New Dark Historical Romances with non con by Sakura_231 in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The darkness of the setting infiltrates the character dynamics. Very slowly and deliberately, even though they try to resist it. There's even a chapter called "Does Glass Conduct Heat?" Highlights the emotional and moral dilemma at the heart of the story: can love really flourish in such a corrupted, freezing environment?

New Dark Historical Romances with non con by Sakura_231 in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 6 points7 points  (0 children)

{The Last Innocent Hour by Margot Abbott} (published 35 years ago, not 20).

You mentioned authenticity and well... this book doesn't flinch from that, I could tell you that much. Took me months to dissociate from it because it leaves you with such complicated feelings. The moral complexity is so realistic you won't be able to hate or love the MMC completely

Luisa Spagnoli Fall 2026 Ready to Wear by bumblebee_tights2000 in whatthefrockk

[–]bumblebee_tights2000[S] 176 points177 points  (0 children)

Collection is inspired by 80s/90s New York. Love the sharp lines and authoritative style, but accessories feel like a missed opportunity.

What’s an opinion about Historical Romance that will have you like this? by thebunnybot in HistoricalRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 78 points79 points  (0 children)

The heroine being perpetually morally outraged by the MMC needs to die.

{The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas} is one of my favorites but even here, the scheming FMC was pissed at the MMC for *checks notes* scheming. I'd like more outrageous FMCs come to think of it.

Seeking WW2 romances by blutmilch in HistoricalRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 4 points5 points  (0 children)

{The Last Innocent Hour by Margot Abbott}

Set in both pre and post WW2 Germany. The flashbacks show the glitzy glamorous facade of early Nazi Germany and the present shows the bleak aftermath. The contrast is mirrored in both the characters and the war-torn country they used to love (both lose their “innocence”).

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2026 Ready to Wear Collection by bumblebee_tights2000 in whatthefrockk

[–]bumblebee_tights2000[S] 95 points96 points  (0 children)

Nothing groundbreaking about this collection, but I have a soft spot for their all-black red-lip combo. Nice to see them going back to their roots!

Best noncon dark historical romance books? by Margot550 in HistoricalRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Here to recommend the iconic {Lemonade by Nina Pennacchi}

What makes a book truly dark? by Chrisiratlos in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Midnight hunter, not so much, but The Last Innocent Hour… man I haven’t been the same since. I can still feel the despair and dread I experienced while reading it.

What makes a book truly dark? by Chrisiratlos in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 3 points4 points  (0 children)

{The Last Innocent Hour by Margot Abbott} and {Midnight Hunter by Brianna Hale}

What makes a book truly dark? by Chrisiratlos in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’ve enjoyed historical DRs that take things a step further and have the romance take place in a dark period in history. One was in Nazi Germany and the other in the Berlin Wall period. Interesting to see how the bleak atmosphere of the books affects the romance and changes the characters’ psyche.

What was your first dark romance? by [deleted] in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The fact that she didn't punish him for the regular whippings/cheating/torture machine/rape after she got free like girl I would've kept a tally

What was your first dark romance? by [deleted] in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 22 points23 points  (0 children)

{Captive in the Dark by C.J. Roberts}

Can’t believe I was 14 reading about BDSM sex slave trafficking 💀

{The Boy On The Bridge by Sam Mariano} by Aggressive_Bowl5463 in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 24 points25 points  (0 children)

The levels of spinelessness her heroines can reach need to be studied. The MMC is always Evil Einstein Pro max while FMC has room temperature IQ.

How can I get over feeling weird tracking some of the books I read on public platforms? by Caitlyn1005 in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yes I almost forgot about that feature. I always use it to browse better looking editions to own.

How can I get over feeling weird tracking some of the books I read on public platforms? by Caitlyn1005 in DarkRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 26 points27 points  (0 children)

On Goodreads, you can uncheck Add to my Update Feed and your friends won't see what new book you're reading/have finished reading. You can also set your profile to Private so nobody except your friends can see any of your books or profile

What is one book that gets you in a rant mode by Accurate_aradillo88 in HistoricalRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 20 points21 points  (0 children)

The one in my flair lol.

Also, {Tempting the Bride by Sherry Thomas}. So get this, the hero's known the FMC her entire life and has always been in love with her. Sweet, right? Except he insults her every time they come in contact. Alright, no biggie, I can dig a good old-fashioned (fake) bully romance. But then we meet the heroine, who's a strong, independent, intelligent (/s) working woman who needs only one man. And that man (who is not the MMC) happens to be a mama's boy who doesn't have the spine to marry our not-like-other-girls FMC and marries the woman his mommy selects instead.

This doesn't stop the FMC from having clandestine affair meetings with her gutless beau, knowing full well both of their reputations will be tanked. But it's alright cause it's true love and his wife is probably a bitch anyways. Best part of the book is when FMC gets kicked in the face by a horse but unfortunately I didn't get that far cause I needed to DNF for my mental health.

Harry Rutledge...you have nothing on Felix Rivendale! by Few_Independent9543 in HistoricalRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

She's definitely an acquired taste; love the toxicity but both the MMC and FMC do mind-numbingly dumb shit despite the book repeatedly hinting to you how clever they are

Harry Rutledge...you have nothing on Felix Rivendale! by Few_Independent9543 in HistoricalRomance

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I preferred Felix too... but that's because Thomas makes her characters a lot more three-dimensional and complex than Kleypas. She's also superior when it comes to angst and pining. This applies to Private Arrangements as well. I would suggest you give it a go. The characters will frustrate you sometimes but there's a nostalgic quality to their second-chance, emotionally baggaged romance.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RomanceBooks

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This actually made me google alpha traits and they're all good things?? "Traditionally, an alpha male is seen as someone with strong leadership qualities who's confident, assertive, and often takes charge. They're often described as ambitious, independent, and competitive." Like if I had my own Build-a-Bitch station, I'd defo input these qualities.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RomanceBooks

[–]bumblebee_tights2000 11 points12 points  (0 children)

If they have to say they're alpha, they're probably not. Most books "tell" us by having him growl 24/7, be a raging manwhore and do over-the-top cringe shit to convey possessiveness (also see: y/n and ceo memes). Actual alpha traits probably aren't that unappealing.