1. My personal favourite character is Barbara Grahame (one of Peggys ancestors) who has an awesome cat-and-mouse relationship with a wickedly humorous enemy English soldier. I need more recs I know Ive left a ton of options off this list! 24 Unusual Historical Romances You Absolutely Need to Read - BOOK RIOT This is how diplomacy should always work! An astonishing exploration of devotion and reunions, and the unrealistic expectations we place on those we love, Love in the Time of Cholera doesnt just ask whether the hero will get the girl it asks whether he should. Her life is suddenly anything but uneventful as she enters the violent politics of Renaissance Italy. You know what I mean: they have the generic Regency setting, generic rake hero, generic wallflower heroine. | Source, Not sure if you'd like this because the hero is super alpha, but I've recently read Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. its a bloody fab book!! Then along comes Shane Brennan, a prizefighter determined to get under her defenses. Read More Romance Sarah MacLean Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a gay romance filled with warm fuzzies, dry humor, and supportive friendships. As Landon and Jamie slowly find common ground, and an appreciation for one another, A Walk to Remember proves that love can be found in surprising places. Thats what happens to Lara Jean, a sixteen-year-old girl whose life is turned upside down when letters shes written to all the boys shes ever loved letters that the recipients were never supposed to see are sent. One of my faves :). Theres also a sweet F/F side romance! But he has a huge secret: hes actually biracial, with a black slave mother. In fact, though theres plenty to giggle about in the story of Buttercup and Prince Humperdink, you might also call this novel a tightly-plotted thriller. Hmph. Shes got a new place in Boston, her own business, and shes convinced gorgeous neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid to break his no-dating rule. YOU GUYS, THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE. Julian and Sara have the hottest meet cute in an elevator without even exchanging names. Shepherd is a participant in the Bookshop.org and Amazon Associate Affiliate Programs. and his ancient mythology series, but wished they had a more mature and romantic tone, look no further than The Song of Achilles. Najja is a great heroine, and Burke writes some excellent sexual tension between her and Colin. And some people love books about falling in love. authors picked As Annabelle struggles to resist his advances and keep her head in the game, Simon finds the chase even more exciting. Annabelle needs a rich husband, and fast. This is the dilemma that Sally and Harriet face in Twice in a Lifetime. The reader follows Little Dog as he chases the American Dream, pursues a growing romance with a farm boy whos struggling with his familys homophobia, and questions how to be happy in the shadow of grief and trauma. A rare genetic condition causes Henry to jump uncontrollably along the timeline of Clares life. Theres only one thing keeping this gorgeous couple apartseveral centuries. She's charming and accommodating and prides herself on being loved by everyone at Bexley & Gamin. Will they? With a few key couples dominating the pages in the style of Anna Karenina, we see the action through their eyes and feel their struggle to maintain hope after endless sacrifices. Privacy Policy. My favourite Nora Roberts book. This classic fish-out-of-water tale follows Margaret, a nineteen-year-old girl whose life is turned upside down when her family relocates from a sleepy village to Darkshire a rough and restless industrial town in the north of England. why you should read it. The heroine is a very bright mathematician but socially awkward. Doing everything she can to save their fortunes, Scarlett embarks on a series of unexpected adventures, traversing burning cities and bandit-filled forests. But when tensions run high, you know what they say: theres a thin line between love and hate. As tender and heartfelt as it is intense and passionate, Elio and Olivers love affair begins awkwardly, slowly, and tacitly, before building to unprecedented heights as the summer draws to a close. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Jane, a destitute young orphan, arrives at the home of the mysterious Mr Rochester in search of employment, but finds far more than she bargained for. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivanaka Sir McHotpantswitnesses it all then keeps The characters in this one are passable at best, but I do love the backdrop. There are shades of Romeo and Juliet with the whole Cavalier vs Roundhead conflict. Henrys smart and steamy page-turner, Beach Read, gave us all a sizzling slice of the summer romance we missed out on in 2020. in 2022. Can Romance Novels Be Feminist? Well, Actually - Bustle And Im obsessed. *What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Home of the magic search button and endless book recommendations as well as discussions about tropes and characters, Author AMAs, book clubs, and more. but he needs the help of the genius, but reclusive, Amelia, whose trust can't be won easily. Please try again later. Computer nerd meets billionaire! This reverse twist on the Pygmalion story is carried off by the heroine who (having fallen on hard times) works as a linguist, as well as the refreshingly non-tortured hero. Wills mother has hired her to help care for Will, in the hopes of lifting his perpetually dour mood, but the intrusion is not a welcome one at least at first. Austen once set out in a letter the perfect subject for a novel Three or four families in a country village and the description fits Emma well. But shes never forgotten what they did to her, and not even her marriage to Texas Sharpe sweet-souled son of their charismatic leader made her forgo her revenge. His risky lifestyle catches up with him when, attacked and injured, he is forced to seek sanctuary in the basement of a stranger. Too bad the only thing shell ever love is Scotland. When Im not writing, Im perfecting the right ratio of coffee to milk, hustling my 2 rescue dogs around the neighborhood, or running up a hill in search of a view. Emily Giffins best-selling romance novel is for every woman thats been the sidekick in a lopsided friendship. But when theyre forced to marry each other, he discovers quickly that theres nothing sophisticated and urbane about the way he loves her. So I just finished reading Heavy by Cate C Wells about a hacker heroine with autism and the president of a motorcycle club. On more than one occasion she proves herself willing to murder those she loves, and its a long while before she comes to terms with the atrocities which were done to her. She worked hard and never complained. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Why not check out our guide to New Adult books and their sleek, steamy collegiate romances? Mysterious, but not exactly murder-filled? Elizabeth and Darcys romance is as honest as it is unexpected, and Austens characters are so vividly realised and so utterly believable that youll be gasping, cringing, and crying along with them. DM me! A wager presents itself. 15 Seasoned Romance Novels To Remind Us That Love Is Not - BuzzFeed Brainy/Genius Romantic Heroes (535 books) - Goodreads In It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, winner of 1994 Best Romance Award, the first chapter is set at the funeral of the heroine's father, a ruthless businessman and owner of the Chicago Stars NFL team. A recent release thats already considered vintage Allende, A Long Petal of the Sea is suffused with a vibrant sense of time and place as it traces its story through forty years of authoritarian rule in Spain. Jenny Hans sugary sweet novel not only spent 40 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, it was also adapted into a blockbusting movie. Opposites attract when a nerdy computer whiz meets billionaire playboy.The last thing Melody expects when she accepts a dream job offer is to run into her college one-night stand again. On a trip to the Highlands with her husband Frank, Claire tumbles back in time to 1743, and finds herself caught between two very different lives, and two very different men. What it's about: After Care is a romance novel featuring characters in their 40s and revolves around Edie Williams, who is on a family vacation in Hawaii with her children. Her fathers character is basically the whole reason this book is on this list. The best romance novels with brilliant, brainy heroines By Stacy Travis Who am I? But when India erupts in rebellion, it tears the lovers apart, and their reunion in England four years later is filled with betrayal and heartbreak. Jeremy Maubrey, tenth Duke of Ainsley, wakes up one morning feeling curiously itchydown there. This book doesnt try to gloss over some of the realities of 11th century life; both Ceidre and Rolfe are in marriages of convenience to other people, and he has many illegitimate sons he cheerfully abandons in Normandy. show more. The writing in this book is gorgeously poetic my description really doesnt do the plot or characters justice. A dark, twisted tale told almost exclusively as a flashback, Rebecca follows the nameless protagonist and her speedy marriage to a mysterious but charming stranger, Maxim de Winter, whom she meets on a business excursion. Neanderthal Seeks Human I want some action! In the opinion of her stern cousin Charles, however, that fresh air feels more like a hurricane. Theres no way he can risk everything hes built up for Eddy, a young black woman he saves from death in the desert. author picked Tragically, she died in a car crash in the mid-80s, so these are her only two books. 3 A chance meeting is enough to cement their fate, and the two women are drawn uncontrollably to one another. Brainy/Genius Romantic Heroes flag All Votes Add Books To This List Previous 1 2 3 Next written by Karla Sorensen and Smartypants Romance, narrated by Chris Brinkley and Reba Buhr. Although this is technically just a Regency novel, its location in the Highlands really brings Scotland to life. Browse their picks for the best books about Thats my life, except Im an awkward introvert and hes my opposite in every way. As Maxims carefully curated image and their relationship unravels further, the protagonist falls deeper into the shadow of Rebeccas legacy. why you should read it. As my feelings grow, I start finding it impossible to pretend Im only in this for a promotion. The quintessential love story that has spawned countless retellings and inspired who knows how many writers, Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet the story of two star-crossed lovers from rival houses wrote many of the rules of tragic romance. Naturally, the fallout is chaotic. Because Clare and Henry have met each other before in fact, shes known him her whole life. Its the book that led a generation of teenage girls to genuinely debate whether vampires or werewolves were hotter, and that launched an entire renaissance of paranormal romance books. Yes, they existed! Will she be able to break down his walls? There's something so romantic about falling for your friend. An internet phenomenon that has a special place in the hearts of superfans everywhere, Rainbow Rowells young adult romance is as charming as it is candid. Two writers, two beach huts, and plenty of whipcrack banter lets hope Henry is an author with a soft spot for happily-ever-after. All of the women in Penny Reids Knitting in the City series are spitfires, but I have a soft spot for Janie and her habit of rattling off encyclopedic facts at inopportune times and solving problems in her head as a way of avoiding too much reality. A modern classic of LGBT+ literature, this exploration of first love and sexual awakening is vividly realised, and astonishingly honest. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is a tender and lyrical reminder that love in all its many forms should be open, deep, and without shame. She also isnt a virgin, another unusual aspect to this book. Then he kisses me and asks me out. Their attraction is dangerous, forbidden and difficult to resist. DM me! I was just going to recommend this - one of my favorites, an oldie-but-goody. Beginning during WWI and spanning three generations, Sebastian Faulks Birdsong is an epic novel about the power of war to strip everything from you, whether that be home, family, dignity or love. Quick Transmigration with Female Lead Aura - Novel Updates On the face of things, they have nothing in common. But hes nonetheless smitteneven if Merlins quirkiness tests him at every turn. Enter Lou; bubbly, funny sunshine in human form. One of the authoritative classics of the genre, Jane Eyres enduring popularity is testament to the power of its central romance. In what is considered by many to be the best romance novel of all time (and, we think, one of the best books to read in a lifetime), Tolstoy tells the story of an extramarital affair and its fallout in Imperial Russian society. The glue that holds these families together (and our beloved heroine) is Emma Woodhouse. The story of hunky, troubled billionaire Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, a nave student who (quite literally) falls headfirst into his life, started out as self-published Twilight fanfiction. The second youre through reading, youre sure to be clamouring for more. Alisha Rai and Sonali Dev have expanded the genre with love stories that feature Indian and Indian-American protagonists. The action begins at a royal wedding, when Alex is told to play nice with his childhood nemesis, the Prince of Wales. Amid the bleak and feral atmosphere of the Yorkshire moors, the novel revolves obsessively around the tempestuous course of Cathy and Heathcliffs self-destructive love affair. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the number of great romance novels out there, why not take our 30-second quiz to narrow it down quickly and get a personalized romance book recommendation? Lily is a lot more ruthless though. New York Times bestseller Kinsale reminds us theres often much more than meets the eye in this gripping, steamy, and desire-drenched novel. No matter what the critics say, its the definitive high school romance turned struggle against a vampiric death cult so why not revisit Twilight mania, and see what all the hype was about? the witness: nora roberts. The heroine of this Western is very similar to Morganna (first book in this list). (Also, if you like dad jokes, there are some great awful math puns in Talk Sweetly to Me. Before the summer is out, January must write the next great work of literary fiction, while Gus has to pen a bestselling romance novel. Its 1870 Nevada, and theres a lot of discussion about the black/white dynamics now that the Civil War is over. A charming and affectionate portrayal of the love life of a neurodivergent woman, The Kiss Quotient is a breath of fresh air we doubt youll have read a romance quite like this before. Persephone is a 19 year old genius about to graduate college who's ready to check off a bunch of "firsts . It's a duology (With How Not to Let Go), and both parts are needed for completion. Celeste Newsome is a notorious girl. Miller, a classics teacher herself, takes up Homers thread of lyrical prose while adding her own unique style and story elements. Witty dialogue and steamy sex scenes ensue, but how long can the fun last before they want more than just mind-blowing passion? It chronicles the experiences of a privileged but modest young man, who comes up against unrequited love, heartbreak, and society politics on his journey to self-discovery. But he didnt count on meeting Abby, sister of a fanatical Roundhead, whose gentleness slowly begins to touch his heart. But if the pop culture phenomenon somehow passed you by, its never too late to give this kinky thriller a try. A controversial presentation of Civil-War era America, Gone With the Wind explores the complexities of both romantic and platonic love. Whats suspenseful, but not too scary? and This is a slightly odd book, but undeniably wonderful. 15 Romance Books about Disability that aren't like Me Before You Charlie Eason is used to men underestimating her. Also some of the Bluewater Billiomaires books. Niffeneggers touching novel is sure to pull at your heartstrings, as she leads us to consider how free will and destiny combine to determine who we end up loving. It takes a special author to cook these stale ingredients into an exciting new dish, and many dont succeed. This sweeping panorama of life in a rural sheep station from 1915 to 1969 is an Aussie cultural mainstay its the best-selling book in Australian history! The Duke of Shadowsis not just noteworthy for its in-depth look at India under the British Raj (though it does a great job at that). Its set in an alternate reality where in 2016, a Democrat became the first female president of the US, and follows First Son Alex a twenty-something, biracial, modern-day Kennedy. Bonus if she is socially awkward or autistic too. Academy fantasy Possession Pure Love Romance. Florentino Ariza has been waiting for 50 years for his true love to return. Reading Hardys Tess of the DUrbervilles is an affecting experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Randall is an extremely underrated Heyer hero, and hes absolutely one of my favourites. as one of their favorite books, and they share as one of their favorite books, and they share Her twin sister Wren used to be the same, But now theyre in college, Wren has lost interest in geeky pursuits shes far too busy partying, making friends, and being cool. scholars, scientists, computer geeks, professors, math whizzes, inventors, philosophers, etc.) Its stifling, but in the best way. The race to the moon is on, and engineer Eugene Parsons has two enemies: danger and distraction. In terms of unusual historical romances, you dont get much more unique than this. It soon transpires that her house is filled with the ghosts of her Colonial ancestors. But all is forgiven (and cute coworkers forgotten) when she meets Etienne St. Clair. Reid delivers on smart romance where both characters push each other to grow and this was a great new adult romance series from her. Over the years, and long before Barbie got her new body, romance novels also changed the portrayal of women's bodies. Stella loves logic. In an effort to crack a crippling case of writers block, January, a hopeless romantic, and Gus, who thinks happy endings are for fairy tales, dont swap numbers, but genres. The solution is a romance that will break every rule.Six years ago, Miss Letitia Fenley made a mistake, and shes lived with the consequences ever since. Its heroine, Tess Durbyfield, is so beautifully and sympathetically drawn that you cannot help but feel crushed as the world conspires against her; betrayed by men who exploit her, a society that casts her out, and by the callousness of her religion. Its a retelling of the ballad of Tam Lin set in 1558 under the reign of Mary I. This Will the cute guy in her creative writing class be a welcome distraction? Albertallis feel-good novel is still able, however, to flirt with some bigger questions about homophobia and the experience of being a closeted teen in the American South. Below are 24 books which, by virtue of their plot, characters, or setting, stand out from the crowd. Amazon | Goodreads | My Review Been There Done That It comes with being a woman in engineering, but its worth it to join the space raceeven if she cant figure out whats behind the intense looks one tightly wound engineer keeps sending her. Every month our team sorts through Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1), Attraction (Elements of Chemistry, #1; Hypothesis, #1.1), Nobody's Baby But Mine (Chicago Stars, #3), Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #5), Capture (Elements of Chemistry, #3; Hypothesis, #1.3), Heat (Elements of Chemistry, #2; Hypothesis, #1.2), The Kiss Quotient (The Kiss Quotient, #1), When He Was Bad (Magnus Pack, #3.5; Pride, #0.75; Smith's Shifter World, #3.5), To the Stars and Back (First Comes Love, #4), What a Dragon Should Know (Dragon Kin, #3), One Good Earl Deserves a Lover (The Rules of Scoundrels, #2), The Countess Conspiracy (Brothers Sinister, #3), Getting Lucky Number Seven (Taking Shots, #1), Marriage of Inconvenience (Knitting in the City, #7), Talk Sweetly to Me (Brothers Sinister, #4.5), Remedial Rocket Science (Chemistry Lessons, #1), Mackenzie's Mission (Mackenzie Family, #2), The Chocolate Temptation (Amour et Chocolat, #6), Dream Chaser (Dark-Hunter, #13; Dream-Hunter, #3), The Australian (Jet-setters & Jeopardy, #2), Bringing Down the Duke (A League of Extraordinary Women, #1), The Dream-Hunter (Dark-Hunter, #10; Dream-Hunter, #1), Intermediate Thermodynamics (Chemistry Lessons, #2), Space (Laws of Physics, #2; Hypothesis, #2.2), The Perfect Rake (The Merridew Sisters, #1), Friends Without Benefits (Knitting in the City, #2), Hearts in Darkness (Hearts in Darkness, #1), Time (Laws of Physics, #3; Hypothesis, #2.3), Under One Roof (The STEMinist Novellas, #1), Rules of Attraction (Perfect Chemistry, #2), Stuck with You (The STEMinist Novellas, #2), Motion (Laws of Physics, #1; Hypothesis, #2.1), Happily Ever Ninja (Knitting in the City, #5), Dukes Prefer Blondes (The Dressmakers, #4), Three For The Bank Job (By The Numbers, #3), The Nerd and the Marine (The Morrison Family, #1), The Greek Demands His Heir (Notorious Greeks, #1), The Golden Spider (Elemental Steampunk Chronicles, #1), Top New Reader-Recommended Romances for March. They dont just hand out the Nobel Prize for Literature to anyone, so its safe to say were in good hands with Gabriel Garcia Mrquez. A good love story has drama, intrigue, laughs, and, if youre lucky, a little heat; while the very best romance novels can feel just like falling in love intimate and personal, yet huge and life-changing all at once. 2 of 50. He expects to be bored stiff. Trust real people, not robots, to give you book recommendations. If you love to read, love a gorgeous book cover, or just love giving your opinion on what youve read, theres no better place to be on than Bookstagram! Without her sister for the first time, Cath is forced to navigate the confusion and loneliness of being a freshman all alone. MacLean. When the independent and beautiful Jessica Trent rolls into town to save her brother from the influence of the caddish Sebastian, the two engage in a fierce battle of wits. As an author who writes the underdog-always-wins stories, this attracted me immediately, as did Owens writing, which puts the reader front and center into the ostracized heroines life. One day, she died and became a quester for the Lord God. Despite agreeing to nurse Galen back to health, their clashing personalities lead Hester to wonder whether she can keep her promise not to mention the hostile forces that have started to come looking for him. . However, as their small town lives in rural Ireland are eclipsed by the heady and confusing world of student Dublin, the ways in which they mould each other reveal a universal truth about the lasting impact that one person can have on another. Ever since the massacre of her clan when she was a child, Morganna KilCreggar has wandered disguised as a boy. This book, as well as being a cute romance, was a very interesting look at the racial situation of the time. In London, they think him a savage. But how serious can their glorified hookups get before someone slams on the brakes? Princess Ai Lee is forced to flee home before her wedding, armed only with a pair of delicate butterfly swords. authors picked Who would have thought the words "if youre a bird, Im a bird" could pack such an emotional punch? Some might dismiss it as chick-lit, but The Notebook is a guaranteed tear-jerker every time. Lucy and Josh have so much chemistry that it manifests as anger, frustration, and, yes, hate. And she has to sit across from his joyless, infuriatingly handsome face every day. So I just finished reading Heavy by Cate C Wells about a hacker heroine with autism and the president of a motorcycle club. Diagnosed with incurable cancer at the age of thirteen, shes never had the chance to experience the thrilling awkwardness of being a teenager. The Main Heroine Likes the Extra - Noble Machine translations She has only one goal: to take revenge on the FitzHughs who murdered her family. Victorian rat-catcher Mick Tremore might be handsome, but it isnt his looks Lady Edwina Bollash is interested in. Click the Magic Search Button in our sidebar which will take you to a google webpage. Owner of a successful all-women newspaper, she campaigns to prove to 1877 society that equal rights is something that can and should happen. And I'm obsessed. If youre looking for retro erotica with a disarming feminist twist, look no further than Delta of Venus, a collection of 15 short stories written by Anais Nin in the 1940s. Bonus if the heroine is a genius. I need more badass hacker heroines storylines. Agree bloody fab book! Merlin Lambourne is an eccentric genius and possibly the only hope England has of defeating Napoleon. Developed a taste for fiery love stories? If youve seen the incomparable Vivien Leigh bring her to life on screen, its time to meet Scarlett on the page. Sybil Davison has a genius IQ and has been laid by at least six different guys. The novel bends narration through the distorting lens of our protagonist, making for a genius coming-of-age story and a work of comic brilliance. list created December 21st, 2013 After reading this book, youll want an office nemesis just so you can play the gameand drive Human Resources a little crazy in the process. Lucy Hutton doesnt dislike Joshua Templeman. By: Mary Frame | ? (e.g. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 1 Scorching sex scenes are balanced out by genuine warmth and deeply likeable main characters in this LGBTQ+ erotic novel. 8. A dancer in 1938 New York, she uses men and alcohol to numb her demons. Heart-warming and ahead of its time, North and South isnt just a beautiful romance, it also has a lot to say on politics, gender, and religion, so one for the history buffs, too! When Henry and Clare bump into one another at the local library, its a classic meet-cute. I promptly embarrass myself because I have no idea who he is. Shepherd is reader supported. 26 The Frenchmen living there feel that their motherland has betrayed them, and tempers are running high. Despite his dalliances and the passing of decades, when the man who married his childhood sweetheart dies, a now elderly Florentino seizes the opportunity to declare his love once more.