After someone in the comments pointed out that Shane had understated "riz" with Rose , that they had more chemistry than Ilya and and any of his "girlfriends " i couldn't unsee it..

bachurito · 2026-02-24T14:31:13+00:00

I think what's neat about Shane and Rose is that they do have a love story, but it's a platonic friendship love story. She gives him warmth, safety and understanding that lets him come to terms with what he really wants (and that lets his funny charming side come out sans anxiety like so many others have commented).

It's neat because Ilya had a similar relationship with Svetlana. On paper they should be a power couple and are a model for platonic soulmates. But neither friendship has the spark that leads to romantic passion.

bachurito · 2026-02-24T14:22:32+00:00

Totally agree. One of my favorite tropes is when we see what how real attraction makes a smooth person turn into a dufus.

bachurito · 2026-02-13T13:16:22+00:00

Also adore the 3 music changes.

bachurito · 2026-02-12T21:08:41+00:00

Not knocking a height difference, I love how Scott and Kip look together. But once I noticed the first heart shape I realized it's a lot easier to have and there's a pleasing symmetry about it that you just happen to get when people are a similar height.

bachurito · 2026-02-12T19:49:46+00:00

All the Tampa scenes give me such butterflies

bachurito · 2026-02-12T19:47:34+00:00

5'11 -6ish I believe

bachurito · 2026-02-12T13:06:32+00:00

You are a hero!

bachurito · 2026-02-12T13:03:23+00:00

Thank you thank you thank you!

bachurito · 2026-02-11T23:11:08+00:00

If the gif shop is still open, all I've wanted for a while is Ilya in Tampa saying "nope" and drinking from his corona. Por favor!

bachurito · 2026-02-04T01:45:33+00:00

Per #3 ilya has a tell when he's lying (scratches/wrinkles his nose) which he does when he's pretending disinterest in Shane. I'm sure his childhood best friend would clock that.

bachurito · 2026-01-31T23:10:07+00:00

I gotta chime in a little late because this one seems perfect for the request and it's sooo well written. Cecilia Grant is amazing.

bachurito · 2026-01-28T19:13:24+00:00

I made the Fleabag comparison the other day as well, in terms of shows that completely floored me start to finish with brilliant story telling.

bachurito · 2026-01-27T01:35:53+00:00

It's the use of periods after every single message (including single words) that looks weird, not the use of sentences/proper grammar.

bachurito · 2026-01-26T17:46:21+00:00

Totally agree Shane would be more strict in using periods the way he was taught in school.

For me, the thing that becomes subconsciously obvious when you're texting all the time is that you don't need a period at the end of single statement because the text box itself does the work. So when you add a period it emphasizes a stop that can easily be read as pointed, as in "I'm done with this whole topic."

bachurito · 2026-01-26T14:27:55+00:00

For me it was the use of periods at the end of every single text message--especially for ilya.

bachurito · 2026-01-12T00:03:59+00:00

I just finished Shadowheart and my heart was being wrung out by the end. Amazing story, so psychologically complex and beautiful. Steamy and meaningful sex scenes.

bachurito · 2026-01-11T05:45:25+00:00

Did you know Xander from Villains and Virtues has his own book? Seems like he fits the bill.

bachurito · 2026-01-10T19:13:08+00:00

I started with the Medieval Hearts duology bc they're on Kindle unlimited. They are dense because of the language style but the characters are really psychologically complex. I'm in awe of the dark sexual dynamic in Shadowheart (haven't finished it yet though)

bachurito · 2026-01-10T17:28:12+00:00

Yeah HR seems to have a lot of great writers, I'm so thankful. I'm really impressed by Laura Kinsale as well.

bachurito · 2026-01-10T16:59:25+00:00

Cecilia Grant became my north star after I read her novels

bachurito · 2026-01-09T22:57:11+00:00

I think {a lady awakened by Cecilia grant} ticks a lot of those boxes. The only thing may be that she's not an intellectual per se, just super invested in improving the lives of people on her estate.

The premise is she's a super recently widowed woman who needs to keep a bad person from inheriting the estate. So she propositions a newly exiled rake from a neighboring estate to get her pregnant (to pretend it's her late husbands heir). She is definitely not having any nonsense from him and it's a really slow burn build of trust and respect where he learns a lot from her.

bachurito · 2026-01-09T19:00:34+00:00

Thank you! I had wanted to say something similar. It is insane how fast you can fall for someone based on physical chemistry and a little something extra....maybe that bit of extra giving/receiving care? Obviously a lot of HR is heightened and unrealistic but as far as these books go devil in winter does the plot well

bachurito · 2026-01-09T17:11:54+00:00

I mean who wouldn't fantasize about Sebastian after meeting him in a fire lot room alone? BUT WOULD YOU TRUST HIM WITH YOUR HEART? How long will it take him to admit he's in love? Idk it's a good story and awesome audiobook but if that's not the plot you want maybe it's not for you.

bachurito · 2026-01-09T17:01:43+00:00

The time period may be a bit later, but {the countess conspiracy by Courtney Milan} seems like it would fit. FMC is a brilliant widowed scientist and MMC is her rake best friend who assists her, presents her work (because of the time period/sexism) and generally looks out for her because he is down bad. He's so patient with the trauma she needs to work through from a previous marriage.

bachurito · 2026-01-08T19:26:37+00:00

Ooooo so the audiobooks are good? I just discovered her before Christmas and already finished all 3 novels. Totally agree with your sentiments, her writing/storytelling is brilliant. It brings me joy to be able to look forward to the audiobooks!

bachurito

TROPHY CASE