I'm a reader. I'm also an author. I was a reader before I was an author. I can tell you all about my reading choices: my favorite authors in their genres, my favorite genres, etc.
What I can't tell you all about is the tastes of readers.
Let me start with authors. We all have our "pet" words. We can't help it. I'm not going to mention one of mine because now (if you haven't already) you'll notice it in every novel I write. I love the word because to me it "means" exactly how it sounds in every situation. But enough about that. However, without restriction of the overuse of certain words and phrases, as a reader I'm prone to shaking my head, rolling my eyes, and closing the book or Kindle in disappointment. When these words or phrases are used as frequently as every other paragraph, it shows to this author that whoever (if anyone) is doing the proofreading has failed to notice or bring it to the author's attention when any sharp reader will become acutely aware of the repetition and the laziness of being unable to find any other expressive descriptions to cover the action, reaction, or situation.
But then . . . the books keep selling, the good reviews keep showing up, and I can't help but wonder how other readers can ignore these same old, same old habitual and tedious repetitions.
Are they AI novels? Are they rough drafts? (Some of them have to be. Seriously.)
I understand there will be some repetitive character traits or expressions in series novels - to keep the character familiar. But some of those are not worth continuing when the character has been clearly established. And when "fists are clenched," "knuckles are white from gripping -fill in the blank", and "adrenaline creates a jolt, excitement, a boost, and runs through the bloodstream" ad nauseum, I'm so done with it.
My final complaint: the story is the same. I'll be the first to tell you that Solomon was correct: "There's nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) So when we as authors write a "new" story within the genre we choose, we acknowledge it's not going to be something that no one in this world has never heard of or experienced. And before I go on, I want to say we have to do something that's unique to us and our storytelling that will make the novel seem worthy of reading. And that, of course, is subjective and a matter of taste. But, when the story in the series seems to be exactly like the previous one using all those familiar phrases/terminology/images for the protagonist(s) and the antagonist(s), again: disappointing. Unimaginative. Offering nothing new from what started out to be enjoyable and entertaining.
But, again, there's just no telling what readers will choose.
Father, help me to be the one you designed me to be. And when I write, may each story you've given me provide something meaningful and unique to the readers you've given me. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.