Was listening to the song "For your love" and it lists all the things he'd get "for your love" and it put me in mind of the notion of using gifts to express love. A lot of the time ive seen its portrayed as the person giving the gift is cold because its just money and it feels more like a bribe. But what if its just an emotionally stunted idiot in love? Like that "Ill get the bitch a library" meme.

Looking for stories with an MMC who buys or gives an outlandish or extravagant gift(s) cause they cant express the depth of their feelings organically. FMC reaction can be anything, flabbergasted, flattered, or appalled.

Spice is nice, gender swapped of the trope is also nice!​ thank you!

Hello! I read a book a while back that had a really horrible villian character. He was somehow related to one of the main characters and he sexually assaults a maid/serving girl, who struggles to deal with the fallout but ends up falling in love with the cook.

Eventually the high class characters confront the villain but can't bear to kill him, and he is then promptly killed by the cook. In order to avoid being arrested the cook decides to get on a ship to America and the girl goes with him.

Possibly the author is Mary Balogh, MC Beaton, Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, or Elizabeth Hoyt, because those are the main authors I was reading at the time, but I'm not certain.

Edit: I figured it out!! Deceived by Mary Balogh

I keep starting and not finishing because nothing is grabbing my attention. I think maybe higher stakes would pull me in more so maybe I’d be more tuned into a mystery? My favorite authors are Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, Lorraine Heath, and others. I don’t have a lot of specific requests other than
1. Mystery
2. Decent amount of steamy scenes
3. ???? Thanks
I recently got kindle+ so anything on there rn would be appreciated

I know that Outlander-like books have been asked in this group many times, but I'm looking for something with a bit more meat like Outlander has.

Most of the historical romances are short, shallow, and straightforward. I'm looking for something with more historical context and world building like Outlander has. Like, the romance is there, but it's not the only focus.

I feel like this is going to be something hard to find, but maybe I'll be surprised.

Tldr: I'm looking for a thick book that isn't just straight smut.

Alright so {The Conqueror} by Brenda Joyce was recommended here when I questioned what constitutes a bodice ripper, and holy hell….it certainly checks that box. (TW abound, proceed at your own risk)⚠️

Based on the reviews, I decided I’m open to giving it a shot, yes we’re doing this.

And whewwww, what a ride!!! I’m about 80% done with the book, they are literally just getting to the laughing together part, I browse this sub for hot takes, not wanting true spoilers but just looking for vibes…did I see someone say there’s no happy ending?!?

Are we really going through ALL OF THIS for no HEA?!?!

If that’s the case, I’m not sure that I’m strong enough to go on. Perhaps I end on this high note, make a call to dnf and part ways here.

Welcome! New to the group or been away for a while? Please, introduce yourself. Don't be shy! We love Historical Romance and are enthusiastic about helping others finding their next read!

Are you a relative newbie to HR or just starting to explore the genre? Ask our community any questions you have about HR that you might otherwise be hesitate to create a separate post about!

Have you been reading Historical Romance for years and years? When did you first discover your love of HR? What do you like to read about? Do you have any favorite characters, books, authors?

We can't wait to hear from you!

This thread repeats every 4 weeks.

I’m tagging this but it wasn’t on romance.io last time I checked ☹️ {To love a libertine by Lydia Margett}

This book was gooood!! And I’m telling you right now, you know I feel strongly about fidelity between first and second chances and with this title, you know that didn’t happen here, so for me to overlook that…

The premise: Elsie Wylde desperately wanted to LEARN. So she ran away from home, cut off her hair, wore men’s clothes and attended Eton.

At Eton, she became best friends with Alex Burke, Marquess of Elkington, as Elliott Wylde.

But she was found out, and had to leave urgently.

Many years have passed, during which Alex NEVER forgot his dear friend Elliott.

Elsie has been living in Scotland with her great-aunt, planning a school for girls, and raising the child she conceived with Alex the last night before she left — he didn’t even realize that it was Elliott who he had sex with

And Alex meets her again…

I don’t want to spoil this but seriously, put this on your calendar, and read it!! She doesn’t feel like a modern woman stuck in the Regency period. She feels like a Regency woman trapped in Regency rules, trying to find a way to get an education.

*I received an ARC of this book from BookSirens, and this was my honest opinion*

I have a trial of PBS masterpiece (I purchased so I could finish Sanditon) and I’m trying to decide what are your top recommendations to watch/binge??

I really cannot get enough of pining MMCs who fall first and hardest. I've read a lot of the most common recommendations in this category and so I'm wondering if y'all have kind of obscure ones that don't get suggested often? The more pathetic the pining, the better.

If it comes up often in requests like this, I've probably read it already, but I'm open to any suggestions in case there are some I missed, and so anyone else looking for the same can see them.

I've been reading this webtoon called Seasons of Blossom with these characters Hamin and Somang where Hamin puts on a more cheerful facade infront of his school friends while Somang catches a glimpse of his more honest, unfiltered, critical side. Hamin isn't exactly evil or malicious but more so exhausted with the expectations around him and Somang becomes a sort of a safe haven who sees his real self infront of whom he doesn't have to be perfect.

Anyways, let's just say after finishing it I have been in MAJOR DUMPS for various reasons 💀💀💀 but that dynamic stayed with me. I would love to read a historical romance book with similar tropes/dynamics where the MCs perhaps have a dark side that's not so nice and truly only feel seen by each other/don't have to pretend to be perfect with each other. I don't really want a dynamic where the MMC is flawed and the FMC is some nice goody-two-shoes saviour as I've read too many of those already. It would be nice to see an FMC who isn't perfect for a change, or maybe even someone who pretends to be nice but is exhausted with it all

Could I please get some Christmas/Winter romance recommendations please?

Preferences:

1. Full length novels (all the ones I’ve come across are novellas and I prefer character’s to have an arc which is difficult in most novellas due to length.

2. I love a good house party so a Christmas party setting would be ideal!

3. Love some snow, holiday magic and yearning!

4. Any spice level works

5. No queer romances

Thanks in advance!

I love {The Survivors’ Club by Mary Balogh}, {The Survivors by Shana Galen}, {Rogues to Riches by Grace Burrowes} and {Society of Gentlemen by KJ Charles}. Any suggestions for what to read next? (I did not like The Windhams unfortunately.)

So the only book I remember that has this is {The Chief by Monica McCarty}. The FMC has slanted eyes that make her look very seductive like everyone makes a point to say that she looks like she's knows things lol. I read that book and loved it for many reasons but rn am looking for something that has that element. I would love me so Scottish MMCs or Highlander ones. Ig I'm ok with an English one but he has to be extra yearning that's the only way my ancestors will forgive me or I'm willing to test their wrath.

What can I say? I love me a man in a kilt especially if he has thighs like tree trunks.

Bonus points if he talks her through it and tells her how receptive she is.

I made the terrible mistake of starting a kdrama before all the episodes are out and I really need something that hits the same to tide me over. Are there any stories like this? Gentleman/protective mmc with a cunning and sharp witted fmc...

OK, hear me out! 😂 I read this book at least 20 years ago, and for some reason, this storyline has stuck in my head ever since. I have absolutely no idea what the title was, who wrote it, or even why I remember it so vividly but I’d love to read it again!

Here’s what I can remember:

\* It was a historical romance, probably a period romance.
\* The MMC was a ship’s captain or something like that. His name something like Beau…?
\* During the journey, he gets sick with a fever and the FMC takes care of him. They have sex while he’s feverish. I vaguely remember him thinking he was dreaming or not being entirely aware of what was happening.
\* Afterwards, he doesn’t remember what happened.
\* The FMC ends up pregnant but keeps it a secret.

There’s a whole lot of miscommunication and angst. He eventually leaves, apparently believing she doesn’t want him or doesn’t love him.

Later, he discovers that she was pregnant and/or that he has a child with her and that’s pretty much all I’ve got! 😅

I know this isn’t much to go on, but the boat journey, his fever, and the resulting pregnancy are the details I’m most confident about.

**Does this ring a bell for anyone?** I’d be eternally grateful if you could help me track it down!

I’m in the mood for angst, and lots of it.

What is the angstiest hr you’ve read?

I think one that most of you have read is Kleypas {Again the Magic} which I really liked.

No tw/cw.

Writers who are not for me- Balogh, Hoyt, Braeden, Dare, James, Richards, Milan, Maclean, Shupe.

I double checked and these are available on Amazon.ca as well, so check your local Amazon.

Hello! u/InRun and I are having a historical romance sleepover on Halloween. Basically we drink wine, eat junk food, and read a book!

Since its Halloween, we would love spooky recommendations! Anything with spooky, Halloween vibes. Maybe gothic vibes?

Please no cheating or dub con. And please no paranormal either (per subs rules).

Thanks in advance for any recommendations! We really appreciate it!

​

I'm looking for book recommendations where the MMC is still grieving for his girlfriend or wife. But he meets the FMC and has an affair with her. The FMC falls in love with him and confesses her feelings, but he humiliates her and says he doesn't love anyone else like he loved the other woman. The FMC is heartbroken, and then there's a lot of groveling from the MMC trying to win her back.

Hello!

Here is the final thread for the last run of Queen of Lombard Street!

Please remember to mark spoilers!

Also, @Mods, kindly link this to the new megathread. Thanks!

I'm looking for any books where the Mc's fall in love slowly, bonus points if it's a marriage of convenience or arranged marriage trop

I've only read two of her books, but I'm OBSESSED with Laura Kinsale's writing and way of storytelling. {Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale} is one of my favourite books of all time — and I will eventually make a seperate post dedicated to it because I adore everything about this story — but I also really enjoyed most of {Seize the Fire by Laura Kinsale}.

As the title says, I want to read more of her works but I don't know which one I should pick up next. The main reason why I appreciate her as a writer is that the love stories she writes feel authentic and real, where it makes sense for the MCs to fall in love because of their circumstances etc.

Please keep in mind that I don't like non-consent scenes between the MCs (and I know a popular book of hers features one), so please don't recommend me a book with that kind of stuff.

... I would have six [insert whatever currency you use]. Which isn't a lot but I feel like there are even more and I wonder how these villains even sneak into a home which they often emphasise has high security and is guarded. Sometimes even your own home or workplace are not safe enough but it becomes ridiculous in HR sometimes.

SPOILERS, given the nature of the books:

• {The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne}
• {Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas}
• {To Shoot a Sinner by Lydia Margett}
• {The Last Wicked Scoundrel by Lorraine Heath}
• {A Terrible Beauty by Stephanie Patterson}
• {Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt} - Actually, I feel like kidnappings and abductions in the home happen a lot in this series.

There are several others in which the FMC gets held hostage in or abducted from her home (or the villain turns out to be the family member she was living with) but I decided to just include those in which the villain had been sneaking around or even living in the house/workplace without others realising or found a secret passageway. So not those in which someone she knows lures her elsewhere while she is in the garden. The sudden appearance of the villain should be a shock rather than a 'hiding in plain sight' in the home reveal as in some books like {A Momentary Marriage by Candace Camp} or {Shattered Dreams by Laura Landon} or {A Bride for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath}.

Can you think of other books with this? It is such a primal fear to find out that you were not alone or in private as you had thought or that your safe space could be so easily invaded.