A FMC that is NOT independent or badass, but also not a doormat. I need some balance!! + slow-burn.

Honestly, I’m just tired. My personal life is already full of those independent woman, push-hard-at-work, keep-it-all-together moments. I don’t need more of that energy in my reading right now. I need a break. I’m fine with not being a total badass boss-lady all the time, so I really don’t want to spend my downtime with FMCs who are.

I’m burned out on heroines who constantly fight for independence or repeat lines like:

• “I’m my own person.”
• “I don’t need anyone’s help.”
• “I just belong to myself.”

That’s all fine and positive usually, but my mood just isn’t there.

What I’d love is an FMC who doesn’t feel the need to prove her independence every second. Not a doormat either, just… balanced. Someone softer (for lack of a better word), emotionally open, but still capable of making smart, thoughtful choices.

I feel like FMCs often swing between extremes: either hyper-independent and combative, or shy/insecure with doormat energy. I’m looking for that middle ground: a heroine who’s gentle, doesn’t make reckless choices for the sake of “morals,” and isn’t defined by constant pushback against everyone around her.

For example: not the type who says “We need to save those people, even though they’re rapists and murderers, and I’ll risk everyone’s lives to do it, because morals and bc I'm my own person.” That’s not balance, that’s just frustrating.

Basically, I want FMCs who don’t need to be queens, saviors of the world, or leaders of the entire plot and save everyone and their hamster. It’s okay for her not to be the star badass queen every time.

And please, a slow-burning romance. No insta-lust, no insta-love. I actually want to feel the romance build, wild concept for a romance novel, I know, crazy talk nowadays...