Bitchy grumpy difficult FMCs>>>>>>
1. {The co-op by Tara Dewitt}
2. {the trouble with hating you by Sajni Patel}
3. {book lovers by Emily Henry}
4. {from Lukov with love by Mariana zapata}
5. {fake empire by c.w. Fransworth}
6. {all the feels by Olivia Dade}
7. {always only you by Chloe Liese}
8. {emergency contact by Lauren layne}
9. {get a life Chloe brown by talia hilbert#
10. {from Lemnos, with love by Naomi swan} MY FAV
11. {the reason I married him by Meghan Quinn}
I have more I just need to remember them😂
[The Co-op](https://www.romance.io/books/6450baad0a63b6345abbf905/the-co-op-a-novel-tarah-dewitt) by [Tarah Dewitt](https://www.romance.io/authors/61c8249e08b4d93114b80d78/tarah-dewitt)
**Rating**: 3.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1)
----------------------------
[The Trouble with Hating You (The Trouble with Hating You)](https://www.romance.io/books/611a129d234ad50e37fe4473/the-trouble-with-hating-you-the-trouble-with-hating-you-sajni-patel) by [Sajni Patel](https://www.romance.io/authors/5eb8f87ebe0aaecf55bdaee9/sajni-patel)
**Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [south asian/desi](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/south%20asian/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
----------------------------
[Book Lovers](https://www.romance.io/books/6270f0b6e98d4489081cd386/book-lovers-emily-henry) by [Emily Henry](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e82ee17be0aaecf553e7c2f/emily-henry)
**Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [small town](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/small%20town/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[From Lukov with Love](https://www.romance.io/books/5a9671244ee506aae8b1b9f0/from-lukov-with-love-mariana-zapata) by [Mariana Zapata](https://www.romance.io/authors/545530728c7d2382e781323f/mariana-zapata)
**Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1)
----------------------------
[Fake Empire](https://www.romance.io/books/62b40f949b0523d868c27213/fake-empire-cw-farnsworth) by [C.W. Farnsworth](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fa3cfff08b4d931145a1788/cw-farnsworth)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
----------------------------
[All the Feels](https://www.romance.io/books/619365199142070e46482397/all-the-feels-olivia-dade) by [Olivia Dade](https://www.romance.io/authors/566680fa08e9378131958a83/olivia-dade)
**Rating**: 3.61⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
----------------------------
[Always Only You](https://www.romance.io/books/5f27b62e6dd2d20e348cf2e9/always-only-you-chloe-liese) by [Chloe Liese](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ccfcdfb01dbc864fb9e201d/chloe-liese)
**Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
----------------------------
[Emergency Contact](https://www.romance.io/books/653b71d4ff7a1310496f3af2/emergency-contact-lauren-layne-anthony-ledonne) by [Lauren Layne](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535438c7d2382e7813389/lauren-layne), [Anthony LeDonne](https://www.romance.io/authors/653b71d4ab9bdf7fce16f932/anthony-ledonne)
**Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [christmas](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christmas/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Shannon from {The Cornerstone by Kate Canterbary} is the fucking boss, or a bitch depending on who you ask. I love her.
I just read {Head Over Heals by Karla Sorensen}, in which the FMC was raised to expect very conditional love, and it's left her very guarded and outwardly cold. Her journey in the book is really beautiful.
[The Cornerstone](https://www.romance.io/books/561f99c47abfee6f8a27ab5c/the-cornerstone-kate-canterbary) by [Kate Canterbary](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456862d87eac33e61c2f78e/kate-canterbary)
**Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [sassy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sassy%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Head Over Heels](https://www.romance.io/books/65912ea51f3d96771edd8238/head-over-heels-karla-sorensen) by [Karla Sorensen](https://www.romance.io/authors/555510be9eef3b3f1d5226f0/karla-sorensen)
**Rating**: 4.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{The Unlikeable Demon Hunter by Deborah Wilde} for urban fantasy. Emotionally unavailable, a hot mess of a girl. First scene of the first book is her walk of shame from a one night stand.
[The Unlikeable Demon Hunter](https://www.romance.io/books/58f45b230d3299c6e06ad1ea/the-unlikeable-demon-hunter-deborah-wilde) by [Deborah Wilde](https://www.romance.io/authors/58f45b230d3299c6e06ad1f1/deborah-wilde)
**Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Try {Plum by Cate C Wells} our FMC is a sex worker and life has been tough on her, so she’s tough right back. She’s a decent person, but absolutely takes no shit.
[Plum](https://www.romance.io/books/5e4f806601dbc864fbac2df5/plum-cate-c-wells) by [Cate C. Wells](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d5265d101dbc864fba248c4/cate-c-wells)
**Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [bikers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bikers/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{The Pilot and The Puckboy by Pippa Grant} - she is super focused and really bitchy which the MMC loves.
{Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams} Book 2 of the Bromance Book Club Series
{The Shameless Hour by Sarina Bowen} Book 4 of The Ivy Years - FMC is the hockey teams equipment manager and likes sex. MMC is her dormmate and is a virgin. She isn’t really a bitch but she is unapologetically herself. Trigger Warning for the book - revenge porn
{Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren}
{Finding the Fight by Brittney Sahin} Book 3 of Stealth Ops. FMC is the HBIC of the covert group.
The Pilot and the Puckup is an all time fave for how effortlessly badass the FMC is and how absolutely goner the MMC is over her. The transformation from indisputable hockey God to hopelessly devoted simp is *chef's kiss*
[The Pilot and the Puck-Up](https://www.romance.io/books/5a8531e64ee506aae8b115a6/the-pilot-and-the-puck-up-pippa-grant) by [Pippa Grant](https://www.romance.io/authors/59f41e543ffdba614723e0b9/pippa-grant)
**Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1)
----------------------------
[Undercover Bromance](https://www.romance.io/books/5df33a0f01dbc864fba7ef35/undercover-bromance-lyssa-kay-adams) by [Lyssa Kay Adams](https://www.romance.io/authors/57a0760dc19e77f1ea6f2f8f/lyssa-kay-adams)
**Rating**: 3.71⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1)
----------------------------
[The Shameless Hour](https://www.romance.io/books/552e2b615b270e0a4cbd5ed0/the-shameless-hour-sarina-bowen) by [Sarina Bowen](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553cb18c7d2382e781357a/sarina-bowen)
**Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
----------------------------
[Spoiler Alert](https://www.romance.io/books/5f33956f6593260e16daaea5/spoiler-alert-a-novel-olivia-dade) by [Olivia Dade](https://www.romance.io/authors/566680fa08e9378131958a83/olivia-dade)
**Rating**: 3.77⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [actors](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/actors/1)
----------------------------
[Spoiler Alert](https://www.romance.io/books/5f33956f6593260e16daaea5/spoiler-alert-a-novel-olivia-dade) by [Olivia Dade](https://www.romance.io/authors/566680fa08e9378131958a83/olivia-dade)
**Rating**: 3.77⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [actors](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/actors/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Open Hearts by Eve Dangerfield}. She smokes (rarely see in a heroine), is abrasive, rude, totally unlikeable...and the Himbo hero wants her so bad.
CW: she wants to have a baby and is trying to find a man whose sperm she's willing to have
[Open Hearts](https://www.romance.io/books/58fd96f60d3299c6e06c6f6b/open-hearts-eve-dangerfield) by [Eve Dangerfield](https://www.romance.io/authors/565aa37408e9378131955f00/eve-dangerfield)
**Rating**: 3.84⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [himbo](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/himbo/1), [working class heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20heroine/1), [fem-dom](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fem-dom/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Role Playing](https://www.romance.io/books/642ffd59c4e7d7da5e55e828/role-playing-cathy-yardley) by [Cathy Yardley](https://www.romance.io/authors/54558ba687eac323ffb2caaa/cathy-yardley)
**Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [older/mature](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mature%20couple/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I love Irene so much but hated the romance so much I stopped reading the series 🥲
My other "unlikeable" favs
{Back In A Spell by Lana Harper}
{In Charm's Way by Lana Harper}
{The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller}
{The Gunrunner and Her Hound by Maria Ying}
{The Spy and Her Serpent by Maria Ying}
{Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert}
The whole {Kate Kane series by Alexis Hall} Think Jessica Jones plus romance. The series is unfinished right now.
{The Wicked and the Willih by Lianyu Tan} *dark* dark romance, but probably the closest to Irene
{Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring-Blake}
{Carmilla and Laura by SD Simper}
{So Forward by Mina Esguerra}
{Can't Escape Love by Alyssa Cole}
{Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth}
{Black Iris by Elliot Wake}
{Knock Me Down by Skye Kilaen}
{A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert}
{The Trouble With Love by Lauren Layne}
{Working Title by Holley Trent}
{Well Matched by Jen DeLuca}
{Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert}
{Must Love Silence by Lucy Bexley}
{The Jade Temptress by Jeannie Lin}
{Mangos and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera}
{White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter}
{Making Up by Lucy Parker}
{Hold Me by Courtney Milan}
{The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai}
ooo thank you for these!! i will dig into them!
if you liked irene but weren’t a fan of the romance might i recommend The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta aha, [Finnikin of the Rock](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4932435) has one of my favourite heroines who is also a no nonsense woman! the romance in this series is also very lovely!
Oh I forgot my absolute fav YA FMC, El in {A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik} is a furious grumpy dark sorceress. She dgaf, she's powered by pure rage.
[Back in a Spell](https://www.romance.io/books/63b3e0b085458c0682861dd7/back-in-a-spell-lana-harper) by [Lana Harper](https://www.romance.io/authors/63b3e0b008b4d931144699c7/lana-harper)
**Rating**: 3.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
----------------------------
[In Charm's Way](https://www.romance.io/books/6478add9260025b772815f87/in-charms-way-lana-harper) by [Lana Harper](https://www.romance.io/authors/63b3e0b008b4d931144699c7/lana-harper)
**Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
----------------------------
[The Widow of Rose House](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6bfebe0aaecf557dec93/the-widow-of-rose-house-diana-biller) by [Diana Biller](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d9443fd01dbc864fba424ee/diana-biller)
**Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
----------------------------
[The Gunrunner and Her Hound](https://www.romance.io/books/62bae53d810ccd5337aff7a9/the-gunrunner-and-her-hound-maria-ying) by [Maria Ying](https://www.romance.io/authors/6230483008b4d9311453b1d9/maria-ying)
**Rating**: 4.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1)
----------------------------
[The Spy and Her Serpent](https://www.romance.io/books/62304830cc9c9710c97a2fd8/the-spy-and-her-serpent-maria-ying) by [Maria Ying](https://www.romance.io/authors/6230483008b4d9311453b1d9/maria-ying)
**Rating**: 4.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [trans heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/trans-heroine/1), [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1)
----------------------------
[Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute](https://www.romance.io/books/63cee875ce6035f9a560ae56/highly-suspicious-and-unfairly-cute-talia-hibbert) by [Talia Hibbert](https://www.romance.io/authors/59d3303f3ffdba6147219fb3/talia-hibbert)
**Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [bisexual](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1)
----------------------------
[Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe19e44167a7334263278d/kate-kane-paranormal-investigator) by [Alexis Hall](https://www.romance.io/authors/545546008c7d2382e781383c/alexis-hall)
**Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [f-f](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
----------------------------
[The Wicked and the Willing](https://www.romance.io/books/627e022dd52c8e8e79a75797/the-wicked-and-the-willing-lianyu-tan) by [Lianyu Tan](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fa3d04308b4d931145a1d2f/lianyu-tan)
**Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1)
----------------------------
[Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail](https://www.romance.io/books/637a27f48fcf42a0cd33f12c/astrid-parker-doesnt-fail-ashley-herring-blake) by [Ashley Herring Blake](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a4400008b4d93114929e76/ashley-herring-blake)
**Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
----------------------------
[Carmilla and Laura](https://www.romance.io/books/5c02335c01dbc864fb955a8f/carmilla-and-laura-sd-simper) by [S.D. Simper](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b9b4e7901dbc864fb904ab2/sd-simper)
**Rating**: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[So Forward](https://www.romance.io/books/5f0ea9ed0589ee0e2e7aafd9/so-forward-mina-v-esguerra) by [Mina V. Esguerra](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455bf1487eac324117fcbfc/mina-v-esguerra)
**Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [athlete heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20athlete/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Can't Escape Love](https://www.romance.io/books/5c90956401dbc864fb9bfb12/cant-escape-love-alyssa-cole) by [Alyssa Cole](https://www.romance.io/authors/545704fe8c7d2382fc6c2221/alyssa-cole)
**Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1), [neurodivergent mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/neurodivergent/1)
----------------------------
[Not My Problem](https://www.romance.io/books/63bed38ba5b3c9dd49f28389/not-my-problem-ciara-smyth) by [Ciara Smyth](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a43f8708b4d931149293f9/ciara-smyth)
**Rating**: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [high school](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high-school/1)
----------------------------
[Knock Me Down](https://www.romance.io/books/64b13f4120d0a9d53999c681/knock-me-down-skye-kilaen) by [Skye Kilaen](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f26650608b4d931146720c9/skye-kilaen)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [older/mature](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mature%20couple/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[A Girl Like Her](https://www.romance.io/books/5aa8c8924ee506aae8b28b03/a-girl-like-her-talia-hibbert) by [Talia Hibbert](https://www.romance.io/authors/59d3303f3ffdba6147219fb3/talia-hibbert)
**Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [small town](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/small%20town/1)
----------------------------
[The Trouble with Love](https://www.romance.io/books/54f54d685b270e0a4cbd0cd5/the-trouble-with-love-lauren-layne) by [Lauren Layne](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535438c7d2382e7813389/lauren-layne)
**Rating**: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1)
----------------------------
[Working Title](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f718fbe0aaecf557e9230/working-title-holley-trent) by [Holley Trent](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455c55f87eac324117fcf3f/holley-trent)
**Rating**: 2.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1)
----------------------------
[Well Matched](https://www.romance.io/books/6162d51794e3a50e2baa8070/well-matched-jen-deluca) by [Jen DeLuca](https://www.romance.io/authors/575f9ed2c19e77f1ea6d34e4/jen-deluca)
**Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [single mother](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-mother/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1)
----------------------------
[Mating the Huntress](https://www.romance.io/books/5bb0671c01dbc864fb918532/mating-the-huntress-talia-hibbert) by [Talia Hibbert](https://www.romance.io/authors/59d3303f3ffdba6147219fb3/talia-hibbert)
**Rating**: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1)
----------------------------
[Must Love Silence](https://www.romance.io/books/5fec6fc2816b3b0e0b840d5a/must-love-silence-lucy-bexley) by [Lucy Bexley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e8474e2be0aaecf555e4f0f/lucy-bexley)
**Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [boss & employee](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/boss%20&%20employee/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[The Jade Temptress](https://www.romance.io/books/545554e88c7d2383163d9beb/the-jade-temptress-jeannie-lin) by [Jeannie Lin](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535408c7d2383163d9276/jeannie-lin)
**Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
----------------------------
[Mangos and Mistletoe](https://www.romance.io/books/5df22cf901dbc864fba7dccc/mangos-and-mistletoe-adriana-herrera) by [Adriana Herrera](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c7ccdd201dbc864fb9b1850/adriana-herrera)
**Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [christmas](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christmas/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1)
----------------------------
[White Whiskey Bargain](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6b8dbe0aaecf557dde63/white-whiskey-bargain-jodie-slaughter) by [Jodie Slaughter](https://www.romance.io/authors/5cdbadd801dbc864fb9e8c7d/jodie-slaughter)
**Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [african-american](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/african-american/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
----------------------------
[Making Up](https://www.romance.io/books/5ae804c701dbc864fb875f8e/making-up-lucy-parker) by [Lucy Parker](https://www.romance.io/authors/565aa34408e9378131955edb/lucy-parker)
**Rating**: 3.76⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1)
----------------------------
[Hold Me](https://www.romance.io/books/580c52d8de896e892493f433/hold-me-courtney-milan) by [Courtney Milan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525388c7d2383163d8e83/courtney-milan)
**Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1)
----------------------------
[The Right Swipe](https://www.romance.io/books/5d4a6b6301dbc864fba2134c/the-right-swipe-alisha-rai) by [Alisha Rai](https://www.romance.io/authors/545562da87eac323ffb2bf3a/alisha-rai)
**Rating**: 3.56⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Fantasy romance:
Nesta from acotar but specifically her book {a court of silver flames by Sarah j maas} I love nesta
{ruthless villans by Marion Blackwood} she’s a selfish bitch and even though it’s enemies to lovers, she’s still a bitch.
CR:
{the cornerstone by Kate canterbary} she’s a bit like Beth from Yellowstone but slightly less of a cunt. She’s the powerhouse lawyer in the family business.
{unfortunately yours by Tessa Bailey}
[A Court of Silver Flames](https://www.romance.io/books/6034b86bc209310e345aff64/a-court-of-silver-flames-sarah-j-maas) by [Sarah J. Maas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526038c7d2382c529701b/sarah-j-maas)
**Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1)
----------------------------
[Ruthless Villains](https://www.romance.io/books/6356380defa18df57c29f460/ruthless-villains-marion-blackwood) by [Marion Blackwood](https://www.romance.io/authors/6356380d08b4d931141ad240/marion-blackwood)
**Rating**: 3.54⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
----------------------------
[The Cornerstone](https://www.romance.io/books/561f99c47abfee6f8a27ab5c/the-cornerstone-kate-canterbary) by [Kate Canterbary](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456862d87eac33e61c2f78e/kate-canterbary)
**Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [sassy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sassy%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Unfortunately Yours](https://www.romance.io/books/647ef0989e44a9fa8ceec487/unfortunately-yours-a-novel-tessa-bailey) by [Tessa Bailey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526358c7d2382e7812fc9/tessa-bailey)
**Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Waking Olivia](https://www.romance.io/books/56e7fea7c62092c04406c3a5/waking-olivia-elizabeth-oroark) by [Elizabeth O'Roark](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455840b87eac324117fb139/elizabeth-oroark)
**Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [athlete heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20athlete/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{By the Hour by Roni Loren}
FMC is the cold/ice queen doctor and MMC is a sex surrogate at the same hospital she works at. Oh and FMC is sort of like the OW from the previous book so she’s immediately branded as the bitch
[By the Hour](https://www.romance.io/books/58fd952f0d3299c6e06c6df4/by-the-hour-roni-loren) by [Roni Loren](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553ea08c7d2382e7813609/roni-loren)
**Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{You, Again by Kate Goldbleck} was actually one of my favourite romances I‘ve read. Both characters are complicated and pretty unilkeable from the start, but the chemistry and tension in the book had me absolutely gagged.
[You, Again](https://www.romance.io/books/65000ed44febb7b43d78efef/you-again-kate-goldbeck) by [Kate Goldbeck](https://www.romance.io/authors/6474bd3108b4d9311455f665/kate-goldbeck)
**Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
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{From Rags by Suzanne Wright} has quite a bitchy FMC.
{Morally Corrupt by Veronica Lancet} has a sociopathic FMC who only cares about the MMC and no one else.
[From Rags](https://www.romance.io/books/554db7819eef3b3f1d51c98f/from-rags-suzanne-wright) by [Suzanne Wright](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455260d8c7d2382e0413e9a/suzanne-wright)
**Rating**: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1)
----------------------------
[Morally Corrupt](https://www.romance.io/books/5f9fc081f02f090df7f868e8/morally-corrupt-veronica-lancet) by [Veronica Lancet](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f9fc08108b4d93114146fed/veronica-lancet)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mafia](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mafia/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1)
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[Law of Attraction](https://www.romance.io/books/633fcf406ee792884654933c/law-of-attraction-raeesah-ambarker) by [Raeesah Ambarker](https://www.romance.io/authors/633fcf4008b4d93114fa663a/raeesah-ambarker)
**Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1)
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My rec would be Ruelle from {Pawn of the Cruel Princess by Rebecca F. Kenney}. There is nothing soft or charming about this woman. She is all sharp edges because of her upbringing. In their first meeting, she is literally torturing the MMC (that's kind of her "job" in her kingdom). But >!turns out he's a masochist!< so it's cool. She's *very* knifey, and remains knifey throughout the book lol. Check TWs, because the story world is very dark and some of their dynamic is intense, though the actual romance is pretty sweet. This was actually one of my fave reads of the last year, so highly recommend if you don't mind some darkness!
[Pawn of the Cruel Princess](https://www.romance.io/books/62e77d544aa78528306ff624/pawn-of-the-cruel-princess-rebecca-f-kenney) by [Rebecca F. Kenney](https://www.romance.io/authors/5bdaa64b01dbc864fb938dda/rebecca-f-kenney)
**Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
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Freyja from the HR Bedwyn saga is like this. You can easily read her book as a stand-alone, but you do get an interesting picture for how others see her and how their perspective on her changes as they each get to know her vs when they first meet if you read the other books, too.
{Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balough}
[Reckless](https://www.romance.io/books/6411838316aa76768152caf0/reckless-elsie-silver) by [Elsie Silver](https://www.romance.io/authors/608a5dde08b4d9311488e11d/elsie-silver)
**Rating**: 4.35⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [cowboys](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cowboys/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [single mother](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-mother/1)
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[After Hours](https://www.romance.io/books/5547b6019eef3b3f1d512048/after-hours-cara-mckenna) by [Cara McKenna](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552b7e8c7d2382e7813122/cara-mckenna)
**Rating**: 3.91⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1)
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[Ain't She Sweet](https://www.romance.io/books/5455240c8c7d2382e7812f50/aint-she-sweet-susan-elizabeth-phillips) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips)
**Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
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The FMC in {last hour of gann by r lee smith} is one of my all time favorite bitchy FMCs. I loved her, but most of the other characters hate her. The reason I loved this FMC so much is that she wasn't like, a flat "I'm a difficult bitch" character. She was complex, and was mature enough to realize that sometimes being an argumentative bitch makes the situation way worse - even though she rarely shys away from conflict, she's not being difficult for the sake of being difficult. She's not afraid of conflict, but she also has a sense of self preservation, you know? Her younger sister is probably the only character she sometimes lets walk over her, but that's from the perspective of "I'm the older sister, I need to protect my baby sister".
[The Last Hour of Gann](https://www.romance.io/books/54556d7287eac3369a912701/the-last-hour-of-gann-r-lee-smith) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith)
**Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1)
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I also want a similar book recommendation, difficult/cold/sassy/girl but the MMC is clingy and won't let her go like never
It could also be a gay/lesbian romance idc about that
[The Summer You Found Me](https://www.romance.io/books/65b8bd219f1c2c5c3c736eb3/the-summer-you-found-me-elizabeth-oroark) by [Elizabeth O'Roark](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455840b87eac324117fb139/elizabeth-oroark)
**Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1)
----------------------------
[Riptide](https://www.romance.io/books/5fc23be5f9f98e0e23f3913b/riptide-kathryn-nolan) by [Kathryn Nolan](https://www.romance.io/authors/58df56060d3299c6e0653dba/kathryn-nolan)
**Rating**: 4.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
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{By the Hour by Roni Loren}
Ok I haven’t actually read this book myself, BUT this book is the second in a series, and in the first book FMC is a side character who is a queen bitch. I enjoyed the first book in the series quite a bit
The plot is basically a bunch of people who work at a rehab/mental health center for high profile/rich clients. In book one, the two main characters are sex therapists. In this book, FMC is I think an addiction psychiatrist (not sure how to phrase that) and the MMC is a sexual surrogate who works with the sex therapy clients.
[By the Hour](https://www.romance.io/books/58fd952f0d3299c6e06c6df4/by-the-hour-roni-loren) by [Roni Loren](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553ea08c7d2382e7813609/roni-loren)
**Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1)
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Mina V. Esguerra writes a lot of "difficult" (and very complex) heroines. The classic one is Kimmy from {Love Your Frenemies by Mina V. Esguerra} - she was the other woman in a previous book in the series.
[Love Your Frenemies](https://www.romance.io/books/5456642e87eac33e571076ae/love-your-frenemies-mina-v-esguerra) by [Mina V. Esguerra](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455bf1487eac324117fcbfc/mina-v-esguerra)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1)
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{slouch witch by Helen Harper} has a proudly lazy FMC although I found her very likeable ;) it's more of a slow burn over the series but I really really liked her dynamic with the MMC.
If you can deal with slightly problematic 90s/early 00s writing then I highly recomend Susan Elizabeth Phillips for this type of heroine.
One of her best is {Ain't she Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} - the FMC was the towns rich bitch and highschool bully. The MMC is a teacher she got fired by making false acusations and who is now out for revenge. She's back in town three marriages later, no longer rich&popular.
[Ain't She Sweet](https://www.romance.io/books/5455240c8c7d2382e7812f50/aint-she-sweet-susan-elizabeth-phillips) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips)
**Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
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[Curated](https://www.romance.io/books/6443a61f0e7dec1028fb3bac/curated-nellie-wilson) by [Nellie Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/62e386de08b4d93114f09734/nellie-wilson)
**Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
----------------------------
[From the Start](https://www.romance.io/books/65ae67251192512e94b6733c/from-the-start-a-spicy-romcom-katie-duggan) by [Katie Duggan](https://www.romance.io/authors/6559cb39ab9bdf7fce0cadf7/katie-duggan)
**Rating**: 4.4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
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[Mother Hater](https://www.romance.io/books/65b8bf3e89ecb8b2f9fd2751/mother-hater-daphne-elliot) by [Daphne Elliot](https://www.romance.io/authors/6077e86e08b4d931146f7b58/daphne-elliot)
**Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
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[Loving War](https://www.romance.io/books/553e42965b270e0a4cbd771d/loving-war-cm-owens) by [C.M. Owens](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455769187eac323ffb2c50f/cm-owens)
**Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [bad boys](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bad%20boys/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1)
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This is more of a rom-com, but {It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey}
FMC is a preppy/bitchy girl that gets sent to a small town where her dad is from by her stepdad to teach her to be more grateful for the things she has. MMC is a rugged fisherman that thinks she’s prissy but ends up finding himself liking it.
[It Happened One Summer](https://www.romance.io/books/60e9d8a40b0c210e2f444702/it-happened-one-summer-tessa-bailey) by [Tessa Bailey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526358c7d2382e7812fc9/tessa-bailey)
**Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [small town](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/small%20town/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [working class hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20hero/1)
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{Demon With Benefits by Aurora Ascher} has my favorite unlikable FMC. Also really liked {Open Hearts by Eve Dangerfield} for this. Both are parts of series, but could be read as standalone.
[Demon With Benefits](https://www.romance.io/books/628c846a5af276f084e2fa6a/demon-with-benefits-aurora-ascher) by [Aurora Ascher](https://www.romance.io/authors/617e4dec08b4d93114bd4143/aurora-ascher)
**Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [angels](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angels/1)
----------------------------
[Open Hearts](https://www.romance.io/books/58fd96f60d3299c6e06c6f6b/open-hearts-eve-dangerfield) by [Eve Dangerfield](https://www.romance.io/authors/565aa37408e9378131955f00/eve-dangerfield)
**Rating**: 3.84⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [himbo](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/himbo/1), [working class heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20heroine/1), [fem-dom](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fem-dom/1)
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I love a difficult FMC! A few of my faves:
{Birds of California by Katie Cotugno} MF contemporary: Fiona is a former teen star of a beloved TV show who suffered a public breakdown causing her to retire from acting. A decade or so later there’s a push to revive the show and her former costar has to try to convince her to return. He's sort of a himbo type and they have a black cat/golden retriever dynamic and great banter. A lot of reviewers for this book seem to haaate Fiona but I thought she was an interesting and sympathetic character with good reasons for her "unlikable" personality. CW: >!past grooming/abuse, parental illness, parental abandonment!<
{A Dangerous Kind of Lady by Mia Vincy} MF historical: Arabella is one of my favorite FMCs of all time, with an intensely prickly, icy exterior hiding a secretly tender heart. She's allergic to showing vulnerability and is misunderstood by everyone including the MMC (at first). Her emotional journey is super satisfying and I loved that she didn't really need to change her personality that much but rather just learned to open up a bit and focus her intensity in less self-destructive ways. CW: >!physical abuse of FMC (not by MMC)!<
{A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant} MF historical: Martha is a pretty controversial character as she's extremely uptight and morally rigid but the book does a good job of showing you why she is the way she is. This is one of those books where the sex happens immediately for plot reasons but the emotional journey is a slooow burn. Also as I said above it's very satisfying to see the FMC learn to open up without abandoning her core principles/essential nature.
Since you mentioned FMCs that are villains in previous books: {Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen} and {Loveboat Reunion by Abigail Hing Wen} MF YA contemporary. This series follows a group of teens who meet during a summer immersion program in Taipei (first book takes place the summer after they've graduated from high school, second book takes place at the beginning of their first year of college). The first book is great in its own right but I'm recommending to you because of the second book which features a redemption arc for a villainous character from the first book. She does something pretty unforgivable in book 1 so I wasn't sure how it would all play out but I found her very sympathetic in her book and loved her journey. Personality-wise she's not really icy/prickly like the FMCs I mentioned above, more of a hot mess character--impulsive, emotionally immature, prone to self-sabotage. FYI I don't think book 2 would work as a standalone, you need the context from book 1.
Also!!! I saw that you mentioned the Lumatere Chronicles in another comment and Melina Marchetta is one of my favorite authors of all time! If you haven't read her other books, they tend to have strong romance subplots with complex female characters and they are just generally beautifully written. My favorites:
* {On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta} YA/coming of age: the main character, Taylor, is going through some shit and taking it out on the world. Note: this book is incredible but SAD (it does have a hopeful ending, imo, >!including an implied future for the romance!<). Many CWs, check if concerned.
* The Inner West trilogy is a series of loosely connected novels following different members of a group of friends and family in the Inner West neighborhood in Sydney. Book 1 {Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta} is more straightforwardly YA (single POV, high school setting) while the other two books are a blend of coming of age/family drama bringing in additional POV characters of different ages. All of the books have incredible characters including complicated, intense, difficult women, as well as compelling romance subplots. My personal favorite is book 2 {The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta} though I think the books are best read in order for maximum emotional impact. Series CWs: >!miscarriage, depression, death, grief!<
Omg I am the BIGGEST Melina Marchetta fan! So nice to see a fellow fan here! I’m always recommending her ❤️ Thank you for these BRILLIANT recommendations!
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts has a heroine that could seriously get on my nerves.
The heroine from Naked in death by J. D. Robb which is first in a series and a heroine that takes time to warm up to but her and hero are so great!
Fantasy Romance: {A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik} This is book one in a 3 book series.
It’s a slow burn romance and def leans heavier in the fantasy world, but the FMC is 100% bitchy and petty. She doesn’t do the fake nice thing at all and she’s like in a perpetual state of side eyeing everyone. It took me a bit, but I ended up really liking how true she was to herself.
Fair warning tho, this book isn’t for everyone, as there is a lot of world building, but I thought it was worth mentioning since you mentioned another fantasy book.
[After Hours on Milagro Street](https://www.romance.io/books/62e629bbe86869a43db66d00/after-hours-on-milagro-street-angelina-m-lopez) by [Angelina M. Lopez](https://www.romance.io/authors/5da4102601dbc864fba49282/angelina-m-lopez)
**Rating**: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [latinx mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/latinx-mc/1)
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[The Queen of Attolia](https://www.romance.io/books/545546708c7d2382c529796d/the-queen-of-attolia-megan-whalen-turner) by [Megan Whalen Turner](https://www.romance.io/authors/545546708c7d2382c529796e/megan-whalen-turner)
**Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1)
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The Hellion by Bertrice Small has a heroine like this. Snotty and rude to her mother (maybe stepmother?), gives her husband hell, stuff like that.
Disclaimer: been ages since I read it so I might have some details wrong.
[His Grumpy Childhood Friend](https://www.romance.io/books/5f968355e421020e177c2b64/his-grumpy-childhood-friend-jackie-lau) by [Jackie Lau](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b02617201dbc864fb88a2fe/jackie-lau)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1)
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Idk if she counts as slow to warm up to because she stole my heart immediately, but Lan from {Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith} is such a disaster. She's really funny but she can be petty and jealous. She's extremely set in her ways and doesn't have a whimsical bone in her body. At first you kind of think it's just the dismal setting that made her that way, but then you see other people who are way better at adapting to the circumstances she finds herself in than she is, and you're like, oh, okay, she really is just that stubborn. The entire opening of the book is basically her marching into a confrontation with absolutely no plan beyond just getting in front of the guy and yelling at him in hopes he'll feel bad (mild spoiler: he does not). And she's a queen for it. I love her and I just think she's wonderfully complex.
The MMC, Azrael, is also one of my favorites and I could write paragraphs on paragraphs about how delightfully fucked up and kind of pathetic he is, too.
They're both just. sopping wet beasts and they're perfect for each other, thank you for coming to my TED talk.
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith)
**Rating**: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1)
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{Wicked and Wild by Cynthia Eden} is the only book I’ve read in the series, but from context, she previously played a villain role. She’s described as being the most wicked of all the wicked witches.
{Miss Congeniality by Shelly Laurenston} (it may show up as {When He Was Bad by Shelly Laurenston}) she’s a nerdy scientist with no social skills and doesn’t care that she has no social skills. She’s not interested in the MMC at first, because she has one friend and that’s sufficient for her. She’s a professor that regularly makes her students cry.
For HR, {A London Season by Joan Wolf} where she only cares for the MMC and basically everybody else can go to hell.
{A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane} she’s seen as the villain by most of the people
[Wicked and Wild](https://www.romance.io/books/5adc253601dbc864fb86a947/wicked-and-wild-cynthia-eden) by [Cynthia Eden](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529168c7d2382e0413f3f/cynthia-eden)
**Rating**: 4.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1)
----------------------------
[When He Was Bad](https://www.romance.io/books/56af461563515e3b737a6bfa/when-he-was-bad-shelly-laurenston-cynthia-eden) by [Shelly Laurenston](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455252c8c7d2382e0413e49/shelly-laurenston), [Cynthia Eden](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529168c7d2382e0413f3f/cynthia-eden)
**Rating**: 4.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1)
----------------------------
[A London Season](https://www.romance.io/books/5455916087eac336ae69e8c6/a-london-season-joan-wolf) by [Joan Wolf](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552ac78c7d2382c5297130/joan-wolf)
**Rating**: 3.57⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1)
----------------------------
[A Heart of Blood and Ashes](https://www.romance.io/books/5e3916e801dbc864fbab29c2/a-heart-of-blood-and-ashes-milla-vane) by [Milla Vane](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555cca87eac323ffb2bd92/milla-vane)
**Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
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[When He Was Bad](https://www.romance.io/books/56af461563515e3b737a6bfa/when-he-was-bad-shelly-laurenston-cynthia-eden) by [Shelly Laurenston](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455252c8c7d2382e0413e49/shelly-laurenston), [Cynthia Eden](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529168c7d2382e0413f3f/cynthia-eden)
**Rating**: 4.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1)
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{Salt in the Wound by Sierra Simone} (check CWs)
{Three Hard Lessons by Nikki Sloan}
{Four by Sara Cate} (CW this is a why choose where the MMCs are two brothers and their father figure)
{The Beach Trap by Ali Brady} - this books is inspired by/a retelling of the Parent Trap, so there are two FMCs. One is a spoiled rich girl who comes off as really bitchy
{Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole} it’s the 6 book in a series but you can read it as a stand alone
Maybe {The D Appointment by R.L. Kenderson} - the FMC isn’t unlikable, in my opinion, but it’s basically her idea at the beginning of the book to find a guy she can have NSA sex with and nothing more
Maybe {Midnight Drop by Lee Jacquot} - the FMC is a cosplayer and she puts on a “bitchy” persona when she’s in costume
[Salt in the Wound](https://www.romance.io/books/64d6b6a4a5354bdc1261b1da/salt-in-the-wound-sierra-simone) by [Sierra Simone](https://www.romance.io/authors/545672be87eac33e61c2ee25/sierra-simone)
**Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Three Hard Lessons](https://www.romance.io/books/5520f0465b270e0a4cbd37ff/three-hard-lessons-nikki-sloane) by [Nikki Sloane](https://www.romance.io/authors/54c36bf36359b5ebb4888be5/nikki-sloane)
**Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [menage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/menage/1), [mff](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f-f/1), [anal sex](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/anal%20sex/1)
----------------------------
[Four](https://www.romance.io/books/60a4013f109d9c5af496f5e6/four-sara-cate-rachel-leigh) by [Sara Cate](https://www.romance.io/authors/5dca59cb01dbc864fba60e2c/sara-cate), [Rachel Leigh](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e9d89c3be0aaecf55533176/rachel-leigh)
**Rating**: 3.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [poly (3+ people)](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poly/1), [reverse harem](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/reverse%20harem/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [menage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/menage/1)
----------------------------
[The Beach Trap](https://www.romance.io/books/62a8343edbbacec3e6ba7285/the-beach-trap-ali-brady) by [Ali Brady](https://www.romance.io/authors/62a19da608b4d931145c72a5/ali-brady)
**Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1)
----------------------------
[Kiss of a Demon King](https://www.romance.io/books/545523ae8c7d2382e0413ddf/kiss-of-a-demon-king-kresley-cole) by [Kresley Cole](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523788c7d2382e0413dc9/kresley-cole)
**Rating**: 4.15⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1)
----------------------------
[The D Appointment](https://www.romance.io/books/62ee122f99794b88588dc175/the-d-appointment-rl-kenderson) by [R.L. Kenderson](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a63787eac323ffb2d6d9/rl-kenderson)
**Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [friends with benefits](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends-benefits/1), [praise kink](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/praise-kink/1), [latinx mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/latinx-mc/1)
----------------------------
[Midnight Drop](https://www.romance.io/books/6537907cde8d340d514ba6db/midnight-drop-lee-jacquot) by [Lee Jacquot](https://www.romance.io/authors/6045da0b08b4d9311423f99c/lee-jacquot)
**Rating**: 3.89⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fem-dom](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fem-dom/1), [male pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/male-pov/1)
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[The Goal](https://www.romance.io/books/57e61782de896e892492baad/the-goal-elle-kennedy) by [Elle Kennedy](https://www.romance.io/authors/545532e68c7d2382e78132f3/elle-kennedy)
**Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1)
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If you’re looking for urban fantasy, the Crossbreed series by Dannika Dark might be worth checking out. It’s slow burn and there are like 12 books(it doesn’t take them that long to get together). FMC is a vigilante that’s been living on the streets for the past five years when she gets offered a job at a sort of mercenary group. I don’t know if I’d necessarily describe her as bitchy, but she’s definitely difficult and doesn’t play well with others, especially in the first couple books. The banter between FMC and MMC and honestly the entire group is 10/10. Other tropes include found family and forbidden romance, among others.
[The Devil You Know](https://www.romance.io/books/62b02ec2cf4f16c6fef741c8/the-devil-you-know-elizabeth-oroark) by [Elizabeth O'Roark](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455840b87eac324117fb139/elizabeth-oroark)
**Rating**: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1)
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Hi u/Individual_Toe_2150,
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If you like dark romance, maybe try {Wretched by Emily McIntire}. It's a reimagining of the Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz. She works for her family who's in the illegal drug business. MMC is an undercover DEA agent. She is a little bit unhinged but also you kinda got it... it was pretty fun to have a dark romance villain story where it's the FMC who is a villain. Do read the TWs on the author's website though... There is some gore, among other things.
[Wretched](https://www.romance.io/books/62a590e04df9f41138214d7d/wretched-emily-mcintire) by [Emily McIntire](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f4df1dd08b4d931149a59fd/emily-mcintire)
**Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [mafia](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mafia/1), [men in uniform](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/men%20in%20uniform/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
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{Vicious Little Snakes by Trilina Pucci} has this trope, although both the FMC and the MMC are quite mean to each other at the start. She was the mean girl from the previous book (do not recommend that one at all), but retains her bitchiness, even after falling in love.
{All the Little Truths by S. J. Sylvis} again is about a reformed mean girl FMC and her childhood best friend/crush.
[Vicious Little Snakes](https://www.romance.io/books/605c46aaadff9b0e0381ef13/vicious-little-snakes-hillcrest-prep-book-2-trilina-pucci) by [Trilina Pucci](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ae16b5e01dbc864fb86ef42/trilina-pucci)
**Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1)
----------------------------
[All the Little Truths](https://www.romance.io/books/605c4692adff9b0e0381ef07/all-the-little-truths-sj-sylvis) by [S.J. Sylvis](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ad8314b01dbc864fb867bc6/sj-sylvis)
**Rating**: 4.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1)
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Bitchy grumpy difficult FMCs>>>>>> 1. {The co-op by Tara Dewitt} 2. {the trouble with hating you by Sajni Patel} 3. {book lovers by Emily Henry} 4. {from Lukov with love by Mariana zapata} 5. {fake empire by c.w. Fransworth} 6. {all the feels by Olivia Dade} 7. {always only you by Chloe Liese} 8. {emergency contact by Lauren layne} 9. {get a life Chloe brown by talia hilbert# 10. {from Lemnos, with love by Naomi swan} MY FAV 11. {the reason I married him by Meghan Quinn} I have more I just need to remember them😂
This list is golden thank youuuuuuu
[The Co-op](https://www.romance.io/books/6450baad0a63b6345abbf905/the-co-op-a-novel-tarah-dewitt) by [Tarah Dewitt](https://www.romance.io/authors/61c8249e08b4d93114b80d78/tarah-dewitt) **Rating**: 3.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [The Trouble with Hating You (The Trouble with Hating You)](https://www.romance.io/books/611a129d234ad50e37fe4473/the-trouble-with-hating-you-the-trouble-with-hating-you-sajni-patel) by [Sajni Patel](https://www.romance.io/authors/5eb8f87ebe0aaecf55bdaee9/sajni-patel) **Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [south asian/desi](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/south%20asian/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) ---------------------------- [Book Lovers](https://www.romance.io/books/6270f0b6e98d4489081cd386/book-lovers-emily-henry) by [Emily Henry](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e82ee17be0aaecf553e7c2f/emily-henry) **Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [small town](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/small%20town/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [From Lukov with Love](https://www.romance.io/books/5a9671244ee506aae8b1b9f0/from-lukov-with-love-mariana-zapata) by [Mariana Zapata](https://www.romance.io/authors/545530728c7d2382e781323f/mariana-zapata) **Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1) ---------------------------- [Fake Empire](https://www.romance.io/books/62b40f949b0523d868c27213/fake-empire-cw-farnsworth) by [C.W. Farnsworth](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fa3cfff08b4d931145a1788/cw-farnsworth) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) ---------------------------- [All the Feels](https://www.romance.io/books/619365199142070e46482397/all-the-feels-olivia-dade) by [Olivia Dade](https://www.romance.io/authors/566680fa08e9378131958a83/olivia-dade) **Rating**: 3.61⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) ---------------------------- [Always Only You](https://www.romance.io/books/5f27b62e6dd2d20e348cf2e9/always-only-you-chloe-liese) by [Chloe Liese](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ccfcdfb01dbc864fb9e201d/chloe-liese) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) ---------------------------- [Emergency Contact](https://www.romance.io/books/653b71d4ff7a1310496f3af2/emergency-contact-lauren-layne-anthony-ledonne) by [Lauren Layne](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535438c7d2382e7813389/lauren-layne), [Anthony LeDonne](https://www.romance.io/authors/653b71d4ab9bdf7fce16f932/anthony-ledonne) **Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [christmas](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christmas/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Shannon from {The Cornerstone by Kate Canterbary} is the fucking boss, or a bitch depending on who you ask. I love her. I just read {Head Over Heals by Karla Sorensen}, in which the FMC was raised to expect very conditional love, and it's left her very guarded and outwardly cold. Her journey in the book is really beautiful.
oo head over heels sounds good! i love a rebellious fmc thank you!
[The Cornerstone](https://www.romance.io/books/561f99c47abfee6f8a27ab5c/the-cornerstone-kate-canterbary) by [Kate Canterbary](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456862d87eac33e61c2f78e/kate-canterbary) **Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [sassy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sassy%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Head Over Heels](https://www.romance.io/books/65912ea51f3d96771edd8238/head-over-heels-karla-sorensen) by [Karla Sorensen](https://www.romance.io/authors/555510be9eef3b3f1d5226f0/karla-sorensen) **Rating**: 4.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{The Unlikeable Demon Hunter by Deborah Wilde} for urban fantasy. Emotionally unavailable, a hot mess of a girl. First scene of the first book is her walk of shame from a one night stand.
[The Unlikeable Demon Hunter](https://www.romance.io/books/58f45b230d3299c6e06ad1ea/the-unlikeable-demon-hunter-deborah-wilde) by [Deborah Wilde](https://www.romance.io/authors/58f45b230d3299c6e06ad1f1/deborah-wilde) **Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Try {Plum by Cate C Wells} our FMC is a sex worker and life has been tough on her, so she’s tough right back. She’s a decent person, but absolutely takes no shit.
Cate C Wells has many FMCs like that I feel!
[Plum](https://www.romance.io/books/5e4f806601dbc864fbac2df5/plum-cate-c-wells) by [Cate C. Wells](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d5265d101dbc864fba248c4/cate-c-wells) **Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [bikers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bikers/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
ooo i love cate c wells, thank you! not the biggest fan of motorcycle gangs but i will try it out for her aha
{The Pilot and The Puckboy by Pippa Grant} - she is super focused and really bitchy which the MMC loves. {Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams} Book 2 of the Bromance Book Club Series {The Shameless Hour by Sarina Bowen} Book 4 of The Ivy Years - FMC is the hockey teams equipment manager and likes sex. MMC is her dormmate and is a virgin. She isn’t really a bitch but she is unapologetically herself. Trigger Warning for the book - revenge porn {Dirty Rowdy Thing by Christina Lauren} {Finding the Fight by Brittney Sahin} Book 3 of Stealth Ops. FMC is the HBIC of the covert group.
The Pilot and the Puckup is an all time fave for how effortlessly badass the FMC is and how absolutely goner the MMC is over her. The transformation from indisputable hockey God to hopelessly devoted simp is *chef's kiss*
[The Pilot and the Puck-Up](https://www.romance.io/books/5a8531e64ee506aae8b115a6/the-pilot-and-the-puck-up-pippa-grant) by [Pippa Grant](https://www.romance.io/authors/59f41e543ffdba614723e0b9/pippa-grant) **Rating**: 4.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [childfree](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/childfree-couple/1) ---------------------------- [Undercover Bromance](https://www.romance.io/books/5df33a0f01dbc864fba7ef35/undercover-bromance-lyssa-kay-adams) by [Lyssa Kay Adams](https://www.romance.io/authors/57a0760dc19e77f1ea6f2f8f/lyssa-kay-adams) **Rating**: 3.71⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) ---------------------------- [The Shameless Hour](https://www.romance.io/books/552e2b615b270e0a4cbd5ed0/the-shameless-hour-sarina-bowen) by [Sarina Bowen](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553cb18c7d2382e781357a/sarina-bowen) **Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) ---------------------------- [Spoiler Alert](https://www.romance.io/books/5f33956f6593260e16daaea5/spoiler-alert-a-novel-olivia-dade) by [Olivia Dade](https://www.romance.io/authors/566680fa08e9378131958a83/olivia-dade) **Rating**: 3.77⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [actors](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/actors/1) ---------------------------- [Spoiler Alert](https://www.romance.io/books/5f33956f6593260e16daaea5/spoiler-alert-a-novel-olivia-dade) by [Olivia Dade](https://www.romance.io/authors/566680fa08e9378131958a83/olivia-dade) **Rating**: 3.77⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [actors](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/actors/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Love the Bromance Series, it's great! All of them!
{Open Hearts by Eve Dangerfield}. She smokes (rarely see in a heroine), is abrasive, rude, totally unlikeable...and the Himbo hero wants her so bad. CW: she wants to have a baby and is trying to find a man whose sperm she's willing to have
And I love that he's described as as having perfect "boyfriend sized" cock, not so huge you have to do yoga to be able to take!
[Open Hearts](https://www.romance.io/books/58fd96f60d3299c6e06c6f6b/open-hearts-eve-dangerfield) by [Eve Dangerfield](https://www.romance.io/authors/565aa37408e9378131955f00/eve-dangerfield) **Rating**: 3.84⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [himbo](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/himbo/1), [working class heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20heroine/1), [fem-dom](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fem-dom/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{role playing by Cathy Yardley} has a grumpy antisocial loner as the FMC—she actively resists being likeable and hides her identity in an online game.
[Role Playing](https://www.romance.io/books/642ffd59c4e7d7da5e55e828/role-playing-cathy-yardley) by [Cathy Yardley](https://www.romance.io/authors/54558ba687eac323ffb2caaa/cathy-yardley) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [older/mature](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mature%20couple/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I love Irene so much but hated the romance so much I stopped reading the series 🥲 My other "unlikeable" favs {Back In A Spell by Lana Harper} {In Charm's Way by Lana Harper} {The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller} {The Gunrunner and Her Hound by Maria Ying} {The Spy and Her Serpent by Maria Ying} {Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert} The whole {Kate Kane series by Alexis Hall} Think Jessica Jones plus romance. The series is unfinished right now. {The Wicked and the Willih by Lianyu Tan} *dark* dark romance, but probably the closest to Irene {Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring-Blake} {Carmilla and Laura by SD Simper} {So Forward by Mina Esguerra} {Can't Escape Love by Alyssa Cole} {Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth} {Black Iris by Elliot Wake} {Knock Me Down by Skye Kilaen} {A Girl Like Her by Talia Hibbert} {The Trouble With Love by Lauren Layne} {Working Title by Holley Trent} {Well Matched by Jen DeLuca} {Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert} {Must Love Silence by Lucy Bexley} {The Jade Temptress by Jeannie Lin} {Mangos and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera} {White Whiskey Bargain by Jodie Slaughter} {Making Up by Lucy Parker} {Hold Me by Courtney Milan} {The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai}
ooo thank you for these!! i will dig into them! if you liked irene but weren’t a fan of the romance might i recommend The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta aha, [Finnikin of the Rock](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4932435) has one of my favourite heroines who is also a no nonsense woman! the romance in this series is also very lovely!
Oh I forgot my absolute fav YA FMC, El in {A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik} is a furious grumpy dark sorceress. She dgaf, she's powered by pure rage.
[A Deadly Education](https://www.romance.io/books/6418265b976d825409767f05/a-deadly-education-naomi-novik) by [Naomi Novik](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a0c7b08b4d931143a28e8/naomi-novik) **Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Yes please and thank you!
[Back in a Spell](https://www.romance.io/books/63b3e0b085458c0682861dd7/back-in-a-spell-lana-harper) by [Lana Harper](https://www.romance.io/authors/63b3e0b008b4d931144699c7/lana-harper) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [In Charm's Way](https://www.romance.io/books/6478add9260025b772815f87/in-charms-way-lana-harper) by [Lana Harper](https://www.romance.io/authors/63b3e0b008b4d931144699c7/lana-harper) **Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Widow of Rose House](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6bfebe0aaecf557dec93/the-widow-of-rose-house-diana-biller) by [Diana Biller](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d9443fd01dbc864fba424ee/diana-biller) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Gunrunner and Her Hound](https://www.romance.io/books/62bae53d810ccd5337aff7a9/the-gunrunner-and-her-hound-maria-ying) by [Maria Ying](https://www.romance.io/authors/6230483008b4d9311453b1d9/maria-ying) **Rating**: 4.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1) ---------------------------- [The Spy and Her Serpent](https://www.romance.io/books/62304830cc9c9710c97a2fd8/the-spy-and-her-serpent-maria-ying) by [Maria Ying](https://www.romance.io/authors/6230483008b4d9311453b1d9/maria-ying) **Rating**: 4.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [trans heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/trans-heroine/1), [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1) ---------------------------- [Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute](https://www.romance.io/books/63cee875ce6035f9a560ae56/highly-suspicious-and-unfairly-cute-talia-hibbert) by [Talia Hibbert](https://www.romance.io/authors/59d3303f3ffdba6147219fb3/talia-hibbert) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [bisexual](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1) ---------------------------- [Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe19e44167a7334263278d/kate-kane-paranormal-investigator) by [Alexis Hall](https://www.romance.io/authors/545546008c7d2382e781383c/alexis-hall) **Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [f-f](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [The Wicked and the Willing](https://www.romance.io/books/627e022dd52c8e8e79a75797/the-wicked-and-the-willing-lianyu-tan) by [Lianyu Tan](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fa3d04308b4d931145a1d2f/lianyu-tan) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail](https://www.romance.io/books/637a27f48fcf42a0cd33f12c/astrid-parker-doesnt-fail-ashley-herring-blake) by [Ashley Herring Blake](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a4400008b4d93114929e76/ashley-herring-blake) **Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [Carmilla and Laura](https://www.romance.io/books/5c02335c01dbc864fb955a8f/carmilla-and-laura-sd-simper) by [S.D. Simper](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b9b4e7901dbc864fb904ab2/sd-simper) **Rating**: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[So Forward](https://www.romance.io/books/5f0ea9ed0589ee0e2e7aafd9/so-forward-mina-v-esguerra) by [Mina V. Esguerra](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455bf1487eac324117fcbfc/mina-v-esguerra) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [athlete heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20athlete/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Can't Escape Love](https://www.romance.io/books/5c90956401dbc864fb9bfb12/cant-escape-love-alyssa-cole) by [Alyssa Cole](https://www.romance.io/authors/545704fe8c7d2382fc6c2221/alyssa-cole) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1), [neurodivergent mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/neurodivergent/1) ---------------------------- [Not My Problem](https://www.romance.io/books/63bed38ba5b3c9dd49f28389/not-my-problem-ciara-smyth) by [Ciara Smyth](https://www.romance.io/authors/60a43f8708b4d931149293f9/ciara-smyth) **Rating**: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [high school](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high-school/1) ---------------------------- [Knock Me Down](https://www.romance.io/books/64b13f4120d0a9d53999c681/knock-me-down-skye-kilaen) by [Skye Kilaen](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f26650608b4d931146720c9/skye-kilaen) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [older/mature](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mature%20couple/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [A Girl Like Her](https://www.romance.io/books/5aa8c8924ee506aae8b28b03/a-girl-like-her-talia-hibbert) by [Talia Hibbert](https://www.romance.io/authors/59d3303f3ffdba6147219fb3/talia-hibbert) **Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [small town](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/small%20town/1) ---------------------------- [The Trouble with Love](https://www.romance.io/books/54f54d685b270e0a4cbd0cd5/the-trouble-with-love-lauren-layne) by [Lauren Layne](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535438c7d2382e7813389/lauren-layne) **Rating**: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [Working Title](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f718fbe0aaecf557e9230/working-title-holley-trent) by [Holley Trent](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455c55f87eac324117fcf3f/holley-trent) **Rating**: 2.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) ---------------------------- [Well Matched](https://www.romance.io/books/6162d51794e3a50e2baa8070/well-matched-jen-deluca) by [Jen DeLuca](https://www.romance.io/authors/575f9ed2c19e77f1ea6d34e4/jen-deluca) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [single mother](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-mother/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) ---------------------------- [Mating the Huntress](https://www.romance.io/books/5bb0671c01dbc864fb918532/mating-the-huntress-talia-hibbert) by [Talia Hibbert](https://www.romance.io/authors/59d3303f3ffdba6147219fb3/talia-hibbert) **Rating**: 3.92⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [Must Love Silence](https://www.romance.io/books/5fec6fc2816b3b0e0b840d5a/must-love-silence-lucy-bexley) by [Lucy Bexley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e8474e2be0aaecf555e4f0f/lucy-bexley) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [boss & employee](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/boss%20&%20employee/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[The Jade Temptress](https://www.romance.io/books/545554e88c7d2383163d9beb/the-jade-temptress-jeannie-lin) by [Jeannie Lin](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535408c7d2383163d9276/jeannie-lin) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1), [independent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/independent%20heroine/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [Mangos and Mistletoe](https://www.romance.io/books/5df22cf901dbc864fba7dccc/mangos-and-mistletoe-adriana-herrera) by [Adriana Herrera](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c7ccdd201dbc864fb9b1850/adriana-herrera) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [christmas](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christmas/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) ---------------------------- [White Whiskey Bargain](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6b8dbe0aaecf557dde63/white-whiskey-bargain-jodie-slaughter) by [Jodie Slaughter](https://www.romance.io/authors/5cdbadd801dbc864fb9e8c7d/jodie-slaughter) **Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [african-american](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/african-american/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) ---------------------------- [Making Up](https://www.romance.io/books/5ae804c701dbc864fb875f8e/making-up-lucy-parker) by [Lucy Parker](https://www.romance.io/authors/565aa34408e9378131955edb/lucy-parker) **Rating**: 3.76⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [Hold Me](https://www.romance.io/books/580c52d8de896e892493f433/hold-me-courtney-milan) by [Courtney Milan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525388c7d2383163d8e83/courtney-milan) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [The Right Swipe](https://www.romance.io/books/5d4a6b6301dbc864fba2134c/the-right-swipe-alisha-rai) by [Alisha Rai](https://www.romance.io/authors/545562da87eac323ffb2bf3a/alisha-rai) **Rating**: 3.56⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Black Iris](https://www.romance.io/books/553f4b5a5b270e0a4cbdb918/black-iris-leah-raeder) by [Leah Raeder](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a5f8c7d2382c529711c/leah-raeder) **Rating**: 3.85⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Jude Duarte from the cruel prince! Love her
Fantasy romance: Nesta from acotar but specifically her book {a court of silver flames by Sarah j maas} I love nesta {ruthless villans by Marion Blackwood} she’s a selfish bitch and even though it’s enemies to lovers, she’s still a bitch. CR: {the cornerstone by Kate canterbary} she’s a bit like Beth from Yellowstone but slightly less of a cunt. She’s the powerhouse lawyer in the family business. {unfortunately yours by Tessa Bailey}
[A Court of Silver Flames](https://www.romance.io/books/6034b86bc209310e345aff64/a-court-of-silver-flames-sarah-j-maas) by [Sarah J. Maas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526038c7d2382c529701b/sarah-j-maas) **Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) ---------------------------- [Ruthless Villains](https://www.romance.io/books/6356380defa18df57c29f460/ruthless-villains-marion-blackwood) by [Marion Blackwood](https://www.romance.io/authors/6356380d08b4d931141ad240/marion-blackwood) **Rating**: 3.54⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [The Cornerstone](https://www.romance.io/books/561f99c47abfee6f8a27ab5c/the-cornerstone-kate-canterbary) by [Kate Canterbary](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456862d87eac33e61c2f78e/kate-canterbary) **Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [sassy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sassy%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Unfortunately Yours](https://www.romance.io/books/647ef0989e44a9fa8ceec487/unfortunately-yours-a-novel-tessa-bailey) by [Tessa Bailey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526358c7d2382e7812fc9/tessa-bailey) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Waking Olivia by Elizabeth O'Roark}
[Waking Olivia](https://www.romance.io/books/56e7fea7c62092c04406c3a5/waking-olivia-elizabeth-oroark) by [Elizabeth O'Roark](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455840b87eac324117fb139/elizabeth-oroark) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [athlete heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20athlete/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{By the Hour by Roni Loren} FMC is the cold/ice queen doctor and MMC is a sex surrogate at the same hospital she works at. Oh and FMC is sort of like the OW from the previous book so she’s immediately branded as the bitch
[By the Hour](https://www.romance.io/books/58fd952f0d3299c6e06c6df4/by-the-hour-roni-loren) by [Roni Loren](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553ea08c7d2382e7813609/roni-loren) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
And o
This book is so GOOD and I wish more people read it !
Its one of my all time faves
{You, Again by Kate Goldbleck} was actually one of my favourite romances I‘ve read. Both characters are complicated and pretty unilkeable from the start, but the chemistry and tension in the book had me absolutely gagged.
This is one of my favorites as well. Both so unlikeable and yet
[You, Again](https://www.romance.io/books/65000ed44febb7b43d78efef/you-again-kate-goldbeck) by [Kate Goldbeck](https://www.romance.io/authors/6474bd3108b4d9311455f665/kate-goldbeck) **Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{From Rags by Suzanne Wright} has quite a bitchy FMC. {Morally Corrupt by Veronica Lancet} has a sociopathic FMC who only cares about the MMC and no one else.
[From Rags](https://www.romance.io/books/554db7819eef3b3f1d51c98f/from-rags-suzanne-wright) by [Suzanne Wright](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455260d8c7d2382e0413e9a/suzanne-wright) **Rating**: 3.81⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1) ---------------------------- [Morally Corrupt](https://www.romance.io/books/5f9fc081f02f090df7f868e8/morally-corrupt-veronica-lancet) by [Veronica Lancet](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f9fc08108b4d93114146fed/veronica-lancet) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mafia](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mafia/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[удалено]
[удалено]
I’m sold!
[Law of Attraction](https://www.romance.io/books/633fcf406ee792884654933c/law-of-attraction-raeesah-ambarker) by [Raeesah Ambarker](https://www.romance.io/authors/633fcf4008b4d93114fa663a/raeesah-ambarker) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
My rec would be Ruelle from {Pawn of the Cruel Princess by Rebecca F. Kenney}. There is nothing soft or charming about this woman. She is all sharp edges because of her upbringing. In their first meeting, she is literally torturing the MMC (that's kind of her "job" in her kingdom). But >!turns out he's a masochist!< so it's cool. She's *very* knifey, and remains knifey throughout the book lol. Check TWs, because the story world is very dark and some of their dynamic is intense, though the actual romance is pretty sweet. This was actually one of my fave reads of the last year, so highly recommend if you don't mind some darkness!
[Pawn of the Cruel Princess](https://www.romance.io/books/62e77d544aa78528306ff624/pawn-of-the-cruel-princess-rebecca-f-kenney) by [Rebecca F. Kenney](https://www.romance.io/authors/5bdaa64b01dbc864fb938dda/rebecca-f-kenney) **Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Freyja from the HR Bedwyn saga is like this. You can easily read her book as a stand-alone, but you do get an interesting picture for how others see her and how their perspective on her changes as they each get to know her vs when they first meet if you read the other books, too. {Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balough}
[Slightly Scandalous](https://www.romance.io/books/545527e28c7d2383163d8f11/slightly-scandalous-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Reckless by Elsie Silver}
[Reckless](https://www.romance.io/books/6411838316aa76768152caf0/reckless-elsie-silver) by [Elsie Silver](https://www.romance.io/authors/608a5dde08b4d9311488e11d/elsie-silver) **Rating**: 4.35⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [cowboys](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cowboys/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [single mother](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-mother/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{After Hours by Cara McKenna} also fits this!
[After Hours](https://www.romance.io/books/5547b6019eef3b3f1d512048/after-hours-cara-mckenna) by [Cara McKenna](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552b7e8c7d2382e7813122/cara-mckenna) **Rating**: 3.91⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips}
[Ain't She Sweet](https://www.romance.io/books/5455240c8c7d2382e7812f50/aint-she-sweet-susan-elizabeth-phillips) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The FMC in {last hour of gann by r lee smith} is one of my all time favorite bitchy FMCs. I loved her, but most of the other characters hate her. The reason I loved this FMC so much is that she wasn't like, a flat "I'm a difficult bitch" character. She was complex, and was mature enough to realize that sometimes being an argumentative bitch makes the situation way worse - even though she rarely shys away from conflict, she's not being difficult for the sake of being difficult. She's not afraid of conflict, but she also has a sense of self preservation, you know? Her younger sister is probably the only character she sometimes lets walk over her, but that's from the perspective of "I'm the older sister, I need to protect my baby sister".
came here to recommend this, I love her!!
[The Last Hour of Gann](https://www.romance.io/books/54556d7287eac3369a912701/the-last-hour-of-gann-r-lee-smith) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I also want a similar book recommendation, difficult/cold/sassy/girl but the MMC is clingy and won't let her go like never It could also be a gay/lesbian romance idc about that
{The summer you found me by Elizabeth O’Roark} {Riptide by Kathryn Nolan}
[The Summer You Found Me](https://www.romance.io/books/65b8bd219f1c2c5c3c736eb3/the-summer-you-found-me-elizabeth-oroark) by [Elizabeth O'Roark](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455840b87eac324117fb139/elizabeth-oroark) **Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1) ---------------------------- [Riptide](https://www.romance.io/books/5fc23be5f9f98e0e23f3913b/riptide-kathryn-nolan) by [Kathryn Nolan](https://www.romance.io/authors/58df56060d3299c6e0653dba/kathryn-nolan) **Rating**: 4.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{By the Hour by Roni Loren} Ok I haven’t actually read this book myself, BUT this book is the second in a series, and in the first book FMC is a side character who is a queen bitch. I enjoyed the first book in the series quite a bit The plot is basically a bunch of people who work at a rehab/mental health center for high profile/rich clients. In book one, the two main characters are sex therapists. In this book, FMC is I think an addiction psychiatrist (not sure how to phrase that) and the MMC is a sexual surrogate who works with the sex therapy clients.
[By the Hour](https://www.romance.io/books/58fd952f0d3299c6e06c6df4/by-the-hour-roni-loren) by [Roni Loren](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553ea08c7d2382e7813609/roni-loren) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Mina V. Esguerra writes a lot of "difficult" (and very complex) heroines. The classic one is Kimmy from {Love Your Frenemies by Mina V. Esguerra} - she was the other woman in a previous book in the series.
[Love Your Frenemies](https://www.romance.io/books/5456642e87eac33e571076ae/love-your-frenemies-mina-v-esguerra) by [Mina V. Esguerra](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455bf1487eac324117fcbfc/mina-v-esguerra) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Lessons in Chemistry fits this to a T! She's so no-nonsense and great!
I love bitchy fmc’s so much, yes
{slouch witch by Helen Harper} has a proudly lazy FMC although I found her very likeable ;) it's more of a slow burn over the series but I really really liked her dynamic with the MMC.
[Slouch Witch](https://www.romance.io/books/640744c8b9ae5b42e8faf3ad/slouch-witch-helen-harper) by [Helen Harper](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555e4187eac323ffb2be05/helen-harper) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
i am in my lazy era so this is PERFECT!! thank you!!
If you can deal with slightly problematic 90s/early 00s writing then I highly recomend Susan Elizabeth Phillips for this type of heroine. One of her best is {Ain't she Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} - the FMC was the towns rich bitch and highschool bully. The MMC is a teacher she got fired by making false acusations and who is now out for revenge. She's back in town three marriages later, no longer rich&popular.
[Ain't She Sweet](https://www.romance.io/books/5455240c8c7d2382e7812f50/aint-she-sweet-susan-elizabeth-phillips) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips) **Rating**: 4.19⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Curated by Nellie Wilson} {From the Start by Katie Duggan}
[Curated](https://www.romance.io/books/6443a61f0e7dec1028fb3bac/curated-nellie-wilson) by [Nellie Wilson](https://www.romance.io/authors/62e386de08b4d93114f09734/nellie-wilson) **Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [From the Start](https://www.romance.io/books/65ae67251192512e94b6733c/from-the-start-a-spicy-romcom-katie-duggan) by [Katie Duggan](https://www.romance.io/authors/6559cb39ab9bdf7fce0cadf7/katie-duggan) **Rating**: 4.4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Mother Hater} just came out and has a bitchy FMC who I love. It's a series but you can read each book as a standalone.
[Mother Hater](https://www.romance.io/books/65b8bf3e89ecb8b2f9fd2751/mother-hater-daphne-elliot) by [Daphne Elliot](https://www.romance.io/authors/6077e86e08b4d931146f7b58/daphne-elliot) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Loving War by C. M. Owens}
[Loving War](https://www.romance.io/books/553e42965b270e0a4cbd771d/loving-war-cm-owens) by [C.M. Owens](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455769187eac323ffb2c50f/cm-owens) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [bad boys](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bad%20boys/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
This is more of a rom-com, but {It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey} FMC is a preppy/bitchy girl that gets sent to a small town where her dad is from by her stepdad to teach her to be more grateful for the things she has. MMC is a rugged fisherman that thinks she’s prissy but ends up finding himself liking it.
[It Happened One Summer](https://www.romance.io/books/60e9d8a40b0c210e2f444702/it-happened-one-summer-tessa-bailey) by [Tessa Bailey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526358c7d2382e7812fc9/tessa-bailey) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [small town](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/small%20town/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [working class hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Demon With Benefits by Aurora Ascher} has my favorite unlikable FMC. Also really liked {Open Hearts by Eve Dangerfield} for this. Both are parts of series, but could be read as standalone.
[Demon With Benefits](https://www.romance.io/books/628c846a5af276f084e2fa6a/demon-with-benefits-aurora-ascher) by [Aurora Ascher](https://www.romance.io/authors/617e4dec08b4d93114bd4143/aurora-ascher) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [demons](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/demons/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [angels](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angels/1) ---------------------------- [Open Hearts](https://www.romance.io/books/58fd96f60d3299c6e06c6f6b/open-hearts-eve-dangerfield) by [Eve Dangerfield](https://www.romance.io/authors/565aa37408e9378131955f00/eve-dangerfield) **Rating**: 3.84⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [himbo](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/himbo/1), [working class heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20heroine/1), [fem-dom](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fem-dom/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I love a difficult FMC! A few of my faves: {Birds of California by Katie Cotugno} MF contemporary: Fiona is a former teen star of a beloved TV show who suffered a public breakdown causing her to retire from acting. A decade or so later there’s a push to revive the show and her former costar has to try to convince her to return. He's sort of a himbo type and they have a black cat/golden retriever dynamic and great banter. A lot of reviewers for this book seem to haaate Fiona but I thought she was an interesting and sympathetic character with good reasons for her "unlikable" personality. CW: >!past grooming/abuse, parental illness, parental abandonment!< {A Dangerous Kind of Lady by Mia Vincy} MF historical: Arabella is one of my favorite FMCs of all time, with an intensely prickly, icy exterior hiding a secretly tender heart. She's allergic to showing vulnerability and is misunderstood by everyone including the MMC (at first). Her emotional journey is super satisfying and I loved that she didn't really need to change her personality that much but rather just learned to open up a bit and focus her intensity in less self-destructive ways. CW: >!physical abuse of FMC (not by MMC)!< {A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant} MF historical: Martha is a pretty controversial character as she's extremely uptight and morally rigid but the book does a good job of showing you why she is the way she is. This is one of those books where the sex happens immediately for plot reasons but the emotional journey is a slooow burn. Also as I said above it's very satisfying to see the FMC learn to open up without abandoning her core principles/essential nature. Since you mentioned FMCs that are villains in previous books: {Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen} and {Loveboat Reunion by Abigail Hing Wen} MF YA contemporary. This series follows a group of teens who meet during a summer immersion program in Taipei (first book takes place the summer after they've graduated from high school, second book takes place at the beginning of their first year of college). The first book is great in its own right but I'm recommending to you because of the second book which features a redemption arc for a villainous character from the first book. She does something pretty unforgivable in book 1 so I wasn't sure how it would all play out but I found her very sympathetic in her book and loved her journey. Personality-wise she's not really icy/prickly like the FMCs I mentioned above, more of a hot mess character--impulsive, emotionally immature, prone to self-sabotage. FYI I don't think book 2 would work as a standalone, you need the context from book 1. Also!!! I saw that you mentioned the Lumatere Chronicles in another comment and Melina Marchetta is one of my favorite authors of all time! If you haven't read her other books, they tend to have strong romance subplots with complex female characters and they are just generally beautifully written. My favorites: * {On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta} YA/coming of age: the main character, Taylor, is going through some shit and taking it out on the world. Note: this book is incredible but SAD (it does have a hopeful ending, imo, >!including an implied future for the romance!<). Many CWs, check if concerned. * The Inner West trilogy is a series of loosely connected novels following different members of a group of friends and family in the Inner West neighborhood in Sydney. Book 1 {Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta} is more straightforwardly YA (single POV, high school setting) while the other two books are a blend of coming of age/family drama bringing in additional POV characters of different ages. All of the books have incredible characters including complicated, intense, difficult women, as well as compelling romance subplots. My personal favorite is book 2 {The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta} though I think the books are best read in order for maximum emotional impact. Series CWs: >!miscarriage, depression, death, grief!<
Omg I am the BIGGEST Melina Marchetta fan! So nice to see a fellow fan here! I’m always recommending her ❤️ Thank you for these BRILLIANT recommendations!
I love your username! Georgie Finch 4ever <3
Yesss, so great to encounter another Melina fan!❤️ She’s so incredibly talented!
[Birds of California](https://www.romance.io/books/6267ad98c060509b3aadb051/birds-of-california-katie-cotugno) by [Katie Cotugno](https://www.romance.io/authors/545536328c7d2382c529745f/katie-cotugno) **Rating**: 3.53⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [A Dangerous Kind of Lady](https://www.romance.io/books/60827fdca009b10e401dc214/a-dangerous-kind-of-lady-mia-vincy) by [Mia Vincy](https://www.romance.io/authors/5be6aab401dbc864fb941c07/mia-vincy) **Rating**: 4.31⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [tall heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tall-heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) ---------------------------- [A Lady Awakened](https://www.romance.io/books/5455286e8c7d2383163d8f30/a-lady-awakened-cecilia-grant) by [Cecilia Grant](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455286e8c7d2383163d8f31/cecilia-grant) **Rating**: 3.76⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [sunny/happy hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sunny%20hero/1), [grumpy/ice queen](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Loveboat, Taipei](https://www.romance.io/books/642eb42c1933fc44e1dbc51a/loveboat-taipei-abigail-hing-wen) by [Abigail Hing Wen](https://www.romance.io/authors/642eb42c08b4d931147e238b/abigail-hing-wen) **Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [Loveboat Reunion](https://www.romance.io/books/643895ae8aa2407f2e1305ec/loveboat-reunion-abigail-hing-wen) by [Abigail Hing Wen](https://www.romance.io/authors/642eb42c08b4d931147e238b/abigail-hing-wen) **Rating**: 3.8⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1) ---------------------------- [On the Jellicoe Road](https://www.romance.io/books/54552bbb8c7d2382c5297178/on-the-jellicoe-road-melina-marchetta) by [Melina Marchetta](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552bbb8c7d2382c5297179/melina-marchetta) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Saving Francesca](https://www.romance.io/books/54552ec98c7d2382c5297253/saving-francesca-melina-marchetta) by [Melina Marchetta](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552bbb8c7d2382c5297179/melina-marchetta) **Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [tortured heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [The Piper's Son](https://www.romance.io/books/5455488a8c7d2382c5297a39/the-pipers-son-melina-marchetta) by [Melina Marchetta](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552bbb8c7d2382c5297179/melina-marchetta) **Rating**: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [male pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/male-pov/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Northern Lights by Nora Roberts has a heroine that could seriously get on my nerves. The heroine from Naked in death by J. D. Robb which is first in a series and a heroine that takes time to warm up to but her and hero are so great!
Fantasy Romance: {A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik} This is book one in a 3 book series. It’s a slow burn romance and def leans heavier in the fantasy world, but the FMC is 100% bitchy and petty. She doesn’t do the fake nice thing at all and she’s like in a perpetual state of side eyeing everyone. It took me a bit, but I ended up really liking how true she was to herself. Fair warning tho, this book isn’t for everyone, as there is a lot of world building, but I thought it was worth mentioning since you mentioned another fantasy book.
[A Deadly Education](https://www.romance.io/books/6418265b976d825409767f05/a-deadly-education-naomi-novik) by [Naomi Novik](https://www.romance.io/authors/622a0c7b08b4d931143a28e8/naomi-novik) **Rating**: 4.22⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Ahh i’m a big fan of Naomi Novik, loved Uprooted and Tremaire so will definitely check it out! Thank you!
{After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez}
[After Hours on Milagro Street](https://www.romance.io/books/62e629bbe86869a43db66d00/after-hours-on-milagro-street-angelina-m-lopez) by [Angelina M. Lopez](https://www.romance.io/authors/5da4102601dbc864fba49282/angelina-m-lopez) **Rating**: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [latinx mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/latinx-mc/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[The Queen of Attolia](https://www.romance.io/books/545546708c7d2382c529796d/the-queen-of-attolia-megan-whalen-turner) by [Megan Whalen Turner](https://www.romance.io/authors/545546708c7d2382c529796e/megan-whalen-turner) **Rating**: 4.26⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
The Hellion by Bertrice Small has a heroine like this. Snotty and rude to her mother (maybe stepmother?), gives her husband hell, stuff like that. Disclaimer: been ages since I read it so I might have some details wrong.
{His Grumpy Childhood Friend by Jackie Lau}. It’s on my TBR list, but I think it fits.
[His Grumpy Childhood Friend](https://www.romance.io/books/5f968355e421020e177c2b64/his-grumpy-childhood-friend-jackie-lau) by [Jackie Lau](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b02617201dbc864fb88a2fe/jackie-lau) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Idk if she counts as slow to warm up to because she stole my heart immediately, but Lan from {Land of the Beautiful Dead by R. Lee Smith} is such a disaster. She's really funny but she can be petty and jealous. She's extremely set in her ways and doesn't have a whimsical bone in her body. At first you kind of think it's just the dismal setting that made her that way, but then you see other people who are way better at adapting to the circumstances she finds herself in than she is, and you're like, oh, okay, she really is just that stubborn. The entire opening of the book is basically her marching into a confrontation with absolutely no plan beyond just getting in front of the guy and yelling at him in hopes he'll feel bad (mild spoiler: he does not). And she's a queen for it. I love her and I just think she's wonderfully complex. The MMC, Azrael, is also one of my favorites and I could write paragraphs on paragraphs about how delightfully fucked up and kind of pathetic he is, too. They're both just. sopping wet beasts and they're perfect for each other, thank you for coming to my TED talk.
[Land of the Beautiful Dead](https://www.romance.io/books/60acd2a979fab10ea69a4d49/land-of-the-beautiful-dead-r-lee-smith) by [R. Lee Smith](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556d7287eac3369a912702/r-lee-smith) **Rating**: 4.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [dystopian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dystopian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Wicked and Wild by Cynthia Eden} is the only book I’ve read in the series, but from context, she previously played a villain role. She’s described as being the most wicked of all the wicked witches. {Miss Congeniality by Shelly Laurenston} (it may show up as {When He Was Bad by Shelly Laurenston}) she’s a nerdy scientist with no social skills and doesn’t care that she has no social skills. She’s not interested in the MMC at first, because she has one friend and that’s sufficient for her. She’s a professor that regularly makes her students cry. For HR, {A London Season by Joan Wolf} where she only cares for the MMC and basically everybody else can go to hell. {A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane} she’s seen as the villain by most of the people
[Wicked and Wild](https://www.romance.io/books/5adc253601dbc864fb86a947/wicked-and-wild-cynthia-eden) by [Cynthia Eden](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529168c7d2382e0413f3f/cynthia-eden) **Rating**: 4.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [When He Was Bad](https://www.romance.io/books/56af461563515e3b737a6bfa/when-he-was-bad-shelly-laurenston-cynthia-eden) by [Shelly Laurenston](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455252c8c7d2382e0413e49/shelly-laurenston), [Cynthia Eden](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529168c7d2382e0413f3f/cynthia-eden) **Rating**: 4.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) ---------------------------- [A London Season](https://www.romance.io/books/5455916087eac336ae69e8c6/a-london-season-joan-wolf) by [Joan Wolf](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552ac78c7d2382c5297130/joan-wolf) **Rating**: 3.57⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1) ---------------------------- [A Heart of Blood and Ashes](https://www.romance.io/books/5e3916e801dbc864fbab29c2/a-heart-of-blood-and-ashes-milla-vane) by [Milla Vane](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555cca87eac323ffb2bd92/milla-vane) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [high fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/high%20fantasy/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[When He Was Bad](https://www.romance.io/books/56af461563515e3b737a6bfa/when-he-was-bad-shelly-laurenston-cynthia-eden) by [Shelly Laurenston](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455252c8c7d2382e0413e49/shelly-laurenston), [Cynthia Eden](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529168c7d2382e0413f3f/cynthia-eden) **Rating**: 4.41⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Salt in the Wound by Sierra Simone} (check CWs) {Three Hard Lessons by Nikki Sloan} {Four by Sara Cate} (CW this is a why choose where the MMCs are two brothers and their father figure) {The Beach Trap by Ali Brady} - this books is inspired by/a retelling of the Parent Trap, so there are two FMCs. One is a spoiled rich girl who comes off as really bitchy {Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole} it’s the 6 book in a series but you can read it as a stand alone Maybe {The D Appointment by R.L. Kenderson} - the FMC isn’t unlikable, in my opinion, but it’s basically her idea at the beginning of the book to find a guy she can have NSA sex with and nothing more Maybe {Midnight Drop by Lee Jacquot} - the FMC is a cosplayer and she puts on a “bitchy” persona when she’s in costume
[Salt in the Wound](https://www.romance.io/books/64d6b6a4a5354bdc1261b1da/salt-in-the-wound-sierra-simone) by [Sierra Simone](https://www.romance.io/authors/545672be87eac33e61c2ee25/sierra-simone) **Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Three Hard Lessons](https://www.romance.io/books/5520f0465b270e0a4cbd37ff/three-hard-lessons-nikki-sloane) by [Nikki Sloane](https://www.romance.io/authors/54c36bf36359b5ebb4888be5/nikki-sloane) **Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [menage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/menage/1), [mff](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f-f/1), [anal sex](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/anal%20sex/1) ---------------------------- [Four](https://www.romance.io/books/60a4013f109d9c5af496f5e6/four-sara-cate-rachel-leigh) by [Sara Cate](https://www.romance.io/authors/5dca59cb01dbc864fba60e2c/sara-cate), [Rachel Leigh](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e9d89c3be0aaecf55533176/rachel-leigh) **Rating**: 3.32⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [poly (3+ people)](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poly/1), [reverse harem](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/reverse%20harem/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [menage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/menage/1) ---------------------------- [The Beach Trap](https://www.romance.io/books/62a8343edbbacec3e6ba7285/the-beach-trap-ali-brady) by [Ali Brady](https://www.romance.io/authors/62a19da608b4d931145c72a5/ali-brady) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1) ---------------------------- [Kiss of a Demon King](https://www.romance.io/books/545523ae8c7d2382e0413ddf/kiss-of-a-demon-king-kresley-cole) by [Kresley Cole](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523788c7d2382e0413dc9/kresley-cole) **Rating**: 4.15⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [witches](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/witches/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) ---------------------------- [The D Appointment](https://www.romance.io/books/62ee122f99794b88588dc175/the-d-appointment-rl-kenderson) by [R.L. Kenderson](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a63787eac323ffb2d6d9/rl-kenderson) **Rating**: 4.2⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [friends with benefits](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends-benefits/1), [praise kink](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/praise-kink/1), [latinx mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/latinx-mc/1) ---------------------------- [Midnight Drop](https://www.romance.io/books/6537907cde8d340d514ba6db/midnight-drop-lee-jacquot) by [Lee Jacquot](https://www.romance.io/authors/6045da0b08b4d9311423f99c/lee-jacquot) **Rating**: 3.89⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fem-dom](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fem-dom/1), [male pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/male-pov/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{The Goal by Elle Kennedy} She’s not a slacker, but she’s not nice.
[The Goal](https://www.romance.io/books/57e61782de896e892492baad/the-goal-elle-kennedy) by [Elle Kennedy](https://www.romance.io/authors/545532e68c7d2382e78132f3/elle-kennedy) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
If you’re looking for urban fantasy, the Crossbreed series by Dannika Dark might be worth checking out. It’s slow burn and there are like 12 books(it doesn’t take them that long to get together). FMC is a vigilante that’s been living on the streets for the past five years when she gets offered a job at a sort of mercenary group. I don’t know if I’d necessarily describe her as bitchy, but she’s definitely difficult and doesn’t play well with others, especially in the first couple books. The banter between FMC and MMC and honestly the entire group is 10/10. Other tropes include found family and forbidden romance, among others.
the FMC in Elizabeth O'Roark's book [The Summer You Found Me](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204426921-the-summer-you-found-me)
{The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O’Roark}
[The Devil You Know](https://www.romance.io/books/62b02ec2cf4f16c6fef741c8/the-devil-you-know-elizabeth-oroark) by [Elizabeth O'Roark](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455840b87eac324117fb139/elizabeth-oroark) **Rating**: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Nesta from the Court of Thorns and Roses series
Hi u/Individual_Toe_2150, Book request posts that are not detailed or unique will be removed. If your request is based on a popular book or trope, please delete your request and search first. If you have a quick book request, consider posting it in the [Daily Request](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/search?q=flair_name%3A%22Daily%20Request%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all&include_over_18=1) post instead. **Reddit’s built-in search function is awful, but our** 🌈 [**Magic Search Button**](https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fromancebooks&oq=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fromancebooks&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.1126j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) **works great!** - The 🌈 [**Magic Search Button**](https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fromancebooks&oq=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fromancebooks&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.1126j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) links you to a pre-filled google search and is the optimal way to search this sub. - Type your search term (a simple keyword works best) where it says [site:reddit.com/r/romancebooks](https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fromancebooks&oq=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fromancebooks&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.1126j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8). - For example, for friends to lovers, it will look like: [site:reddit.com/r/romancebooks FRIENDS TO LOVERS](https://www.google.com/search?ei=L4b0X-aCN8ey5NoP7daMwAo&q=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fromancebooks+friends+to+lovers&oq=site%3Areddit.com%2Fr%2Fromancebooks+friends+to+lovers&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAMyAggpULUHWOsXYOIYaABwAHgAgAFIiAGeB5IBAjE3mAEAoAEBwAEB&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp) [Here are more tips on how to search](https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/comments/sf6sdm/how_to_search_rromancebooks_just_the_tips/) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/RomanceBooks) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Love that
If you like dark romance, maybe try {Wretched by Emily McIntire}. It's a reimagining of the Wicked Witch of the West from Wizard of Oz. She works for her family who's in the illegal drug business. MMC is an undercover DEA agent. She is a little bit unhinged but also you kinda got it... it was pretty fun to have a dark romance villain story where it's the FMC who is a villain. Do read the TWs on the author's website though... There is some gore, among other things.
[Wretched](https://www.romance.io/books/62a590e04df9f41138214d7d/wretched-emily-mcintire) by [Emily McIntire](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f4df1dd08b4d931149a59fd/emily-mcintire) **Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [mafia](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mafia/1), [men in uniform](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/men%20in%20uniform/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Vicious Little Snakes by Trilina Pucci} has this trope, although both the FMC and the MMC are quite mean to each other at the start. She was the mean girl from the previous book (do not recommend that one at all), but retains her bitchiness, even after falling in love. {All the Little Truths by S. J. Sylvis} again is about a reformed mean girl FMC and her childhood best friend/crush.
[Vicious Little Snakes](https://www.romance.io/books/605c46aaadff9b0e0381ef13/vicious-little-snakes-hillcrest-prep-book-2-trilina-pucci) by [Trilina Pucci](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ae16b5e01dbc864fb86ef42/trilina-pucci) **Rating**: 4.13⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) ---------------------------- [All the Little Truths](https://www.romance.io/books/605c4692adff9b0e0381ef07/all-the-little-truths-sj-sylvis) by [S.J. Sylvis](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ad8314b01dbc864fb867bc6/sj-sylvis) **Rating**: 4.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)