Rec's

[thusbands]

Are there any romance novels out there that aren't about the girl and guy hating each other at first or getting together and then breaking up and then getting their happily ever after? I swear every romance novel I've ever read is like that. I understand they need things to happen in the book but come on. It's so annoying to me. Basically I'm

Comments

[stellar_raven]

Do you read historicals?

I seem to recall the following book being pretty close to what you're looking for, at least according to the review I left at Goodreads.

The book:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7851437-my-lord-scandal

My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/206622433?book_show_action=false

[cissa]

I really like Julie Cruisie. There's lots of banter (which totally wins me over), but they are somewhat less cliche.

You may be happier with books that are not straight romances. Like, I love Laura Resnick's "Esther Diamond" novels, even though the romance is a real tease. Lots of adventure there!

Also, if you are not reading Lois Bujold- try her "Vor" novels. There's romance- especially in "A Civil Campaign" (but you'll enjoy it more if you've read more first for context).

Sharon Shinn does some great romances in fantasy settings, too.

Plus the classics- "Pride and Prejudice", anyone?

[dizzymama1]

I'm a big fan of Nora Roberts. A lot of her trilogies and quartets aren't about the relationships except as they relate to the situation they are in: the Sign of Seven trilogy is especially good imo, as is the Chesapeake Bay quartet. I also love the In The Garden trilogy - these are the ones I reread the most :)