Romantic but not romance novels - any recommendations?

bucsie · 01-30-2012, 01:57 AM

I'm in a mood for romance - but not the flat, sappy kind in romance novels, with almost no action and scarcely a plot, or with poor character development.
I'd like to read a "regular" novel that has, besides (or entwined with) the main plot, two characters ending up in love.
A few classics come to mind, but since I'm not a native English speaker and it took me more than a week to finish "A Tale Of Two Cities", I'd prefer a more recent author.
First novel that springs to mind, as an example, is "The Memoirs Of A Geisha".
Do you have any suggestions?

wayspooled · 01-30-2012, 11:02 AM

Try The Game of Kings (first book of 6 book Lymond Chronicles) by Dorothy Dunnett. It's more a historical novel than a romance but there is a great love story in it. You won't be sure who it's between for a long time though.

CRussel · 01-30-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucsie

I'm in a mood for romance - but not the flat, sappy kind in romance novels, with almost no action and scarcely a plot, or with poor character development.
I'd like to read a "regular" novel that has, besides (or entwined with) the main plot, two characters ending up in love.
A few classics come to mind, but since I'm not a native English speaker and it took me more than a week to finish "A Tale Of Two Cities", I'd prefer a more recent author.
First novel that springs to mind, as an example, is "The Memoirs Of A Geisha".
Do you have any suggestions?

Ah, how about Conflict of Honors or Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Both are set in their Liaden Universe, and both are "Space Operas" but with some definite romance. And highly enjoyable reads. (Each is part of an omnibus ebook edition, available DRM-Free in multiple formats for $6 USD. Hard to lose.)

bucsie · 01-30-2012, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayspooled

Try The Game of Kings (first book of 6 book Lymond Chronicles) by Dorothy Dunnett. It's more a historical novel than a romance but there is a great love story in it. You won't be sure who it's between for a long time though.

Ooh, I love those, when love sneaks up upon the characters

JaneD · 01-31-2012, 01:20 AM

"Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson is pretty great.
"Shogun" by James Clavell if you like historical fiction.

Freyfrey · 01-31-2012, 08:35 AM

You might enjoy Ken Follet's novels.

jehane · 01-31-2012, 12:06 PM

ok...first off congratulations on finishing Tale of Two Cities in a week! I find Dickens very dense and even though I'm a fast reader I struggle with him.

I'm going to suggest a classic romance - Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It's primarily a romance but it has depth beyond the genre. It's also free.

If you like fantasy or SF, try women writers. Yes, it's a gross generalisation but it works. In particular Lois Bujold, Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, Elizabeth Moon, Jacqueline Carey. There was a similar thread here not long ago with some good suggestions.

bucsie · 01-31-2012, 01:03 PM

I read Pride and Prejudice several times, translated in my native tongue. And I was on vacation doing not much else while reading A Tale of Two Cities, that's why a week was a long time for it.
Thanks for the suggestions, I will try (at least some of) them.

JoelArnold · 01-31-2012, 05:04 PM

There's Gabriel Garcia Marquez's classic 100 Years of Solitude.

Bookpossum · 02-01-2012, 12:11 AM

"Random Harvest" by James Hilton.

If you have ever seen the film you will know what happens, but the book is a different experience anyway. I love it and reread it from time to time. It's a free one though I can't remember where I found it. Try Gutenberg and Manybooks.

Edit: No, not in those, but in Gutenberg Australia on

http://gutenberg.net.au/plusfifty-a-m.html

morriss003 · 02-01-2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucsie

I'm in a mood for romance - but not the flat, sappy kind in romance novels, with almost no action and scarcely a plot, or with poor character development.
I'd like to read a "regular" novel that has, besides (or entwined with) the main plot, two characters ending up in love.
A few classics come to mind, but since I'm not a native English speaker and it took me more than a week to finish "A Tale Of Two Cities", I'd prefer a more recent author.
First novel that springs to mind, as an example, is "The Memoirs Of A Geisha".
Do you have any suggestions?

Try any recent Jayne Ann Krentz novel or the "Death" novels of JD Robb (Nora Roberts)

speakingtohe · 02-02-2012, 10:53 AM

Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen is pretty good
Helen

deannah · 02-02-2012, 10:54 PM

"claire-obscure" by Billie Hinton is beautifully written. May be dark for some, but I loved it. Definitely for adult reading.

Bookpossum · 02-03-2012, 12:22 AM

"Possession" by A S Byatt is wonderful, but could be a bit dense for a non-native English speaker, especially with all the pseudo 19th century poetry.

01-30-2012, 01:57 AM	#1
bucsie Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 674766 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle	Romantic but not romance novels - any recommendations? I'm in a mood for romance - but not the flat, sappy kind in romance novels, with almost no action and scarcely a plot, or with poor character development. I'd like to read a "regular" novel that has, besides (or entwined with) the main plot, two characters ending up in love. A few classics come to mind, but since I'm not a native English speaker and it took me more than a week to finish "A Tale Of Two Cities", I'd prefer a more recent author. First novel that springs to mind, as an example, is "The Memoirs Of A Geisha". Do you have any suggestions?

02-01-2012, 12:11 AM	#10
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,146 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	"Random Harvest" by James Hilton. If you have ever seen the film you will know what happens, but the book is a different experience anyway. I love it and reread it from time to time. It's a free one though I can't remember where I found it. Try Gutenberg and Manybooks. Edit: No, not in those, but in Gutenberg Australia on http://gutenberg.net.au/plusfifty-a-m.html Last edited by Bookpossum; 02-01-2012 at 12:16 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Free romantic suspense novella from All Romance Ebooks - Deeds of Deceit	Susan Crealock	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	0	12-09-2011 04:47 PM
Book Recommendations based on read novels?	Spaddel2710	Reading Recommendations	8	07-11-2011 01:54 AM
Romantic comedy novels for men?	synlor	Reading Recommendations	25	06-27-2010 10:18 AM
Free Romantic Comedy from All Romance	Susan Crealock	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	1	04-21-2010 10:46 AM
Recommendations for Character-driven SF/F Novels?	GoblinWriter	Reading Recommendations	46	02-28-2010 01:09 AM

01-30-2012, 11:02 AM	#2
wayspooled Crab In The Dark Posts: 486 Karma: 2328180 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Tablet PC until a 10" comes out that I like	Try The Game of Kings (first book of 6 book Lymond Chronicles) by Dorothy Dunnett. It's more a historical novel than a romance but there is a great love story in it. You won't be sure who it's between for a long time though.

01-31-2012, 01:20 AM	#5
JaneD Addict Posts: 322 Karma: 1057749 Join Date: May 2010 Location: LA, CA Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2013	"Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" by Helen Simonson is pretty great. "Shogun" by James Clavell if you like historical fiction.

01-31-2012, 08:35 AM	#6
Freyfrey Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: Kobo Touch	You might enjoy Ken Follet's novels.

01-31-2012, 12:06 PM	#7
jehane Book addict Posts: 441 Karma: 2650464 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Antarctica/Australia/Ohio Device: Sony PRS-300/T1/Asus TF101	ok...first off congratulations on finishing Tale of Two Cities in a week! I find Dickens very dense and even though I'm a fast reader I struggle with him. I'm going to suggest a classic romance - Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It's primarily a romance but it has depth beyond the genre. It's also free. If you like fantasy or SF, try women writers. Yes, it's a gross generalisation but it works. In particular Lois Bujold, Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, Elizabeth Moon, Jacqueline Carey. There was a similar thread here not long ago with some good suggestions.

01-31-2012, 01:03 PM	#8
bucsie Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 674766 Join Date: Sep 2010 Device: Kindle	I read Pride and Prejudice several times, translated in my native tongue. And I was on vacation doing not much else while reading A Tale of Two Cities, that's why a week was a long time for it. Thanks for the suggestions, I will try (at least some of) them.

01-31-2012, 05:04 PM	#9
JoelArnold Fanatic Posts: 544 Karma: 1036914 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Savage, MN Device: Kindle 3	There's Gabriel Garcia Marquez's classic 100 Years of Solitude.

02-02-2012, 10:53 AM	#12
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen is pretty good Helen

02-02-2012, 10:54 PM	#13
deannah Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 14 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Idaho USA Device: KK, KT, KFire, KFire HD, KPaperwhite	"claire-obscure" by Billie Hinton is beautifully written. May be dark for some, but I loved it. Definitely for adult reading.

02-03-2012, 12:22 AM	#14
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,146 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	"Possession" by A S Byatt is wonderful, but could be a bit dense for a non-native English speaker, especially with all the pseudo 19th century poetry.

Advert

Advert