Katherine Grant's Blog
October 3, 2025
9 Marriage in Crisis Historical Romance Books for Your TBR (Including 3 of Mine)
This list of historical romances is brought to you by Rebecca, a reader who reached out to ask:
I returned to your blog today to see if you had a list for another type of story I’m interested in - a romance between a long-married couple. Not a second marriage or an affair, but a couple who’ve been together a while but need to find each other again. I scanned blog post titles for a while but didn’t see anything quite like that. Does this type of romance novel exist?
My answer is: yes, it does with the “marriage in crisis” trope!
What is the marriage in crisis trope?(Heads up - I’m an affiliate of Bookshop.org and may earn a portion of the profits if you purchase any books via the links provided!)
The marriage in crisis trope features a couple who has been married for a while but whose relationship is in trouble.
Now, a lot of times, these stories feature characters who have been legally married for a long time but who have not actually tried to have a romantic relationship before (like Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas). You’ll also find a lot of these recommendations feature couples who have been separated geographically for a long time. Still, these can be great, angsty reads that make marital woes seem larger than life!
6 Historical Romance Novels Featuring the Marriage in Crisis
Trial by DesireBy Courtney Milan
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.58
Synopsis:
SHE CANNOT FORGET THE FIRE HE IGNITED ...
In the three years since her husband left her, Lady Kate Carhart has managed to forge a fulfilling life for herself. But when Ned Carhart unexpectedly returns, she finds her tranquility uprooted --- and her deepest secrets threatened. Though she has no intention of falling for Ned's charms, Kate can no longer deny the desire that still burns in her heart.
OR THE PROMISE OF HIS LOVE ...
Ned is determined to regain his wife's trust by using unbridled seduction. But just as Kate surrenders to Ned's passion, her carefully guarded past threatens to destroy her. Now Kate must place her faith in the only man she's ever loved, and the only one who has ever betrayed her ...
Bookshop.org
Not Quite a MarriageBy Bliss Bennet
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.3
Synopsis:
Spencer Burnett, Viscount Stiles, once swore he’d left England for good. Yet after five years of self-imposed exile in West Africa, he’s no longer the same spoiled, selfish boy who ran away from a domineering father, a disappointed grandmother, and a decidedly unwanted wife. Proving himself to the family he abandoned will be no easy task, but Spencer no longer shies away from a good fight. He hardly expects his formerly docile wife will be the hardest to convince. When Philadelphia refuses to accept his apologies—or to allow him back into her bed—Spencer finds himself tempting her into a bargain he cannot afford to lose.
Philadelphia Burnett’s desires were once as vast as the sky. But now, after suffering one devastating loss after another, the only thing she allows herself to want is a home. So when her estranged rake of a husband returns from a five-years’ absence to claim the estate promised to her, Delphie resolves to fight him every step of the way. Beechcombe Park will be a sanctuary for her, and for the wayward Audley cousins she’d promised her sister she’d always protect. She cannot, will not, suffer even one more loss.
Especially not the loss of her heart...
Bookshop.org
A Wicked Kind of HusbandBy Mia Vincy
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.99
Synopsis:
It was the ideal marriage of convenience...until they met
Cassandra DeWitt has seen her husband only once--on their wedding day two years earlier--and this arrangement suits her perfectly. She has no interest in the rude, badly behaved man she married only to secure her inheritance. She certainly has no interest in his ban on her going to London. Why, he'll never even know she is there.
Until he shows up in London too, and Cassandra finds herself sharing a house with the most infuriating man in England.
Joshua DeWitt has his life exactly how he wants it. He has no need of a wife disrupting everything, especially a wife intent on reforming his behavior. He certainly has no need of a wife who is intolerably amiable, insufferably reasonable ... and irresistibly kissable.
As the unlikely couple team up to battle a malicious lawsuit and launch Cassandra's wayward sister, passion flares between them. Soon the day must come for them to part ... but what if one of them wants their marriage to become real?
Bookshop.org
Not Quite a HusbandBy Sherry Thomas
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.55
Synopsis:
Their marriage lasted only slightly longer than the honeymoon--to no one's surprise, not even Bryony Asquith's. A man as talented, handsome, and sought after by society as Leo Marsden couldn't possibly want to spend his entire life with a woman who rebelled against propriety by becoming a doctor. Why, then, three years after their annulment and half a world away, does he track her down at her clinic in the remotest corner of India?
Leo has no reason to think Bryony could ever forgive him for the way he treated her, but he won't rest until he's delivered an urgent message from her sister--and fulfilled his duty by escorting her safely back to England. But as they risk their lives for each other on the journey home, will the biggest danger be the treacherous war around them--or their rekindling passion?
Bookshop.org
Ravishing the HeiressBy Sherry Thomas
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.78
Synopsis:
Millicent understands the terms of her arranged marriage all too well. She gets to be a Countess by marrying an impoverished Earl. And in return, the Earl Fitzhugh receives the benefit of her vast wealth, saving his family from bankruptcy. Because of her youth, they have agreed to wait eight years before consummating the marriage--and then, only to beget an heir. After which, they will lead separate lives.
It is a most sensible arrangement. Except for one little thing. Somehow Millie has fallen head over heels in love with her husband. Her husband, who has become her very best friend, but nothing more...Her husband, who plans to reunite with his childhood sweetheart, the beautiful and newly widowed Isabelle, as soon as he has honored the pact with his wife...
As the hour they truly become husband-and-wife draws near, both Millie and Fitzhugh must face the truth in their hearts. Has their pact bred only a great friendship-or has it, without either of them quite noticing, given rise to a great love?
Bookshop.org
You May Kiss the DukeBy Charis Michaels
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.62
A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
Against her better judgement, spirited beauty Sabine Noble agrees to speedily marry a stranger who can remove her from the home of an abusive uncle. The union allows her to relocate to London and start a new life writing travel guides and enjoying the city on her own terms.
A DOWRY WITH NO EXPECTATIONS
Sea Captain Jon Stoker has no desire to be a husband, but Sabine's offer of a commitment-free marriage and a hefty dowry is hard to refuse. After he delivers Sabine from her violent uncle, the deal allows Stoker to say good-bye and sail away.
A CHANCE RESCUE
When Stoker's travels put him in harm's way, neither dowry nor freedom can save him. His unconscious body is returned to England, and a chance discovery by his estranged wife rescues him from the morgue. Sabine is uncertain of her responsibilities to the unconscious husband she barely knows, but she begins the reluctant job of nursing him back to health.
A RECOVERY OF THE HEART
In the private confines of Sabine's bedroom, the estranged husband and wife reckon with the attraction that has been there all along and the new, hot-sparking desire. And when Stoker has recovered and Sabine takes revenge on her dangerous uncle, they realize that attraction and desire have evolved into love.
3 Marriage in Crisis Novellas by Me!I’ve been drawn to writing the marriage in crisis trope a few times. My spin on the trope is to explore a couple who have a relatively healthy relationship but need to make some adjustments as they face major life changes.
Three Nights With Her Husband
On this road trip, one bed is never enough…
For Double and Mary Shayler, a road trip to London should be the perfect holiday away from Northfield Hall. Married for 25 years, they are on their way to visit their son and get some much-needed quality time.
The only trouble is that Mary is mad at Double. Still. And as much as he tries to apologize, he only seems to make things worse instead of better.
As they get farther and farther away from the comfort of their home, Mary and Double have to face the fears swirling behind their every interaction: do they still love each other enough to stay together?
Read Now The Countess Without ConvictionThis novella is a sequel to The Viscount Without Virtue, so if you’re in it to see the long-term relationship, definitely be sure to pick up book 1 first!
Is their marriage strong enough to weather this storm?Ever since their wedding day, Ellen Preston and Max Hainsworth have happily ignored the fact that one day they would become the Earl and Countess Meretta. When Max inherits his title, their life is upended - and a storm begins to brew.
Returning from a long parliamentary season in London, Max discovers that things are not going well for Ellen at their new home of Montchampion Manor. His mother is critical of the new countess, the carpenters don’t want Ellen in the workshop, and everyone is upset that Ellen and Max want to ban imports of tea and cotton.
Worst of all, Ellen seems to have lost her faith in Max.
Ellen is doing her best to adjust to her new life, but the house is too big, the servants are too suspicious, and Max is too distant. When nasty rumors make her question everything she believes in, she and Max must find a way to unite again - or risk forever being torn apart.
Read Now In The Wide Open Light
She is fighting for reform, but will she fight for the man she loves?
August 1819
At Northfield Hall, Julia Dixon needs a break from her life as a spinner and mother of three. When she hears that Henry Hunt will be addressing a crowd in Manchester, she decides to add her voice to calls for parliamentary reform.
Her husband, Samuel, doesn’t understand why Julia wants to travel far from home to fight for voting rights for other people—but he won’t stand in her way. After years apart from his family as a sailor, Samuel is grateful to have resurrected his marriage, and he intends to keep Julia happy, no matter what she needs.
As Julia departs, they both know the bonds of their marriage will be tested, but neither of them predict what Julia faces when she gets to St. Peter’s Field. In its aftermath, they are forced to reevaluate everything they hold dear as they fight to reunite once more.
Read Now Why Storygraph instead of Goodreads?
In today’s world, readers have so many options for where to track and review their books! This blog post uses Storygraph ratings because I love Storygraph’s vision for reader-driven tracking that is divested from the Amazon monopoly. Find out more about Storygraph here!
August 31, 2025
8 Class Difference Romances from the Historical Romance Sampler Season 1
Class difference is a key trope across romance books, no matter the genre. There is something so satisfying about seeing two people of different backgrounds forge a happily ever after together. Here is a little bit more about what the trope means and eight examples from season one of the Historical Romance Sampler!
The class difference trope is pretty self-explanatory: the love interests come from different economic classes. This usually creates a high-stakes romance because their families will disapprove of the match, and they will face cultural differences in things like etiquette and approach towards money as they progress through their romance.
In historical romance novels, the class difference often marks the romance as forbidden, providing a very yummy premise for the plot.
The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL!
8 Class Difference Romance Books from Season 1 of the Historical Romance SamplerThe Earl’s Egyptian Heiress By heba helmyAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.59
A Victorian romance set between Egypt and London
A season with the earl...For the Egyptian heiress
Ranya Radwan’s mission is clear: restore her family’s honor by retrieving the deed to their business from the Earl of Warrington. Until she finds herself enthralled by the new earl, Owen. Accompanying him from Egypt to England to find the deed, Ranya’s swept into an unfamiliar world of society balls and luncheons, but is captivated waltzing in Owen’s arms. Yet her duty to her family means returning to Egypt, not following her heart…
Bookshop.org A Song and a Snowflake By alivia fleurAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.65
A woman seeking redemption at the end of a church aisle…
Beautiful songbird Charlise Hartright is ruined. Introverted, shy and grieving her mother’s loss, she would do anything to restore the family name, even commit to a loveless match, if it means her beloved sister Elise will have a chance at finding her own happiness.
A man out to make his own name…
Sinclair McIntyre has travelled halfway across the world to create his own destiny. Tired of being in the shadow of his older brothers, he is determined to do things his own way to become an independent, self-made man.
A future laid out before each of them.
But with a song
And a snowflake
Everything will change.
Bookshop.org A Duke, Love, and SunshineBy tabetha waiteAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.56
An independent woman hoping to fulfill a dream.
A duke who can’t seem to ignore his attraction to the lady.
Together they uncover their heart’s desire.
With a spirit that knows no bounds, Miss Iona Richards sets her sights on independence and greatness as a landscape architect in Burnham-On-Sea. However, her ambitious dream encounters an unexpected roadblock in the form of the enigmatic Duke of Rosewood.
Thorpe Covington, the Duke of Rosewood, is deeply skeptical of Iona’s abilities, yet undeniably drawn to her spirited nature. As she seeks to transform his cottage retreat, a captivating dance of wit and longing ensues between the two. Soon, the duke’s stoic façade crumbles under Iona’s charm, entwining their hearts in a journey of self-discovery and desire.
In the enchanting realm of Burnham-On-Sea, passion, and ambition intertwine, and the Duke of Rosewood finds himself yearning for a love that surpasses society’s expectations. In this heartwarming tale, Miss Iona Richards and the Duke of Rosewood uncover a love more vibrant and beautiful than any masterpiece they could have imagined.
bookshop.org The Rogue’s Last LetterBy Daria VernonAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.24
In the heart of London, a jewel of the ton and her Bow Street lover reunite…
A MANSE IN MAYFAIR
LADY ALLISON WELDON has a ball to go to, but not before confronting the Bow Street Runner who broke her heart. Sneaking into his London apartment, she expects to call out a cad but finds something else entirely. Wreckage. Ruin. A hollow man. And the dangers which haunt him? Still looming. She dives into the mystery, eager to prove herself useful—to relight that spark in her lover’s eyes. But danger is not their only obstacle in love…
A HUMBLE GARRET
HARRY PLYMOUTH once dreamt of little else besides holding Lady Allison—his Primrose—in his arms. That was until the night he woke to a dagger over his heart. Driven from his home by nameless tormentors, he wants Allison as far from him as possible. But she is set on rendering aid, and he knows he needs her help. Together, they close in on the shadows, but it’s the shadow of her opulent townhouse that may prove most oppressive of all…
When each clue opens the wounds of their differences, and each day closes a door to their future, can the dreams they once shared ever come true?
Bookshop.org A Most Unsuitable LoverBy kelsey swansonAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.85
She lives through her books…
Ill as a child, Lady Juliette Crawford is obliged to live a sheltered life, forbidden from overexerting herself. Instead of riding and dancing, she must take her excitement from parchment and ink. When a pair of strong hands rescue her from certain death beneath the wheels of a cart, however, she discovers a new adventure much grander and more thrilling than any found on a page.
People judge him by his cover…
Born in the Scottish Highlands, Ian McCullom clawed his way out of poverty to become one of the preeminent physicians in London. But taming his brogue, dressing in fine clothes, and making the proper connections can only take him so far; he’ll always be viewed as just this side of feral, an outsider to be ogled, a prize to be won by the danger-seeking ladies of the ton. None of it appealed to him, less so after losing the woman he loved to another, so he throws himself into his work…until he encounters the enchanting eyes of one very off-limits lady.
Together, they write a love story for the ages.
While Juliette hires him as her tutor under the guise of learning Gaelic, she has decidedly less pure intentions and is determined to taste the passion and desire burning behind Ian’s eyes. Ian is just as determined to resist her. Although being with Juliette might very well destroy him, it could also fulfill his every dream and desire…if he dares to rewrite his future.
Bookshop.Org The Miss Without a Misterby katherine grantAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.85
Two hearts, one vow, and a world built to keep them apart. Can true love conquer all, or will this romance end in heartbreak?
At age eleven, Caroline Preston and Eddie Chow vowed to marry.
At sixteen, they renewed their pact with a kiss under a starry sky.
Now, at last, Eddie is done with his apprenticeship. Caroline assumes they can finally begin planning their wedding. Even though she is a baron’s daughter and he is a tradesman, she knows her open-minded father won’t object - not when love is involved.
But when they are finally reunited, they discover that Lord Preston has very different plans in mind. Plans to keep Eddie away from Northfield Hall. Plans to separate Caroline and Eddie forever.
Threatened with never seeing each other again, Caroline and Eddie are forced to break free from their families in hopes of finding a happily ever after. As they come face-to-face with the challenges Lord Preston predicted, they must answer the ultimate is their love strong enough to survive the real world?
bookshop.org Charlotte’s KissesBy nicki pascarella
Average Storygraph Rating: 4.0
After Bow Street Runner Hugh Fletcher’s temper gets him into trouble with the magistrate, he accepts a job searching for a marquess’s by-blows so that he can stay close to the beautiful woman who has stolen his heart. If only Lady Charlotte Chesterfield could find the confidence to stand up to her evil stepmother and confront her preoccupied father. As if answering her prayers, an injured stranger shows up at her family’s masquerade ball, helping her discover her internal strength. Despite the dark secrets surrounding them, Hugh will do everything in his power to fight for Charlotte and her kisses.
The Rose of Granborough ParkBy Evelin LacziAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.45
Daughter of a wealthy upholsterer, Jo Metzger defies societal norms to pursue her dream of becoming an independent interior designer. The lack of good connections, as well as being a woman of German heritage makes it increasingly difficult for Jo to achieve what no woman has ever dared to do before. She is determined to push through, even when she is faced with an impossible task: in order to earn a mentorship with a prestigious member of The Society of Arts, she must transform the manor of a member of high society.
Enter Nicholas Blackstone, the dashing yet aloof son of a baron and the reluctant new master of Granborough Park. Jo finds herself at the Park, a pawn in her parents' intricate plans to secure advantageous marriages for their daughters. While the Park is the breakthrough Jo needs—a golden ticket to her independence—it also introduces a complication she hadn't anticipated: a growing attraction to Nicholas.
Granborough Park, like Nicholas himself, has seen better days. Haunted by a recent family tragedy and the weight of his responsibilities, Nicholas is far from the ideal suitor. As Nicholas grapples with the need to secure a marriage of convenience to save his family from financial ruin, and Jo fervently focuses on her work against the ticking clock of her deadline, their worlds collide, igniting an undeniable attraction.
As the restoration of the manor progresses, so does their unspoken connection. Despite their different social status and the impossibility of their budding romance, the attraction between them grows to such extent that neither of them can deny it any longer. What began as a clear path to her dream now risks leading her astray. Faced with the ultimate dilemma, Jo must decide if her pursuit of a career-defining opportunity is worth the risk of losing her heart.
Make sure to subscribe to the Historical Romance Sampler since we feature a new author and book every week! SubscribeAugust 1, 2025
6 Bluestockings from the Historical Romance Sampler Season 1
We sampled nearly 50 historical romances on Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler in 2024, and six of them feature bluestocking heroines. First, let’s look at what that means, and then let’s get into the books!
What does a “bluestocking” mean?The term “bluestocking” comes directly from history. In the mid-1700s, some British people started hosting social events more focused on intellectual discussions than playing card games. Originally, it actually referred to men’s blue stockings (indicating an informal gathering), but in time it came to refer to women who were interested books or intellectual pursuits. This was threatening to men who wanted women to remain in the domestic sphere, so it eventually became a derogatory term! Read more about the history via the Encyclopedia Britannica here.
In historical romance, the bluestocking character is usually an independently-minded woman, often found with a strong group of similar friends. Bluestockings can be counted on to question gender norms, which is perhaps why they are so popular in modern historical romances! Here are six bluestockings to try out from Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler podcast.
The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL!
6 Bluestocking Books from the Historical Romance Sampler Season 1How to Train Your Viscount by courtney mcCaskillAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.6
The only one who can help her is the man who broke her heart.
Four years ago, Lady Caroline Astley took one look at Henry Greville, Viscount Thetford, and fell horribly in love, in that particular way you can only fall in love at the age of fifteen.
He didn’t just reject her.
He humiliated her.
But now, in a stroke of rotten luck, he’s the only one who can help her.
It turns out that the “paste” pendant she borrowed from her sister, Anne, was no fake. It’s actually an ancient Egyptian amulet, and now Anne wants to auction it off to save hundreds of widows and orphans. What Caro can’t bear to tell her sister is that the necklace was stolen from right around her neck.
Caro has a few clues, but she doesn’t know an amulet from an obelisk, and the trail has gone cold. Guess who grew up in a house stuffed with Egyptian artifacts? Caro may despise Henry, but she needs him if she’s going to track down the thieves. Which begs the question of which is worse: letting down the orphans or risking her heart all over again.
Bookshop.org Portraits, Passions, and Other Pasttimes By Charlie LaneAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.39
A marquess with an inheritance problem.
When his father dies, Raph Bromley, new Marquess of Waneborough inherits more than his father’s title. He inherits a crumbling estate, an ocean of debt, a valuable art collection, and a most unusual stipulation in his father’s will. No piece in the art collection can be sold unless Raph first creates a brilliant work of art. But his imagination is as nonexistent as his artistic experience, and that’s never going to happen.Thank goodness for heiresses. Raph will simply marry for money. Problem solved. Except his mother’s new companion, a dark-haired, clever, poor beauty tests his resolve and makes him think …Maybe painting won’t be so hard. (It is…)
A companion with no home of her own.
Matilda Bellvue has worked as a companion for fifteen years, but she’s inherited a cottage in Cumbria, and she’ll soon make it her home. She plans to spend her days reading scandalous novels and redecorating every room. But first, she must complete one final job, serving as companion to the Marquess of Waneborough’s mother.Her task is simple: help the grieving marchioness, argue with the hard-headed marquess, avoid matchmakers, and resist spying on naked men swimming in the lake. Above all else, she must not fall in love with her employer, a man who makes her feel like she's finally found home.
Because she has no money. And he must marry rich. And that way only lies heartache.
Read Now How Frances Wainwright Learned to LoveBy Andrea JenelleAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.4
Neither one of them planned on falling in love.
Frances lost her heart in the Crimea to Cormac Byrne, an Irish doctor. He disappeared during the melee following the last battle and she doubts she'll ever see him again. She's spent the last three years praying he's still alive. Imagine her shock when she accepts a teaching position at Florence Nightingale's new London hospital and finds herself face to face with him again.
Average Storygraph Rating: 4.56
An independent woman hoping to fulfill a dream. A duke who can’t seem to ignore his attraction to the lady. Together they uncover their heart’s desire.
With a spirit that knows no bounds, Miss Iona Richards sets her sights on independence and greatness as a landscape architect in Burnham-On-Sea. However, her ambitious dream encounters an unexpected roadblock in the form of the enigmatic Duke of Rosewood.
Thorpe Covington, the Duke of Rosewood, is deeply skeptical of Iona’s abilities, yet undeniably drawn to her spirited nature. As she seeks to transform his cottage retreat, a captivating dance of wit and longing ensues between the two. Soon, the duke’s stoic façade crumbles under Iona’s charm, entwining their hearts in a journey of self-discovery and desire.
In the enchanting realm of Burnham-On-Sea, passion, and ambition intertwine, and the Duke of Rosewood finds himself yearning for a love that surpasses society’s expectations. In this heartwarming tale, Miss Iona Richards and the Duke of Rosewood uncover a love more vibrant and beautiful than any masterpiece they could have imagined.
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.17
She needs to wed... And he's going to find her a husband.
When Margaret Carberry’s mother drags her upstairs at a ball, Margaret does not expect her mother to tie her to the bed and lock the door. Unfortunately, Margaret’s mother has taken it upon herself to declare Margaret compromised—whether or not Margaret wants to resort to such tactics to snare a husband.
Jasper Tierney, the Duke of Jevington, is surprised to encounter a half-clothed woman sprawled upon his bed. He is even more shocked to discover her identity. Margaret Carberry is renowned as an incorrigible wallflower, not a seductress, no matter how appealing her bare flesh is against his bedding. When Margaret declares she won’t go along with her mother’s scheme and will find a husband on her own, Jasper vows to assist her, lest Margaret’s mother concoct another method to arrange a compromising situation. Jasper is certain of one thing: he has no desire to marry.
As Jasper works to match Margaret to a fellow duke, the prospect of a forced marriage with her lacks its earlier loathsomeness. Perhaps he missed his chance for true bliss.
Read Now Isabel and the RogueBy Liana De la RosaAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.93
When a Mexican heiress defies Victorian society to protect her country a British war hero makes it his new mission to protect her…
Isabel Luna Valdés has long since resigned herself to being the “forgotten” Luna sister. But thanks to familial connections to the Mexican ambassador in London, wallflower Isabel is poised to unearth any British intelligence hidden by the ton that might aid Mexico during the French Occupation. Though she slips easily from crowded ballrooms into libraries and private studies, Isabel’s search is hampered by trysting couples and prowling rogues—including the rakish Captain Sirius Dawson.
As a covert agent for the British Home Office, Sirius makes a game of earning the aristocracy’s confidence. He spends his days befriending foolish politicians and seducing well-born ladies in order to learn their secrets. But after he spies a certain sharp-tongued Luna sister lurking in the shadows where no proper debutante should venture, it’s clear Sirius is outmatched, outwitted, and soon to be outmaneuvered by the one woman he can’t resist.
Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but when Isabel discovers private correspondence that could turn the tide of political turmoil in Mexico, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect her country—even if this means ignoring her heart and courting danger…
Audiobook on libro.fm Get on bookshop.org Make sure to subscribe to the Historical Romance Sampler since we feature a new author and book every week! Subscribe Why Storygraph instead of Goodreads?
In today’s world, readers have so many options for where to track and review their books! This blog post uses Storygraph ratings because I love Storygraph’s vision for reader-driven tracking that is divested from the Amazon monopoly. Find out more about Storygraph here!
June 30, 2025
7 Grumpy Sunshine Book Recs from Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler
We sampled nearly 50 historical romances on Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler in 2024, and seven of them feature the grumpy vs sunshine dynamic. First, let’s look at what that trope means, and then let’s get into the books!
What is the grumpy sunshine trope?The grumpy sunshine trope is a common theme seen in romance novels where one character is grouchy and the other is cheerful. The grumpy character is often more of a loner, perhaps nursing a wounded heart from a disappointment in love or family drama, and has a pessimistic view of the world.
Meanwhile, the sunshine character is usually friendly, open, and warm with an optimistic outlook.
What does reverse grumpy x sunshine mean?Some romance readers assume that “grumpy vs sunshine” means “grumpy man vs sunshine woman.” Those readers then use the term “reverse grumpy sunshine” when the woman is the grump and the man is the sunshine.
I personally find this too reductive, so I use “grumpy sunshine” to refer to any gender pairings!
The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL!
7 Grumpy Sunshine Historical Romance Books on Season 1The Love Remedy By Elizabeth everettAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.62
When a Victorian apothecary hires a stoic private investigator to protect her business, they learn there’s only one way to treat true love—with a happily ever after.
When Lucinda Peterson’s recently perfected formula for a salve to treat croup goes missing, she’s certain it’s only the latest in a line of misfortunes at the hands of a rival apothecary. Outraged and fearing financial ruin, Lucy turns to private investigator Jonathan Thorne for help. She just didn’t expect her champion to be so . . . grumpy?
A single father and an agent at Tierney & Co., Thorne accepts missions for a wide variety of employers—from the British government to wronged wives. None have intrigued him so much as the spirited Miss Peterson. As the two work side by side to unmask her scientific saboteur, Lucy slips ever so sweetly under Thorne’s battered armor, tempting him to abandon old promises.
With no shortage of suspects—from a hostile political group to an erstwhile suitor—Thorne’s investigation becomes a threat to all that Lucy holds dear. As the truth unravels around them the cure to their problems is clear: they must face the future together.
Get the Audiobook on Libro.fm Bookshop.org Highland ConquestBy Heather McCollum
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.67
Bonus for any readers who love enemies to lovers!
Cain Sinclair has a plan. In order to finally bring peace to his clan, he will wed the young female chief of their greatest enemy. Only problem: capturing her and forcing her back to Sinclair castle doesn't exactly make her want to say yes. Ella Sutherland may be clever, passionate, and shockingly beautiful, but what she isn't is willing.
Every attempt Cain makes to woo her seems to backfire on him. A gift? The kitten practically claws his eyes out. A competitive game of chess? Even when he wins, he loses. It seems the only time the two ever see eye to eye is when they're heating up Cain's bed. Still, the only thing Ella truly wants is the one thing he cannot offer her: freedom.
But when Cain discovers she's been harboring a secret--one that could threaten both clans' very existence--he'll have to decide between peace for the Sinclairs or the woman who's captured his heart.
Get the Audiobook on libro.fm Bookshop.org VoluptuousBy Felicity nivenAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.25
Bonus for any readers who love friends to lovers!
Her father’s best friend is the man-of-her-dreams.
Lady Henrietta Stafford can’t remember a time when she wasn’t fascinated by the tall, dark, melancholy Mr. Oliver Hartwell. But she knows she is meant for some other, far less compelling man. Her father’s friend Mr. Hartwell would never be interested in her. She’s too young. She’s not beautiful or clever. And, of course, he’s already married.
A widower twice over, Oliver Hartwell’s life has been one failure after another: his boyhood dream turned into a hellish nightmare, his tragic marriages, the utter botch he is making of fatherhood. In truth, he has only ever felt happiness in the home of his friend, the Duke of Bexton. But now that his friend’s oldest daughter has grown into a gorgeously voluptuous woman, Oliver seems doomed to ruin his chances for love and affection, just as he has ruined everything else.
Sometimes ruination IS the happily-ever-after.
Get the paperback on bookshop.org Marigold and the MarquessBy Meara PlattAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.59
He is ruthless, reclusive, and out for revenge. She is sweet, innocent, and irritatingly cheerful. Why can’t she leave him to his darkness? And why can’t he keep his hands off this beautiful Farthingale?
Leonides Poole, the Marquess of Muir is a much-admired agent of the Crown. He has just returned to London after spending the last four years imprisoned in an enemy dungeon. Now that he has been released, he is determined to find the man who betrayed him and exact his revenge. The problem with his well-crafted plan is his unexpected feelings for Marigold Farthingale, the little ray of sunshine who lives next door to him on Chipping Way. She seems to understand ancient skulls and bones more than she understands men. Yet, Leonides knows if he exacts his vengeance, he will lose out on the promise of happiness with the beautiful bluestocking. Which does he value more? The answer is suddenly not so clear.
Marigold Farthingale is quite excited about the dragon-like animal whose skull she discovered while on archeological exploration in Devonshire. She has now returned to London with a crate full of bones she must deliver to the Huntsford Academy and is delighted when her new neighbor, the fierce and reclusive Marquess of Muir, agrees to assist her. She has never met anyone quite like this handsome man. He is intelligent, fierce, and endowed with a stunning musculature she would love to explore. But he is too tormented to think about courtship and marriage. Marigold is about to make her Society debut. It seems such a fuss when the only man she wishes to marry is the marquess. Perhaps if she discovered his secrets...how dangerous can they be?
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.87
She didn’t gamble on love.
SHE HAS THE DEED.
Camelia Parikh is a fallen woman trying to start over. When she wins the deed to a cottage in a card game, she believes her luck has finally changed. A charming coastal village seems like the perfect place to begin again, far from London and her romantic regrets. That is, until the stern Duke of Wednesbury arrives to claim the deed and cottage as his.
HE HAS THE TITLE.
Raaz Panchal, the new Duke of Wednesbury, is searching for the missing deed to his late father’s beloved cottage, and he travels to the countryside to investigate. But once there, he learns the home is not vacant, and a beguiling woman claims it’s her property now. When her deed proves genuine, Raaz prepares to leave, but then fate collapses the stable roof. Duty to his father’s memory–and certainly not a pair of alluring amber eyes–compels him to help.
TOGETHER, CAN THEY HAVE IT ALL?
Camelia cautiously accepts the duke’s assistance, but between a bold badger, a moonlit waltz, and dangerous late-night wagers, it’s impossible to keep her distance from the devastatingly handsome duke. When they surrender to temptation, she can no longer ignore their differences in station or the mistakes of her past, but her traitorous heart already wishes for a future that’s surely out of reach.
Get Paperback on Bookshop.Org The Temple of Persephoneby Isabella KamalAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.66
Bonus for any readers who love slow burn romance!
Persephone Honeyfield is witty, intelligent, and very aware that the only way to escape the monotony of the life she shares with her father and sister in the English countryside--and the wagging, ever-critical tongues of the people around her--is through marriage. She also knows the likelihood of it being a love match is nearly zero.
Aidon Barrington has carried on the legacy of his family's funeral furnishing business, losing himself in the process. A shell of his former charming self, he's traded his reputation as a rake for that of a recluse and regularly appears in the scandal sheets as London's mysterious Lord of the Dead.
When Persephone finds herself at Gallowsgate--the old Barrington estate--on a seemingly simple errand, an unexpected run-in with the Lord of the Dead himself leaves her on the brink of ruination. With no other way to silence the village rumor mill, or save her sister's reputation, Persephone agrees to marry Aidon, becoming the wife of a man she hardly knows.
Persephone finds herself increasingly fascinated by her new husband, whose kind, patient nature stands in stark contrast to the ever-swirling rumors about him. But when the gossip begins to sound more like reality than fiction, she attempts to uncover the truth behind the Lord of the Dead while discovering she may have already lost her most guarded possession: her heart.
Audiobook on libro.fm Get on bookshop.org The Taste of LightBy Giovanna siniscalchiAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.60
Portugal, 1872
An aristocrat haunted by his sins…
After losing his bride to a hated Englishman, Pedro Daun shuts himself in his winemaking property. Drowning in port, he hopes to find oblivion from his murky past in Mozambique.
A girl with dawn in her eyes…
Kind and whimsical, Anne Maxwell moves to the Douro to help her new sister-in-law. She dreams of finding the perfect suitor to give her the unconditional love she never had.
Shadows can taste light…
A twist of fate brings them together. Anne glimpses in Pedro's eyes a yearning for love that rivals her own, but the cynical Fidalgo isn't the perfect prince of her dreams. Pedro craves Anne's touch more than the air he breathes, but he is unwilling to soil his angel with the sins from his past.
A conspiracy is revealed…
A false accusation turns them into fugitives. Running from a treacherous enemy, they plunge into an ocean of intrigue to prove Pedro's innocence. As their passion grows, Anne discovers that love isn't the perfect matter of fairy tales. But can Pedro forgive himself for his past and allow Anne into his heart?
Get the Paperback on Bookshop.Org Make sure to subscribe to the Historical Romance Sampler since we feature a new author and book every week! SubscribeMay 6, 2025
10 Enemies to Lovers Romance Novels (From Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler)
Those of us who love regency romance probably first encountered enemies to lovers in Pride and Prejudice, where Elizabeth feels that Darcy hates her and therefore reviles him for most of the book until she discovers how wrong she was. That is delicious because of the intense hurt underlying her pride and the wonderful relief we feel when she and Darcy find their way to each other.
Then there are Scottish historical romances that establish fierce life-and-death rivalries between families that only true love can cure.
Whatever the flavor, readers tend to love the enemies to lovers trope because it fosters a lot of banter between the protagonists, it usually features a strong female lead fighting for her point of view, and it often comes with a lot of spice or steam or on-page intimacy!
If enemies to lovers is your favorite trope, then check out this round-up of 10 books featured on Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler!The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL!
VIBE: MORTAL ENEMIESHighland Conquest By Heather McCollum
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.67
The enemies: Cain and Ella belong to rival Highland clans, and he has taken her captive to negotiate a peace. His best hope? Giving her a kitten.
Get the Audiobook on libro.fm Shop Other Stores Never Cross a HighlanderBy Lisa RayneAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.89
The enemies: Ailsa is about to escape from her captors when the Black Highlander “frees” her - and takes her in the wrong direction. Can they trust each other, or will they remain enemies?
Get the Audiobook on Libro.fm Shop Other Stores The Maiden of the StormBy Michelle Deerwester-DalrympleAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.5
The enemies: Riana is Scottish while Horatio is Roman. Her tribe holds him as a slave, but she can’t help developing feelings for him. Is there any hope for these two born enemies?
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.92
The enemies: Isabel and Sirius are both spies–with different allegiances. Will they join forces to fight the same enemy, or work against each other?
Get the Audiobook on Libro.Fm Get the Paperback on Bookshop.org Shop Other Stores The Earl’s Egyptian HeiressBy Heba Helmy
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.56
The enemies: Ranya is determined to avenge her father by retrieving the deed to his Egyptian cotton business. Owen is the heir to the man who did her father wrong. Is there any way for him to repay his father’s debt without bankrupting himself?
Get the Book The Deed With the Dukeby Sri SavitaAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.87
The enemies: Camelia won the deed to a beautiful cottage in a card game. Raaz says that deed was stolen from his family. If they both want the same house, is the only solution to fall in love?
Get on bookshop.org VIBE: HEALING PAST WRONGSHow to Train Your ViscountBy Courtney McCaskillAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.59
The enemies: Years ago, Caro overheard Henry saying unkind things about her at a ball. Ever since, she has refused to speak to him. Now he is trying to make amends by following her around London!
Get the book The Questionable Acts of an American Gentleman By Ramona ElmesAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.42
The enemies: Jack Kincaide comes to England with a specific goal: to avenge himself and his sister for being abandoned. Even if that means ruining his enemy’s fiance in the process.
Get the Book Charlotte’s Kissesby Nicki PascarellaAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.05
The enemies: Charlotte Beckett wants to earn back her father’s love. Hugh Fletcher has been hired to find her father’s by-blows. Working against each other, is there any hope for love?
Get the Book The Earl and the VixenBy Christina DianeAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.73
The enemies: Eliza and Nick once shared a passionate love, but a grave misunderstanding has now turned them against each other. Trapped at a house party, is there any hope for reconciliation?
Get on Bookshop.org Make sure to subscribe to the Historical Romance Sampler since we feature a new author and book every week! SubscribeMarch 31, 2025
10 Dukes to Read from the Historical Romance Sampler
We historical romance readers can never get enough dukes in our stories. Here are 10 regency romance novels with dukes as heroes. As a bonus, hear the author read a sample scene! These books are all available in ebook. Some also have paperbacks available on Bookshop.org!
10 Regency Romances Featuring Dukes (From the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast)The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL !
A Scandal With A ScoundrelBy Cecilia Rene Lady Winifred Musgrave never imagined the lengths she would go to protect her family and their home. With their future hanging in the balance, she makes a bold move that could cost her everything. Inventing an impossible scenario, Winnie sets in motion a scandal of epic proportions. One that could ruin her reputation and leave her with nothing.
Richard Musgrave, The Duke of Richmore, is a man of honor and integrity. He has always lived by a strict code. But a case of mistaken identity leads him into the arms of a goddess. A single wicked night with the captivating lady and Richard finds himself in a debilitating passion he cannot deny.
As they navigate the dangerous waters of their newfound passion, Richard and Winnie must confront the truth. Will they risk everything for a chance at happiness? Or will society's expectations force them to live a life of unhappiness and isolation?
Read on Bookshop.Org A Duke, Love, and SunshineBy Tabetha WaiteAn independent woman hoping to fulfill a dream.
A duke who can’t seem to ignore his attraction to the lady.
Together they uncover their heart’s desire.
With a spirit that knows no bounds, Miss Iona Richards sets her sights on independence and greatness as a landscape architect in Burnham-On-Sea. However, her ambitious dream encounters an unexpected roadblock in the form of the enigmatic Duke of Rosewood.
Thorpe Covington, the Duke of Rosewood, is deeply skeptical of Iona’s abilities, yet undeniably drawn to her spirited nature. As she seeks to transform his cottage retreat, a captivating dance of wit and longing ensues between the two. Soon, the duke’s stoic façade crumbles under Iona’s charm, entwining their hearts in a journey of self-discovery and desire.
In the enchanting realm of Burnham-On-Sea, passion, and ambition intertwine, and the Duke of Rosewood finds himself yearning for a love that surpasses society’s expectations. In this heartwarming tale, Miss Iona Richards and the Duke of Rosewood uncover a love more vibrant and beautiful than any masterpiece they could have imagined.
Read on Bookshop.Org All You Need Is A DukeBy Bianca BlytheShe needs to wed... And he's going to find her a husband.
When Margaret Carberry’s mother drags her upstairs at a ball, Margaret does not expect her mother to tie her to the bed and lock the door. Unfortunately, Margaret’s mother has taken it upon herself to declare Margaret compromised—whether or not Margaret wants to resort to such tactics to snare a husband.
Jasper Tierney, the Duke of Jevington, is surprised to encounter a half-clothed woman sprawled upon his bed. He is even more shocked to discover her identity. Margaret Carberry is renowned as an incorrigible wallflower, not a seductress, no matter how appealing her bare flesh is against his bedding. When Margaret declares she won’t go along with her mother’s scheme and will find a husband on her own, Jasper vows to assist her, lest Margaret’s mother concoct another method to arrange a compromising situation. Jasper is certain of one thing: he has no desire to marry.
As Jasper works to match Margaret to a fellow duke, the prospect of a forced marriage with her lacks its earlier loathsomeness. Perhaps he missed his chance for true bliss.
A Duke Makes A DealBy Matilda MadisonWhen nouveau-rich Clara Woodvine is gambled away by her would-be fiancé in a card game to the Duke of Combe, aka the Divorced Duke, all hopes for a happily ever after seem lost.
After brooding for a year over the end of his toxic marriage, Silas Winters, the Duke of Combe, now finds himself saddled with crippling anxiety.
The two agree to a pretend courtship, so that both their reputation can recover, but soon friendship turns to something else, and neither Clara nor Silas can determine what feelings are invented and what’s real.
Read on Bookshop.org The Forger And The DukeBy Misty UrbanIn 1776 London, orphaned vicar’s daughter Amaranthe Illingworth supports her small household with her skills as a copyist, but her quiet routine is shattered the day three children show up at her door seeking aid from her brother, their tutor. Behind them storms in Malden Grey, would-be barrister and their erstwhile guardian, who accuses Amaranthe of kidnapping the young Duke of Hunsdon and his siblings.
The former duke’s illegitimate son, Malden Grey has learned to live by his wits, and he’s told he’ll advance to the bar if he takes a proper wife. As she helps him restore order at Hunsdon House, Amaranthe seems a likely candidate—if only Mal can unearth the truth behind the rumors that she’s been forging, and selling, priceless medieval manuscripts. Amaranthe, in the meantime, needs to stay on her guard lest the charming Malden Grey steal her heart at the same time she’s hoping to borrow from his library a priceless book that could make her fortune.
But when Mal’s foray into Amaranthe’s past yields a discovery that will change both of their destinies, they’ll have to fight together to clear their names and stake out a future together—if either has a future at all.
Read On Bookshop.Org The Deed With The DukeBy Sri SavitaShe didn’t gamble on love.
SHE HAS THE DEED.
Camelia Parikh is a fallen woman trying to start over. When she wins the deed to a cottage in a card game, she believes her luck has finally changed. A charming coastal village seems like the perfect place to begin again, far from London and her romantic regrets. That is, until the stern Duke of Wednesbury arrives to claim the deed and cottage as his.
HE HAS THE TITLE.
Raaz Panchal, the new Duke of Wednesbury, is searching for the missing deed to his late father’s beloved cottage, and he travels to the countryside to investigate. But once there, he learns the home is not vacant, and a beguiling woman claims it’s her property now. When her deed proves genuine, Raaz prepares to leave, but then fate collapses the stable roof. Duty to his father’s memory–and certainly not a pair of alluring amber eyes–compels him to help.
TOGETHER, CAN THEY HAVE IT ALL?
Camelia cautiously accepts the duke’s assistance, but between a bold badger, a moonlit waltz, and dangerous late-night wagers, it’s impossible to keep her distance from the devastatingly handsome duke. When they surrender to temptation, she can no longer ignore their differences in station or the mistakes of her past, but her traitorous heart already wishes for a future that’s surely out of reach.
THE DEED WITH THE DUKE is a steamy, lust-at-first-sight Regency romance with a grumpy Indian hero, a sunshine Indian heroine, and adorable animal antics.
Read On Bookshop.org Second Duke’s The CharmBy Kate BatemanThe wedding-night death of her much older husband left Tess Townsend the Dowager Duchess of Wansford—and still a virgin. Now she and her two best friends investigate London’s most scandalous crimes, and while Tess longs to experience physical pleasure for herself, she can’t risk losing her treasured independence...
Cynical shipping magnate Justin Thornton never expected to inherit a dukedom, but he’ll do his duty. When the ravishing woman he kissed at a party turns out to be the Dowager Duchess, Justin sees an obvious solution: a marriage of convenience that will suit them both.
But the passion that sparks between them is anything but convenient. As Tess works on a new case at the request of Queen Charlotte, her increasingly suspicious behavior makes Justin question her motives—and her past. The infuriating woman clearly can’t be trusted, but Justin doesn’t believe in love, so there’s absolutely no danger of him falling for his own wife...is there?
Read on Bookshop.org A Fighting ChanceBy Emily EK MurdochWilliam Chance, Duke of Cothrom, is tired of fighting for his family’s reputation.
And it’s not like his wayward brothers do much to help. Rascals, rakes, and rogues, the lot of them—and William is always the one picking up the pieces and staving off scandal.
He needs stability. He needs calm. He needs certainty.
He doesn’t need a wild young woman launching herself into his arms and demanding that he marry her . . .
But marriage is precisely what Alice Fox-Edwards does need. After surviving a scandal four years ago, the threats of a blackmailer now mean she must find a protector—preferably one with lots of money.
An unlikely pairing, to be sure, but William decides that a wife will give him the balance he so desperately needs. Because Miss Fox-Edwards has no outrageous past, does she? Nothing that might upset his calm or set any tongues wagging. Surely, she wouldn’t lie about a thing like that . . .
Soon they’re fighting their feelings, fighting the truth, and fighting the disaster that fast approaches as secrets and lies—on both sides—threaten what could be a chance for happiness.
Read on Bookshop.org Her Runaway DukeBy Ellie St. ClairA runaway bride. A reclusive duke. A beastly beginning turned into a beautiful love story.
Running away from her wedding was Lady Siena’s first act of bravery. Facing her future is the second. When she is saved in her flee by a mysterious figure, she is shocked to finally discover his true identity.
Driven out of London by rumors and rejection, the grieving Duke is but a shell of a man. When he reluctantly saves a woman during one of his nightly rides, little does he realize the ramifications of his act of compassion.
For Lady Siena sees more than his face — she sees the soul of the man beneath. When demons threaten from within and beyond, will they find a way forward together or allow them to break them apart?
Good Duke Gone WildBy Eliana PiersShe needs an out from London society. She didn’t realize she’d get an in with pirates.
Agatha is the perfect example of how a lady should act in polite society. But when she mistakes a man for a pirate and shares a secret kiss with him, she takes the only logical next step. She climbs aboard his ship.
Jude, the Duke of Sutherton, has escaped the ton for as long as he could. Now he finds himself wrapped around the body of a lady—the likes he swore off—and he’s kissing her like there’s no tomorrow. When she sneaks onto his ship, he really should send her home. Only he can’t, because she drugged him.
Who is this perfect lady of the ton but temptress of the sea? And what does his heart think about her?
February 28, 2025
4 Second Chance Romance Novels From Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler
It’s time for a round-up of one of my favorite tropes in historical romance: second chance romances!
On this list, you’ll find some great second chance historical romances that have all the angst and groveling that you crave. Each of these books was featured in Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler, so you also have a chance to hear the author read a 10-minute scene from their story!
What is the second chance romance trope?When readers refer to a book as a “second chance romance”, they typically mean that the main characters have previously had a chance at love, broke up, and are finally getting back together. Usually, the breakup happens before the book even starts. Often, the characters were each other’s first love and now they are getting a second chance. Some famous examples of the second chance romance trope are Persuasion by Jane Austen and People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.
The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL !
Not Quite a MarriageBy Bliss Bennet
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.57
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.61
Spencer Burnett, Viscount Stiles, once swore he’d left England for good. Yet after five years of self-imposed exile in West Africa, he’s no longer the same spoiled, selfish boy who ran away from a domineering father, a disappointed grandmother, and a decidedly unwanted wife. Proving himself to the family he abandoned will be no easy task. But he hardly expects his formerly docile wife will be the hardest to convince. When Philadelphia refuses to accept his apologies—or to allow him back into her bed—Spencer finds himself tempting her into a bargain he cannot afford to lose.
Philadelphia Burnett’s desires were once as vast as the sky. But now, after suffering one devastating loss after another, the only thing she allows herself to want is a home. So when her estranged rake of a husband returns from a five-years’ absence to claim the estate promised to her, Delphie resolves to fight him every step of the way. Beechcombe Park will be a sanctuary for her, and for the wayward Audley cousins she’d promised her sister she’d always protect. She cannot, will not, suffer even one more loss.
Especially not the loss of her heart...
Choose Your Bookstore Ship of DreamsBy Kelsey Painter
Average Storygraph Rating: 4.4
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.42
Sybil Chambers wanted a settled life.
She had a steady income and a roof over her head working as a lady’s maid for an earl’s daughter. It was exactly what she sought, especially after the uncertainty she faced when her parents died. She earned this coveted position while processing her loss, and she loved the work. Even if it meant putting up with Lady Iris's cruel husband.
And she hasn’t thought about her childhood best friend, Charles Percy, in years.
Charles Percy wanted freedom.
He got it at the age of sixteen through a sailing apprenticeship, when he was finally able to leave his family farm and all of Yorkshire behind. Unfortunately, that included Sybil. After spending their entire childhood together, he didn't want to leave her. But the pull of the sea was too strong.
After six years, he became an officer for White Star Line, sailing the greatest steam ships all over the world. Nothing could tie him down. He never expected over a decade to pass before he saw her—or his home.
When they finally see each other again, it’s on the most famous ship in history, the RMS Titanic. Can they pick up where they left off all those years ago, before the ship meets its fate?
Read on Kindle Unlimited The Earl and The VixenBy Christina Diane
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.7
A scorned woman. A guarded man. An explosive second chance at love.
Falling for the boy next door wouldn’t have been so bad for Eliza, if the object of her affection wasn’t also the son of her father’s rival. Eliza is willing to risk everything for a shot at true happiness after she had given everything to the magnetic future Earl of Craven.
Until he sleeps with her and then breaks her heart, that is, and shows up years later, as if nothing has happened.
Can Eliza forgive and forget? Or will love be her undoing once more?
For Nick, there has only ever been one woman who possesses his heart. Eliza Nelson. But it seems love is not in the cards for Nick and Eliza…
Until fate brings them together after a heartbreaking mystery, that is.
Intent on discovering what happened all those years ago, and why Eliza is so distant, can Nick keep his desires buried? Or will he give up everything for a second chance at a childhood dream?
Get the Paperback on Bookshop.org Read on Kindle Unlimited The Sailor Without a SweetheartBy Katherine Grant (me)
Average Storygraph Rating: 4.19
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.33
Is love worth giving a second chance?
Six years ago, Amy Lamplugh decided not to elope with Nate Preston. Ever since, she has been working hard to convince herself she was right to choose her family over Nate.
Now, Nate is back. After an illustrious career as a naval captain, he faces a court martial for disobeying orders while fighting the slave trade. He accepts an invitation to await the trial at a country estate outside of Portsmouth - and discovers he is suddenly neighbors with Amy.
Nate is shocked to find that Amy didn't end up marrying someone rich and titled. Instead, she is a glorified companion to her younger sister - and is clearly battling some unnamed illness.
Thrown together by circumstances outside their control, Nate and Amy try to be friends. Soon, it becomes clear that their feelings for each other never died.
Has anything changed, or are they destined for heartbreak once more?
Get the Paperback on Bookshop.org Choose Your Ebook RetailerFebruary 1, 2025
Working Heroes and Heroines on the Historical Romance Sampler
The historical romance genre is full of delightful tropes, but one that doesn’t get enough air time is stories featuring heroes and heroines who have to work for a living.
On The Historical Romance Sampler, I’ve had the pleasure of sampling lots of romance books with this trope. Some of them are working class born and bred, while others are upper class characters who have fallen on hard times, and a few are just plain eccentric.
The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL !
Working Class Historical RomancesHot Earl SummerBy Erica RidleyAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.98 When reclusive inventor Stephen Lenox agreed to impersonate his cousin for a few days, he didn't expect the earl to vanish altogether. Nor could Stephen predict mounting death threats... or the arrival of a beguiling, blade-wielding spinster who declares herself his new bodyguard. As the earl's enemies lay siege to the castle, Stephen fights his way past Elizabeth's defenses. She'll share his bed, but when the adventure concludes, she vows to sever their affair. Unless he can somehow convince a swashbuckling siren to surrender her heart...
Bold, curvy Elizabeth Wynchester loves cuddling hedgehogs almost as much as she adores vanquishing villains with the sharp blade concealed inside her cane. Despite others' opinions about her body and gender, nothing will stop her from seeing justice done. When her next mission drops her at the dastardly Earl of Densmore's castle, she's prepared to duel like gentlemen--only to be locked inside! Her trusty sword cannot defeat the castle's hidden traps... or protect her heart from the devilishly handsome rogue guarding the keep.
Action adventure meets Regency romance in this feminist romp from New York Times Erica Ridley, perfect for fans of Manda Collins and Evie Dunmore.
Bookshop.org Portraits, Passions, and Other PasttimesBy Charlie LaneAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.25A marquess with an inheritance problem.
When his father dies, Raph Bromley, new Marquess of Waneborough inherits more than his father’s title. He inherits a crumbling estate, an ocean of debt, a valuable art collection, and a most unusual stipulation in his father’s will. No piece in the art collection can be sold unless Raph first creates a brilliant work of art. But his imagination is as nonexistent as his artistic experience, and that’s never going to happen.
Thank goodness for heiresses. Raph will simply marry for money. Problem solved.
Except his mother’s new companion, a dark-haired, clever, poor beauty tests his resolve and makes him think …Maybe painting won’t be so hard. (It is…)
A companion with no home of her own.
Matilda Bellvue has worked as a companion for fifteen years, but she’s inherited a cottage in Cumbria, and she’ll soon make it her home. She plans to spend her days reading scandalous novels and redecorating every room. But first, she must complete one final job, serving as companion to the Marquess of Waneborough’s mother.Her task is simple: help the grieving marchioness, argue with the hard-headed marquess, avoid matchmakers, and resist spying on naked men swimming in the lake. Above all else, she must not fall in love with her employer, a man who makes her feel like she's finally found home.
Because she has no money. And he must marry rich. And that way only lies heartache.
How Frances Wainwright Learned to LoveBy Andrea JenelleAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.44Neither one of them planned on falling in love.
Frances lost her heart in the Crimea to Cormac Byrne, an Irish doctor. He disappeared during the melee following the last battle and she doubts she'll ever see him again. She's spent the last three years praying he's still alive. Imagine her shock when she accepts a teaching position at Florence Nightingale's new London hospital and finds herself face to face with him again.
A Duke, Love, and SunshineBy Tabetha WaiteAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.56An independent woman hoping to fulfill a dream. A duke who can’t seem to ignore his attraction to the lady. Together they uncover their heart’s desire. With a spirit that knows no bounds, Miss Iona Richards sets her sights on independence and greatness as a landscape architect in Burnham-On-Sea. However, her ambitious dream encounters an unexpected roadblock in the form of the enigmatic Duke of Rosewood.Thorpe Covington, the Duke of Rosewood, is deeply skeptical of Iona’s abilities, yet undeniably drawn to her spirited nature. As she seeks to transform his cottage retreat, a captivating dance of wit and longing ensues between the two.
Soon, the duke’s stoic façade crumbles under Iona’s charm, entwining their hearts in a journey of self-discovery and desire.In the enchanting realm of Burnham-On-Sea, passion, and ambition intertwine, and the Duke of Rosewood finds himself yearning for a love that surpasses society’s expectations.
In this heartwarming tale, Miss Iona Richards and the Duke of Rosewood uncover a love more vibrant and beautiful than any masterpiece they could have imagined.
Bookshop.org The Forger and the DukeBy Misty UrbanAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.0In 1776 London, orphaned vicar’s daughter Amaranthe Illingworth supports her small household with her skills as a copyist, but her quiet routine is shattered the day three children show up at her door seeking aid from her brother, their tutor. Behind them storms in Malden Grey, would-be barrister and their erstwhile guardian, who accuses Amaranthe of kidnapping the young Duke of Hunsdon and his siblings.
The former duke’s illegitimate son, Malden Grey has learned to live by his wits, and he’s told he’ll advance to the bar if he takes a proper wife. As she helps him restore order at Hunsdon House, Amaranthe seems a likely candidate—if only Mal can unearth the truth behind the rumors that she’s been forging, and selling, priceless medieval manuscripts. Amaranthe, in the meantime, needs to stay on her guard lest the charming Malden Grey steal her heart at the same time she’s hoping to borrow from his library a priceless book that could make her fortune.
But when Mal’s foray into Amaranthe’s past yields a discovery that will change both of their destinies, they’ll have to fight together to clear their names and stake out a future together—if either has a future at all.
Bookshop.org The Rose of Granborough ParkBy Evelin LacziAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.08Daughter of a wealthy upholsterer, Jo Metzger defies societal norms to pursue her dream of becoming an independent interior designer. The lack of good connections, as well as being a woman of German heritage makes it increasingly difficult for Jo to achieve what no woman has ever dared to do before. She is determined to push through, even when she is faced with an impossible task: in order to earn a mentorship with a prestigious member of The Society of Arts, she must transform the manor of a member of high society.
Enter Nicholas Blackstone, the dashing yet aloof son of a baron and the reluctant new master of Granborough Park. Jo finds herself at the Park, a pawn in her parents' intricate plans to secure advantageous marriages for their daughters. While the Park is the breakthrough Jo needs—a golden ticket to her independence—it also introduces a complication she hadn't anticipated: a growing attraction to Nicholas.
Granborough Park, like Nicholas himself, has seen better days. Haunted by a recent family tragedy and the weight of his responsibilities, Nicholas is far from the ideal suitor. As Nicholas grapples with the need to secure a marriage of convenience to save his family from financial ruin, and Jo fervently focuses on her work against the ticking clock of her deadline, their worlds collide, igniting an undeniable attraction.
As the restoration of the manor progresses, so does their unspoken connection. Despite their different social status and the impossibility of their budding romance, the attraction between them grows to such extent that neither of them can deny it any longer. What began as a clear path to her dream now risks leading her astray. Faced with the ultimate dilemma, Jo must decide if her pursuit of a career-defining opportunity is worth the risk of losing her heart.
The Love Remedy By Elizabeth EverettAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.57When Lucinda Peterson’s recently perfected formula for a salve to treat croup goes missing, she’s certain it’s only the latest in a line of misfortunes at the hands of a rival apothecary. Outraged and fearing financial ruin, Lucy turns to private investigator Jonathan Thorne for help. She just didn’t expect her champion to be so . . . grumpy?
A single father and an agent at Tierney & Co., Thorne accepts missions for a wide variety of employers—from the British government to wronged wives. None have intrigued him so much as the spirited Miss Peterson. As the two work side by side to unmask her scientific saboteur, Lucy slips ever so sweetly under Thorne’s battered armor, tempting him to abandon old promises.
With no shortage of suspects—from a hostile political group to an erstwhile suitor—Thorne’s investigation becomes a threat to all that Lucy holds dear. As the truth unravels around them the cure to their problems is clear: they must face the future together.
Listen on Libro.Fm Read from bookshop.org The Deed With the DukeBy Sri SavitaAverage Storygraph Rating: 3.92She didn’t gamble on love.
SHE HAS THE DEED.
Camelia Parikh is a fallen woman trying to start over. When she wins the deed to a cottage in a card game, she believes her luck has finally changed. A charming coastal village seems like the perfect place to begin again, far from London and her romantic regrets. That is, until the stern Duke of Wednesbury arrives to claim the deed and cottage as his.
HE HAS THE TITLE.
Raaz Panchal, the new Duke of Wednesbury, is searching for the missing deed to his late father’s beloved cottage, and he travels to the countryside to investigate. But once there, he learns the home is not vacant, and a beguiling woman claims it’s her property now. When her deed proves genuine, Raaz prepares to leave, but then fate collapses the stable roof. Duty to his father’s memory–and certainly not a pair of alluring amber eyes–compels him to help.
TOGETHER, CAN THEY HAVE IT ALL?
Camelia cautiously accepts the duke’s assistance, but between a bold badger, a moonlit waltz, and dangerous late-night wagers, it’s impossible to keep her distance from the devastatingly handsome duke. When they surrender to temptation, she can no longer ignore their differences in station or the mistakes of her past, but her traitorous heart already wishes for a future that’s surely out of reach.
THE DEED WITH THE DUKE is a steamy, lust-at-first-sight Regency romance with a grumpy Indian hero, a sunshine Indian heroine, and adorable animal antics.
Bookshop.org Ship of DreamsBy Kelsey PainterAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.42Sybil Chambers wanted a settled life. She had a steady income and a roof over her head working as a lady’s maid for an earl’s daughter. It was exactly what she sought, especially after the uncertainty she faced when her parents died. She earned this coveted position while processing her loss, and she loved the work. Even if it meant putting up with Lady Iris’s cruel husband. And she hasn’t thought about her childhood best friend, Charles Percy, in years.
Charles Percy wanted freedom. He got it at the age of sixteen through a sailing apprenticeship, when he was finally able to leave his family farm and all of Yorkshire behind. Unfortunately, that included Sybil. After spending their entire childhood together, he didn’t want to leave her. But the pull of the sea was too strong. After six years, he became an officer for White Star Line, sailing the greatest steam ships all over the world. Nothing could tie him down. He never expected over a decade to pass before he saw her—or his home. When they finally see each other again, it’s on the most famous ship in history, the RMS Titanic. Can they pick up where they left off all those years ago, before the ship meets its fate?
The Chelsea MillinerBy Annie R McEwenAll Paris-born milliner Amelia de Maupassant ever wanted was to make pretty hats. But overnight, her dream’s gone up in smoke, along with her London shop. When. witty, wealthy, and handsome Hugh Fyne comes to her rescue, Amelia has doubts. Is he there to save her, or seduce her?
Hugh’s heart leaps to its own conclusions. He must have Amelia and he will, if she doesn’t discover his very unpretty secret.
Betrayal and horror in Revolutionary France haunt Amelia. Memories of war and a father’s villainy ravage Hugh. A woman sick of lies. A man lying for love.
One woman. One man. One night.
And a shop full of hats.
The Song of the MagpieBy Louise MayberryAverage Storygraph Rating: 4.83Caitlin Blackwell’s life has been shaped by the whims of men—the cruel landlord who evicted her family when she was a child; the dirty grinders who bought her favors in the alleyways of Cork; and the uncaring husband who was forced upon her when she arrived as a convict in Australia twenty years ago. But at last, she's a widow. She's inherited a farm of her own, and she’s determined to seize control of her destiny.
There’s only one thing stopping her from becoming the prosperous, independent woman she’s always dreamed she could be: she’s illiterate.
Enter Michael Dunn, a man haunted with guilt. After six months of hell and hard labor at Moreton Bay penal colony—for a crime he should have known better than to commit—he’s more than haunted. He’s broken. Empty. A shell of a man.
But somehow, he’s given another chance. A glimmer of hope in an unexpected assignment to teach an Irish widow to read.
As Caitlin and Michael’s new life blooms amidst the vast Australian landscape, they uncover a secret that threatens to snatch away everything they hold dear. Can they face the demons of their pasts and embrace an uncertain future?
Bookshop.org The Miss Without a MisterBy Katherine Grant (me)Average Storygraph Rating: 4.50Two hearts, one vow, and a world built to keep them apart. Can true love conquer all, or will this romance end in heartbreak?
At age eleven, Caroline Preston and Eddie Chow vowed to marry.
At sixteen, they renewed their pact with a kiss under a starry sky.
Now, at last, Eddie is done with his apprenticeship. Caroline assumes they can finally begin planning their wedding. Even though she is a baron’s daughter and he is a tradesman, she knows her open-minded father won’t object - not when love is involved.
But when they are finally reunited, they discover that Lord Preston has very different plans in mind. Plans to keep Eddie away from Northfield Hall. Plans to separate Caroline and Eddie forever.
Threatened with never seeing each other again, Caroline and Eddie are forced to break free from their families in hopes of finding a happily ever after. As they come face-to-face with the challenges Lord Preston predicted, they must answer the ultimate is their love strong enough to survive the real world?
Bookshop.orgJanuary 2, 2025
7 Scottish Romances from Season 1 of the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast
When it comes to historical romance, the setting of Scotland owns a subgenre all to itself. Scottish romances tend to feature Highlander heroes, feisty heroines, and a lot of fiery spirit of fighting against clans or the British trying to usurp the land.
On the Historical Romance Sampler podcast, we invite authors to read a sample of their work so you can discover whether their book belongs on your TBR. On Season One, we got to hear seven different historical romances set in Scotland or featuring Scottish main characters. Some of these take place in Roman era, others in the medieval period, and more in the Georgian and Regency epochs.
Listen to the full podcast episodes on this YouTube playlist, or scroll down to learn more about each book and where you can buy it.
Playlist: Scottish Historical Romances!
The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm and Bookshop.org, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL !
Scottish Romances (Across Eras) On Season 1 of The Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 
The Maiden of the StormBy Michelle Deerwester-DalrympleAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.16
She's a powerful Celtic woman. He's a Roman captive in her village. When their passion for each other grows, can they find a way to be together? Or will the conflicts between the Celts and Romans drive them apart?
In the Caledonii village, Riana is the chieftain’s oldest daughter and accustomed to position and authority. Until the day a Roman soldier is brought in and made a slave.
Despite her moral objections, she is directed by her father to tend to the Roman, to bring him back to health and make sure he's fed.
At first, he's nothing more than a curiosity for her, but as they spend time together during her duties to him, they forge a camaraderie that quickly becomes something more.
Something passionate and forbidden.
Horatio is a confident Roman soldier brought low after a night of missteps. Bound to slavery for the Caledonii tribe, he spends every waking moment biding his time and planning his escape. What he doesn't plan is the desire he feels for the very woman directed to keep him in chains.
His desire grows, as does his love for the red northern woman.
As their passions rise, Riana decides that she cannot see the man she loves enslaved. They concoct an escape that is successful at first but leads to disastrous results when the tables are turned.
Just when they think all is lost, their love for each other gives them one chance for survival. Will their love overcome the obstacles that would tear them apart?
Tropes In This Book:Enemies To Lovers
Worker-Employer Forbidden Love
Action Adventure
get it on bookshop.org Get It on Amazon
Highland Love Comes CallingBy Celeste BarclayAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.55
13th century. A land on the brink of war. As the Scots organize and plan to defend their homeland from the English King Edward I, alliances form, subterfuge abounds, and true love is born.
Hamish Sutherland was never meant to be laird. Instead, he finds himself not only leading his clan as the Earl of Sutherland, but embroiled in a violent feud with his neighbor, the Earl of Ross. A Highlander, Hamish longs to return to his rugged home—until he finds himself craving the enigmatic young lady he danced with and whose intelligence charms him. Knowing only her first name, Hamish refuses to allow anyone to stand in the way of the woman he wants. There’s one problem…
Amelia Ross never imagined the commanding warrior with his imposing size could be so gentle as his touch brings her alive. Nor did she imagine that the one man she would wish to make her own would be her father’s most reviled enemy. Sworn to serve the queen, tested by a rival, and torn between love and duty, Amelia is nobody’s fool. A skilled diplomat and strategist, she’s the only person who can create a truce between Hamish and her father as they prepare alongside Robert the Bruce and William Wallace for the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
No matter the outcome, one thing is Hamish will stop at nothing to be with the woman he loves.
Discover how the House of Clan Sutherland began with Highland Love Comes Calling, the exciting prequel that introduces the couple who will forge a dynasty. This story picks up where Celeste Barclay’s Their Highland Beginning, the prequel to The Clan Sinclair, ends. House of Clan Sutherland is the newest edition to Celeste’s romantic, but often violent, medieval Scottish world that includes The Clan Sinclair, The Clan Sinclair Legacy, The Highland Ladies, and The Highland Ladies Always series. A world where family, love, loyalty, honor, and duty are everything.
Tropes In This Book:Opposites Attract
Court Politics
Action Adventure
Get it on bookshop.org Get It on Amazon
Highland ConquestBy Heather McCollumAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.15Cain Sinclair has a plan. In order to finally bring peace to his clan, he will wed the young female chief of their greatest enemy. Only problem: capturing her and forcing her back to Sinclair castle doesn’t exactly make her want to say yes. Ella Sutherland may be clever, passionate, and shockingly beautiful, but what she isn’t is willing.
Every attempt Cain makes to woo her seems to backfire on him. A gift? The kitten practically claws his eyes out. A competitive game of chess? Even when he wins, he loses. It seems the only time the two ever see eye to eye is when they’re heating up Cain’s bed. Still, the only thing Ella truly wants is the one thing he cannot offer her: freedom.
But when Cain discovers she’s been harboring a secret—one that could threaten both clans’ very existence—he’ll have to decide between peace for the Sinclairs or the woman who’s captured his heart.
Tropes In This Book:Enemies To Lovers
Grumpy/Sunshine
Battling Clans
Get it on libro.fm Get It on Amazon
For a Scot’s Heart OnlyBy Gina ConkleAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.41
A Lost Treasure
Corset maker Mary Fletcher lives a life of duty to her sister, her league, and to the Highland clan that took her in years ago. But as she continues the work of her fellow league members, hunting the lost Treasure of Arkaig, a deadly enemy encroaches—and Mary must chase clues in the most astonishing places.
A Favor Returned
Thomas West must save his family’s legacy. Miss Fletcher’s league owes him a debt of gratitude, and there’s no one he wants to collect from more than the icy dark-haired beauty. He can’t believe his luck when her plan takes them both to London’s finest brothel.
An Indecent Proposal
Soon, lines between duty and desire blur whenever Mary and Thomas meet. Secrets come to light about the gold and an undeniable love—a love that will be tested against all that they hold dear…if they survive.
Tropes In This Book:Seamstress Heroine
Mystery Adventure Subplot
Working Class Hero
Never Cross a HighlanderBy Lisa RayneAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.00
Ailsa Connery has waited three long years to finally escape her enslavement at Stirling Castle and reunite with her clan. But her carefully laid plans are completely destroyed by the arrival of the infamous Highland warrior known as Dubh Mahoun, the Black Devil...who has plans of his own.
Kallum MacNeill's fearsome reputation has long allowed him to keep hidden his secret double life of freeing enslaved captives across the land. It's only when he kidnaps a servant lass—quite by accident—that he finds himself facing a wee predicament. He must accompany the lass home or risk her exposing his true identity. It'd be easy enough...if the feisty hellion didn't fight him at every turn.
As they make their way to the Highlands, the perils the two must face are surpassed only by their constant sparring. Soon, their heated sniping sparks heat of a totally different kind. The kind that ignites a hunger that could consume them both. Yet the difficult journey is no match for the dangerous secrets they're about to uncover.
Tropes In This Book:
Enemies To Lovers
Fake Identity
Working Class Hero and Heroine
Get It from Libro.fm Get It From Amazon Kilty By AssociationBy Caroline LeeAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.48
He's the only man she can trust...but should she?
Craig Oliphant is known for his brawn, not his brains, but he is proud of who he is and what he’s accomplished. Leaving his years working the smithy behind, he’s finally passed the tests to become a trusted member of the King’s Hunters and assigned a mission which can bring him cartloads of glory.
Or drive him mad—one of the two.
Lady Elspeth Sinclair is in dire need of a not for her, but for her children. Her husband’s death left her nine-year-old son not just the next Laird Sinclair, but also the Earl of Dungotit…and someone wants him dead. The huge Hunter assigned to her family might be able to keep them safe, but no one warned her that after years of horror in the marriage bed, Craig might be the one to rekindle surprising feelings. But should a widow engage in such goings-on with her bodyguard, especially since they come from such different worlds?
Obviously.
Tropes In This Book:
Widowed Heroine
Road Trip
Hero Working Through Some Issues
Get It On Bookshop.org Get It On Amazon
Maggie and the Pirate’s SonBy Rose PrendevilleAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.47
Once upon a time, Maggie Mackintosh Budge yearned for handsome rogues and breathtaking adventure. Now widowed after a disastrous marriage and desperate to escape her still-matchmaking father, she stows away on the nearest vessel because sometimes the only solution is running away to sea.
Bastian MacLeod never chose a life of piracy, but after coming of age under the brutal regime of Auldfarrand’s Revenge, his world has been limited to placating the volatile captain and staying one step ahead of the navy—that is until he discovers Maggie in the cargo hold. The first rule of piracy is: wenches are unlucky and will be cast overboard.
With Bastian’s help, Maggie disguises herself and joins the crew, but sparks between them ignite like St. Elmo’s Fire. Can they keep her secret—and keep their hands off each other—long enough to outwit the navy and hunt down the captain’s lost treasure? Or will bad luck send them both to the hangman’s noose?
Tropes In This Book:Pirates!
Road Trip (well, ocean voyage!)
Fake Identity
get it on libro.fm Get It From Bookshop.org Get It From Amazon Make sure to subscribe to the Historical Romance Sampler since we feature a new author and book every week! SubscribeNovember 30, 2024
7 Steamy Romances to Read on Libro.FM (As Featured on the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast)
Looking for your next steamy historical romance novel to read?
Check out these seven romances, all of which are available as audiobooks on Libro.fm.
Each of these authors have read a sample of their book on the Historical Romance Sampler, and you can choose from Scottish historicals, Regency, Victorian era, and even a pirate romance. There is something for every historical romance reader in this list!
The Historical Romance Sampler podcast is an affiliate of Libro.fm, and we may earn a profit from purchases you make after clicking on these links!
When you purchase audiobooks from Libro.fm, you support your local independent bookstores instead of a global monopoly. Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you sign up for a new monthly membership using code HISTORICAL !
Isabel and the RogueBy liana de la rosa Average Goodreads Rating: 3.87
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.98
Blurb:
Isabel Luna Valdés has long since resigned herself to being the “forgotten” Luna sister. But thanks to familial connections to the Mexican ambassador in London, wallflower Isabel is poised to unearth any British intelligence hidden by the ton that might aid Mexico during the French Occupation. Though she slips easily from crowded ballrooms into libraries and private studies, Isabel’s search is hampered by trysting couples and prowling rogues—including the rakish Captain Sirius Dawson.
As a covert agent for the British Home Office, Sirius makes a game of earning the aristocracy’s confidence. He spends his days befriending foolish politicians and seducing well-born ladies in order to learn their secrets. But after he spies a certain sharp-tongued Luna sister lurking in the shadows where no proper debutante should venture, it’s clear Sirius is outmatched, outwitted, and soon to be outmaneuvered by the one woman he can’t resist.
Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but when Isabel discovers private correspondence that could turn the tide of political turmoil in Mexico, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect her country—even if this means ignoring her heart and courting danger...
Bonus tropes:Spies
Fake identities
Super shy heroine
Enemies to lovers
get it on libro.fm The Temple of PersephoneBy Isabella KamalAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.65
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.64
Blurb:
Persephone Honeyfield is witty, intelligent, and very aware that the only way to escape the monotony of the life she shares with her father and sister in the English countryside--and the wagging, ever-critical tongues of the people around her--is through marriage. She also knows the likelihood of it being a love match is nearly zero.
Aidon Barrington has carried on the legacy of his family's funeral furnishing business, losing himself in the process. A shell of his former charming self, he's traded his reputation as a rake for that of a recluse and regularly appears in the scandal sheets as London's mysterious Lord of the Dead.
When Persephone finds herself at Gallowsgate--the old Barrington estate--on a seemingly simple errand, an unexpected run-in with the Lord of the Dead himself leaves her on the brink of ruination. With no other way to silence the village rumor mill, or save her sister's reputation, Persephone agrees to marry Aidon, becoming the wife of a man she hardly knows. Persephone finds herself increasingly fascinated by her new husband, whose kind, patient nature stands in stark contrast to the ever-swirling rumors about him.
But when the gossip begins to sound more like reality than fiction, she attempts to uncover the truth behind the Lord of the Dead while discovering she may have already lost her most guarded her heart.
Bonus tropes:Marriage of convenience
Bluestocking heroine
Grumpy/sunshine
Get it on Libro.fm The Love Remedy By ELIZABETH EVERETTAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.59
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.63
Blurb:
When Lucinda Peterson’s recently perfected formula for a salve to treat croup goes missing, she’s certain it’s only the latest in a line of misfortunes at the hands of a rival apothecary. Outraged and fearing financial ruin, Lucy turns to private investigator Jonathan Thorne for help. She just didn’t expect her champion to be so . . . grumpy?
A single father and an agent at Tierney & Co., Thorne accepts missions for a wide variety of employers—from the British government to wronged wives. None have intrigued him so much as the spirited Miss Peterson. As the two work side by side to unmask her scientific saboteur, Lucy slips ever so sweetly under Thorne’s battered armor, tempting him to abandon old promises.
With no shortage of suspects—from a hostile political group to an erstwhile suitor—Thorne’s investigation becomes a threat to all that Lucy holds dear. As the truth unravels around them the cure to their problems is they must face the future together.
Bonus tropes:Scientist heroine
Private investigator hero
Grumpy/sunshine
Widower hero
Get it on libro.fm For a Scot’s Heart Only By Gina ConkleAverage Goodreads Rating: 3.41
Average Storygraph Rating: 2.65
Blurb:
Corset maker Mary Fletcher lives a life of duty to her sister, her league, and to the Highland clan that took her in years ago. But as she continues the work of her fellow league members, hunting the lost Treasure of Arkaig, a deadly enemy encroaches—and Mary must chase clues in the most astonishing places.
Thomas West must save his family’s legacy. Miss Fletcher’s league owes him a debt of gratitude, and there’s no one he wants to collect from more than the icy dark-haired beauty. He can’t believe his luck when her plan takes them both to London’s finest brothel.
Soon, lines between duty and desire blur whenever Mary and Thomas meet. Secrets come to light about the gold and an undeniable love—a love that will be tested against all that they hold dear…if they survive.
Bonus tropes:Seamstress heroine
Working class hero
Scottish mystery
get it on libro.fm Highland Conquest By Heather mccollumAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.16
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.73
Blurb:
Cain Sinclair has a plan. In order to finally bring peace to his clan, he will wed the young female chief of their greatest enemy. Only problem: capturing her and forcing her back to Sinclair castle doesn’t exactly make her want to say yes. Ella Sutherland may be clever, passionate, and shockingly beautiful, but what she isn’t is willing.
Every attempt Cain makes to woo her seems to backfire on him. A gift? The kitten practically claws his eyes out. A competitive game of chess? Even when he wins, he loses. It seems the only time the two ever see eye to eye is when they’re heating up Cain’s bed. Still, the only thing Ella truly wants is the one thing he cannot offer her: freedom.
But when Cain discovers she’s been harboring a secret—one that could threaten both clans’ very existence—he’ll have to decide between peace for the Sinclairs or the woman who’s captured his heart.
Bonus tropes:Scottish highlanders
Enemies to lovers
Grumpy/sunshine
Get it on libro.fm Never Cross a Highlander By Lisa Rayne
Average Storygraph Rating: 3.90
Blurb:
Ailsa Connery has waited three long years to finally escape her enslavement at Stirling Castle and reunite with her clan. But her carefully laid plans are completely destroyed by the arrival of the infamous Highland warrior known as Dubh Mahoun, the Black Devil...who has plans of his own.
Kallum MacNeill's fearsome reputation has long allowed him to keep hidden his secret double life of freeing enslaved captives across the land. It's only when he kidnaps a servant lass—quite by accident—that he finds himself facing a wee predicament. He must accompany the lass home or risk her exposing his true identity. It'd be easy enough...if the feisty hellion didn't fight him at every turn.
As they make their way to the Highlands, the perils the two must face are surpassed only by their constant sparring. Soon, their heated sniping sparks heat of a totally different kind. The kind that ignites a hunger that could consume them both. Yet the difficult journey is no match for the dangerous secrets they're about to uncover.
Bonus tropes:Scottish highlanders
Enemies to lovers
Fake identity
Get It from Libro.fm Maggie and the Pirate’s Son By Rose PrendevilleAverage Goodreads Rating: 4.50
Average Storygraph Rating: 4.25
Blurb:
Once upon a time, Maggie Mackintosh Budge yearned for handsome rogues and breathtaking adventure. Now widowed after a disastrous marriage and desperate to escape her still-matchmaking father, she stows away on the nearest vessel because sometimes the only solution is running away to sea.
Bastian MacLeod never chose a life of piracy, but after coming of age under the brutal regime of Auldfarrand’s Revenge, his world has been limited to placating the volatile captain and staying one step ahead of the navy—that is until he discovers Maggie in the cargo hold. The first rule of piracy is: wenches are unlucky and will be cast overboard.
With Bastian’s help, Maggie disguises herself and joins the crew, but sparks between them ignite like St. Elmo’s Fire. Can they keep her secret—and keep their hands off each other—long enough to outwit the navy and hunt down the captain’s lost treasure? Or will bad luck send them both to the hangman’s noose?
Bonus tropes:Pirates
Spunky heroine
Only one bed (er, hammock)
Road trip across the ocean
get it on libro.fm Make sure to subscribe to the Historical Romance Sampler since we feature a new author and book every week! Subscribe
