Recs if you like Did They Break You...

Books where the story is brought to another level by the character work, be it in the complex character building or the multi layered character arc. The writer made the characters like facets, every angle and every relation gives them yet another aspect to further deepen the dynamic between characters. Every bit of past revealed shows us the way they became who they are now. Leaving us with characters arcs that feel like an entire story on their own, and often impacts the romance.

Romances where the FMC has been victim of SA and is now healing and learning how to trust again or is assaulted 🍇 in the book itself and the after is part of the plot as well.

(Added some content to the recs in the comments. Please do your own research into the potential triggers as well before diving into any of these as some are quite dark.)

List of books that @thebookbaron talks about and recommends on her YouTube channel.

FMC that has gone through it and is scared, vulnerable, painfully shy. Books with PTSD representation and a fair amount of trauma healing.

Books that (if you have functioning tear ducts) leave you crying. Stories that feel hopeless and dark.

Warning; not all have a HEA (and there's one non-romance, My Dark Vanessa).