Also, 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte has elements of a racy historical romance. It's set in the Yorkshire moors in the 19th century. The relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine is tempestuous and full of raw passion. Their love defies the social norms of the time and is as wild as the moors that form the backdrop of the story.
'Twilight' by Stephenie Meyer has elements of vampire romance. Although it's more modern - day set, it still has a sense of timelessness in the love story between Bella and Edward. Their relationship is filled with angst and passion, and the vampire lore in the book is quite interesting.
'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen also has elements of a steamy romance in a historical setting. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's relationship develops from initial dislike to a deep and passionate love. The Regency - era setting and the social norms of the time play a huge role in their relationship journey.
A good example is also 'The Duke and I' from the 'Bridgerton' series specifically. It's the first book in the series. It tells the story of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. Their relationship starts as a sort of fake courtship but quickly evolves into a real and passionate love, filled with all the drama and sensuality that was often hidden beneath the polite exterior of the Regency society.
Racy historical romance novels typically feature strong - willed protagonists. These characters often have to navigate the constraints of the historical period while following their hearts. The racy aspect might come in the form of forbidden love. Maybe it's a love between a noble and a commoner, which was frowned upon in those times. And the historical backdrop serves as a rich tapestry against which the romantic and racy elements play out. It can add depth and authenticity to the story.
One great 'best second chance historical romance novel' is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It has a strong second - chance element within its historical setting. Claire and Jamie have a complex relationship that endures across time and many trials. Another is 'The Bronze Horseman' by Paullina Simons. The characters are given a second chance at love in the midst of the chaos of World War II. And 'A Kingdom of Dreams' by Judith McNaught also falls into this category. The main characters get a second shot at their relationship against a backdrop of medieval Scotland.
I would say 'All the Light We Cannot See' by Anthony Doerr. This book is set during World War II and follows the parallel lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. It's beautifully written and really captures the essence of that historical period. Also, 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak is excellent. It's narrated by Death and tells about a girl in Nazi Germany who steals books. Then there's 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, which is set during the French Revolution.
The 'Silhouette in Scarlet' by Laura Joh Rowland. It's set in feudal Japan and has a great mix of a romantic relationship developing between the main characters while they are also involved in solving a mystery. Another one is 'The Duke's Dark Secret' by Miranda Neville. The title gives a hint of the suspense element, and the love story between the duke and the heroine is full of historical charm and intrigue.
One example is 'The Duke and I' by Julia Quinn. It has elements of historical settings, like the Regency era, along with a touch of romance that has some racy undertones as the characters' relationships develop. The story follows the courtship between Daphne and Simon, with their interactions being both charming and a bit spicy at times.
The following are some recommendations for a couple of romance novels: 1. " 30 Years as a Concubine ": This ancient novel was known as a high-quality work that didn't have any long-winded ink. The plot naturally transitioned, and both the career and relationship lines were outstanding. 2. [Jiao Shu]: This is an ancient novel. Although it is long, it is very good. The story involved the imperial examination, war, court, local officials, solving cases, and many other aspects. The writing was excellent, the structure was grand, and the emotional drama was also very sweet. 3. " Qingke Futu ": The female lead is a smart and calm person. She is good at controlling the overall situation and has a higher IQ than the other characters in the book. She works hard and is my favorite type of protagonist. The descriptions of the plot were standard, but the descriptions of each character were outstanding. Their personalities were distinct, and the characters were more exciting than the plot. 4. I Want to Hide You and Time: This novel described a lonely world filled with white noise of varying speeds. Please note that the novels recommended above may not completely meet the "short" requirements, but they are all excellent works of double-strong romance novels. These novels covered different backgrounds and plot types, and each had its own characteristics and charm. Whether you like romance stories from ancient or modern times, these recommendations are worth reading.
I highly recommend 'Red, White & Royal Blue' by Casey McQuiston. It's a story of a relationship between the First Son of the United States and a prince of the United Kingdom. It's a fun and engaging read with great character development. Another is 'Love, Simon' which is based on the book 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda'. It's a very important book in the YA genre as it deals with LGBTQ+ issues in a positive and relatable way. Then there's 'The Kissing Booth' which has a really cute love story between Elle and Noah, with lots of high school drama.