I’m not even kidding when I tell you that every book I’ve read in the last two months has been terrible. DO NOT trust book tok for recs. Popular books just haven’t been good at ALL. Almost all of Ana Huang’s books are shit, Colleen Hoover loves writing about weird abusive men and weird awkward scenes, Penelope Douglas is a corn addict, and everyone else they’ve hyped just hasn’t been good. With that being said, here’s what i really want:
\- A romance where their relationship at the end makes sense.
\-Good characters. I don’t have to like them, I would like to see personality in them. Red flags are okay, but nothing abusive.
\- Character development is prefered but not necessary
\-comedy would be great but not necessary
\- A PLOT!!! Something needs to happen to really build the story.
I’m not asking for much, yet nothing I’ve read has given me a good feeling like they used to. I don’t care for steamy scenes or tropes either, i just want a good story!!!!!
by unseasonedsimp
4 Comments
”The raven cycle” series really clicked for me. Technically young adult, tho I would say its more 16+ than anything younger (but no smut). Some romance but mostly focused on friendships, with one hell of a plotline.
And I fully agree, booktook just seems obsessed with smut only…
I like Talia Hibbert, Chloe Liese and Rebekah Weatherspoon for what you are looking for. Also Olivia Waite’s queer historicals.
I think you’d like Part of Your World, but it’s not a romcom, more serious but lovely.
Book Tok is a terrible source of romance recs but BookTube is better. You could look for romance reviewers there.
The Drowning Province by Celine Harvelle!! Trust me look it up! It doesn’t even compare to cringe booktok recs like Ana (sorry not sorry). Google it or go on goodreads/Amazon kindle for the summary I think its exactly what you’re looking for. Every character is unique and interesting. The main character isn’t some tiny dainty little girl she’s actually quite strong and badass, the plot is INCREDIBLE and I love how romance wasn’t the main focus. (Like the male lead appears half way through the book)
The Love Hypothesis is one of my favorite romances, it ticks off the criteria you listed 🙂