What do you look for when looking for a new book

[K]

Hey everyone!

I'm Keri and I was just curious as to what you look for when you're deciding on which book to read next. I've been asking friends and family to see if there are any common questions that everyone seems to want the answers to so are there certain questions you look for answers to while reading book reviews - Why they loved the book, what the characters where like, would they read the book again and again, is this book a series, etc...

You can email me on here or leave a comment. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out.

[Julie]

I look at a lot of things, here's what will do it for me...

- good reviews 3* or higher
- an alpha male hero
- contemporary erotic romance and shifter stories are my favorites, some historical - but NO vampires
- I love a book with a good misunderstanding, nothing to angsty or dark ...I don't like the main characters to be too emotionally flawed or depressing
- guaranteed hot sex!!
- not too long, anything over 12 chapters and it's doubtful I'll read it (this is only my personal preference since I'm a busy mom and read and write shorter novels because that's all I have time for)
- as far as plots go...I love: revenge, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, too old or too young to be in love, step-sibling rivalry turned lovers
- lastly I want dialogue not description, the more sexy dialogue the better for me

Hope this helps, and if you have books that fit this bill I'd love some recommendations.

[AngelinaT]

I guess everyone has their own thing, but here is what I look for:
- an alpha male
- contemporary (no historical and no vampires- like to watch them but not read about them)
- explicit sex scenes but there has to be a good storyline as well- I love angsty stories and stories that have you on the edge of your seat
- an epic kind of love
I think that is it:)

[Amy]

Top 3...
Alpha male
Story line
HEA, I don't like the to be continued!

[Julie]

I'm with Amy...I don't mind a series, but each book should be able to stand on their own, no cliffhangers.
HEA is a must!!

[Dana]

Totally agree, it has to have a HEA!! Otherwise I just end up frustrated! I also try to avoid to much angst :)

[Malinda]

*I love an alpha male as long as he's not a major asshole. He can make mistakes or even be a little assholish but not too much. The hero doesn't have to be alpha but I prefer that he's at least strong. I don't like total softy heroes.
*The heroine can be strong or soft just as long as she's not annoying or TSTL. I prefer smart, sweet and caring (and some spunk is always good).
*Storyline I'm open on..I Like many genres, the story just needs to be good.
*I hate cheating and am not hot on love triangles. I like menage but prefer it when all 3 from the menage are included in the end HEA.
* The story must have a HEA.
* I'm not hot on cliffhangers but am ok with it if it's a soft cliffhanger, where the storyline still has more to go but the relationship is pretty much solidified. I hate books ending with the relationship badly in flux.
* Length doesn't matter to me...I've enjoyed both short and long stories just as long as they're done well.
* I don't get much in to stories with too much angst or darkness in the story....Someone suffering from rape, abuse and that kind of stuff I can deal with in brief bouts but too much has caused me to have issues finishing the story.

[Julie]

Great list Malinda.
I've checked out your bookshelves and looks like I'll be adding some more to my 'want to read' list. Thanks.

[~ Jess ~]

I read what the book is about first to make sure it's what i'm looking for. Then how many stars has it been given?. Read the most recent reviews from friends, then from others. Is there a hot guy in it, who will soon be added to my book-boyfriend list (lol)?. Is it super hot and sexy? For me also, are all the books in the series out yet? (I don't like waiting). The longer each book is, for me...the better. Can I buy the book in paperback or kobo?.

[Pamela]

- A book that has been PROOF-READ!!! EDIT! EDIT! EDIT!
- A story that makes sense; sounds plausible.
- A book that ends with that one book - no cliff-hangers!
- Sizzling heat and attraction that leaps off the pages, so much so that our fingers (or Kindle) will burn. (All prior to sex)
- Great sex, but without it taking center stage over the plot of the novel.
- More dialogue, less description. We don't need to know every freaking little thing each person does.
- A heroine who doesn't turn into a slobbering, brainless twit when she meets the hot guy.
- POV from the Hero - LOVE it!
- Sick of reading the heroine being drop-dead gorgeous but doesn't know it. Give me a break! If she's tall, has a great body, creamy-smooth face, beautiful smile, eyes, etc. etc. etc. - how can she not know that she's not a little attractive?
- Does every hero have to be a millionaire or billionaire?
- Sick to death of heroines in their late 20's, or worse, in their 30's who are VIRGINS!! Yet the hero is a man-whore.
- Let's stop with the ridiculous, miniscule reasons (angst) that breaks up the couple. You don't always need one.
- I'm sorry but seriously, could the characters have some normal names? Came across a novel where the hero was named "Toronto." The book could have been great but no way - I'm not reading it. It's beyond ridiculous.

I better stop or this will get even longer.

[Julie]

Pamela wrote: "- A book that has been PROOF-READ!!! EDIT! EDIT! EDIT!
- A story that makes sense; sounds plausible.
- A book that ends with that one book - no cliff-hangers!
- Sizzling heat and attraction that l..."

Toronto? Really? I'm from Toronto and I agree that's the strangest name I've heard of so far for a hero.

Since as I like to read erotic romance, that name would totally be a turn off for me.

"Oh yeah..Toronto...right there, that's the spot." {rofl} :)

too funny!

[Pamela]

Julie wrote: "Pamela wrote: "- A book that has been PROOF-READ!!! EDIT! EDIT! EDIT!
- A story that makes sense; sounds plausible.
- A book that ends with that one book - no cliff-hangers!
- Sizzling heat and a..."

No lie, his name was "Toronto." Thanks for the good laugh - I can't stop. Too funny. :)

[Tracy]

I think Pamela nailed it!

[Pamela]

Tracy wrote: "I think Pamela nailed it!"

Thanks. ;)

[Malinda]

Pamela wrote: "- A book that has been PROOF-READ!!! EDIT! EDIT! EDIT!
- A story that makes sense; sounds plausible.
- A book that ends with that one book - no cliff-hangers!
- Sizzling heat and attraction that..."

Some good points. Esp on the hero PoV and the angsty breakups. Too much drama makes the story feel forced. I prefer something believable..

[Catherine]

I read reviews, both good and bad. The 'bad' reviews are often the most helpful and don't particularly discourage me from reading the novel. But they do give me an honest heads up of what to expect (or not). Novels with only cheerleaders are most often disappointing.
Once I find an author I enjoy it doesn't matter how the jacket looks, what the reviews say, if it's a subject I'm interested in, I'll give it a chance. If I'm too often disappointed by the same author, it's hard to convince me to go back.

[Malinda]

I also look at the reviews...both good and bad. I find some of the better info from the bad reviews :D

[Malaya]

Julie wrote: "I look at a lot of things, here's what will do it for me...

- good reviews 3* or higher
- an alpha male hero
- contemporary erotic romance and shifter stories are my favorites, some historical - b..."

Julie wrote: "I look at a lot of things, here's what will do it for me...

- good reviews 3* or higher
- an alpha male hero
- contemporary erotic romance and shifter stories are my favorites, some historical - b..."

Julie wrote: "I look at a lot of things, here's what will do it for me...

- good reviews 3* or higher
- an alpha male hero
- contemporary erotic romance and shifter stories are my favorites, some historical - b..."

hi! Do try Elle Aycart books. and of course, Lynda Chance's..
have you tried Cynthia Sax The Barbarian Claims Series?

[Malaya]

when I am looking for books-to-be- read these are the following I look for:
a. Alpha Male but..
b. Vulnerable when it comes to the heroine thats why he's..
c. Possessive and
d. Controlling but still the heroine loves him coz he's
e. Sexy
d. Affectionate and
e. insatiable.

[Julie]

Thanks Malaya, I'll be sure to check these authors out.

[Lovetoread]

when I am looking for books to buy and read I look for the following:
a. Hero is Alpha Male larger than life. Powerful, strong a leader among men.
b. Everyone fears him. His retaliation and punishment is swift he destroys anyone in his way.
c. Heroine is intelligent and strong but innocent in the seeder areas of life.
d. Hero is overwhelmed by his feeling of the heroine. "She can bring him to his knees"
E. Hero is extremely protective and possessive of heroine.
f. Hot and sizzling passion. Can be consensual or not at first. He is insatiable

Having a real hard time finding books like this, wish I could find some. I love Contemporary and historical but do not buy or read paranormal or sci-fi also I stay away from serial books that never end but go on and on. I pay enough for books and like to have my happy ending in a sitting.
g. Happy ending

[Julie]

Lovetoread wrote: "when I am looking for books to buy and read I look for the following:
a. Hero is Alpha Male larger than life. Powerful, strong a leader among men.
b. Everyone fears him. His retaliation and punishm..."

I totally get you!! Thankfully for me I love shifter novels and there's a lot of what you've mentioned in those reads.

Don't know if you've tried .
It has what you're looking for except the hero is not exactly one of the good guys - at least not by normal standards.

I'm also just finishing my next novella. I've tried to include all the things we love most about alpha heroes. I'd be happy to provide you with a copy to review when I'm done if you'd be interested. Don't worry it's contemporary, no wolves or vampires.

Good luck in your search and feel free to check out my shelves, I'm sure I must have some good alpha reads there too.

Julie ;)

[Lovetoread]

thank you Julie, I did read both Reaper's Property and Reaper's Legacy both were ok. I have been reading romance novels since the 70's so you can probably imagine how many books I own and how many authors I have read. I truly wish I could get into the sci-fi paranormal type books. I did read one once about a group of men who were cursed in the 1700 who in order to be freed from the curse had to find their one true love, soul mate. The stories were set in contemporary times each male were rich and powerful and each meets their true love. They were very ALPHA. Loved that series because each was a stand a lone just character from past books were mentioned. But for the life of me I do not remember the author or the series of books. If I could find some like that I would give them a try.....but no luck....

[Julie]

I hear you. I began my love of romance the 80's so I probably have a little less of a collection than you.
I find it's hard to find a contemporary alpha male who's not a big ass (sorry). I don't want the hero to be a complete jerk to the herione, I just want him to be the good kind of bad...if that makes sense.

I'd love to find the books you mentioned, if you can remember the name...or any other great alpha male books you can recommend. I'm always waiting for the next good read - pun intended - lol.

[[deleted user]]

this is what i love in a book
a hot, rich, alpha who is affectionate, romantic and addicted to his women
a strong and clever female not whinny that has to have her own mind and backbone
hot sex scenes
romance
a proper story line not just jealous ex's
a sense of humor
no triangles or cheating
not too many characters or other story lines to plump up the book
no more pregnancy's (why are so many books jumping on that train at the moment)
HEA

[Misty]

I look for
1. Good reviews
2. Alpha Male
3. Good story
4. If I read a book and really like it I always give a 4-5 star rating
5. If I start a book and do not like it I will not finish or give a review. I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings so I go on to the next book.

[Misty]

Oh and hot sexy relationships

[Destiny]

I want a book about a
- alpha male
- I like paranormal
- possesive overprotective lead male charecter

[Lovetoread]

Julie, thinking of trying a shifter novel. considering what I like in my Hero's, What are some good ones......
a. Hero is Alpha Male larger than life. Powerful, strong a leader among men.
b. Everyone fears him. His retaliation and punishment is swift he destroys anyone in his way.
c. Heroine is intelligent and strong but innocent in the seeder areas of life.
d. Hero is overwhelmed by his feeling of the heroine. "She can bring him to his knees"
E. Hero is extremely protective and possessive of heroine.
f. Hot and sizzling passion. Can be consensual or not at first. He is insatiable

[Julie]

So glad you're willing to try a shifter read!!!

My favorites are Laurann Dohner's - Species series. I'd recommend Fury or Valliant. Slade's good too - you don't have to read them in order, but it helps.




I would also recommend Shelly Laurenston's Magnus
Pack series. I'd start with this one.
These heroines are bad-asses though but really likeable.

Lastly I recently read and enjoyed it and have since read some more of her stuff that I've enjoyed.

Feel free to send me a direct message if you want to chat more.

Really hope you find one you like!!!

PS - I don't like vampire shifter stuff, so if you looking for those reads I'm probably not the best person to ask.

[Malinda]

Julie wrote: "So glad you're willing to try a shifter read!!!

My favorites are Laurann Dohner's - Species series. I'd recommend Fury or Valliant. Slade's good too - you don't have to read them in order, but it ..."

All 3 of those series are very good. :D

[Gothicreader]

Historical Romance!
1800's England is my favorite period. I do love the middle-age period, too.

--Love to read about the upper class, peerage.
--Alpha male: dark, foreboding, arrogant, but finally meets the right woman to bring him to his knees.
--Excellent story line, nothing too vulgar with explicit sex lines. I have my own imagination, don't care to taint it with vulgarity. (I'm finding more and more authors getting more into the erotica/vulgar - might as well write porn.)
--Emotional, with history of that period.
--Finally, innocence. If you're going to write a book in the 1800 or earlier periods, don't write as in today's lack of morals.

My favorite authors that met my expectations or exceeded:
Johanna Lindsey
Mary Balogh
Julie Garwood
Lisa Kleypas
Loretaa Chase (earlier books)
Mary Spencer (too bad she quit writing)
Elizabeth Elliott
Diana Palmer
Catherine Coulter

[Carmen]

I really liked this historical romance- The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies Series) by Jennifer Ashley

[Malinda]

Carmen wrote: "I really liked this historical romance- The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies Series) by Jennifer Ashley"

Oh that's a good one. I liked it myself. :D