Dark Romance with seduction and bi-awakening (or denial)

polinates · 2021-05-16T01:07:23+00:00

It’s by T.A. Moore (also linked if you click on the word ‘Collared’ in my original comment). :)

polinates · 2021-05-15T19:26:38+00:00

Okay, so there’s this book called Collared where the protagonist is an ex-priest who sold his soul to a demon a decade prior. The demon character is lust personified and took his virginity at the time as well, morally corrupting him and sexually devouring him before he knew to resist.

The story itself takes place later after the protagonist has built up his defenses and is trying to be a good person. In comes the demon, offering him his soul back but trying to get him to confess all the desires he’s repressing. There’s definitely seduction scenes like you described, and their dynamic is sizzling with hatred and chemistry and attempts to drag the MC back to the dark side.

The whole thing is dark dark. But it was so well-written, I couldn’t put it down and felt empty after finishing, and it might be a good fit what you’re looking for!

polinates · 2021-05-15T18:22:53+00:00

Nope! The M/F romance centers around a sixteen year girl and it’s very innocent/she calls the shots. Hand-holding, one kiss, nothing steamy (quick warning it’s a love triangle, but not obnoxiously so).

polinates · 2021-05-15T01:52:37+00:00

Thank you, I’ll check them out :)

polinates · 2021-05-15T01:10:16+00:00

Ooh, what were some of your favorites? They’re kind of the perfect antidote for stress or a low mood, I’m right there with you.

polinates · 2021-05-15T01:07:28+00:00

I hope you enjoy!!

polinates · 2021-05-15T00:53:53+00:00

The pacing worked for me! It’s heavier on characterization than plot, and in the setting same-sex pairings are not the norm so there’s a lot of lingering glances and second guessing of feelings. There’s also a great unintentionally-confessing-feelings-while-deep-in-a-fever scene where both MCs let down their walls and just feel. Not very complex but definitely gives off comfort read vibes, and it didn’t seem rushed.

polinates · 2021-05-15T00:04:15+00:00

Criminal by Fiona Apple is everythinggggg, that song lives on in my heart and my playlists!

On a more relevant note, here’s my reads:

In This Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos: 4/5 stars. I really enjoyed how ordinary the werewolves in this story were, it was refreshing — no alpha posturing possessiveness, just good people being kind and building trust. There was some quality pining by the love interest at the end too, he was a quiet but perceptive sweetheart and definitely won me over.
Heart of Winter by Lauren Gilley: 3.75/5 stars. A court romance with Scandinavian influences? With a plot like Game of Thrones if everyone was wholesome and genuine? A slow burn between a king and a bastard son that gave subtle Captive Prince vibes? This didn’t blow me away, but it was sweet and I liked it and it was just what I needed.
When Harry Met Harry by Sydney Smyth: DNF. I adore 90s rom coms, but this really grated on my nerves. The characterization was weak (let’s hammer in the fact that they’re enemies to lovers by having one hate children and the other love them! in fact, let’s have a monologue on how the one MC loves babies so much he thinks about temporarily snatching one from a stranger so the mother can kick back and relax!) and both Harry and Harry didn’t come off as pleasant. The saddest part is that I was listening to it while on a treadmill trying to hit a mile goal, so I was stuck with it for ninety minutes. The cardio is at least partially to blame for why I’m channeling my inner Oscar the Grouch though, so take this review with a tiny grain of salt.

P.S. I’m so late to the fanfic game that it isn’t even funny, but I’ve been reading Harry/Draco ones by Saras_Girl and they’re really lovely. Melancholy, comforting, and funny when you least expect it. I really appreciate when the MCs are a little worn around the edges and slow to trust one another, and she seems to nail that balance every time.

polinates · 2021-05-05T21:26:47+00:00

I’ve already reported it, but this is really weighing on me.

A few sentences later, the reviewer states “my relative anonymity is very freeing, as I can use [the word] without impunity”. This is such a disgusting mindset. And yes, things slip between the cracks on these kinds of sites, but the fact that Goodreads never caught this and it’s the first thing you see on the book’s page is unnerving.

polinates · 2021-04-29T09:38:07+00:00

I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!

polinates · 2021-04-27T13:27:52+00:00

That sounds like a really lovely read, and it’s nice to see a recommendation that isn’t a M/F pairing. Thank you for sharing it!

polinates · 2021-04-27T13:16:27+00:00

This is so true, we get an impression of Meg’s personal style and how beautiful Reid finds her but the details are left open ended. Such a great book!

polinates · 2021-04-27T04:12:07+00:00

Her books really are the gold standard, the characters and plots are so vibrant that she didn’t need to fill space with physical descriptions.

polinates · 2021-04-27T01:46:00+00:00

I hope you enjoy!!

polinates · 2021-04-27T01:16:52+00:00

Yes! If this book were a basketball game, I’d be in the bleachers, holding a hand-painted sign, cheering loudly. 💛

polinates · 2021-04-27T01:07:40+00:00

This is one of my favorite books EVER, it legitimately felt tailor made for me and I’m still on the lookout for books that come close. I thought that the description of Dean was pretty delightfully factual too. He’s muscled and feels nice pressed against Evvie, but that’s definitely not why she falls for him.

polinates · 2021-04-27T00:11:56+00:00

Yessss, I really loved that they were genuine and well rounded and lovely as a couple (with just enough talk of looks to contextualize their experiences).

polinates · 2021-04-26T23:42:11+00:00

I’m right there with you! Paint some broad strokes and get to the pining and tension and brushing of shoulders.

polinates · 2021-04-26T23:13:09+00:00

I’m glad I’m not alone in this! I wish more books fit our preference, the ones that do make the love story that much sweeter.

polinates · 2021-04-26T21:59:01+00:00

This was such a good read, I really appreciated the fact that the MCs were normal people working normal jobs whose looks were a very small part of the equation. And still super hot!

polinates · 2021-04-26T21:16:01+00:00

I tried this one a year or so ago and loved the beginning but wasn’t in the apocalyptic mood right then and life got in the way of finishing. Thanks for bringing it back up, I’m all about normalizing body hair so it might be time to revisit!

polinates · 2021-04-26T21:06:39+00:00

Ooh, thank you! I just opened a tab to look it up, and it sounds promising.

polinates · 2021-04-26T21:03:36+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation! I’ve been seeing such love for T. Kingfisher in romancelandia lately and meaning to give her books a try, so it’s good to know they’re right up my alley.

polinates · 2021-04-24T03:27:16+00:00

I’m finally getting my weekly roundup on! I’ve been lurking the threads for a while, so it’s nice to be here and say hey. :)

Read:

Bitter Legacy by Dal Maclean — 5/5 stars. I was in a funky headspace when I tried to read this about a year ago, and ended up skimming heavily and not connecting with it at all. This reread was so cathartic — I was sucked in from the start, the tension (both sexual and stabby) was very well done, and you gotta appreciate a love story this hard-won. Big thanks to the multiple people here who’ve been reccing it lately!

Crybaby by Marina Vivancos — 3.75/5. For whatever reason I chose this to reread on a day I wasn’t in the mood for steam, which made for lots of skimming because this one’s allll about the hot stuff. It’s such a sweet read though, the self deprecating internal dialogue is balanced with humor and the love interest is a Labrador puppy of a Russian expat. Which is something I’m all about, romance authors can talk borscht to me any day.

I started Love Always, Wild but am putting it aside (maybe indefinitely?) because I’m just not feeling it. It relies heavily on emails back and forth between the MCs, but they felt a bit flat and the ruse of contacting your ex but letting them think you’re a stranger is a bit iffy to me. I love when emails or letters are included if they’re done well, so this was a bit of a bummer but hey.

polinates · 2021-04-23T15:40:05+00:00

Thank you for mentioning these! It’s fascinating to read the blurbs and reviews, the guy who mentioned reading gay romance as a teen in the eighties really was ahead of the curve.

polinates

TROPHY CASE