#iaw recs

[indiaalphawhiskey]

🪞Making It Up As We Go Along by LazyTuesdayMorning

Penelope swears that she will make it Aubrey Hall if it kills her. The universe takes up her challenge.

Sans carriage and caught in the worst storm that has struck England in living memory, Penelope bumps into a familiar face on the road (what a mystery who could it possibly be!). Their only hope of a shelter in the storm requires a degree of... creative... application of the truth and Penelope finds herself wondering how a young lady is to comport herself when the bounds of propriety have been all but swept away.

Enter Colin, who has a suggestion or two.

OH. MY. GOD. This is soooooooo good!!!!! It’s exactly what I needed!!! I can’t stop smiling!!!!

[twopoppies]

🧂IAW’s Personal Petty After-2017-Unique-Fic Recs feat. No Moms

🎵Make Your Words A Weapon by HelloAmHere (2018)

Famous/Famous soft soulmate AU. No moms.

🐺Where You Lay by Hampalpert (2018)

Classic (and sexehhhh) A/B/O. No moms.

🏴‍☠️Sodalite & Adventurine by foreverries (2019)

Pirate AU. No moms.

🚀The Second Hand Unwinds by kingsofeverything (2019)

Time Travel NASA AU. No moms.

🚕Mine Would Be You by crinkle-eyed-boo (2020)

Exes to lovers with NYC as it’s own character. No moms.

👑Nothing But You On My Mind by nonsensedarling (2020)

Royalty/PR manager hate to love with a twist. No moms.

🪽of the divine series by devilinmybrain (2021)

Religious themes. Angels. No moms.

🤖Literally Making Love by Brooklyn_Babylon (2021)

Most unique and lovable Android AU to ever exist. No moms.

🍝Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover by lovingstheantidote (2021)

Sexy pasta chef. No moms.

💊An Irrationally Strong Bond Between Two People by jishler (2021)

Dystopian AU where love doesn’t exist. No moms.

LOL! Thank you, India. @helloamhere @hampalpert @kingsofeverything @crinkle-eyed-boo @absoloutenonsense @thedevilinmybrain @snowjosh (and foreverries, who maybe changed their url)… you’re all so appreciated. And thank you for adding one of my fics, as well.

I might as well add my favorite fics from:

2019

2020

2021

2022

(There might be some moms, but even if there are, these are all well done imo)

And, while I’m at it, here are some excellent “new-ish” authors for people to check out. All of them wrote their first fic 2018 or later.

In reference to this

[lovestay-remade]

best skz songs hello

[indiaalphawhiskey]

Hello! Do you have some Polin fics to recommend? I’m obsessed with them but I don’t know where to start reading lol

Hello, darling!

Yes, of course! I recommended some Regency ones here and here.

The following are now all Modern AUs (I like both Regency and Modern).

I recently read this one and it is good and very hot:

🪞Cruel & Unusual: A Tale of Personal Growth by Sea_Dragonfly

Penelope Featherington is officially over Colin Bridgerton. Deservedly so. She’d worked tirelessly over the last twelve months to move on from him. She’d listened to Lizzo on repeat, read every self-help book under the sun, been to therapy, and even changed the plot of her novel from a coming-of-age romance to a zombie thriller in a world devoid of men. In fact, she was seeing someone, not exclusively, but it was certainly heading in that direction. She’d done everything in her power to move on from her stupid, heart-wrenching, soul-destroying crush. Everything short of having a lobotomy. Which was why it was a tad concerning that she’d just shagged him.

I really, really liked the tension and the pining in this one, too:

🪞Something Wonderful by Sea_Dragonfly

Never in his wildest fantasies did Colin Bridgerton think he'd be woken up at 5am the day he was due to fly out to Sri Lanka by Penelope Featherington begging him to take her with him. She was supposed to be celebrating her engagement, after all.

And I'm currently in the middle of this one:

🪞Invisible String by britishteacup, itwasglorious

At ten she first enters his life. At eighteen he falls in love with her. At twenty-six he loses her. Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton meet at eight and ten. He dreams of making it big as a musician, she dreams of staying close to home. But somehow, something keeps them together, some invisible strings keeping their lives intertwined, even when they don’t want to be. And isn't it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?

[indiaalphawhiskey]

Hi India, i just finished this polin fic and it is fiiiireeeee 🔥🔥 so naturally i thought you'd also enjoy it 😄 if you haven't read it yet: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54092404/chapters/136950694 - Ruin by Sea_Dragonfly

Ooh, thank you my darling!!

Let’s exchange, these two are also fire 🔥

🪞 Attachment by lixabiz

“I would like to marry," Penelope said bluntly. She looked him directly in the eye, daring him to disagree.

"Right." Colin gave a slow nod of the head, clearly taken aback by the declaration. His eyes had gone wide, giving him a look that was reminiscent of cornered prey.

It seemed that the heavens were intent upon tormenting her.

"Not you," she managed to say evenly, although she felt tumultuous waves rocking the boat that was her composure.

"No, of course not," he agreed hastily, embarrassment evident on his face.

🪞Affection by lixabiz

"Normally, I only have to think of you reading my letters for my muse to alight upon my shoulder and guide my quill across the page. You said once that there is so much more to say than what one can put into a letter… tell me, Pen… do you have nothing to say? Have my letters missed the mark? Your silence is most unusual, and I cannot help but feel perplexed, as I cannot figure out what could possibly be keeping you from responding… twelve letters, Penelope… one, or two is an accident… twelve is a punishment."

Colin returns to London for the Season of 1815, hoping to reconnect with his friend Penelope - only to discover that everything has changed between them.

And of course, your rec!

🪞Ruin by Sea_Dragonfly

“Perhaps you should take a seat,” said Violet.

Colin wouldn't remember the details of what his mother told him next. He would remember her hand warm on his knee, her eyes wide with concern, her voice gentle as velvet. All of it in stark contrast to the devastating news she shared.

Penelope was ruined.

[indiaalphawhiskey]

Hii! First off I absolutely adore your writing and I'm super excited for your upcoming fics, but I was wondering what are your favorite go-to fics (by other authors) that you want to read again and again?

Hello, love!

I did this once, but I can’t seem to find the post (go figure) so I’m happy to do it again. ❤️ I actually have a folder on my Kindle titled Comfort Fics and these are what’s in there. (I also have a bunch of fics from the same authors, but I thought it best to rec one per author. Check out their other stuff if you haven’t already.)

Most Re-Read Fic

🏈 Soft Hands, Fast Feet, Can’t Lose by dolce_piccante

This fic has, without a doubt, my most favorite version of Louis ever written. But more than that, I think that this is just a very nostalgic fic for me, because it was released about six months into me falling into the fandom, and so it kind of reminds me of that time where I was discovering fics and fandom and Larry for the first time. I feel like whenever I go back to it, it feels like that slice of time all over again. Epitome of a comfort fic.

Snack Fic Re-Read

🌬️Fugue by iwillpaintasongforlou

This is just the most perfect single-sitting fic ever. It has everything you need to feel like you’ve read something full and all consuming. I’m a really big fan of the romantic build up, and I love that this has that, even in what is technically an established relationship trope. Love, love, love.

Fave Bedtime Re-Read

🕊️ Counting the Steps Between Us by zarah5

I keep crawling back to this fic like a long lost lover. It’s just written in such a way that hits the spot every time, with the perfect amount of tension and storytelling for you to feel like you’ve earned it by the time they get together.

Best Smut Re-Read

🫦 Hike Up Your Skirt (and Show Your World to Me) by Brooklyn_Babylon / @twopoppies

When this was being written, I told @twopoppies that it was going to overthrow Are You Gonna Be My Girl? by LoadedGunn as my holy grail smut fic and I wasn’t wrong. I mean… this fic’s reputation precedes it. It just gets the job done in the most delicious, dark, dirty way. I get that the themes might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely for me. If you’re specifically looking for something that can only be described as delectable debauchery, you’ve found it. (Read the tags!)

Specific Mood Re-Read

🪐 Saved Tonight by Anonymous*

Harry's the world's most persistent seduction-baker, a questionable dog-sitter, and Louis' biggest fan. Louis hasn't written in years, is trying to pass loneliness off as cynicism, and absolutely hates his fans. It's probably destiny.

This fic is just really, really special to me. It’s soft in the most weird and wonderful way, and I’ve not found another fic that makes me feel the way this does. I think the best way to describe this is that it’s a fic that envelopes you in such a specific setting that you find yourself going back to it to live in that place for a little while.

*The author has since taken it down, and I don’t know by what username they prefer to go by, so I just listed it as Anonymous.

A/B/O Re-Read

🐺 Where You Lay by HamPalpert

When Louis's upcoming heat threatens his success at his new dream job, he asks the best (and only) person he can think of to help him through it: his best mates' best mate, Harry Styles. Harry reluctantly accepts, and together the two navigate a strange friends with benefits relationship that quickly turns complicated.

A/B/O is my most favorite trope ever, but because there are a lot of different permutations of the “rules”, it’s often hard for me to find an A/B/O fic that includes everything I really really really love about the trope. This is that fic for me.

Best Soft Re-Read

🎵 Make Your Words A Weapon by HelloAmHere / @helloamhere

The way Harry is written in this fic is everything to me. This fic is soft in the most lovely way, and there’s something so healing in the way it discusses trauma without ever sacrificing the romance in the fic. This has a piece of dialogue that I think about nearly monthly, but I won’t share it cause I want you to experience it for yourself first.

Holy Grail Re-Read

⏳my heart is breathing for this moment in time by usedtothebeach

Let me start off by saying this fic is an investment, but Jesus is it worth it. This is just the most unique blend of canon and Larry lore ever, and it just does it so, so perfectly. If you’re looking for a fic that will make you see Larry’s love story as the most perfect insider version of it ever, this is the fic. It’s so good that I never want to read/watch the original Time Traveler’s Wife. As far as I’m concerned, this is the original. (Don't forget to read the companion piece feel myself fall, make a joke of it all.)

Honorable Mentions

(I haven’t re-read these yet only because I feel like I’ve just finished them and I’m giving myself some time to miss them so much that it feels like the first time all over again.)

🗽 Mine Would Be You by @crinkle-eyed-boo

An exes-to-lovers for the ages. This fic is painfully beautiful, and there’s something about these characters that have stood (and will continue to stand) the rest of time. I think this is a gorgeously mature fic that deals with the complexities of love and romance in a way that’s rare. This is one of the most realistic depictions of Harry and Louis that feels true to who they are in every era.

🦋 of the divine by @thedevilinmybrain

Harry in this is literally ethereal, but also, the way the romance is layered over religious themes is just done in such a fulfilling and delicious way. I love fics that manage to marry such specific knowledge with a story that’s still romantic and wildly sexy. This is a journey, and just thinking about it makes me want to pick it up immediately.

[indiaalphawhiskey]

If you found good recs please share, Im looking too

Hiya love! This is what I’m reading right now, and it’s really really well done (and totally scratching the itch for Season 3!)

🐝 The Gentlemen’s Wager by wantisamlindyla

After his careless words ruined Penelope's prospects on the marriage mart, Colin is determined to do everything he can to restore her reputation and to find her a good match, even if it means pretending to court his best friend.

However, outside forces with a grudge against the Bridgertons inadvertently transforms a wallflower into the most coveted prize of the London Season of 1815.

This was my first introduction, and it was really fun!

🐝 Hang Society by ktbeets

Colin comes home to discover that Penelope is no longer the girl he once knew and no longer acting like the lady she was raised to be. Intrigued by her mystery and tempted by her secrets, just how far will Colin go to satisfy his curiosity?

And this is what I’m planning to read next!

🐝 Letters by ktbeets

While Colin travels, he and Penelope have taken to writing each other, growing closer in the process. How will their newfound closeness translate to polite society, which scrutinizes every interaction between unmarried ladies and gentlemen?

If I find anymore, I’ll let you know! ⭐️

[indiaalphawhiskey]

🪞 Aflame by Sea_Dragonfly

Colin Bridgerton had always favoured red heads. He often found it… difficult to connect with another person; even in the most intimate of acts he felt a distance. But when he was with a woman with firey hair, something seemed to flicker in his soul.

A few nights after his return to the ton, he attends a masquerade ball hosted by the notorious Madame Littlelove. It's there he spots a courtesan with the perfect shade of auburn.

Well, at least he thinks she is a courtesan...

🪞By the Book by ktbeets

Colin is a gentleman. A product of a lifetime of training as one, he understands how to conduct himself properly in any given situation, especially in the presence of young ladies.

That training is tested when he encounters an emboldened Penelope alone in the middle of the night in the Aubrey Hall library.

Can he maintain his honor?

[indiaalphawhiskey]

sooo excited for you WIP!!! you've definitely been an inspiration for me to start publishing my work (if you ever wanna give it a read, it's here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45937918/chapters/115626055)

my question is: what's your favourite thing about the story you've been writing?

Hi, love!

Oh, that’s such a sweet thing today! I’m really glad you published your work. I know the leap can be daunting, but also pretty rewarding. ❤️

My favorite thing about the story I’m currently writing is the theme of the romance because it’s a more complex love story than anything I’ve written before. It centers around the question “could you live with it, if the love of your life wasn’t yours (anymore)?”

It’s a lot about living with the natural consequences of decisions you’ve made together, and figuring out when something is worth the gamble, especially when your lives are going to be intertwined forever.

(Thanks for humoring me!)

And also, your fic sounds so interesting! People should absolutely give it a read!!!

🎼 I Don’t Wanna Face The Music by @hereforh

Louis likes to think he's a pretty normal, typical lad. He likes spending nights at the pub with his mates, he loves football and is very close to his family. So when he moves to London for uni, he doesn’t think much will be different.

Until he makes these new friends who are nothing like his mates back home and change his life for the better - and this one boy who messes with his head from the get go and makes him question everything he has ever thought about himself.

✏️ Ask me something about my WIP!

[indiaalphawhiskey]

i know you have probably seen this post in tumblr before, but when i read it on Reddit I immediately thought of you, PLEASE I need a fic like this from you… this is the PERFECT fic prompt 🦺

Hello, darling!

It’s incredibly sweet and flattering that you thought of me, but you’re in luck because there’s already a beautiful fic (and, in my humble opinion, a new classic) written based on this exact prompt.

(Moments like these are rare and magical, and I hope finding this out makes your day! Recommending it certainly made mine!) 😘

An Invincible Summer by Brooklyn_Babylon / @twopoppies

Never content to stay in one place for long, a few months down south researching for his novel seemed like an idyllic, slow-paced summer to Louis. He wasn't ready for the blistering heat, the backbreaking work of watermelon picking, or how stifling the attitudes in rural Georgia would feel. And he definitely hadn’t anticipated falling in love with the farmer’s son.

The summer of 1946 would turn out to be everything worth writing about.

This fic is the perfect mix of achingly tender and lusciously sensual in the way only first time fics can really be. There’s so much respect for the setting, treating both the time and the place like they’re characters almost, and the depth the author has given to the background story of the actual characters and the way that affects their love story makes this all the more moving.

I hope you enjoy! ❤️

[indiaalphawhiskey]

Hi I heard from someone I follow you like marcel fics. I was wondering if you had any good marcel fics to reccomend? Thanks in advance. ☺️

Hello, love!

I do love me a Marcel fic, but unfortunately I’m not great with fic recs (terrible memory, more than terrible tagging system), so I’m going to link you to @twopoppies’ MARCEL FIC REC instead.

Enjoy, button! 🤓

[indiaalphawhiskey]

I stayed up till 4:38 am finishing your fic barefoot in blue jeans and HOLY MF LORD AHHHHHHHHH. The bit about him wanting to call H that?!?! PLEASE MY HEART SOBBED SO HARD😭

With this comes an weird request and maybe you have some recs! Do you know of any fic with an obscene use of the term Baby? Idk why but most fics i read don’t use baby much and that hurts my soul😮‍💨 thank you and hope you don’t find my 5 am rambling weird 😍

Hi hi hi! Aww I’m so, so glad you liked Barefoot so much. That was my first full fic and I love love love that people are still reading it, and that it’s still connecting! 🥰

I’m not sure I understood you’re request fully, but I think you want fics where HL call each other ‘baby’. (I wasn’t sure if by obscene, you means specifically in bed)

I have god awful memory, which is why I don’t do fic recs, but these authors use ‘baby’ pretty frequently in their fics! I hope you enjoy, dear! 😘

❤️ Brooklyn_Babylon / @twopoppies

🧡 crinkle-eyed-boo / @crinkle-eyed-boo

💛 Throwthemflowers / @hazzabeeforlou

[indiaalphawhiskey]

The way I’ve wanted, for the longest time, a fic where they’re divorced with older kids and then chance at reuniting.. Even if it’s far off still I’m so excited for the day when it comes! 😊 / Also we need more older Larry in this fandom, it’s soo rare ♥️

You guys are the absolute sweetest, thank you so much for the support. You don’t know how much it means to be able to share this excitement over something that isn’t even fully tangible yet. It’s fueling me forward! ♥️ 😊

And, I agree about older Larry! Honestly, I love that writing older characters not only allows us to craft richer, more complex stories, that are less clean cut, I also love that is serves as a reminder that beautiful things happen to anyone and everyone, at all stages of life. I think, many times, we take for granted how much more beautiful romance can be when two people who have already lived out different paths and discovered different versions of themselves choose to come together. I love second chances, and fifth tries, and the joy in the thought of never ever running out of opportunities to find epic love. 😘

If you haven’t read it yet, this fic was the start of my love affair with older Larry:

Lightning Strikes Twice by dinosaursmate

Louis slipped his hand onto Harry’s thigh, snaking his fingers up and inwards. “I’m a big fan. You’re so talented, and I have to admit that I actually fancy you a bit.”

“Yeah?” Harry reached up to push Louis’ fringe out of his eyes. “Well, you know, I like to try and be accommodating to my fans.”

“You’re quite well known for that,” Louis whispered as he turned his head some more, their mouths an inch apart. “So I hear.”

---

Rock star Harry Styles was nineteen when he met Louis, a groupie with a huge heart that Harry couldn’t quite shake from his mind. Fate granted him a second chance at the age of sixty, his washed up and lonely existence being transformed by a widower with a bookshop.

And of course, the brilliant @twopoppies with the fabulous Older Larry fics hookup!

[indiaalphawhiskey]

Today’s breakdown is themed: fics you love so much you wish you wrote them.

Huuuuuuuu.

Cozy re-reading type day and I always forget but fuuuuuuck I love this fic so much. Can’t believe I only read it last year, I’m just... I’m so happy it exists. 😭 I’ll never be over it.

🕰 my heart is breathing for this moment in time by usedtothebeach

When Louis first saw Harry at the 2010 X Factor Auditions, he thought he was watching a peculiarly special stranger. But Harry has known Louis ever since he was five years old.

Because Louis has a rare genetic disorder that causes him to Time Travel to important moments in his past and in his future - and to Harry, always to Harry. When they're put into a band together, it seems like everything Harry has been waiting and wishing for has finally come true. Except for the small fact that Louis doesn't know that Harry is in love with him- that Harry's always been in love with him. Fate, it would seem, is just getting started.

[indiaalphawhiskey]

My all time favourite fic is California Sold. I always find myself turning to it when I just want to read something to relax and I just love their characters in this story💛

🌙 California Sold by isthatyoularry

Notoriously closeted boyband member Harry Styles is famous on a global scale, meanwhile Louis, as his best friend, is back home in Manchester, living the typical life of a 24 year old. When Harry needs Louis with him in LA, a publicity stunt gone wrong changes their friendship forever.

A fake-relationship AU between two lifelong best friends.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about this, anon, and I have to say fake relationships are really, really my thing. This definitely looks like a meaty fic you can sink your teeth into. Thanks for the rec!

Tell me about your favorite comfort fic? :)

[indiaalphawhiskey]

omggg i thought your fic idea list was a fic rec and I tried clicking on the political ABO only to realise they are not yet written. I'm devastated but also I love you, you're the best, write however you want, when ever you want! xxx

Oh man, this is so adorable! Thank you so much, it means a lot!

And I’m sorry, I totally didn’t mean to leave you hanging on the fics! I have a lot of ideas but the dagnabbed actual writing part is quite annoying. Hahaha!

I wanna make it up to you though, so here: go check out all of @twopoppies

FIC RECS

She has the best taste and I’ve found so many, many hidden gems in her lists.

PS. Don’t forget to reblog so other people can share in the fun! :)

Distract me? Let’s talk about fics, baby. ;)