I've been in a bit of a reading slump which has had me rereading previous books/series that I enjoyed. I've been really wanting stuff within the realm of forced proximity, enemies to lovers, etc… also love specifically the trope where a girl is forced to go to an unfamiliar school and either pretend to be a boy or ally with a love interest that helps her survive (especially if that allyship comes with either bullying or some sort of deal like fake dating).
I'm honestly not sure what I'm specifically looking for though would prefer why choose (don't care about the gender of the MC though, so would be fine with BL). But, some things I've enjoyed within this realm include Madison Kate series and Princess Ballot by Tate James, Filthy Rich Boys and The Secret Girl by C.M. Stunich, But Did You Die series by Sedona Ashe, Still Beating by Jennifer Hartman, and then I've been recently obsessed with the manga/anime called The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter by Yatsuki Wakatsu.
And then, not really within the realm of what I'm asking for here, but for a better idea of what I enjoy some other books I've enjoyed are: Wicked Fortunes series by AJ Merlin, Three Mage and a Margarita by Annette Marie, The Price We Pay by Auryn Hadley, and then the Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh.
I feel like this is a very broad post, but again I'm not sure what I'm looking for. I feel like half my problem is that I read a lot and tend to see a lot of the same recommendations. So, I guess I'm looking for some more diverse or niche recs. I don't tend to go searching on sites like A03, but I'm very open to whatever including translated works or stuff on sites like webnovel and webtoons.
by espiritly
2 Comments
The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros involves a few very similar elements to what you are describing. It’s a little pulpy and sexually explicit, and definitely in the Romantasy genre. But, the series starts with the MC starting school where the death rate is super high, the graduation rate super low, and a lot of competition and/or romance between the students! It also has some very cool dragon/wizard fight scenes if that at all appeals to you
Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima