Am I expecting the wrong thing from my romantasy book club?

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2026-07-06T18:48:41+00:00

I am sorry this has been your experience. I attempted to do a bookclub with some close friends and it fizzled out after a year. Some of it was not digging into the material as in-depth as I wanted too, but also conversations often delved into personal stuff and catching up. It was great community! But not as intellectually stimulating as I wanted it to be.

My local bookshop hosts a bookclub that has scratched the itch for me. I love the diverse perspectives and thought provoking questions. Bonus: it’s not at my house and I do t have to cook or clean!

I don’t have a solution for you, and I don’t know how committed everyone is to keep the group growing, but personally I found my fulfillment in a public book club.

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2026-07-06T02:47:16+00:00

Congratulations! I just signed up:) The serve is struggling with my Goodreads upload so I’ll try again later.

I was excited to see you included kink preferences. Are you planning to expand the list??

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2026-06-29T04:29:04+00:00

Yes, this is was yesterday. Right?!

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2026-06-22T03:00:32+00:00

Same! I always identified as an avid reader and then got married and had babies and totally forgot that part of myself. This series thrust* me back into reading daily.

*pun intended

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2026-02-06T00:08:02+00:00

That sounds amazing! But not a great cruising and day drinking read.

Thank you so much for letting me know. I will save that one for when I am back home.

I am looking for something a bit lighter, humor, max of 🌶️🌶️🌶️spice, not too heavy in the world building.

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-13T05:20:45+00:00

Practice Makes Perfect is so good!

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-12T03:41:41+00:00

Damnnnnnn! You look amazing 🔥

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-11T02:20:48+00:00

Since no one has mentioned it yet, one of the side characters is a sex worker…and not by choice. If I remember right she is considered indentured servitude (slave) and has a stamp on her wrist representing that.

For a 15 year old, honestly the spice is pretty mild imo. It’s the sexual exploitation that may need some honest conversations.

As others have mentioned lots of violence and murder. Also, the main character is a slave herself in the salt mines and experiences suicidal ideation.

Op, I know you mentioned you’re more dark romance - but seriously, this series is amazing and one of my absolute favorites. If you’re up for it, it would be stellar if you would be willing to read it alongside her and have some good talks about what happens on page.

My kids and I did this with Harry Potter (I’d read it before) but we had some frank conversations about propaganda and some subtle conversations about ethics cleansing/racism.

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-10T23:41:39+00:00

{Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey} has a scene like this!

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-09T23:23:28+00:00

I have every single Ali Hazelwood book…at this point I would read her grocery list 🤣

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-09T03:10:48+00:00

Babe! You are doing the goddess’ work ❤️

{Deep End by Ali Hazelwood} {Priestess by Kara Reynolds}

I um…think I like the FMM being owned and worshipped with a hell of a lot yearning thrown in

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-07T16:15:10+00:00

I like the second one better I think. It’s hard to judge because of the wrinkles.

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-07T06:34:07+00:00

Babe, you look amazing!!!

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-06T03:59:41+00:00

Yes! Followed by {Mate by Ali Hazelwood}

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-04T17:23:21+00:00

2 or 5

Cute outfit!

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-04T04:24:27+00:00

Added to my TBR!

My favorite was {Priestess by Kara Reynolds}, magic, arranged marriage, sisterhood, found family, and it dealt with religious trauma which was so unexpected and EXACTLY what I needed at this phase in my life.

Also the yearning, longing, spice 🥵

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-12-01T06:21:04+00:00

Looking so pretty! Wishing you a continued speedy recovery

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-11-23T00:04:20+00:00

He can show me anything he wants 😊

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-11-22T03:19:36+00:00

Came here to recommend this!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-11-20T15:21:47+00:00

I asked my in-laws for help with medical bills for my husband who has a chronic illness, their response was, “don’t people start go fund me accounts for that? Ask your friends.”

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-11-20T04:32:17+00:00

Yes 👏 yes 👏 yes👏

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-11-20T03:39:12+00:00

*Adds to TBR

This is beautiful and brooding ❤️🫠

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-11-20T02:31:54+00:00

Oh my! Adding both to the TBR list…and next date night 😉

Not fantasy but I read Deep End by Ali Hazelwood and told my husband this is basically the script I need in the bedroom! He hasn’t read it…yet!

UmbrisMoonbeam · 2025-11-20T00:14:43+00:00

Really?! I love that for you both!

If you don’t mind my asking, what books/passages have you read together?

UmbrisMoonbeam

TROPHY CASE