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Neurovance

Alexandra St. Pierre

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Similar in characterization + relationships

These books are ranked using the characterization + relationships labels extracted for Neurovance. Books rank higher when they are close on every selected axis.

Characterization labels used: genius, nerdy, awkward, clumsy, bullied, insecure, self-deprecating, dominant, obsessive, possessive, caretaking, masked figure, protective, traumatized

Relationships labels used: MM romance, insta-love, obsessive love, possessive dynamic, dom/sub, power exchange, caretaking kink, forced proximity, brother bond, friendship, betrayal, dependency, secret identity, stalking

This does not mean the books share the same plot, setting, quality, or difficulty. It means their characterization + relationships embeddings are close.

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Network Effect

Martha Wells · 2020 · The Murderbot Diaries

A rogue SecUnit faces kidnapping, alien threats, and an unexpected AI reunion while trying to keep its humans alive.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: introverted · sarcastic · snarky · grumpy · paranoid · hyper-competent · reluctant protector · emotionally guarded · nonhuman personhood · traumatized · awkward · self-aware · media-obsessed · protective · stubborn · cynical

Relationships labels: found family · friendship · AI friendship · complicated bond · protective caregiving · work relationship · co-dependence · rivalry · banter · pseudo-romance · team dynamics

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1653

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George Falls Through Time

Ryan Collett · 2026

A stressed Londoner is hurled into 1300 and must survive medieval hardship, queer desire, and a dragon.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: miserable protagonist · self-loathing · cynical · whiny · emotionally repressed · self-centered · unlikable protagonist · reliable foil · sweet love interest · captor-turned-lover · reflective · flawed protagonist · burned out · frustrated · messy adult · reluctant growth

Relationships labels: m/m romance · queer romance · captor dynamic · friendship to love · romantic tension · breakup aftermath · ex-boyfriend · lover conflict · power imbalance · companionship · dependence · found intimacy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1786

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Case File Compendium: Bing An Ben (Novel) Vol. 6

Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou · 2025 · 病案本 [Bing An Ben] / Case File Compendium (Novel)

A sick, secretive lover tries to end a doomed relationship, but desire, rivals, and conspiracy keep pulling them back together.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: sick protagonist · protective partner · obsessive lover · stubborn protagonist · emotionally repressed · jealous rival · morally compromised · broken character · yearning · self-sacrificing

Relationships labels: m/m romance · toxic relationship · forbidden relationship · age gap relationship · rivalry · family bond · sibling bond · protective love · obsessive attachment · push-pull relationship

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1824

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Devil May Lie

Chani Lynn Feener · 2024 · The Devils of Vitality

A feared mafia scientist and a royal racer ignite a forbidden, obsessive romance that tests loyalty, trauma, and power.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: mad scientist · butcher · royal · racer · medical student · murderous · morally gray · obsessive · possessive · protective · tender · unhinged · traumatized · vulnerable · socially awkward · blunt · manipulative · petty · loyal · self-sacrificing · dissociative · psychotic · masochistic · sadistic · wildcard

Relationships labels: forbidden love · obsession · mutual obsession · protective partnership · hurt/comfort · trauma bonding · power couple · rival loyalties · found family · caretaking · touch him and die · jealousy · possessive pair

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1870

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Call of the Sea

Chani Lynn Feener · 2023 · The Devils of Vitality

A numb professor and a psychopathic student spiral into a violent cat-and-mouse obsession on a dangerous alien campus.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: psychopath · emotionally detached · emotionally numb · stoic · obsessive · possessive · manipulative · controlling · deranged · masochist · criminal psychologist · professor · student · genius · schemer · predatory · morally black · twin · control freak

Relationships labels: teacher/student · age gap · forbidden relationship · obsessive pairing · toxic romance · codependency · power imbalance · cat and mouse · possessive pairing · twin bond · protective brother · blackmail

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1892

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A Letter to the Luminous Deep

Sylvie Cathrall · 2024 · The Sunken Archive

An epistolary underwater fantasy where two scholars’ letters uncover romance, mystery, and a deeper disappearance.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: reclusive protagonist · scholars · introverted characters · anxious characters · socially awkward characters · grieving siblings · kind characters · curious characters · intellectual characters · neurodivergent characters · OCD representation · disabled character · married characters

Relationships labels: pen pals · slow burn romance · platonic friendship · sibling bond · familial love · queer marriages · queer normative world · found family · romantic relationship · friendship through letters · grief bond

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1902

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Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts

Lyn Gala · 2018 · Claimings

A human linguist on an alien trade world is claimed by a protective trader, forcing both to bridge culture, consent, and desire.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: wounded hero · submissive nature · curious linguist · capable trader · protective dominant · gentle giant · alien outsider · healer dynamic · attentive partner · damaged past · respectful dominant · rare submissive · intelligent protagonist · emotionally guarded

Relationships labels: m/m romance · Dom/sub · power exchange · protective partnership · caregiving · courtship · friendship to romance · ownership dynamic · trust building · dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1903

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Willful Machines

Tim Floreen · 2015

A closeted president’s son is caught between a rogue AI attack and a new boy at school who may not be human.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: closeted teen · gay protagonist · nerdy teen · robotics geek · shy protagonist · anxious protagonist · depressed protagonist · suicidal ideation · self-deprecating protagonist · president character · angsty teen · eccentric boy · Shakespeare geek · AI antagonist · sympathetic villain · supportive best friend · protective family pressure

Relationships labels: m/m romance · first love · secret relationship · closeted relationship · father-son conflict · best friends · romantic distrust · power imbalance · family secrecy

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1907

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Expeditions, Estimation, and Other Dangerous Pastimes

Lyn Gala · 2018 · Claimings

A human trader and his alien partner face lifespan, status, and cultural tensions on a spacefaring trade mission.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: protective lead · overprotective · stubborn · headstrong · caretaker Dom · cinnamon roll · translator · linguist · trader · leader · new human · new alien species · supportive community · character growth · trauma recovery · healing journey · competent outsider · wise elder

Relationships labels: MM romance · D/s relationship · power exchange · dom/sub dynamic · bonded pair · partnership · protection · possessive devotion · communication · cross-species romance · chosen family · friendship · mentorship · family tension

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1924

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Walking on Glass

Iain Banks · 2012

Three apparently separate lives in London and a surreal castle edge toward a strange, unsettling convergence.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: young artist · art student · paranoid man · delusional outsider · road worker · labourer · warrior · prisoner · female prisoner · enigmatic woman · aloof love interest · eccentric friend · impulsive · passive · obsessive · weak-willed · paranoid · mentally ill · bitter · irascible · naive · unreliable perception · morally ambiguous

Relationships labels: unrequited love · man-woman relationship · romantic obsession · infatuation · friendship · eccentric friendship · power imbalance · captivity bond · adversarial pair · quasi-lovers · manipulation · betrayal · dependency

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1927

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Earth Boys Are Easy

C. Rochelle · 2025 · Villains in Space

A overlooked superhero and a morally gray alien mercenary get stuck together in space and fall hard amid danger and kinks.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: idiots in love · morally gray love interest · sunshine hero · grumpy love interest · possessive · protective · bratty · supportive · softie · brash · smart · competent · curious · engineer · bounty hunter · mercenary · superhero · alien mercenary · babygirl · space daddy · black cat energy · golden retriever energy · trauma · abandonment issues · daddy issues · commitment issues · people pleaser · overlooked sibling · genius

Relationships labels: MM romance · best friends with benefits · situationship to relationship · mates · fated mates · forced proximity · only one bed · one sleeping pod · possessive relationship · protective partnership · unspoken feelings · miscommunication · pining · mutual obsession · trust · supportive pairing · reconciliation

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1933

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Undone

Alessandra Hazard · 2025 · The Wrong Alpha

Two best-friend alphas on an off-world mission are forced into a dangerous intimacy that reshapes their bond forever.

Why this is here

Characterization labels: best friends · alphas · possessive · obsessive · restless · vulnerable · soft-hearted · green flag · selfish · pushy · horny · protective · mature

Relationships labels: friends to lovers · best friends · secret relationship · power imbalance · possessive love · mutual obsession · jealousy · dependency · bonded pair · found family · family support · mother-son · siblings · engagement

Semantic match: ranked by characterization + relationships

Distance: 0.1934

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