dinoqueenreads's reviews
756 reviews

To Love a Dark Lord by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

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3.75

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: kinda HFN
POV: multi 3rd person POV (Gwen, Mordred, Galahad)
spice: one open-door spicy scenes
TWs: drugging, exile, mental torture (nondescriptive, insinuated), violence, war
standalone: book 4 of The Iron Crystal series- cannot be read as a standalone
final thoughts: I was anticipating this series finale BIG TIME and while it was a fun, adventurous readโ€ฆ I didnโ€™t feel like I got what I wanted out of this series!
We, once again, have amazing side characters. Ones you love to love, ones you love to hate, and ones you hate to love. The writing and plot is easy to read with so many characters, changing perspectives, and plot points which makes it easy to stay in the story.
Eod and Tim were the only reason this book rated so high for me because they continue to be the sweetest, silliest, most loyal characters who bring lightness to an otherwise dark storyline.
This, for me, didnโ€™t feel like a conclusion and I hope we get an extended epilogue where there is a true HFN/HEA for the main characters. It felt like we left in the middle of a story, and I get frustrated when I think about it LOL

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ”Ž adventure
๐Ÿ˜† banter
๐Ÿคœ enemies-to-lovers?
๐Ÿง fae
๐Ÿ’ž fated mates
๐ŸŽฃ fish out of water
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ found family
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘ great side characters
๐Ÿคซ hidden secrets
๐Ÿ’ฐ kidnapped
๐Ÿช„ magic
๐Ÿ’ž mutual pining
โ“ mystery
๐Ÿ”€ opposites attract
๐Ÿ˜œ over the top, jealous MMC
๐ŸŒ€ plot twists
๐Ÿ“– retelling (King Arthur vibes)
๐Ÿ—ก๏ธ revenge
๐Ÿ‘บ secret identity
๐Ÿค secret relationship
๐Ÿ’“ slowburn
๐Ÿ”ฎ supernatural creatures- fae, shifters, witches
โ˜ ๏ธ โ€œtouch her and dieโ€
๐Ÿง™โ€โ™€๏ธ witches
๐ŸŒ world building
Justice for Puck Bunnies by Becca Fogg

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4.75

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: multi 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: bullying, cheating (undefined relationship), death is a family member (recounted), drugging, gaslighting, manipulation, OW drama (not MCs), slut shaming, social hierarchy (ABO), violence
Kinky Content: anal, anal play, biting, breeding kink, c0ck warming, double penetration, edging, finger licking good, fingering, knotting, manhandling, MFM, MFMM, โ€œone moreโ€, oral, praise, sexting, somnophilia, spanking
standalone: yes
final thoughts: this book starts out with some really great notes and definitions for readers who are new, unfamiliar, or need a refresher on omegaverse terms and storylines.
The 3 MMCs had such great different personalities so it was easy to figure out who was interacting in each scene.
I was hesitant with this book because of the usually negative connotation that goes along with puck bunnies, but it completely worked in this book! Yes, the FMC is a puck bunny, but we get a backstory and reasoning that make sense within this world. This book was full of great tropes, characters, twists, and plot points. This was my first book by this author, and Iโ€™d be interested in reading more from them!

Isabelle Sutton โ€œIzzyโ€ - Secret omega looking for a bond
Mason โ€œf*ck boyโ€ LaMille- newbie alpha golden retriever
Bobby โ€œVinโ€ Vinson- beta goalie
Patrick โ€œTrickโ€ Wyatt- alpha alternate team caption

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ˜ฌ angst
๐Ÿ˜† banter
๐Ÿซก big MMC
๐Ÿ’ฌ epistolary
๐Ÿ’ fake dating
๐Ÿ† fancy peens
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ found family
๐Ÿ’ž friends-to-lovers
๐ŸŽ grand gestures
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘ great side characters
๐Ÿ• golden retriever MMC
๐Ÿ˜ก grumpy/sunshine
๐Ÿ‘ฆ he falls first and hard
๐Ÿคซ hidden secrets
๐Ÿฉน hurt/comfort
๐Ÿ’˜ instalove
๐Ÿ›๏ธ โ€œitโ€™s just a flingโ€
๐Ÿ˜œ jealous, possessive MMC
๐Ÿ’– marriage pact
๐Ÿค miscommunication
๐Ÿ’ž mutual pining
๐Ÿฅฐ nicknames
๐Ÿชข omegaverse
๐Ÿ”€ opposites attract
๐Ÿ™ praise
๐Ÿ—ก๏ธ revenge
๐Ÿ›Œ roommates
๐Ÿ‘บ secret identity
๐Ÿค secret relationship
๐Ÿ’ sports romance (hockey)
๐Ÿ’” third act breakup
โ˜ ๏ธ โ€œtouch her and dieโ€
โš”๏ธ why choose (MFMM)
๐ŸŒ world building
๐Ÿ’ผ workplace romance 
Wicked Serve by Grace Reilly

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4.0

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: sev eral open-door spicy scenes
TWs: alcoholism, anger management, anxiety, cheating, child abuse (recounted), death of a parent (recounted), domestic abuse (recounted), eating disorder, manipulation, panic attacks (on page, descriptive from both POVs), school expulsion
Kinky Content: 69, anal, anal play, dirty talk, light Dom/sub dynamics, fingering, hair pulling, masturbation, mirror sex, oral, praise, shower sex, spanking
standalone: book 4 of Beyond the Play series
final thoughts: this was such a great book! Lots of angst, pining, spice, and swoony moments. There were great grand gesture moments while the couple were โ€œtogetherโ€ and not just for an apology which isnโ€™t something you see often, and I loved it.
The character growth was great for both MCs, and I loved seeing them grow from a secret summer fling to โ€œwe have to pretend to not know each otherโ€ to โ€œthereโ€™s no way we can hide this anymoreโ€.
This can definitely be read as a standalone but I would be interested in reading about more of the characters in this world since the story was action packed, but easy to follow.

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ˜ฌ angst
๐Ÿซก big MMC
๐Ÿ‘ฆ brotherโ€™s rival
๐Ÿซ college setting
๐Ÿฅต dirty talk
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐ŸŽ grand gestures
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘ great side characters
๐Ÿคซ hidden secrets
๐Ÿฉน hurt/comfort
๐Ÿ›๏ธ โ€œitโ€™s just a flingโ€
๐Ÿ‘• jersey scene
๐Ÿ’ž mutual pining
๐Ÿฅฐ nicknames
๐Ÿ’ค nightmare comfort
๐Ÿ”€ opposites attract
๐Ÿ™ praise
๐Ÿค secret relationship
๐Ÿ’ sports romance (hockey)
๐Ÿ sports romance (volleyball)
๐Ÿ˜  โ€œwho did this to you?โ€
๐ŸŒ world building
Take Her by Cassie Alexander

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4.0

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: cliffhanger
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: birth control tampering (past), death by overdose (recounted), death of a parent (recounted), death of a spouse (while pregnant, recounted), eating disorder, kidnapping, mental hospital setting (recounted), misogyny, murder, PTSD, SA of a minor (recounted, nongraphic), sexism, stalking, suicidal ideation, mentions of suicide, torture
Kinky Content: BDSM club, breeding kink, Daddy kink, Dom/sub dynamics, exhibitionism, finger licking good, fingering, masturbation, โ€œone moreโ€, oral, outdoor sex, praise, public sex, spanking, squirting, voyeurism
standalone: book 1 of The Moth and The Monster series
final thoughts: Iโ€™m excited to be back in a new world of Rhaim and Leah! While this is a standalone series from the Transformation trilogy, there are some similarities in the characteristics of the MCs and Iโ€™m so excited to see where the story goes. This series is a slowburn but faster burn than the other series (thankfully!).
This series is Wall Street/Mafia with moderately dark elements so please view trigger warnings. I love the BDSM elements in this book and the MCs โ€œmeet cuteโ€. There is so much mystery that was introduced in book 1 and I canโ€™t wait for the next book!
I knew to expect a cliffhanger from Cassie for this series, but I still didnโ€™t believe it!

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ”ข age gap (23/45)
โ›“๏ธ BDSM
๐Ÿซก big MMC
๐Ÿ’ž childhood crush
๐Ÿ‘ฆ dadโ€™s best friend
๐Ÿ–ค (moderately) dark romance
๐Ÿฅต dirty talk
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿคซ hidden secrets
๐Ÿง  โ€œitโ€™s always been youโ€
๐Ÿ˜œ jealous, possessive FMC
๐Ÿ˜ kinky
๐Ÿ”ซ mafia
๐Ÿฅฐ nicknames
๐Ÿ”€ opposites attract
๐ŸŒ€ plot twists
๐Ÿ™ praise
๐Ÿ“– retelling (Beauty and the Beast vibes)
๐Ÿค secret relationship
๐Ÿ’“ slowburn
๐ŸŒ world building
๐Ÿ’ผ workplace romance
So Real by Abby Millsaps

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4.0

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: cliffhanger
POV: multi 1st person POV
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: death of a parent (recounted), degradation, dissociative fugue states, emotional abuse, grief, manipulation, miscarriage (recounted, on page), unintentionally missed safe wording, narcissism, PTSD, suicidal ideation, mild stalking
Kinky Content: anal play, BDSM, bratting, breath play, cum play, degradation, Dom/sub dynamics, double penetration, exhibitionism, felching, hand necklaces, hands free cumming, humiliation, impact play, MMF, MMMF, oral, outdoor sex, rimming, praise, snowballing, spit as lube, spitting, โ€œteach meโ€, threesome
standalone: book 2 of The Boys of South Chapel series
final thoughts: WOWZA. Book 2 is full to the brim of angst and emotion. This book was somehow a slow read (not in a bad way!) because of the emotional content and a fast read because of the relationship building. The pacing felt right for this storyline and added to the instability and unreliability of Hunter.
While the plot wasnโ€™t driven forward too far, since itโ€™s dual timeline and the โ€œnowโ€ takes place over a short period of time, the connections between the characters (old and new) were a major plot. We get to see the different connections not only between the love interests, but parents/parental figures as well.
A highly, highly emotional read with lots of triggers, lots of spicy content, and another huge cliffhanger.
Iโ€™m anticipating the next read to see how this plays outโ€ฆ I know me and my buddy reading friends have our theories but Iโ€™m DYING for answers!!

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ˜ฌ angst
โ›“๏ธ BDSM
๐Ÿ’ต billionaire
๐Ÿฟ celebrity
๐Ÿช cinnamon roll MMC
๐Ÿซ college setting
๐Ÿ–ค dark romance
๐Ÿฅต dirty talk
๐Ÿ“… dual timeline
๐Ÿ’ฌ epistolary
โŒ ex boyfriendโ€™s best friend
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ found family
๐Ÿ’ž friends-to-lovers
๐ŸŽ grand gestures
๐Ÿ‘ฆ he falls first and hard
๐Ÿซ high school sweethearts
๐Ÿคซ hidden secrets
๐ŸŽ„ holiday themes
๐Ÿฉน hurt/comfort
๐Ÿง  โ€œitโ€™s always been youโ€
๐Ÿ›๏ธ โ€œitโ€™s just a flingโ€
๐Ÿ˜ kinky
๐ŸŒˆ LGBT+ representation
๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ long distance relationship
๐Ÿ’ž mutual pining
โ“ mystery
๐Ÿฅฐ nicknames
๐Ÿ”€ opposites attract
๐Ÿ˜œ over the top, jealous, possessive MMC
๐ŸŒ€ plot twists
๐Ÿ™ praise
๐Ÿคœ rivals-to-lovers
๐Ÿ›Œ roommates
2๏ธโƒฃ 2nd chance romance
๐Ÿˆ sports romance (football)
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉ step family
๐Ÿค“ โ€œteach meโ€
โš”๏ธ why choose (MMMF)
๐Ÿง™โ€โ™€๏ธ witches
๐ŸŒ world building
Wallflower by Samantha Leigh

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5.0

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: cheating, death of parents (recounted), depression, parental abandonment
Kinky Content: โ€œeyes on meโ€, fingering, oral, โ€œteach meโ€
standalone: book 1 of The Aster Springs series
final thoughts: I LOVE THIS GRUMPY COWBOY HOCKEY PLAYER!!! He just wants to love and be loved and canโ€™t figure out how to do either. Chord and Violet have a slowburn romance full of longing looks and forced proximity that had me yelling at my pages for them to just TALK! But the burn was worth it for all the sweet and spicy we eventually get. I canโ€™t wait for more in this series.
At times I felt like I was supposed to have already known some of these characters so Iโ€™m not sure if there is a crossover with another series, but it didnโ€™t affect my reading experience

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ”ข age gap (28/34)
๐Ÿซก big MMC
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ boss/employee
๐Ÿค  cowboy
๐Ÿ’ฌ epistolary
๐ŸŽฃ fish out of water
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ found family
๐ŸŽ grand gestures
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘ great side characters
๐Ÿ˜ก grumpy/sunshine
๐Ÿ‘ฆ he falls first and hard
๐Ÿคซ hidden secrets
๐Ÿ‘• jersey scene
๐Ÿ’ž mutual pining
๐Ÿฅฐ nicknames
๐Ÿ’“ slowburn
๐Ÿก small town
๐Ÿ’ sports romance (hockey)
๐Ÿค“ โ€œteach meโ€
๐Ÿ’” third act breakup
๐ŸŒ world building
๐Ÿ’ผ workplace romance
Meant for Love by Natasha Madison

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5.0

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: slight OW/OM drama
Kinky Content: 69, dirty talk, edging, fingering, food play (frosting), hair pulling, irrumatio, manhandling, marking, nipple play, oral, praise, queening, shower sex, slight somnophilia, spanking, spit as lube
standalone: book 3 of The Meant For series
final thoughts: while I wouldnโ€™t consider this a hockey (or even sports) romance, I really enjoyed this book and Iโ€™m glad I thought it was a hockey romance so I could give it a shot!
High angst at points, high heat, and very very high โ€œmy wifeโ€ content ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ I loved the way this CEO playboy was an absolute goner and was willing to do any and everything for his girl. I love how possessive they were of each other even when it was just the beginning of their marriage and trying to figure out their next steps.
Nash hung on every word Zoey said and watched everything she did. I love an MMC who is obsessed with the FMC and spends every minute letting her know.
Iโ€™ll definitely be checking out more of this series!

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ˜ฌ angst
๐Ÿซก big MMC
๐Ÿ’ต billionaire
๐Ÿช secret cinnamon roll MMC
๐Ÿฅต dirty talk
๐Ÿ’ฌ epistolary
๐Ÿ’ fake (accidental) marriage
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿซฆ girl next door/playboy
๐ŸŽ grand gestures
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘ great side characters
๐Ÿ‘ฆ he falls first and hard
๐Ÿ’˜ instalove
๐Ÿ˜œ jealous, possessive FMC/MMC
๐Ÿ˜ kinky
๐Ÿ’– marriage pact 
๐Ÿ’ž mutual pining
๐Ÿ’ โ€œmy wifeโ€
๐Ÿ”€ opposites attract
๐Ÿ™ praise
๐ŸŒ world building
๐Ÿ’ผ workplace romance
Playbook by Rebecca Jenshak

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5.0

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HFN
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: cheating, death of a parent (cancer- recounted), drugging, hearing loss (side character), parental abandonment, sexual harassment (female to male- from strangers and coworkers), stalking
Kinky Content: car sex, fingering, manhandling, oral, spanking
standalone: book 2 of The Holland Brothers series
final thoughts: I love the Holland brothers and canโ€™t wait for the rest of this series!
I loved London and Broganโ€™s story, all the twists, and all the laughs. I loved the reluctant pen pals and the banter. I loved the way heโ€™s protective of his brothers and theyโ€™re protective of him.
Their meet-cute was so funny and I loved seeing them fall for each other during their POVs.
There was almost nothing about this book I didnโ€™t like. The pacing was great, the story was interesting, the world building was easy to follow, and I loved the ASL representation. I canโ€™t wait for Archerโ€™s story next!

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ˜† banter
๐Ÿˆโ€โฌ› black cat FMC
๐Ÿฟ celebrity
๐Ÿช cinnamon roll MMC
๐Ÿ’ฌ epistolary
๐Ÿ’ fake dating
๐ŸŽฃ fish out of water
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿซฆ girl next door/playboy
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘ great side characters
๐Ÿ• golden retriever MMC
๐ŸŽ grand gestures
๐Ÿ˜ก grumpy/sunshine
๐Ÿ‘ฆ he falls first and hard
๐Ÿคซ hidden secrets
๐Ÿฉน hurt/comfort
๐Ÿ˜œ jealous, possessive FMC
๐Ÿ”€ opposites attract
๐Ÿคœ (one-sided) rivals-to-lovers
๐Ÿ’“ slowburn
๐Ÿˆ sports romance (football)
๐ŸŒ world building
Knot Really Engaged by Kendall Hale

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4.0

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: bullying, cancer, cheating, divorce, toxic family dynamics
Kinky Content: anal play, dirty talk, exhibitionism (implied), fingering, masturbation, oral, orgasm denial, praise, public sex
standalone: book 2 of The Happily Ever Mishaps series
final thoughts: I love when a man turns into a poet when heโ€™s in love and this book delivered. the sappiest sap to ever sap is my favorite when you get to the MMCโ€™s POV chapters.
The MCs had great character growth, the side characters were dynamic, and thereโ€™s great set up for the next story. I liked seeing the characters from The Ex-cavenger Hunt, though they werenโ€™t prominent characters. This book followed similar pacing and spice level as the first book and I look forward to the rest of this series.

read this book if you love
๐Ÿ”ข age gap (6 years)
๐Ÿ˜ฌ angst
๐Ÿ’ต billionaire
๐Ÿ‘ฆ brotherโ€™s best friend
๐Ÿ’ž childhood crush
๐Ÿฅต dirty talk
๐Ÿ’ฌ epistolary
๐Ÿ’ fake engagement
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿ’ž friends-to-lovers
๐Ÿซฆ girl next door/playboy
๐Ÿ˜Ž reformed playboy
๐Ÿ‘ฆ she falls first, he falls harder
๐Ÿ’“ slowburn 
Butter you up by Liz Alden

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4.25

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: HEA
POV: dual 1st person POV
spice: a few open-door spicy scenes
TWs: Crohnโ€™s (side character), death of a parent, eczema, PTSD (war injury)
Kinky Content: dirty talk, finger licking good, fingering, oral
standalone: book 2 of The Farm 2 Forking series
final thoughts: Butter You Up has the same easy writing style as other Liz Alden books with a plot that moves at a good pace and didnโ€™t disappoint! I loved the side characters in this story and the silly aspects like the town names and rogue animals.
This is definitely lower spice than other Alden books, but still steamy!
Is there anything swoonier than a tall, grumpy loner who is a secret softie who loves his dog, his best friend, and his employees? Molly was sweet, bubbly, and exactly what Alex needed to come out of his shell and face his past.

read this book if you love
๐Ÿซก big MMC
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ boss/employee
๐Ÿ‘• clothes scene
๐Ÿฅต dirty talk
๐Ÿ’ฌ epistolary
๐Ÿค  farmer MMC
๐ŸŽฃ fish out of water
๐Ÿ˜ณ forbidden lovers
๐Ÿ๏ธ forced proximity
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ฆ found family
๐ŸŽ grand gestures
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘ great side characters
๐Ÿ˜ก grumpy/sunshine
๐Ÿ‘ฆ he falls first and hard
๐Ÿคซ hidden secrets
๐Ÿ›๏ธ โ€œitโ€™s just a flingโ€
๐Ÿ”€ opposites attract
๐Ÿ˜‚ romcom
๐Ÿ’“ slowburn
๐Ÿก small town
๐Ÿ’ผ workplace romance