Looking for books where the Hero initially finds the heroine unattractive

[Brittany]

Most bodice rippers I come across have either raving beauties as heroines, or plain girls that turn into bombshells once they slip on the right dress. The heroes attraction to her is usually the sole driving force behind his infatuation, so the romantic chemistry feels shallow and vapid to me.

Are there any books where the hero at least initially finds the heroines looks unappealing?

[Kat]

You might give The Heir by Johanna Lindsey a chance. While the hero doesn't find the heroine unattractive at the start of the book, the attraction grows from her wit, and they start out as friends rather than the sort of TAKE ME NOW you seem to be trying to avoid. In fact the hero, through various plot devices, is pretty convinced that outward beauty is a shit way to weigh someone.

[Finn]

the lover by nicole jordan fits this theme. he initially doesnt find her attractive but the marriage is arranged so they dont really have a choice

[Anne]

unforgivable by joanna chambers

[daemyra, the realm's delight]

I really enjoyed Unforgivable, loved the character development. The hero is pissed at the heroine for most of the novel.

[Mary23nm]

I just finished An Unacceptable Offer by Mary Balogh that fits.

[Vellini]

Sinful by Charlotte Featherstone

[daemyra, the realm's delight]

^^^^

That's actually a really great one, Vellini! The hero is actually embarrassed when he sees the heroine in daylight, like he doesn't believe that she is the nurse he fell in love with.

[MG]

The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne —- he finds her very plain at the start of the book but approaches her bc he’s trying to get revenge on her family.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00RUA...

[Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince]

Brittany wrote: "Most bodice rippers I come across have either raving beauties as heroines, or plain girls that turn into bombshells once they slip on the right dress. The heroes attraction to her is usually the so..."

In Fairest of Them All the hero is not attracted to the heroine upon first sight. She's actually a very beautiful woman, who cuts her hair, wears padding, and uses makeup to appear ugly, but the hero is fooled at first. While I don't consider Teresa Medeiros's book an old-school bodice ripper, several reviewers consider it one as the hero is quite forceful with the heroine after discovering her deception. YMMV. It's a good read, regardless.

[Vellini]

Irene wrote: "^^^^

That's actually a really great one, Vellini! The hero is actually embarrassed when he sees the heroine in daylight, like he doesn't believe that she is the nurse he fell in love with."

Exactly....He was so cruel, but he does redeem himself after.

[daemyra, the realm's delight]

Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Most bodice rippers I come across have either raving beauties as heroines, or plain girls that turn into bombshells once they slip on the right dress. The heroes attraction to her ..."

I've never read Teresa Medeiros. Who would she sit with in romance cateferia? I've lumped her in with Elizabeth Hoyt and Courtney Milan in my head for some reason.

[Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince]

According to Goodreads: Author similar to Medeiros

Personally, I'd see her hanging with Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Mary Jo Putney, Dana Ransom/Nancy Gideon, maybe occasionally Lisa Kleypas.

Of authors I haven't read, she probably be in a club with Gaelen Foley, Sabrina Jeffries & Karen Marie Moning.

I don't see her as a Hoyt & Milan type, but some might.

[daemyra, the realm's delight]

Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince wrote: "According to Goodreads: Author similar to Medeiros

Personally, I'd see her hanging with Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Mary Jo Putney, Dana Ransom/Nancy Gideon, maybe occasionally ..."

Hmm. These are 2 very different groups for me and I'm not sure how I feel about it LOL. It's a bit of a mixed bag (Gaelen Foley is the only consistent favourite for me but even she has some duds). I've seen a couple of highly rated Medeiros. I'm going to add this one to my TBR and save it for a rainy day :)

[Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince]

Irene wrote: "Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince wrote: "According to Goodreads: Author similar to Medeiros

Personally, I'd see her hanging with Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Mary Jo Putney, Dana Ransom..."

It's would make for a nice bit of leisure on a rainy day. Hope you enjoy it. I've read 5 of her books and have only been disappointed by 1 which was the first she wrote and very different from her other stuff.