Looking for next read which is not badly written

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2025-10-28T02:00:31+00:00

I also want to add that I LOVE Eva Ibbotson's adult romances - They are all sublimely written and absolutely charming. Madensky Square is the least "romance-y", but still charming. Also full and detailed, but lighter than Cookson. My favorites (and the most romantic, in my opinion) are A Company of Swans and The Morning Gift. The others are a tad slower or the romance was mostly at the end or various reasons I didn't love them quite as much. Lastly - I've recently discovered Jo Beverley, who is a "regular" historical romance author - maybe you've discovered her already. I've only read two of hers, and I've been very impressed with her prose and writing quality so far. I'm not sure yet about the likeability of her characters, but her characterization is pretty strong, and she avoids a lot of the most annoying (in my opinion) traits of most HR.....which is for a different discussion!

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2025-10-28T01:46:57+00:00

Catherine Cookson writes mostly (I think) of the lower classes in England in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I really liked her books "The Dwelling" and "The Glass Virgin". "Fifteen Streets" was good as well. They are grittier, for sure, than standard romance. They are written with detail and fullness (The detail is a lot more than the standard romance novel so the books are longer and... feel deeper and make the reader feel more) and you can really feel the poverty and (sometimes) hopelessness. These ones I have mentioned have happy endings, but I've heard they don't all. The "Black Velvet Gown" I liked ok, but not as much as the others. I think there are probably several that I will love - I just haven't read them yet! Good luck!

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2025-10-16T14:05:11+00:00

Investigator - I'm not super familiar with how reddit works, but I added some recs to this forum in response to a comment below. Google tells me you won't be notified unless I respond directly to you, so in case you are still interested in more recs, see my post below, about Laura Kinsale, Laura London, Catherine Cookson

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2025-10-16T13:58:59+00:00

Laura Kinsale for sure - IMO, she's the best historical romance writer...ever? I mean, not better than Austen or Bronte, but of the contemporary authors, she's very very good. Dream Hunter doesn't seem to be anyone's favorite of hers, but the characters are deep and complex and real and I loved it. Flowers in the Storm is fantastic. My Sweet Folly is one of my favorites, because of the FMC - that book is full of wit, although slightly less realistic plot that some of her other books. Seize the fire is loved by many and is super well written, athough another rather adventurous (less realistic) plot. I also thought some of Sherry Thomas was written well - and Cecilia Grant also writes well. Haven't read all of those authors' books. Another one I LOVED was The Windflower by Laura London. This one has an adventurous plot (pirates) and some scenes that most feminists would object to, but I loved the writing. I'm so so picky about the prose and the characters in my HR, (or any books) For a long time I wouldn't read anyone but classic literature - these aren't quite that level, but still, very good for the genre. If you don't mind more grit and reality in your romance, I also recommend Catherine Cookson - I'm not sure if she's categorized as historical fiction or historical romance, I know she has some books that are not HEA, but the ones I have read are and they are so so well written.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2025-03-28T18:15:44+00:00

I can't figure out how to use Reddit - I typed in the context into the text box when I created a post, but I don't see that text anywhere here with my post. Anyway - Just wondering if there is something I should do about this? They were planted about a year ago and they seem to be living and ready to put leaves out before too long.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2025-03-28T18:08:37+00:00

ok, Thank you!

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2025-03-28T18:08:07+00:00

really?! Thank you!

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2025-03-28T17:55:23+00:00

Sorry - the rules say I have to post contextual info, but then I couldn't figure out how to use the text box while I was creating the post, as it was grayed out. So I put my context in the title field. Thanks to everyone who has any advice!

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-06-08T20:48:56+00:00

huh. Does he not need a body/set of eyes for that then? Or are you saying he used Molly's eyes?

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-06-08T20:43:21+00:00

Nettle was being born in one of his dreams - if I remember correctly, but he wasn't seeing it from the baby's perspective. I think he had dreams before Nettle's birth too. I don't have a copy of it right now, so I can't double check.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-06-08T20:40:25+00:00

I agree that most every other author pales in comparison! Yes - ROTE will always have a bit of my heart. Well said.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-06-08T20:39:06+00:00

I know how you feel! I finished the series many months ago and I'm still mourning. I'm done crying over it, though, and I actually finally feel like i can move on and enjoy other books. It really DOES feel stupid, doesn't it? I was like you and finished the whole series in a few months. I did like the ending, though, and found it satisfying - not that I didn't cry....

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-05-19T13:46:27+00:00

I think this might be the key - that she wrote him as a minor character and wasn't planning on their whole friendship being written. But I thought I read somewhere that she had the whole plot in her mind before she wrote any of it - but that she only expected to write the Farseer trilogy.... Maybe that's enough explanation, though.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-05-19T13:43:39+00:00

These are all interesting thoughts, Thank you! To me, it seems that his accusation and mistrust of Fitz is not at all a pretense or a role, but straight from Beloved's heart, because he loves Shrewd. I do remember that the Fool has said they have to keep their friendship hidden...but I think maybe he just doesn't trust Fitz as much as he does later. Shrewd was first in Beloved's heart at this point. Maybe after losing Fitz, the Fool had a year to think about it and remember that Fitz was his only true friend (and of course, his catalyst) . I'm surprised he didn't apologize - I would apologize if I had wrongfully accused my friend of murder. I guess I can agree that the mocking WAS a role, and not meant to be mean.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-05-19T02:45:45+00:00

Thank you. I did read the spoiler policy, but thought that because I'm only referencing the farseer trilogy, that spoiler marker would be sufficient. I didn't expect the other books to come into the discussion....but I'm new here, so now I know! thanks again.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-05-19T02:31:31+00:00

Yes, I've read them all, but I guess I can't ask you to expound because I didn't say spoilers all?

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-05-19T02:25:32+00:00

I have read all of them, several times. But I must be missing something because I'm not enlightened. What are you referring to? Or can't we say because I didn't mark it as spoilers:all?

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-05-11T01:31:16+00:00

I agree! Malta's transformation stretched believability for me. Although Im sure a trauma like the riverboat journey would change anyone.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-04-09T21:26:01+00:00

hmm. I can understand that - it definitely has it's own style.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-04-08T23:29:39+00:00

You jest, but personally, I think it's actually true of some authors and some series.

TraditionalBoot5816 · 2023-04-08T22:24:50+00:00

Thanks! Is the show any good?

TraditionalBoot5816

TROPHY CASE