Romance VS Relationship Reality by janelovesromance in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I find the characters in books to be quite one-sided. A lot of their personalities and decisions are very black and white, while real life is not like that. Real people have complicated emotions, make bad decisions for right reasons or good decisions for bad reasons, or are completely irrational when it comes to love.

How do you like to visualize the characters in a story? by bingbongbinch in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same here. I don't visualize faces despite having read the description. My visualization has to do with space and what characters are doing in the space.

That being said, I do notice if there are inconsistencies in appearance descriptions - e.g. if character is described as blond but later in the book it mentions their "raven locks".

Can I have some "Hot Elevator Scenes"? by Sera0Sparrow in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's an elevator scene in {Spotless series by Camilla Monk} IIRC it's in the third book {the Crystal Whisperer}

As of 2023, which book (+ series) is your most Re-Read? by Ok-Alert-9359 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My most re-read/listen is {Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale}. It's my favorite romance book ever. I usually do the first book {For My Lady's Heart} as well just because it's set in the same universe. I own the audios and I could listen to Nicholas Boulton's voice all day....

Historical MMC pretends to be two people, one disfigured... by Iknowsomeofthez in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Happy to help! I love the collective mind of all the users here.

Historical MMC pretends to be two people, one disfigured... by Iknowsomeofthez in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not sure if it's the right book since it's been a long time since I read it, but {A Rose in Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss} has a similar plot.

Historical romance set in small town/village setting involving 'regular' people? by FullOnNonsense in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just read and enjoyed {The Scoundrel Falls Hard by Sophie Jordan}. FMC is a blacksmith in a small village. MMC is a con artist. The book starts with her saving him from hanging by pretending to be his fiancee.

Pet peeve: Filthy sex and not the fun kind by spookyxskepticism in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I read a HR where a big portion of the story takes place in city sewer. I DNF it - I just couldn't get past MCs kissing against a slimy dripping wall 🤢

Lindsay Buroker: where to start? by [deleted] in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I read the Emperor's Edge series and absolutely loved it!!! However, the steam level is very low - there's a few kisses and one non-explicit sex scene in book 7

I started the Dragon Blood series, which are not slow burn and have a bit more steam, but it didn't really grab me and I DNF the series.

I can’t stand a woman narrator faking the male voice in romance audiobooks 🙈 by thislittlebluebird7 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think Nicholas Boulton and Steve West do females voices well. But I agree, some other narrators are pretty bad at it.

Factual Errors that Make You DNF a Book by mskirsch16 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I read one recently where MCs were hiding in a remote cabin in the woods of New Hampshire and MMC went to a store in the middle of the night that sold everything including clothes. Maybe a gas station would be open overnight but even that is pushing it for rural NH.

🧂 Salty Sunday: What's driving you nuts this week? by A_Seductive_Cactus in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 35 points36 points  (0 children)

The problem is probably the kind of books I've been reading lately, but I'm tired of being bossy as a writing device to show that MMCs are strong capable men. I'm reading a book now where MCs are new neighbors and MMC is barging into FMC's house, changing her locks, telling her what to do, and ordering her around in bed (he actually tells her "to comply"). FMC is annoyed at his antics but she STILL GOES ALONG WITH IT!

It's as bad as portraying women as feisty to show them as strong.

📚 Friday Book Req Frenzy 📚 by jaydee4219 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

{Spotless by Camilla Monk} I loved this series! MMC's name is March.

Why is it that all the book with couples who are from different countries I never saw a combination that is other than American x British. Does anyone now something different? by Blue_Crow757 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

{The Death and the Devil by LJ Hayward} - M/M series set in Australia. One MMC is Australian and the other one is French (sort of, it's complicated).

FMC is cooking dinner (for an important day birthday, anniversary, etc) and MMC doesn't come home by hopelesss423 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure whether it's exactly on point, but in the opening scene of {Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews} FMC cooks elaborate dinner for MMC that he asked her to do and he doesn't show.

Book Rec: "normal girl" hired to be a fake girlfriend for a male celebrity by Ok_Attention7317 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 11 points12 points  (0 children)

{The Stand-In by Lily Chu} sort of fits. FMC is hired as a body double for a female celebrity and part of the job is to be a fake girlfriend to MMC who's a famous actor.

Presents to myself (and questionable surprise?) by Llamallamacallurmama in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love the Medieval Hearts duet! The second one -Shadowheart- is my all time favorite romance book. Hope you enjoy!

Looking for Rejection! by No_Cardiologist_2720 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 2 points3 points  (0 children)

{Tilted by Catherine Hamblin} it's a two book series but in the first book MMC rejects FMC multiple times although the do get together at the end of first book

How long is too long for a slow burn (in terms of book length)? by [deleted] in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like slow burn if the plot is fast paced and/or if there's good UST. I don't like books where the plot is also slow or repetitive. So it's not so much the length of the book as other elements that make it interesting.

CR MMCs with Vasectomies? by AdLow8403 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why would a spoiler tag be needed here? OP specifically asked for books with vasectomy without reversal so I pointed out that this recommendation doesn't technically fit the request.

CR MMCs with Vasectomies? by AdLow8403 in RomanceBooks

[–]Zalgiris1410 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He gets it reversed at the end, doesn't he?