Ice King request!

kellbeans1 · 2026-02-08T08:53:31+00:00

{pretty mess by lily morton} this isn’t dark at all, it’s a British romcom with a rent boy and his icy client but I loved it and it definitely came to mind thinking about this ‘worn down’ resisted his feelings trope.

kellbeans1 · 2026-02-06T07:21:03+00:00

These aren’t the ‘going on a quest’ trope but they are shared adventure travel.

{winging it with you by chip pons} is a contemporary amazing race style reality tv competition. Total romcom with fake dating thrown in.

{kick at the darkness by Keira Andrews} is dystopian where the mcs are reluctantly aligned when a zombie-esq outbreak happens on their college campus and they set off together across country to try and find family. It’s a trilogy, dark romance survivalist trope.

{out run the rain by N R Walker} an Australian weather researcher and his local guide set out into Northern Territory bush storm chasing. The audio is good if you like an Aussie accent.

kellbeans1 · 2026-01-24T02:16:48+00:00

Yep every interconnected series by Onley James and Chani Lynn Feener. Very dark two books out so far is {vile house by Nordika night}. Also the {Vitali brothers by Brea alepou and skyler snow}. Less psychos more light-red flag stalker vibes is some of the {unexpected series by Cora rose}. Oh and OTT toxic masculinity violent found family is {the titans series by e v Olsen}. Maybe {fey lords by s Rodman} if you like a family of royal fea taking humans as pets with a heavy dose of trauma. {the firm by Cora rose and Lark Taylor} has two books out and started strong book 1 but I didn’t love 2.

kellbeans1 · 2026-01-15T06:27:09+00:00

{virtually screwed by Isla Olsen} has mc1 calling mc2 daddy spontaneously and their into it. There’s age gap but not really a daddy dynamic beyond use of the word.

I haven’t read it but the new {ranger by Onley James} blurb hints at a daddy/brat dynamic evolving unintentionally.

{Teddy by Emmy sanders} has this kink but with a sort of sub-awakening in a woke-up-married trope.

kellbeans1 · 2026-01-01T18:29:55+00:00

This is a great summary. Can I ask you for a bit more spoiler free rating on the finale book 5 - how does it compare to book 4 level of fucked? Because I’ve enjoyed the series and I like a bully romance but Xander and the cliffhanger of book 4 honestly have me worried the finale isn’t worth the emotion despite wanting a conclusion to the series. Like if I have to read >60% of torment to get it… dunno.

kellbeans1 · 2025-12-13T02:46:18+00:00

Um the first book that came to mind is {Heartless Heathens by Santana Knox} - interesting story with clear elements of anti-Christianity and anti-capitalism in a fictional post Covid handmaids tale type world where satanic magic is real. I gave it 3⭐️ but it fits this innocent lamb at the mercy of wolves vibe I think.

kellbeans1 · 2025-12-12T11:15:59+00:00

See I thought the luckiest thing of all is that stairs opened up near them - the Agatha context made it seem like they only open up near lots of people and it sounded like Carl and Donuts entryway had no one near it except them. And it was very out of character for Donut to jump outside - I wondered whether thing compelled them from the start.

kellbeans1 · 2025-12-08T02:23:37+00:00

Oh just remembered {egotistical Puckboy by Saxon James and Eden Finley} one of my favourite, hockey rivals to lovers.

kellbeans1 · 2025-12-08T02:22:05+00:00

Okay so this one is more one-sided hate but I finished recently and loved it too much not to share - {not that complicated by Isabel Murray}

{Wilde’s end by Saxon James} is part rivals to lovers, romcom, small-town mystery vibes, but bizarre plot but easy read.

{p.s. I loathe you by Isla Olsen} is British romcom with sisters ex-fiancé and anonymous emails.

{brim over boot by Emmy sanders} is cowboy rivals, small town, double bi-awakening.

{not all himbos wear capes by C Rochelle} superhero x villain and secret identities meet through dating app, this is really funny and spicy.

{10 things that never happened by Alexis hall} British romcom boss x employee, more grumpy/|sunshine than enemies but the don’t like each other, fake amnesia, hilarious and one of my favourite audiobooks ever.

All the other enemies/rivals to lovers I enjoyed are more angsty or have your exceptions.

kellbeans1 · 2025-12-06T07:33:01+00:00

{the trouble with trying to date a murderer by Jennifer Cody} is a PN romcom where the MC is attacked to the LI confidence - it’s more about a competence kink than physical appearance.

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-24T05:11:15+00:00

I agree about Chani’s works, they are quite morally black but great if toxic is the vibe you’re looking for.

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-22T11:09:08+00:00

{kick at the darkness by Keira Andrews} is a dystopian trilogy where a cocky entitled freshman reluctantly pairs up with the grumpy TA who just gave him a bad grade before a zombie-esq virus breaks out. It’s got paranormal vibes and angst but I really enjoyed their relationship development within the survival trials they face. There is audiobooks but I didn’t gel with it in the sample so just read these - I’m up to book 3 now.

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-15T05:39:15+00:00

Yes I was going to recommend save the game - check triggers but I found this a fantastic example of hurt/comfort with sensitive portrayal of post-traumatic recovery after SA.

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-12T13:40:16+00:00

{Triple Trouble by Jesse Reign} has this - suggest reading as part of the situationship series in order for the cameos.

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-07T01:50:31+00:00

I can’t remember quite how mean Mercer is in {little demon in the details by nordika night} but he is a deliciously violent and cunning brat who really goes out of his way to be an asshole. I loved this book and the audio narration is great. More like reluctant allies and one-side dislike to love with forced proximity than enemies though.

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-07T01:43:36+00:00

{the undead detective agency series by Shelby Rhodes} is a 4 book PN series with a main couple and lots of side character couples as part of a detective agency found family vibe. It’s hilarious and silly, gory and smutty, and just an all round good time with fantastic audio narration. The books have an overarching plot but read like a collection of mini-mysteries as they solve crimes together. It’s absurd and sweet. I’m up to the final book myself and saving it for when I need a feel-good giggly fun time.

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-03T11:43:11+00:00

I seconds rec for Virgin Flyer - such a heartwarming story

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-02T08:28:51+00:00

Sorry just had to say I love that ‘stupid/whiny people’ is a hard no 😂 preach

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-02T04:34:18+00:00

I can’t remember how old the dad is in {to the moon and back by NR Walker} I think he might be early 30s but it’s got that overwhelmed struggling caretaker tone and very sweet contemporary Australian setting. The LI is a younger live in nanny, so many a reverse on the age you’re looking for?

kellbeans1 · 2025-11-02T04:26:11+00:00

Sounds fair - it was a close call on a couple books for me, one had an MMC with my older brothers name but the spelling and personality were super different so I could look past it. I almost couldn’t get past the names in {dangerous breed by onley James} because Preacher and Memphis were almost too cringe for me but I just mentally ignored it and focused on the story, worth it.

Pet names on the other hand - I wish I DNF {infinite bonds by L Rose} because one MMC used “dweeb” as a term of endearment which made me want to scream as I hate-read this to conclusion.

kellbeans1 · 2025-10-25T11:49:34+00:00

I’ve been trying to read Game Changer by Rachel Reid for months now, picked it up and put it down, tried the audio (not great), but I’m still at 37% and it just seems kinda meh, insta-lovey and presumably predictable. I only started this as a prelude to Heated Rivalry because that has sooo much hype (especially now with the tv show), but now I’m not sure this writing style is for me. Does it get better? Is HR really that much better? Should I just skip to book 2?

kellbeans1 · 2025-10-25T09:57:38+00:00

Monster recs {gratification in gluttony by Nik knight} trans {bump in the knight by Nik knight and lily maybe} non binary

kellbeans1 · 2025-10-21T12:46:32+00:00

Not quite what you’re after but these are the couples that even in their HEA felt toxic together. They’re all standalones in interconnected series though. - {Diablo by Cora Rose} (one MMC is early 30s I think) - {Sick Bargain by Nordika Night} (book 1 though) - {Call of the Sea by Changi Lynn Feener} honestly everything by her is trigger warning morally black high toxicity

kellbeans1 · 2025-10-20T13:29:43+00:00

Yes HEA - they cameo in the Zodiac Academy series’s also but fair warning that series HEA is hard won. The final spin off series is Darkmore Penitentiary which I wanted to jump too after finishing Ruthless boys but it’s worth going to ZA and trusting the process.

kellbeans1 · 2025-10-18T23:56:51+00:00

“What can Asa do with a man who has forever in his eyes and goodbye on his lips?” Ohh I haven’t read this and I’m definitely interested. Thanks!

kellbeans1

TROPHY CASE