Looking for books with rejected/insecure/shy heroines

[Frankiejohnny]

I'm looking for books with insecure heroines, but they have reason to be. They get rejected frequently, or are ugly ducklings. They risk it one more time because they can't help themselves and still get hurt.

It still needs a happy ending, but when her heart drops into her stomach from rejection first, it makes the happy ending that much sweeter.

Any recommendations?

I just read Emilie's Christmas Love, and it followed that theme. Loved it.

Thanks, Frankie

[Eirene]

I'll give that book a try, I'm actually looking for something similar to what you're looking for.

Edit: Oh I forgot about this one: A Rogue by Any Other Name has an insecure heroine because she was previously jilted for a beautiful Italian?

[D.G.]

I just read a book where the heroine was jilted 3 times and it's very insecure about her looks: Lessons in French. The book is very funny though. Lots of crazy situations so I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for.

[Regina]

involves a heroine that is mousy and nobody notices. She is bigger and surrounded by petite beautiful friends. The hero actually pursues her because he think she will be an easy target (he is a hot navy seal and wants a fun weekend).

[Jean]

. This particular one in the Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas might suit your needs. The heroine is intensely shy and stutters but her back is up against the wall. The premise of the series on a whole is that that the socially rejected women in the Ton have decided to band together and help each other find husbands in the backdrop of Regency England.

is the second book and final book fo the Scandalous series by Christina Dodd. This one features the mild mannered cousin who has to play off that she's her more outrageous cousin while trying to avert financial disaster.

[Ridh]

I can't seem to be able to get the links but Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas and Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacClean are two really really good books. Both have insecure heroines who have a reason to be. But it doesn't get in the way of the story or the love, which is important to me when I read a book. These are two of my favorite reads!

[Jean]

I forgot this book from the Spindle Cove series...


features the mousie sister who is constantly put down by her mother in favor of her other two sisters who are not mean to her in anyway.

[Jean]

Riddhi wrote: "I can't seem to be able to get the links but Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas and Nine Rules to Break when Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacClean are two really really good books. Both have insecure her..."

I love the Love by Numbers series too! Have you read the other ones?

[Ridh]

I have! They're soooo good, MacClean is an amazing author. I'm reading actually A Rogue by Any Other Name right now. And A Week to be Wicked is also one of my all time favorites, I can't believe it slipped out of my mind!

[Jean]

Oh, I happen to stumble on this list called: Best Historical Romances Where the Quiet Unusual Girl Gets the Guy.

Thought it might help you find suggestions too. :)

[Jean]

Riddhi wrote: "I have! They're soooo good, MacClean is an amazing author. I'm reading actually A Rogue by Any Other Name right now. And A Week to be Wicked is also one of my all time favorites, I can't believe it..."

I just read A Week to be Wicked a few days ago. I love how Payne keeps calling Minerva all different M names as if he couldn't remember her real name. Totally cracked me up.

[Ridh]

Hahaha, it cracked me too! :D I was laughing like an idiot all through the book. I read it like three months ago and just thinking about the book makes me giggle.

[Eirene]

Hi guys, I was wondering if you had any book recs that are contemporary? I'm kind of interested in this theme as well and as it turns out, I've read a lot of the historicals posted haha (who's excited for Maclean's next book about Pippa and Cross?). Yeah, just kind of needing something new to read as well. :)

[Regina]

The ones I put in post #4 are contemporary.

[D.G.]

Jean wrote: "Oh, I happen to stumble on this list called: Best Historical Romances Where the Quiet Unusual Girl Gets the Guy.

Thought it might help you find suggestions too. :)"

I've read 18 of the first 20 books in that list! I must like this theme, LOL!

[Elke]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Jean wrote: "Oh, I happen to stumble on this list called: Best Historical Romances Where the Quiet Unusual Girl Gets the Guy.

Thought it might help you find suggestions too. :)"

I've read 18 ..."

LMBO!! Me too!!

[Jean]

Sleepless Nights Reviews wrote: "Hi guys, I was wondering if you had any book recs that are contemporary? I'm kind of interested in this theme as well and as it turns out, I've read a lot of the historicals posted haha (who's exci..."

Here are some lists on GoodReads that might help:

Plain Jane and Hot Stud Romance Novels (has both contemporary and historical)

Sisters of the Heart series by Christine Feehan -- contemporary setting though it's paranormal in that the women have paranormal abilities.
Water Bound

[Regina]

That's a great list. i just added two (mine from above). I forgot about

Also, if you are interestd in PNR/post-apoc/Shifter stories there is (and can be read as a standalone):

-- larger/overweight girl. Usually teased about her weight and size, men usually ignore her or mock her. She finds herself in the future when there is a shortage of women and she is suddenly the physical ideal.

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

Nathan wrote: "Infatuation: Thirty something heroine, with abuse issues from her childhood, faces the reality of who she is whilst trying to stop a female megalomaniac controlling the world.
Hope this was helpful..."

I had to delete this post because this isn't the right place in the group for self promotion. You are more than welcome to re-post your book in our authors and promotions folder. :)

[Eirene]

Thanks guys, I'll take a look at those books :)

[Jean]

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing might be more chick lit than romance but features a mousie but strong female character. It's been a while since I read it and it happens in present time.

Bridget Jones's Diary is hysterical. Much better than the movie. But you get your insecure heroine -- warts and all.

[Frankiejohnny]

Jean wrote: "Oh, I happen to stumble on this list called: Best Historical Romances Where the Quiet Unusual Girl Gets the Guy.

Thought it might help you find suggestions too. :)"

This list is great! I've read about 25% of the book on here, but that leaves another 75 to explore.

I definitely need to add Lisa Kleypas to my list. I've never read her, and many of you suggest her here, as well as the unusual girls list above. Thank you!!

Also as for the Sarah MacLean suggestions, I have read all hers as well - 5 stars!! Love her! :D

Thank you everyone. I can't wait to pick up one of these.

[Eirene]

Frankiejohnny wrote: ...I definitely need to add Lisa Kleypas to my list. I've never read her, and many of you suggest her here, as well as the unusual girls list above. Thank you!!

Oh my god, Lisa Kleypas is phenomenal. Her books are wonderful. Devil in Winter, especially :) I hope you have a fun time reading her works!

[Jean]

@ Frankiejohnny... I just read A Rogue by Any Other Name after everyone's recommendation. Can't wait for the next book you mentioned with Pippa and Cross. One more month right?

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

I'm a serious Kleypas fan. I love her style of writing. There's always some wit thrown into the banter.

[Jean]

Stacia (the hype killer) wrote: "I'm a serious Kleypas fan. I love her style of writing. There's always some wit thrown into the banter."

I just finished reading Again the Magic today and Suddenly You a few days ago. I love how she's able to craft three dimensional characters and sweep you along with the emotional ride with each of the characters. Even her difficult characters, she is able to weave them into complex characters that you can't help but to feel for them.