r/RomanceBooks • u/redjackfrost2376 Best Friends to Lovers🥰 • 1d ago

Book Request Stern, sarcastic, maybe bad-tempered FMC and MMC who's charmed by her despite (because) of all of that

So I read {Trouble by Lex Croucher} and I love the dynamic of a woman who is just stern and sarcastic and generally bad tempered lol and the guy who is very charmed by her (even though that was not her intention...like, at all). Like, a female Grinch if you will🙏

He can take time to be charmed by her, I don't mind, but I just love female characters who aren't really "agreeable" yet the MMC can't stop falling head over heels for her.

Anything works, can he contemporary or historical or anything really, I just love this dynamic

61 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

57 comments sorted by

19

u/vodka_akdov 1d ago

{Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings} for sure, the FMC is so mean and the MMC is down bad

8

u/Outrageous_Cod_8961 I read purely based on vibes. 1d ago

I loved the FMC so much.

12

u/vodka_akdov 1d ago

I did too! I've seen some hate for her but I love a messy FMC and there's not enough out there.

12

u/Outrageous_Cod_8961 I read purely based on vibes. 1d ago

The negative reviews reminded me that a lot of people probably don’t like me either. 😔 

10

u/vodka_akdov 1d ago

I like you 🥺

10

u/AnxietySnack 1d ago

This describes the book I'm currently reading, {The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian}.

9

u/absolutelynot01 Depressive demon nightmare boy stan 1d ago

{A Demon’s Guide to Wooing a Witch}

Edit: Also {Overruled by Lana Ferguson}

8

u/Ahania1795 1d ago

{Some Like It Ruthless by Megan Bryce} Both leads are alphahole Texas oil barons. The FMC is so calculative, predatory and unforgiving that even her own sister doubts her capacity for love, but because the MMC is like that too, he thinks she's the perfect match for him. The MMC is actually the softer of the pair: he would give up everything to be with her, and she...kind of makes sure he does.

8

u/Outrageous_Cod_8961 I read purely based on vibes. 1d ago

I love a mean FMC, I second the {Well, Actually} rec and would add {The Fake Out by Stephanie Archer}

1

u/AllTheStars07 Give me all the hate sex 20h ago

I didn’t think Hazel was mean at all, she just messed with Rory because she didn’t take him seriously.

11

u/Revolutionary-Fig-84 "You're going to live forever!" ~ My TBR 1d ago

{Reckless by Elsie Silver} is my favorite book with this dynamic. She's a grumpy ice queen and he isn't phased by her attitude. He's also nice in the street and dirty between the sheets, so the steamy scenes sizzled. Highly recommend this one, Theo is an awesome book boyfriend.

6

u/arcticvulpix88 slow burn and marinate or bust, baby! 1d ago

{The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco by Talia Hibbert} might work for you. FMC is the grumpy one with a quick temper and sharp tongue. MMC found her charming and fell first and hard for her

5

u/worldsgreatestLMT angsty men give me pants feelings 1d ago

{the One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir} definitely fits this

{Grims Delight by Abigail Kelly} isn't out yet but has this dynamic as well. he'd be thrilled if she was meaner 😅

3

u/salspace He said "Mine" precisely 2763 times before lunch 1d ago

Ooh, I didn't know about this Protectorate book - Valors Flight is coming in October, but I hadn't realised Kelly had slipped another one in between. I love this author and the world they've created, and their covers are gorgeous and unusual as well.

5

u/worldsgreatestLMT angsty men give me pants feelings 1d ago

follow her insta! (or better yet join the patreon!!) she does her own art 😍

4

u/Hibbertia 1d ago

You might like {Fighting Absolution by Kate McCarthy}. Military romance, friends to lovers, the characters are Australian and at least some of the book is set in Australia. The FMC is awesome, she’s smart, feisty, hilarious and a bit of a bitch at times, but she’s hiding a lot of hurts. This story packs an emotional wallop. Highly recommend.

3

u/Few-Bad4940 1d ago

{Always Only You by Chloe Liese}

3

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2

u/CraftySwimming3757 14h ago

Was going to just comment (don’t mind me just here to observe and take notes), but now I’ll just camp out happily

3

u/Aggressive_Charity19 1d ago

{Last days of summer by Sarra Manning} would fit the bill. It’s a second chance romance with fake dating and a very combative relationship between the FMC and MMC.

3

u/baobun0809 1d ago

im still at 60% but {Awakened by Catherine Turner} is exactly this and i loveeee it. FMC has trouble expressing her feelings and comes out as mean and an ice queen. she's type A and likes to keep to herself. she doesnt remember ever speaking to MMC prior to chapter 1. meanwhile, he was out here secretly pining for her the whole time. she just never noticed because she had already dismissed him in her head. MMC is veryyyy patient and finds her veryyyy endearing—this is a big part of their dynamic!

3

u/OK-CaterpillarCall he's UNHINGED??? say less. 💘🔪📚 23h ago

I just read {Ruthless Protector by Sherilee Gray} and the FMC is so bad-tempered and resistant to everything nice the MMC tries to do for her.

3

u/LittleMsSavoirFaire I deduct ⭐ for virgin MCs 20h ago

{The Backup Plan by Jill Shalvis} FMC is prickly, sarcastic and emotionally closed off. The MMC is charmed

3

u/Bookish_Bek 20h ago

The in death series by JD Robb Heat wave series by Richard castle Book lovers by Emily Henry Pathfinders way series by t a white And lol maybe a million others I will keep thinking

2

u/Bookish_Bek 20h ago

Oh the born in trilogy by Nora Roberts, most Nora Roberts really lol

2

u/bashfulalpaca24 1d ago

I just finished {fan the flames by Katie ruggle} and it fits this!

2

u/[deleted] 1d ago

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2

u/jaydee4219 reading for a good time, not a long time 22h ago

This is a reader focused subreddit - No self promotion, surveys, writing research or writer focused discussion.

Your post has been removed as it appears to be promotional content, writing research, or to be focused on writing. This sub is focused exclusively on readers. The only permissible place for authors to mention their book, discuss romance writing, ask for help with it, or do research about romance books is in the monthly Self-Promotion Thread. Promotional content includes any content you have a vested interest in such as content created by your friends or family. This includes all book, blog, vlog, podcast, social media, website self promoting, surveys, and book merchandise as well.

2

u/PageProfessional3435 1d ago

Was looking to read this Lex Croucher book. What would you say the spice level was using the 5 chilli pepper levels? I don't like closed door romance novels, so I'm just looking to read or take off my tbr list.

2

u/redjackfrost2376 Best Friends to Lovers🥰 19h ago

I'd say around 3, it's not very explicit but it is steamy for sure, and definitely open door

2

u/Majestic-Section-943 1d ago

I want this but as a smut (plus no period piece)… any suggestions?

2

u/hexgorl_ 22h ago

{A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adrianna Herrera}

2

u/Exciting-Support9190 13h ago

{Role Playing by Cathy Yardley} has this dynamic, plus they're 48 and 50, which was so refreshing. I don't remember it being super spicy, but it was a great love story.

2

u/ChocolateDream24 That's MRS Billionaire to you. ❤️‍🔥💃🫦 12h ago

{High Risk Rookie by Odette Stone} she's not having any of his shit. He loves it.

2

u/Winter_Ad_6620 10h ago

In {back in the saddle by Kristen ashley} , the fmc is sassy. Some would say, annoyingly so. But to each,his own.

2

u/breveeni 4h ago

{The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O’Rourke}. They’re lawyers, she’s known as the castrator, and she is definitely not agreeable