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snowynightCities/countries as metaphor
Pining
Opposite attracts
Forced Bonding
Lost and Bound by Eliot Grayson: Book 4 of the Mismatched Mates series, so it'll spoil the previous books. Jared made a lot of wrong choices that led to him being kidnapped and tortured as a lab subject for two years, until he was thrown by the guards to another prisoner, Calder who could kill him easily. Calder was kept much longer than Jared, experimented to be turned into a monster. Starving, angry, desperate, and yet still had enough for mercy. Their only hope of escape was a willing mating bond that would give Calder enough strength to get rid of his magic collar and attempts an escape.
The whole novel is from Jared's POV, so we can see him freaking out when his perception about himself (a dominant top who wants power) clashes with what he actually wants (love and cherishing), uncertain about his place in Calder's heart and their future. Calder is quiet, mopey, but caring and perceptive despite his physical power, and his love and uncertainty were subtle but clear to readers..
Even Evil Have Loved One:
Dirty Work (Dirty Deeds #1) by T.A. Moore: Even criminals are hit by covid. Hit by the econmic depression, Crime scene cleaner Grade is forced to return to his hometown in Kentucky to work for money back into LA, but the body he's supposed to destroy (along with his truck) is robbed. His employer's right hand man Clay is tasked with making sure Grade cleaning up the evidence, or cleaning up Grade himself. Clay and Grade are both hardened criminals and bad news, but they grow a weird attraction and care towards each other. The mystery plot is really fun, and the characters are really compelling.
- Kino's Journey series by Keiichi Sigsawa: Kino's a traveller who travels around different countries with a motorcycle that can speak. Her rule: she only stays for three days before leaving the country. It's a series of social parables told through the eyes of Kino who visits countries and observes them. (She is the one in my current icon.) What I like about the series is the different countries that reflect different facets of human nature and a traveller who mainly observes. The world is dangerous yet beautiful. People are ugly, yet there is also hope.
- Invisible Cities: While the premise is deceptively simple, I really like how the cities are unique, chilling and beautiful, yet connected in a way beyond words.
Pining
- Agents Irish and Whiskey series by Layla Reynes: pining from afar when resigned to the hopelessness, friends with benefits when one wants more than that, characters who think they don't deserve love/happiness and push them away (and angst because they give up the right of jealousy but they still do.)
- Silent Knight by Layla Reynes: 14 years ago, Brax was an officer while Holt was an enlisted. Brax fell in love with him at first sight, but the feeling was forbidden. They became good friends and Brax was here for Holt at his weakest. There are a lot of difficulties: their taking different paths, Holt's happy marriage, and that they are on different sides of the law, but Brax keeps his words to protect Holt at all cost. It's very iddy to me.
Opposite attracts
- The Sword-Witch's Heart by Tavia Lark: This is the part 3 of Radiance series, but I think it is comprehensible on its own. Leth is a serious and uptight sword fighter/witch who is forsaken by his ruthless family and his god who he betrays them for. Adrift without purpose, he reluctantly joins the infuriating Evain's quest to banish demon. Evain is fun loving, dramatic, flirty, and draws power from human desire, the opposite of Leth. But during the journey they learn about each other beyond their first impressions, they find a home in each other. The forced proximity tropes and kisses for magic don't hurt.
- he Real Baxter by Lane Haynes. Seb is a bigshot Hollywood producer who has a problem. Gary, his best friend, ex, and the man who helps raise his two sons is getting married. Trent is a waiter and struggling actor. When they first met on the set, Trent wants an in but Seb sees through him. Seb is a charming silver fox and Trent is fun and likable. They are very different: age, social position, personalities, but their relationship slowly grows.
Forced Bonding
Lost and Bound by Eliot Grayson: Book 4 of the Mismatched Mates series, so it'll spoil the previous books. Jared made a lot of wrong choices that led to him being kidnapped and tortured as a lab subject for two years, until he was thrown by the guards to another prisoner, Calder who could kill him easily. Calder was kept much longer than Jared, experimented to be turned into a monster. Starving, angry, desperate, and yet still had enough for mercy. Their only hope of escape was a willing mating bond that would give Calder enough strength to get rid of his magic collar and attempts an escape.
The whole novel is from Jared's POV, so we can see him freaking out when his perception about himself (a dominant top who wants power) clashes with what he actually wants (love and cherishing), uncertain about his place in Calder's heart and their future. Calder is quiet, mopey, but caring and perceptive despite his physical power, and his love and uncertainty were subtle but clear to readers..
Even Evil Have Loved One:
Dirty Work (Dirty Deeds #1) by T.A. Moore: Even criminals are hit by covid. Hit by the econmic depression, Crime scene cleaner Grade is forced to return to his hometown in Kentucky to work for money back into LA, but the body he's supposed to destroy (along with his truck) is robbed. His employer's right hand man Clay is tasked with making sure Grade cleaning up the evidence, or cleaning up Grade himself. Clay and Grade are both hardened criminals and bad news, but they grow a weird attraction and care towards each other. The mystery plot is really fun, and the characters are really compelling.
