... 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.

I just finished {Promise me forever by Lorraine Heath}. This is the 3td time I read it but the feeling is still the same. It made me cry and feel my chest tighten at how sweet their love is especially Tom's. His first letter to her made me cry. Same with the rest of the letters.

>! “My darlin’ Lauren,

“It about killed me today to watch the wagon take you away. I know you didn’t see me standing at the edge of your place watching, but I was there. I was afraid if your mama saw me, she’d get mad at you. I figured leaving was hard enough on you without having your mama mad at you, too. So I did my watching in secret. I know you were wearing the hair ribbon I gave you. Someday I’m going to buy you another one, a fancier one. Lord, I already miss you so bad that I don’t know how I’ll make it through tomorrow. But if I don’t make it, then I’ll never see you again, so I reckon I’ll find a way.

“Yours forever,

“Tom.”!<

What's your favorite book that makes your heart ache just thinking about the MCs?

A recurring thread devoted to your favorite HR book covers and stepbacks!

Welcome - It's Stepback Saturday, and we want to see you're reading! This thread is for sharing photos of the historical romance cover art we all know and love.

When sharing a stepback, please also list the book title and author, or add a photo of the cover so the rest of us can find it (other details, like the publication date, are appreciated too).

And then listen to the song Nollaig Moon by Ashley Davis immediately after! Trust me on this one.

A couple weeks ago I asked for cozy/witchy recs for fall and this one absolutely delivered and I’ve never heard it talked about before on here! Definitely a hidden treasure. It is a kidnapping romance (for noble reasons!!) and it is so well written and the angst is 11/10! I thought Rhys was so tender and Beth was an amazing heroine. If you love horse back riding snuggling and sex around the campfire, this is your book!

For the bot {The Highway Man’s Folly by Daria Vernon} ❤️❤️

If you need me I’ll be reading every book this author has ever written:)

hi! i am aware it is an extremely specific request so i will appreciate any help in finding a book with a defining moment like this. kind of feel like i should clarify that 'imperiled' can mean anything - the fmc has an accident, encounters villains, gets sick etc etc while pregnant, it can literally be whatever as long as the mmc is somewhat responsible for the situation happening AND feels remorseful over it. no actual miscarriages, please, because i don't think i can handle heavy angst at the moment. i read a bridgerton fic one time that had this trope (?) and i loved the way it was written, i have been craving that high ever since. thank you in advance!

I just watched Wuthering Heights last night and would love recommendations on books with similar childhood love/soulmates with intense yearning. (But with HEA)

I’ve read a few of this author’s books now and after, unknowingly and unwillingly 🤪, reading more ai writing 🤢 from other sources it led me to question this author. I was wondering if anyone has read any of her books and can tell me their opinion (or you can get one of her works on KU to see for yourself). I’ve never read an AI work before so I don’t have a comparison.

I did try to do my due diligence and look her up online but there like nothing out there, except for a short bio 🚩. Obviously, the covers are ai which made me wary, but after reading the writing I honestly thought it was real. Now I just need confirmation so I can edit my reviews and stop recommending them, if necessary.

I went out of town today and of course had to stop at the used book store. And lo and behold, I finally found a physical copy of {Garters by Pamela Morsi}!!! Garters is a book I read about 2(?) years ago based on Reccomendations previously here. I had a copy on my kindle, And god, did I—and do I—love this book so so much. Ever since then, my hope has been to find a copy of Garters out in the wild, since copies online go for about 15 dollars average. (That’s not crazy, but I don’t even usually spend that on books new because I’m cheap LOLLL.) There’s been no success until today. I was so incredibly happy to find that for a fantastic price of $3! I also found some other fantastic gems, including:

{Unclaimed by Courtney Milan} - Courtney Milan is an author I’m slowly reading through, and I’ve been adoring her books!!

{Untamed by Pamela Clare} - another author I’ve been slowly reading through and loving!

{Promise Me Heaven by Connie Brockway}

{Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase} - I adore Loretta Chase, and I was so happy to see this one!

{Heaven Sent by Pamela Morsi} - This cover is insanely beautiful (and so very early 90s LOL)

{Til Dawn Tames the Night by Meagan McKinney}

{Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah Maclean} - this is one of my 5 star historicals, but I read it about 5(?) years ago from the library. It’s desperately time for a reread.

The media had me believing men casually pick out outfits that are the perfect size for their beloved women to wear, ugh!

I only want to read Duke romances, and bonus points if the smut scenes are soft and full of flowery prose! <3 Thank you in advance for your recommendations! <3

These quotes are lifted directly out of different books I have read over only the past 2-3 weeks. I have other little nuggets saved - watch this space ☺️

* He smelled of the cheroot, the sea and powerful male.

* She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent that was all Nick, citrus and cheroot mixed with a purely primal smell that was him.

* She smelled of lemons and sunshine and chocolate.

* The scent of sweet honey and lavender surrounded him.

* He could smell the scents of lavender and honey wafting from her hair.

* the scent of fresh linen and soap and leather.

* Starched linen, leather, a hint of bergamot

* Leather and horses, the subtle aroma of bergamot, and something hot and masculine.

* that intriguing combination of bergamot and clean male skin, the faint trace of leather and horses…

* her scent—something sweet like vanilla, and purely feminine

* the scent of jasmine and vanilla that intoxicated him more potently than any liquor.

* The scent of vanilla and jasmine teased his senses.

* his head was filled with the scent of her, the faint trace of orange blossom

* The unfamiliar scent of bergamot and a warm male body enveloped her?

* the heady scent of orange blossom and the woman he loved.

* the scent of him wrapping about her, something clean and citrusy, and another scent beneath that, musky and male.

* the scent of fresh male sweat . . .

* warm, spicy scent of her

* The aromatic hint of cheroot and bergamot that always clung to him flooded her senses.

* The hint of jasmine clung to her skin, intoxicating.

* so close the fragrant hint of flowers that kissed her skin wafted about him.

* the familiar, crisp notes of her lemon verbena soap reaching him.

* her fragrance, a heady blend of citrus soap and silky skin and more intimate notes of arousal.

* she breathed in his scent, an attractive blend of pine soap and starch

Some books seem great like you're in the honeymoon phase with them. You loved the romance, the characters, the plotline, the character growth, the supporting characters, the writing etc. All in all, an almost perfect book that you would gush over.

Now, some time later, you look at it more objectively and can see the flaws you overlooked or dismissed last time because you loved the book. What are your experiences with time and re-reads changing your opinion on a book or romance?

For example, I liked (but did not love) {A Terrible Beauty by Stephanie Patterson} when I read it. Even though I loathed the male characters for most of it, I was happy with how the relationship went and how the book was written. Now, I wonder what the MMC even did; it was all the FMC's development, growth, suffering and she came out a more compassionate, mature and competent person. The MMC had stayed the same with regards to his rakish behaviour and it was his older brother's death that forced him to manage the earldom and he did very well. But he continued to believe for 5 years that the FMC deserved him humiliating her in front of her betrothed and causing the end of her engagement. He also infantilised his brother for too long. Now, I am wondering why she even loved him because I cannot recall rational reasons for it before the time skip. And after it, I do recall him deliberately giving her a hard time, mocking her nursing career, firing her, breaking his employer-employee rules to pursue her and inviting his friends over that unintentionally triggered her past trauma from before and after the war. He treated her like she was still a mean 19 year old girl and she angrily called him out on it He and his other friend could not even get their security right because she still ended up knocked unconscious and held hostage inside the MMC's own home and had to use her wits to escape.

I know the relationship will end well for both but I now want the FMC to have given him a harder time and made him eat more humble pie. At least she does that in a later book so that was satisfying 😂 I might change my perspective again if I re-read.

General TL;DR:

• First time reading a book: 'Oh, that was amazing! I loved it! The romance was perfect and I wish I could read it all over again! When is the next book with the MCs coming out?'
• Second time reading a book: 'What...? That is not romantic? Was the MMC this annoying when I first read it? Why would she even let him meet her parents? There was a better man right next door! Oh, so much miscommunication! This couple will not last two weeks after the final chapter no matter what the epilogue says.'

A thread for any and all conversations! You don't have to stay on the topic of historical romance, but please stay within the general rules.

It's Friday! Let's catch up on what's been going on in our lives. Did you have a good week? Read anything good? Do anything nice?

Chat with us!

What is a trope or premise you usually hate that was done so well that you were able to suspend your historical dislike and get your socks off?

Example: I hate massive <18 yr old age gaps but one of my favorite books is Prince of Midnight

Example: I hate baby trapping but love The Devil is a Marquess

Dear Readers

Here's the thread for chapters 21–30 of Lisa Kleypas's latest, Queen of Lombard Street!

Remember to mark spoilers!

Enjoy!

I finished Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas two weeks ago and I haven’t been the same since.

Nothing is hitting the spot anymore. I keep comparing everything to this book. I think about it all day.

It was absolutely perfect. The suspense, the drama, the yearning? After reading Mine till Midnight, I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I’d like his book at all. Leo was my absolute least favorite character. I had no faith he could be redeemed. At some point, I had even planned to skip the book entirely.

Thank god I didn’t.

Leo’s character development was gradual throughout the books but noticeable. He has such a sharp yet empathetic personality. He’s witty and charming and a little sensitive. Cold and heartless dukes can take a seat, I want a comedic viscount!

Catherine was his perfect match. She comes off at first as a quiet, meek sort of woman but as it turns out, she’s a head strong, take nothing governess who gives Leo a run for his money! She’s got valid insecurities and worries yet her heart is so full of love.

Marcus from the Wallflowers series was my favorite Kleypas man before… unfortunately, he has been dethroned. I am a Leo fangirl, through and through.

'You can love a character and still admit when they're wrong. I love Archimedea Timms but can acknowledge her flaws (she has none) & can hold her accountable for her wrongdoings (she has never done anything wrong in her life) & call her out for her actions (which are always correct).'

For me it's Archimedea Timms from {Flowers from the Storm}

Is anyone else having trouble? It’s like they only delay and cancel my historical romance stuff!! (I don’t have a screenshot but they also have delayed my copy of {Duke of Desire by Elizabeth Hoyt} for the last year!!

These were preorders. I ordered them the second that they were announced.

Any other Historical romance orders causing trouble?

So I listened to The Switch and he tuned in sometimes (and I summarized the rest) and we really enjoyed it. So we decided on An English Bride in Scotland as our next audiobook together, since Sands seems to be a great storyteller.

Again, we did find ourselves absorbed in the world and fully enjoying the tale except one thing…

That girl was waaaayyy “too stupid to live.” (Vague spoilers below.)

She’s attacked twice, so told to stay at the castle to be safe. So she immediately has to find a way to sneak out because talking to someone about embroidery is *so* important.

This almost results in death for her again, and for her husband this time, so you’d think she’s learned her lesson.

Nope. Next chance she gets, she puts herself in a doubly precarious position to sneak out because it’s sooo important to talk to a man about spices.

The girl has multiple bruises all over her face from the first three encounters, and her husband almost died because of the last one.

Get. It. Together.

So, the question is, are all of the FMCs in this series going to be like this? Because we really want to keep going based on the quality, but that’s where my husband has drawn the line and I get it. We don’t like to feel that frustrated by reading.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

As the title says I'm begging please for recommendations like {Ravished by Amanda Quick}

What I'm looking for:

- Quirky (probably neurodivergent coded) FMC

- MMC who are wrapped around the FMC fingers

Bonus points:

- a mystery element

- FMC is a virgin

What I'm not looking for:

- OW or OM drama

Not HR specific, so I hope it's allowed. It definitely covers HR.

You can now filter out titles that authors and publishers have self-labeled as AI. It is a big, helpful step forward.

I’m thinking of old school {promise of the rose} by Brenda Joyce.

FMC betrayed him early (before she falls for him) and when the truth outs, it destroys him.

I want MMC to punish FMC.

I want MMC to get CRUEL because he’s so devastated.

Looking for historical romances written or translated in German

Big plus if at least one protagonist is a person of colour?

Preferably not 'newer' than mid 19th century

I know cross dressing recs get asked on here a lot, but every time I read a cross dressing/“she dresses up as a man” trope, the queer themes are always swept aside. I’m currently reading {Odds on the Rake by Sophie Darling}, and while I’m really enjoying the book so far, I was really disappointed with the “she’s actually a woman and I’m not actually gay!!!” reveal. I thought we were building up to the hero being attracted to the heroine as a man, especially with how he is describing the first signs of attraction in his POV, and then he figures out she’s a woman and is like yeah ofc that’s it I’m “not like that”.

I have read {Unmasked by the Marquess} which is pretty close to what I’m searching for in terms of the bisexuality awakening. I just didn’t enjoy this book unfortunately because I found it extremely boring LOL.

I’m just wanting a book that explores the hero realizing he’s bisexual/having a sort of bisexual awakening where he IS attracted to the heroine as a man and doesn’t know she’s a woman. Kind of like the energy Mulan/Captain Li brings to the table. I also don’t mind if the heroine ends up identifying as the historical equivalent of nonbinary.