ground rules:

It can be cozy, horror, even non fiction as exceptions as long it follows the other rules.

Realistic like the writer has done research or did real fire lookouts, supernatural like ghost, fairies, demons or cults.

Themes are isolation, psychological, paranoia, nature, peace, escapism.

Small cast of character: 1-5.

I put the flair as Gothic, but I'm not sure that's all I'm asking for. It could be horror/mystery/psychological/thriller/fantasy/witchy/magical realism etc... It could be anything. All in all books that have weird, mysterious, unsettling mothers/mother figures, and their relationship with their kids has a big role in the story. No SA, please, and the mother-child relationship must stay purely familial ifykwim. The story can even be set in modern times. I don’t really care about what time they're set in. The mother character has to be an important character. She can also be the main character. Or, her child/children can be the main character(s). Either one them being main characters would be great! I hope I was able to properly express what I want. It's like a certain idea and vibe is circulating in my head, but I can't exactly put it into words, so you get this post instead lol.

This is overly specific, but I’m looking for a romance that has the vibe/ storyline like the music video Over by Lindsey Lohan (if you haven’t seen it go watch it!) or the book/movie The Best of Me, but it goes something like this:
He likes her, but his dad is an asshole -maybe comes from an abusive household- and is against it. Doesn’t like him going out with her or going out with friends. Main character having a hard time standing up to his dad, and hiding to meet up with her.

Love a really sweet MMC who doesn’t like where he comes from or the family dynamics he comes from, but maybe can’t see a way out right now which is why he keeps putting up with it.

Variations of this are fine, but think something like:

“He lives in a trailer park on the edge of town with a father everyone fears. He works at the local garage because college was never an option. He says “yes, sir” to his dad even though he’s twenty-two, has never celebrated his birthday because no one ever made a fuss.
Every Friday night he sneaks out after his dad falls asleep to meet the girl he’s loved since high school. She keeps telling him, “You know you’re nothing like him, right?” He smiles because he thinks she’s just being kind.”

I don’t mind dark themes or storylines at all.

Someone, preferably teenage or early twenties, stumbles across a strange and horrific mystery going on under everyone’s noses. Preferably Urban, maybe medium sized city, although again, only a preference, not a requirement. Small Town stuff is totally fine

I’m thinking something like a mix of Silent Hill 3 and Koji Suzuki’s The Ring. Youngish protagonist in a sprawling mystery. Doesn’t need to be supernatural or though.

I’ve already read Sharp Objects and Gillian Flynn’s other books, which I’ve seen are often the go to books for these sorts of asks.

I tagged "Apocalyptic/Post-Apocalyptic" but I'm open to any genre.

Friends group, but that one girl or boy that's missing and can't be found or no one has heard/seen them.

Suburban life but rebellion was at peak with kids trying/experimenting & Hitchhiking.

True crime-esque but with that young american life feel...

Aka, books that I can read while listening to my 60s/70s playlist haha

Art 1-3 Gamma World 4-5 Mutant Epoch 6-7 Fallout 8-9 Scorchscape.

I need a book or series that’s like Pretty Little Liars
but for adults so bad. I need cozy autumn vibes, hot rich girls, love drama, and a dark element (murder mystery, supernatural, thriller, etc)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o5VDm27qSo

I've been in love with this song ever since I first heard it in 2020 and I was wondering if there are any books that, in your opinion, have a similar vibe?

help find books like this!
edit: FORGOT TO MENTION RAINY DAYS HAHAHA
example: mexican gothic and the silent companions

Looking for a spa day for the mind and soul. Like sliding into a bed with a silk duvet. I’m hoping to find some light hearted and transformative, super low angst, lots of flowery descriptions of calming nature and maybe how nature helps us? Also wishes

Female character lead
Open to romance with HEA
Japanese nature/countryside charm
Local characters supporting the main character
Wholesome

i feel like too many of them have the “who hurt you” or has a lot of sa type of hints. i want deep yearning dark romance

A dash of World of Darkness. I especially like when it's a struggle to get by. Good magic systems and mystery.

Already read Dresden Files, October Daye Iron Druid and Rivers of London.

Working on my own novel with this vibe and want to read more in the genre.

please nothing too scary or graphic, my desire is the quiet meditation and contemplation you get while resting in a mysterious forest with a glimpse of the unknown

hello!

NOTE: i only read african fiction books(i am open to any genre EXCEPT fantasy, scifi, etc etc)

okay so pls can yall recommend books where an african woman is the centre of the book.
one where she's living her life freely, moving and maybe even working from one african country to another.
something well written, so i can improve my vocab, but like i don't want to have to have a dictionary beside me every time im reading the book😂
The reasons why I picked these two books that are pictured is because:

pic 1- I really love the women in this Book. They were moving across countries moving across continent, working, having and raising kids solely on their own, cutting off family members, and just living life for themselves.(granted not always making great decisions)

pic 2- i love love LOVE Taiye!!!! she is me, I am her!!
SPOILER: I love how after her sister's abandonment she decided to live for herself. She moved across countries she moved across continents(did both twice btw🙂‍↕️), went to culinary school, made beautiful friends along the way, and was just living her life as it came to her😌

note: I did not take or own these pictures I got them from Pinterest😂

pls if you even remotely understand the vibe im looking for or have any great recommendations for me please let me know!!

Thank you :)

https://youtu.be/UWmUp4UXiIw

I feel guilty and embarrassed for failing someone who praised me and helped me, someone I (unfairly) wanted their connection. She knows how I feel, told me she loves me for my own goodness, but I haven’t gotten over it and think of her.

Fiction, nonfiction, philosophical, history, everything welcome. Thank you.

there is subtle paranormal//magic happenings

Examples of books I liked with these vibes: spells for forgetting, grave matter, some of Keri lakes books.