I agree to a certain point like for example if the chapters are short the ratings tend to be around 8.8 or so..
BUT if it's 50++ chapters and the ratings is shit, it's probably shit (from lots of experience) lol.
The comments usually helps too like why the ratings are bad like "the uke gets abused and the seme shows no remorse" or sth like that.
I just read https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/a_trace_of_the_wonder/ and loved the scene where he's on his knees sm
Like nothing tastes better than a cold character lowering their pride and begging on their knees.
Heres another rec if ur interested in:
https://www.mangago.me/read-manga/a_proxy_painter/
Is there any romance at all?? There's a romance tag but I don't see them interracting as possible love interests. Is the blond guy the ML or is it the ex?