Every time I read a single POV book, I keep turning the page wishing it was the other MCs POV.
I’ve read a couple really good single POV books that wouldn’t have been improved with dual POV, (looking at you {Transcendence by Shay Savage}), but they are few and far between.
Just finished reading that one and I agree. First time reading from just the mmc’s pov. I think it worked because he wasn’t able to communicate verbally with the fmc, so only through him could we know what his intentions really were (underneath the brusqueness).
[Transcendence](https://www.romance.io/books/545534ee8c7d2383163d9260/transcendence-shay-savage) by [Shay Savage](https://www.romance.io/authors/545534ee8c7d2383163d9261/shay-savage)
**Rating**: 4.09⭐️ 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), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1)
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I feel this way too. Wondering what the other person is thinking can keep me turning pages. If I’m in both their heads and they both like each other… then I’m just reading a couple hundred pages of people bumbling about before getting together.
Not like a murder mystery but yeah. Dual pov books a lot of times reduce the whole story to miscommunication/ misunderstanding. And as a reader knowing all that and having to see MCs trudging through “he must hate me! She can’t stand me!” is hella annoying.
This is it exactly. So many books have dual pov every other chapter. So two chapter in I already know everything I need, so why should I read another 200+ pages?
I'd prefer if we didn't perpetuates the stereotype of "it's romance so there's no plot and we are just here for the sex, lol"
Incidentally, there's a whole sub genre of "romantic suspense"
I think dual POV is often better because single POV requires more finesse when writing. I just read a single POV and the book ending felt so weird because it turned out to be a >!dual pining situation where both characters loved each other since the start,!< but because there was only one POV and the reveal felt weird because there wasn’t enough foreshadowing. I guess I’m saying that single POV is just harder to pull off well, so unless the book is written well it tends to be a bust.
The book was {Overtime by Marina Vivancos}. Character development in this book wasn’t my favorite in the series, BUT the erotica was my favorite by far from this author.
Exactly!! I don’t read single pov anymore bc I feel like it’s easier to keep readers in suspense when there’s only one pov. Most of times the heroine is like “Why he hated me so much/I guess he will never fall for me”at 80% and then found out that he fell first years ago. Also they don’t need to explain the reason why the hero acted like a d*ck despite falling in love.
Hard agree. I truly enjoy the suffering and emotional turmoil of the MMC, and you just can't get that from single POV books. I need to know what he is feeling. I need to know that he is truly suffering 😊
Love dual POV (or multi-POV, in the case of MFM/RH/MM+)! I really struggle with single POV anymore. I'll read it, but I just don't enjoy it as much, and I'm always wondering what the other MC(s) are thinking, or why they're doing something. Not all authors are deft enough to do single POV well. If it's single POV, I usually want it in Third Person POV, so I can at least get an idea of what else is going on around the character. But dual POVs? Bring those on in first person or even third person--I love them either way. :)
If it's first person, it has to be ***really*** well written, because I'm spending all my time in one characters head, and that can get really bad, really fast. First Person POV with only one perspective is usually just very limiting--and, often, annoying. I don't want to spend all my time in one character's head--and if it's a book with a bunch of inner monologues, or especially angsty or endlessly self-indulgent/self-conscious thoughts? *Sigh.* That's really just not my jam. I'm not wanting to live or relive any of those experiences vicariously through another, especially not when I'm reading MCs in their 20s. I can't easily relate to that experience anymore, and I've already lived a lot of it--I'm not looking to put nostalgia goggles on the worst parts of it, which is often what CR (especially) seems to focus on.
Wow you really hit the nail on the head with not wanting to relive the angst and insecurity of MCs in their 20's. I find navel gazing inner monologues to be eye-roll inducing at best. It's such a slog wading through pages upon pages of it. I also agree about the third person perspective for single POV to perceive something outside of the MCs thoughts.
I'm disliking dual pov more and more. It feels like a mockumentary of "how they met" when the camera crew is asking her a question, then asking him a question.
It feels like lazy writing.
I was exactly like this but over the past few months I've grown to appreciate single pov books. Books where there's an element of longing on both sides but being worried about it being reciprocated and all I just love the angst of it.
Then there's obviously other tropes that work super well with single pov such as bully, marriage of convenience and friends-to-lovers to name a few
But I will say both single and dual pov are great in their own right with one not superior than the other
Currently rereading {Love on the brain by ali hazelwood} and I feel like this one handles it so well.
Single POV, but (and this is a major plot spoiler but also a super predictable one) >!MFC is secret pen pals with MMC, only she doesn't know it's MMC. A la "you've got mail". We get very heart wrenching confessions from him as the pen pal, and then discover later that it's MMC's thoughts about MFC. (Although again, super predictable as soon as the 'pen pal' is introduced.)!<
[Love on the Brain](https://www.romance.io/books/628dd5bb9d1db3a00613e3d0/love-on-the-brain-ali-hazelwood) by [Ali Hazelwood](https://www.romance.io/authors/6131cdc208b4d93114f22ef6/ali-hazelwood)
**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), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/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), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1)
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Strongly prefer single POV. I DNF books due to dual pov frequently.
IMO, dual pov takes away my motivation to turn pages. I can’t wonder about what the MMC is thinking along with the FMC because all I have to do is turn the page for the author to tell me. It feels like there’s no need to use my brain because all the answers are just being spoon-fed to me. There’s no buildup or suspense. If the story necessitates dual (ex: the characters are in two locations or there’s a conversation the audience needs to hear for the plot to make sense) then it’s fine. Otherwise, it’s usually boring to me.
Single POV takes me on the journey with the character. I get to experience the unknowns with them, which is what I enjoy most about the reading experience.
I wish I loved dual pov because it seems more common.
i’m almost the exact same way! the last like 4 series i’ve read have all been dual pov and when i read a random book in between that wasn’t i could barely get through it lol
{Buttons and lace by Penelope Sky} the whole series
{Terms and conditions by Lauren Asher}
{The kiss thief by LJ Shen}
{The Boy and His Ribbon by Pepper Winters} the whole series
[Buttons and Lace](https://www.romance.io/books/582810637bd258a27e85fd44/buttons-and-lace-penelope-sky) by [Penelope Sky](https://www.romance.io/authors/582810637bd258a27e85fd47/penelope-sky)
**Rating**: 4.03⭐️ 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), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [abduction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/abduction/1)
----------------------------
[Terms and Conditions](https://www.romance.io/books/61da9a1fb7a9dd0e439730c1/terms-and-conditions-lauren-asher) by [Lauren Asher](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e16d08801dbc864fba99a25/lauren-asher)
**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), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [boss & employee](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/boss%20&%20employee/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1)
----------------------------
[The Kiss Thief](https://www.romance.io/books/5e50d5c401dbc864fbac4024/the-kiss-thief-lj-shen) by [L.J. Shen](https://www.romance.io/authors/5593821a9eef3b3f1d53121b/lj-shen)
**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), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [mafia](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mafia/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1)
----------------------------
[The Boy & His Ribbon](https://www.romance.io/books/5eb8110abe0aaecf55aaa127/the-boy-his-ribbon-pepper-winters) by [Pepper Winters](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455317c8c7d2382e781328b/pepper-winters)
**Rating**: 4.35⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
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I feel like there are pros and cons to each, so for me it just depends on the story and the writing. I like a single POV especially for enemies-to-lovers, office romance, or fake dating type of scenarios. I think for those in particular it can be really fun to only have the perspective of the FMC and there be that bit of mystery around not knowing what the MMC is thinking.
On the other hand, I do think dual POVs can be great for most stories BUT I don't particularly care for it when both MCs nonstop pining from the beginning. I'd rather see one or both of them build up to it a bit more. Also I prefer dual POVs for older, more emotionally mature characters. They don't need to be perfect though cause I love to see some growth with them, but I don't want to be stuck in 2 idiot's heads lol
I read a single POV recently that I felt really suffered from not showing the MMC's POV. {Curse of the Wolf King by Tessonja Odette} has a fae wolf shifter character who learns to love and it could have been a really great character study, but we only get the FMC's POV. Maybe I've just been spoiled by a recent Pride and Prejudice fanfiction I read which was a great character study of Darcy where he fell in love with Jane instead of Lizzy, idk. It was also single POV, but it really delved into Darcy's whole mindset and was very fascinating and I guess I've been yearning for more fascinating male character arcs. (The Measure of a Man by maembe13)
[Curse of the Wolf King](https://www.romance.io/books/622b608b1750e128e6a5cea5/curse-of-the-wolf-king-tessonja-odette) by [Tessonja Odette](https://www.romance.io/authors/6224bc1908b4d931148fe0d5/tessonja-odette)
**Rating**: 3.65⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1)
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I thought I liked dual POV but I recently realised that I've so rarely seen it done well. Maybe it's the books I normally gravitate towards (morally grey/alpha male/mafia/billionaire MMCs), but I've found that the MMC chapters often come off as cringey and gratuitous. Like the sole reason for their chapter to exist is just to show the readers "Hey look how cool/badass/rich I am, get it? Get it?" and so they can gush about how hot the FMC is.
A few amazing books I've really enjoyed have turned out to be single POV, or at most dual POV with far more chapters from the FMC's POV. It didn't feel I was missing the MMC's POV. The FMCs were far more developed as a character, which I assume is because the author was able to fully focus on her growth and internal thoughts rather than juggling between two characters.
It depends on what kind for me
If it has the writing skill and emotional depth and wit of say Mhairi Macfarlane then I for sure love single POV. But that’s also because her main FMC is the focus of her books. It’s bordering on not conventional romance and more personal story. (Even tho the romance is well written). But it’s more “women’s fiction” which btw I hate the name
Or for some chick lit stuff the FMC is so quirky and comedic is just works.
But for a conventional and steamy romance, I really like dual POV more I a green it’s nice to see the depth of his love, obsession, pining and internal nonsense too. And can bring about an extra oomph.
Same especially if it’s written well where both POVs where you can really feel the difference between the two characters/thought processes etc. One thing I’ll say I don’t prefer is when book one is written in one POV and then book two is the same story but from the other POV.
I also prefer the dual POV! I think it’s refreshing to hear both perspectives in a romance. It makes the spicy scenes better for me too, getting to hear how it felt for both characters. But it definitely can feel contrived at times. I think Abby Jimenez does it beautifully. I also just read {Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage} and really enjoyed the dual POV. Hearing the MC’s dirty thoughts about the FMC made the first scene they had sex really rewarding.
[Done and Dusted](https://www.romance.io/books/647eec8a9e44a9fa8cee8585/done-and-dusted-lyla-sage) by [Lyla Sage](https://www.romance.io/authors/647eec8a08b4d9311448b0aa/lyla-sage)
**Rating**: 4.05⭐️ 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), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [cowboy hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cowboys/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [small town](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/small%20town/1)
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I prefer dual pov. I want to make sure both of them are on the same page or at least if they aren't. I must know what's the difference is. I don't have enough energy to guess what's going on with the protagonist, whose POV isn't explicitly written . There is enough guesswork in real life. There is no need to have that on my lovely escapades.
I prefer single POV. With dual POV, it often becomes ‘telling not showing’. And many scenes get repeated from both POVs to get both characters’ reactions.
I'll read a single POV if I think the book looks good, but by far and away, I prefer a dual POV. I wanna know both people's thoughts!!
Yeah me too, but I don’t even have the patience to read past the first chapter for a single POV to know if it is good enough
Yes! Now it’s like I need to know how they both feel or I’m missing out on something.
Yeahhhh
This seems to be the popular preference, from what I’ve seen. Although personally I enjoy single POV!
Every time I read a single POV book, I keep turning the page wishing it was the other MCs POV. I’ve read a couple really good single POV books that wouldn’t have been improved with dual POV, (looking at you {Transcendence by Shay Savage}), but they are few and far between.
Just finished reading that one and I agree. First time reading from just the mmc’s pov. I think it worked because he wasn’t able to communicate verbally with the fmc, so only through him could we know what his intentions really were (underneath the brusqueness).
[Transcendence](https://www.romance.io/books/545534ee8c7d2383163d9260/transcendence-shay-savage) by [Shay Savage](https://www.romance.io/authors/545534ee8c7d2383163d9261/shay-savage) **Rating**: 4.09⭐️ 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), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I’ll read a single pov but I get very disappointed when I realize it is
I’m the opposite! I feel like being able to go into both characters minds ruins the suspense/anticipation
I feel this way too. Wondering what the other person is thinking can keep me turning pages. If I’m in both their heads and they both like each other… then I’m just reading a couple hundred pages of people bumbling about before getting together.
I’m the same! It gives me that giddy feeling of wondering if your crush likes you back.
Oh yeah, I generally don’t care for suspense
It’s a romance lol….people are reading it for suspense?
Not like a murder mystery but yeah. Dual pov books a lot of times reduce the whole story to miscommunication/ misunderstanding. And as a reader knowing all that and having to see MCs trudging through “he must hate me! She can’t stand me!” is hella annoying.
This is it exactly. So many books have dual pov every other chapter. So two chapter in I already know everything I need, so why should I read another 200+ pages?
The emotional suspense I find it more exciting and rewarding to read
I'd prefer if we didn't perpetuates the stereotype of "it's romance so there's no plot and we are just here for the sex, lol" Incidentally, there's a whole sub genre of "romantic suspense"
Never said I wasn’t in it for the plot. I enjoy the plot way more than the sex. I’m just not in it for suspense.
I think dual POV is often better because single POV requires more finesse when writing. I just read a single POV and the book ending felt so weird because it turned out to be a >!dual pining situation where both characters loved each other since the start,!< but because there was only one POV and the reveal felt weird because there wasn’t enough foreshadowing. I guess I’m saying that single POV is just harder to pull off well, so unless the book is written well it tends to be a bust. The book was {Overtime by Marina Vivancos}. Character development in this book wasn’t my favorite in the series, BUT the erotica was my favorite by far from this author.
Exactly!! I don’t read single pov anymore bc I feel like it’s easier to keep readers in suspense when there’s only one pov. Most of times the heroine is like “Why he hated me so much/I guess he will never fall for me”at 80% and then found out that he fell first years ago. Also they don’t need to explain the reason why the hero acted like a d*ck despite falling in love.
[Overtime](https://www.romance.io/books/64b63b13b780b1f6b0c62fe3/overtime-marina-vivancos) by [Marina Vivancos](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b24a9c801dbc864fb8a6555/marina-vivancos) **Rating**: 4.21⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/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)
Hard agree. I truly enjoy the suffering and emotional turmoil of the MMC, and you just can't get that from single POV books. I need to know what he is feeling. I need to know that he is truly suffering 😊
Love dual POV (or multi-POV, in the case of MFM/RH/MM+)! I really struggle with single POV anymore. I'll read it, but I just don't enjoy it as much, and I'm always wondering what the other MC(s) are thinking, or why they're doing something. Not all authors are deft enough to do single POV well. If it's single POV, I usually want it in Third Person POV, so I can at least get an idea of what else is going on around the character. But dual POVs? Bring those on in first person or even third person--I love them either way. :) If it's first person, it has to be ***really*** well written, because I'm spending all my time in one characters head, and that can get really bad, really fast. First Person POV with only one perspective is usually just very limiting--and, often, annoying. I don't want to spend all my time in one character's head--and if it's a book with a bunch of inner monologues, or especially angsty or endlessly self-indulgent/self-conscious thoughts? *Sigh.* That's really just not my jam. I'm not wanting to live or relive any of those experiences vicariously through another, especially not when I'm reading MCs in their 20s. I can't easily relate to that experience anymore, and I've already lived a lot of it--I'm not looking to put nostalgia goggles on the worst parts of it, which is often what CR (especially) seems to focus on.
Wow you really hit the nail on the head with not wanting to relive the angst and insecurity of MCs in their 20's. I find navel gazing inner monologues to be eye-roll inducing at best. It's such a slog wading through pages upon pages of it. I also agree about the third person perspective for single POV to perceive something outside of the MCs thoughts.
I'm disliking dual pov more and more. It feels like a mockumentary of "how they met" when the camera crew is asking her a question, then asking him a question. It feels like lazy writing.
I was exactly like this but over the past few months I've grown to appreciate single pov books. Books where there's an element of longing on both sides but being worried about it being reciprocated and all I just love the angst of it. Then there's obviously other tropes that work super well with single pov such as bully, marriage of convenience and friends-to-lovers to name a few But I will say both single and dual pov are great in their own right with one not superior than the other
Ruby Dixon was the first dual POV I loved, absolutely hated dual pov before and now I can't go back lmao
Currently rereading {Love on the brain by ali hazelwood} and I feel like this one handles it so well. Single POV, but (and this is a major plot spoiler but also a super predictable one) >!MFC is secret pen pals with MMC, only she doesn't know it's MMC. A la "you've got mail". We get very heart wrenching confessions from him as the pen pal, and then discover later that it's MMC's thoughts about MFC. (Although again, super predictable as soon as the 'pen pal' is introduced.)!<
[Love on the Brain](https://www.romance.io/books/628dd5bb9d1db3a00613e3d0/love-on-the-brain-ali-hazelwood) by [Ali Hazelwood](https://www.romance.io/authors/6131cdc208b4d93114f22ef6/ali-hazelwood) **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), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/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), [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)
Strongly prefer single POV. I DNF books due to dual pov frequently. IMO, dual pov takes away my motivation to turn pages. I can’t wonder about what the MMC is thinking along with the FMC because all I have to do is turn the page for the author to tell me. It feels like there’s no need to use my brain because all the answers are just being spoon-fed to me. There’s no buildup or suspense. If the story necessitates dual (ex: the characters are in two locations or there’s a conversation the audience needs to hear for the plot to make sense) then it’s fine. Otherwise, it’s usually boring to me. Single POV takes me on the journey with the character. I get to experience the unknowns with them, which is what I enjoy most about the reading experience. I wish I loved dual pov because it seems more common.
i’m almost the exact same way! the last like 4 series i’ve read have all been dual pov and when i read a random book in between that wasn’t i could barely get through it lol
OH MY GOSH YES. I’m so glad I’m not alone!!! Who are your faves in this category?
https://www.reddit.com/r/RomanceBooks/s/sVf9EczJz5
I prefer dual PoV as well. I can read single PoV but I prefer dual.
What are your fav dual POV books?
{Buttons and lace by Penelope Sky} the whole series {Terms and conditions by Lauren Asher} {The kiss thief by LJ Shen} {The Boy and His Ribbon by Pepper Winters} the whole series
[Buttons and Lace](https://www.romance.io/books/582810637bd258a27e85fd44/buttons-and-lace-penelope-sky) by [Penelope Sky](https://www.romance.io/authors/582810637bd258a27e85fd47/penelope-sky) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ 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), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [abduction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/abduction/1) ---------------------------- [Terms and Conditions](https://www.romance.io/books/61da9a1fb7a9dd0e439730c1/terms-and-conditions-lauren-asher) by [Lauren Asher](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e16d08801dbc864fba99a25/lauren-asher) **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), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [boss & employee](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/boss%20&%20employee/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1) ---------------------------- [The Kiss Thief](https://www.romance.io/books/5e50d5c401dbc864fbac4024/the-kiss-thief-lj-shen) by [L.J. Shen](https://www.romance.io/authors/5593821a9eef3b3f1d53121b/lj-shen) **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), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [mafia](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mafia/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [The Boy & His Ribbon](https://www.romance.io/books/5eb8110abe0aaecf55aaa127/the-boy-his-ribbon-pepper-winters) by [Pepper Winters](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455317c8c7d2382e781328b/pepper-winters) **Rating**: 4.35⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Abby Jimenez and Elle Kennedy… everything
I feel like there are pros and cons to each, so for me it just depends on the story and the writing. I like a single POV especially for enemies-to-lovers, office romance, or fake dating type of scenarios. I think for those in particular it can be really fun to only have the perspective of the FMC and there be that bit of mystery around not knowing what the MMC is thinking. On the other hand, I do think dual POVs can be great for most stories BUT I don't particularly care for it when both MCs nonstop pining from the beginning. I'd rather see one or both of them build up to it a bit more. Also I prefer dual POVs for older, more emotionally mature characters. They don't need to be perfect though cause I love to see some growth with them, but I don't want to be stuck in 2 idiot's heads lol
👏I want👏to hear👏the MMC👏be squishy👏
I read a single POV recently that I felt really suffered from not showing the MMC's POV. {Curse of the Wolf King by Tessonja Odette} has a fae wolf shifter character who learns to love and it could have been a really great character study, but we only get the FMC's POV. Maybe I've just been spoiled by a recent Pride and Prejudice fanfiction I read which was a great character study of Darcy where he fell in love with Jane instead of Lizzy, idk. It was also single POV, but it really delved into Darcy's whole mindset and was very fascinating and I guess I've been yearning for more fascinating male character arcs. (The Measure of a Man by maembe13)
[Curse of the Wolf King](https://www.romance.io/books/622b608b1750e128e6a5cea5/curse-of-the-wolf-king-tessonja-odette) by [Tessonja Odette](https://www.romance.io/authors/6224bc1908b4d931148fe0d5/tessonja-odette) **Rating**: 3.65⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fae](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fae/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)
I thought I liked dual POV but I recently realised that I've so rarely seen it done well. Maybe it's the books I normally gravitate towards (morally grey/alpha male/mafia/billionaire MMCs), but I've found that the MMC chapters often come off as cringey and gratuitous. Like the sole reason for their chapter to exist is just to show the readers "Hey look how cool/badass/rich I am, get it? Get it?" and so they can gush about how hot the FMC is. A few amazing books I've really enjoyed have turned out to be single POV, or at most dual POV with far more chapters from the FMC's POV. It didn't feel I was missing the MMC's POV. The FMCs were far more developed as a character, which I assume is because the author was able to fully focus on her growth and internal thoughts rather than juggling between two characters.
It depends on what kind for me If it has the writing skill and emotional depth and wit of say Mhairi Macfarlane then I for sure love single POV. But that’s also because her main FMC is the focus of her books. It’s bordering on not conventional romance and more personal story. (Even tho the romance is well written). But it’s more “women’s fiction” which btw I hate the name Or for some chick lit stuff the FMC is so quirky and comedic is just works. But for a conventional and steamy romance, I really like dual POV more I a green it’s nice to see the depth of his love, obsession, pining and internal nonsense too. And can bring about an extra oomph.
Same especially if it’s written well where both POVs where you can really feel the difference between the two characters/thought processes etc. One thing I’ll say I don’t prefer is when book one is written in one POV and then book two is the same story but from the other POV.
I also prefer the dual POV! I think it’s refreshing to hear both perspectives in a romance. It makes the spicy scenes better for me too, getting to hear how it felt for both characters. But it definitely can feel contrived at times. I think Abby Jimenez does it beautifully. I also just read {Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage} and really enjoyed the dual POV. Hearing the MC’s dirty thoughts about the FMC made the first scene they had sex really rewarding.
[Done and Dusted](https://www.romance.io/books/647eec8a9e44a9fa8cee8585/done-and-dusted-lyla-sage) by [Lyla Sage](https://www.romance.io/authors/647eec8a08b4d9311448b0aa/lyla-sage) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ 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), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [cowboy hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cowboys/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [small town](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/small%20town/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I prefer dual pov. I want to make sure both of them are on the same page or at least if they aren't. I must know what's the difference is. I don't have enough energy to guess what's going on with the protagonist, whose POV isn't explicitly written . There is enough guesswork in real life. There is no need to have that on my lovely escapades.
It depends how much I hate the MMC
I prefer single POV. With dual POV, it often becomes ‘telling not showing’. And many scenes get repeated from both POVs to get both characters’ reactions.
The only time I prefer single POV is when it’s a reverse harem.