Novels in which H is a good guy, sticking to principles, honourable, gentleman. Basically not a JERK

[C]

h can be similar or opposite of H.
preferably historical romance, unrequited love.
Options otherwise also appreciated.
Thanks

[Peter]

How about a fantasy in a setting based somewhat on European history? The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold is about an honorable man whose body and soul have been broken after being betrayed into slavery by political enemies. He manages to find what he thinks is a safe position teaching a young noble woman and her confidant, but then she and her brother are summoned to court and she is pursued by the despicable man who betrayed him, whose family holds unassailable power. He has to choose whether to save himself or her, and I haven’t even mentioned the horrible divine curse that’s most likely going to destroy her.

I really can’t recommend this book highly enough.

[The Reading Raccoon]

In my humble opinion most of the "good guys" reside in YA books if you are looking for romance. The NA and romance category is littered with "cocky" and "alpha" guys.
I really enjoyed the The Winner's Curse
Series for this reason. If you want more contemporary romance you might like Archer's Voice

[MJ]

Forgotten & Remembered by Bree Wolf, maybe?

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Forgotten & Remembered: The Duke's Late Wife is the click for MJ's suggestion.

[Yue]

The only author I can vouch writes the best good guys is Carla Kelly.
Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career, Summer Campaign, Carla Kelly's Christmas Collection.

Also, LM Montgomery, her Anne of Green Gables series or any of her short stories.

And of course, the greatest Georgetter Heyer, any of her heroes in her Regency books.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I have to agree with Yue about Georgette Heyer. Even her villains tend to have their own set of principles--they may not match the societal norms, but they have them.

[C]

Thanks for all your suggestions. YA recommendations are also appreciated. Like 'Flat out love'

[Dakota]

C wrote: "h can be similar or opposite of H.
preferably historical romance, unrequited love.
Options otherwise also appreciated.
Thanks"
Julia Quinn's later historical romance tend to have men who are nice. I most recently enjoyed her newest released works Because of Miss Bridgerton and The Girl with the Make-Believe husband. I thought both had nice, principled heroes.

[Marie]

Every book written by Dick Francis has a truly great, principled hero. All different walks of life and age. It's why he is my favorite writer. Dick Francis was the Queen's jockey before he started writing; I have people tell me "I don't like horses". First so sad for you, but second, there is always some reference to horses in each book, but they are mysteries involving a sports photographer, an insurance agent including horses, a painter in Scotland, the list goes on. Great heroes!!!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Because of Miss Bridgerton and The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband the clicks for the 2 books that Dakota suggested. Julia Quinn for the author click.

And I too like Dick Francis and can agree with the recommendation that Marie made.

[Preethi]

Brooklynaire by Sarina Bowen

[Divya]

Another Fantasy recommendation.

Raven's Shadow has both female and male protagonists which it switches between. Tier is a good man, a good husband, and a good father, as well as being good at a few other things.

[Michele]

Strong Poison. Lord Peter is a deeply ethical man -- one of the best, IMO. (If you enjoy this one, there are more in the series.)

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Far From the Madding Crowd

[Michele]

Oh, and Pride and Prejudice of course :)

[Jenna]

Love Curse of Chalion suggested earlier; also Raven's Shadow is a great book too. and also all the Carla Kelly recommendations. Would come here to say all those.

The Goblin Emperor is more fantasy, less romance, but protagonist with principles

[ImaBookaddict]

One of my favorites is:

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

The History of Henry Esmond

[Mikaela]

They are not all unrequited but all of them have the hero fall in love before the heroine does

Historical:

North and South

The Weaver Takes a Wife

Redeeming Love

The Masqueraders

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Contemporary:

A Girl Like Her

The Flatshare

Northern Lights

The Witness

Friends Without Benefits

Wait for It

Last Light

Goddess of Spring

[Kimberly]

I feel like that describes all of the heroes in Catherine Anderson’s books, especially her historicals. Probably not unrequited though.

[Crystal]

I've got a couple of favourites that I have to list here:

Radiance: This is a romance set in a historical period with some fantasy elements. But it honestly feels like a historical for most of it. The hero is incredibly wholesome and their relationship is one of the best I've ever read. One of my favourite books of all time!

Until I Die Again: An adult contemporary romance. This book has an insanely novel concept involving soul switching. The main girl gets involved in an accident and her soul gets sent into the body of another woman who is divorcing her husband. The main girl falls for the husband and well she's got to win him over. The husband is incredible and definitely not a jerk.

[MJ]

Salt Redux
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...