What’s your favourite kind of HR hero? Examples please.

[Mariana]

I love virgin heroes with good character. They are rare in HR.

Here are some of my favorites:
1) Michael from Redeeming Love
2) Clay from Always to Remember
3) Elijah from His Jilted Bride
4) Robert from The Duchess War

[Topastro]

I like powerful, titled men who seem untouchable and cold. I guess I never really put it together before this tread that those are my faves. To me its not just also not just the hero but I like when heroine is a wallflower/spinster or someone "unsuitable".

McKenna from Again the Magic
Marcus from It Happened One Autumn
Colin from A Week to Be Wicked
Gabriel from Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
Wulfric from Slightly Dangerous

[Sam I]

Topastro wrote: "I like powerful, titled men who seem untouchable and cold. I guess I never really put it together before this tread that those are my faves. To me its not just also not just the hero but I like whe..."

I am always hearing about Wulfric so I am really going to need to read that.

[Sam I]

Mariana wrote: "I love virgin heroes with good character. They are rare in HR.

Here are some of my favorites:
1) Michael from Redeeming Love
2) Clay from Always to Remember
3) Elijah f..."

ROBERT is the BEST. But not in a "I want him for myself" in a "He's the best and should get all the things."

[Topastro]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "I like powerful, titled men who seem untouchable and cold. I guess I never really put it together before this tread that those are my faves. To me its not just also not just the he..."

The Bedwyn series was hit and miss for me but I held out because I REALLY wanted to read Wulfric's story and I was not disappointed.

[Sam I]

Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "I like powerful, titled men who seem untouchable and cold. I guess I never really put it together before this tread that those are my faves. To me its not j..."

If you know I'm a stickler for reading order, you will know how odd it is for me to ask this--but would I need to read them all?

[Topastro]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "I like powerful, titled men who seem untouchable and cold. I guess I never really put it together before this tread that those are my faves..."

I would read them in order. I'm not one for reading order but the character driven plots of all the books and the building that takes place really do add to book 6.

[Sam I]

Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "I like powerful, titled men who seem untouchable and cold. I guess I never really put it together before this tread..."

Grumble, I figured that. Thanks!

[AmazingJ]

I like heroes who act tough but are gentle in other ways. or, heroes who are virgins but act as if they have bedded many women.

[[deleted user]]

I like heroes that come from the street and become wealthy and powerful but not accepted in polite society. They try to “marry up” in the aristocracy.

Examples: Simon Hunt from Secrets Of A Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
Harry Rutledge from Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas
Rhys Winterbourne from Marrying Winterbourne by Lisa Kleypas
Tom Severin from Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas
Deveraux Winter from Wicked In Winter by Scarlett Scott
Dominic Winter from Winter’s Wallflower by Scarlett Scott
Lucian Langdon, Jack Dodger, James Swindler, and William Graves in the Scoundrels of St James Series by Lorraine Heath

If anyone knows of others in this trope, please let me know! I am always looking for new series!

[Missy]

Sweety, have you read Kerrigan Byrne's Victorian Rebels series? Her heroes are unapologetically baaaadd, particularly Dorian Blackwell from The Highwayman and Christopher Argent from The Hunter.

I never really thought about what kind of heroes I like. I'll get back to ya. :)

[Debby *BabyDee*]

I like heroes who have a mysterious air about them and portraying double lives. Examples from Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series and all are the roguish Ghost of St. Giles:

Lazarus Huntington, Lord Claire - Wicked Intentions
Winter Makepeace - Thief of Shadows
Godrick St. John - Lord of Darkness
Maximus Batten, Duke of Wakefield - Duke of Midnight

[Mariana]

Debby wrote: "I like heroes who have a mysterious air about them and portraying double lives. Examples from Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series and all are the roguish Ghost of St. Giles:

Lazarus Huntington, Lo..."

I like this too. Have you read Rogue's Honor (The Saint of Seven Dials) by Brenda Hiatt? That was the first I read with a mysterious hero.

[Sam I]

I guess I forgot to weigh in, but I like the sensitive jackass. Or the kind of villain one.

I do a very bad job keeping track, but I think
Joshua from A Wicked Kind of Husband is this type.
Smite Turner from Unraveled.
David from Tempting the Bride,
Roman from One Night is Never Enough
& obviously Alex from What I did for a Duke.

(And Sebastian OF COURSE from A Devil in Winter)

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "I like powerful, titled men who seem untouchable and cold. I guess I never really put it together ..."

I will say that I do like to read in order, but I did break the rule and only read the 1st book before Slightly Dangerous. This is partly due to the fact that I don't always take to Balogh, though, so I've kind of resolved to only read the highly recommended ones.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Jenna wrote: "I like heroes that come from the street and become wealthy and powerful but not accepted in polite society. They try to “marry up” in the aristocracy.

Examples: Simon Hunt from Secrets Of A Summe..."

I haven't read Scarlet Scott, but it looks like her heroes are in good company!

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Debby wrote: "I like heroes who have a mysterious air about them and portraying double lives. Examples from Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series and all are the roguish Ghost of St. Giles:

Lazarus Huntington, Lo..."

I like this too. I like the excitement of them toeing the line, keeping their house of cards in order. I think part of the reason they're fun is the heroine's have to be smart and figure out the secrets.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Ok, I looked through my favorite heroes shelf, called Get Your Mac On...and the trend I noticed is the hero either longs for the heroine for ages before they get together or he at least falls first. I especially love it when they don't feel worthy.

In addition to many that have been listed, some favorite heros:

Max from About a Rogue, loved that he was full of surprises and hidden depths and definitely worked to prove himself to the heroine.

Anthony from A Rake's Guide to Seduction - he's a blacksheep but falls for his friend's sister. They are reunited after she's been widowed following a rough marriage. She depressed and he's the antidote. It's really a beautiful story. I get a little teary eyed thinking of it. (starting to feel a compulsion to read it actually)

Sebastian from The Countess Conspiracy - he uses humor as an armor. Just about perfect really. Would do anything for the heroine and has loved her for years.

Gideon from The Perfect Rake - I just loved how he was able to see the beauty of the heroine and was completely convinced he won the jackpot. This is being released in audio, FYI, to those that care.

NOTE: I realized upon perusal my heroes shelf has some glaring omissions!

[Sam I]

You only started that shelf a couple of years ago, right? I think that might be why! I'm also worse with shelving HR heros 😔

[Sam I]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "I like powerful, titled men who seem untouchable and cold. I guess I never..."

I feel the same, her writing can feel boggy to me. Did you think it worked out ok?

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "You only started that shelf a couple of years ago, right? I think that might be why! I'm also worse with shelving HR heros 😔"

Yea, I did. But I didn't even have Alex from What I Did for A Duke on there....lol

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Topastro wrote: "I like powerful, titled men who seem untoucha..."

Yea, I think it was ok, but I did just reread my review and I noted that there were a lot of secondary characters that had backstories I didn't know. So maybe it was not great. The problem with backstories and secondary characters is that I'm not likely to keep that straight anyways. Some series that I adore and have read multiple times, I'm good at that. But if I don't care about the secondary characters, then it's probably not going to be much different than if I didn't read the books anyways.

[Topastro]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Ok, I looked through my favorite heroes shelf, called Get Your Mac On...and the trend I noticed is the hero either longs for the heroine for ages before they get together or he at least falls first..."

Do you know when the audio for the The Perfect Rake is being released and who the narrator is?

[Topastro]

Jenna wrote: "I like heroes that come from the street and become wealthy and powerful but not accepted in polite society. They try to “marry up” in the aristocracy.

Examples: Simon Hunt from Secrets Of A Summe..."
Have you read Beyond Scandal and Desire? It seems like the first book of this series would work for you.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Topastro wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Ok, I looked through my favorite heroes shelf, called Get Your Mac On...and the trend I noticed is the hero either longs for the heroine for ages before they get togeth..."

Heather Wilds. I haven’t listened to her in a while but I think she’s decent?

It appears to already be out: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Rake-M...

[Jan]

Jenna wrote: "I like heroes that come from the street and become wealthy and powerful but not accepted in polite society. They try to “marry up” in the aristocracy.

If anyone knows of others in this trope, please let me know! I am always looking for new series!"

I like some of your heroes too.

Have you read Luck Be a Lady by Meredith Duran? I think you would like Nick :)

[Jan]

Wulfric from Slightly Dangerous is also a fav of mine. Other Balogh heroes I love are Nathaniel from Irresistible and of course my beloved Luke from Heartless.

Lisa Kleypas favs:
Rhys Winterbourne Marrying Winterborne
Devon Ravenel Cold-Hearted Rake
West Ravenel Devil's Daughter
Ethan Hello Stranger
Gabriel Devil in Spring

Other favs:
Hayden Rothwell The Rules Of Seduction
Justin Alastair These Old Shades
Charles Audley An Infamous Army

I do like a serious, even grumpy hero, one who is clever and focussed and in control. I love seeing the control start to slip when he falls in love ;)

[Sam I]

SWEETY wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I guess I forgot to weigh in, but I like the sensitive jackass. Or the kind of villain one.

I do a very bad job keeping track, but I think
Joshua from A Wicked Kind of Hus..."

So much so he steals the scene in the books before and after and every one of the next gen.

[Avid Booker]

I like Villains with a moral code, Sweet talkers, OR yearners. Even better if they're all.

Honestly take your choice at Kleypas heroes because they're almost all fit these categories and I love them lol
Harry Tempt Me at Twilight
BitEngland's Perfect Hero
Roman One Night Is Never Enough
ColinA Week to Be Wicked

[🐝 Shaz 🐝]

I like a Rogue
Leopold Dautry Notorious Duke of Villiers A Duke of Her Own
Devil Cynster Devil's Bride
James Malory Gentle Rogue
Anthony Malory Tender Rebel

[Jan]

Avid Booker wrote: "Honestly take your choice at Kleypas heroes because they're almost all fit these categories and I love them lol
Harry Tempt Me at Twilight
Bit England's Perfect Hero
Roman One Night Is Never Enough
Colin A Week to Be Wicked "

Oh yes, Bit! He was wonderful. Really made that book.

I like Harry too.

[Cynthia]

Hello! I love dukes, powerful generals and rogues...and any combo of each...

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

The Duke by Galen Foley

The Mystery of Mr Daventry (Scandalous Sons) by Adele Clee

Thanks! :)

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Cynthia wrote: "...The Mystery of Mr Daventry (Scandalous Sons) by Adele Clee..."

Ooh great I have been meaning to try Adele Clee

[fransarylibros]

Let's see..
1)My 2 favorites are the @ss-guy/blind duke type Greystone (Surrender to the Devil) and Ransom (Romancing the Duke)

2)The rake kind that falls hard and has no idea: Ralston (Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake) and Mayne (Pleasure for Pleasure)

3)The damaged guy: Jeremy (Say No to the Duke), Drake (My Ruthless Prince)

4) The always funny but is more than that like The Colins (A Week to Be Wicked/Romancing Mister Bridgerton)

5)The serious, with a big sense of duty Westcliff (It Happened One Autumn) and Winter (Thief of Shadows)

6)The anti-heroes Sebastian (Devil in Winter) and Val (Duke of Sin)

[fransarylibros]

Jenna wrote: "I like heroes that come from the street and become wealthy and powerful but not accepted in polite society. They try to “marry up” in the aristocracy.

Examples: Simon Hunt from Secrets Of A Summe..."

From Elizabeth Hoyt 1)To Taste Temptation , the hero is American and wears moccasins in a ballroom and the heroine is an uptight lady of the ton and they just fall in love
and her newest 2)When a Rogue Meets His Match, hero marries the heroine for that reason

Both are set in the Georgian period (1700s),

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

My favorite hero really isn’t a “hero” at all. My favorite archetype for male romance lead is very bad and sole redemptive quality is his love for the heroine—and he might not be “happy” about it!.

Unfortunately, this type of “hero” (for lack of a better word!) has fallen out of favor in HR. When I want this dynamic, I have to read old HR written a very long time ago and in hard copy rather than kindle (I prefer eBooks) bec the author’s often “update” the eEditions of their old books to make them conform to modern sensibilities.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

SWEETY wrote: "So I’ll start, I love heroes that are unapologetically bad.

Bad doesn’t necessarily mean evil, though sometimes they could be evil, or wicked or crazy. (3)

But mostly they are not goody two sho..."

good afternoon Sweety!

I own The Silver Devil, haven’t read it yet. I read The Flesh and the Devil.

I’d like to buddy read book like that with you if you’re into buddy reading. I’ve been searching for someone to buddy read these with. I tried to buddy read over in the BRRA (bodice rippers readers anonymous) group. They seem to like to read solo. I tried to replicate a buddy read how it’s done in this group but only in the bodice ripper group. It didn’t take off.

If you like “communal” reading, I’d love to read bodice ripper with you!

I’m a longtime member of this group, but I haven’t done much reading this year and haven’t been on GR much lately.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Jenna wrote: "I like heroes that come from the street and become wealthy and powerful but not accepted in polite society. They try to “marry up” in the aristocracy.

Examples: Simon Hunt from Secrets Of A Summe..."

Jenna, there is also Lorraine Heath's latest series, Sins for all Seasons which is about unwanted children left to be raised in the poorer part of London by a woman for money, rise up to be successful and marry up on the way. The last book was recently released. The first book..

[Susan]

I have been thinking hard out this, and for me they the best heros are rakes. And I particularly like those who are considered unredeemable by society and have hit rock bottom (...and then enters the heroine). Books that come to mind:

The Rake by Mary Jo Putney
A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
and of course everyones favorite: Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Then there are some older HR by Barbara Metzger
An Angel for the Earl
A Loyal Companion

and how can we all forget my absolute favorite bad boy "Vidal" from
Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer

[Jan]

Cynthia wrote: "Hello! I love dukes, powerful generals and rogues...and any combo of each...

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

The Duke by Galen Foley

The Mystery of Mr Daventry (Scandalous Sons) by Ade..."

Thanks Cynthia. I'm going to try a sample of Tall Acre, and also Mr Daventry. Always looking for good new-to-me authors :) (I've read Gaelen Foley before).

[Debby *BabyDee*]

Mariana wrote: "Debby wrote: "I like heroes who have a mysterious air about them and portraying double lives. Examples from Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series and all are the roguish Ghost of St. Giles:

Lazarus ..."

@Mariana...have books by Brenda Hiatt but haven't read that one..Thanks for the recommend...adding to read😊

[Debby *BabyDee*]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Debby wrote: "I like heroes who have a mysterious air about them and portraying double lives. Examples from Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series and all are the roguish Ghost of St. Giles:

Lazarus ..."
@Joanna Loves...totally agree with you and I read Scarlet Scott this year for the first time and enjoyed the series i read.

[Avid Booker]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "My favorite hero really isn’t a “hero” at all. My favorite archetype for male romance lead is very bad and sole redemptive quality is his love for the heroine—and he might not be “happy” about it!...."

I agree! I hate that they've ran from the villainous, I really only do good for the heroine characters. I think they've done it to avoid hate.

Jan wrote: "Avid Booker wrote: "Honestly take your choice at Kleypas heroes because they're almost all fit these categories and I love them lol
Harry Tempt Me at Twilight
Bit England's Perfect Hero
Roman One N..."

I AGREE! Bit really made that book something special.

[Sha]

Type 1: A sensitive boi. A cinnamon roll too good for this world, too pure. Tries his best, and just wants to make people happy. Eg: Unclaimed, The Countess Conspiracy.

Type 2: A little shit. Gleefully embraces his shittiness. Spends his time annoying people for fun. A nightmare of a person. Untamed, The Luckiest Lady in London, Duke of Sin.

Type 3: Traumatized by life but stubbornly does not use that as an excuse to treat anyone badly. A Gentleman Undone, England's Perfect Hero.

Type 4: Harrassed family man. Only applicable if he's harrassed and at the end of his wits and requires saving like a distressed damsel. The Rake, Lord Perfect, The Arrangement.

Type 5: Idk about you but I love my social justice warrior heroes. Actively crusade against societal evils instead of sitting on his pile of riches and perpetuating social inequality? Sign me up. A Kiss for Midwinter, The Suffragette Scandal, The Jade Temptress.

Type 6: Heroes who do not have the trifecta of money, power and/or aristocracy, thus making it easy for them to solve all of life's problems with a wave of their hand. May overlap with a lot of the above categories. True Pretenses, A Gentleman Undone, The Jade Temptress, Hazard.

Type 7: I Was Just Here Minding My Own Business When This Woman Came Along And Dragged Me Into Her Problems. The Perfect Rake, Something About Emmaline, The Rogue, Emily and the Dark Angel.

Type 8: Pretty men. Really pretty men. None of this "he was SO HANDSOME but in a MASCULINE way" BS. These guys make people stop and stare at them not because they exude power, but because they are just so gosh-danged pretty. An Unwilling Bride, The Serpent Prince, Duke of Sin.

[Sam I]

Sha wrote: "Type 1: A sensitive boi. A cinnamon roll too good for this world, too pure. Tries his best, and just wants to make people happy. Eg: Unclaimed, [book:The Countess Conspiracy|1348992..."

Our taste is quite similar overall, I might have to add the ones I have not read to my list!!

[Patti]

I am a sucker for the Darcy archetype... The perfect English gentleman, who comes across as cold and unyielding, but is actually a mush of feelings and vulnerability on the inside and just needs the right woman to bring those out. Usually the woman is a little bit quirky or headstrong, and he doesn't know quite what to make of her at first, but in the end he falls deeply and irrevocably in love with her.

I'm sorry I can't think of any actual examples right now, but I always know it when I see it!

[Melissa]

I like alpha or gamma heroes. I do not like beta heroes. Shaz, I love the Malory and Cynster men as well. Anne Stuart and Kerrigan Byrne write some of my favorite hero types. One of my all-time favorites is Viscount Rohan in Anne Stuart’s Ruthless. I also love a hero that is wicked, but can make me laugh. In other words, a REAL rake. Examples would be: Gideon in Anne Gracie’s The Perfect Rake and Sebastian in Lisa Kleypas’s Devil in Winter. Hahaha, I’m not sure what that says about me in a psychological sense! 🧐🤔😁

[Susan]

Melissa wrote: "I like alpha or gamma heroes. I do not like beta heroes. Shaz, I love the Malory and Cynster men as well. Anne Stuart and Kerrigan Byrne write some of my favorite hero types. One of my all-time fav..."

I happened to see Ruthless by Anne Stuart at the library yesterday. Brought it home and devoured it in a day - Viscount Rohan is quite delectable. I think I have found a new author to pursue. Thank you

[SZ]

Hello!

I‘m new to this group and I‘m so happy I found it. Since this Pandemic has startend I have rekindled my teenage love of Historical romances. I am addicted to reading them and love the sexy Alpha Male.

I‘m looking for authors/books similar to:

Kresley Cole – I was blown away by her MacCarrick Brothers series- Courtland was the best!
Meagan McKinney- Fair is the Rose. Cain was so yummy!
Marsha Canham - Under the Desert Moon - Christian was omg!

Some other authors I‘ve read - Brenda Joyce; Samantha James; Penelope Williamson, Heather Graham, Shirlee Busbee, Judith McNaught.

TIA!

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

SZ wrote: "Hello!

I‘m new to this group and I‘m so happy I found it. Since this Pandemic has startend I have rekindled my teenage love of Historical romances. I am addicted to reading them and love the sexy ..."

Hi SZ! Welcome to the group. The pandemic is certainly a good time to rediscover HR.

I need to check out the books you mentioned, sound good but I don’t think I have read any of them.

We also do have a welcome thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Glad to have you join us!