I'm looking for book recommendations featuring couples with deep emotional complexity, where the relationship is about trust, presence, and raw connection, not typical dominance/submission or overly romantic tropes.
What I like in male leads:
Emotionally reserved, introspective, and intelligent
Not lust-driven or controlling, but protective and present when needed
Quietly assertive, with respect and care
What I like in female leads:
Emotionally complex, blunt, and not conventionally feminine
Confident in her own skin (even if not traditionally attractive)
Not submissive or shy about intimacy
Strong-willed but with trust issues
by Green-Veterinarian85