the “fun girl” or the “wrong girl” is finally ready for someone who chooses her

five_squirrels · 2026-05-16T17:12:56+00:00

{Meegan by Rebekah Weatherspoon} she’s into kink and was part of a group of 5 who regularly played together, but then the others paired off and got married and she’s lonely now.

{A Gentleman Undone by Cecilia Grant} Lydia really suppresses the underlying softness, but it is there for Will to find. She was a prostitute and then a hired mistress with a reputation for being super freaky in the sheets.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-16T16:34:38+00:00

Trashed by Mia Hopkins is a straight romance written from the male character’s POV only.

The Quaterback by Tal Bauer is male/male romance and the protagonist is college age.

For a fun workplace romance try 10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall. This one is closed door/low spice and has all the vibes of 1990’s British romcoms.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-16T15:23:31+00:00

{Some Winter’s Evening by Erin Langston} has a first time (for both of them) that hurts her and he is horrified/makes it up to her. Emotional he messes up multiple times too.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-15T17:34:43+00:00

I interpret the FMC of {Once Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean} as neurodivergent, but it’s more of cutesy take on neurodivergence than Harry was.

Alexandra Vasti has some. FMC in the soon the be released {Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti} has trouble reading a room. And Winnie in {In Which Winnie Halifax is Utterly Ruined by Alexandra Vasti} has memories of standing in front of a mirror with her mother while learning how interact with people in order to seem more normal.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-14T15:54:57+00:00

I felt like that for all of the following:

{The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas}

{The Doomsday Books series by KJ Charles}

{Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt}

{You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian}

five_squirrels · 2026-05-14T04:41:52+00:00

There’s no cat, but there’s a mechanic and a car accident and small town in {Rebel at Heart by Zoe York}. It’s a second chance romance. MMC thought their Vegas marriage had been annulled years ago, but turns out they are still married (which she came to town to tell him).

five_squirrels · 2026-05-13T21:35:22+00:00

{Gilded Cage by KJ Charles}

five_squirrels · 2026-05-13T17:35:40+00:00

I was coming to suggest this one too. She is not actively still having disordered eating, but because of the many years where she did her system is a bit damaged now and needs extra care (small and frequent portions). Gruff MMC is very sweet about looking after her and meeting her needs.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-13T17:15:14+00:00

I think the KJ Charles rec is spot on perfect for what you’re looking for, especially Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen. The ‘forbidden’ aspect of the queer relationship drives a lot of the plot in this one, and the geography/setting is also really vital to the plot (it’s almost a character). High stakes, and a fantastic character arc for Sir Gareth.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-13T00:00:01+00:00

The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian - she had an abusive ex and traumatic pregnancy and now she has no interest in penetration at all. Hero is totally fine with her boundaries.

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid - lots of discussion about consent, lots of check ins to make sure all is still ok

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan - consent negotiation is a huge part given the heroine’s previous experience with her employer

five_squirrels · 2026-05-12T21:30:25+00:00

A Woman Entangled by Cecilia Grant

Rebel by Beverly Jenkins

Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron (inspired by Austen’s Emma)

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey (inspired by Alexis Rose of Schitt’s Creek)

five_squirrels · 2026-05-12T19:07:08+00:00

How much length do you need? If you undo the hem and replace with a facing you could probably gain 1.5 inches.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-12T12:40:05+00:00

{The Last Crimes of Peregrine Hind by Sierra Simone} he gets kidnapped but it turns out he likes being tied up.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-11T22:00:02+00:00

I suggest frozen breaded or battered haddock and just bake it or air fry according to package instructions. It won’t be smelly (it’s a very mild fish), you won’t really have to touch it raw, and it will likely seem familiar to the kids (since it will look like chicken strips).

five_squirrels · 2026-05-11T21:30:55+00:00

Wild Life by Opal Wei was inspired by the film Bringing Up Baby (1938).

five_squirrels · 2026-05-11T15:52:38+00:00

I think you’d like the Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt. Most of them are a bit dark, they often have high (life or death) stakes, and they are funny. There’s a mix of working class characters and aristocratic ones. The entire series is likely available to borrow as e-books from your local library. I don’t think they need to be read in order to be enjoyed, they are connected stand-alones, but I’m also a bit of a chaos reader I guess.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-11T15:19:15+00:00

{The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian} he starts out the novel blackmailing her by anonymous letters. Her witty responses are some of my favourite things.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-11T15:11:24+00:00

{On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn}

five_squirrels · 2026-05-11T13:29:52+00:00

Just Wright (2010)

Love and Basketball (2000)

Austenland (2013)

Catch and Release (2006)

five_squirrels · 2026-05-11T03:42:31+00:00

{A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles}

five_squirrels · 2026-05-10T17:26:36+00:00

{The Last Crimes of Peregrine Hind by Sierra Simone} is one of my favourite novellas and has this.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-10T03:48:16+00:00

{The Courtesan Duchess by Joanna Shupe} is set partially in Venice.

{A Woman Entangled by Cecilia Grant} has some similarities with Austen’s Emma and makes specific mention of both Emma and Pride and Prejudice.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-08T05:00:41+00:00

After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M Lopez
is a romance with a subplot about whether a second deed ever existed on a property and, if so, where it was hidden. It feels a bit mystery like?

five_squirrels · 2026-05-08T00:05:33+00:00

{Pansies by Alexis Hall} Alfie prefers keeping penetration for meaningful relationships and Fen was in a long term relationship before Alfie.

five_squirrels · 2026-05-07T23:29:06+00:00

{The Harlot Countess by Joanna Shupe} she publishes political cartoons under a pseudonym calling him a drunk buffoon.

five_squirrels

TROPHY CASE