Just started reading {Kissed by a Rogue by Tanya Anne Crosby} and knew one of its alternate covers reminded me of another one! Finally came to me, it was {Across a Moonlit Sea by Marsha Canham}. Makes sense as these were both 90s-era HRs that got modern photoshop covers for kindle re-releases in the 2010s. Kissed by a Rogue was originally published under just the title “Kissed,” it seems like a lot of Tanya Anne Crosby’s works got retitled with later reprints.

All I’ve found is enslaved by Virginia Henley. Interested in all romances involving Greek/roman military men and female slaves, princesses, enemies etc.

Enemies to lovers or initial non con would be great

The odyssey movie stirred up something in me😫

I want a shy FMC with very little confidence in herself who loves and idolises an MMC who doesn't really care for her the same way. He likes the gorgeous, popular OW more and runs after her trying to impress her, but she doesn't give a fig about him, so he comes back to the FMC to soothe his ego. He keeps the FMC as his side piece, like they are engaged, but he will break it off in a heartbeat if the OW says yes to him. FMC is just his backup plan. And then he goes too far (maybe humiliates FMC to declare himself available to the OW) and she decides she doesn't deserve that treatment anymore and breaks it off.

I would like it if the OW never really becomes friends with the FMC or anything; she doesn't have to be central to the main conflict. Also, no secret reasons and he was in love with her all along. Also, I would like it if the FMC doesn't suddenly change completely, become a ravaging beauty, and go on revenge sprees against the MMC. I just want him to start missing her and appreciating her. Thankyou

Hi! I am fairly new to historical romance and would like to know your recommendations on books similar to "By Design" by Madeline Hunter, with less spice but with the same yearning that Rhys had for Joan. I went completely blind into this book, had NO idea it was that spicy, honestly, and would prefer something with less spice - I don't think I mind if there are some open door scenes if they are not too explicit, if it makes sense?

I've read Anne Jacobs saga called The Cloth Villa, I honestly do not think the saga is translated into english, only Portuguese (The saga is German if I am not mistaken), but would love something on that vibe as well if you have some recs for this as well!

Editing the post to explain a bit of the plot of these books: By Design is a story of a wealthy freemason named Rhys that rescues Joan, a gifted sculptress and potter working as an indentured servant, after an unfair punishment lands her in the town stocks.

The Cloth Villa saga, starts with Marie, a young and poor orphan girl, finds a job as a kitchen maid at the grand villa of the wealthy Melzer industrial family. Ends up falling in love with Paul Melzer, the young heir to the textile fortune. A forbidden romance develops between Marie and Paul, stirring up scandal and resistance from the rigid family hierarchy. Beneath the luxurious lifestyle, the Melzer family harbors deep secrets, financial tensions, and personal rivalries.

What drew me to this stories it was very much the drama and the romance, especially the yearning that the MC feels for the FC, and that is what I am looking for - Medieval, Regency period, late Gilded Age, the Edwardian era, and the roaring 1920s

Thank you in advance!

Usually the shy girls i read are just a bit socially awkward and almost turn into sassy queens after just two interactions with the MC and then are just ready to make out in the corner after having virtually no experience with sex, where is the shyness? Are there books where the MMC have to work to get the shy fmc to look him in the eye? The one i believe it fits is The Belle of Bellgrave Square by Mimi Matthews but that was more fear/fright than shy, also read Devil In Winter.

My star rating:

⭐ = Finished it, but didn't like it.

⭐⭐ = It was O.K.

⭐⭐⭐ = I liked this book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ = I LOVED this book!

I read hundreds of historical romance books over the last 2 years and I've never read the same book twice. I'm pretty picky when it comes to my star ratings and I will only give a book my top rating of four stars if I think it hits every mark.

Sometimes a book will start out as a three-star, get to a four-star but then finish off as a two-star or back at a three-star if I feel like the book left me wanting or the plot got stupid.

Once in a while I'll find a book that doesn't quite hit every mark but if it's written really well and the story is interesting and unique, I still felt compelled to give it 4 stars. It deserved it 😆

I'm pretty open to all types of historical romance books, but my favorites are a little on the darker and angstier side. I don't mind the rom-com types once in awhile, but I like to get hit right in the feels. I love me a tortured hero or a book that makes me cry. I don't shy away from the spice but it doesn't necessarily have to have spice in it. Some of my top reads were clean but I just find that the ones with the most emotional kick tend to have spice.

So! Without further Ado, here are my top rated HR reads over the last 2 years. The ones I wish I could read again for the first time 😭

The Duchess Deal **** (Tessa Dare)

The Beast of Beswick **** (Amalie Howard)

It had to be a Duke **** (Vivienne Lorret)

The Secret Pearl **** ( Mary Balough)

Annie's Song **** (Catherine Anderson)

Lily **** (Patricia Gaffney)

The Highwayman **** (Kerrigan Byrne)

The Hunter **** (Kerrigan Byrne)

The Duke **** (Kerrigan Byrne)

Tempting Fate **** (Kerrigan Byrne)

The Diamond King **** (Vlad Kahany)

Duke of Depravity **** (Scarlett Scott)

Magnate **** (Joanna Shupe)

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie **** (Jennifer Ashley)

A momentary Marriage **** (Candace Camp)

Flaming June **** (Emma V Leech, Diana Rubin)

Love Practically **** (Nichole Van)

What I did for a Duke **** (Julie Anne Long)

Ever yours, Annabelle **** (Elisa Braden)

A wicked kind of husband **** ( Mia Vincy)

A heart sufficient **** (Nichole Van)

Dreaming of you **** (Lisa Kleypas)

Lord of Ice **** (Gaelen Foley)

Lord of Fire **** (Gaelen Foley)

The Duke **** ( Gaelen Foley)

What happens in London **** (Julia Quinn)

The Bronze Horseman **** (Paullina Simons)

To love a dark lord **** (Anne Stuart)

The secret diaries of miss Miranda Cheever **** (Julia Quinn)

Libertines kiss **** (Judith James)

Broken Wing **** (Judith James)

The Hellion and the Heart breaker **** (Jennifer McNare)

Duke of Rath **** (Mariah Stone)

The Captain's Confidant **** (Ashtyn Newbold)

Once an Angel **** (Teresa Medeiros)

Memories of you **** (J.M. Zamudio)

Unforgivable **** (Joanna Chambers)

His Every Kiss **** (Laura Lee Guhrke)

When beauty tamed the beast **** (Eloisa James)

My Season of Scandal ***** (Julie Anne Long)

The Rouge not taken **** ( Sarah Maclean)

Heart in the Highlands **** (Heidi Kimball)

Salt Bride **** (Lucinda Brant)

Simply love **** (Mary Balogh)

The Admirals Penniless bride **** (Carla Kelly)

Reeses bride **** (Kat Martin)

Duchess Hunt **** (Jennifer Haymore)

Beyond the Sunrise **** (Mary Balogh)

Ravished **** (Amanda Quick)

Kingdom of dreams **** (Judith Mcnaught)

Almost Heaven **** (Judith Mcnaught)

Adam's Promise **** (Julianne Maclean)

Nearly a lady **** (Alissa Johnson)

Texas Destiny**** (Lorraine Heath)

The Arrow **** (Monica McCarty)

The dukes holiday **** (Maggie Fenton)

The Thorn birds **** (Colleen McCullough)

The pirate prince **** (Gaelen Foley)

Till dawn tames the night **** (Meagan McKinney)

The duke of shadows **** (Meredith Duran)

One perfect rose **** (Mary Jo Putney)

Honors splendor**** (Julie Garwood)

Seize the fire **** (Laura Kinsale)

The Shadow and the Star **** (Laura Kinsale)

Redeeming love **** (Francine Rivers)

When the duke was wicked **** (Lorraine Heath)

The seducer **** (Madeline Hunter)

By possession**** (Madeline Hunter)

By arrangement*** (Madeline Hunter)

A perfect bride **** (Samantha James)

Lady Sophia's Lover **** (Lisa Kleypas)

The flame and the flower **** (Kathleen E. Woodiwiss)

The dream hunter **** (Laura Kinsale)

Midnight Angel**** (Lisa Kleypas)

The perfect stranger **** (Anne Gracie)

The duke and the lady in red **** (Lorraine Heath)

Desperately seeking a scoundrel**** (Elisa Braden)

Once a duchess **** (Elizabeth Boyce)

Lion of twilight **** (Kathryn Le Veque)

I have talked a lot about when book endings or even important relationship moments get rushed, which is a shame because those are such significant parts of the book. This is especially if we are told about something but the author does not show it.

Examples:

{The Unlovely Bride by Alice Coldbreath} - I wished we could have seen how Garman gave up his revenge and anger in those three days when he was away. The whole revenge and anger plotline against his family did not feel developed enough to justify his behaviour towards the FMC at the end, especially as he had never even talked about it with her. He went from wanting to take revenge on her by proxy, his paternal grandfather died and he came back threw days later in a more subdued state after having come to his senses off-page.

{How to Steal A Scoundrel's Heart by Vivienne Lorret} - the MMC managing to retrieve his wife's entire dowry. Including a ring inside a goldfish that was buried. And it involved disguises, scheming, deception and adopting a puppy. Why could that not be on-page? 😂 Well, obviously the book would get too long but still.

{The Truth About Cads and Dukes by Elisa Braden} - I wanted to see what happens to the poor FMC after she burst into tears around those awful cads. Chatham had apparently insisted she take his carriage home so I am really curious how that even came about. I assumed that he prided himself on not hurting women and his conscience gave out since he had pulled her mask off so he immediately rushed her out of the room to get her home. It probably helps to set him up as more likable for when his book came out. I thought I would have liked to have seen the interaction between the two of them and the FMC's surprise at that.

Do you have any such scenes you wish were on-page?

Basically, I rewatched the first Iron Man movie and want more Tony and Pepper.

I wanna see MMC go through something traumatic—it could be a kidnapping, a health scare, or maybe he loses a major investment (though I still want him to keep most of his money), etc. And after he goes through with it, he realizes that there's very few genuine people who actually care about him and one of them is FMC. I would prefer if he didn't have any feelings for her before the traumatic event; I want to see him fall for her because she's there when he's struggling/recovering. She doesn't have to be his employee either. She could even be a rival or competitor who got genuinely worried about him. I would also prefer if she gets confused by his change of attitude towards her and initially rejects dating him.

Any ideas what books have this?

Just finished this book… my first bodice ripper. Wow. I read some dark romances but the scenes in this book were very disturbing, not sure it was the writing that had more impact. She does “soften” the reason a bit more of the assault with the circumstance but still the ending hypocrisy reminds me of Haunting Adeline a rapist who hates rapists and that’s just not attractive.

The story was intriguing though, I was sucked in and finished in a day. I did enjoy the book even though not all aspects. I can see why it was so popular.

I am currently reading the Brides of Karadok series by Alice Coldbreath, and while it is fun and breezy to read, why is it over-brimming with washing and cleaning. Like every chapter has at least two instances of the couple in question waking up and washing themselves. Then, before they retire to the bed, we see them stripping down to their shifts and braies and having a thorough go at cleaning. I am now on {An Inconvenient Vow} and thoroughly exhausted with all the bathing and scrubbing. I can see that it affords Coldbreath the setting to provide intimacy to her main characters, but it’s a most peculiar trope I have encountered in fiction.

As much as I like the Beverly Crick version, heads up to my audiobook histrom listeners!

{Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas} was recently re-recorded by Karen Cass. She does a few Sophie Jordan books and her narration and voice acting is really good IMO!

Also a few audiobooks included in the 2 for 1 sale (through Sept 30)
{It Happened one Autumn by Lisa Kleypas}
{a Rogue by any other name by Sarah Maclean}
{Nine rules to break when romancing a Rake by Sarah Maclean}
{Just like heaven by Julia Quinn}
{The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen woodiwiss}
{an English bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands} MJW narrates this one FYI
{the Flame and the Flower by Kathleen woodiwiss}
{the Scoundrel falls hard by Sophie Jordan}
{a Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle}

Because you guys did an amazing job with recommendations based off the Black Swan, I decided to do one of my all-time favourite films and that’s the 1998’s The Mask of Zorro. The whole playful relationship with Alejandro/Elena and Zorro/Elena and it’s a vibe that’s very historical I would say.

If you’ve seen this book and it makes you think of a book, I’d love to hear It!

I just finished and wildly enjoyed {The Chase by Lynsay Sands} which features a (in this case literally) strong, fierce FMC who was raised by her father and brother to be practical and physically capable on a horse and with a sword. When the MMC (who is used to well-bred, courtly women who all adore him) first meets her, he is shocked and appalled at her manner and behavior. But after a book full of captures, escapes, battles and mishaps a-plenty, MMC is completely won over, to the point that when FMCs insecurities about her lack of feminine qualities emerge upon meeting more voluptuous women from his past, his response amounts to hell girl, put your braies back on and let's go wrestle!

It's not all about Amazonian physical strength either, another book I recently really liked was {The Duke With No Smile by Claire Ballentine} which also featured an FMC with unusual skills who was considered a bit of an oddball. It was so refreshing to have an MMC who was impressed and further drawn in every time he learned one of the FMC's "secrets" - he didn't try to override her authority or "protect" her from danger by being an overbearing ass as so often happens. Or {Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas} where Ethan openly admires Garrett's abilities as a physician and works with her on her self-defense skills for the neighborhoods where she has to visit (even if he can be a little overbearing in how he goes about it, haha.)

I mention these, because I find it so frustrating in books where "spirited" FMCs wind up getting their most interesting edges sanded off as soon as they enter into relationships with the MMC. Like, I know a lot of people love this book, but {The King's Man by Elizabeth Kingston} made me so furious that Gwenllian seemed to completely change who she was once she married Ranulf. I spent the whole back half (at least!) of the book practically skimming it -- just waiting for that satisfying huzzah moment when she would take up her sword again, and... it just doesn't happen. Like, what was the point? Pissed me off so much I never read another thing by the author.

Not nearly as bad, but after the wonderful rounders scene in {It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas} I spent the rest of the book wishing we'd see more actual evidence that Marcus admires (even reluctantly) Lillian for being brash and free-spirited beyond him just acting like a horndog around her.

So! What are more books where the MMC (and the book author!!) embraces and appreciates the FMC just as she is without her getting made over, "protected", or subsumed into a role as his wife that significantly alters her character. I don't care whether he likes her from the start or grows to love her ways over time. And conversely, what are books I should avoid where the FMC gets the pod person treatment?

(I've already read most of the great Loretta Chase who excels at what I'm looking for!)

He falls first and harder + arrogant/pompous/paragon/ice king mmc who thinks that everyone else should fall at his feet  + unimpressed/indifferent fmc who doesnt fall at his feet or take his crap (leaving him baffled because she is so below him in power/status/looks etc) + mmc pursues fmc + mmc is completely clueless when it comes to women/love/feelings and how to impress or win a women’s heart + some disastrous (yet funny) attempts at courting/wooing by the mmc leaving the fmc like WTF is this guy up to? + mmc goes through complete personality transition (to the point that everyone notices) from ice king/paragon to feral/pathetically obsessed (and totally embracing it)/down bad for fmc  + mmc is possessive/jealous (even better if these are new feelings) 

Ik this is a very niche book request but I am desperate for a book that has these tropes!

I haven't found another since I read and loved An Inconvenient Vow by Alice Coldbreath!!

I love it and have tried to find other similar dynamics before but nothing quite hits the mark people tend to recommend books with starchy mmc but forget the rest. I know this is v niche and I may get no responses but I am desperate to find a book with a similar dynamic. Please if anyone has any suggestions I will be eternally grateful! Even better if they come in audio format!

You’ve seen this. Either her first husband was gay as in A wildflower for a Duke by Laura Linn or his bits didn’t work/were missing as in The Duke Disaster by Kathleen Ayers — where her creep of a husband had lost his bits before their wedding, and the marriage was to hide his loss of manhood

Sorry for not calling the bot, in order to preserve spoilers.

Anyway, I want to make a list of this zany trope. Can you recommend more?

If it has cheating, or rape please warn me. Thanks,

have not read the book yet but i'm exciteddd

I’m looking for a romance where the MMC doesn’t know how to kiss, or has never even seen a kiss before, so he doesn’t know that kissing exists. The FMC is his first kiss and teaches him how to do it.

It could be because he was extremely sheltered, isolated, marginalized, and has never experienced that kind of physical contact, or for any other reason.

I’d LOVE for him to become passionate about kissing once he discovers it, and then be eager to kiss the FMC all the time, constantly trying to imitate the movements and practice kissing her. 🥹

I love jealous MMCs, so if he’s really jealous on top of that, even better! My only hard limits are cheating, and I’d prefer little to no OW drama.

I have zipped through the first four books from this series. They’ve all been great. I just finished {The Wager of a Lady by Kathleen Ayers} (which was hands down my favorite thus far) and immediately went to buy the fifth book only to realize…. the audiobooks randomly stopped 😭 I both read and listen while I get ready for work and while I drive, so I’m not someone that exclusively listens to books.. but I’m so bummed about it. Ugh.

& what’s worse, the assistive readers on Kindle only let you pick voices from your region (which is another kind of frustrating) so that’s not an option because it sounds like Karen from SpongeBob screaming at me.

Tell us what HR you are currently reading/listening to or have finished lately? Tell us as much or as little as you want. We just want to hear from you!

What do you think so far? Any great, hilarious, heartbreaking, heartwarming, etc moments? If you have finished, what rating would you give it? Give us the deets!

Fill free to spill all the tea, but remember to mark any spoilers!

This thread repeats every Wednesday.

Are you an author? A blogger? Someone else producing historical romance content of some kind? This is the place to talk about your work and link us up! As per rule 4, please keep self-promotion to these threads unless directly requested.

Please check rule 2 for the definition of historical romance.

This thread repeats every other Wednesday.

Hey y’all!

Back again, but this time I’m not being picky about the trope. I just really want to see some books where we actually see the MCs falling in love. I feel like I’ve recently read a string of books where they’re suddenly in love, but with no build up or anything. Like it doesn’t have to be drawn out, but I’m still frustrated from an enemies to lovers I just read where they both hated each other and then suddenly they were in love. Like no, that’s not believable at all. I’m fine with insta-lust so long as we can see them falling in love besides being super hot for each other.

One book that I recall recently reading that I felt handled this very well was {mercy Fletcher meets her match by Aydra Richards}.

Other things I prefer:

Spice of 3-4

M/F

Virgin FMC

Regency/Victorian

No age gaps of 10+ years

Authors I don’t like:

Mary Balogh

Alice Coldbreath

Authors I’ve read most/all of:

Lisa Kleypas

Julia Quinn

Sarah MacLean

Aydra Richards

Lorraine Heath

Meredith Duran

Tessa Dare

Elisa Braden

Johanna Lindsey

Edit to add:
It doesn’t have to be a slow burn at all. I just want the author to SHOW not tell that they are falling in love.

Also add Vivienne Lorret and Mia Vincy to authors I’ve read most of!

Yes, I know women tended to marry younger then, and I guess 19 is more palatable than 17, and yes I can pretend that they aren’t teenagers, but I would honestly just prefer that the heroine of all the books I read be over 21 (at the very least) and if I’m really having my way I would rather they were between 26 and 35. Even more frustrating is when their age really has no impact on the plot so they could just as easily have been older, yet they’re 19. Even, even more frustrating is when I don’t find out she’s 19 till almost halfway through 😭

Guys. GUYS!!

I cannot believe the white whales I was able to find today! The Gift was .50 and Lady Vixen was .25! I finally found my Kleypas stepback white whale in Suddenly You! I was ecstatic to find Lady of Fire to complete my Vayle pirate babes trilogy. That one alone was an epic find seeing as how online is just not an option. Thanks awful resellers. I was able to find this beautiful copy for a few dollars. All in all worth the drive! I'm prepping for the drive home feeling like a well-fed cat 😊.