r/HistoricalRomance

I tried reading a contemporary romance book the other day and I found that I couldn't. The writing quality felt like it had been stripped right out of one of the middle-school YA books I used to read as a child, yet - with smut and forced banter and terrible, terrible references. I can't help but wonder if historical romance getting pushed aside has anything to do with the unchecked anti-intellectualism and rampant consumerism happening right now in the book industry. For example, people not being able to read above a certain level of writing.

I don't consider the bulk of historical romance to be anywhere near difficult to read, but there are more difficult words thrown in from time to time. There's a tension to the romance that isn't present in contemporary, you know, due to social constraints. I recommended a book to a patron the other day that I felt was a little spicy: Eloisa James, I forget the title, she came back and declared it was the worst book she'd read in a long time. That it took 100 pages for them to have sex. I had to apologize and remind her that I did recommend others, but we just didn't have them in our system. You know, I told her to search out Minerva Spencer or Pam Godwin, but she just continued to scoff and berate my "harlequin romance" - like there's something demeaning about them. 

I've just noticed that people want more smut, even if it means bad writing. Whereas, they're more likely to reject good, but less smut. I'm not against smut by any means. I love smut. I struggle to read books that avoid it. I just. I need a good story. I thought that was the whole point of reading. Where's the romance in romance if it's all tropes and smut, but with nothing in the middle? I think I'm just getting old (an ancient 24), because goodness, where's the quality? It feels like historical romance is the last genre I feel I can truly rely on getting good romances out of. Most dark romances, for me, read as if they're written by some tumblr edgelord. Most contemporary romances have become stale and dragged down by cut-and-paste YA writing (new adult). It just makes me sad. Like, we're the old ladies of the reading world. That's why we're getting dropped. It just makes me sad and disappointed. 

A thread for recommendations based on what you've already loved!

Tell us something you like - an author, a book title, a trope - and we'll offer suggestions for historical romance books that might be your cup of tea. Get as specific or as vague as you like!

Examples:

• If I like marriages of convenience, I might like...
• If I like Tessa Dare, I might like...
• If I like The Duke and I, I might like...
• If I like roguish heroes with red hair, three younger sisters and a pet parrot, I might like... (this one might be tricky!)

This thread repeats every Monday.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the witty banter that is common in historical romances, but right now I’m looking for something that is more serious and emotional.

The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Mathew’s was amazing and I would like something similar to it. It didn’t have too much humor or banter, instead it was a lot more heartbreaking and emotional. In that book and in A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin I really liked that the men were their sort of saviors. I would like it if the FMC was desperate to get away from someone/something and the MMC saved her from whatever she was running from.

Sorry if this seems to specific, I do tend to be a little picky when it comes to romance books. Also remember that I don’t want any spice, steam is welcomed but I don’t want any explicit scenes

Please give me your best tips to avoid AI slop in HR books

I just finished reading {The Heather Wife by A.M. Kray} and all I can say is that I really wish I hadn’t. I was tempted by the beautiful title, but that was the only beautiful thing in it. There’s no romance and I really believe the “author” used AI to write it. So given my disappointment I’d like to ask you all to give me the names of any books you’ve read that feel suspicious and any tips to avoid AI slop. I’m starting a list to avoid wasting my time and just to preserve my sanity. (this is my first time posting, please excuse any infractions and let me know how to fix them)

Thank you all in advance.

Idk, maybe I am hormonal, looking for safety/comfort vibes.

Basically she is confused by and is suspicious of perfectly normal expressions of casual caring and consideration because she doesn't have a frame of reference for basic decency. Big "this has to be a trap, what does he _really_ want?" vibes.

A few checklist items but not looking to satisfy all of them.

- she recalls some horrible event in a very deadpan manner and the MMC is horrified.

- he differs to her judgement in something naturally assuming her competency and she feels emotional without knowing why.

- Evie from Devil in Winter like self-protective reaction to sudden physical movement from the MMC causing him to take several steps back or get away from the door to leave the exit unblocked.

- she experiences a panic attack and he talks her through it.

Thank you in advance.

I'm asking for this trope for TWO reasons. Reason one: I'm on a mission to find a book that had two very unlikeable people getting paired together at like this summer party? Nobody liked them and so they were always put together for stuff. And of course, they disliked each other until they didn't. Reason two: I just love this idea, so please send me recs!

hey everyone, i’m looking for some book recommendations pretty please! looking for light-hearted, funny, slow burn regency romances with NO smut if possible. that being said, i am also NOT interested in the specific subset of clean regency romance that’s written (very poorly) by mormon women from utah. i am open to all genders/sexualities etc, and crossover with some magical realism is ok too.

books i loved and am looking for something similar to:

anything by sophie irwin (especially loved a ladies guide to fortune hunting)

arabella by georgette heyer (i generally prefer a more modern writing style though)

lady like by mackenzi lee

half a soul by olivia atwater

i also did enjoy the bedwyn saga by mary balogh despite the smut, something similar but clean would be amazing!

thanks in advance!!!!! 😁🫶

May I have book recommendations where MMC YEARNS (if not pins) for the FMC. The feeling of yearning does not have to be present from the start, but that emotion must be felt at some point of the story.

Looking for spicy recommendations. Let the book have DETAILS and let there be multiple occasions of sexual encounters.

Preference set in England, Scotland, Wales, or Ireland.

Anytime before 1920.

Thank you in advance.

Hi everyone. I love Western historical romance, but the problem I am finding in this niche is that it's very--how do I say this?--plot flimsy. I would love to find a sweeping, plot heavy historical western book written like, say, a Louis L'Amour or a Zane Grey or a Miles Swarthout, but that also has true romance there as well.

I guess you could say I am looking for a... romantic historical? I'd definitely be interested in a book set in any era if it's plot heavy and well-written, not just westerns.

Any ideas?

I recently read both of Nichole Van's HR series and I LOVED them. I was very impressed by her writing and how fleshed out her characters were, and that she rarely used miscommunication as a plot device. All of the things that make my favorite authors! I found her MMCs to be very likeable and I loved that they all had a softer, emotional side. And I hadn't gone down to 2* before, but I found I really liked it cause I was getting kind of burnt out on smut.

Most of my reading list is 3*+ but I kind of want to stick with the lower spice level for a bit, so now I'm searching for more series with 2* spice levels with well developed characters and minimal miscommunication as plot devices. Especially fond of MMCs who fall first/yearn hard, or softer/less 'alpha' MMCs, but that's not a hard requirement. Suggestions?

Hi everyone!
Please help me find this book, I'm going crazy and can't seem to find the exactly what I'm searching for.

I haven't actually ready it but I believe that I read another one from the series. What I remember:
- This is a standalone in the interconnected series about group of former thieves and scoundrels
- The FMC is the part of the group but they are all changed and grown up
- I vividly remember that in the book blurb it stated that "FMC has long abandoned her pickpocketing life but sometimes she likes to test her abilities and she pickpockets the wrong man on the street"
- I feel like this book was the 3d in the series but I could be wrong

I thought it was {Surrender to the Devil by Lorraine Heath} but I'm reading it now and it's not the same.

If my description rings any bells, please let me know! I'm loosing my mind over it

Besties, I love a good open door, but sometimes, I am in the mood for pure yearning without the bible quotes. For context, I just finished watching the Seeking Persephone tv series (highly recommend, btw but fair warning it's kinda like a Hallmark HR with a higher budget, but still lovely). The draw of closed door for me is that it can be a bigger challenge to establish chemistry and longing without succumbing immediately to a romp in the sheets. The end can feel more satisfactory this way... just realised I described edging lmaooooo anyway, hit me with your best shot! And please include your own description of why we should collectively obsess over it.

I am a big fan of hoopla and libby and read/listen to about 60-80 books a year. I also own a ton, but now really only purchase if I find a good deal, thrift, or just loved the book. Anyone have an app they love that keep tracks of books you have read in total, read this year, but also one I can add what books I own so when I am out and about I don't duplicate?

There have been good books hidden behind covers that were... not as good. Or there have been books with lovely covers but the inside did not live up to it (or they were even misleading).

I decided to read {A Pocket of Stars by Laura Rollins} because I found the cover romantic like a still from a film. The characters were younger than what I usually prefer to read about (at 18 and 23) and had known each other as teens. It was a cute overall read and it is the second in the series so perhaps I missed out on stuff.

Give me your prettiest covers and I want to see how much they get me to read the book! I would not count the old bodice-ripper covers (i. e. with half-naked Fabio and a long haired beauty in a medieval-style dress) as my definition of 'pretty'. They are more artistic and aesthetic (and I would be embarrassed reading them in public). For series with covers I consider pretty, I would say all of {Longhope Abbey by Mia Vincy} or {Parish Orphans by Mimi Matthews}.

Hello!

Looking for historical romance recs similar to Bringing Down the Duke and Slightly Dangerous.

I love:

- Reserved, powerful hero (duke/aristocrat energy) who’s emotionally controlled but softens over time

- Smart, independent heroine

- Slow burn with strong emotional payoff

- Character-driven stories over plot-heavy drama

- I’m especially looking for that cozy, immersive social atmosphere like in Slightly Dangerous:

Country estates, house parties, extended visits

Lots of family dynamics, sibling interactions, and group scenes. Gatherings, dinners, walks, and everyday moments where the relationships develop

A “living alongside the characters” feeling with a strong sense of place

I tend to prefer quieter stakes (more interpersonal tension than big external drama) and romances that feel earned rather than insta-love.

Bonus points for:

- “Icy/reserved hero melts” trope

- Found family or tight-knit social circles

- Rich side characters you get to spend time with

- Open to any historical setting, but especially love that soft, comforting, domestic Regency vibe.

Thanks in advance, you all are the best!

I need a book with lots of yearning and little to no spice (1/5 stars on the romance.io scale). I’m in a book hangover after finishing The Other Bennett Sister and need something to tide me over until the BBC drama gets released in the US.

*it doesn’t have to be in the Jane Austen universe

Just as the title says, age gap, struggling fmc that gets help from mmc by either working for him or anything, basically i want her to be indebted to him + bonus if they're enemies first 👀

I loved the earl I ruined and loved constance and how she loves trying to help people even if doesn't always go the right way and am looking for similar books , I guess also Emma vibes . i would love a mr knightley lord arhthorpe type mmc but dont mind if the mmc isnt like that and also i would love if mmc loves that about the fmc even if he doesnt at first.

i would also like enemies to lovers , grumpy sunshine , marriage of conveince

I'm back with more hot takes/controversial thoughts! The other day, I made a post ranking a whole bunch of HR authors based on their body of work and my personal preferences in terms of HR.

Because I ranked the authors based on all their books (or all their books that I've read in the cases where I haven't read all their books), that list, of course, had its flaws, and I was hard on certain authors because I didn't let myself rank them highly if their body of work varied in quality, so some authors with really good books got ranked pretty low.

So, I decided to make a second list, ranking all these authors based on what I consider their best book only. In some cases (which I will make clear), I ranked them based on the only book of theirs I've read, so take those rankings with a grain of salt, because that generally applies to authors I don't like. Also, if you think they have a better book than the one I listed, let me know!

Because I'm ranking what I thought were their best books, the ratings are a lot higher this time around! I didn't rate a single book on this list under 2.5 stars, because, even though I don't like some of them, it feels mean to give less than that to a book someone put a lot of heart and effort into, even if I didn't like it.

I've also decided to include both what I rated them last time and their original placement for reference and so that I could reflect on how I ranked them in the last list, and, uh... I have some regrets from last time.

Because it caused some confusion last time, here's a brief, simplified overview of what each rating means to me: 5 stars is great. 4 stars is good. 3 stars is fine. 2.5 stars is halfway because 2.5 is half of 5 (this is where this list ends, because I was nice this time). 2 stars is not for me or not great. 1 star is bad. 0 stars is reserved for AI slop. And I use decimals because nuance is a beautiful thing and not everything fits neatly into boxes.

So, without further ado, a much kinder, more generous ranking of a bunch of HR authors based on what I think is their best book (or, in three cases, books, because I couldn't decide):

1. 5⭐ Candice Proctor: {Night in Eden by Candice Proctor} (overall rating 5 stars, original ranking 1 of 41) Yes, this is my all-time favorite HR book by my all-time favorite HR author.

2. 5⭐ Courtney Milan: {The Duchess Deal by Courtney Milan} (overall rating 5 stars, original ranking 4 of 40). Not actually my favorite Courtney Milan book, but the one I think is probably her best.

3. 5⭐ Mia Vincy: {A Dangerous Kind of Lady by Mia Vincy}, {A Beastly Kind of Earl by Mia Vincy} or {A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy} (overall rating 4.5 stars, original ranking 6 out of 40). I couldn't decide which book was better, so I listed all three because they're all great.

4. 5⭐ Sherry Thomas: {Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas} (overall rating 4.5 stars, original ranking 7 of 40)

5. 5⭐ Ellen O'Connell: {Into the Light by Ellen O'Connell} (overall rating 5 stars, original ranking 2 of 40)

6. 5⭐ Mary Balogh: {The Arrangement by Mary Balogh} and {Only Beloved by Mary Balogh} (overall rating 5 stars, original ranking 3 of 40)

7. 5⭐ Joanna Bourne: {Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne} (overall rating 4.5 stars, original ranking 5 of 40)

8. 4.5⭐ Mimi Matthews: {The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews} (overall rating 4.5 stars, original ranking 8 of 40)

9. 4.5⭐ Stephanie Patterson: {A Terrible Beauty by Stephanie Patterson} (overall rating 3.25 stars, original ranking 17 of 40)

10. 4.5⭐ Lorraine Heath: {Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath} (overall rating 3 stars, original ranking 19 of 40)

11. 4.5⭐ Susanna Ives: {Frail by Susanna Ives} (overall rating 4 stars, original ranking 10 of 40)

12. 4.5⭐ Erin Langston: {The Finest Print by Erin Langston} (overall rating 3 stars, original ranking 23 of 40)

13. 4.5⭐ Lisa Kleypas: {Marrying Winterbourne by Lisa Kleypas} (overall rating 3 stars, original ranking 20 of 40, exactly halfway!) I had a really hard time picking a "best" book of hers. Her books are all pretty consistent in quality and you always know what you're getting with her. I've never been disappointed by one of her books.

14. 4.25⭐ Eloisa James: {This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James} (overall rating 4 stars, original ranking 9 of 40). With reflection, I might have put Eloisa James a few spots too high on my original list. Oh, well. I do love this book, though.

15. 4.25⭐ Elisabeth Hobbes: {The Blacksmith's Wife by Elisabeth Hobbes} (overall rating 3.5 stars, original ranking 13 of 40). I'm not sure if I'm being too nice to her or too hard on her. She's one of the authors who introduced me to HR, and I flipping love this book, but it's been a while since I read it and I'm afraid of being too nice since she gives me so much nostalgia.

16. 4.25⭐ Julia Quinn: {The Girl with the Make Believe Husband} (overall rating 3 stars, original ranking 22 of 40).

17. 4.25⭐ Aydra Richards: {A Duke in Disguise by Aydra Richards} (overall rating 3 stars, original ranking 18 of 40).

18. 4.25⭐ Joanna Shupe: {Tycoon by Joanna Shupe} (overall rating 4 stars, original ranking 11 of 40).

19. 4.25⭐ Amy Barry: {Kit McBride Gets a Wife by Amy Barry} and {Seven Brides for Beau McBride} (overall rating 3.5 stars, original ranking 12 of 40).

20. 4⭐ Elizabeth Hoyt: {Thief of Shadows by Elizabeth Hoyt} (overall rating 3.5 stars, original ranking 14 of 40)

21. 4⭐ Loretta Chase: {Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase} (overall rating 3.25 stars, original ranking 16 of 40)

22. 4⭐ Kathleen Ayers: {A Recipe for a Rogue by Kathleen Ayers} (overall rating 3 stars, original ranking 24 of 40)

23. 4⭐ Julie Anne Long: {After Dark with the Duke by Julie Anne Long} (overall rating 2.75 stars, original ranking 28 of 40). I was definitely hard on her in the last list, so hopefully this can redeem me! Honestly, this is the only book of hers that I've read so far that I actually liked. It's a really good book.

24. 4⭐ Pamela Morsi: {The Love Charm by Pamela Morsi} (overall rating 2.5 stars, original ranking 29 of 40). The only one of Pamela Morsi's books that I actually liked, and one of only two that I didn't DNF. Hopefully, her fans forgive me now that I've given it 4 stars.

25. 3.75⭐ Kerrigan Byrne: {How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne} (overall rating 3.25 stars, original ranking 15 of 40). I think I was too nice to KB in my first list. I don't dislike her, but I think I messed up ranking her above Stephanie Patterson, Aydra Richards and Lisa Kleypas, so I think putting her about here this time around is more accurate.

26. 3.75⭐ Tessa Dare: {Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare} (overall rating 3 stars, original ranking 21 of 40) Even as I'm putting this here, I think I might be being too hard on Tessa Dare. I haven't read any of her books in a while and I think I need to go back and refresh my memory. I've only read Spindle Cove and Castles Ever After, and I do want to read some of her other books now that I'm thinking about it.

27. 3.75⭐ Anne Stuart: {To Love a Dark Lord by Anne Stuart} (overall rating 2.75 stars, original ranking 27 of 40). Not a huge Anne Stuart fan as I find some of her books a bit generic, but this is objectively not a bad book.

28. 3.75⭐ Sarah MacLean: {Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean} (overall rating 2.75 stars, original ranking 26 of 40)

29. 3.75⭐ Emily Royal: {Taciturn in the Ton by Emily Royal} (overall rating 2 stars, original ranking 38 of 40). I was definitely too hard on her in hindsight. I should have given her at least 2.5 stars, maybe 3 stars. Her books are fine if a bit cookie-cutter-y. Idk why I had such a grudge against her on the last list!

30. 3.75⭐ Minerva Spencer: {Hyacinth by Minerva Spencer} (overall rating 3 stars, original ranking 25 of 40). To be fair, this is one of only two books of hers that I've read, and I gave the other one about the same rating, so at least she's consistent, and also, I should probably read more of her books.

31. 3.5⭐ Cecilia Grant: {A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant} (overall rating 2 stars, original ranking 35 of 40). The only one of her books I didn't DNF, and even then, I'm not wild about it, but objectively it's a decent book. Cecilia Grant just isn't my vibe.

32. 3.5⭐ Stacy Reid: (The Wolf and the Wallflower by Stacy Reid} (overall rating 2.5 stars, original ranking 31 of 40). The most absurd and bonkers book by our queen of bonkers HR!

33. 3.5⭐ Grace Burrowes: {The Duke's Disaster by Grace Burrowes} (overall rating 2.5 stars, original ranking 32 of 40). Another author I may have been too hard on last time, with hindsight. Her books are fine and the quality is relatively consistent, if not particularly memorable.

34. 3⭐ Alice Coldbreath: {A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath}. (overall rating 2 stars, original ranking 33 of 40). The only one of her books I haven't hated. Solid 3 stars. The rest of her books are hard passes for me.

35. 2.75⭐ Alexandra Vasti: {In Which Winnie Halifax is Completely Ruined} (overall rating 2 stars, original ranking 34 of 40). I wanted to like Alexandra Vasti so bad. I slogged through all three Halifax Hellion books, and this is the one I disliked the least. Will I give her another try? I don't know. Maybe someday, but I generally gravitate towards darker HRs, and her books are the exact opposite of that.

36. 2.75⭐ Felicity Niven: {Bed Me, Earl by Felicity Niven} (overall rating 2.5 stars, original ranking 30 of 40). I've DNFed all of her books, but I made it three quarters of the way through this one. It's not objectively bad, just not for me.

37. 2.75⭐ Laura Kinsale: {Seize the Fire by Laura Kinsale} (overall rating: none, because I forgot about her, original ranking: uh... also none, because I forgot about her, but she would have been pretty low down. I'm not a fan, clearly). The only one of her books I actually finished. It was not worth it.

38. 2.75⭐ Cheryl St. John: {His Secondhand Bride by Cheryl St. John} (overall rating 2 stars, original ranking 37 of 40). This is the only one of her books I've read. Her writing style wasn't for me, but I did finish it. If you have a recommendation of hers that you think is better, feel free to let me know!

39. 2.75⭐ Maggie Osborne: {The Bride of Willow Creek by Maggie Osborne} (overall rating 2 stars, original ranking 36 of 40). One of only two books of hers I've read. DNFed the other. Barely made it through this one.

40. 2.75⭐ Lynsay Sands: {The Countess by Lynsay Sands} (overall rating 2 stars, original ranking 39 of 40). I'm going to be honest. This is the only book of hers I've read. I started the sequel, realized I didn't care enough to give it a proper try and stopped. So... Not necessarily an accurate reflection of her books overall. She's just not for me.

41. 2.5⭐ J.R. Biery: {The Milch Bride by J.R. Biery} (overall rating 1.5 stars, original ranking 40 of 40). Oh, J.R. Biery, hire an editor, please, I'm begging you! Break out the red pens and invest in a really good spellchecker! The premise is there, the characters could be compelling, but all the spelling and grammar errors really take you out of it. This is the only J.R. Biery book I've read, and I have no desire to read another because the mistakes were painfully glaring.

Bonus: Anne Gracie. I picked up my first Anne Gracie book today! {The Autumn Bride by Anne Gracie}. So far, it's a solid 4 stars, with the potential to go higher depending on if she sticks the landing. I don't think I'd put it much lower, even if the ending doesn't quite deliver, because it's been great so far. Thank you to whoever recommended it earlier today on this sub! My library had it in stock when I went to pick up my weekly book fix, and I decided to take a chance on it. So far, it's worth it! Thank you, kind Redditor who recommended it to someone else, whoever you are!

Corrections/amendments on my last list:

I was definitely too hard on a few authors in my original list (especially Emily Royal. I was mean to her, and I honestly have no idea why. I have regrets. I'm sorry). I was also very hard on Julie Anne Long since I'd literally just finished one of her books that was a huge disappointment, which definitely influenced me rating her so low, but she still isn't, and likely will never be, one of my favorite authors.

On the flip side, I think I was also too nice to Eloisa James and Kerrigan Byrne. Eloisa James was one of my first HR authors, so I'll always have a huge soft spot for her, but I'm not sure she deserved to be ranked so high on my list. Ah, well. Books are subjective. Kerrigan Byrne, I was definitely too nice to. With hindsight, putting her above Stephanie Patterson, Aydra Richards and Lisa Kleypas doesn't line up at all with what I actually think of her books. I do think she's a better writer than Stephanie Patterson and Aydra Richards from a purely technical standpoint, but I don't think her books are actually better.

Also, I forgot Laura Kinsale last time. Based on this list, it's probably clear that I don't really like her. I'd probably have put her somewhere down around Maggie Osborne and Cheryl St. John, so, towards the bottom with about a 2 star rating overall (I'm sorry to those who love it, but I can't stand Flowers from the Storm. Or any of her other books, for that matter, and I've tried several).

Observations and coincidences:

Authors whose rankings didn't change between lists: Candice Proctor (#1 on both, obviously, as she's my all-time favorite HR author and Night in Eden is my all-time favorite HR book), Mimi Matthews (#8), Anne Stuart (#27), J.R. Biery (#40, and the dubious honor of being both my least favorite HR author and book).

Authors who moved around the most: Emily Royal (11 spots up from an undeserved #38 to #29 for Taciturn in the Ton), Erin Langston (11 spots up from #23 overall to #12 for The Finest Print), Lorraine Heath (9 spots up from #19 overall to #10 for Texas Destiny), Stephanie Patterson (8 spots up from #17 overall to #9 for A Terrible Beauty), Lisa Kleypas (7 spots up from #20 overall to #13 for Marrying Winterbourne), Joanna Shupe (7 spots down from #11 overall to #18 for Tycoon), and Amy Barry (7 spots down from #12 overall to #19 for Kit McBride Needs a Wife).

Emily Royal and Erin Langston both had the most upward movement, climbing 11 spots each, but for very different reasons. In Erin Langston's case, it's because The Finest Print is a beautiful, amazing book, but the rest of her body of work just doesn't hold up in comparison. In Emily Royal's case, it's because I was unnecessarily mean to her last time around for no reason. Like, I honestly have no idea why I was so hard on her. She was the author I did the most dirty last time, and I have regrets!

Joanna Shupe and Amy Barry are the authors who moved down the list the most, descending 7 spots each. In Joanna Shupe's case, it's because she's the most reliably 4-star author I've ever encountered, and I mean that as a compliment. Every single one of her books that I've read (I have not read them all yet, but I've read a lot) sits somewhere between 4.25 stars and 3.75 stars. You know exactly what you're going to get with her, and sometimes, that's a good thing.

Same with Amy Barry. Overall, she's a pretty consistent 4-star author, but in comparison to some of the more than 4-star books on this list, I couldn't in good conscience put her best book higher up.

Also, Joanna Shupe and Alexandra Vasti are the only authors on this list (I believe) where I rated a novella above the rest of their books. In Alexandra Vasti's case, it's because I've only read her novellas. In Joanna Shupe's case, it's because I really like Tycoon. I think it's a great little book.

Other random thoughts:

In the case of several authors, I didn't actually put my favorite book of theirs on this list, but what I thought was objectively their best book. My favorite Courtney Milan book is sometimes The Duchess War, and sometimes it's The Countess Conspiracy, but I think, on balance, The Duchess War is a better book (and The Devil Comes Courting has to be up there somewhere too). My favorite Ellen O'Connell book is probably Beautiful Bad Man, but I think Into the Light is objectively a stronger book. And I don't actually have a favorite Mary Balogh book, but I do have a favorite series (The Survivors' Club). And a few other books aren't necessarily my favorites, but what I thought were authors' best books.

Also, because some people were remarking on it on my last list, I described Candice Proctor as a "historian's HR author," meaning that she is a very big history nerd (and has a PhD in history) and gets the small details right. I got a couple questions about other authors like that, so I figured I'd give a few recommendations here. Other authors who I've found get the little things (mostly) right: Joanna Shupe, Sherry Thomas, Joanna Bourne and Mary Balogh.

Joanna Shupe in particular is the best HR author I've come across for getting technology right. She writes mainly late Victorian romances and includes things like showers, telephones, heated swimming pools, ticker tape to track stock market prices, gas lights, electric lights and way more that often get left out of HRs because they don't feel "historical" enough.

Candice Proctor and Joanna Bourne don't shy away from the darker, grittier details of history, and Sherry Thomas and Mary Balogh both clearly put a lot of research into their books (of course, plenty of other authors do, too, but it really shows with them).

Wrapping up:

What do you think of this list in comparison to the last one if you saw it? If you didn't, what do you think of just this one?

What books from this list do you agree are an author's best books, and which ones do you vehemently disagree with (keeping in mind that I haven't read absolutely every book by every one of these authors)?

Was I too nice in some of my ratings this time? Too harsh? Do you think the rankings hold up in comparison to each other this time? Also, what do you think of the authors who moved around a lot? Did they move in the right direction and do the reasons why they moved make sense?