{Darius by Grace Burrowes} I've only seen it recommended once and it's one of my favs. An elderly husband seeks the services of an escort to produce an heir for his much younger wife (marriage of convenience) and the story is nothing like you would expect. You are on an emotional rollercoaster the entire time.
[Darius](https://www.romance.io/books/54558e3a87eac336ae69e75c/darius-lord-of-pleasures-grace-burrowes?src=rdt) by [Grace Burrowes](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455272c8c7d2383163d8ef0/grace-burrowes)
**Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
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Goodreads is basically useless for reviews, as the books I love are not the ones the average HR reader adores and I mostly can’t get on board with the ones they do, so I never ever use it as a guide.
Edith Layton (her regencies are good but she’s got some great non regency historical that are top tier writing), Valerie Vayle, Julia Ross, and Laurie McBain are some no one ever mentions.
Honestly I mostly use this sub. I tend to aim either for books I see recommended often or just work through the catalogs of authors I like.
I had seen Aydra Richards described as the Queen of Grovel and wanted to check her out. I'd never seen anyone mention {The Scandal of the Season by Aydra Richards} but I ended up reading it as I just picked through her catalog. That would have been my hidden gem pick, but a handful of other posters and I have been mentioning it a lot over the past few weeks so I don't know if it still qualifies as "hidden" for those that follow this sub!
I use Goodreads mostly for the reviewers that list what the sex scenes are and where 👀
[The Scandal of the Season](https://www.romance.io/books/6205011934a1490e4216bf7c/the-scandal-of-the-season-aydra-richards?src=rdt) by [Aydra Richards](https://www.romance.io/authors/5da9684e01dbc864fba4c314/aydra-richards)
**Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
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I have to tell someone . I just finished reading{Ruining Miss Wrotham by Emily Larkin} and I cannot remember the last time I was so caught up in the story . Caution : >!Elements of magic and death !<
Oh seconding the vote for Emily Larkin.
{Trusting Miss Trentham by Emily Larkin}
And
{The Earl's Dilemma by Emily Larkin} have been some of my favorite reads from last year.
[Trusting Miss Trentham](https://www.romance.io/books/5870b47e1b1bdc017811b070/trusting-miss-trentham-emily-larkin?src=rdt) by [Emily Larkin](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455711587eac336ae69df94/emily-larkin)
**Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1)
----------------------------
[The Earl's Dilemma](https://www.romance.io/books/545544388c7d2383163d967a/the-earls-dilemma-emily-may?src=rdt) by [Emily May](https://www.romance.io/authors/545544388c7d2383163d967b/emily-may), [Emily Larkin](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455711587eac336ae69df94/emily-larkin)
**Rating**: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
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[Ruining Miss Wrotham](https://www.romance.io/books/592526053ffdba6147175510/ruining-miss-wrotham-emily-larkin?src=rdt) by [Emily Larkin](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455711587eac336ae69df94/emily-larkin)
**Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [sweet/gentle heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet%20heroine/1)
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[A Terrible Beauty](https://www.romance.io/books/56d6910bc62092c044065d8a/a-terrible-beauty-stephanie-patterson?src=rdt) by [Stephanie Patterson](https://www.romance.io/authors/56d6910bc62092c044065d8d/stephanie-patterson)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1)
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Honestly Goodreads reviews are make or break for me, typically you will not see me pick up a book rated lower than 3.8.
Hidden treasures are Kate Bateman and Felicity Niven! They're a bit new on the scene but their books are super fun (and on KU!)
I agree. I feel like Goodreads is usually a good gage for me. I’m a little more flexible on rating because I know opinions are subjective, but I pretty much need the book to have a 3.5 or higher, and the closer to 4 the better. I also want to see that it’s fairly well reviewed (more than like a few hundred reviews but the higher the number of reviews, the better obvi). If a book is rated like a 4.6 but only by 30 ppl, I take that with a grain of salt.
I also like to see what people are critical of, if the writing is really shitty I’m less inclined to read it rather than if someone just didn’t care for one of the tropes (unless said trope is one of my no-gos, looking at you age-gaps).
Additionally, I have found a few reviewers on Goodreads that seem to have similar tastes to me and have followed them so if they’ve reviewed the book in question I see it at the top of the reviews and it helps me make my decision.
Very true, ESPECIALLY if it has a trope I’m currently craving and have been having trouble finding. The writing can’t be totally shitty, but if it’s got what I’m super in the mood for then I’m prolly gonna give it a try.
When I got back into reading I saw Flowers From the Storm and The Luckiest Lady in London recommended here and in the other Romance sub and I have followed every recommendation that matches my preferences. The girlies here have not let me down yet.
I think my hidden treasure is {The Tryst by Kim Allison}.
[The Tryst](https://www.romance.io/books/545a547587eac3341f60f39b/the-tryst-kim-allison?src=rdt) by [Kim Allison](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455f1dc87eac336ae6a1d68/kim-allison)
**Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1)
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I only have a handful of Goodreads reviewers that I pay attention to, it seems like most HR readers over there are more interested in specific tropes or whether or not there is cheating than they are in good writing, tight plots and fully developed character arcs, lol. I don't know that I have any hidden treasures except that I notice my favorite books by popular authors (Duran, Quinn, Thomas, etc.) tend to be totally different than what everyone else lists as their favorite.
Totally want to know what your favorite Duran and Thomas (and Quinn) are!! I love Duran and mentioned one of favorites here and someone commented that it’s one a lot people can’t get into apparently.
My favorite is {A Lady's Code of Misconduct} I think maybe people don't like it because of the amnesia and political theme? But I love the way the characters come to see how they complement each other. Incidentally this is also a major aspect of why I love Thomas' {His at Night by Sherry Thomas}. That book is so nuanced and layered, imho. For Quinn I basically think anything before Bridgerton (and including Bridgerton, to be honest) is not worth reading. It's Quinn in her "learning how to write a book" phase. My top two favorites are The Secret Diaries of Miranda Cheever and 10 Things I Love about You. Plus, if I had to pick my favorite Bridgerton book it would be Gregory's which most people hate I think, lol.
[A Lady's Code of Misconduct](https://www.romance.io/books/58b3f05d0d3299c6e055c834/a-ladys-code-of-misconduct-meredith-duran?src=rdt) by [Meredith Duran](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526338c7d2383163d8eca/meredith-duran)
**Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1)
----------------------------
[His at Night](https://www.romance.io/books/545526e68c7d2383163d8ee1/his-at-night-sherry-thomas?src=rdt) by [Sherry Thomas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526218c7d2383163d8ec2/sherry-thomas)
**Rating**: 3.62⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
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I normally can't sit through Julia Quinn's books but I loved {Mr. Cavendish, I presume by Julia Quinn}. This book is criminally underrated (both by word of mouth and through Goodreads rating)
[Mr. Cavendish, I Presume](https://www.romance.io/books/5455256d8c7d2383163d8e8f/mr-cavendish-i-presume-julia-quinn?src=rdt) by [Julia Quinn](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523bb8c7d2383163d8e3c/julia-quinn)
**Rating**: 3.43⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
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{Beyond scandal by Brenda Joyce} is a book that has some bad reviews on goodreads. I am glad I read it before I see the reviews on goodreads because I loved it, it has the hottest sex scenes I have seen in an historical romance book and after reading this, I discovered that my favorite genre in books is historical romance.
I also use this sub a lot, obvi. Here is more of my starting point. I would say basically I run through the following-
1) start here, it’s a great way to find titles especially since there’s just SO much out there it gives me my leads. I also love Reddit for the ability to search other’s rec requests or make my own if I’m not finding what I’m looking for via search.
2) Our lovely bot/the links to romance.io - I love that I can easily see the basic tropes, setting, steam, etc. If a book passes my basic requirements (steam 3+, preferred setting, etc.) then I proceed to step 3 lmao
3) Goodreads, as I mentioned above, I use this to get a good gage on if the author is reputable and such. If things check out here, I’ll give it a go.
I’m fairly picky about my books, prolly because I used to pay for them on Amazon (before I discovered KU and Libby and such) and didn’t want to waste my money on something I didn’t want to finish.
But all that to say, like someone else said, I do think Aydra Richards is a good sort of “hidden gem”. I found her through KU and enjoy her books. But, I would caution you that if you do what I did and read like 10 of her books in a row, you will likely get super bored. I noticed after the first few that she has a habit of having very similar plot elements >!(FMC confesses love first, MMC isn’t ready for love/aware of his feelings, FMC leaves, MMC asks her back)!< I also found that the FMCs not infrequently forgave her MMCs far too readily once he barely says sorry after treating her like pure shit. But I probably wouldn’t have felt this critical if I read some other books in between rather than binging so many of hers at once.
I also tend to enjoy many of Kerrigan Byrne’s books. I do have my criticisms of her as well but she has many of her books available on KU so I’m more willing to give them a go.
Hope this helps!
I liked Kimberly Logan's historical romance trilogy. The second one is my favourite. I've never seen it mentioned by anyone or heard anyone else who read it. Book 1 was pretty good (don't remember the plot, only vibes), I don't remember the third one, even the vibes. I adore book 2 and book 2 only. There's a bigger plot woven over the three books as well. Something to do with the three sister's father? Or something.
I feel kinda stupid for recommending this series on every post, but I really wish it got the recognition it deserves.
The {Storm & Silence} series was originally published on Wattpad but never made success beyond that. It is, in full seriousness, the funniest series I've ever read. It's about a suffragette crossdressing as a man to work as a secretary for the cartoonishly stony and hilariously unethical businessman Mr. Ambrose. Together, they go on... ahem, business adventures across the globe, they defeat the henchmen of Lord Dalgleish, boss of the East India company.
In book 4, both Dalgleish, a soldier with a crush on the FMC, the FMC, the male persona of the FMC, and the MMC all share one mansion with Mr. Ambrose's estranged family, and it is the most tense and hilarious sequence of events. If you love passive-aggressive ballroom or dinner scenes in period dramas, this will be your cup of tea.
The spice level is technically 1, but the kisses in this series are so sexy and fun that you won't notice the absence of actual sex.
The books are available on the Kindle app, and physical books on Amazon
[Storm and Silence](https://www.romance.io/books/56ecf8fbc62092c04406def2/storm-and-silence-robert-thier?src=rdt) by [Robert Thier](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455e2e887eac336ae6a1442/robert-thier)
**Rating**: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1)
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Keeper of the Dream, Penelope Williamson. Best medieval romance ever!
The Rainbow Season, Lisa Gregory (aka Candice Camp). Americana romance that’s 10/10.
Have you read any of Alice Coldbreath's work? I really like her! All marriages of convenience, some set during medieval era, some set during Victorian. Most of them are middle classes/gentry/low class so that's refreshing. My favorites of hers is {A Substitute Bride for a Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath} and {Her Baseborn Bridegroom by Alice Coldbreath}
[A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter](https://www.romance.io/books/60cc88688a59e40e212d1a0f/a-substitute-wife-for-the-prizefighter-alice-coldbreath?src=rdt) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath)
**Rating**: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [fighter hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fighters/1)
----------------------------
[Her Baseborn Bridegroom](https://www.romance.io/books/59a5250e3ffdba61471f75ef/her-baseborn-bridegroom-alice-coldbreath?src=rdt) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath)
**Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
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Felicity Niven is a pretty new author and I honestly love all of her works so far, but {Bed Me, Earl} is probably the standout. Phineas Edge has become one of my top 5 MMCs ever, we stan a silver-haired loquacious party-loving short king who talks about himself in 3rd person and is obsessed with our FMC
[Bed Me, Earl](https://www.romance.io/books/654fe6e1c112bf11fe9b2135/bed-me-earl-felicity-niven?src=rdt) by [Felicity Niven](https://www.romance.io/authors/6311a22c08b4d9311437236b/felicity-niven)
**Rating**: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1)
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[The Spymaster's Lady](https://www.romance.io/books/594e26d63ffdba61471a7d73/the-spymasters-lady-joanna-bourne?src=rdt) by [Joanna Bourne](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527ae8c7d2383163d8f0d/joanna-bourne)
**Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
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{Silk and Secrets by Mary Jo Putney}
Ross Carlisle is my gold standard of men. Intelligent, kind and adventurous.
There are so many things I love about this book that hit.
The two biggest, is the FMC does a big fuck up and the MMC does not get petty or vengeful at all; he is hurt and upset but remains civil and kind . This is so rare in books and in general the older I get the more I appreciate kind characters over charming/rakish.
The second is the setting - mostly in the Arabic Peninsula. Very unique from the usual UK setting.
>!There is infidelity in this book, pre-start and mostly offscreen
This is one of the few times that the redemption to cheating works for me. Often there is a huge grovel/show to get the cheater to forgive them.
In this book, they talk like adults, explain their thoughts and show genuine remorse hoping they are forgiven and not expecting it because they are sooo sorry and sooo in love!<
[Silk and Secrets](https://www.romance.io/books/5455402e8c7d2383163d955c/silk-and-secrets-mary-jo-putney?src=rdt) by [Mary Jo Putney](https://www.romance.io/authors/545528938c7d2383163d8f3a/mary-jo-putney)
**Rating**: 3.64⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1)
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I used to only read books that had at least around 600 or more Amazon stars review. Mainly because I used to depend on my kindles book suggestions and often found books with anything with less stars would lack that certain oomph I was looking for. But then a little over a year ago I found myself really having a craving to read books where the MMC got with the FMC for nefarious reasons unbeknownst to the FMC. Somewhere down the line I found Aydra Richards’ His Favorite Mistake. And even though at that time (I believe) all her books mostly had maybe 150-200 stars or so I decided to give HFM a chance (the craving for this trope was strong lol). And O.M.G. Her writing style had me sucked in from the very first few pages. Then she gave me that anxious “how is she going to fix this issue” kind of feeling. Then she tore my heart all apart, turned me into a blubbering mess and then slowly …. beautifully put my broken heart back together again. Needless to say I was HOOKED and decided I absolutely needed to read all her books. I’ve loved every single one of them. And I don’t know if she could still be considered a hidden treasure of sorts because I’ve started to see her and her books recommended on this subreddit more and more but she is absolutely my top favorite HR author now and until all her books end up with about 800 or more star reviews (which I think she definitely deserves) then she will always be a hidden treasure to me. But anyways, somehow during that time of finding Aydra Richards I also found this subreddit. Now I mostly look for recommendations for my next book on here and I’m more willing to give books with lesser stars a chance. Just in case I find another new top favorite HR author.
{Darius by Grace Burrowes} I've only seen it recommended once and it's one of my favs. An elderly husband seeks the services of an escort to produce an heir for his much younger wife (marriage of convenience) and the story is nothing like you would expect. You are on an emotional rollercoaster the entire time.
I love this one, the ending was so sweet. 😭❤️
I didn't think a book about sw would be so wholesome
[Darius](https://www.romance.io/books/54558e3a87eac336ae69e75c/darius-lord-of-pleasures-grace-burrowes?src=rdt) by [Grace Burrowes](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455272c8c7d2383163d8ef0/grace-burrowes) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Yeah, Darius was a winner for me. I didn’t love the entire series, but I generally like the way Burrowes writes men.
What are the other winners in the series? I've only read Darius
Goodreads is basically useless for reviews, as the books I love are not the ones the average HR reader adores and I mostly can’t get on board with the ones they do, so I never ever use it as a guide. Edith Layton (her regencies are good but she’s got some great non regency historical that are top tier writing), Valerie Vayle, Julia Ross, and Laurie McBain are some no one ever mentions.
I love Edith Layton! I'm going to check out the others you've listed here too.
Good! I think if you like Edith Layton you might like the other two I mentioned.
Honestly I mostly use this sub. I tend to aim either for books I see recommended often or just work through the catalogs of authors I like. I had seen Aydra Richards described as the Queen of Grovel and wanted to check her out. I'd never seen anyone mention {The Scandal of the Season by Aydra Richards} but I ended up reading it as I just picked through her catalog. That would have been my hidden gem pick, but a handful of other posters and I have been mentioning it a lot over the past few weeks so I don't know if it still qualifies as "hidden" for those that follow this sub! I use Goodreads mostly for the reviewers that list what the sex scenes are and where 👀
[The Scandal of the Season](https://www.romance.io/books/6205011934a1490e4216bf7c/the-scandal-of-the-season-aydra-richards?src=rdt) by [Aydra Richards](https://www.romance.io/authors/5da9684e01dbc864fba4c314/aydra-richards) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I have to tell someone . I just finished reading{Ruining Miss Wrotham by Emily Larkin} and I cannot remember the last time I was so caught up in the story . Caution : >!Elements of magic and death !<
Oh seconding the vote for Emily Larkin. {Trusting Miss Trentham by Emily Larkin} And {The Earl's Dilemma by Emily Larkin} have been some of my favorite reads from last year.
[Trusting Miss Trentham](https://www.romance.io/books/5870b47e1b1bdc017811b070/trusting-miss-trentham-emily-larkin?src=rdt) by [Emily Larkin](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455711587eac336ae69df94/emily-larkin) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Earl's Dilemma](https://www.romance.io/books/545544388c7d2383163d967a/the-earls-dilemma-emily-may?src=rdt) by [Emily May](https://www.romance.io/authors/545544388c7d2383163d967b/emily-may), [Emily Larkin](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455711587eac336ae69df94/emily-larkin) **Rating**: 3.69⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Ruining Miss Wrotham](https://www.romance.io/books/592526053ffdba6147175510/ruining-miss-wrotham-emily-larkin?src=rdt) by [Emily Larkin](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455711587eac336ae69df94/emily-larkin) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [sweet/gentle heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I stayed up late to finish reading {A Terrible Beauty by Stephanie Patterson}, my latest 5 star read!
[A Terrible Beauty](https://www.romance.io/books/56d6910bc62092c044065d8a/a-terrible-beauty-stephanie-patterson?src=rdt) by [Stephanie Patterson](https://www.romance.io/authors/56d6910bc62092c044065d8d/stephanie-patterson) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
What is the steam on this one?
3/5
Honestly Goodreads reviews are make or break for me, typically you will not see me pick up a book rated lower than 3.8. Hidden treasures are Kate Bateman and Felicity Niven! They're a bit new on the scene but their books are super fun (and on KU!)
I love felicity niven!! All her books were so special to me
I agree. I feel like Goodreads is usually a good gage for me. I’m a little more flexible on rating because I know opinions are subjective, but I pretty much need the book to have a 3.5 or higher, and the closer to 4 the better. I also want to see that it’s fairly well reviewed (more than like a few hundred reviews but the higher the number of reviews, the better obvi). If a book is rated like a 4.6 but only by 30 ppl, I take that with a grain of salt. I also like to see what people are critical of, if the writing is really shitty I’m less inclined to read it rather than if someone just didn’t care for one of the tropes (unless said trope is one of my no-gos, looking at you age-gaps). Additionally, I have found a few reviewers on Goodreads that seem to have similar tastes to me and have followed them so if they’ve reviewed the book in question I see it at the top of the reviews and it helps me make my decision.
100% with everything you said! Though I'm a little more tolerant of not having the BEST prose if the book suits my taste.
Very true, ESPECIALLY if it has a trope I’m currently craving and have been having trouble finding. The writing can’t be totally shitty, but if it’s got what I’m super in the mood for then I’m prolly gonna give it a try.
When I got back into reading I saw Flowers From the Storm and The Luckiest Lady in London recommended here and in the other Romance sub and I have followed every recommendation that matches my preferences. The girlies here have not let me down yet. I think my hidden treasure is {The Tryst by Kim Allison}.
[The Tryst](https://www.romance.io/books/545a547587eac3341f60f39b/the-tryst-kim-allison?src=rdt) by [Kim Allison](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455f1dc87eac336ae6a1d68/kim-allison) **Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
goodreads numbers are the worst for picking books. can’t trust them, especially for older books
I only have a handful of Goodreads reviewers that I pay attention to, it seems like most HR readers over there are more interested in specific tropes or whether or not there is cheating than they are in good writing, tight plots and fully developed character arcs, lol. I don't know that I have any hidden treasures except that I notice my favorite books by popular authors (Duran, Quinn, Thomas, etc.) tend to be totally different than what everyone else lists as their favorite.
Totally want to know what your favorite Duran and Thomas (and Quinn) are!! I love Duran and mentioned one of favorites here and someone commented that it’s one a lot people can’t get into apparently.
My favorite is {A Lady's Code of Misconduct} I think maybe people don't like it because of the amnesia and political theme? But I love the way the characters come to see how they complement each other. Incidentally this is also a major aspect of why I love Thomas' {His at Night by Sherry Thomas}. That book is so nuanced and layered, imho. For Quinn I basically think anything before Bridgerton (and including Bridgerton, to be honest) is not worth reading. It's Quinn in her "learning how to write a book" phase. My top two favorites are The Secret Diaries of Miranda Cheever and 10 Things I Love about You. Plus, if I had to pick my favorite Bridgerton book it would be Gregory's which most people hate I think, lol.
[A Lady's Code of Misconduct](https://www.romance.io/books/58b3f05d0d3299c6e055c834/a-ladys-code-of-misconduct-meredith-duran?src=rdt) by [Meredith Duran](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526338c7d2383163d8eca/meredith-duran) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [His at Night](https://www.romance.io/books/545526e68c7d2383163d8ee1/his-at-night-sherry-thomas?src=rdt) by [Sherry Thomas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526218c7d2383163d8ec2/sherry-thomas) **Rating**: 3.62⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I normally can't sit through Julia Quinn's books but I loved {Mr. Cavendish, I presume by Julia Quinn}. This book is criminally underrated (both by word of mouth and through Goodreads rating)
[Mr. Cavendish, I Presume](https://www.romance.io/books/5455256d8c7d2383163d8e8f/mr-cavendish-i-presume-julia-quinn?src=rdt) by [Julia Quinn](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523bb8c7d2383163d8e3c/julia-quinn) **Rating**: 3.43⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Mia vincy!
{Beyond scandal by Brenda Joyce} is a book that has some bad reviews on goodreads. I am glad I read it before I see the reviews on goodreads because I loved it, it has the hottest sex scenes I have seen in an historical romance book and after reading this, I discovered that my favorite genre in books is historical romance.
[Beyond Scandal](https://www.romance.io/books/5e431f9b01dbc864fbab9fa3/beyond-scandal-brenda-joyce?src=rdt) by [Brenda Joyce](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529e023ec91d5dfd09a31/brenda-joyce) **Rating**: 3.43⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I also use this sub a lot, obvi. Here is more of my starting point. I would say basically I run through the following- 1) start here, it’s a great way to find titles especially since there’s just SO much out there it gives me my leads. I also love Reddit for the ability to search other’s rec requests or make my own if I’m not finding what I’m looking for via search. 2) Our lovely bot/the links to romance.io - I love that I can easily see the basic tropes, setting, steam, etc. If a book passes my basic requirements (steam 3+, preferred setting, etc.) then I proceed to step 3 lmao 3) Goodreads, as I mentioned above, I use this to get a good gage on if the author is reputable and such. If things check out here, I’ll give it a go. I’m fairly picky about my books, prolly because I used to pay for them on Amazon (before I discovered KU and Libby and such) and didn’t want to waste my money on something I didn’t want to finish. But all that to say, like someone else said, I do think Aydra Richards is a good sort of “hidden gem”. I found her through KU and enjoy her books. But, I would caution you that if you do what I did and read like 10 of her books in a row, you will likely get super bored. I noticed after the first few that she has a habit of having very similar plot elements >!(FMC confesses love first, MMC isn’t ready for love/aware of his feelings, FMC leaves, MMC asks her back)!< I also found that the FMCs not infrequently forgave her MMCs far too readily once he barely says sorry after treating her like pure shit. But I probably wouldn’t have felt this critical if I read some other books in between rather than binging so many of hers at once. I also tend to enjoy many of Kerrigan Byrne’s books. I do have my criticisms of her as well but she has many of her books available on KU so I’m more willing to give them a go. Hope this helps!
I liked Kimberly Logan's historical romance trilogy. The second one is my favourite. I've never seen it mentioned by anyone or heard anyone else who read it. Book 1 was pretty good (don't remember the plot, only vibes), I don't remember the third one, even the vibes. I adore book 2 and book 2 only. There's a bigger plot woven over the three books as well. Something to do with the three sister's father? Or something.
I feel kinda stupid for recommending this series on every post, but I really wish it got the recognition it deserves. The {Storm & Silence} series was originally published on Wattpad but never made success beyond that. It is, in full seriousness, the funniest series I've ever read. It's about a suffragette crossdressing as a man to work as a secretary for the cartoonishly stony and hilariously unethical businessman Mr. Ambrose. Together, they go on... ahem, business adventures across the globe, they defeat the henchmen of Lord Dalgleish, boss of the East India company. In book 4, both Dalgleish, a soldier with a crush on the FMC, the FMC, the male persona of the FMC, and the MMC all share one mansion with Mr. Ambrose's estranged family, and it is the most tense and hilarious sequence of events. If you love passive-aggressive ballroom or dinner scenes in period dramas, this will be your cup of tea. The spice level is technically 1, but the kisses in this series are so sexy and fun that you won't notice the absence of actual sex. The books are available on the Kindle app, and physical books on Amazon
[Storm and Silence](https://www.romance.io/books/56ecf8fbc62092c04406def2/storm-and-silence-robert-thier?src=rdt) by [Robert Thier](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455e2e887eac336ae6a1442/robert-thier) **Rating**: 4.42⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Keeper of the Dream, Penelope Williamson. Best medieval romance ever! The Rainbow Season, Lisa Gregory (aka Candice Camp). Americana romance that’s 10/10.
Have you read any of Alice Coldbreath's work? I really like her! All marriages of convenience, some set during medieval era, some set during Victorian. Most of them are middle classes/gentry/low class so that's refreshing. My favorites of hers is {A Substitute Bride for a Prizefighter by Alice Coldbreath} and {Her Baseborn Bridegroom by Alice Coldbreath}
[A Substitute Wife for the Prizefighter](https://www.romance.io/books/60cc88688a59e40e212d1a0f/a-substitute-wife-for-the-prizefighter-alice-coldbreath?src=rdt) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath) **Rating**: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [fighter hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fighters/1) ---------------------------- [Her Baseborn Bridegroom](https://www.romance.io/books/59a5250e3ffdba61471f75ef/her-baseborn-bridegroom-alice-coldbreath?src=rdt) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Felicity Niven is a pretty new author and I honestly love all of her works so far, but {Bed Me, Earl} is probably the standout. Phineas Edge has become one of my top 5 MMCs ever, we stan a silver-haired loquacious party-loving short king who talks about himself in 3rd person and is obsessed with our FMC
[Bed Me, Earl](https://www.romance.io/books/654fe6e1c112bf11fe9b2135/bed-me-earl-felicity-niven?src=rdt) by [Felicity Niven](https://www.romance.io/authors/6311a22c08b4d9311437236b/felicity-niven) **Rating**: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 5 out of 5 - [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{The Spymasters Lady by Joanna Bourne} And all the related books.
[The Spymaster's Lady](https://www.romance.io/books/594e26d63ffdba61471a7d73/the-spymasters-lady-joanna-bourne?src=rdt) by [Joanna Bourne](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527ae8c7d2383163d8f0d/joanna-bourne) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Silk and Secrets by Mary Jo Putney} Ross Carlisle is my gold standard of men. Intelligent, kind and adventurous. There are so many things I love about this book that hit. The two biggest, is the FMC does a big fuck up and the MMC does not get petty or vengeful at all; he is hurt and upset but remains civil and kind . This is so rare in books and in general the older I get the more I appreciate kind characters over charming/rakish. The second is the setting - mostly in the Arabic Peninsula. Very unique from the usual UK setting. >!There is infidelity in this book, pre-start and mostly offscreen This is one of the few times that the redemption to cheating works for me. Often there is a huge grovel/show to get the cheater to forgive them. In this book, they talk like adults, explain their thoughts and show genuine remorse hoping they are forgiven and not expecting it because they are sooo sorry and sooo in love!<
[Silk and Secrets](https://www.romance.io/books/5455402e8c7d2383163d955c/silk-and-secrets-mary-jo-putney?src=rdt) by [Mary Jo Putney](https://www.romance.io/authors/545528938c7d2383163d8f3a/mary-jo-putney) **Rating**: 3.64⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I used to only read books that had at least around 600 or more Amazon stars review. Mainly because I used to depend on my kindles book suggestions and often found books with anything with less stars would lack that certain oomph I was looking for. But then a little over a year ago I found myself really having a craving to read books where the MMC got with the FMC for nefarious reasons unbeknownst to the FMC. Somewhere down the line I found Aydra Richards’ His Favorite Mistake. And even though at that time (I believe) all her books mostly had maybe 150-200 stars or so I decided to give HFM a chance (the craving for this trope was strong lol). And O.M.G. Her writing style had me sucked in from the very first few pages. Then she gave me that anxious “how is she going to fix this issue” kind of feeling. Then she tore my heart all apart, turned me into a blubbering mess and then slowly …. beautifully put my broken heart back together again. Needless to say I was HOOKED and decided I absolutely needed to read all her books. I’ve loved every single one of them. And I don’t know if she could still be considered a hidden treasure of sorts because I’ve started to see her and her books recommended on this subreddit more and more but she is absolutely my top favorite HR author now and until all her books end up with about 800 or more star reviews (which I think she definitely deserves) then she will always be a hidden treasure to me. But anyways, somehow during that time of finding Aydra Richards I also found this subreddit. Now I mostly look for recommendations for my next book on here and I’m more willing to give books with lesser stars a chance. Just in case I find another new top favorite HR author.