Dare did all that shit for no reason, yes! "And then what?" LMFAO! Say it louder for the people in the back! Also yes, The Unwanted Wife taught me that just because the mmc grovels for the most of the book it doesn't mean he actually grovels *well*
I read Untouchable because of you and I do agree with you. Carter and Zoey have an interesting dynamic in their relationship. It's hard to find anything similar to this book. Thank you for introducing me to this book Jen. You are so thoughtful and honest with your recommendations I trust you completely. Just thank you for all that you do all the time for all of us. Peace. 😇😊🤗🥳😎❤
Even if it Hurts is the only Sam Mariano book I’ve read and I totally agree with your feelings on that one. It actually led me to question if I should read Untouchable because I can only handle the SA in the beginning if there’s adequate change or development throughout the book.
Loved this video! And agree on the balance. Its very hard to achieve in dark romances particularly because sometimes the hero really mostly is at such extremes in the beginning and the author has to almost thread a through a needle to make that balance work. I loved both Dare and Carter but I totally understand the difference you were getting at esp btw the two heroines.
Right?! Like, Dare COULD have worked for me. If his heroine matched him. For me, she doesn't. So it makes him feel like too much. Still a wild, crazy ride though!
I was fully prepared for Land of the Beautiful Dead to show up in your “this broke the balance” section 😂 I’m finding that I think I want to explore more horror romance (never even considered that as an actual genre until you talked about it with R Lee Smith and Geissingers Penpal, which I loved). I do still want an HEA, even if it’s not a traditional one, so that’s where my fear lies in picking up other ones and them possibly having an ending like Godwin’s Eve books. I try to avoid spoilers but I also just want to know that some sort of HEA happens.
Nah, Land of the Beautiful Dead had a purpose to me. It was brutal and painful but it wasn't senseless. Unlike Heat which was torture p*rn in a BAD way for me. Bad Heat, bad!! Hahaha!
This was such a good video! I think you're right that this is a gray, moody area. There are times when I can suffer with the characters the entire way through and then there are times when I just need them to be happy. I think for me the ones that don't end up working is when I feel that one of the characters has done something unforgivable and I cannot forgive them, so I can no longer root for the couple or relish in their HEA. I just finished this why choose trilogy and one of the heroes I was never able to forgive, so the HEA kinda fell flat.
Love this! I feel the same way with Sea of Ruin. It hurt me but I loved the ending, it was perfect. Honestly, I just struggle reading cheating heroes, I might love the story and believe in their romance but when there's cheating it's just hard for me to fully enjoy their HEA. Sea of Ruin is the only book with cheating I've given 5 stars. Just worked out so well in the end. Another book that's full of angst, I hated the hero for a long time but It became one of my faves was The Words by Ashley Jade. Some authors are just so good to make us hate and love broken characters.🥺
I’ve not watched this video yet but my thoughts on angst in romance are that it needs to be proportionate. I don’t enjoy angst when it’s way over the top and I don’t like it being used to manipulate the reader. For example, The Ravenhood trilogy was the perfect angst level for the situation. Untouchable was perfect for me because whilst it was dark and there was angst I never felt like there wasn’t going to be a HEA, I always felt safe which is important for me. Dark Notes by Pam Godwin was perfect because it had a lot of danger/angst with outside forces but as a reader I always felt same in the hero and heroines HEA. Angst doesn’t work for me when it makes me question the HEA. I don’t want a hero to be abusive to the heroine for angst purposes. In general it all depends on the book and situation. I’ve tried some cheating books before and one specifically where the heroine was cheating on her husband because their relationship broke down. It was meant to be angsty but didn’t work for me because it was too much when the reader finds out the hero was abused because that erased my like of the heroine and I no longer believed in their HEA. It’s a very fine line for me. I love your chatty videos so excited to see your thoughts.
I liked Untouchable but I did think it was too long. I dnf'd Even if it Hurts at about 40% bc the girl was weak and I need more fight and push back. Didn't enjoy at all😒
I read Untouchable yesterday and I was disappointed in it. The beginning of it was the best part of the book and then I just found it boring. I didn't think it was angsty enough and I liked Carter but he was boring to me eventually. This man apologises for bruising her during sex lol no.
Start a Fire by J. Wolf or God of Malice by Rina Kent. These are NOT Untouchable. No book has ever fulfilled me the way that book does. It's a God tier romance for me. But these two were close.. in different ways. So I'm not promising anything, but give them a go. Ohhh, or Truly by Carmel Rhodes. Good luck!
This is my favourite style of video you've done! This chatty approach is so much fun! And the variety of books in this video! Thank you
The little speech Maddek gives Yvenne ON HIS KNEES at the end of that book lives in my head 😍🙌🏻
This was such an interesting discussion!! The balance definitely needs to be right. But yeah, I guess that balance varies for every reader. 😊
Dare did all that shit for no reason, yes! "And then what?" LMFAO! Say it louder for the people in the back! Also yes, The Unwanted Wife taught me that just because the mmc grovels for the most of the book it doesn't mean he actually grovels *well*
I read Untouchable because of you and I do agree with you. Carter and Zoey have an interesting dynamic in their relationship. It's hard to find anything similar to this book. Thank you for introducing me to this book Jen. You are so thoughtful and honest with your recommendations I trust you completely. Just thank you for all that you do all the time for all of us. Peace. 😇😊🤗🥳😎❤
Even if it Hurts is the only Sam Mariano book I’ve read and I totally agree with your feelings on that one. It actually led me to question if I should read Untouchable because I can only handle the SA in the beginning if there’s adequate change or development throughout the book.
I love this video. I love how much depth you went into..definitely picked up a few to add to my TBR. All the love!!!
I loved June First, but I totally get what you are saying. The book is even broken up into tragedies.
Yes! I need angst and conflict in my romance or I tend to get bored. BUT I definitely need the payoff/balance/arch.
Loved this video! And agree on the balance. Its very hard to achieve in dark romances particularly because sometimes the hero really mostly is at such extremes in the beginning and the author has to almost thread a through a needle to make that balance work. I loved both Dare and Carter but I totally understand the difference you were getting at esp btw the two heroines.
Right?! Like, Dare COULD have worked for me. If his heroine matched him. For me, she doesn't. So it makes him feel like too much. Still a wild, crazy ride though!
This video was fantastic (as always) and I definitely have more recommendations! Yay!
I was fully prepared for Land of the Beautiful Dead to show up in your “this broke the balance” section 😂
I’m finding that I think I want to explore more horror romance (never even considered that as an actual genre until you talked about it with R Lee Smith and Geissingers Penpal, which I loved). I do still want an HEA, even if it’s not a traditional one, so that’s where my fear lies in picking up other ones and them possibly having an ending like Godwin’s Eve books. I try to avoid spoilers but I also just want to know that some sort of HEA happens.
Nah, Land of the Beautiful Dead had a purpose to me. It was brutal and painful but it wasn't senseless. Unlike Heat which was torture p*rn in a BAD way for me. Bad Heat, bad!! Hahaha!
This was such a good video! I think you're right that this is a gray, moody area. There are times when I can suffer with the characters the entire way through and then there are times when I just need them to be happy. I think for me the ones that don't end up working is when I feel that one of the characters has done something unforgivable and I cannot forgive them, so I can no longer root for the couple or relish in their HEA. I just finished this why choose trilogy and one of the heroes I was never able to forgive, so the HEA kinda fell flat.
Love this! I feel the same way with Sea of Ruin. It hurt me but I loved the ending, it was perfect. Honestly, I just struggle reading cheating heroes, I might love the story and believe in their romance but when there's cheating it's just hard for me to fully enjoy their HEA. Sea of Ruin is the only book with cheating I've given 5 stars. Just worked out so well in the end. Another book that's full of angst, I hated the hero for a long time but It became one of my faves was The Words by Ashley Jade. Some authors are just so good to make us hate and love broken characters.🥺
I read A Heart of Blood and Ashes because of you, so thank you ✨
Have you read the blacktop cowboys series?
LOVED this video!
Aww, thank you! Been meaning to film it for a while.
Oh no!! I purchased Sea of Ruin and it's a triad?? I am so disappointed. I hate unbelievable endings 😭
I’ve not watched this video yet but my thoughts on angst in romance are that it needs to be proportionate. I don’t enjoy angst when it’s way over the top and I don’t like it being used to manipulate the reader. For example, The Ravenhood trilogy was the perfect angst level for the situation. Untouchable was perfect for me because whilst it was dark and there was angst I never felt like there wasn’t going to be a HEA, I always felt safe which is important for me. Dark Notes by Pam Godwin was perfect because it had a lot of danger/angst with outside forces but as a reader I always felt same in the hero and heroines HEA. Angst doesn’t work for me when it makes me question the HEA. I don’t want a hero to be abusive to the heroine for angst purposes. In general it all depends on the book and situation. I’ve tried some cheating books before and one specifically where the heroine was cheating on her husband because their relationship broke down. It was meant to be angsty but didn’t work for me because it was too much when the reader finds out the hero was abused because that erased my like of the heroine and I no longer believed in their HEA. It’s a very fine line for me. I love your chatty videos so excited to see your thoughts.
Well.. you just listed books I put in this video.
I liked Untouchable but I did think it was too long.
I dnf'd Even if it Hurts at about 40% bc the girl was weak and I need more fight and push back. Didn't enjoy at all😒
❤
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I read Untouchable yesterday and I was disappointed in it. The beginning of it was the best part of the book and then I just found it boring. I didn't think it was angsty enough and I liked Carter but he was boring to me eventually. This man apologises for bruising her during sex lol no.
🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜
💘❤
Is there books similar to untouchable? Plz recommend if so. I love Carter. He is something else❤️
Start a Fire by J. Wolf or God of Malice by Rina Kent.
These are NOT Untouchable. No book has ever fulfilled me the way that book does. It's a God tier romance for me.
But these two were close.. in different ways. So I'm not promising anything, but give them a go.
Ohhh, or Truly by Carmel Rhodes.
Good luck!
@@TheBookRefuge OO Thank you so much for the recomendations appreciate it. I will keep an open mind. Much love
I didn't like the unwanted wife either
I wasn't a fan of The Unwanted Wife 😅
I like Carter better