I’m hunting for a very specific trope combo.
I want a book where the FMC purposely hides her appearance -> dressing plain/ugly, or even cross-dressing — to survive, gain respect, or stay unnoticed.
AND she keeps pushing the MMC away for a long time. Like full-on denying feelings, saying she likes someone else, making him jealous on purpose… all the delicious angst.
Also needs spice. And tension. I loved the Banks/Kai dynamic in Hideaway by Penelope Douglas, that stubborn, heated, “I want you but I refuse to want you” energy.
Any recs that hit this?
by Haunting-Calendar322