Hi! I’m probably gonna be very specific with this rec, apologize in advance!
I’m looking for a story involving a rich main couple (it can be old money, mob, anything is alright) having some twisted romance, it can be an illicit affair, impossible romance, something dark-ish, where the male character is morally grey and very manipulative. I’d also like the female character to be quite like that too, since I want some power-play dynamics in the relationship.
When I try to find books like these, I always end up with MMC characters being hella abusive, and FMC being very weak or overly badass, and that’s not quite what I’m looking for.
I don’t want anything that has kidnapping, sexual abuse (between the main characters), or forced marriage—but more like a mental manipulation, a male character that is very clever and not someone who gets easily angry and starts acting like a child, and he can definitely have a soft spot for her despite his ruthless personality (despite the toxicity I’m looking for, I want a couple that has tenderness towards each other, being each other’s weakness, etc). I’d also like the FMC to not be overly badass, but have a good contrast of strength and weakness for the MMC. I’m specifically asking for a story about rich people because I think these character traits might be present in a world where money, family and appearances matter a lot.
When it comes to the writing style, I’d like something a bit mature, something easy to read but with a dark-poetic tone to it. Also, please! No first person narration, unless the book is really good haha. I lean towards third person narrations.
If the story is sad, angsty, and leans towards a more darker/serious tone rather than comedy, would be great.
Thank you! (Wish I could give you some examples, but I haven’t found anything quite like that yet, except fanfictions lmao)
by ladywongs