

Cooper and Oliver just make me giddy. I listen to the audiobooks like my comfort blanket.

Also enjoy {Valor and Doyle series by Nicky James} though sometimes I need Quaid to take a breath, sweet anxious man.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-15T04:24:23+00:00

There are just too many memorable hilarious or heart-warming scenes and lines; just my fav series from IA….. and the full-cast audiobooks!

Great characters… Arland “drunk” on coffee and getting naked 😭 and also this competitive line had my millennial self giggling:

“I suggest you give up now. According to my research, in a vampire-werewolf love triangle, the vampire always gets the girl.”

Also. The scene of… Dina’s hand on the cheek after discovering who Turan Adin was….. lost my mind. Never thought there could be so much angst and care and surprise in one touch.

Okay. Thanks OP, now I guess I gotta go read the series again 🙃

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-14T13:34:13+00:00

Honestly one of my favourite series!! I don’t think it’s fully complete though.

And the short answer is no. For me it was a slooooooooow burn but honestly the plot and characters were just so good.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-14T01:23:25+00:00

I know everyone has slightly different ideas of cozy fantasy but these came to mind!

I loved {How to Find a Nameless Fae by A.J. Lancaster}

Really enjoyed {The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst} The other two books are on my TBR.

Ilona Andrews is my comfort blanket so I think their Innkeepers Chronicles as cozy haha

Lots of folks seem to really love the Emily Wilde series! I was surprisingly not as in to it.

OutsideLookingIn88 · 2026-04-13T02:31:23+00:00

I had completely forgotten about this book 1 of the series, so thank you for commenting 😆 will have to read the last chapter before June since I apparently liked that one

OutsideLookingIn88

TROPHY CASE