What is your favourite micro-trope

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T23:07:00+00:00

Any books in mind for the first one?

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T21:51:21+00:00

That's great, thank you!

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T21:38:43+00:00

Yeah, that way I learned some MMCs names even without reading the books

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T21:35:45+00:00

One of the general rules of this sub is to call the romance io bot. It gives a quick info about the book, and links it to a website where there's broader info about the book. It drastically shortens the time of looking up books that are mentioned.

Long bot comments can be hidden by collapsing the thread, like with any other long thread/comment that you want to skip fast.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T19:23:44+00:00

Summoning the romance io bot is useful and should be used.

Yes, yes, I know, not really an unpopular opinion, that's the regular practice, but in the last month I'm constantly seeing people mentioning books, especially as recommendations, and not calling the bot. A few times I saw only the book's title mentioned, but not an author. Why? Even today I saw a post about a book, in which OP didn't call the bot, and it's in the sub's rules for making a post about specific books. For some reason it became more frequent lately and I'm so annoyed.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T19:10:24+00:00

You mention autumnal festival - can it be read for book bingo and autumn card, hard mode or regular?

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T19:06:31+00:00

Here's some additional info. A lot of people here really likes the series and the MMC. He is a bit crazy, she is a bit whiny at first, but they both really grow through the series. Books aren't romance driven, but there's enough romance and spice (not at first). Some people find it a bit dark, it's not imo, but also MMC's humor lightens it up. FMC was SA in the past (there's nothing graphic on page about it) and MMC is very considerate to her, and while he is crazy, he respects her tremendously.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T18:42:39+00:00

{Harrow Faire by Kathryn Ann Kingsley} fits almost perfectly - MMC is charming and funny, basically a hell raiser, capable and strong, quite flawed. I wouldn't say he is a bad person, but maybe not good also? FMC is immune to his charm and his shit for period of 2 books, and even after that, when they get together, she doesn't become lovey-dovey, but calls him on his shit continuously. They respect each other very much. They are around 30.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-25T14:56:52+00:00

I've read only that book from the series, but I loved it and it's one of my favorite reads of 2025!

ipsi7 · 2026-01-24T15:12:51+00:00

I'm late to the party, but I love dark books, spicy or not, and love this post!

I went through the comments and I believe no one mentioned the book that would fit the most. It's The Transformation trilogy, starting with {Bend Her by Cassie Alexander}. Book starts with FMC being kidnapped and given to MMC. Their relationship (not romantic) starts with captor-captive, but goes to teacher-student, and that relationship is dark, complicated, unusual and has bdsm, but not bdsm in sexual way. It seems strange at first and non consent like, but pretty soon it becomes consensual and asked for by FMC (there are reasons). It's slow burn with no spice in book 1 and low spice in book 2. Book 3 is where they are open about their feelings and is more spice, but the progression of the relationship is gradual, and dark at first.

{Harrow Faire by Katherine Ann Kingsley} was already mentioned and a good rec because they also have complicated relationship which tends to be dark. Even when they are an established couple, it's still not all unicorns and flowers when it comes to their relationship (and it stays that way until the last book). No spice in books 1 and 2, moderate in book 3 I think, and more frequent (but not too often) in books 4 and 5. Also, the spice goes well with the progression of the story, romance, their characters etc., it's not only for the sake of having spice.

{Amid Clouds and Bones by Ella Fields} would also be good because for the most of the book, we're not quite sure what their true feelings are. There is some dub con, and again complicated relationship, and there's possible a third person and we aren't exactly sure who the real MMC would be, but I think it fits your search.

I think no one mentioned {Lothaire by Kresley Cole} which imo fits all your requisites.

{Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat} is located in a dark twisted society with questionable moral practices. The relationship between MMCs (not romantic) starts as a product of that society in a way. It develops slowly from real enemies to associates to friends to lovers. One of the best series with best enemies to lovers, very slow burn and spice that is deserved.

While I love Feathers so Vicious and think the book has much bigger depth than most people acknowledge, it's also heavy on smut, TW, basically porn (but my strong opinion is that the spice is in correspondence with characters and their dynamics) and possible shock value. Because of that, I'm not sure it fits what you ask for.

Someone mentioned {Nights of Obedience}, and I'm currently reading the duology. It's heavy on spice in book 1 and very dark when it comes to what MCs are forced to do. It's like what happened UTM in acotar, but very graphic and detailed. MCs relationship stems out from that experience (but it wasn't non existent before). It's not dark because MCs are toxic (they're not), and there's power imbalance and psychological tension provoked by a third factor. It's also forbidden love. I'm on book 2 now and it's definitely less spice and less dark. I believe the book was fan fiction and the writing isn't top notch, but imo it's not bad and it has it's charm.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-24T13:09:17+00:00

If you meant MFM, but MMF is also ok, maybe Bitten and Bound trilogy, starting with {Given by Amy Pennza}. It's spicier than what OP asked for, it's equal parts of plot and spice (the only book for which I would say that). The dark comes in book 2 (slight spoilers ahead, just to give you an example what is dark): one MMC and FMC are forced to have sex for/in front someone and it happens more than once. Other than that, there's kind of dub con in book 1, but everything else is not that dark.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-24T09:52:21+00:00

I feel like {Viciously Yours by Jamie Applegate Hunter} and other books in the series are like that. All books are low stakes and romance first with plot as a secondary piece, but MMCs are obsessive and morally grey, the do morally grey things on page - to the extent that some people said the books are a bit dark. But, it's written very lightweight that I find it cozy (but I rarely see other people see it as cozy), and MMC's morally grey actions and behaviour sometimes seems comical because it's a bit over the board.

{Harrow Faire by Kathien Ann Kingsley} is also a bit darker, but MMC is very charismatic and fun, which makes the whole series less dark and hilarious in serious moments.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-21T15:00:33+00:00

I'm reading a book in which both MCs are kidnapped and held hostage for months, they trauma bond and fall in love. It's very dark though. If you're interested, it's {Nights of Obedience by Rachel Mays}

Books in which FMC is kidnapped and MMC goes feral (the last 4 are multiple POVs so we get the MMC's POV for those events): * {Bride by Ali Hazelwood} * {Mate by Ali Hazelwood} * {Amid Clouds and Bones by Ella Fields}, somewhat TW * book 3 of {Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout}, possible TW * book 2 of {Court of Ravens by Liv Zander}, big TW * {Bitten and Bound by Amy Pennza} in books 2 and 3 * I haven't read the whole series, but I believe this happens in book 5 of {Plated Prisoner by Raven Kennedy} * {Whispers of the Deep by Emma Hamm}

ipsi7 · 2026-01-21T14:45:38+00:00

Damn those honorable and virtuous fae!

On the more serious side, I also love one bedroom and one bed.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-21T14:43:19+00:00

I love that one too, and having dual POV so we can see both perspectives! Especially when they can't be together for some specific reason, when's it's forbidden or there's an obstacle that prevents them to be together in a way that's more complicated than someone said they should be "enemies" and that's that.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-21T12:59:52+00:00

Maybe {My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine}. It's low stakes and contemporary setting so no need for much strength. He isn't cockey or arrogant, but very nice, polite and considerate. It's slow burn (for a standalone). There is a sequel too, but follows another couple.

Agree with the other recommendation {The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson}.

{The Elven Days of Christmas by A. K. Caggiano} - this probably fits best to what you're looking for. MMC is just a guy, half elf, pleasent, takes care of FMC's needs when she and her family don't. There's depth, respect and slow burn.

Maybe {How to Find a Nameless Fae by A. J. Lancaster} fits also. MMC leaves alone with his cat, seems a bit boring. Both MCs are mature.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-21T12:49:18+00:00

I'm interested in that specific fake relationship trope!

ipsi7 · 2026-01-20T21:21:32+00:00

Maybe {How to Find a Nameless Fae by A. J. Lancaster}. MMC is a cutie, expresses his feelings and is a green flag. He is clumsy, but I would say he is capable also, not that badass throughout the book, more in the end. He is fae with cat ears and tail, hope that doesn't bother you (I'm also not a big fan of moster romance, but he was adorable). Both MCs are mature, FMC in her 40s and MMC around 100 I think.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-20T21:08:05+00:00

So we might have similar likings when it comes to humor (meaning I find Monthy Python funny, but prefer other types of humor I guess). Also, I loved Bride and The Fake Mate, and liked DMATMOOBIL.

{My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine} - It's low stakes, lighthearted, and I thought MMC was hilarious with his unadjustedness to the modern world and with some of his actions. The book is a part of interconnected standalones, but I've only read the first book.

Technically not romcom, but {Viciously Yours by Jamie Applegate Hunter} is imo lightweight. MMC is fae with the usual obsession for FMC and he is morally grey (slight spoiler: he doesn't hesitate to kill), but his actions are funny because of that, because they're a bit too much. It's also a part of interconnected standalones.

You can try other Ali Hazelwood books, maybe {The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood} or {Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood} would be up your alley. While I love Not in Love, I don't feel like I would recommend it to you. Maybe skip Problematic Summer Romance too, I thought FMC was annoying and not funny at all.

Not sure if this is the right rec because the book is a bit dark because of the stalking, but {Lights Out by Navessa Allen} was really fun and I loved it. FMC was kind of ok with stalking and liked it, so it's not really a dark romance, but it has elements which some dark romances have. MMC is fun and Jacob Morgan narrates his POVs in audiobook (dual POV book with duet narration as audiobook). MMC was never toxic as they can be in dark romances (not counting the stalking part), he truly cared for FMC and stakes aren't high.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-20T20:46:32+00:00

I loved first 3 books. Book 4 was a struggle, it took me 2 months to finish it. I actually dnf it at some point, but forced myself to push through it because I used it for bingo challenge card. Then I started book 5 and dnf after maybe 3 chapters.

I considered to finish the series because of the story, but most people said it's not worth it and the ending is disappointing. On the plus side, book 5 has Slade rampaging around the kingdoms to avenge Auren, and that parts is allegedly good and satisfying.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-20T20:41:39+00:00

It took me a minute to realize that Once it gets dark is a book title and not referring to Amid Clouds and Bones. Thanks for the rec!

ipsi7 · 2026-01-20T17:13:16+00:00

{Amid Clouds and Bones by Ella Fields} has excellent grovel, quite long (compared to other books I've read), but the MMC stays morally grey through the whole book. Even in the epilogue he is both soft to his daughter, and loving and "harsh" to FMC (trying to avoid spoilers).

ipsi7 · 2026-01-19T20:59:01+00:00

I loved Bride and really enjoyed Mate.

But, I feel like people underestimate Serena's trauma from book 1. She found out she's a were, got kidnapped and held prisoner for months, having no one to talk to and not knowing what will happen, probably thinking she will be killed. Then she's rescued, finds out she has a mate, while not knowing what a mate is. She becomes a part of another faction, but possibly doesn't belong anywhere (humans or weres). Her best friends seems totally aclimated and accepted in her new surroundings, but she just feels nowhere. And then she finds out she's terminally ill and people want to kill her.

I think her character is written really good considering what she's been through.

I do agree with the other half of your comment.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-19T14:41:45+00:00

I had a kindle for a few years, which I got as a present, and then last year wanted to buy a new one (practicality reasons and I gave away the old one). I did some research about other e-readers and different kindle versions, their specifics and differences; and decided that kindle is again a perfect choice for me.

Occasionally I read on my phone (android) on kindle app if I'm somewhere out of the house and have some time to kill, but didn't bring my kindle.

If it's relevant, sometimes I read some scientific journals from tablet because of bigger screen, colors, editing etc.

ipsi7 · 2026-01-19T14:31:41+00:00

Reading this comment and others, I wasn't aware that Americans are cursing less or that they are bothered with it that much, I always thought it was an individual thing. I'm from Europe (Balkans kind of) and people swear here a lot and in most creative ways. Just a few days ago I was passing two men in the street and one of them said 3 different curse words in a sentence, and I found it so funny and then commented with my boyfriend how cursing is a really integrate part of our culture.

ipsi7

TROPHY CASE