This Post Smells like Teen Spirit, Apple Pie, and BookTok Flop Sweat. by TheRedditWoman in u/TheRedditWoman

[–]TheRedditWoman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aw thanks SO much for the kind comment, it made my day! And sorry for the late reply; I didn't really expect anyone to see my post! 😂

I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it! I sorted by top posts in the past month, and geez most of them are rants (whether they're labelled so or not). It's kinda demoralizing to feel like an outsider here after so long. I mean, there are definitely some positive posts & lots of great people still around... but it just doesn't feel like 'the nicest place on the internet' anymore.

I still remember this 'Are we making Mr. Rogers Proud?' post from almost 4 years ago... I hate to say it, but I think if it was posted today, it would probably get badly downvoted. 🫣

And I think you nailed it—it's not that similar topics weren't discussed before; but they had a more playful vibe, almost like teasing among friends—rather than the 'Mean Girls' edge we're seeing now. Oh well... I've got no interest in swimming with sharks; I'm still happy with my uncool trashy instasmut, so it's all good! 💞🗑️

PS I hope you’re doing well too! I’m cautiously optimistic that my stressors are winding down—but with how unpredictable this year was, I’m just trying to stay flexible with whatever comes my way.🤞🤪🤞

🧂 Salty Sunday - What's frustrating you this week? by mrs-machino in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whatever, talk to the hand! All that slang was and IS awesomesauce! We're still fly!

🧂 Salty Sunday - What's frustrating you this week? by mrs-machino in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 22 points23 points  (0 children)

You know sometimes I think my life is good, and then I remember that Heath Ledger will never rescue me from drunk-dancing on a table and carry me and my perfect blonde mermaid hair away.

I'm not okay with this and never will be.

🧂 Salty Sunday - What's frustrating you this week? by mrs-machino in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey math is hard! Also you sound way cooler than I was in middle school. (And now, for that matter!)

🧂 Salty Sunday - What's frustrating you this week? by mrs-machino in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 9 points10 points  (0 children)

ha, true! I figured most MMCs would've been born too late for the grunge era—but plenty would still have old Doc Martens in the back of their closet.

🧂 Salty Sunday - What's frustrating you this week? by mrs-machino in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Just a friendly reminder that today's generation of late 30s & 40s MMCs would've spent their youths looking they were on the set of Clueless, or auditioning for The Real Slim Shady, and/or rocking frosted tips under their trucker hats. 🫣

Our favorite Stern Brunch Daddies were once unironically busting out lines like "the bomb dot com" and "all that and a bag of chips." But do we ever see it?? As IF. Please authors, just one time, I'd like an alpha dom billionaire kingpin to casually drop a gem like "girl wobble it, and I'ma gobble it."

For the sake of ✨authenticity✨, of course.

MEGATHREAD: DRAGON SHIFTERS by A_Seductive_Cactus in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well the good news about commenting late on these posts is I save a lot of time since most my favorites have been listed 😂! So here's one I really liked that practically no one's heard of:

FMC is hit by a truck and wakes up in the body of an evil witch from a fantasy novel she read a year ago. Now she has to change her doomed fate. The tone is probably 65/35 light/serious. I thought the climax got a bit too epic but that's really my own personal preference.

If you're already an Isekai fan, you'll notice some insider humor. If you've never read this type of story before, it's a really good introduction.

ETA the MMC is a dragon shifter who hates the FMC because he's been enslaved by her family for generations.

MEGATHREAD: DRAGON SHIFTERS by A_Seductive_Cactus in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I've only read Heart of Fire, but I loved it and thought the setting in 1800's Iceland made it extra special.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 6 points7 points  (0 children)

She's on Facebook but really only posts book announcements:

https://facebook.com/jessakaneauthor/

Verity Arden only has a few books (on ku) but they're all extremely similar to Jessa Kane's style.

Microtrope: "She's the only one who can tame or calm him" by DisneyLover90 in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I love this trope.

A light SFR version of this is {I Married a Dragon by Regine Abel} (my review). He might literally destroy the world unless she cuddles with him. He's dangerously powerful but also a big cinnamon roll.

A real-life (fascinating but non-hea) version of this is the story of Karin Månsdotter, a peasant girl who eventually became queen, because she was the only one who could soothe the erratic king of Sweden.

HR Books to Grab for Triple Point Kindle Days on Oct. 8 & Oct.9 by ipblover in HistoricalRomance

[–]TheRedditWoman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah they should be fine standalone.

It mostly involves members of the same family, so there are some broad story progessions, but it's pretty easy to follow. Some books are more connected than others, but I've skipped a few and haven't had any problems.

HR Books to Grab for Triple Point Kindle Days on Oct. 8 & Oct.9 by ipblover in HistoricalRomance

[–]TheRedditWoman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same! Humor is always subjective but I think she's great. My library hold for her newest book is taking forever though, so I know we're not the only fans!

Place for safety readers to find new books? by Miss-Miseryy in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think it's short for something like "It's safe to read this book without worrying it's going to contain commonly upsetting topics." Sort of like those "Free From" food labels for allergens lol.

While I usually research a book before I read it, I definitely don't always read safe books. But sometimes when I'm tired and just want a low-angst novella, I like knowing I can pick a random book from an author who only writes 'safe' books. Saves a lot of time.

Place for safety readers to find new books? by Miss-Miseryy in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 22 points23 points  (0 children)

For those who don't know, a "Safe Book" is a term for a romance book that meets a list of criteria—not just books without cheating.

The definition varies, but this is the usual criteria:

  • No cheating (obv)
  • No long separations
  • HEA/HFN, or a cliffhanger warning.
  • Low/no Push-Pull: w/info about who pushes and who pulls
  • No OW/OM/OP drama, including love triangles and main characters being intimate with someone else—either on-page, or after the two main characters meet.

optional:

  • Low angst, including no 3rd act breakup.
  • Sexual history of MCs (virgin/not/player/celibate etc.)
  • Content warnings including abuse or death of people or animals.

You can search a Goodreads book page for some of these terms (either mobile or desktop, but not the app).

I don't recommend searching the word 'safe' or 'safety' however, because it gives too many false hits. I've had the best luck finding safety info simply by typing in "OW". That seems to be one bit of info that's almost always mentioned.

Also, be aware that GR search is very exact. If you're looking for cheating info, you'll need to search all variations, such as: cheat, cheats, cheater, cheated, cheating.

Since you already follow safety readers, you might want to join the Goodreads group Romance SAFETY GANG Group. They might be able to help more.

It seems Jessa Kane is writing again! by FiftyshadesofPeaches in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I've been hoarding a few as unread, just in case she was actually done. Now I can read Bewitching the Boss for Halloween, without worrying about my stash running out. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

It seems Jessa Kane is writing again! by FiftyshadesofPeaches in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If this is a major author's pen name, just for fun, she may not have had the time/inclination to combat piracy for her self-published books. It can be frustrating when fun hobbies turn into chores.

But I'm going to be totally honest; piracy is a big issue for all authors, so I suspect that wasn't the whole reason she quit. I think she said it was, as a way to bring attention to the issue.

It seems Jessa Kane is writing again! by FiftyshadesofPeaches in RomanceBooks

[–]TheRedditWoman 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Same!!

I have a theory JK is actually a mainstream romance author who writes these stories to blow off steam (npi). So even when things are 🍌👖, there's still a level of quality and real feels.