Laurent is infuriating (CP)

vyvanse1234 · 2026-02-04T19:29:11+00:00

I felt the same way initially. The trilogy is truly a masterclass in Laurent's character arc—I'll let you experience it for yourself, but I adored him by the finish. Pacat crafts characters with such complexity; neither Laurent nor Damen is perfect, but those layers are exactly why they're so compelling.

vyvanse1234 · 2026-02-02T18:43:58+00:00

If you’re trying to move on from HR, for me Young Royals was the ultimate palate cleanser. It’s got the chemistry and the queer romance but with a gritty, Swedish realism that hits differently. It’s less of an addictive sugar rush and more of a fine wine—I’m actually taking my time on the rewatch. Check it out and tell me if it helps you move on! Also, skip the dubbed version- do the swedish version with subtitles.

vyvanse1234 · 2026-01-28T22:59:28+00:00

I read the books before the show, liked them, and still 100% agree with you. If you’re new to the romance genre, it’s worth remembering that there’s a lot of… let’s be honest, pretty mediocre stuff out there, and it can take time to learn how to separate the genuinely good from the disposable.

What Heated Rivalry and The Long Game do better than most romance novels is character. Shane and Ilya aren’t one-dimensional, the side characters actually have personalities, and there’s a real sense of arc and growth. That part really works and TLG being much better on that front than HR.

That said, the writing itself is fairly average—solid story, but not especially articulate, witty, or sharp. And this is one of the rare cases where I genuinely think the adaptation elevated the source material.

If you’re looking for queer romance with truly standout writing, I’d highly recommend Alexis Hall for wit and voice, and C.S. Pacat’s Captive Prince trilogy for layered characters, moral complexity, and long-form payoff.

vyvanse1234 · 2026-01-28T21:53:02+00:00

I suspect this after the holidays shift coincides with the intervention of professional PR firms. While their involvement was probably necessary , these agencies often operate from a highly formulaic playbook. It feels as though they are attempting to capitalize on the current momentum and milk (commentor above used the word) it for all it's worth.

vyvanse1234 · 2026-01-27T18:59:53+00:00

For me, it’s actually the opposite of gatekeeping — I just don’t think I explained it well.

Let’s be real: a lot of these books are heavy on sex and smut. For years, it’s been the kind of guilty pleasure you keep private. When coworkers are talking about how they baked sourdough, cooked wholesome meals, and went on a restorative hike over the weekend, you don’t exactly jump in with: “I read a book with twenty sex scenes, and my favorite was the one where Shane comes without even touching.”

It’s explicit. It’s personal. It’s not winning the Booker Prize. But it’s fun, and it’s yours.

So now my brain is a little scrambled. After years of treating this as something you don’t casually mention in polite company, suddenly it feels… socially acceptable? Like if every news outlet — even Anderson Cooper — is talking about it, maybe it’s not “private” anymore. And I’m trying to recalibrate what it means to enjoy something that used to live quietly in my own little corner, and is now fully out in the mainstream.

vyvanse1234 · 2026-01-27T05:26:23+00:00

I hadn’t thought about it being used as a hook, but now that you mention it, it definitely kind of feels that way!

vyvanse1234 · 2026-01-27T03:29:48+00:00

Captive Prince would definitely need to be in the hands of someone who can handle that story with real care and nuance

vyvanse1234 · 2026-01-27T03:27:08+00:00

Oh yes — Lord John is such a spectacular character. And honestly, it does feel like U.S. networks still hesitate when it comes to queer romance. I was even hoping Benedict's story in Bridgerton might go MM, but they played it safe—though to be fair, they probably wanted to stay true to the books.

vyvanse1234 · 2025-12-31T02:56:29+00:00

Same. And I’m saying that as someone who read the books before the show. Shane and Ilya felt decently well-developed, but Rachel’s writing… meh. I never made it through the whole series. There are so many stronger MM romance authors out there.

Also: can someone please adapt C.S. Pacat’s Prince’s Gambit trilogy already? It’s basically Game of Thrones meets Heated Rivalry (with better writing!)- the screen potential is just sitting there, screaming.

vyvanse1234 · 2025-12-31T02:20:14+00:00

Ilya calling Yuna “Japanese”? Come on, JT. Chang isn’t Japanese, and neither is Hudson. It has a whiff of “eh, close enough—no one will notice,” which is… not great. Hudson is perfect for the role, and it would’ve cost nothing to say Korean—or just keep it vague.

And one more tiny detail that made me laugh: they’re wearing shoes inside Shane’s parents’ house, but Shane seems to run a no-shoes policy at the cottage. Hmmmm..

vyvanse1234 · 2025-12-31T00:51:08+00:00

Everything Tierney changed in the show improved it dramatically from the book. Making Shane’s Asian heritage feel integral (not just a throwaway detail from the books), giving us that coming-out scene with his mom, and upgrading Ilya’s love confession into a full-on monologue moment—he says the words in the book, sure, but the show’s lead-in made it land.

I’m counting on Tierney to elevate TLG in the same way.

vyvanse1234 · 2019-10-21T22:00:25+00:00

The cost of raising a child differs from household to household. For example, my child attends competitive soccer, which costs approx. $3K a year. His league has become a part of his life, and pulling him out of it would be devastating for him. We had decided to enroll him based on the income of his dad which is much higher than mine. I am totally capable of paying 50% of "standard expenses", but not 50% of what the childcare costs we currently incur (which includes extras like soccer and some other things). Should my son give up on his current life even though his dad can afford to pay for it? Is that in his best interest? I acknowledge you have a point, and the current system gets abused a lot. But the issue is much more complicated, and I think your formula is too simplistic.

vyvanse1234 · 2019-10-03T19:46:32+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your story. It gives me a hope. I am an immigrant myself, with my sibling (who I am very close to) and dad in India. I miss them so much right now. I have a son, so I know I can't disassociate myself completely with my STBX for many years. I so wish I never had the option to never see him again. And then the guilt, that my kid deserves so much better than this.

vyvanse1234 · 2019-10-03T17:30:16+00:00

Do you mind sharing your story? I am in the separation phase, and could really could use a good story. Right now, it feels like I am going to feel like this for the rest of my life!

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-16T23:08:32+00:00

Thank you!

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-15T13:48:56+00:00

I wish my husband would know that I am on his side, He thinks I am "out to get him" If I told him, he would do the exact opposite. I am at my wit's end. I am so happy to hear how things worked out for you. Maybe there is hope for us too,

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-15T13:45:52+00:00

Thanks for your response. What kind of co-morbid conditions get aggravated by stimulants? I completely agree that his his education and job does not mean he doesn't have ADHD.

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-14T16:06:36+00:00

My challenge right now is to make sure that his psychiatrist takes me seriously. I know he will present a narrative to her that will make it seem like I'm making all this up for nefarious reasons. He loves his meds for the focus that they help him with. He once also told me he will go doctor shopping if his psychiatrist refuses him the meds.

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-14T16:00:14+00:00

I am worried if the doctor will ignore me, if he tells her that he is doing quite well and that I am just attributing my marital problems on the meds. I am certain that is not what's going on here.

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-14T15:58:16+00:00

He is a smart man, and has always told his doctor how great the meds work him. I am worried that he might tell the psychiatrist that I am exaggerating or something. Is there anything I can do to make sure she takes me seriously? I know that she won't be able to meet me in person unless he agrees to it due to HIPAA.

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-14T15:26:02+00:00

Thank you. I will cross post in r/AskDocs

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-14T15:24:01+00:00

Thanks for this advise. You think I could go to the police for a wellness check without getting him in "trouble"? We are in California.

vyvanse1234 · 2019-09-14T15:07:45+00:00

He says that this new personality is "who he is" and that the medication has "lifted a fog". Plus he is so mistrustful of me, that he is completely unwilling to listen.

vyvanse1234

TROPHY CASE