I haven’t read Coleen Hoover, but I’ve handed out 5 star reviews to my trashy, guilty pleasure books before. Like if I read a book that really pulls me all the way through it, that’s a 5 star book imo. It can also apply for works of great literature that tell something powerful, but I’m not holding on to my 5 stars for the kind of books I read once a year or less frequently.

Murderbot Diaries, the Scholomance series, and the Saint of Steel books all get 5 stars in my goodreads

Same. Though I think it’s better for the author if you can pre-order the next book of theirs. Gets them more visibility on bestseller lists and the like. This is the best way I’ve found to assuage the feeling of guilt if I really loved a book I didn’t pay for

I do this sometimes to “pay it forward.” If read a book for free and loved it, I will happily buy a copy and put it in a little free library. I’m lucky to be in an area where there are ones on nearly every block. It takes a lot for a book to join my permanent collection, but I love adding more books to the world.

It’s worth pointing out that genre subreddits are incredibly welcoming and happy places to be in. I’ve asked questions in r/romancebooks as a 40yo man and gotten nothing but good vibes and recommendations. 99% of these walls are in our own heads and when we tear them down, we can meet people of all shapes, sizes, colors, and ages enjoying the same shit.

I think it’s good to ask the question sometimes and step outside your comfort zone from time to time but don’t sweat enjoying what you enjoy