We Don’t Break, We Bend by LyricalKris
The first rec I have for you is called We Don’t Break, We Bend by LyricalKris. This story is incredibly dark and sad, delving deeply into issues that most of us don’t want to acknowledge even exist. I DO NOT recommend this one for the faint of heart or those who have suffered physical or sexual abuse.
The story opens with an adolescent Jasper finding himself in the care of his abusive father after his mother dies. The outwardly charismatic James Whitlock is nothing like he seems. His mercurial moods are impossible to predict and Jasper becomes the primary target of his anger. Soon, James realizes that he can gain extra money by becoming a foster parent. Edward Masen and Bella Swan are placed with him, following terrible events in both of their own lives. All fighting their past demons, the three kids must learn to protect each other while living under James’ iron fist. Fast-forward to high school when years of physical and mental abuse have culminated and almost broken them. Over time James has become a bigger threat than ever, welcoming scum into his home and allowing the abuse to escalate. How will these beautiful and bruised teenagers get over the insurmountable hurdle in their lives and finally break free before they break down?
First and foremost, I applaud LyricalKris for being strong enough and brave enough to share this story with the rest of us. So many stories out there do not delve into the deep and nitty-gritty realities of life. So many stories are light and happy, where the biggest issues between characters revolve around differing backgrounds. This story consists of brutal truths that exist all over the world today. Written by an author who has suffered from abuse herself, there is a quiet triumph here.
You may be asking yourself why I would recommend this story if it is so dark. Don’t let the subject matter distract you from the fact that it is so well-written that it pulls you in. You keep reading just to see justice play out. While graphic and disturbing, this story tells a beautiful message of hope. You will feel so much for these three lost souls that your heart will bleed right along with them. Any author who can make you feel this kind of empathy is truly talented. The bottom line is that I strongly caution the faint of heart. However, if you can take the journey through this one, you will be well rewarded.
Summary: When the man who’s supposed to love them hurts them, and the people who are supposed to save them won’t listen, it falls on their shoulders to not just survive, but save each other.
Have you read We Don’t Break, We Bend? Click HERE to rate the story.
The Best I Ever Had by WhatsMyNomDePlume
Next up I bring you The Best I Ever Had by WhatsMyNomDePlume. This is one of the wittiest, snarkiest, funniest stories that I’ve read in a really long time. It’s fairly short and just freakin’ brilliant.
Edward and Bella have been bestest friends for several years. He teases her, and she irritates him, but it’s all in good fun. They talk about everything — their dates, their jobs, and their close circle of friends. One night something changes and they wind up sharing an unbelievable night of passion. The big question is whether or not they can remain best friends and still be something more.
Here is a small sample of the snappy back and forth that Edward and Bella’s relationship consists of. The snark and banter continue throughout the entire story and made me laugh out loud more than once.
“Yeah, what the fuck are jeggings?”
“Jean leggings”
He looks confused for a second. “Aren’t those just jeans?”
“No, they’re really tight—and sort of stretchy.”
“Again, aren’t those just jeans?”
I shake my head. “Don’t bother, you wouldn’t get it.”
He nods. “You’re right. I wouldn’t. Because I don’t have a vagina and therefore do not understand terms like that. Of course, you know that, as of two nights ago.”
“Are you saying that before two nights ago, it’s feasible that I could have thought you had a vagina?
He frowns. “Yeah, I didn’t think that comment through.”
The main body of the story is written in Bella’s POV, but tossed in throughout are snippets of Edward’s POV as he recalls the main event that changed everything. The way his thoughts are written, it’s like there is no one else in the world except Bella. His POV is poetic, beautiful and so very sweet. Take a look:
I repeat the action, this time with my tongue, and you gasp again, and your body shifts, making me wonder what ways I can touch you to make other noises, make your body do other things. I can make you gasp if I do this. Can I make you sigh if I do this there? Can I make you swear if I do that? Make your back arch and you skin sweat and make you shake and scream if I keep on doing it?�
It occurs to me that hearing your noises, touching you in parts that you don’t show, wanting you under, over, around me – that may be finally crossing the line. We’re not friends anymore.
I don’t know about you, but I want this Edward to by MY best friend. 
This story is very light, fairly fluffy, and has virtually no angst. This one makes you utter that totally contented sigh at the end and grin from ear to ear. Well written and funny…total win.
Summary: Sex between friends complicates everything. Bella knows this. But she has no idea how much more Edward is going to complicate things.
Have you read The Best I Ever Had? Click HERE to rate the story.
So that’s it ladies! Thanks for reading and let me hear from you about your favorite light or dark fics. See you next week.
These are great recs, EiaV. The first one is completely new to me, but sounds right up my alley, being the total angsth00r that I am. I have TBIEH bookmarked and, although I do love the dark ones, sometimes you need something lighter just for a break and your rec has definitely made me want to move this one up my TBR list.
As an angsth00r I do, of course, have a lot of dark fics on my list, so it’s hard to chose one to rec. However, one of my favourites is “Expectations & Other Moving Pieces”. It’s so sad, but is exceptionally well-written. It has been incredibly slow to update, but the author is getting there, I think, and it’s well worth bookmarking if you want to wait until it’s complete.
Summary: Everything I had done in my life seemed to lead up to this moment. The moment when I found myself bound inextricably to a man I didn’t love, trapped in a life I didn’t want. And if I left him, I would be entirely alone.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5440859/1/
I want to apologise to anyone who was looking for a complete fic and checked out my rec from last week, “Lust on a Deathbed”. I was part way through it at the time and the author had said it was complete – unfortunately, it may be complete on her PC but it’s far from complete on FFn and she hasn’t posted a new chapter for six weeks, leaving it at a fairly critical point. So I’m sorry for misleading you.
Thanks for the great recs. Don’t worry about last week’s rec, as we all run into those issues from time to time.
I just bookmarked E&OMP. I’m a total angsth00r too. I love the deep dark ones, and just sprinkle a light one in so I don’t end up depressed as hell. LOL
I’ve had this story on my list for quite some time. After your rec, now I’m anxious for it to complete.
I was going to start Lust on a Deathbed, but I think I’ll wait. There is nothing more I hate than getting totally immersed in a story and then have it stop. That happened to me with The Harder They Fall by Ironictwist. I read 50 some chapters, yes 50 and then she hasn’t updated for 3 fricking months. I am so pissed….I loved the story, but now I’ll have to re-read alot, since the memory is not so good these days! LOL. My point here before I got sidetracted was that I effing love E&OMP. Ima angst hoor, so right up my alley. Can’t wait for the next update!
On a lighter note, I loved “Renfield & Chiclets” by Katinki, one of my very favourite authors, and a writer better known for her darker fics, such as “An Angry Man” and “Night Must Fall” (two more fantastic stories). R&C is a big departure from these and is really funny, with a deliciously nerdy and unknowingly sexy Edward and a feisty, strong (and kinky) Bella. Great lemons, and it’s complete.
Summary: Edward Cullen, PhD: brilliant, nerdy, mildly attractive, and obsessed with Blood and Vampires. Oh, and pervertedly horny. Join him as he searches for Ms. Right. AH/Severely OOC/Very M
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5475870/1/
Oooohhh Liz…I’ve had R&C on my list for a long time. Now I have to read it ASAP. That looks great. It reminds me of one called “Mr. Horrible” by algonquinrt in which Bella is this loud, quirky, sexy, snarky, free spirit, and Edward a quiet, rich businessman. Hilarity ensues.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4953962/1/Mr_Horrible
Well, if you’re recing this, I might have to go back and give it another try. Honestly, I stopped reading it about 1/3 into it. I liked it at first (yes on the hot lemons), but after awhile I felt it was too heavy on lemons and too light on plot and character development. Some might consider that to be the definition of a “light story,” but I think you can have a light story and still have plot/characterization. But you and I usually agree on fics, FluffyLiz, so I might give it another try.
I know what you mean about R&C, Loving40s, and tend to agree – I think Katinki just set out to write something smutty, but then found herself investing more in the characters. If you read about 1/3 of it then you probably stopped just as the characters started to get more interesting and, as a consequence, the story became a little more plot driven. It’s certainly no Wide Awake or MotU, but it is what I would call an enjoyable romp.
I will go back and try too. I did the same as loving 40′s, but I love An Angry Man so I know she can really write great characters.
Oh, good, I’m glad I’m not the only one who felt that way. I’ve seen it praised so much that sometimes I feel like a lit snob! But Fluffyliz, good to know that maybe I quit too soon. I may revisit it. LOL
I’ve had that on my list….I love Katinki’s writing….I hope to get to it someday!
Oh FluffyLiz, I know you and I share I love for Kate (katinki) her stuff is so good. I just adored R&C – I can’t remember now, but I am sure it was maybe the 4th or 5th twific I read, and I have read it about 3 times now
I love Renward… he is adorkable.
I can’t wait for Night Must Fall and An Angry Man to be complete – I have been reading these as WIP’s for over a year now..
Hey Gang!
Just a fast little post to say I LOVED ‘The Best I Ever Had’…great rec EdwardisaVilf!
Hope everybody has a wonderful Sinday, I promise to come with a rec one of these days…hope to start reading again soon, I miss my ff so much!
xo~
Oh no smitten! Did something terrible happen to your kindle, or are you just super busy?
*sigh* “Once Upon a Saturday” just completed, so those worried about reading it can come out from behind the sofa now. So good, and I’m so going to miss Pennyward.
OMG…I didn’t know she was writing a sequel to Fridays at Noon! Yippee! I do love me some Pennyward.
I haven’t heard of this one. I must go check it out. Your sigh was like a signal that angst is afoot.
OMG! You haven’t read Fridays at Noon. Shame on me, your partner, for not telling you about it. I read it about a month or so ago and it is one of my very favorites now. Read my review here: http://twific.net/?p=3548
Ok, OK…..going to read it as soon as I’m done with Through the Flames
Oops, I see I goofed and didn’t log out as fichoors when I posted above…that’s my admin name. But as you can see from the pic, it’s me, loving40s. hahaaa
Me! Me! Me! I’m the one anxiously waiting f/it to be complete! LOL
Good Sinday angelz h00rs! Quick drive by for I soon will hv people for lunch at home, yeah I made some codfish tarte *yummy* but I promise (or threat?) to come back later!
Meanwhile…in the dark dpt I wld strongly rec’d (again) Feisty Y. Beden’s Sleepers, Awake & Good Night Noises Everywhere, the old but very good quothme’s Awake in the Infinite Cold (who hasn’t read it? *crying*) and 22blue’s Ultio (*sobbing*).
Lighter dpt? Huh…lemme see…adorablecullens’ The Mirrors (love me some Teddy), closettwilight1′s Angel in the Attic, 107YOV’s Eight Days a Week (love me some Daddyward!)…oops, my guest arrived!
TTYL!!!
Hi!!!! Welcome back. Thanks for the great recs. You can head over to the library to rate these fics if you feel so inclined. Look forward to seeing you back soon. Hope your lunch is delicious and fun!
Yes, Awake in the IC is very good, but freakin’ heartbreaking. I always warn people it is not an HEA. That may be a spoiler, but damn…people should be warned about that shit. I can’t handle non-HEAs.
Several you mentioned are new to me, so thanks for the recs.
I simply cannot read Awake in the Inifinite Cold. I know what the story it’s all about and I just can’t read it. I love angst, but I can only take so much.
I’m actually reading a pretty dark fic right now, but I’m only about 1/3 into it, so I can’t rec it yet. The writing is superb, but the jury is still out on the plot. It’s intriguing me enough to keep reading, but it will depend on which way she takes it whether or not I “buy” into it. The story is called The Hunter. Has anybody read it? IF it passes the mustard, I might review it here for TwiFics Picks.
Story link: http://www.twilighted.net/viewstory.php?sid=4754
If you’ve read it, will you pretty please review it here: http://twific.net/?p=2847
It seems I may need to read The Hunter as well. There are just soooooo many good ones out there and not enough hours in the day.
My light fic rec is Strange Brew by Magnolia822, one of my favorite authors. You can read my review of it here:
http://twific.net/?p=3438
OMNG loving!!! Hunter is one of the best! You’ll love it…hum…there’s a light at the end of the tunnel…k, I’ll try and review it! Mwahs!
Oh, really? That’s good to know…I just can’t figure out where she’s going to go with it and how she’s going to make me like the protagonist. But she’s definately got me intrigued.
I know he seems really unlikeable and pretty scary to start with, but I guarantee you will change your mind about him.
Ok, back fr lunch, guest are gone…and just had a heads up fr one of my angels that suzy55 has already taken down The Caged Bird Sings fr ff and is about to do it any moment now fr her blog…it’s one of the lovelier B&E stories (though it may not seems in the beginning!). Here:
http://suzie55.blogspot.com/p/caged-bird-sings.html.
Oh Loving, Strange Brew is fantastic! After all, Magnolia IS fantastic!
And EiaV, The Best I Ever Heard is on my TBR list, so…I think I shld give it a go! Also, fluffy, R&C by katinki…
This week I was cleaning my fave’s list (just found out Dead on My Feet is gone aww…and I came across a R&K fic. Now, I know many don’t feel like reading RPF but…if you wanted to check…it’s not that normal ‘K-fell-in-love-with-Rob’ type, and there are 3 chaps, 21, 23 and 39 that are splendidly (sp?) written.
http://shadow-walker3.livejournal.com/34303.html
Sista, I reckon ‘xpread’ is a funny nick so if you feel like calling me ‘Muse’, go ahead!
I wish you all a wonderful (end of) day and a f*cktastic week!
Let me just gave you the links to my rec’s:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5118949/1/Sleepers_Awake_Wachet_auf_ruft_uns_die_Stimme
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5650508/1/Goodnight_Noises_Everywhere
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5407229/1/bUltio_b
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4971734/1/The_Mirrors
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5678024/1/bAngel_b_in_the_bAttic_b
http://107yearoldvirgin.blogspot.com/p/my-stories.html
I absolutely loved Ultio. Very, very dark Edward. Dark and violent story. By the last third of the story Edward had changed. The ending blew me away. I cried so hard.
Hey, I read Angel in the attic and it started really strong, but just kind of petered out. For me, it felt really rushed. What are your thoughts on the ending?
*waves* My favorite dark story would have to be Incubus Anomaly by elusivetwilight. Very dark and the ending….fit the story perfectly…If you haven’t read it I strongly recommend. It’s probably in the database, so I’ll go give it a rec. Here’s the link:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5544988/1/Incubus_Anomaly
Incubus: a sex demon that visits women in the deep dark of the night. Edward relies on his special gifts to consume his prey. What happens when he meets the one woman immune to his unique abilities? M for dark lemons and dark themes
Twilight – Rated: M – English – Romance/Angst – Chapters: 28 – Words: 169,855 – Reviews: 5692 – Updated: 11-15-10 – Published: 11-29-09 – Edward & Bella – Complete
For a light fic I recommend Drizls Game On Baby. I laughed all through this story!
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5626218/1/Game_On_Baby
Everyone’s read this one, right??
Thanks for the recs EdwardisVILF! The first one is totally new to me and sounds really dark. I’m adding to the list. I read the Best I Ever Had. It was soooo good! Speaking of FF, I gotta go catch up on all my updates today.
Mwah!
Hi Ladies!
How are you all? I love Sinday *sigh*..
EdwardisaVILF – great recs, I can thoroughly recommend The Best I Ever Had – great story, and one I will definitely re-read. I have not read the other story, so it goes on my list
I have read a LOAD of stories this week, and I have found some little gems – but first of all, thanks to kelbel75 for last weeks’ rec One For The Money by dqwhit19 – that was just fabulous!!
Now I rec’d some of these stories over at RA earlier in the week, but I will re-rec..
First up is a *complete* story I Hate You with an Insurmountable Passion by Crittab http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5445513/1/ this is a relatively short story (about 56k words) Summary: Bella Swan would like to think she truly hates Edward Cullen. Of course, that’s what makes sex with him so damn fun. E/B, All Human, AU. Rated a hard M for Lemons. This was a such a fun read – it is not fluff per se, but just juicy fun!
The next story I LOVED this week was a one shot I stumbled across in an authors favourites list.. I am sure quite a few of you have probably already read this – Love Song by elusivetwilight http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6222507/1/ – seriously, I had tears rolling down my cheeks reading this .. but I am a wuss – but this is the sort of story I just love so much.. Summary: She was his, and when he left, he took more than himself away from her. She never moved on, and lived a quiet anonymity; until one afternoon she turned on the radio, and heard her very own love song.
The story I just finished, and loved is called Just Forever by slambrini and has recently completed. http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7199418/1/Just_Forever Summary: Edward Cullen is a workaholic doctor, Bella’s an insecure high school teacher. One night without thinking leads to unexpected consequences but can they get their act together in time? This story only has about 500 odd reviews, but it really deserves more.. it is well written and if you are looking for something light and easy to read – and the lemons are really hot!
The next story is a one-shot I saw where the summary caught my eye.. I fear I have done this to my own husband, but he didn’t react like Edward.. this is pretty much smut – but hey, I love a smutty one shot, what can I say?? http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4598972/1/The_Comparison Summary: Bella makes a harmless comparison, but Edward takes it as a personal insult. What does he do to make her change her mind?
I hope you all have a great week ladies! AV oxox