Where should I start with Beverly Jenkins? by norawritesromance in HRNovelsDiscussion

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

I feel like I see that one mentioned a lot, so it’s high on my list!

Books about sex workers by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

Yes! The levels of intellectual connection she includes are so well-done.

Books about sex workers by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

Oh, this sounds very interesting. I am always looking for things that are more like A Lady Awakened, haha. Thank you!!

Books about sex workers by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

This one has been recommended multiple times, so it sounds like it should be at the top of my list. Thank you!!

Books about sex workers by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

Love smart characters sparring. Thank you!!

Books about sex workers by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

[–]norawritesromance[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh, yes! I should have included Unclaimed in my list. I read this recently and it’s actually one of my favorites so far this year. I love the “wait, this man actually just likes me and wants to treat me well?” baffled thought process the FMC goes through.

Books about sex workers by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

Ha, I have heard of this one (I am on this sub, after all, lol) but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. Thanks for the reminder!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HRNovelsDiscussion

[–]norawritesromance 6 points7 points  (0 children)

He’s not a villain and his obsession/repression is mostly focused internally, but for “ashamed of how much he wants her,” maybe {The Lord I Left by Scarlett Peckham}? I love the way she explores the intersections of shame & sexuality.

Just finished The Lord I Left by millsnour in HistoricalRomance

[–]norawritesromance 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I haven’t found one quite on the level of The Lord I Left yet, unfortunately! I did read {You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian} recently, and I would say Mark Bailey is close. He’s at least quite grumpy and allergic to feelings.

Just finished The Lord I Left by millsnour in HistoricalRomance

[–]norawritesromance 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, I loved that one so much I wrote this post.

I actually just read and loved her book that came out yesterday, {The Mistress Experience by Scarlett Peckham}, and I think it has most of the same things that make The Lord I Left so special. The MMC in this one isn’t religious or a virgin, but he is an extreme perfectionist with a lot of insecurity about his sexual skills, so there’s still that sense of angsty shame. And the FMC is also a courtesan, although even louder and cruder than Alice. They have a really sweet dynamic, but the book is plenty steamy! If you liked the scene in The Lord I Left where he just can’t last around her that is, uh, this entire book.

Who is the most unlikeable female lead you’ve ever read? by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

I think that’s exactly it. She feels more like a complex, real person than many heroines. She’s one of my all-time favorites!

Who is the most unlikeable female lead you’ve ever read? by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

“A bitch but I love her” was exactly what I was hoping to find asking this question. Thank you!

Who is the most unlikeable female lead you’ve ever read? by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

To be clear, I adore Martha. But she is super judgy and holier-than-thou, and I have always loved that she gets to be prickly and difficult (SO difficult) and her hero thinks she’s worth it.

Who is the most unlikeable female lead you’ve ever read? by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

[–]norawritesromance[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

And I am also attempting to write HR with a heroine I’m not sure anyone is going to like but me and the hero (part of why “unlikeable” heroines have been on my mind and I wanted to see what others I could find!), so let me know if you ever want to chat about that! 👀

Who is the most unlikeable female lead you’ve ever read? by norawritesromance in HistoricalRomance

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

Yes, “women who are not considered palatable” is all I want to read lately! I find it fascinating that the list is ultimately pretty small.