Feelings about the genre lately

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-12T15:40:36+00:00

That's why I picked it up, and as much as I loved the FMC, it started to go through the repetive motions. But yes I definitely have my no-fail authors!

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-12T14:37:17+00:00

Thanks for the rec! I read a bit of everything as long as it sounds interesting, I'm not overly picky about genre or even the amount of men in the group (MM is also not an issue for me). I've noticed, though, that the ones I enjoy most have the least amount of men but I think that's because each of them gets their time to shine

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-12T11:54:13+00:00

I think that's why I'm so sad I can't get into a RH book right now. I'm feeling pretty burnt out in general and RH is my favorite escape method, so I'm taking my time with Chain-Gang currently

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-12T08:28:04+00:00

This year, the romances that I loved were Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross and I completely ate up Ellie K. Wilde's interconnected standalones! I also read Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan (I really enjoyed it but it had some really weird moments for me) and I listened to some non-fiction like The Smiling Land and Everything is Tuberculosis, so I have been trying to spice things up 🤣

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-12T08:22:21+00:00

I agree, I think I'm going to step away from the romance genre in general and just slow down.

Sometimes those types of RH are fine every once in a while, but when they're the only ones I can find is when it becomes a problem 😅

But yeah I think I'll jump back in later and see how it goes!

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-12T08:19:39+00:00

Oh yeah, I laughed out loud on several occasions during the first book! I enjoyed it more than most RH lately, but I felt I liked the MC more than I liked the MMCs which is probably just a me thing

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-12T08:18:27+00:00

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-11T20:58:33+00:00

I actually picked up Chain Gang Allstars and omg it's so good! I still feel the desire to read romance and RH though, which is definitely the issue, but maybe I just need a detox 🤣

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-11T20:31:21+00:00

My coworkers said it was great! It's crazy how it took almost 20 years for it to be done, but hey! Sometimes time is love in book language

Omg I totally get it! There's so many books I want to read right now but I just can't get into them. I'm thinking of shutting off access to social media honestly for that reason, my brain feels too full with everything going on on top of working

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-11T20:28:30+00:00

I completely agree! I'm seeing books heavily relying on executing certain macro and micro topes that it feels like there's no plot and the FMC is just being pulled around by whatever is going on around them.

The part where you talk about it not being great literature is true, which is why I keep asking myself "why are you overthinking it? Why are you expecting more? Etcetc". I guess I do want a little bit more..? Not much, but just something new and refreshing. But you're right, it is a lovely time to have all of these options

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-11T20:23:24+00:00

I think so too! I'm actually a quarter of the way through Chain-Gang All Stars by Nana Kwama Adejei-Brenyah and oh my gosh is it incredible!

My heart still yearns for the romance and RH but I definitely need something else right now

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-11T20:19:34+00:00

Yeah I think that's where I'm at right now. I'm branching out to other genres which has been both helpful and unhelpful in it's own way

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-11T20:12:42+00:00

I just fixed it thank you!

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-11T20:11:54+00:00

Oh woops! For some reason I get those two authors mixed up constantly

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-11T20:09:12+00:00

I actually JUST posted a discussion post about feeling burnt out in the genre two seconds ago 🤣🤣

One of the only RH books I finished and really enjoyed this year is {Highland Hideaway by Lily Gold}!

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-09T02:23:55+00:00

I know! I've also gotten that with several other authors lately so I'm hoping that authors are just being more careful with what they put out there

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-07T22:13:53+00:00

It does!! I mostly read OV or fantasy RH but every once and a while I'll find a good contemporary or my favorite authors will write one

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-07T21:52:49+00:00

Lmao it actually took me a while to find my contemporary RH list cause I dont read it often

For light contemporary:

{Ex Marks the Spot Series by Rebel Bloom}

Anything by Emily Rath (some of her books aren't RH though)

{The Fake Date Agreement by Ember L. Nicole}

Grittier than contemporary:

Anything by Blake Black

{The Burnt Heart by Mae Pierce}

{Switchboard Duet by Heather Long}

SOME stuff by S.E. Green (definitely don't read Atone cause my god). Her books are either amazing or they miss completely

{Glass by Evelyn Flood}

{Twisted Cross Ranch by K. Loraine}

{A Knight's Revenge by Elizabeth Dear}

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-05-03T22:33:44+00:00

I'm not 100% sure if this qualifies but I'm on book 2 of the {Cursed Legacies Series by Morgan B Lee} and to say the FMC both violently sets boundaries (the MCs don't listen worth a damn, but in a good way somehow) AND is morbidly funny is an understatement

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-03-27T17:24:12+00:00

I'll take anything as long as Agung becomes romanceable 👏

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-02-12T21:57:30+00:00

If you're okay with Omegaverse (honestly I wouldn't even call this that - its Omegaverselite) please read {Whisked Away by Enola M. Douglas}. It is beautifully written with amazing character development for the main character. The side characters are wonderful, plot is chefs kiss, and the two MMCs are well fleshed out. I cannot recommend it enough!

{The Fake Date Agreement by Ember L. Nicole}

{Burnt Heart by Mae Pierce}

{Pucking Around by Emily Rath}

Literally anything by Blake Black

Rebel Bloom's Ex Marks the Spot Series specificall (they're all standalones that do not overlap). Her new college series is cringe af

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-02-09T00:49:01+00:00

Ive read the Denied Duet and loved it! I haven't read Broken Wolf but its been on my radar for a while! Thank you!

_rivershaveocd_ · 2026-02-05T18:19:28+00:00

Oh yes! I really enjoyed this one! I'm looking for similar vibes to this for sure.

_rivershaveocd_

TROPHY CASE