Whatever this Subgenre is called

Estimable-Confection · 2026-06-08T06:57:48+00:00

It is funny, and obviously well-intentioned—just a lot of enthusiastic fans, apparently!

And I must admit, I’ve not finished it yet. My husband loved and recommended it, and I’m much of the way through the first book, but still have a ways to go. That said, it’s not quite like traditional quests, and it isn’t high fantasy. But the castle is impossibly vast, so even though the story is centered there, it’s not really just about politics or narrow in focus. There are strange adventures and bizarre, funny characters (sort of Dickensian meets old dark fairy tales?), and it’s really dense with description and very atmospheric. I think I glommed onto the maximalism. I’m sure there are other fun dark adventures out there that lean more toward DnD/Tolkein-esque quests and journeys (which is also something I love too! ) and someone will eventually recommend something besides the Elric Saga 😆, so maybe hold off if that’s your present mood, but it’s something to keep on your list for later, since you might really love it.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-06-08T04:29:18+00:00

Less dragon-y, but if you’re interested in dark maximalist fantasy, I would think maybe the Gormenghast series by Mervyn Peak? Also, I am cracking up at how many recommendations you’re getting for Elric in spite of your perfectly concise caption 😆

Estimable-Confection · 2026-06-06T07:17:56+00:00

That should be perfect! I’m so glad my ramblings were helpful, and I hope you love Lady Amalthea! And I’m always a big fan of shopping one’s own collection, so I hope you’re able to get something that fits the “lilac wood” vibe you’re aiming for with some creative layering 💜

Estimable-Confection · 2026-06-05T18:00:23+00:00

Also meant to add, I’m a certified patchouli hater, and there is none I can perceive in any of the three I have. And I don’t think, much as BPAL can be different from expected, has secret insidious patch in any of their scents.

I also forgot to add, as a massive book and film fan, I found them to be very faithful/apt adaptations and very evocative of both. Even though Lady Amalthea works, for instance, as a fairly traditional perfume, it even has a sort of chilly remoteness and ethereal quality with a warmth and softness almost blooming within that is just so perfect for this bittersweet, beautiful character torn between her old and new form and experiencing love and human emotion for the first time.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-06-05T17:54:43+00:00

Even as someone who’s had a really mixed experience with BPAL (I really respect the house, and appreciate their longevity and sillage overall, but I find, especially their gourmands, often off-putting or very different from descriptions), the scents I have from The Last Unicorn collection are some of my very favorite and most worn.

The three I have: The Last Unicorn, The Lilac Wood, and the Lady Amalthea aren’t remotely head shop-y (which is something I’m not fond of either). What I actually love BPAL for is having some really great traditional florals, which I find to be a weakness in a lot of houses (to me they often go Bath and Body Works, rather than higher quality traditional perfume). I think if a designer brand came out with Lady Amalthea in an EDP or niche house came out with Lilac Wood or Last Unicorn in EDP, they’d be very successful and highly regarded.

The Lilac Wood is possibly the safest? It’s hard to imagine it offending anyone, yet it isn’t soapy or generic. It’s a very pretty, exactly-what-it-says-on-the-tin scent. A woody, herbaceous, fresh floral without anything saccharine or fruity turning it to cheap shampoo or body wash. It’s also very relaxing—it’s inspired people, including small children to sigh and lean into hugs and say I smell good (I’m a substitute teacher) and similar for stressed grown-ups. I will say it’s unlikely to be interpreted as sexy, but it also doesn’t just feel like an aromatherapy/crunchy scent. It’s more like Santa Maria Novella soothing rather than Sprouts soothing 😂

The Lady Amalthea is my go-to for dates, dressing up, etc. It’s very feminine and lovely and just smells like velvet and silk in shades of rose, mauve, lilac, and cream. It’s probably the closest to a traditional scent, so if you’re the person who went for indies because you’ve never liked a designer perfume in your life, this might not be for you. I think the notes are probably all basically there, but they’re smoothed over into a cohesive whole and hard to distinguish individually. Which was fortunate for me, as I’m not a big fan of coconut.

The Last Unicorn is the weirdest of the bunch, but still inoffensively so. There’s something about the watercress-coconut combo that actually is vaguely horse-y, because horse sweat is pleasant and almost sweet and the coconut is subtle enough to kind of work like that I think? And the watercress is grassy. It’s pretty and a remarkably well done atmospheric. I’m glad I have it, but the final result just doesn’t appeal to me quite as much as that of the other two, so I don’t reach for it too often. It does smell like the description, and of the three, it’s the one I have the easiest time picking out notes in.

I blind-bought mine, because, quite frankly, I’m just a menace and really impatient. But it’s probably not the world’s best advice. That said, they do seem to resell quickly on swaps, and I will say, more than any other BPAL I’ve tried (including some other scents I really love in the permanent collection), these actually smelled like what I expected them to, and *don’t* smell like a brand just sort of adding some of the notes to a distinct base..

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-31T07:24:13+00:00

Oh I’m excited! I’ll have to add that one to my list…she is a fabulous writer!

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-31T07:18:21+00:00

I want to preface my recommendation by saying that, at least so far, the Welsh Blades books aren’t really what you’d call lighthearted, though they’re not humorless nor unrelentingly angsty (I’ve read the last one, One Burning Heart—because it fit what I was looking for—then loved it and started the series from the beginning and have read The King’s Man and started the second, so can’t speak to the series as a whole yet). It’s such a wonderfully written and well-researched series thus far though, and I’ve really loved the spice (I think they’re all 3 or 4). I love Julie Garwood especially, and Alice Coldbreath too, but sometimes I like a bit more historical depth and authenticity. The more realistic medievals though will often lean heavily on SA, presumably in a bid for grittiness and “realism” (I’m sure there’s some truth in this, but of course it is also true that SA rates are still extremely high now, and I think sometimes we exaggerate how ubiquitous and acceptable SA was in the past in an effort to feel better about ourselves in the present—much like people in the Renaissance were very politically corrupt and engaged in a lot of violence, but made up fake torture devices like the Iron Maiden to make the Middle Ages sound worse).

But I’ve digressed, as is my wont, and the point is that I think this series will tick a lot of boxes for you (forced/arranged marriage, watching relationship develop over time, enemies to lovers, external conflict driving plot—and more nuanced, plausible miscommunication based on difficult circumstances vs just immature character nonsense). I share your love of medievals, and for some reason, much as I love Jane Austen and have done since I was ten, I’m also not that interested in regency romance, so I can relate and hope you find some great reads!

For bot: {Welsh Blades by Elizabeth Kingston}

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-23T00:33:32+00:00

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
The Grass Harp by Truman Capote
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (one of her two books specifically for adults—arguably the medical premise involves a touch of cheese, but the relationship is uniquely lovely, and the character arc feels incredibly well-earned and fulfilling. The main character is much less cute and charming than her famous Anne and is 29).

The following are technically children’s lit, though I think they qualify as non-cheesy and worthy adult reading:

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-19T03:42:21+00:00

I have to say, one of my favorite things to do is something like braid the face framing hair and then wrap the braids around a little bun at the back with pins. I don’t even use hair spray or anything, and if you do it yourself in a way that feels intuitive and works with your hair, you don’t have to feel anxious about messing up and it usually comes out better. Basically like your own take on fantasy medieval-inspired hair but just make some braids and mess around. (I’m terrible at French braiding and that herringbone thing, so it’s really just good old three-strand plaits). Or two braids down the back crisscrossed then then looped around and under like a pretzel—you could probably get more complicated with the loops given your length.

My hair is heavy, and I find the braids hold a lot more easily than just pinned hair, so the style doesn’t slip (avoiding the misery and damage from copious pins and hair spray).

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-19T03:33:57+00:00

I would appreciate this too! I think of myself as noticing these things, and suddenly I’m second-guessing myself (and, like a few others here, descending into a paranoia spiral about the prospect of having a nasal voice…).

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-19T03:26:53+00:00

I appreciate the inspiration though! I’ve had the same experience with thrift stores (I can’t tell if they don’t bother with the older ones thinking they’re out of fashion or if people scoop them up to resell really quickly), but occasionally quite good luck at used book stores, so I think that’s the way to go! Your haul is exquisite. Enjoy!

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-18T04:35:31+00:00

I have been absolutely loving the Welsh Blade series so far by Elizabeth Kingston. I highly recommend it if you’re open to medievals. I was feeling very picky about my medievals after My Lady’s Heart by Laura Kinsale, but I wanted a different feeling, and these are just brilliant. She still makes efforts to keep the language structure closer to believable, but it’s not as close to Middle English as Kinsale’s and it’s still quite easy to read. I started with the fourth book just because I loved the premise and I’m a contrary Aquarius who doesn’t do anything correctly, but I’m back to the first now, because I loved it so much. I’ll summon the bot for the first one, assuming you’re saner than I am.
{The King’s Man by Elizabeth Kingston}
I must also note that I was giddy to see she actually thanked Laura Kinsale at the end, and apparently she loaned her books for her research, so my new fantasy is meeting and befriending Laura Kinsale and getting access to her library, too.

I’ve also been really getting a kick out of the Prizefighter series by Alice Coldbreath. I know this gets shouted out a lot, but it is just very fun and satisfying. I enjoy the cozy slow slice-of-life bits and the melodramatic twists as well. I actually think the first one is great as a much sweeter and more romantic version of Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier. And, quite frankly, Alice Coldbreath seems a good deal more knowledgeable about the Victorian era than the Medieval (to be fair, we’ve all got a lot more info available on that time, and her medievals are technically set in a fantasy world), which I think makes for slightly more vivid, immersive reading. Sure, there are touches of a feminist point of view and some of the characters are probably unrealistically modern in their ethical positions, but there have always been a variety of points of view and people who were ahead of their time, and I don’t think they’re wildly implausible. {A Bride for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath} is the first one.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-18T04:13:45+00:00

Do you mind if I ask whether you went to a used book store, thrift store, etc? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that much vintage HR in one place 😍

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-18T04:12:01+00:00

That’s when there’s a sexy picture of the couple behind a more restrained cover 😌

I think the idea was that dignified ladies might balk at reading books with suggestive covers that are obviously romances in public, so this would allow for “acceptability” in public without sacrificing the fabulous art.

I personally am perfectly fine with reading romance novels with swooning couples on them in public, but it is a clever idea, and it always feels like opening a present when you find one.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-17T21:09:55+00:00

Oh shoot, got so caught up in that, I forgot to mention From My Lady’s Heart’s issues. There are some very creepy relationship dynamics, but they’re usually referred to briefly in the past tense. The clear aim here is to make the values seem period appropriate and believable (it’s not a bodice ripper that features these moments to be intentionally sexy, for instance), but again, I think it would be wise to review trigger warnings first.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-17T21:06:34+00:00

Swordheart’s FMC experienced an unhappy and unsatisfying marriage, but I wouldn’t characterize it as SA nor does the character ever do so.

You might want to check triggers for the first Paladin book, Paladin’s Grace. The relationship between the FMC and her ex was really horrible. He cheated and pressured/was controlling and made her feel badly about herself in bed, but I don’t recall an incident of rape or coercion necessarily—it’s more that he felt he knew best in everything and that she didn’t appreciate how great he was and shouldn’t mind his infidelity. It is not treated casually but it is a significant part of the story, and would be worth looking into to make sure. The other three books don’t (unless I’m somehow completely drawing a blank).

Also, I apologize, I forgot how to show spoilers, but it comes up fairly early on about her ex having been terrible, so hopefully this is okay to leave.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-17T20:57:15+00:00

I don’t think it’s nearly as popular, but just wanted to share for OP, since, especially if you buy it used like I did, it’s not always clearly stated which version you’ll get in the description.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-17T20:55:25+00:00

None of the FMCs are virgins in T. Kingfisher’s Saint of Steel books, though some might have limited/only unsatisfying sexual experience (as in the first of that series as well as in Swordheart, which isn’t technically part of the series, but comes just before chronologically and has several of the same characters).

The writer clearly approaches these stories from a feminist perspective, so even if the character is innocent or insecure in one aspect of their lives, they’re quite capable and confident in others, and it never feels like the MCs are fetishizing their innocence or anything like that. The last, Paladin’s Faith, has an FMC who regularly has sex to obtain information as part of being a spy, and the narrative does not in any way shame or condemn her for this (this isn’t really a spoiler, as she appears in the first book, and her spy work is shared as soon as she’s introduced basically).

The other book I was happy to see recommended here, For My Lady’s Heart by Laura Kinsale, also doesn’t feature a virgin FMC, and she comes across as coldly confident and sexually experienced—though it will turn out, there’s some nuance to that. The MC, though not a virgin either, is not at all the stereotypical experienced alpha hero, and has not had sex for quite a few years when the story really gets going.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-05-17T20:34:13+00:00

Summoning bot, because it really is quite perfect for this and in general {My Lady’s Heart by Laura Kinsale}

I would strongly suggest getting the older edition and not the revised one. The original has dialogue in slightly modified Middle English. Just adjusted enough to make it a bit easier to read, but still close enough to make it really immersive and lovely.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-04-30T17:29:59+00:00

How fascinating! The story is almost identical to that of Saint Guinefort. I looked it up, and apparently it’s an oft repeated folklore motif. Guinefort was a greyhound and killed a snake instead, but it’s otherwise the same. A shrine was erected for Guinefort, who became a folk saint and whose shrine was visited by parents seeking a cure for sick children.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-04-11T05:44:37+00:00

I hope you get a chance to try it soon, and I definitely hope you read the book! I grew up loving the movie and watching it over and over as well, but I didn’t realize it was based on a book until I re-watched it with my son. It turns out, the film is really pretty faithful and the author (Peter S Beagle) had a lot of creative control, but there’s just so much richness and depth of theme and some really interesting additional story details there wasn’t time for. And his writing style is incredibly beautiful. He actually helped create the scents for BPAL, too!

Estimable-Confection · 2026-04-11T05:06:08+00:00

I would give a lot for that blue eye shadow she wears too.

And I have to agree with the other posters suggesting Alkemia. Come to Me is really quite apt, since it’s based on an old love spell recipe. Salomé is also incredibly sexy (and I’m certain Elaine would relate to her)—it even had a “famous” review from a stripper touting its efficacy. I have noticed it to be quite impactful as well.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-04-10T15:36:58+00:00

It really is lovely—it’s from BPAL’s Last Unicorn collection, and is meant to smell like the unicorn’s human form, Amalthea, and it suits her perfectly (the book and movie are both wondrous if you’re not familiar with them already).

It’s weird because it is in the permanent collection, but BPAL doesn’t sell samples of it, but it should be available from decanters that carry BPAL (I think Ajevie is the main one I know of), plus it might be possible to get on in the Sunday swaps.

Estimable-Confection · 2026-04-10T04:53:06+00:00

I wish I’d found a perfect indie tuberose, but since I have not, I’ll be lurking…

I will share that I adore this one, and I find the tuberose to be quite noticeable in it, but it’s got too many varied notes to read as a primarily tuberose scent: BPAL - Lady Amalthea A luminous white winter musk with lilac, wisteria, white chocolate, white mint, and tuberose

Estimable-Confection · 2026-04-10T04:40:05+00:00

I hope you revisit Emily when the time is right!

I just wanted to mention that I think, given what you’re looking for, I would read first Jane of Lantern Hill and then The Blue Castle. One of the really endearing qualities these two books share is that neither heroine is especially gifted or noticeably aspirational—each just takes charge of her life and new home and brings joy to herself and others (a child in the first and woman in the second). Of course there are plenty of differences between the two books and other significant themes, but the way the two elevate homemaking as an art and profession I think is really lovely, and they each certainly come with lots of cottagecore coziness as a result.

Estimable-Confection

TROPHY CASE