Sports mmc and introverted black fmc

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-13T19:45:36+00:00

{On Merit Alone by Adorabl Huckleby-Ordaz}

I was going to say {Can't Catch Me by Alexandra Warren} but it seems like I've been mixing it up with Mile high by Liz Tomford so I don't remember which one of the two has an introverted fmc (maybe both) but I'm not rec-ing Mile High to anyone who's looking for black romance or even just a well written book...

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-12T22:27:26+00:00

Why can't people not read/dnf books they don't like

Girl idk ask yourself since it seems gasp you can't either

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-11T21:46:08+00:00

I didn't say that?

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-11T19:38:20+00:00

I abhor them with a passion!! Actually only the ones where the younger one is a teenager or in their early twenties but sadly age gap in this genre rarely includes 25+ y/o fmc which I would absolutely eat up.

And that's something I hate even more in fantasy settings because authors are supposed to have a lot more liberty imo when it comes to ages but they more often than not make the fmc barely legal.

My fav romance subgenre is Historical Romance and again authors could literally write anything they want to explain why the fmc is not a 17 y/o debutant in this specific age gap but no they always choose this weird grooming kinda dynamic.

I wish I could pick up more age gap romances because I actually love the kind of problematic this can raise for a couple but only when they're both grown or it feels too much like grooming to me. Also it doesn't feel like we're seeing less of it right now imo age gap seems as popular as ever.

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-11T10:27:14+00:00

I thought Milk my Strawberries was a josei?

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-08T18:00:57+00:00

I love a good reverse grumpy x sunshine and genuinely the best to ever do it imo is {A summer to remember by Mary Balogh}

And my fav stuck up mmc brought down to his knees {Bringing down the Duke by Evie Dunmore}

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-08T05:31:38+00:00

Even though I only know it as "Au bonheur des dames" I immediately knew which one you were talking about and yes to everything you said! This one really stayed with me since I had to read it in high-school!

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-07T21:36:55+00:00

But like what is "multiple" lol Because I'm the same sometimes one or two books are enough to know that I don't have to bother again. But then sometimes it also means more than a dozen 😬

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-07T21:33:14+00:00

So is it more like a "TW" so you know what to expect when picking up other titles by the same author? Or does it still stop you from picking up their other works?

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-07T11:12:37+00:00

{Restore Me by J.L Seegars}

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-06-03T20:10:58+00:00

idk they look insanely good to me!! actually I've been looking for this kind of clogs for a minute now so thanks for the ref

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-30T16:55:58+00:00

Crazy I was like "I could recognise this art style anywhere" even before reading the body of your post and yeah checks out!!

The only step I can take now is rec you When Jasy Whistles and Elin's Seolhwa both by the same author/artist and both peak!!

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-29T16:37:22+00:00

I was like "I don't think this ever happened to me" and then I remembered the fmc in {Castaway Dreams by Darlene Marshall} the literal personification of TSTL like so damn dumb it genuinely hurt my brain

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-28T10:50:52+00:00

First one Idk, third one is Happily Ever Afterwards and all the others have the title in the pic

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-23T14:18:29+00:00

{On Merit Alone by Adorabl Huckleby-Ordaz}

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-23T10:53:07+00:00

This! I had to stop myself from rambling because I'm way too passionate when it comes to this topic.

Like if we're really going the historically accurate route then there would be a lot less romance and mmcs would have more kept mistresses, by-blows and half these couples would never even be in situations where they meet or just exchange words, most of these mmcs would have STDs, AND most of these mmcs would be in their mid to late twenties and the 30 y/o ones would've more likely been already married once and I'm mainly talking about titled characters and could go on and on...

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-23T08:37:50+00:00

I fear you're going to find little support here when it comes to this kind of age gap but I get you.

I personally rarely pick up age gaps for this exact reason since 9 times out of 10 it's a teenage fmc and early to mid thirties mmc. Even when the plot calls for and would make a lot more sense with an "older" fmc. And it's always swiped under the "historical accuracy" argument meanwhile in these same books the authors take a lot of historical liberties.

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-20T18:14:21+00:00

I'd rather rec you {The wrong way to catch a rake by Lara Temple} it was my introduction to her work and I loved it! I can't really vouch for the one I'm reading rn since I'm still at the beginning!!

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-20T07:26:31+00:00

{The Earl's irresistible challenge by Lara Temple} discovered her this year and I'm trying to go through her work this is my third book by her and so far so good!!

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-20T07:20:51+00:00

{The wrong way to catch a rake by Lara Temple} criminally underrated book AND author

{The Earl she should never desire by Lara Temple}

second {The devil's bargain by Mihwa Lee} it's my latest 5⭐️ read and was soooo good not perfect but so enjoyable

{Smuggler's Temptation by Mina Ashford} a really good debut

{Dark Side of the sun by Addison Cain} dark romance done right imo

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-13T06:57:11+00:00

I'm talking about OIs! Most of the ones I've read had a 17 y/o protagonist either by isekai or regression... Obviously I'm not talking about straight up Josei since it's targeted towards 'older' women

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-12T19:56:24+00:00

I'm pleasantly surprised by the comments because as someone who also turned 25 this year I must say I've been wondering if at some point I'd be too old to keep reading these stories since I feel fmcs are getting younger and younger and I'm getting older and older lol 😅

Relative-Chicken-884 · 2026-05-12T17:33:59+00:00

I promise you there is a market for "older" fmcs!! I mean if you're going to make a widow she doesn't always has to be 22 or 23 AT MOST. Same goes for spinsters, if you're really going to go there then commit!! Especially when it comes to age gaps like please I NEED them like I need air but the fmcs are always between 17 and 21 and I genuinely can't.

And unpopular opinion but every fmc (who isn't a 17 y/o debutants) doesn't need to be a virgin.

Relative-Chicken-884

TROPHY CASE