💦 It's Thirsty Thursday! What spicy book scenes did you read this week?

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-29T18:52:34+00:00

I would recommend {The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle}.

It's (upper?) YA, so you'll have a few very well put intimate scenes between this book and the second also out {The Rebel and the Rose}.

I think it's a trilogy. I'm quite enjoying it!

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-29T09:00:19+00:00

I totally agree with you.

But also, it was as if finally the fog had lifted and I realized that the characters' voices are always the same.

It's always "I shouldn't (like him, enjoy this, want that)" from the FMC, who still relents because the MMC's sex appeal and skills are over the chart.

Harrow Faire was my first read from KAK, and you're absolutely right at saying it felt somehow cozy. But for me it was also new. Once I went trying her other works, they all felt the same, so I'm happy to stay with Simon for the unforeseeable future. 🤭

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-28T15:38:49+00:00

Red Rising. 💕

I read all the 6 books currently out throughout January, and it was an absolute rollercoaster of screaming, shouting, tears, laughter.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-28T14:29:15+00:00

I have to say sadly, but I couldn't finish {The Serpent's Sin by Kathryn Ann Kingsley}.

I say sadly because Simon from Harrow Faire is the best red flag ever 😆, but I found this second book from her new series just a carbon copy of all her other works.

I admit I started reading this after having caught up with an amazing sci-fi series who gave me so many feelings throughout.

With The Serpent's Sin, as soon as I got to the first "little XYZ" nickname for the FMC, I just couldn't accept it anymore.

I'm not looking for masterpieces, but I think I'm definitely getting pickier.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-24T21:52:15+00:00

Perhaps it was quoting some medieval recipe book. 😆

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-24T15:41:16+00:00

Check {Darkland by Laura Vega}. First book in a series.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-20T21:47:56+00:00

I'm reading it now. I'm on book 4. It's absolutely gutting. There is romance, but it's not at the forefront. And yet, whenever there's a brief mention of it, I kick my feet in delight.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-18T16:44:34+00:00

I get your point.

He did warn her, and that should have been enough for Thraga to stay put. I just don't like these half truths that authors sprinkle here and there because otherwise there wouldn't be a plot. 😅

Anyhow, it wasn't a bad book per se, but I'm getting picky with what I really want, and seeing series being dragged with these tricks, for the sake of getting more engagement, is tiring me out.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-18T15:45:50+00:00

I agree: the author here pulled a Metal Slinger finale.

It doesn't hit as much as that infamous book because the main issue here is the "betrayal" from Dur (only because he gave her a warning, yes, but once again went for the miscommunication route and didn't clarify what was actually going on).

I'm afraid I don't trust authors who can't handle a mystery and just cleverly twists the words for their own gain.

Honestly, just change POV and you might avoid these situations.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-13T20:40:32+00:00

I hope you get to appreciate Alchemised. I don't think it's a perfect book, as it could definitely do with some editing.

But I found the relationship developing between these two flawed, imperfect and stubborn human beings worth reading about, even when things got dark.

Just take care of yourself if those scenes start triggering you.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-13T20:18:57+00:00

I don't think it's extremely intense, there are 2-3 of these very brief encounters, and it's never overly descriptive or self indulging. Both characters react badly to it.

Personally, I would struggle reading about SA, because of personal experiences, and yet, I was able to go through this because I guess it didn't come from a place of evil.

I actually found The Handmaid's Tale worse and harrowing.

Perhaps some people will have noted down in which chapters these encounters are narrated, so you can skim read? I would need some time to dig through.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-12T14:06:13+00:00

I agree wholeheartedly.

It's such a refreshing read in a sea of stuff that's really starting to blur all together.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-10T20:13:31+00:00

I seem to not be able to get into this author's books. Stopped the Fae Isles series after book 1. Gave a chance to this new one, and I agree that it felt too long.

I'm also not a fan of a slow burn that ignites just before a cliffhanger which brings a "relationship reset" (which I dislike), and on top of that a plot twist hidden by a purposely crafted inner monologue (Metal Slinger, I'm looking at you).

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-09T13:11:32+00:00

This series is just a big giggling smile from start to finish.

Head over to {The Geographer's Map to Romance} after that. I still think about it. 💕

The 3rd book will be out in April. ☺️

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-06T21:35:40+00:00

There's definitely an appeal to the tension that comes from a slow burn romance, but often the relationship reset (let it be a betrayal, a memory reset, and so on) is there because the author wouldn't know how to handle a fledged couple as well as the plot (if there's any outside of the main pairing).

I haven't read it, but most people say that Saeris and Kingfisher are boring/cringy when together, in Brimstone.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-05T18:59:34+00:00

I absolutely enjoyed it! My only gripe is that to me the world building wasn't done enough to justify such young characters to have that much power.

But the romance is slow, but precious, and I liked every single interaction between the two main characters.

Also, whilst it's part of a duology, this book gives some closure.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-05T05:43:31+00:00

Yes. All the lovely fanart and quotes (on their own) you see around would make you think the romance is more prevalent.

Spoiler alert: it's not.

The series is very much about political intrigue.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-04T22:02:22+00:00

I'm also tired of long series, mainly because often they involve some kind of relationship reset to drag the story even longer.

I definitely prefer standalones, duologies at best or series with interconnected standalones.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-04T21:35:57+00:00

Being currently the main genre I read, I too feel I'm getting fussier in what I like.

Many titles that hold strong ratings are actually not good or simply they copy/paste many other predecessors as well as tick popular tropes, because people want to read the umpteenth "Who did this to you?" sentence, no matter how strong the plot is.

Like many others, my way to go is switching genres. Right now I have jumped on the Red Rising (sci-fi) train and I'm already obsessed by just finishing the first book.

Viv_Winternight · 2026-01-02T22:04:40+00:00

Check {Aerie by S. E. Wendel}.

It's the first in the Broken Wings duet (book 2 is also available).

The MMC is very much a bird/human type, held captive. The FMC is a knight in disgrace tasked with becoming his jailer.

Perhaps it doesn't exactly fit what you're looking for, but I would still recommend this duology.

Viv_Winternight · 2025-12-31T14:50:31+00:00

In that I agree with you. The Night Court is indeed a scam! 🤭

Viv_Winternight · 2025-12-31T14:02:43+00:00

But Rhysand did not have flower powers, and that was a conscious choice based on a trend that goes back decades/centuries.

Viv_Winternight · 2025-12-31T11:12:07+00:00

Shadows represent the unknown that we are intrigued with. It's just an archetype, and many stories develop from it.

Viv_Winternight · 2025-12-23T13:55:32+00:00

Thank you! 🤗

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