u/Plane_Race_7165

I was thinking about why I like and have re-read the book {How the Marquess was Won by Julie Anne Long} so much despite all its plot holes. One of the reasons is that I can literally FEEL the MCs being disarmed by each other, being charmed and then eventually falling for each other. Those parts + the angst and yearning are so well-written that they had me giggling and kicking my feet. Any other books where you can tell that the MCs are getting to know each other more and thus, enjoying each other's company while falling in love?

I'm kind of tired of the insta-lust and even insta-love trope where some inexplicable pull at first sight is used as a device to explain why the MCs should be together instead of actual creative work put into building believable interactions between MCs that would make them fall for each other. I have read some Georgette Heyer, Joan Smith and MC Beaton books where this is done well but minus the spice present in JAL books of course but I wouldn't mind a bit of spice as long as it doesn't take center-stage.

I also have read {What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long} which I thought was similar to what I was looking for (makes sense I guess since it's also JAL) and enjoyed despite the age gap. I've also read most of the Pennyroyal Green and Game of Rogues series which are a hit or miss, as is the case with most books in series.

I just finished rereading {Lovers' Vows by Joan Smith} and {Imprudent Lady by Joan Smith} and they remain as delightful as the first time I read them, specially because they focused on building the intellectual and emotional connections between the FMC and MMC first/just that bit. However, they have ruined other rereadings for me a bit.

For example, I had enjoyed {Regarding the Duke by Grace Callaway} and {Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath} the first time I read them but upon TRYING to reread them, I had to put them down. It's SO ANNOYING to have to read about MMCs' thoughts on how the FMC has a backside they can pound into or other deeply sexual thoughts about the FMC the FIRST TIME the leads meet.

I understand these thoughts happening overtime as they get to know each other but reading about these thoughts from the MMC about the FMC who is essentially a stranger at this point just makes the MMC look like a perverted a**hole who objectifies the FMC, and by extension, other women. It frankly reads to me as a bit dehumanizing and gives me the ick.

It is also a bit lazy, in my opinion, on the author's part to start with sexual thoughts to avoid the onus of having to build the story and atmosphere that makes the emotional connection, chemistry and love between the leads believable when they can just say that the leads have hots for each other - it was meant to be!😒😒😒😒🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨

I suppose there is an element of smut not being as acceptable in Joan Smith's time + modern audiences wanting more smut from HR that has lead to these differences but I'm curious to see if there are any modern or more-recent-than-Joan-Smith HR authors who focus on building the chemistry and intellectual and/or emotional connection first before jumping into sex or don't dive into physical intimacy at all?

I recently watched the movie Flipped and read the book too and found it quite cute! It had the trope of 'love switcheroo' where the FMC falls first for the MMC who ignores the FMC until she falls out of love/sees the MMC as a human as opposed to this perfect being from her fantasies while the MMC starts falling for her when he realizes the lack of attention from the FMC. The book {With This Kiss by Eloisa James} also had something similar with a lot of regret and yearning on the MMC's part and I really enjoyed it (apart from that one wretched scene in the carriage iykyk!). Would love recommendations for something similar, ideally with good grovel, yearning and pining on the MMC's part + bonus points if he cries lol.

I am trying to find this one historical romance book that I read over eight years ago but just can't remember its name. It's a regency romance book where the FL is nerdy and possibly wears glasses. The ML initially pursues her pretty best friend/cousin/sister (cannot remember for sure) and the FL tries to help him pursue the other woman but he ends up falling for the FL. The FL falls first and it takes quite a while for the ML to realize his true feelings. It did have a happy ending and it is definitely not On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn but it is very similar.

I remember the cover having the back of a woman in a yellow gown but current editions might have different covers. Does anyone have any ideas about what this book might be called? I tried looking it up and checked the suggestions + the whole lists of books on Goodreads under terms like bluestocking romance, unrequited love romance etc but none of them seem to fit.

I can't remember the name of this one tv series that I keep thinking about and would appreciate some help if anyone remembers. I have tried looking it up but can't find it.

Basically the plot goes like this: two couples who have recently gotten married get separated because of an accident (might be a plane or train accident?? Not sure tbh) where the bride from a poor family/the poor couple gets swapped with the bride from the rich family/rich couple and end up living as each other and falling for their husbands even though they are in the wrong marriage. The series was pretty old, must've been atleast ten years ago? I don't think the serial ran for very long but I could be wrong about that. Does this ring any bells for anyone?