Podcast & Book Recommendations | Episode 5 : DNFs & Tropes

A new podcast episode is up, what brings you to DNF a book or what are your favorite/least favorite book tropes?

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What’s your stance on DNFing a book?

I’ll have to admit that I haven’t been doing it as much this year and I think the big reason for that is because I’ve been focusing on the ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) that I have. And I have this sense of commitment to them, so I have to push through with some of them. I know that’s probably a me thing, but that’s where I’m at in my thought process. Now that StoryGraph has this nifty pause feature, I’ve been more inclined to push books there. Let me just be honest, I’m just forever undecided about a lot of books, I believe that’s 100% a libra thing, so I’m leaning into that.

My big NO for DNFing is misrepresentation of BIPOIC characters especially if it feels superficial. Racism in a book is a pass, while we need awareness of it, it usually becomes a big part of plot, I’ve noticed, and find that unnecessary in romance.

Another reason I find myself DNFing a book is when there’s modern dialogue in a fantasy romance. That constantly throws me off and takes me completely out of a book. I actually had a book this year that I quickly stopped because it just kept happening and it wasn’t working for me.

Tropes!

Lately, I’ve been paying attention to how authors/publishers market their books with tropes. For me, they’re the quick points to see if I’m interested in a book or not especially since I’m a big mood reader. And while true that not all authors can write them well or not, if it’s one I’m seeking out, I’ll give it a try.

not so favorite? maybe?

  • Friends to Lovers – This trope used to fall flat for me, but recent recommendations definitely have me reconsidering.
  • Sibling’s Best Friend – The unnecessary secrecy and drama tends to overshadow the romance. But this may change for me as well because of some recent reads, I love the no drama aspect and handling things like adults.
  • Slow Burns – I used to read them all the time, but many stopped working for me, so I avoided them. And then 2025 happened and I started giving this trope a chance again.

Let’s just say we’ll put this tropes as a book by book situation.

my go-to tropes

  • Second Chances – My bread and butter! I’m personally not a fan of second chances in real life and that’s why I think I gravitate towards them. I love seeing the rise and fall of the MCs relationships, and then seeing them work their way back towards one another.
  • Betrayal Romances – Why?! Groveling, it’s all about the groveling. And yes, I don’t mind reading about cheating in a romance. I started a whole series about betrayal romances and I’m forever curious if the betrayer can redeem themselves. Obviously in real life this would be a big no, but for the sake of fiction, try me!

So yeah, I would love to hear about your reasons for not finishing a book and your go to tropes!

Book Recommendations by the Trope

Here’s a short list of recommendations with some of the tropes mentioned earlier!

  • The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills | AMAZON
    • This is a quick read with the second chance trope. Ilsa’s books are always some of my go-to books and have loved it every time.
  • Tumbling Over the Tight End by Vai Denton | AMAZON
    • This just released and I was able to get the ARC for this. While the FMC says her cousin is like her brother, I’m counting this as sibling’s best friend. And one of the reasons I may reconsider this trope, it was written well, and the characters had a mature and comedic conversation about it.
  • First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison | AMAZON
    • A first time read by this author and what a fan I was. A bit of a slow burn, but my gosh it worked so well. This one is definitely a favorite for 2025.
  • All I Need by E. Salvador | AMAZON
    • There’s some really cute book art that pulled me in and while the slow burn trope didn’t pull me in for this one, it was the secret pregnancy. While a little bit long for my liking, I enjoyed this one so much!
  • Mine for a Moment by Catharina Maura | AMAZON
    • Oh gosh, Mine for a Moment obliterated my heart completely! Brother’s best friend was the trope for this one and it was written in a mature and empathetic way.
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Posted In: 2025, book recommendations, podcast

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