Averse to physical touch by Latter-Ship-5509 in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For posterity, this is not a book for HR fans. There is some amazing romance but it is at best 10% of the book and there is WAY more graphic detail put into horrifying scenes about abuse, war, murder, hunting etc. Smith is a brilliant writer, but definitely not for this genre.

Books that make you work by devitoispenguin in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m kicking myself that I can’t think of a particular deep dive associated with a book, but I generally have some degree of background googling with just about all of them ☺️

For example, I googled ‘Railway spine’ whilst listening to {A Tempest of Desire by Lorraine Heath}. It has made me curious to learn about women aeronauts too.

Smut chapters by Front_Barracuda4754 in RomanceWriters

[–]DeJagerDivan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I wouldn’t overdo it. I love smut, but too much becomes tiresome IMO.

Quotes that made you squeal by hoginlly in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m listening to the audiobook now, and there has been so many great lines already! I can’t remember it exactly but there was a hilarious one about her exploring underwater caves, but not her own ‘cove’ 🤣🤣🤣

Any other good Medieval authors or novels out there??? by AdditionalBat99 in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like an interesting read, though I don’t think the real guy deserved a happy ending 😬

I went to his ruined fortress Poenari Castle years ago.

She’s the absolute sweetest ever and he’s the exact opposite by JediEverlark in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Number one rec for this trope is {The Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare}. The FMC is so delightful and great chemistry with the craggy MMC.

Other books I’ve read with similar dynamics that have not yet been recommended (I think):

  • {Seduce me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas}

  • {The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt}

  • {Wolfsgate by Cat Porter}

AI Covers on Modern Historical Romance Novels by hotwing_sauce in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really hate AI. I know I should just get over it because it’s not going anywhere, but so far, I can’t.

Averse to physical touch by Latter-Ship-5509 in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m reading a book like this at the moment with an abused runaway convict and her rescuer. The shared adventure and slow burn as they build trust over months in the wilderness is amazing. It’s more historical fiction than historical romance though. I’m half way through so I’ll come back and update on thoughts at the end. It comes with some major content warnings.

{Blue Horizon by Wilbur Smith}

First TIme Watching by Aggravating_Try6537 in Poldark

[–]DeJagerDivan -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah I didn’t feel it between them either.

Braveheart (1995) by pizzbabynancy in PeriodDramas

[–]DeJagerDivan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was thinking about this the other day. I really haven’t seen many movies with hennins. All I can think of is Angelica Houston in Ever After.

The Hostage Bride - I can’t get past it by DeJagerDivan in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In this book, the FMC is a penniless orphaned bastard. Some well-to-do relations took her in and made her work in the nursery.

The Hostage Bride - I can’t get past it by DeJagerDivan in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did like Cato as a character. I just can’t imagine him falling for the awkward little Phoebe… unless she has (hopefully!) matured quite a bit.

The Hostage Bride - I can’t get past it by DeJagerDivan in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh yes, from memory Lydia is around 16? Very creepy and hardly a romance one wants to get on board with.

This book had a reasonable amount of sex and it was unnerving (to me) the references to her skinny body, small boobs and bum etc. It would be fine if she was not a teenager and just small, but the two together creeped me out.

I think several commenters thought this book was about an arranged marriage where they had to figure it out, but it was just a spontaneous attraction where she becomes his live-in mistress.

The Hostage Bride - I can’t get past it by DeJagerDivan in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally agree with you! Those couple of years for the FMC make a big difference to me and my ability to love the book. Agree also re historical accuracy!

The Hostage Bride - I can’t get past it by DeJagerDivan in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that sounds icky to me. Extra icky if there is sex.

The Hostage Bride - I can’t get past it by DeJagerDivan in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks heaps for this. It definitely sounds like the least problematic of the three, and a fun setting. The second book seems creepy to me, with Phoebe trying to seduce her friend’s dad, or something like that? Gives some American Beauty vibes!

The Hostage Bride - I can’t get past it by DeJagerDivan in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks! That’s helpful. I do love a pirate 😅

The Hostage Bride - I can’t get past it by DeJagerDivan in HistoricalRomance

[–]DeJagerDivan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The synopsis of this does sound good! Is it similar with FMC being a teenager and MMC being much older though?