One common theme is redemption. The hero, scarred by past events, often seeks to redeem himself through love. Another theme is trust. It's hard for the scarred hero to trust, but in the romance, they learn to trust their partner. And healing, as the love relationship helps in healing the hero's emotional or physical scars.
Another option could be 'Scarred Souls United in Love'. This novel shows how the hero's scars don't hold him back from experiencing a passionate romance. The plot focuses on the couple's growth together despite the obstacles posed by his past.
A prevalent theme is transformation. The scarred woman starts off as a broken or damaged individual, but the environment of the ranch and the love she finds there transform her into a stronger and more confident person. Also, the theme of perseverance is there. She has to persevere through the difficulties of ranch life and her own insecurities, and in the process, she discovers love. In many of these novels, the ranch itself represents a kind of haven or a place of new beginnings, where the characters can leave their past behind and build a future together.
I'd recommend 'A Walk to Remember'. The male lead has a troubled past that leaves him emotionally scarred. The story beautifully portrays their love and his journey of healing.
Yes, there are. 'The Black Dagger Brotherhood' series has elements of this. The heroes in these books are often scarred, not just physically but also emotionally. They can be cruel in the face of their enemies but show a tender side in their romances.
Their vulnerability. A scarred hero, whether it's physical or emotional scars, has a hidden vulnerability. In a romance novel, as the story unfolds, the heroine might be the only one who can reach that part of him. This makes the relationship deeper and more interesting. Take Mr. Rochester in 'Jane Eyre'. He has his own dark secrets and a somewhat cruel exterior at times, but Jane is able to see past that and connect with his true self.
There is 'The Scarred Lord's Love Affair'. In many of these novels, the scarred hero has to deal with his own insecurities because of the scar. It can be a great plot device as it affects how he interacts with the heroine. For example, he may initially be hesitant to get close to her, but as the story progresses, love overcomes his self - doubt.
One common theme is redemption. Characters with scars, whether physical or emotional, often strive to redeem themselves. For instance, a character might have a scar from a past wrong they committed and they try to make up for it throughout the fanfiction.
Another theme is transformation. The scarring changes Bella, and the fanfiction usually shows how she transforms physically and emotionally. It could be that she becomes more introverted at first due to the scar, but then slowly blossoms into a stronger person.
One popular 'scarred hero romance novel' is 'The Hating Game' where the male lead has some emotional scars which add depth to their relationship. Another is 'A Court of Mist and Fury' where the hero has his own traumas that shape the romantic plot. And 'Beauty and the Beast' in book form can also be considered in this category as the Beast has his own 'scars' both physical and emotional that play into the love story.
One common theme is the conflict between duty and love. The hero is usually on an important undercover mission, and falling in love can put that mission at risk. Another theme is secrecy. The hero often has to keep his true identity a secret from the heroine, which adds a lot of tension to the relationship.