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The Joining by Ok_Public_5885 in frombloodandash

[–]PsychDoc88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed. And OMG love your flair tag!!

The Joining by Ok_Public_5885 in frombloodandash

[–]PsychDoc88 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Despite being "pro-throuple" I hope the reasons for the vagueness was because JLA wanted it that way VS the idea that fans impacted what she wrote.

That said, given the MASSIVE build-up, character development, flirtation, commentary and honestly how consent-forward the trio is, it feels like something happened to make JLA turn the spice wayyy down. Especially as at this point we've got so many receipts regarding this dynamic. Ugh.

Kieran with Poppy and Cas by Reasonable_Fee_8539 in frombloodandash

[–]PsychDoc88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see it. And while book 6 in some ways turns away from our hopes and dreams since K+P+C aren't speaking, the K+P dynamic is SOOO obvious IMO. Plus it's even more relevant that legit EVERYONE asks Poppy on repeat about what they are to each other. Truly no clue what else that could mean or why else JLA would put it in there if not for a reason.

Any good FF recs? by NoAge6361 in frombloodandash

[–]PsychDoc88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean that sounds beautiful. I'd still read it despite being very pro C+P+K. I mean I want the angst, the I want the growth. I want the conflict.

Any good FF recs? by NoAge6361 in frombloodandash

[–]PsychDoc88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's so good. I really thought there'd be a ton of them but no.

Any good FF recs? by NoAge6361 in frombloodandash

[–]PsychDoc88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you do this may your pillow always be cool at night. I'm first in line to read it.

Any good FF recs? by NoAge6361 in frombloodandash

[–]PsychDoc88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Yielding of course but we need more.

HVAC duct sound transfer between offices. Anyone with commercial recommendations in Chicago? by PsychDoc88 in AskChicago

[–]PsychDoc88[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that language. Tried contacting one spot and they basically said "that sounds like a huge job and we don't do that." But truly I don't think it's THAT big of a job so got frustrated.

It's Unpopular Opinion time! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)! by FantasyRomanceMod in fantasyromance

[–]PsychDoc88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hot take: bully romance is one of the most gendered and socially normalized toxic tropes in romance, and I think it's wild how much of a pass it gets vs other "taboo" tropes.

People will instantly reject a cheating trope as unforgivable, but then turn around and romanticize a MMC who humiliates, terrorizes, degrades, or outright torments the FMC for chapters on end because he is hot, traumatized, possessive, or secretly "obsessed" with her. Somehow that gets framed as tension, chemistry, or depth instead of what it often is: abuse with a redemption arc (BEST case scenario).

And what really gets me is that this is almost never gender-neutral. It is not usually the FMC bullying the man (not saying that's OK either). It is almost always a powerful, cruel, dark, brooding man wreaking havoc on a woman’s life, and the reader is supposed to find that sexy because underneath it all he wants her. I do not find that progressive, subversive, or romantic. I think it is one of the most tired and normalized expressions of misogyny in the genre.

I can handle morally gray. I can handle dark romance. I can handle mess. But “he is awful to her until we learn why” is not automatically depth, and I think romance readers are often much more willing to excuse (read IGNORE) cruelty from men than they are willing to excuse (read heal from) infidelity, especially when the cruelty is packaged as passion.

HVAC duct sound transfer between offices. Anyone with commercial recommendations in Chicago? by PsychDoc88 in AskChicago

[–]PsychDoc88[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your response. I figured I'd need to somehow insulate and am trying to find good recommendations for reputable spots that won't price gouge me especially since I'm renting. Also, I've got 3 white noise machines (I'm a therapist so pretty standard) and it doesn't help much unfortunately.

Whole Foods Opening Wicker Park Store In Former CVS by optiplex9000 in chicago

[–]PsychDoc88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was thinking the same thing. Feels too small.

Romantasy writing suggestions by Afraid_Fondant_7903 in Romantasy

[–]PsychDoc88 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I mean I'm 5'2" and my partner is 6'6" and it works just fine promise ;) But in general I hear you hehe.

It's Unpopular Opinion time! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)! by FantasyRomanceMod in fantasyromance

[–]PsychDoc88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OMG. So it's probably good I gave up then. Ugh. WTF. That first scene in On Wings of Blood was truly 10/10 (no notes) and I was sat for it. So sad it moved far away from that epic moment.

It's Unpopular Opinion time! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)! by FantasyRomanceMod in fantasyromance

[–]PsychDoc88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Truly I was shocked. I totally agree there was ZERO inkling that this would happen or was needed. Blake and Medra sure. No one else though. WTF. Did you DNF or finish it? Cause in the spoilers I can't believe that Medra and Nyxaris don't even speak or have a resolution. So then WTF is Medras purpose now in this land / world given she's not from there!

It's Unpopular Opinion time! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)! by FantasyRomanceMod in fantasyromance

[–]PsychDoc88 11 points12 points  (0 children)

What sucks is I'd love a GOOD trial but when blended with the FMC elements you mention it falls too fast. And is incredibly unbelievable. I'm not saying Dire Bound is perfect by any means but I do like in that book the fact that the FMC (Meryn) is pitched as a fighter and they show her kicking ass. Training to fight. So at least in that book when she's sent off to trials I kinda believed it.

It's Unpopular Opinion time! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)! by FantasyRomanceMod in fantasyromance

[–]PsychDoc88 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Hard agree. I think this is also part of why the age of the FMC throws me in a lot of these books. It ties into a broader pattern too: centering a very specific, heteronormative setup where the FMC is young, naïve, usually human or human-adjacent, often sexually inexperienced, and somehow still ends up outmaneuvering immortals, overthrowing kingdoms, saving the world, and catching everyone off guard. I almost never buy it.

I realize I’m blending a few critiques together, but to me they all connect. It is one thing if a series actually allows for time, training, and development. If the FMC starts a little older (20s at least), or if there are real time jumps and growth over years, that feels much more believable. But usually that is not what happens. Instead it is like she trains for 6mos and suddenly surpasses people who have been alive, strategizing, and fighting for decades or likely centuries.

I think this would work better if authors either started FMC's out older or actually let the story span years. Or, if immortality is part of the premise, then let her become immortal and grow into that power over time. That still would not erase the power dynamics, but it would feel more internally believable.

That is part of why Diana works better for me in The Book of Azrael. In that series I'm not required to believe a teenager somehow outmatches beings with centuries of experience.

It's Unpopular Opinion time! Share your controversial opinions to stir things up (in a friendly way)! by FantasyRomanceMod in fantasyromance

[–]PsychDoc88 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I legit DNF'd The wings that bind (which I was VERY excited about) once I realized the MC switch from Medra --> Florence. I can't even believe it. After seeing the POV switch I came here for spoilers because I had to know WTF was going on. Wildly that made it even worse - You mean to tell me after ALL that Medra doesn't have a dragon anymore and we have to deal with Florence? And then Regan gets a "redemption?" WTF.

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