• The Duchess War, Courtney Milan

– This book was the first romance I’d read in years. Probably since college. I fell in love with Robert and how skillfully Milan wrote not only his backstory but also how it shaped him as a man of immense power and privilege

• What The Wind Knows, Amy Harmon

– Probably more of a historical women’s fiction with strong romantic elements, this story captures the upheaval of Ireland in the early 20th century through the eyes of a woman who timeslips back to her grandfather’s childhood. Deeply moving, heart-wrenching, and lovely

• My Lady’s Choosing, Kitty Curran and Laris Zageris

– a choose-your-own-adventure that spans every sub-genre there is. Every ending is HEA and every love interest is compelling. I read it aloud on a car trip with my husband and we laughed for hours.

• Butterfly Swords, Jeannie Lin

– I don’t know as much about Chinese history as I should, but this book helped fill in some gaps. It was also an empathetic look at the conflict between duty to family and duty to oneself. The European hero was also an enjoyable characterization

• Unclaimed, Courtney Milan

– Every book in this trilogy is outstanding, but this one is my favorite. Milan has a way of turning tropes on their heads that never ceases to amaze me, and the heroine is such a vibrant character you can’t help but want to be friends with her

• Thief of Shadows, Elizabeth Hoyt – We really need to use the batman trope far more often with our heroes in HR. Hoyt’s hero is everything you’d want in a man: vigilante by night, mild-mannered orphanage manager by day. Hoyt builds tension through the plot and weaves London history so skillfully I read the whole thing before I realized I was at the end

• A Matter of Class, Mary Balogh

– She is the queen of HR for good reason. This novella of hers is probably my favorite. It’s a master class in pacing, tension, and secrets. The love story is adorable, too

• A Lady for A Duke, Alexis Hall

– this story about a transgender woman finding true love with her childhood best friend is terribly sweet with wonderful character arcs. I rooted for the characters to find themselves with one another that the end was so satisfying

• Flowers from the Storm, Laura Kinsale

– An absolute classic, probably among the top 10 romances written. The neuroscience and disability representation hold up after thirty years, and the interplay of language as power, as well as the shifting power dynamics between the couple, are stunning and insightful into human nature. While reading I alternated between jaw dropping and ugly crying

• The Scandal of the Vicar’s Wife, Quenby Olsen

– A slow and tender story of two middle-aged people slowly realizing that they love each other. The hope and vulnerability this couple showed one another made me realize what a precious thing love is for us humans

• His At Night, Sherry Thomas

– Easily one of my favorite books ever. I read the Scarlet Pimpernel when I was thirteen and I imprinted on Percy Blakely, so this book was like catnip for me. The clever humor kept me laughing as I turned each page

• Falling For a Rake, Eve Pendle

– I thought I was diving into a tropey, swoony romance and this is not that. This is better: a story about two people who have realized they’re the villains in their backstories and now have to find a way to live with their mistakes. They’re still worthy of love and happiness, and watching them learn to allow themselves to be loved was deeply moving and thought-provoking

• Devil’s Daughter, Lisa Kleypas

– West Ravenel. That’s all I have to say. (The entire series is excellent and best read in order. I also highly recommend her Hathaways series as well)

• The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, Megan Bannen

– This is technically low fantasy, but the world is reminiscent of our 1920s, so I’m including it. Epistolary unveiling of the romance, with a lot of banter and sniping from the characters before they know they’re writing each other. The way they grow more emotionally vulnerable with one another, the little give and take of trust, is a joy to watch unfold

• Surrender of a Siren, Tessa Dare

– Most people know Dare’s newer novels, and they are all excellent. But this one holds a special place in my heart. The self-discovery journey the heroine goes on is poignant, relatable, and so satisfying. The way the hero falls in love with her more and more as she (And we) get to know her more and more is a really good picture of how knowing ourselves helps us know (and love) other people

• An Extraordinary Union, Alyssa Cole

– Spies, escapes, true stories of heroic people seeking their freedom, codes, forbidden romance. What’s not to love?

• The Countess and the Casanova, Ginny B Cole

– Edwardian story of a man pining after his best friend. PINING. For years. And some beautiful letters that are like poetry. Did I mention he’s pining?

• Heaven’s Fire, Patricia Ryan

– a medieval story about a serf/villein woman and a nobleman intent on founding the University of Oxford, it is a fascinating dive into how diverse and intellectually robust the medieval period was. The way the hero admires and teaches the heroine is something I’ll always love

• The Wife in the Attic, Rose Lerner – a sapphic Jane Eyre. The Gothic elements contrasted so well with the tenderness of the romance. Lerner always does a fabulous job grounding her story in history.

• A Lady Awakened, Cecilia Grant

– I love this book not only for its accurate portrayal of rural English life, but also how she shows the heroine melt, bit by bit, under the hero’s kindness. The way it begins as sex but very quickly becomes intimacy is lovely to watch

• A Seditious Affair, KJ Charles

– The way Charles weaves a story through true historical facts, somehow sacrificing neither plot nor accuracy, is masterful. The conflict between the heroes feels so real and raw I was holding my breath through the whole story, wondering how they could find their HEA.

Other authors I enjoy:

Beverly Jenkins (no histrom list is complete without her!), Elizabeth Essex, Erin Langston, Amanda Quick, Scarlet Peckham, Nicola Davidson, Eva Leigh, Adriana Herrera, Carrie Lomax, Felicity Niven, Liana de la Rosa, Felicity Gossman, Diana Quincy, Lydia San Andres, Mae Thorn, Emily Sullivan, Miranda Neville, Olivia Waite, Piper Huguley, Anne Rollins, Mia Vincy, Joanna Shupe, Meredith Duran