Books Mentioned Act Your Age Eve Brown – Talia Hibbert The Roommate Risk – Talia Hibbert Guarding Temptation – Talia Hibbert Merry Inkmas – Talia Hibbert …
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Contemporary Romance Books I Read In May
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Books Mentioned Act Your Age Eve Brown – Talia Hibbert The Roommate Risk – Talia Hibbert Guarding Temptation – Talia Hibbert Merry Inkmas – Talia Hibbert …
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bookterror
July 13, 2021 at 10:57 am
You've read so many things I have on my tbr. I really need to get on with her Brown sisters trilogy and I own Rommmate Risk as well.
I found Prince on Paper to be great fun, I just enjoyed the bi disaster that was Johan. But my favourite from hers is Can't Escape Love.
As for Dark Romance, I can understand the mixed feelings. I have a great time reading them (few things are no-gos for me) but I also know what to expect: they generally only feature heterosexual couples, got a heteronormative slant, generally white. I would say the most common tropes include age gaps, virgin heroines, arranged marriages and captor-captive setups. I am not picking it up if I am looking for an inclusive cast or positive rep on marginalised identities. (Though there are always exceptions.)
What I like about them are usually the fucked-up situations. I do enjoy a drama-free book but I also like to explore how people react in a not-perfect scenario; what is the best choice when the "right" one is no longer an option. How can a woman regain her agency and give consent when her options are limited and not without consequences? They can dig a little deeper into a character and often explore grief, trauma and have a found family / ride-or-die friendships which always get to me. The stories also allow for more growth, especially concerning the male counterparts (I sometimes feel like romance depicts "ideal" partners more as an aspiration goal than actual, flawed poeple).
I've also found some really depict rape culture in interesting ways (I love fiction that explores this topic).
Depending on what tropes and scenarios you like, there is probably a Dark Romance out there you would enjoy if you wanted to pick up more.
That's So Poe
July 13, 2021 at 10:57 am
I need to get to the rest of Talia Hibbert's backlist too. I enjoyed her Ravenswood series, so I want to see what else works for me. And I get you on sort of enjoying, but also being creeped out by, some subgenres of romance. I've decided to skip most paranormal for now because of exactly that, even though I really enjoy the world building.
themusicsnob
July 13, 2021 at 10:57 am
I loved Boyfriend Material. I think it’s my favorite romance that I have read so far this year. I’ve never tried a dark romance, and I am kind of intrigued, but also really struggle with fully enjoying “dubcon” in my romance reading.
Bookmarks & Breadsticks
July 13, 2021 at 10:57 am
I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets a nonfiction book hangover!!
Alicia Campos
July 13, 2021 at 10:57 am
Emma, I just read a contemporary romance about a married couple working to repair their marriage! It’s about what comes after the happily ever after. I liked the romance and the way the author portrayed a character really struggling with anxiety. It’s called Forever After Always by Chloe Liese. I really enjoyed it and it’s part of a series, so if you like it you can read the other books.
Alicia Campos
July 13, 2021 at 10:57 am
I also just read The kiss Quotient and very much enjoy it.