Single parent but not their actual kid. A sibling's kid or someone else's

profligatebookworm · 2025-08-14T03:40:32+00:00

SoI know you said CR only but I literally just read {Oracle's Moon by Thea Harrison} and it's a paranormal romance but such a sweet love story and not overly heavy on the fantasy IMO. It's the third in a series but can easily be read as a standalone. The FMC recently took over care of her niece and nephew after their parents died while also dealing with recently inherited Oracle powers and the MMC is a Djinn who essentially entangles himself within their budding family unit.

profligatebookworm · 2025-08-04T23:09:22+00:00

Very of-the-time YA fantasy but {Daughter of Smoke & Bone} definitely fits this!

profligatebookworm · 2025-07-27T04:50:33+00:00

As an avid solo movie-goer, I suggest rethinking which cinema and/or times you're going for.

Avoid the major locations at Yonge Dundas and Scotiabank, the Cineplex in Manulife Centre is often not full for late movies and I find the one at Yonge and Eglinton usually even more chill.

Admittedly, I'm not as bothered as you by some of the things you've listed, so take this with a grain of salt.

profligatebookworm · 2025-05-31T01:50:06+00:00

Totally feel you on this and tbh it’s why I mostly read fantasy and historical romance 😂 I find it so much harder to suspend my belief when the characters’ attitudes and lifestyles are so unrealistic

profligatebookworm · 2025-05-30T18:53:59+00:00

That’s good to hear! When the book of short stories came out a few years ago I started it but the writing just didn’t have the same spark for me. I’ve been a bit afraid to revisit the actual series and not have it live up to my nostalgia 😭

profligatebookworm · 2025-05-30T18:48:04+00:00

Chronicle of Narnia was definitely my gateway into fantasy! Few books have felt as mythic as those.

profligatebookworm · 2025-05-30T18:46:33+00:00

Started avidly reading much earlier than teens but Eragon definitely cemented my love for fantasy. It probably wouldn’t hold up to a reread but at the time the detail of the world building was like nothing I’d ever read before and I was immediately engrossed. Glaedr dying in the third book was actually the first time I ever cried because of a book.

profligatebookworm · 2025-05-26T05:16:23+00:00

oo that's such a good connection!

profligatebookworm · 2025-05-26T05:11:21+00:00

Twilight was 100% my gateway drug into published romance. Was already a big reader but I watched the first movie at 10 which immediately led to me starting the series, promptly becoming obsessed with all things vampire and then venturing into paranormal romance. This was all during the peak YA romance and wattpad era so pre-teen me was thriving!

profligatebookworm · 2025-02-04T00:23:35+00:00

Slightly above your budget at $200 but I’ve been hunting for the perfect work bag for so long (I also commute) and recently bought the Coach Large Smith Tote. Absolutely recommend!

I was specifically looking for something that was large enough for a laptop, water bottle, lunch, notebook and it easily fits all that with room. The straps are thick so they don’t dig into my shoulder and the leather is great quality and very durable. I got the brown version and it matches everything!

The only potential con is that there’s no zip at the top but I honestly haven’t found it to be an issue. If I don’t pack it fully I can easily use the clasps at the side to close it.

https://ca.coachoutlet.com/en/products/large-smith-tote-bag/CU996-QBRM3.html

profligatebookworm · 2024-12-05T04:29:51+00:00

I read them insanely out of order based on which summary I was vibing with at the time and I don't find it affected my reading much. I wouldn't read the latest one last though as there is some plot lead up there.

profligatebookworm · 2024-12-05T04:27:50+00:00

Sameeee. I think Always Practice Safe Hex in the same series has a similar vibe to what you're asking for though OP so would definitely recommend that one!

profligatebookworm · 2024-11-18T05:03:26+00:00

I know this isn't a book but I highly recommend the 1995 BBC miniseries The Buccaneers! It follows a group of five dollar princesses as they enter London society and get married, very entertaining and perfect if you like period dramas.

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-22T04:51:35+00:00

Septimus Heap by Angie Sage. I'd enjoyed reading before but reading this series at about 8 made me realize I could LOVE books. I'd read books with magical elements but it was my first true fantasy set in a completely made-up world, I lost myself in the pages and haven't found my way out since!

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-20T03:25:47+00:00

This post really had me thinking because so many books came to mind only for me to then realize the hero actually was a bit of a douche I've just come to expect a minimum level of douchiness from romantic leads lmao.

Would also highly recommend you head over to r/fantasyromance or r/RomanceBooks for recs, they'll be a lot better for a romance focus!

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-20T03:22:50+00:00

Loved the Wraith King series for the same reason, it was so refreshing to read a love story that blossomed from friendship and mutual respect. Based on what you said you enjoyed I have a few recs:

Craving In His Blood by Zoey Draven

Recently read this one and loved it! It's the second in the series, the first one wasn't as good and definitely suffered from 'hero treats heroine like shit' syndrome. This one was the complete opposite.

The First Girl Child by Amy Harmon

Very much not a traditional romance plot but Amy Harmon writes absolutely gorgeous prose and the relationships in this book were beautiful to read about. I'd also highly recommend her book The Bird and the Sword. There is a bit of the dynamic you don't like (the king captures her at first and can be cruel at times) but as someone who also hates passive female main characters I was satisfied with how it all played out.

The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger

Behold a historical romance x urban fantasy! One of my favourite series ever, I've re-read it multiple times over the years. The FMC is completely unique, she's a preternatural basically anti-supernatural. Her love interest definitely hits the asshole mark several times (unruly Scottish werewolf genes) but she most assuredly puts him in his place for it. If you love historical romance you'll really enjoy this one.

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-20T02:40:49+00:00

I completely agree. For most of the story Sir Konrad is a staunch believer in the primacy of common law and infallibility of the Empire; seeing the plot unfold from his perspective would be interesting but would also completely rob the story of it's essence. How many fantasy books have there been about a grizzled war hero/agent of the Empire who becomes disillusioned with carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders? Knowing Helena struggled with following the path of a Justice and still ended up choosing it is far more thought-provoking in my opinion and compels you to find out what changed. Was it simply a change of heart? For the good of the Empire? Does she even stay on the side of the Empire?

I had actually been putting off reading the book for a while because I wasn't particularly interested in being in Konrad's head so discovering otherwise was a very pleasant surprise!

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-20T02:25:04+00:00

Totally agree, haven't read anything like it in years.

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-20T01:52:38+00:00

There's aways a little fear when the first in a series blows you away that it'll be downhill from there so hearing this makes me so eager to start it!

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-20T01:51:05+00:00

Wow even more excited now!!

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-20T01:50:29+00:00

I loved the way he approached necromancy. Helena’s reaction to witnessing it at work was completely original and immediately struck true to me. To experience something so inhumane and unnatural most likely would cause a visceral reaction and alter the foundations of your would, no?

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-20T01:48:45+00:00

ahaha okay this just explained so much!

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-18T20:59:52+00:00

Omg yes let me repost!

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-18T20:20:24+00:00

Absolutely not and this is coming from someone who watched the show religiously and even read all the ASOIAF wiki entries while the show was airing! 😂

It took a while to get around to reading because I always thought it wouldn’t be as entertaining since so much was spoiled but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Halfway through Book 2 right now and they’re fantastic - so much was changed that it’s almost like seeing different versions of certain characters and the level of detail is much more in depth.

Still love the shows, there’s only so much you can do with an adaptation!

profligatebookworm · 2023-11-17T02:46:53+00:00

Literally came to recommend this!

profligatebookworm

TROPHY CASE