A reset is basically a reading check-in—like taking a breath and asking, What do I actually want right now?
Because reading moods change.
One month, I’m in the mood for chaos and obsession. The next month, I want tenderness and soft devotion. And sometimes I’m not even in a “trope” mood—I’m in a “pace” mood. I just want something that moves.
The reset isn’t about becoming a different kind of reader.
It’s about being honest about what’s not working, so you can get back to what does.
What I’m Reading Less of Lately
1) Billionaire romance that feels like the same man in a different suit
I’ll never be too good for a billionaire romance. I like power. I like control. I like the “I can fix everything with money… except you” energy.
But lately? If he’s cold, emotionally unavailable, permanently scowling, and living in a glass penthouse with a black car waiting downstairs… I can’t do ten of those in a row. They start blending together.
Why it’s not hitting for me right now:
Sometimes it feels like the romance is happening around them, not between them. Like the story is more about his lifestyle than their connection.
What I want instead:
Give me a billionaire who feels specific. A little strange. A little real. Let him be powerful, yes—but let him also have softness, humor, or an unexpected tenderness that doesn’t vanish after chapter two.
Heat & mood: 🔥🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥 (I’m picky right now)
2) Slow burns that forget the “burn” part
A slow burn done well is one of my favorite things. I love that ache. I love that tension where the air feels too thick in the room.
But if the book is moving at a snail’s pace and the chemistry is barely showing up on the page? That’s not slow burn—that’s me watching two people politely exist near each other for 300 pages.
Why it’s not working for me:
I don’t need them to jump into bed early. I just need to feel something early. Longing. Jealousy. Heat. That constant pull.
What I’m reading instead:
Stories where the connection is present, even if the physical part takes time, where their restraint is almost a character of its own.
Heat & mood: 🔥🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥 (tension-heavy, emotionally satisfying)
3) Dark romance that’s dark in a way that feels… heavy
I can read dark romance. I enjoy it. But only when there’s a payoff that makes sense.
Lately, if it’s chapter after chapter of misery with no relief—no tenderness, no chemistry, no emotional “why”—I tap out.
Why it’s not working for me right now:
I want intensity, not exhaustion. I want the story to feel thrilling, not draining.
What I want instead:
Dark romance with balance—where obsession is paired with devotion, danger is paired with care, and the emotional thread is strong enough to hold the whole thing together.
Heat & mood: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (only when the payoff is worth it)
4) Third-act drama that could’ve been solved with one honest sentence
This is the quickest way to make me sigh and set a book down.
If the breakup happens because somebody refuses to speak for no reason, or because one conversation would fix it, it stops feeling like real conflict and starts feeling like the author just needed a big moment.
Why it’s not working for me:
I don’t mind mess. I don’t mind mistakes. I just want it to make sense for the characters.
What I’m reading instead:
Conflict that grows naturally—external stakes, real fear, difficult truths, old wounds… anything that feels believable.
Heat & mood: depends, but I want satisfying > chaotic
What I’m Reading More of Right Now
1) Romance where you can actually see them falling
You know those books where you can point to the exact moments and go, “Yep. That’s where it changed”?
Those are the ones I’m keeping lately.
A quiet check-in. A protective gesture. A look across the room that lands like a hand around your throat.
Why it’s hitting:
Because the romance feels built, not sprinkled on top.
Heat & mood: 🔥🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥🔥 (depends on the story)
2) Forbidden romance with real tension
If it’s called “forbidden” but nothing is actually at risk… it doesn’t scratch the itch.
I want consequences. I want secrecy. I want that push-pull where you can feel how bad they want it and how hard they’re trying not to.
Why it’s hitting:
Because tension like that doesn’t let the story get boring.
Heat & mood: 🔥🔥🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
3) Soft alpha energy
Still dominant. Still protective. Still very much in charge.
But emotionally present.
I’ve been reaching for more heroes who don’t just want the heroine—they learn her. They notice things. They show up. They don’t make love feel like a battlefield.
Why it’s hitting:
Because it feels romantic, not exhausting. Strength with softness gets me every time.
Heat & mood: 🔥🔥🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥🔥
4) Shorter, faster reads that get to the point
Sometimes I don’t need an epic. I need momentum.
I’ve been reading more books that move quickly—shorter chapters, cleaner pacing, no filler. The kind of stories that make you think, “Okay wait… one more chapter,” and then it’s 2 a.m.
Why it’s hitting:
Because finishing books builds confidence. It reminds you reading is fun.
Heat & mood: 🔥🔥🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥🔥
5) Subgenres I forgot to rotate back in
When I’m feeling stuck, I don’t always need a brand new trope.
Sometimes I just need to switch lanes:
- Romantic suspense when I want urgency
- Paranormal when I want escapism
- Small-town when I want comfort
- MC/mafia when I want edge + devotion
It’s like clearing your palate without giving up what you love.
Heat & mood: varies, but it usually fixes the slump fast 🔥
6) MM Romance (because the chemistry has been that good)
I’ve been reaching for MM romance a lot more lately—especially when I want sharp banter, emotional honesty, and that satisfying mix of tenderness + heat that doesn’t feel dragged out.
Why it’s hitting:
The relationship dynamics often feel refreshingly different, the pacing shifts, and when the emotional payoff lands, it lands. I also love how many MM romances lean into found family, protective devotion, and characters who actually talk through their stuff instead of circling the same conflict for 200 pages.
What I’m gravitating toward inside MM right now:
- Age gap (done with real emotional grounding)
- Enemies-to-lovers with mean tension that turns sweet
- Small-town comfort + big feelings
- Romantic suspense (danger makes the bonding feel faster and deeper)
- “Soft alpha” energy, but make it devoted
Heat & mood: 🔥🔥🔥 to 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (depending on the trope, but I’m definitely living in the higher-heat lane)
My Simple Romance Reading Reset (That Actually Works)
If you’re in a slump and want a quick reset, here’s what I do:
1) Pick your “vibe” for the week
Not a trope. A feeling.
Examples: tender, dangerous, obsessive, cozy, fun, dramatic.
2) Choose one “safe author”
Someone you trust. The goal is momentum, not experimentation.
3) Add one short book as a palate cleanser
Something easy that doesn’t ask too much of you.
4) Stop forcing books you’re clearly not enjoying
DNF is not a failure. It’s you protecting your joy.
5) Pay attention to what you keep re-reading scenes for
Is it the banter? The caretaking? The possessiveness? The emotional gut-punch?
That’s your reset clue.
6) Write one sentence after each book
Nothing fancy—just:
“I loved the tension,” or “needed more emotion,” or “too slow.”
Those little notes will build your personal reading roadmap.
If You Want to Try My Current “More Of” List
Here are a few easy categories to shop from when you’re rebuilding momentum:
- High-tension forbidden romance (stakes + secrecy that matters)
- Soft alpha protectiveness (dominant, but emotionally grounded)
- MM romance (big chemistry, emotional payoff, and often really satisfying pacing)
- Fast-paced romance (shorter chapters, quicker payoff)
- Romantic suspense (danger adds momentum)
- Paranormal romance (escapism + intensity)
And if you’re like me, sometimes the reset is as simple as switching from “serious and intense” to “fun and messy” for a week.
Helpful Resources
- Read this next if you want an easy way to organize your romance reads without pressure: How to Track Romance Reads.
- Read this next if you pick books based on the mood you’re in: Mood-Based Romance Book Recs.
Final Thoughts
If romance hasn’t been hitting lately, it doesn’t mean you’re done with it.
It usually means you’re overstimulated, overbooked, or just craving a different kind of emotional payoff than what you’ve been choosing.
So, give yourself permission to reset. Read less of what feels repetitive. Read more of what keeps you turning pages. And don’t guilt yourself for changing your taste—your reading life is allowed to evolve.
Keep turning pages, chasing passion, and breaking all the rules.
~Kay~
