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Books with a romance that leaves you a bit breathless

32 replies

GrouchyKiwi · 23/11/2018 15:41

I've just finished reading a marvellous historical urban fantasy (not steampunk) series with a fantastic romance and need more. The kind that really makes you feel it.

The series is the Lady Helen series (The Dark Days Club, etc) by Alison Goodman. Books and series that have given me a similar feeling are the Blood Destiny books by Helen Harper, Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase, and quite a few Georgette Heyers.

Any recommendations? They don't have to be any particular genre, though I do love fantasy elements.

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Eenymeeny123 · 11/12/2018 21:24

I enjoyed Sherrilyn Kenyon ( dark hunters), Dianne duvall( immortals) and Teresa gabelmans( the protectors) books. They are all fantasy books with great romances.

TheFirstOHN · 11/12/2018 20:46

I'm started reading the Lady Helen books after seeing this thread - now half-way through the third. Thank you for the recommendation OP.

Immummynoiam · 08/12/2018 21:08

Just popping back to say I read the Lady Helen books last week - really good, thanks for the recommendation!

tinkiiev · 03/12/2018 00:50

Catherine Bowness books!

Chickoletta · 27/11/2018 18:00

The Poldark books.

colouringinpro · 26/11/2018 23:25

Marking place Grin

Didsomeonesaybunny · 26/11/2018 23:20

Dr. Zhivago - I weep every time I read it
Jayne Eyre
The tattoos of Auschwitz
Memories of my melancholy whores
Love in the time of cholera

AliCanTea · 26/11/2018 23:13

Uprooted as above has a romance that definitely gave me the shivers.

I also loved A Court of Mist and Fury if you don't mind sex but you have to make it through the first book first which is... problematic.

Original poster
GrouchyKiwi · 25/11/2018 21:27

Thanks, Sadik!

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Sadik · 24/11/2018 17:26

I love a good romance (and adore Gail Carriger's books). They are very pretty trashy, but Cassandra Clare does a good line in urban fantasy romance. The Infernal Devices series is a good place to start IMO (Clockwork Princess the first IIRC).

If you don't mind m/m romance (and a lot of sex!) then try KJ Charles. Band Sinister is pure Heyer pastiche, and stacks of fun. The Charm of Magpies series is fantasy/romance, and the Society of Gentlemen series Regency romance again.

Original poster
GrouchyKiwi · 24/11/2018 09:43

Thank you for all of the recommendations!

Incoming I've read all of those authors except Chance, and totally agree.

almighty I LOVE Gail Carriger. Her YA series are good reads too.

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ILoveCrunchyAutumnLeaves · 23/11/2018 21:12

It's the Sir Richard Burton version & if I'm being totally honest my favourite romance is Jackie Collins book Chances & the relationship between Gino & Leonora, totally trashy but a great romance storyBlushSmile

almightygirl · 23/11/2018 20:49

I loved The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger. It’s steampunk/supernatural/romance and they are fun stories with a kick-ass heroine!

IncomingCannonFire · 23/11/2018 20:46

Thea Harrison/ Nalini Singh/ Karen Chance/ Ilona Andrews/ KF Breene all produce heart skipping romances with kick-ass heroines and fantastical world building imo.
Peacemaking for ideas.

Stuckforthefourthtime · 23/11/2018 20:44

I've just loved reading Naomi Novik Uprooted, it was great!

On the fun but slightly trashy historical novel side, anything by Courtney Milan (her old ones are best)

ShockedHorrored · 23/11/2018 20:44

J R Ward. Kelley Armstrong the otherworld series. Keri Arthur. All fantasy with some Blush romanceWink

immummynoiam · 23/11/2018 20:43

I’ve read those Lisa kleypas books too.

FreeButtonBee · 23/11/2018 20:42

The absolute best historical fiction/romantic novel series is the lymond chronicles by Dorothy dunnett. I am in mourning that I will never spend a night with lymond

DerelictWreck · 23/11/2018 20:38

Nora Roberts is a a good choice for good books and good romances, though they become a bit 'scheduled' after a while

Stuckforthefourthtime · 23/11/2018 20:36

Also love Lord of Scoundrels and Georgette!
Lisa Kleypas duo Then Came You and Dreaming of You are a little trashy but so much fun.
Maybe The Far Pavilions? I haven't read it for a while so the Raj history may not have aged well...

Original poster
GrouchyKiwi · 23/11/2018 20:30

Ah, I've just started the first Psy book by Nalini Singh this evening!

Trashy is fine. Wink

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Original poster
GrouchyKiwi · 23/11/2018 20:29

Thanks immummy. I'm slowly making my way through all Loretta Chase's books. LoS is my favourite so far.

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immummynoiam · 23/11/2018 20:27

J r ward may be a bit trashy for you but the earlier books I liked.

immummynoiam · 23/11/2018 20:25

Oh and nalini Singh - the psy series or angels I loved them both.

immummynoiam · 23/11/2018 20:24

Quite a few of them Loretta chase’s are good, mr impossible etc. Fantasy wise agree that true blood is great, you might like discovery of witches too (sky just released the first series of the books), or Laura Kinsale.