I love a good book (obviously). Mostly because I like to lose myself in a good fantasy land when I need a break from life. I also like romance. But what I can’t get over is how cheesy the sex is in books. If I read “molten core” one more time I will scream. Also, I can’t deal with the just outright abuse that romance novels portray as idealic. Overall, I find that while I like romantic plot elements, ie I’m a sucker for love, I don’t like reading extensive, graphic smut. It’s cheesy to me and it makes me cringe. And there’s no depth to the characters – it’s a perfect sweet angel and a dangerous bad boy. I’ve never seen that before! What could possibly happen next!
Does anyone have recommendations for a good, intense even complex fantasy series (I love a song of ice and fire, for example. I hate predictability. Kill off my favorite character! Make me love someone I used to hate!) with some romantic elements that isn’t overly smutty? I don’t mind smut, but I want the storyline/lore/character development to dominate the book. I would also appreciate if the smut was well written and didn’t just repeat “molten core” and “bundle of nerves” 100 times. But if anyone has romance suggestions that aren’t fantasy if they are interesting and not just badly written sex that covers up an abusive relationship dynamic, I’d love that too, lmfao
by cargoesvroom__
5 Comments
I’m relatively new to the subgenre myself. Can I introduce ya to r/fantasyromance it’s pretty good source of recs, friendly community
If you want girl power fantasy, with more of an angle of the complicated love with have with childhood friends, a sisterhood and the generational divide, then Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson is a winner.
If you want a romance that’s a bit Bridgerton, WLW and a magical mystery, Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall is for you.
What about warring clans where one has free reign over magic but depleting crops, and the other has an abundance of food but magic comes at a steep cost? A curse laid upon the laid by the spirits and its up to the bard and the heiress to cure the land to bring peace? Then why not try A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
But coastalkid! What about a swash buckling MLM that is enchanting and sweet? Well then, In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
Argh but now I want something a little smutty! Then try anything from the Deal With A Demon series by Katee Robert. Equal parts steamy monster f***ing and gentle courting and sweetness.
Try out T Kingfisher’s stuff, The Clocktaur War duology, Swordheart, and the Saint of Steel books.
There’s some smut, but it’s not badly done and you can skip it if you really want to. It’s definitely not the focus of the novels.
Does it need to be straight? Strongly recommend {{A Marvelous Light by Freya Marske}}. Well written smut in a strong “hidden society of magic” Edwardian England.
I wouldn’t call it high fantasy but I liked the character development in {{Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge}}.
And for non fantasy, non smutty romance I really like Sarah Hogle. Funny and kind of absurd, you don’t like the characters at the start but they redeem themselves, sweet romance.
If you liked ASOFAI, you might like Winters Fury by AE Rayne. It’s on kindle unlimited. Very low key on the romance front. Like some of the characters fall in love but it’s not the forefront of the plot