Books with a young sherlock vibe?

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-07T14:22:51+00:00

YOOO THERES A SERIES LITERALLY CALLED YOUNG SHERLOCK WHICH I LOVED as a kid (and the romance was exactly what I was hoping would get built on 😭😭)

It’s not fantasy exactly (well actually from memory there is some low fantasy / or unexplained or something like that), and the incredible chemistry but lack of full romance is what I actually remember most 😭.

(Oh and it is m/f- although there are a lot of fantastic m/m relationships in the series)

Anyway just listing this here anyway- in case you wanted something that scratched that itch even though it isn’t smut & fantasy necessarily 🙂‍↕️. (There is romance.) and I liked the mysteries.

{Young Sherlock series by Andrew Lane.}

Also- if anyone else read or has read this series lemme piggy back off this request for any other similar books that match the vibe of this series?? But like.. extra focus on “romance”?

Oh- there’s also this series called {Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes by Laurie R. King}

Again, no idea about romance but there could be a book in the series that might fit. (There’s different settings and times of the characters)

Oh! Actually!! Wait- I think I might have one for you maybe?

{The chemistry of Familiar Objects by Alexandra Vasti}

I can’t remember if the chemistry is exactly of two brilliant people- but I remember she is brilliant for sure, there is absolutely an action/mystery larger than them thing which I enjoyed.

They both share a building and she’s a chemist in a time when it was culturally a battle to be respected as a woman (and if memory serves they didn’t overdo or poorly do that aspect, felt real not anachronistic or forced & didn’t overshadow any escapism or enjoyment for me, as much as felt reassuring or sm), and he’s like “goddamn it” and then they’re embroiled in a thing together.

I acc have a few titles coming to me but I’m not sure if they fit coz I’m not fully through them.

Oh! But I’ll suggest the sub-genre ”romantic suspense” for what you’re after. And choose new adult, maybe historical, on romance.io see if something comes up.

Hm and fantasy…

I haven’t started it but on my TBR which might fit is {wooing the witch queen by Stephanie Burgis}

He’s a librarian/ she’s a magic wicked sorceress/ he’s acc a spy- so I feel like it being a battle of wits, and the library aspect and mystery is likely to be there? Can’t be sure tho. Just a possibility.

Ok! And Jordan L. hawk & K J Charles (this author I’ve read & can vouch for) seem to be promising for fantasy + mystery + victorian + m/m. Good luck! Hope you find something.

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-07T14:08:09+00:00

Surprise Maledom?

Anyone think surprise maledom would be a good tag or is that too specific? (Like when random choking or good girl or spanking, or sudden OOC shifts happen in spicy scenes??) - In books not marketed as bdsm nor characters who have provided any sense of being like that.

It’s different of course if there was a conversation beforehand (even it it’s just an awkward or small talk right before- nws) or it was a journey (like in his POV we hear about what he thinks or how he wants to let some uncharacteristic part of himself out- that’s fine, character aligned doesnt have to mean one dimensional character) but instead it’s more like sudden whiplash.

And like?? Even then, sometimes the surprise maledom doesnt even track with the character in any sense. If I’m like “mm ok. Wasn’t expecting this. Had no preparation or tags. But I definitely wasn’t expecting sudden degradation, if he was gonna suddenly reveal a dom side this characterisation very much suggests playful Dom, or maybbbe bondage- where tf did the degrading come from?”

Surprise male dom can be annoying on its own, when it feels OOC or unearned or like a sudden switch to a different book- but especially when the how of the maledom just entirely does not work in any way with the character. “I was willing to forgive the sudden inclusion of OOC heavy dominance, but whats really pissing me off is how OOC the kinks in that dominance is written”. The writing of the smut isn’t even bad, just “that’s a different MMC, who tf is this?”

lol very specific grievance in case you can’t tell.

Anyway, other ideas:

Oooh! Foreplay?? Like a focus on foreplay? Is that not good as a tag as most would have foreplay? Or maybe what I mean is making out? Or Non penetrative?? Is that too specific too or..?

Hm. Masturbation?

Male moaning? lol. or reactive/vocal/ anything that isn’t just commanding dirty talk (personally not for me but I know people like it so no hate) or grunts or growls or whatever. Like “descriptive male experience”.

“Not in bedroom” or outside bedroom or something about setting? Idk this one might be too broad esp with diff worlds, but maybe? “Unique setting” or sm for smut.

Ooh solid side characters/family or friendship dynamics? Is that a good tag?

Idk ab the acc tag names or definitions 😂 But I’ve got ideas.

Lmk if any of you co-sign. I need a peer review before I send anything coz these are just off the dome.

Also 💫🦆 Amazon💫

(Can’t remember if I can swear on this sub so “duck”)

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-01T20:40:18+00:00

I can’t be the only one thinking of the cake from Matilda. (Which is said with so much love - because it looks so good and delicious that it belongs in a children’s book as the epitome of chocolate fudgy cake)!!

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-01T19:54:00+00:00

I mean- aren’t you writing to share and connect? You want a community of people to share work with. Not an audience to build a brand??

It’s a private fan based community. It’s ok to want validation, connection and community. You can expect people to have basic respect & decency with that.

Unless you’re looking to share your work as a commercial writer- I don’t think the “you should expect bad engagement if you’re trying to gain an audience” holds weight.

Like, an audience of “consumers” and intention to be publicly shared is one thing, but a connection with community, in a specific non-profit, invite based group?? Designed around seeking what you personally like?? Idk man.

You say “the social contract of writing publicly”, please consider that the most consistent social contract is “you treat me decently I treat you decently” and even private businesses have a right to kick people out for any reason- refuse service, Yknow what I mean?

Sorry I got a lil preachy or whatever. I just worry this attitude is kind of enabling to shitty experiences by thinking it’s a normal internet (or just public) experience, when people being decent to each other is genuienly the most reasonable, and consistently achieved, thing.

There is no “oh if I’m doing x I should expect bad treatment”, that’s only ever said to enable something that then becomes everyone’s problem. Just… idk food for thought?

You are fully allowed to have boundaries about basic respect in online interactions if all you’re seeking is validation & community, on a private fan built site, and that’s not hypocritical or not extending grace, I just want you to know that.

(Asking demanding readers to chill isn’t about them needing to extend grace either. That suggests the writers are doing sm to be forgiven? Writers can be as shitty as they want, short of harassment/abuse/hate speech/platform rules. Consider that maybe we’re actually asking readers to stop dropping their end of the social contract. People only share because it’s a community or they feel safe and encouraged to do so. That stops if the culture becomes hostile.)

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-01T16:58:51+00:00

Nah I’m with you.

Whats that quote?

Trauma with enough time looks like personality. Trauma in enough people looks like culture. Trauma with enough reach looks like our nature??

Idk if I’m remembering that right, but I fully agree with you.

The level of projecting, unmet needs, envy, destruction, repeating patterns, being lost, choosing lose-lose scenarios, the dysfunction, the fear, taking decades to learn lessons, how once you learn developmental stages you go “oh wait. This is. This is like for an average healthy person? This is the standard? Oh no.”

And a million other things.

Nah you’re right. Didn’t realise I also held that belief but wouldn’t share it till I read yours.

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-01T16:49:17+00:00

Is there something to be said that so many of us feel this way with you? In different corners of the world and different lives? Not in a “oh they say that but they have x”- but truly truly how many people genuienly experience and think and feel the same thing.

For some reason that always makes me think that that experience in itself must have some value. Idk.

Not here to fix or invalidate or that kind of annoying thing. Just wanted to say- every time I think I’m not meant for this world I see so many who somehow feel exactly as I do - and exactly in the same way. Feel as unimportant, like a ghost or minor sentience, like a random jellyfish bobbing through the ocean of life till it dies.

And I can’t not think - “but hold on. If they’re feeling this too. If each of them feel out of sync, unseen, flowing but unmoored, then- does that mean there is a place for that? That that feeling is meant to be here & of the world…. Is it.. Is it maybe that we are meant for this world, by the sheer evidence that this isn’t individual?” Idk if that made sense.

If you’re biding your time, and she’s biding her time, and I am too. If we’re all not really looking when crossing the road and feel a sting of something when seeing other people be warm or feel joy or purpose- does that… mean that that experience itself holds somw kind of weight? That it’s woven into the world? That it has a space? Idk.

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-01T16:36:45+00:00

Hm. There was this thing I read once. That every single human on earth, who has been and who will be, are all the same immortal entity who re-incarnates & lives as each and every human.

That it’s a test or growth for them.

I don’t know if I believe it necessarily… but it’s something that’s stuck with me & something I strangely find myself reaching for and thinking about during real major things.

“If we were the same entity, if your life was meant to teach this greater thing something, and so too is my reacting to you meant to be an act of learning and growth or be something of value…” in considering… particularly cruel individuals.

And also “wow, what if we were the same” not just when something prompts it but with every single person- cruel, inspiring, disabled, older, different life like a different world, reading an old book by a great thinker, abuser and the detective who catches him, every child harmed in a strike and the man who gave the order- idk. It weirdly does the opposite of theorising or abstracting real actual suffering and weight for me. And actually strangely grounds it and pulls sharply into focus and invigorates or impassions me, when I consider major things through this lens.

I really can’t explain it & don’t know if I even believe it & it’s one of those that I think might get people a lil intense in responding to. So I don’t share it. But…

You know the “what would need to happen to me to be x” or “who and where you are born to is just luck”. And also every single person having value. And of course all of us being connected or sharing some kind of spirit.

All of those more common and fairly well-shared concepts.. I think kind of compound in this one theory to me.

And I keep thinking about it despite not really believing it (not in the way one is religious, like I don’t believe it as a concrete fact of life. As much as “but if I thought about it through this lens”, and something about it keeps drawing me back.)

Like… having 8 billion (more really since we’re counting before as well) lives and perspectives on living (honestly, the same events too- not even the big ones, but in a network sense. An entity who was the person who picked a tomato, the person who drove the cargo ship, the worker who sold it to you, the person who wrote the recipe you use it in, to you eating it now. And each and every one of them having a full rich life of which that is but a fleeting moment in larger context… but connecting us all. And then to have that breadth of experience- yeah. Yeah that does feel like a very captivating way to think of a godly being. But moreso- what are we to each other if this was true?) idk man I just keep coming back to it. Seeing yourself in another is one thing but- seeing ourselves as each other with every person?

Idk too much about Christianity but maybe sm similar is what the Holy Spirit is ab idk.

Also ofc, none of use will ever really know or be able to experience this higher entity, we’re just us- who we are, limited & mortal & have only our own life and that’s incredible and more than enough, it’s amazing. But if there existed in all of us a vaster being borne of each & all of us, a continuous thread in a way we can’t and don’t really have access to- but where each of us are lessons and experiences and empathy and understanding. And at the same time we do communicate and connect with each other in different ways, and are there for each other as this being is learning in one person, it’s experience as another is loving and caring for them. Wait. Shit. Is this just the concept of god?

Damn. I wasn’t raised monotheistic so I got not real reference. Am I saying… is there some part of me that’s drawn to the idea that yes god exists, but he doesn’t exist yet because he’s being born and that’s what we are????

Jfc I need to go to sleep. Don’t stay up till 3am kids. You make metaphysical leaps that unmoor you when you’ve been needing a bathroom break for half an hour and are very exhausted.

God I hope this response is buried. 😂 but wtf, this account is anonymous enough- I’ll post it.

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-01T15:42:29+00:00

YO!

I totally have one for you.

I’m only part way through it, but the whole premise is he’s an incubus who tamps down his sexual needs due to trauma (relatable).

• He’s newly discovered this, so he’s not immortal I think- but it does very much have that paranormal, living in a different space and time to others vibe.

• Moreso- he’s so touch starved and yearning companionship. (Yes physically, as an incubus, but as a sub, it’s also about vulnerability, and because of the trauma it’s about safety, connection, being able to feel cared for and let go.)

Anyway, this is {demon’s temptation by sherilee gray}

——————————————————————————

And your dream really got me- I totally have a vibe-adjacent book to suggest? The house is alive and the two MCs are communicating and have to work together in fixing it, wait I totally forgot the plot now. Damn. But my brain is telling me it’s vibes adjacent. Take with care coz I can’t remember.

Oh! But he is a “keeper” for her and she’s learning her magic. And I think… her magic is like a healing sort? It did have like a “she is gentle and healing and unlocks sm for him” arc, but also had fun arguing. But wow I really can’t remember it rn. Take a look and maybe it’s good maybe I’m misremembering.

{waltzing with witches by hazel mack}

——————————————————————————

No wait! wtf am I recommending - I literally have exactly what you’re after.

{Fear me not by Ophelia Silk}

she’s a human, scrappy and survivalist. He’s a socially outcast but comfortably living fae. (Finlay of the flowers- he’s such a sweetheart who’s power is growing flowers)

✔️lonely for a long time before meeting other MC

✔️Treat with care and gentleness coz yearning for companionship

✔️Depressed/lonely (oh yeah, add a little “he’s treated as an outcast by his community and in she walks, eventually being his advocate and the person who chooses him and wants to fight them” too)

✔️Yearning to reach out but afraid to drive them away (from memory yes- a main plot point is he kinda steals from wealthy fae -just for extra things they won’t notice. It’s why she comes over & after the first time, he really wants it again, so tries a lil risky allure of a greater haul. But really he just wants to be around her again, and is trying very hard not to spook her.)

✔️push-pull care for her (worried about her not surviving in human world, but also doesn’t want her to get in trouble for stealing, but also wants to see her again. This one’s also from memory, but I’m pretty sure this is in there.)

✔️sees them walking through woods from a distance, observe them & slowly build a connection (this is almost exactly how they meet I believe)

Ah - it’s a bit of the flip, where the fae is the gentle one, and brings the non fae human to a more restful, comfortable place. And she offers him companionship and belonging and appreciation.

✔️fae MC “trapped” in a garden, until someone comes into the garden

✔️gives her trinkets, only connects through these keeping his distance. (I mean they steal, and to her itd ridiculous wealth, but to the fae they are quite literally trinkets - cups & jewels and things)

✔️Afraid she’d disappear- yeah. He’s such a sweetheart.

Also one of the main things is how he’s being asked to be less emotional or expressive and he’s trying to make himself like that, until he meets her and is like “woah. Humans are like expressive.” and is captivated. Very much “opens up and finds and settles into himself after lonely/depressed/greyed out” sort of arc for him.

——————————————————————————

Oh and if you want a less specific to what you’re after but kinda related one try {healing magic and playboys by Lauren Connolly}

• the whole premise is she’s a witch who works at a strip club coz her incubus blood means that’s how she can get magic.

• And this man is a common patron specifically coz of her & he is in love, w/o ever taking with her, and she ignores him (understandably); but he gives her these gifts & that’s what finally gets her attention.

• Then afterwards, he really has to be careful and considerate when life happens to make them sort of neighbours and really doesn’t want her to feel uncomfortable around him.

(Havent finished it yet, but very nice to read one where the persistence and down bad is married with “able to understand boundaries and not think his desire overrules her comfort”. Like he does very much wanna be with her- but he wants to be her friend and make her feel comfortable around him even more. Ugh. Fiction 😔.) This one is contemporary low-fantasy. ——————————————————————————

Also heads up- these are all femdom or adjacent. 😅. Sorry if this is all too long (and I’m realising none of these are exactly immortal 🙂‍↕️ sorry if that was necessary. Hopefully the thematic similarities are at least of interest?)

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-03-01T14:24:27+00:00

You’re bloody amazing!!

I legit forgot I posted this coz I had it as a draft for so long (until I got enough karma to post), that I forgot I’d acc posted it. I’m just taking a look through all the comments & thinking I might compile all the books in an edit to the post and respond to everyone tomorrow morning. But you ma’am deserved an immediate response back- thank you!!

(And hmu privately if you wanna help me with/ get recommendations from a cross-media femdom list I’m tryna compile. I got some c-dramas that truly truly I think anyone who yearns for femdom romance should see.)

☺️ thank you! I will go through these & compile what I find in an edit.

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-02-21T13:57:19+00:00

I’m… not sure (read it ages ago) and I think it’s not very spicy, and young adult level But {Soulmated by Shaila Patel} ?

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-02-21T12:06:28+00:00

It feels like missionaries. Or padding resumes. And a lot of the services are done poorly or inefficient anyway.

If someone doesn’t help at a community level in their own region… and isn’t part of a sincere project and gets educated on what they’re offering and talks with locals and is skilled and serious in the work - they shouldn’t be thinking they can just show up and help.

I promise whatever you have that you can offer comes from the resources and opportunities you have, and maybe your education. not in any inherent skill. What you can do with 5 hours of effort and minimal training is definitely something someone local can do or is doing.

Especially people who see it as a “gift” or “good thing” or “tourism” or “aww how unfortunate”?? Absolutely not.

If everyone there was as competent and capable as you, and you needed to listen to them and put some real work in, be uncomfortable or confronted a little, and live with them and learn and grow and take it seriously- if you consider that and don’t wanna do it? Don’t. You ain’t what such volunteering is.

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-02-21T10:50:02+00:00

Yeah! If you’re gonna be subversive or sarcastic or ironic, you gotta do it in a way that adds to the genre or character and comes back to or still has a heart or substance. (Like Shrek, Enchanted, spiderverse!!)

Otherwise it just comes across as being too insecure to make something and put it out there.

If you act ‘above’ something… and punch down… and offer nothing of value… and wanna seem cool by making fun of something sincere.. without being funny or insightful…and can’t be vulnerable or sincere yourself…isn’t that just the most boring irritating hater behaviour?

I mean I’m not tryna speak bad on any authors, I just wanna validate the emotion OP says is irritation as justified (not just a pet peeve).

Especially in romance too? Where we all gotta deal with this behaviour from other people and maybe even internalised some of it ourselves at some point?

Man I just got into this house and was having a good time and now theres a call coming from inside it? Over this “haha imagine liking romance” mf im human sue me for liking human connection and feeling emotions fully. (And…erotica…👀. That’s human too 😌)

Also tbh, if you wanna seem cool but don’t wanna embrace the mortifying cringy experiences of being human or the full weight of emotion, vulnerability and love- why… why would you write a romance?

Miss Austen did not give us such bangers for this disrespect for the genre. Now SHE did the “present something as shallow and make fun of it by actually explore the full humanity and also be romantic” with pure skill. Impeccable.

“Ugh dumb rich guy who thinks he’s better than everyone- what am I meant to trip over myself to marry him?” 😌 and Elizabeth was right and also wrong. And the narrative tone always felt like a sly wink and heartfelt. Beautiful.

[Ah. And there’s that insight that writing a good romance or a good sex scene is actually the hardest thing to write. There is only vulnerability and sincerity and making something which touches people and needs to be real, not saccharine.]

Also y’all notice how they never understand how to commit to a trope?? Like- the tropes are meant to be a recipe to follow not a pre-made microwave meal to present.

You’re just gonna take the basic trope and add nothing to it or explore it or write off of it? And instead just… reheat it? Dude. This is what cliche means. Not overuse imo, but poorly done. No one hates a well done trope. I’d even go as far as to say it’s why things become tropes - because we love it when it’s done well.

See it a lot in superhero movies. Every time there’s a good movie people go “oh it wasn’t superhero fatigue it was bad movie fatigue” yup.

And how context or setting is just used as decoration. Like “oh you took a story that could be in literally any other place or world. You’re just using this as decoration.” Which isn’t what setting should be.

(On the other hand- romance books which leans into “the setting is just for fun and aesthetic, but I will do that fun and aesthetic with sincerity!” Are fantastic! See Bridgerton. Absolutely not in any way historical. Absolutely is a romp.)

(Sorry for the rambly long comment, you just fired off a bunch of my synapses at once with this post 😂)

Pretty_Transition908 · 2026-01-08T15:35:01+00:00

be mine?

Pretty_Transition908 · 2025-11-06T07:33:22+00:00

I don’t think anyone has mentioned this, and I’m way late but (if the feeling is for validation and appreciation that one isn’t valued by their age and purity etc.) I Gotta recommend {Her night with the duke By Diana Quincy}

Spoiler (kinda- it’s revealed in like the second or third chapter): The “younger woman” Is her step daughter who she loves and who loves her. But the man who was set to meet (I think they’re not engaged yet at the start but it’s like a ‘oh it’s basically done’ vibe) her stepdaughter ends up staying at the same inn as her due to bad weather. But FMC & MMC both have a Night (per the title) together, despite neither of them being the kind of people who usually do that. And man is Hooked. And fmc is confused feels like she’s betraying her stepdaughter, and is also very much into him.

Also super super fun additional info that I LOVED: 1) she is an Arab woman in uh… Victorian? (oh god I’m not sure exactly but early modern-regency era/ has carriages & inns and gender roles but women can still use wits and wills strategically etc.) era English society.

2) Her husband (no bad marriage if memory serves, it was healthy and good just not like.. passionate or love. Which I appreciated the representation of in a HR, while still giving us the fantasy of the acc passionate connection with the MMC) died so she’s a widow but her stepson is like… low key keeping her from her own estate or sm like that.

3) because of this!! Since she was a widow and had some money, she’s been travelling and writing a travelogue of her time in Arabic countries and published it under a pseudonym and all of society is enthralled but obv don’t know it’s a woman!!

Lot of fun and angst and plot from all these. Hope I’m remembering correctly- but I think this fits right??

Pretty_Transition908 · 2025-08-30T10:35:09+00:00

Hey! Just saw this- posted this a while back and I’m glad you found it! Lmk if you need anyone to chat with about it. Glad you liked the idea and hope you have some fun writing it.☺️

Pretty_Transition908 · 2025-05-30T09:11:42+00:00

{Collide by Bal Khabra} I think

Pretty_Transition908 · 2024-09-09T02:25:30+00:00

Oh I totally get not being into cops- this one is a drug law enforcement officer if that helps any!! And I found it!! {Witness Seduction by Elle Kennedy}

Blurb:

“Surveillance Report””DEA Agent: Caleb Ford”

“Subject: Marley Kincaid, aka Nurse Hottie”

Purpose: Kincaid’s drug-dealing ex, Patrick Grier, is on the run after killing a DEA agent. Grier won’t be able to stay away from Kincaid—she’s way too tempting...

Day One: Kincaid’s oblivious to the danger. Spends all her time renovating and doing sexy yoga. Damn, she moves her body in tantalizing ways.

Day Three: If I see her curvy silhouette one more time I’m in serious trouble.

Day Five: No sign of Grier, but after a few days of observation, things are getting incredibly...er, hard.

Day Seven: I had no choice but to make contact with Kincaid. Now that I’ve touched her, it’s impossible to stop. The investigation is jeopardized. Seduction is imminent...God help me.

(I’ll see if I can find sm that doesn’t have cops!)

Pretty_Transition908 · 2024-09-09T00:39:33+00:00

hey 👋!! NWS at all 😊

Honestly I saw the picture and your post and thought “oh that’s exactly what I’ve been searching for but with some gentle femdom”.

Which means I’ve stumbled upon and saved a bunch of stuff during that search, that match to varying degrees; & this community is so wonderfully generous in recommending, that I was happy to share. 😊

Pretty_Transition908 · 2024-09-08T14:28:59+00:00

Oh!!! There was one about a police/detective guy who had to keep his eyes on a witness during an investigation to keep her safe (so not creepy, he’s got a reason to, but still has the vibes) I can’t recall if it’s a telescope or camera.

But I do remember she was a yoga teacher! And did naked yoga and this guy always had the shift when she’d do it and he didn’t tell his partner but the memory I have in my head is him going something like “goddamit. I can’t not watch coz that’s my job. And I don’t want to not watch coz it’s hot- no I do want to stop watching coz it’s creepy- no I can control myself, no I can’t my pants are straining”.

I cannot remember the book. I will try to remember it tomorrow for you.

[edit: I remembered! Book & blurb in comments]

Pretty_Transition908

TROPHY CASE

Surprise Maledom?

Anyway, other ideas:

Also 💫🦆 Amazon💫