Dramatic as heck. Philip and Cleone have practically grown up side by side, but while Philip is very steady and earthbound, Cleone wishes he were more like the man she wants to marry, someone refined, witty, and fashionable. 23 ratings — published 2017, avg rating 2.65 — I could not respect either character after that. Long lost “What do you mean you’re not dead” husbands seem to be the name of the game on this list so far. But years later she returns, and Graeme finds himself torn between suspicion of her motives and attraction to the woman she has become. published 2019, avg rating 3.95 — Maybe I’m just a sucker for drama (I am), but I never get tired of a surprise baby plot. The two met in college and have written several ⦠Welcome back. ð ALSO!! Sabrina Cameron and Morgan MacDonnell had a strange connection when they were young, but the last thing Sabrina expects is to be forced to marry him years later when tragedy throws both their lives into chaos. Fast forward a few years, and Claire has finally had enough. ), this series will have you especially weak in the knees. Four years ago, they had a fight to end all fights, and have barely spoken since. Estranged lovers is a theme James comes back to time and time again in her novels—three times in the Desperate Duchesses series alone! published, avg rating 4.14 — In his defense, not-actually-dead-Adam thought Ruth died that night on the road, and is equally surprised to find her alive, with a son in tow, and furious that he lied to her about, among other things, his real identity. 1,708 ratings — She's trying to get from books what she's not getting from you. Liam and Anna’s wedding was supposed to be the frosting on the cake that is Liam’s perfect life. 3,546 ratings — Malcolm, Duke of Haven, was a cruel, unfeeling jerk who ended up on his ass in a fish pond at the beginning of the first book in the series after his wife Seraphina’s sister caught him cheating on Sera at a garden party. Teresa Medeiros is one of my favorite authors and this story of unrequited childhood love turned arranged marriage turned love turned sour (it’s a long book, buckle up) is definitely a must-read. published 1994, avg rating 3.53 — Technically, Jane and Ransom were never lovers in their past. The new year is bringing plenty of romance to our shelves from both much-loved authors and those who are releasing their debut novel! Enter to win a $100 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. It not only required MacLean to reunite her two romantic leads despite their ugly past, but to also redeem a hero that a lot of readers would consider beyond redemption. Now you’ll find estranged lover plots in every sub-genre of romance, but in my heart of hearts I am a historical romance reader, and that is by far my favorite variation of estranged lovers. ... Victorian historical. published 2008, avg rating 3.50 — I love this book. It follows Highland warlord Tor MacLead, the reluctant new husband to Christina Fraser. published 2006, avg rating 3.30 — This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. No? Check out our historical romance archive! Book Club, a secret romance novel book club run by some of Nashvilleâs most famous and powerful men. published 1996, avg rating 3.98 — published 1992, avg rating 3.60 — published 2012, avg rating 3.99 — These games of manipulation will restart their relationship and slowly give them what they crave the most: each other. published 1979, avg rating 2.91 — It’s fun and sweet and Graeme Parr is a ridiculous disaster human that definitely needed more hugs as a child. published 1997, avg rating 3.89 — READER RECOMMENDATIONS (UPDATED 09-24-19) Aditi: Read âThe Kiss Thiefâ it will satisfy you completely and you will be head over heels for this book. Jessica, be honest. 266 ratings — published 2020, avg rating 3.59 — From friends-to-lovers and fake dating, to co-workers and finding a spark again, thereâs certainly something for every romance lover (or newcomer) to enjoy! published 2020, avg rating 4.04 — The problem these books create is that real life can never live up to the romance novel version, so the books (like porn) can become addictive. Another 5 star read! Because why not. Thank you for signing up! But then that guy you married when you were (really) young turns up even though he was supposed to have died four years ago? 353 ratings — Read 63 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. 241 ratings — Then he returns to prove to Cleone that he can be every thing she wanted—though what she gets may not be what she expected. Which is, granted, a little extra. published 1992, avg rating 3.68 — Okay so I’m stretching my own trope a tiiiiny bit to fit this book in. published 2020, avg rating 2.96 — Careless Whisper: Romance Novels that Cheat Heroes and heroines who cheat tend to be an automatic turn-off for most readers of romance. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare What, no, I mean…maybe. 139 ratings — You remember that time you tried to marry the most wanted bachelor of the London season so that you could finally get free of fortune hunters and get on with your life? published 1994, avg rating 4.09 — There she was, about to get married to the Duke of Everingham, and in swans Not-Actually-Dead-Thomas. published 1994, avg rating 4.16 — If you adore estranged lovers and historical romances as much as I do, this list is definitely for you! When we moved when I was a teen, my mother gave away most of the mountain of romance novels that I used to “borrow” from when she wasn’t looking. And if you like your Highlanders with a little bit of Special Ops (and really, who doesnât? Oops I Had Your Baby (by the way) is a trope that often goes hand in hand with estranged lovers, for obvious reasons. In romance, infidelity is often used to describe the villain in the book whether it is the terrible ex boyfriend or husband or the faithless whore of a wife or girlfriend. While suspense and romance are the main ingredients in every successful romantic suspense novel, clever authors writing today find ways to make their tales distinct. 8,351 ratings — published 2013, avg rating 4.40 — After all, she was his brother’s fiancee. This first novel in the Hidden Legacy romance series comes from a husband-and-wife writing team. Keep an eye on your inbox. The Bewildered Bride by Vanessa Riley. 1,534 ratings — published 2009, avg rating 4.19 — Jemma and Elijah’s emotional reunion (I know I always cry, but I cried) is actually a through plot in the first four books of the series, so by the time you get to This Duchess of Mine you are invested in this working out. When Lillian Davies married Calvin Cabot, she thought it was forever. published 2018, avg rating 4.05 — 32 ratings — Now, based on the other titles on this list that “thing” might be a baby, or a new wife—romance heroes, not necessarily creative, but always dramatic as heck. This is a major reason I stopped reading the Julia Spencer-Fleming books even though these are not romance books. But the story itself is unforgettable. Long lost âWhat do you mean youâre not deadâ husbands ⦠published 2015, avg rating 3.00 — In this fresh and hilarious historical rom-com, an estranged husband and wife in Regency England feign accidents and illness in an attempt to gain attentionâand maybe just win each other back in the process. And here comes Ransom again. Five years ago, Lady Violet Grey and Lord James Audley met, fell in love, and got married. 20,759 ratings — published 2018, avg rating 4.16 — Not Quite a Husband book. Need even more historical romance to stock your shelves against those long winter months? Named a Best Romance of April by Goodreads, Popsugar, Bustle, and more! Claire is facing down marriage to Morgan Lyons, the brooding (read: obnoxious bore) older brother of her best friend, whom she has been been betrothed to since she was born and who only wants her for her money. Potential tragedy over your head like a lead weight for a good chunk of this.. 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