Romance Suggestions, Part 1

Historical Romance Series SUGGESTIONS, Part 1

 

I get a lot of friends asking me what books I suggest, and OMG, Squirrel is wayyyy too excited about this. So prepare yourself for a random list with just the tiniest bit of explanation, LOL!

But yeah, like many of you, I started with Bridgerton (also Julia Quinn has some excellent non-Bridgerton series that are worth looking at, particularly Bevelstoke), and got hooked. Nothing wrong with that!

So, as you have guessed, my favorite thing is a good series. You don’t get to learn enough about characters with just one book sometimes, but a series makes sure everyone gets some attention. So here are some of my fave series. I’ve read them several times. FYI, I am tired so this is PART 1. I will provide some more amazing series suggestions once I get some sleep, haha! Squirrel has been busy . . .

Note, all these series have spicy sex scenes, so if you’re looking for longing glances and hand-holding . . . why are you following me? LMAO. You know I’m here for the spice! No particular order, which Squirrel fan are NOT surprised to hear!

Elizabeth Hoyt, Maiden Lane: I adore most of the books in this series. Yes, you need to read them in order, including the two novellas AND you need to look on her website for the extra chapters that correspond to certain books. I did a recap of the first book on the blog. I legit LOVED these books, and have read some dozens of times. My favorite is probably Duke of Midnight (Book 6), though my favorite characters have their own books (Winter in Thief of Shadows, Book 4 and James in Dearest Rogue, Book 8). I definitely loved some books more than others (for instance, Books 10 and 12 are my least favorites and I’ve still read them multiple times)! These books are definitely spicy. You will fall in love with the characters. She includes folks who do not fit the supermodel hot/rich/high class tropes, and it is refreshing. She has a lot of extras on her website, btw, including pics of the dogs! I have read all her series, btw. She’s a fave author.

Kerrigan Byrne, Victorian Rebels/Goode Girls: I did a recap of the first Goode Girls book, which is my favorite book ever. Definitely read VR first then, GG. Some are stronger than others, but worth reading all, so look to Kindle Unlimited (Goode Girls) and library, but you do want to read them all. Seducing a Stranger (GG1) has my heart. The hero was my most hated character for most of VR, and now he’s my favorite person EVER.

Sarah MacLean, Rules of Scoundrels: I did a recap of the first book on the blog. So, caveat, I love ALL of her books. I suggest you read her Love By Numbers series before you read this one (also good, and you’ll meet some folks who show up in RO Scoundrels), and then read Bareknuckle Bastards afterward. Spicy, plus has good plot/mystery aspects. Her Scandal and Scoundrels series is also top notch!

Jess Michaels, Wicked Woodleys: I did a recap of the first book on the blog. Jess Michaels is a well-known author and she pulls no punches. The sexy times are detailed and definitely not just boring missionary (nothing against missionary, of course). There’s also mystery that goes through the entire series. JM does content warnings on her site! Also, bonus, this is on Kindle Unlimited! The last book is a MM story. Read all of JM if you can—sometimes hard to find in libraries.

Jess Michaels, 1797 Club: This is also a great series that follows boys who became friends in school. There are books I like better than others—but they are all fun and worth reading. Reminder, JM does content warnings on her site.  

For the record, pretty much any Jess Michaels series is worth a read!

Kelly Bowen, Devils of Dover: Did a recap of the first book on the blog. Any of her series are worth picking up. Season for Scandal series is awesome and I just did a reread!

Tessa Dare, Girl Meets Duke: Did a recap of the first book on the blog. Any Tessa Dare is worth reading. I’m serious. She’s amazeballs. Click here to check out her connected books/series. Spindle Cove is also a must read series.

Susanna Craig, Love and Let Spy: I did a recap of her Love and Let Spy series here. She’s a favorite. There is mystery AND this series is related to 80s tv shows! Read all her books. Some are Kindle Unlimited. And she has content warnings on her site! Spicy, but the mystery aspect is really interesting. Also, General Scott is the GOAT.

Kate Pearce, House of Pleasure/Simply Series: KP calls her books historical erotic romance and she’s not kidding. Prepare yourself for every position, poly relationships, MM, MFM, MMF, BDSM, etc. With some mystery and characters you will absolutely adore. I’ve read these several times.

Samantha Kane, Brothers in Arms: These are also historical erotica, so same warning as with the Kate Pearce, above. These are strictly MMF books, except for books 10 and 11, which are MM books. They are historical, and she introduces characters with disfigurations and disabilities, etc.

Diana Quincy, Clandestine Affairs: She is an author of color, and has characters of color in her books. Mystery! Fun! Sexy!

Eva Leigh, Wicked Quills: LOVE this series. It’s about writers, so you know I feel like it’s written for me. Eva Leigh’s writing is awesome. I did a recap of the first book. Sexy plus excellent plots. I loved the characters. I am a fan of all her books.

Lorraine Heath, Scoundrels of St. James: I did a recap of the first book. She has a character guide on her website, which is always helpful, because the books are intertwined. You will want to read Scoundrels of St. James, then Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, then Hellions of Havisham, because the later books are about the children of the folks you meet in Scoundrels.

Sabrina Jeffries: Lol, read them all. But if you want me to choose specifics . . . Swanlea Spinsters, School for Heiresses, the Duke’s Men, Sinful Suitors, Duke Dynasty.

Megan Frampton: You will laugh out loud at her books, while also being totally turned on, hahaha. Start with the Dukes Behaving Badly series.

Grace Callaway, Hearts of Enquiry and Game of Dukes (then Lady Charlotte’s Society has the kids of the Game of Dukes folks): GC is an author of color, so we get some diversity. Game of Dukes is HOT and entertaining. I’ve read both series several times, and am waiting to get my hands on the newest Lady Charlotte.

Lisa Kleypas: You need to read them all, but there is an order. The Wallflowers>>The Hathaways>>The Ravenels. Look on the site to be certain of the books/novellas, but they definitely tie into each other, so you want to read them somewhat in order. These books are wonderful, and once you fall in love with the first group, you’ll fall in love with their kids!

Sophie Jordan, The Duke Hunt: You do need to read in order, and I liked the first book okay but I LOVED THE SECOND BOOK SO MUCH. The third was also solid, but that second book was amazing. Also read her Rogue Files series. RF is also a solid series, and the second book was really awesome.

Like I said, there are more, but I am just throwing these out there because friends have asked! Once Squirrel gets some sleep, I will elaborate on the ones here, and give y’all a part 2. That will have Darcy Burke, Manda Collins, Joanna Shupe, Courtney Milan, Gayle Callen, Sophie Barnes, Amalie Howard, Jennifer Ashley, Loretta Chase, Meredith Duran, Lenora Bell, Anna Campbell, Suzanne Enoch, Eloisa James, etc.