The eldest cousin, Caroline particularly dislikes Celia because Celia has drawn the attention of the neighbor, Lord Robert Merrick. Caroline wants Robert for herself and she will do whatever it takes to secure him. Lord Robert Merrick was attracted to Celia from the moment her saw her at her Aunt's funeral. He wanted to get to know her better but didn't get the chance. Caroline always put herself between the two. When Robert learns that Celia and her family are coming to stay at her Uncles estate, he hopes to get to know her better.
They both have a love of outdoors so it is inevitable that they meet alone. Something between them ignites and neither can deny it. Celia must protect her heart, she knows Caroline will never stand for her taking away the one man Caroline always wanted. Celia s Uncle is pressed by Caroline into asking Celia not to see Robert.
Caroline tells Celia she will ruin her family if she does not stay away from Robert. This book was very well written! I could not put it down. The characters were real people with real problems. The romance was sweet and poignant. I felt so sorry for Celia. The ending was perfect!
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I really enjoyed the descriptions of places and people as well. The plot and climax of the story were well done, it is a fast-paced read or maybe I thought it was because I could not stop reading I will definitely seek out other titles by this author! So, once again, Ms. Gay has proven that she is a talented author that creates beautiful stories filled with wonderful characters and enjoyable plots. In "Enchanted Summer" we meet Celia - she is working hard to help keep her family afloat.
She is sweet and kind. Robert, our hero, is everything Celia isn't, as far as society goes. He's rich and handsome and is on the radar of Celia's cousin. I truly liked Robert - he knows what he wants and goes after it. As I read this story, I was caught up in So, once again, Ms. As I read this story, I was caught up in it and didn't put it down.
It moves at a good pace and Ms. Gay does a wonderful job of bringing the reader right into the story. This is a romance that is just that - romantic and filled with love.
50 Must-Read Gay Romance Novels | M/M Romances | Book Riot
Yes, there is the evil sister, or cousin, and a bit of mystery as well that only helps solidify the feelings of our main characters. I highly recommend this one, especially for the historical romance lovers. This is a very sweet historical regency romance. I will admit it started a bit slow for me but really picked up around a quarter of the way through. I loved that Celia is such a strong female lead, there is intrigue, and of course a sexy Lord. The first bit of the book setting up the story and characters like I mentioned above was slow, but I understand why there was so much description needed.
I fell in love with Lord Merrick myself. They fall hard for each other, but a deception keeps them apart until a cold London spring, years later. Louise Vandermeer is 18, beautiful, rich, bored and very aware that her life is limited by those factors. To escape, she agrees to marry aristocratic rake Charles d'Harcourt sight unseen, unaware that a scar and a limp mar his looks. For a lark, Charles decides to travel on his fiancee's ocean liner and seduce her secretly in her darkened stateroom — but the prank backfires when he falls madly in love with his own wife to be.
Rachel Wade is finally free after years in prison for the death of her husband, a crime she did not commit. But as a thoroughly fallen woman, the only work she can find is as housekeeper to the cynical, jaded Viscount D'Aubrey. Gillian, the Countess of Greendale, has survived a brutal first marriage. Christian, Duke of Mercia, has survived capture and torture by the French. When she takes over the management of his household upon his return to England, these two terribly damaged people begin to build a new life together.
This, too, is part of a series that's worth checking out in any order you want to read them. Set in colorful Tang Dynasty China, these richly detailed romantic mysteries center on the celebrated courtesans of the Lotus Palace, who seem to attract as much trouble as admiration. Anne Wilder leads a double life: But Jack doesn't know that the seductive thief who charmed him, and the honorable widow he loves, are one and the same. Portrayals of Native Americans in romance can be problematic, but our judges loved this story of a spoiled Boston heiress who heads west with her father to inspect some gold mines, and the Harvard-educated Absarokee leader who challenges their claims.
Widowed Elly Dinsmore has been treated cruelly in her small Georgia town. She's got two young boys and a third on the way, and she needs a man to help out. So she places a classified ad for a husband — and gets Will Parker, a lonely drifter condemned to live on the fringes of society after serving time for murder. Morning Glory takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster of love, betrayal, war and trials, but Will and Elly finally get their happy ever after.
In the aptly named town of Marrying Stone, Ark. Find a husband by Christmas, or they'll find one for her. The last thing she expects is to fall for farmhand Jess Best, a good man who's been written off by the town because he doesn't think quite as fast as they do.
Ruth Berger, daughter of a Jewish professor, was meant to escape Vienna, but her plans went awry. As the Nazis march on the city, her father's colleague Quinton Somerville decides to rescue her with a quick marriage of convenience — he'll sweep her away to England, and they'll get a quick annulment. But neither Quin nor Ruth counted on falling in love. Buttoned-up widow Martha Russell is desperate. If she doesn't produce evidence of an heir soon, her late husband's cruel family will seize the estate she loves.
There's only one solution, obviously: She offers to pay her rakish neighbor Theophilus Mirkwood for a month of assignations. And Mirkwood is determined that Martha will get her money's worth. Lady Jane Cummings is finally out of mourning for her mother, but her father is showing signs of dementia, and her brother has only just returned from the Continent, where he escaped the responsibilities Jane has had to shoulder.
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Jane needs a distraction, and it arrives in the form of reclusive neighbor Byrne Worth — who has mysterious ties to a highwayman who's been plaguing the area. Notorious wastrel Reggie Davenport is only good for gambling and drinking — until a relative offers him a second chance in the form of a manor house, complete with secretive estate manager Alys Weston. Romance ensues, but Alys' past and Reggie's alcoholism prove to be formidable obstacles to overcome. Rector's daughter Drusilla Delaney becomes a companion to the spoiled, arrogant Lavinia Framling.
But which will prove more dangerous to her — a supposedly cursed peacock feather fan, or Lavinia's brooding brother Fabian? Blurbed by Charles Dickens himself, North and South features one of the most memorable heroines in Victorian literature: Margaret Hale, who conducts a stormy romance with industrialist John Thornton while clashing with him over her quest to improve the lives of the workers in their gritty Northern mill town. A resonant mix of romance and social concern. An epic tale of forbidden love during the British Raj.
British botanist's son Ashton Pelham-Martyn is orphaned in India and raised to believe he's an Indian boy named Ashok. Anjuli is a neglected princess, condemned first to an unwanted marriage and then to suttee when her husband dies — but happiness beckons for Ash and Anjuli in the "far pavilions" of the Himalayas, away from the prejudices that have kept them apart. Jane Austen's most famous work was one of your favorite picks second only to the Outlander series.
So much has been said about Elizabeth and Darcy that now their place in the romance canon goes without saying — we'll just leave you with the mental image of Colin Firth diving into that lake. A poor, mistreated heroine, a dour, misunderstood hero, and a mad wife locked in the attic — if that's not romance, we don't know what is! Reader, she did indeed marry him, and they lived happily ever after.
We couldn't have a romance list without Georgette Heyer, the venerable grandmother of the genre. And readers agreed, giving the nod to Venetia, her charming novel about a sheltered Regency beauty who sees the best in a notorious society rake and then convinces her family to approve the match. Rainbow Rowell's story of two misfit kids who fall in love over mixtapes and comic books in s Omaha, Neb. While the ending is slightly ambiguous, we choose to believe Eleanor and Park got their happily ever after. We love them too much not to! Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, Ga.
But then her father decides to send her off to boarding school in Paris. A slight exception to our happily-ever-after rule, the romance in the Queen's Thief series gets off to a rocky start in the first book. But stick around for the next few volumes in this story of a master thief who steals the heart of a queen, and then must face the reality of being king. High school golden girl Brittany Ellis finds her life turned upside down when she walks into her senior chemistry class and ends up partnered with tough guy Alex Fuentes, a gang member who longs to leave the life and go to college.
Things start to spark when Alex impulsively takes a bet that he can get Brittany into bed. Singer and guitarist Alegria Montero wants to make it big, and she's hoping that a shot on a reality show will help her leave behind her boring life of playing family parties. But when she makes it to the finals of a competition for the "next Latin superstar," she has to deal with the whirlwind of publicity, professional jealousy and a budding romance with NYU production major Jaime Lozano. If you ever got annoyed that Lois Lane couldn't figure out Superman's secret identity, try Pamela Clare's I-Team books, featuring tough-minded investigative reporters who find love while digging up dirt on everything from environmental hazards to al-Qaida kidnappings.
Enchanted Summer
Nora Roberts makes her second appearance on the list writing as J. Robb with the long-running romantic suspense series, In Death. After a long debate, we named the Nora Roberts Rule after her: While many great writers were nominated, only Roberts is legendary enough to show up twice! In this classic gothic suspense story, governess Linda Martin arrives at a mysterious French chateau to take care of the 9-year-old master of the house and discovers a sinister uncle, a dashing, sardonic cousin, and a possible plot against the life of her young charge.
The ruling Psy have awesome mental powers, but no ability to feel emotions. They punish any sign of desire, and they're on the brink of war with the shape-shifting Changelings. The action begins with one Psy desperately trying to conceal evidence of her feelings and the Changeling who sees her as the key to solving a murderous mystery. Steampunk is more than just a fashion statement in Meljean Brook's Iron Seas books, set in an alternate world where the Mongols conquered Europe with the aid of fantastical machinery.
Dive in with the first book, The Iron Duke, about a military hero who falls for a police inspector when she comes to investigate a dead body dropped — via dirigible — at his doorstep. Human technological progress has triggered a magical apocalypse, and mercenary Kate Daniels lives in the wreckage. She relies on her skills with a sword to protect her from enemies who want the magic in her blood — enemies who kill her guardian and throw her into the path of shape-shifter Curran, Lord of the Free Beasts. Poor Prince Charming is cursed: Every woman who looks at him is instantly enslaved by love.
And poor Ember turns to the dark arts in order to resist the prince's pull — but can he resist her? Bettie Sharpe reworks the story of Cinderella with, as she puts it, "sex, violence and naughty words. Jemisin's tale of human women caught up in divine disputes is one of the best fantasy series of recent years, and also one of the most stirring romances: It's packed with gods and lovers whose bonds shape their world — and the worlds to come.
Often described as "a Regency romance in space," A Civil Campaign stars Lois McMaster Bujold's memorable hero Miles Vorkosigan and his clone brother Mark as they scheme for the hearts of the women they love and try to keep Mark's nonromantic scheme to engineer food-producing bugs from getting out of control. In the fallen utopia of Samaria, an angel and a slave girl are thrown together in a divinely arranged marriage that proves anything but divine.
Can Gabriel and Rachel overcome their differences in time to perform the holy rite that might save their planet? There are probably more sensible books by the great Johanna Lindsey — she's better known for the pirate yarn Gentle Rogue — but none so outlandishly fun as this tale of a space-faring security officer who lands on a planet of giant leather-trousered barbarian warriors and winds up claimed by the biggest brute of them all. Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and a full-time Grim Reaper, meaning she sees dead people and tries to guide them into the afterlife and occasionally hunt down the people who left them dead.
Hero is secretary of a Regency sex club; heroine is hired to work at the club and soon becomes his sexual dominant. Warrior is a contemporary western-set category, originally published as a Silhouette Desire. Heroine is cat hunter. Nails the long distance relationship. Plus sized spinster gives herself a male prostitute for her 30th bday. Her boss shows up instead.
Deaf, non-speaking heroine, thought to be mad. Arranged marriage to hot Scotsman. Plus-sized heroine bullied and mocked by her peers. Hero in love with another agrees to marry her for her reputation.
Historical Gay Romance Novels
Smart, feminist, sweet contemporary. Librarian heroine with disdain for love becomes an internet meme; hero is a journalist trying to set her up for a story. Former gang member hero is just out of prison and trying to set himself straight. Heroine is the girl next door from his childhood. A beautiful romance about life and love and how they intersect. French heroine with abusive past is now chef at ski resort.
Hunky owner wants to love her. Regency historical; Spinster heroine in disguise stumbles upon her family's mortal enemy and falls in love. Marquess and war hero returns home with PTSD and a need for funds. Courts scandalous heiress who steals his heart. Princess heroine has always loved her father's head guard. He finally finds he can't resist her. Former military hero turned security expert hero finds heroine in a small town, the two are soon chasing a serial killer who is somehow connected to them. Heroine is left at the altar on television, and the cameraman who made sure the world saw it all becomes integral in her finding a new guy A beautiful, honest love story between two ordinary guys who feel like they don't fit Heroine is a Regency-era fixer -- Olivia Pope in a corset.
Hero is knocked for a loop when she arrives to solve a delicate matter involving his sister and a dead aristocrat. Plus-sized heroine horribly bullied in high school falls for her bully in college. You will feel everything while reading this. Stein is excellent at her job. Bollywood star causes a media ruckus and gets shipped off to a distant estate where she falls in love with a crusty, beastly hero. What's not to love?
This sexy-contemporary is for pen-pal romance lovers out there She's a plus-sized veterinarian, and their letters are awesome. Secret baby, second chance at love story. After their failed elopement, the hero heads to war and the heroine marries another; when she's widowed, she places an ad for a new husband--only to have her first love reappear. Two Regency Era spies married for work, and now she's looking for an annulment so she can marry for love.
He's willing to give her what she wants Of course, they fall in love. First in a series of erotic contemporaries about Air Force fighter pilots and their fall into love. Each book features a different kink; explored with sexiness and emotion. Autistic heroine hires a male escort with an eye toward learning about sex and relationships.
They tumble into love. Shifter hero imprisoned by vampires for centuries finally escapes to find his fated mate is part vampire. The first in an unputdownable series. Stunning erotic historical debut with hints of gothic and modern. Heroine is a delightful botanist with no choice but to enter into a marriage of convenience with an alpha-submissive duke—who fears what will happen if she discovers his kink.
Rich aristocrat and a thief-turned-investigator are an irresistible match in Regency London. Heroine who has been personal assistant to her best friend hero decides she can't live with her unrequited love any longer and quits. Hero has other plans. Heroine with spinal cord injury, injured hockey-player hero. Gilded Age American-set novella. Hero is a millionaire president of a bank. Heroine is a perfume girl on the run. They are trapped in his private rail car for three days. Black suffragette heroine hiding her work from her family and friends meets hero working to enforce the 15th Amendment First in a contemporary duology.
Newly graduated heroine falls for a graduate student in the summer after college, then realizes love might not be possible between them. Beautiful, honest, sexy book. Second book How Not to Let Go required for happily ever after. Delicious secret billionaire story.
Hero is sentenced to hours of community service at a non-profit run by the heroine. She has no idea who he is. Paranormal vampire romance; dentist heroine, vampire hero who loses a fang. When hero needs a date to his ex's wedding, he's lucky enough to find one when he's stuck in an elevator with the heroine. The best romance novel ever written. Two bisexual ex-military heroes meet on Staten Island and fall for each other without expecting it. The story of people trying to reconcile desire with responsibility. Professional city-girl dancer is paired with an Alaskan wilderness mountain man on a Dancing With the Stars-style show.
Pygmalion retelling, catnip historical. NYC-set contemporary romance; chef hero, heroine trying to prove herself to her celebrity chef mom. The two open restaurant together, very sexy and fun. One of the best historical romances ever written. Childhood friends to lovers. You want this one for the gelato. Sexy contemporary brainy heroine trades tutoring to a cocky hocky-playing hero for tips on landing the guy of her dreams, only to discover that he was right there all along.
Personal chef to a rock band falls for studio musician with a devastating past. A love story set against the backdrop of family responsibility and expectation. Set against backdrop of a rebuilding New Orleans. She loses of course , but wins the hero's heart in the balance. Lion-shifter hero, heroine is reluctant conduit for his magical energy. The story of fated mates gone wrong. Erotic contemporary; heroine turning over bad girl leaf, damaged artist hero. Regency historical; hero responsible for cousin's infertility, agrees to impregnate cousin's wife and falls in love.
Regency historical; If 50 Shades were published in the Regency, how would women respond? And what would men do? Hero falls for his best friend's sister, who has read the book. Regency historical; Wallflower heroine who is a rape survivor is stranded at an inn with the hero. Five years later, a secret baby is revealed when Hamas kidnaps him. Four erotic historical novellas set in a Regency-Era Sex Club. Includes older maid finding her sexy self! New Orleans-set romantic suspense; heroine is suspect in TV evangelist murder.
Heroine has one torrid night with stepbrother before running to Italy, love triangle develops with gorgeous Italian in the seminary. Delicious and sexy and very very old school. Hero loses his fiancee to her shenanigans, forces her to help him find a new wife. Journalist heroine, Arrogant hockey goalie hero. Second chance at love -- Heroine is a fence, hero is her first love, once accused of murder, now back to win her.
NYC-set contemporary, category romance. Bartender heroine loses apartment, must move in with sexy, amazing, single boss. Bodyguard romance in reverse. Heroine is a member of the Royal Guard, sent to retrieve a cocky prince on walkabout and bring him home to resume his duties.