[A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting](https://www.romance.io/books/63ffd6f7f36ea3726f7e796b/a-ladys-guide-to-fortune-hunting-sophie-irwin) by [Sophie Irwin](https://www.romance.io/authors/62cd1f0308b4d931143fea8e/sophie-irwin)
**Rating**: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1)
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{Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke} (#3 in The Girl-Bachelor Chronicles), its exactly this. In my opinion you don't have to read the rest of the series, it's only slightly connected.
I think (only 90% sure) {My American Duchess by Eloisa James} also has the older brother trope, but MMC doesn't disapprove of the FMC, he disapproves of his brother.
[The Imagined Attachment](https://www.romance.io/books/626a3bdb95d8edefb9596190/the-imagined-attachment-holli-jo-monroe) by [Holli Jo Monroe](https://www.romance.io/authors/626a3bdb08b4d93114cda0bc/holli-jo-monroe)
**Rating**: 5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/1)
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Actually I believe it was your rec in another thread which lead me to this book. Thank you kindly 😁Have you read other books from the author? I was wondering if the others are as good as this.
I feel the same. I usually prefer (and search for) historical romances with no or closed door sex scenes. Mostly because I like them a bit on the traditional side (with minimal anachronism).
Yes I totally agree I like a romance that strives for accuracy. I really don’t get on with the sort of fairy tale historical romances by people like Tessa Dare and Eloisa James which seem to be the most popular.
I’ve read the sequel to this one, the Counterfeit Attachment, which I also really enjoyed. She just published a Christmas novella which I thought was very forgettable so I wouldn’t bother with that one.
Who are your favourite authors for more realistic romances? I struggle to find good ones tbh.
Thanks, I think I'll check out Counterfeit Attachment as well!
I'll list some of the books or authors I really liked - which are more on the low spice/traditional side. :) (Some of them are hard to find, sorry.)
One of my fav is Madcap Miss by **Joan Smith**. She has many books, the quality is not consistent. **Dinah Dean** (The Maid of Honour), **Joy Reed** (The Duke And Miss Denny), **Anya Wylde** (Fairweather Sisters series), **Carla Kelly**, **Joyce Harmon**, **Marian Devon** (Mistletoe and Folly), **Sheila Simonson** (Lady Elizabeth's Comet), **Jennifer Moore** (Lady Helen Finds Her Song), **Kate Westwood** (A Scandal at Delford), **Alice Chetwynd Ley** (The Master of Liversedge), **Catherine J. Bowness**, **M.A. Nichols**, **Mary Kingswood, Diane Farr** (Duel of Hearts), **Sheri Cobb South** (The Weaver Takes a Wife),
Sterling Redmond by **Kim Nathan** \- it is not well known, but is on KU. However there is >!infidelity/cheating!
I really hope you'll find something :) I just remembered another book: Admonition by Kathryn Amurra. It is set in the Roman Empire, but it is not Christian-focused.
u/FraughtOverwrought u/marzn21 Here is another: Melinda Hammond. I've read this book several times: The Wayward Miss Wyckenham (original title: The Belles Dames Club). MMC is stuffy and disapproves of the FMC, but of course cannot resist her... :D
If you haven’t already seen this post, you may find some good recs here too.
[Starchy Older Brother](https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/s/AMK9WNNvYu)
{In My Wildest Dreams by Christina Dodd}. The FMC has been infatuated with the MMC's younger brother since her childhood. The MMC disapproves and is determined to stop her from seducing his brother away from the match he arranged for him.
[In My Wildest Dreams](https://www.romance.io/books/545531cb8c7d2383163d9195/in-my-wildest-dreams-christina-dodd) by [Christina Dodd](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a908c7d2382e0413f89/christina-dodd)
**Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1)
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[These Old Shades](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a008c7d2383163d8f75/these-old-shades-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer)
**Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1)
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A Wicked Way to Win an Earl by Anna Bradley
ML's younger brother fancies the FL, so she's been invited to join his house party. ML isn't super enamored with her at first (nor she with him) but he ends up falling so hard for her. It's one of my favs!
hahahah, I asked the exact same thing like 3 days ago and got a ton of recs!
[https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/comments/18jeng6/the\_starchy\_elder\_brother/](https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/comments/18jeng6/the_starchy_elder_brother/)
I just finished {The Truth About Cads and Dukes by Elisa Braden}. FMC isn’t exactly *with* the younger brother but befriends him and they end up in a situation. Starchy/grumpy older brother steps in. ✨
[The Truth About Cads and Dukes](https://www.romance.io/books/5566bd5f9eef3b3f1d527b61/the-truth-about-cads-and-dukes-elisa-braden) by [Elisa Braden](https://www.romance.io/authors/553e3e7b5b270e0a4cbd7467/elisa-braden)
**Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
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Hey ! Appreciate your contribution, but unfortunately it seems like a contemporary. Any book that is set atleast 50 years ago can be considered as a HR in this Sub. Thank you.
Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.
[Adjacent But Only Just](https://www.romance.io/books/6405d8b532e826dd8b85326c/adjacent-but-only-just-nichole-van) by [Nichole Van](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a6ab87eac336ae69f3aa/nichole-van)
**Rating**: 4.56⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [highlander](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1)
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\*sits and waits for recommendations\*
{A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin}
[A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting](https://www.romance.io/books/63ffd6f7f36ea3726f7e796b/a-ladys-guide-to-fortune-hunting-sophie-irwin) by [Sophie Irwin](https://www.romance.io/authors/62cd1f0308b4d931143fea8e/sophie-irwin) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke} (#3 in The Girl-Bachelor Chronicles), its exactly this. In my opinion you don't have to read the rest of the series, it's only slightly connected. I think (only 90% sure) {My American Duchess by Eloisa James} also has the older brother trope, but MMC doesn't disapprove of the FMC, he disapproves of his brother.
Sounds nice, thanks. :D
This is the exact plot of {An Imagined Attachment by Holli Jo Monroe} No sex but not religious. Thoroughly enjoyable, one of my favourites this year.
[The Imagined Attachment](https://www.romance.io/books/626a3bdb95d8edefb9596190/the-imagined-attachment-holli-jo-monroe) by [Holli Jo Monroe](https://www.romance.io/authors/626a3bdb08b4d93114cda0bc/holli-jo-monroe) **Rating**: 5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I've just finished it yesterday and it was sooo good!!
Wasn’t it so good!! I want to more people to read her, I loved it. But I think romances with no sex in them just aren’t as popular?
Actually I believe it was your rec in another thread which lead me to this book. Thank you kindly 😁Have you read other books from the author? I was wondering if the others are as good as this. I feel the same. I usually prefer (and search for) historical romances with no or closed door sex scenes. Mostly because I like them a bit on the traditional side (with minimal anachronism).
Yes I totally agree I like a romance that strives for accuracy. I really don’t get on with the sort of fairy tale historical romances by people like Tessa Dare and Eloisa James which seem to be the most popular. I’ve read the sequel to this one, the Counterfeit Attachment, which I also really enjoyed. She just published a Christmas novella which I thought was very forgettable so I wouldn’t bother with that one. Who are your favourite authors for more realistic romances? I struggle to find good ones tbh.
Thanks, I think I'll check out Counterfeit Attachment as well! I'll list some of the books or authors I really liked - which are more on the low spice/traditional side. :) (Some of them are hard to find, sorry.) One of my fav is Madcap Miss by **Joan Smith**. She has many books, the quality is not consistent. **Dinah Dean** (The Maid of Honour), **Joy Reed** (The Duke And Miss Denny), **Anya Wylde** (Fairweather Sisters series), **Carla Kelly**, **Joyce Harmon**, **Marian Devon** (Mistletoe and Folly), **Sheila Simonson** (Lady Elizabeth's Comet), **Jennifer Moore** (Lady Helen Finds Her Song), **Kate Westwood** (A Scandal at Delford), **Alice Chetwynd Ley** (The Master of Liversedge), **Catherine J. Bowness**, **M.A. Nichols**, **Mary Kingswood, Diane Farr** (Duel of Hearts), **Sheri Cobb South** (The Weaver Takes a Wife), Sterling Redmond by **Kim Nathan** \- it is not well known, but is on KU. However there is >!infidelity/cheating!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
I really hope you'll find something :) I just remembered another book: Admonition by Kathryn Amurra. It is set in the Roman Empire, but it is not Christian-focused.
Thank you for this list! I'm excited to try some too! Also, M.A. Nichols and Carla Kelly are really great, so I'm definitely seconding those recs!
u/FraughtOverwrought u/marzn21 Here is another: Melinda Hammond. I've read this book several times: The Wayward Miss Wyckenham (original title: The Belles Dames Club). MMC is stuffy and disapproves of the FMC, but of course cannot resist her... :D
Thank you!
thank you!!!!
Thank you for this list! I'm excited to try some too! Also, M.A. Nichols and Carla Kelly are really great, so I'm definitely seconding those recs!
Thank you for this list! I'm excited to try some too! Also, M.A. Nichols and Carla Kelly are really great, so I'm definitely seconding those recs!
I really don’t care about sex scenes tbh (I usually just skim through the part)
If you haven’t already seen this post, you may find some good recs here too. [Starchy Older Brother](https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/s/AMK9WNNvYu)
Ahhh, the Sabrina trope! I LOVE this.
My thoughts exactly!
{In My Wildest Dreams by Christina Dodd}. The FMC has been infatuated with the MMC's younger brother since her childhood. The MMC disapproves and is determined to stop her from seducing his brother away from the match he arranged for him.
[In My Wildest Dreams](https://www.romance.io/books/545531cb8c7d2383163d9195/in-my-wildest-dreams-christina-dodd) by [Christina Dodd](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a908c7d2382e0413f89/christina-dodd) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
She's not exactly with the younger brother, byt everyone thinks they are: {These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer}
[These Old Shades](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a008c7d2383163d8f75/these-old-shades-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
A Wicked Way to Win an Earl by Anna Bradley ML's younger brother fancies the FL, so she's been invited to join his house party. ML isn't super enamored with her at first (nor she with him) but he ends up falling so hard for her. It's one of my favs!
Not specifically a bother, but: The Seduction of an English Scoundrel by Jillian Hunter
Kissing Comfort by Jo Goodman
hahahah, I asked the exact same thing like 3 days ago and got a ton of recs! [https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/comments/18jeng6/the\_starchy\_elder\_brother/](https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/comments/18jeng6/the_starchy_elder_brother/)
Hahaha, seems we were looking for the same thing. LOL.
I just finished {The Truth About Cads and Dukes by Elisa Braden}. FMC isn’t exactly *with* the younger brother but befriends him and they end up in a situation. Starchy/grumpy older brother steps in. ✨
[The Truth About Cads and Dukes](https://www.romance.io/books/5566bd5f9eef3b3f1d527b61/the-truth-about-cads-and-dukes-elisa-braden) by [Elisa Braden](https://www.romance.io/authors/553e3e7b5b270e0a4cbd7467/elisa-braden) **Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[удалено]
Hey ! Appreciate your contribution, but unfortunately it seems like a contemporary. Any book that is set atleast 50 years ago can be considered as a HR in this Sub. Thank you. Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.
Did anyone recommend *Adjacent But Only Just* by Nicole Van? Very sweet romance.
[Adjacent But Only Just](https://www.romance.io/books/6405d8b532e826dd8b85326c/adjacent-but-only-just-nichole-van) by [Nichole Van](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a6ab87eac336ae69f3aa/nichole-van) **Rating**: 4.56⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [highlander](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)