Clean Romances discussion

Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and thought this would be the best place to ask.

You see, I'm quite tired of the commanding, self-possessed 'alpha' heroes most common in romance novels, and am looking for a very different type of guy as the romantic interest.

I'm looking for books with an intelligent, (to the degree of getting lost in his thoughts would be great) shy (would love it if he blushes more than the heroine) and soft spoken (seldom if ever raises his voice/little to no temper) hero. I would like it if he has some confidence in himself, but mostly in his intelligence and none in his physical abilities. Would prefer a historical romance, though contemporary is acceptable. Also acceptable is christian and young adult books.

If anyone knows of books like this, please suggest them to me.

Amy wrote: "Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and thought this would be the best ..."

Josh, the hero in my latest book is a shy, sweet guy :) It's a clean contemporary romance. I'd love to see more shy guys as romance heroes!

Have you encountered the Hapgoods of Bramleigh series by Christina Dudley? The Naturalist is the first. Set in the Regency era, more or less, in rural England.

Jennifer wrote: "Josh, the hero in my latest book[...]"

I do love reading about figure skating and that sounds like a really fun book, thanks for suggesting it.

Abigail wrote: "Have you encountered the Hapgoods of Bramleigh series[...]"

Actually, I've never even heard of it before, but it sounds good to me. Thanks for the suggestion.

Fans of my urban fantasy novel, The Call of the Deep, have raved about one of my characters, Mat. He's strong, soft-spoken, protective but not controlling, thoughtful, extremely patient, determined but not obsessive.


Technically NA due to the age range of the characters (college), but YA appropriate. (Some kissing, mention of alcohol at a party, but the MC doesn't drink)

Also, another goodie is the Defiance series by C.J. Redwine. Logan is super intelligent, is always thinking things through and coming up with Plan A, Plan B, etc. And he's sweet and funny, but totally not your typical Alpha-male-hotshot, lol. The series is YA, Post-apocalyptic fantasy.

(I have yet to read the 3rd book, but I loved the first two!)

I'm turning 40 this year but I mostly read YA, because of a lack of adult content! lol You still need to be careful though... There are a lot of "adult" YA out there...

Amy wrote: "Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and thought this would be the best ..."

Check out my novel. The Hero fits this description . By the way it will be free on amazon between tomorrow January 10-January 12. Reviews and constructive feedback welcome :)

Jennifer wrote: "Amy wrote: "Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and thought this would ..."

I added your book, it looks good! (Great reviews too!)

Great thread, will need to look up these books!
My hero in Golden Days is like this, but he's also a bit of a klutz. :-P

Tracy wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Amy wrote: "Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and th..."

Thanks, Tracy and Amy! :)

Try Cotillion by Georgette Heyer for a regency romance... Freddie is a definitely a different kind of hero but very loveable. It was the first thing that came to mind when I read your descriptions and though he isn't known for being a deep thinker he's more intelligent than he's given credit for. It's a completely clean romance.

Do have a look at some of her other romance novels too, Georgette Heyer's hero's vary between alpha and cerebral but they're nearly all charming.

If you like Epic/Medieval Style Fantasy you might enjoy Pawn of Prophesy by David Eddings (The Belgariad series), it's not a romance as such but it has certain love interests/themes between several differing types of pairings, its humorous, and non-explicit. The main character would come under YA/NA but I don't think those categories existed when it was written.

I second the suggestion of Cotillion - it's hilarious and one of my favourites.

Another great beta-type hero, which though not blushingly shy is soft spoken, kind and very intelligent (and the story is heart-warmingly wonderful): The Blue Castle.

There is also Leon Dupuis in Madame Bovary.

Hi Amy,

I chose this archetype for the young man in my YA inspiration paranormal series, Death Cheater. Also, I find your interest notable and will think about that in future adult romances.

Tracy wrote: "Fans of my urban fantasy novel, The Call of the Deep,[...]"

Thanks for both suggestions. I don't mind NA, but it usually seems that those books are a bit more explicit than what I generally like to read. (So, I am very interested in one that's not.)

Joy wrote: "Check out my novel. The Hero fits this description . By the way[...]"

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll go look in to it.

Lynn wrote: "Great thread, will need to look up these books!
My hero in Golden Days[...]"

Ooh, a klutzy guy sounds good - and like something we certainly need more of. Thanks for suggesting it.

Louise Sparrow wrote: "Try Cotillion by Georgette Heyer for a regency romance... Freddie is a definitely a different kind of hero but very loveable. It was the first thing that came to mind when I read your descriptions ..."

I have been interested in reading some of Georgette Heyer's books, but she's written so many books that, honestly, I had no idea where to start. I'll certainly give Cotillion a look.

I do love my epic fantasy but I read a book series by the Eddings (The Dreamers series) and while I know it isn't one of the fan favorites... Well, I kind of hated the ending enough that I never looked into any more books by David Eddings. The Belagriad series seems to be the most popular so I might give it a go.

Thanks for both suggestions.

Emily wrote: "I second the suggestion of[...]"

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd never even heard of The Blue Castle before and certainly never thought to look at Madame Bovary.

Danielle wrote: "Hi Amy,

I chose this archetype for the young man in my YA inspiration paranormal series, Death Cheater[...]"

Ooh, I'll give it a look, thanks for suggesting it. Personally, I think we need more of these kind of guys.

Thanks. If you like Jane Austen and have never read or seen her Mansfield Park, that has a lovely, smart down to earth hero that fits your likes.

Amy wrote: "I do love my epic fantasy but I read a book series by the Eddings (The Dreamers series) and while I know it isn't one of the fan favorites... Well, I kind of hated the ending enough that I never looked into any more books by David Eddings. The Belagriad series seems to be the most popular so I might give it a go. ..."

I hated the ending of the Dreamers too, it made it all so pointless and it was hard going enough as it is.

The Belgariad is the best of all his series, and while I enjoyed some of the other books/series it's really the only one I want to re-read.

Georgette Heyer wrote a lot of mysteries as well as historical romance, the mysteries seem to be more of an acquired taste but I heartily recommend the romances :)

Jack from for sure!!!

I have two YA novels out, AURORA RESCUE and AURORA REDRESS, both written under the name of Robyn Echols. They are time-travel set in 2024 and in historical locations. My hero is a prodigy, not tall, not hunky and doesn't do well in the out-of-doors. My heroine is a very practical, inquisitive, spirited person who loves the outdoors and hiking.

The Foundling is another by Georgette Heyer with a shy, soft-spoken hero.

The Ordinary Princess, by M.M. Kaye. The hero is very ordinary, too. MG, Fairytale-esque.

Fire and Hemlock, by Diana Wynne Jones. Male mc is a musician in an orchestra. YA Fantasy.

Christian:

To Win Her Heart, by Karen Witemeyer. The hero is a blacksmith and ex-boxer (who has rejected his boxer past), but he's also got a speech impediment and loves to read and is willing to write letters. Historical.

Secrets, Kristen Heitzmann. Male mc is emotionally intuitive/attuned, artistic temperament, skilled musician and cook. Contemporary.

At Home in Mitford and the rest of the Mitford series, by Jan Karon. Kinda sorta fits. I mean, it's not romance, though there is a bit of romance in it. But it has definitely got the intellectual not athletic male mc. Contemporary.

Danielle wrote: "Thanks. If you like Jane Austen and have never read or seen her Mansfield Park, that has a lovely, smart down to earth hero that fits your likes."

I hardly consider myself a fan of Jane Austen, but I did love Pride and Prejudice when I read it years ago. (Though Darcy certainly isn't the kind of guy I'm currently looking for.) I'll certainly put Mansfield Park on my list though. Thanks for the suggestion.

Louise Sparrow wrote: "I hated the ending of the Dreamers too, it made it all so pointless and it was hard going enough as it is. [...]"

Exactly. I hate books whose ending makes the entire series seem irrelevant. When I get the chance I try giving The Belgariad a go and see how it works for me. Honestly, I probably should have started there but oh well.

I never even knew Georgette Heyer wrote mysteries. Anyway, I guess the best thing for me to do is just dive in and start reading her stuff. If I like her writing, with that many books I'm sure they'll keep me going for quite a while.

Edacheeky wrote: "Jack from for sure!!!"

It's shelved as 'steampunk'! Is it totally inappropriate if I say I could kiss you for suggesting it? Sorry. It probably is so I'll apologize. But thank you for suggesting it, it sounds great.

Robyn wrote: "I have two YA novels out, AURORA RESCUE and AURORA REDRESS, both written under the name of Robyn Echols. They are time-travel set in 2024 and in historical locations. My hero is a prodigy, not tall[...]"

Sounds interesting. Very interesting. Also sounds like just the type of pairing I love in stories, with the girl being more of a tomboy and the guy being...well, no offence, but a bit less useful in a physical situation. Thanks for the suggestion.

Abigail wrote: "The Foundling is another by Georgette Heyer with a shy, soft-spoken hero.

The Ordinary Princess, by M.M. Kaye. The hero is very ordinary, too. MG, Fairytale-esque.

[boo..."

Ooh, all those suggestions. Thank you so much for that list. The only one I had any chance of coming across on my own was Karen Witemeyer's as I have actually read one of her other books.

Anyway, I'm writing this before I get distracted by clicking on all those links you left me, so just let me say, thanks for the suggestions, they sound good so far.

Danielle wrote: "Thanks. If you like Jane Austen and have never read or seen her Mansfield Park, that has a lovely, smart down to earth hero that fits your likes."
Yes, Danielle, Jane Austen is a great source for this!

As You Are by Sarah M. Eden is a good one. Hero is painfully shy and very sweet. I really liked reading that different kind of a hero.

http://www.amazon.com/As-You-Are-Sara...

Wickedly Charming is a sweet fantasy romance with a hero that's a shy bookworm. In fact, his whole goal in life is to try to disappear from the attention of others. Not only that, he's a sweet, caring father of two.

(Note: Please ignore the cover. Those are some of the most misleading covers I've seen on a romance series, ever. Also, the title has to do with a particular plot twist; it's not an implication of steam-level.)

On that note, though not all her heroes are the shy, soft-spoken type, Kristine Grayson's Fates series (of which Wickedly Charming is book #7) has some really great, non-alpha heroes.

All the books I've read in that series (#1-5 and 7) are sweet romances with the bedroom doors shut.

And if you don't mind a bit of shameless self-promotion, the hero in my book, Shining Armor, a Contemporary Fantasy With A Strong Element Of Romance, isn't an alpha.

Annette wrote: "As You Are by Sarah M. Eden is a good one. Hero is painfully shy and very sweet. I really liked reading that different kind of a hero."

That sounds like an interesting book, thanks for suggesting it.

Amy wrote: "Wickedly Charming is a sweet fantasy romance with a hero that's a shy bookworm. In fact, his whole goal in life is to try to disappear from the attention of others. Not only that, he..."

Just gotta love the generic romance novel covers, huh? Anyway, Wickedly Charming sounds fun - in fact, the whole series sounds like something I might really enjoy.

When I clicked on Shining Armor and read 'confused dragon' I was immediately sold. I've never actually read a contemporary fantasy with dragons, but this one sounds great. Thanks for both suggestions.

Amy wrote: "Amy wrote: "Wickedly Charming is a sweet fantasy romance with a hero that's a shy bookworm. In fact, his whole goal in life is to try to disappear from the attention of others. Not o..."

You're welcome. :) I hope you enjoy them.

I love the beta-type hero myself. Here are a few books I've read and enjoyed. These heroes are all soft-spoken, if not awkward at times.

A Silent Yes: a novella A novella set in 1800s America. Loved this one!

Love Comes Softly A classic and one of my favorites of all time. Has some Christian themes.

A Garden In The Rain This hero is a champion of showing his love, but when it comes to words it's rather different. We know he loves her, but he has a hard time convincing the girl. A time-travel romance.

Mystic and Rider Mostly adventure/fantasy, but there is a romantic tension throughout. The hero is the strong-silent type. Love this action-packed book.

Queenberly wrote: "I love the beta-type hero myself. Here are a few books I've read and enjoyed. These heroes are all soft-spoken, if not awkward at times. [...]"

I've already got Mystic and Rider on my TBR list, and I didn't realize it had one of these type of guys. (Just moved to the top of my list.) I'm really excited to look into A Garden In The Rain - it sounds right up my alley.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

In Second Best by Dallacey E Green, the hero in this story, Nicholas is very gentle. He has been greatly misunderstood by the heroine, Cassie. He tries to gently woo her.
Her is the story line. Cassie is a very sensitive and insecure woman, that is extremely conscious of her appearance. She has lived her life in the shadow of her twin sister, Helen. Now Cassie has come upon her first wedding anniversary to Nicholas, the man that had asked Helen to marry him, yet ended up marrying her instead. To the People in Valentine this story has been the talk of the town. Wherever Cassie goes she hears people whispering questions that she has thought upon time and time again. How could Nicholas bare living without Helen, the woman that he loves? Why had he married Cassie, the crippled sister and how could he live with a bride that could only ever be second best?

http://www.amazon.com/Second-Best-Twi...

Rosa wrote: "In Second Best by Dallacey E Green, the hero in this story, Nicholas is very gentle. He has been greatly misunderstood by the heroine, Cassie. He tries to gently woo her.
Her is the story line. C..."

Sounds like an interesting story, thanks for suggesting it.

Besides being soft-spoken, shy, intelligent, would you like him to be a passionate man with morals?

Groovy wrote: "Besides being soft-spoken, shy, intelligent, would you like him to be a passionate man with morals?"

Sure, I'd have no problems with that at all.

Amy wrote: "Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and thought this would be the best ..."

I have written a novel in the sci fi romance genre with a soft spoken, nice guy, hero. I don't know if it is the kind of genre you read, but he is certainly easy to fall in love with.

Nicola wrote:"I have written a novel in the sci fi romance genre with a soft spoken,[...]"

I've not read a lot in that genre, but I don't avoid it that's for sure. I'll keep an eye on the book (waiting for release date) because it sounds interesting and quite different from what I usually read. Thanks for suggesting it.

Amy wrote: "Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and thought this would be the best ..."

Hi Amy, I'm new to this group and just came across this discussion.
I'm with you - there's a limit to how much 'alpha' I can take in a hero! Give me a quiet, thoughtful guy anytime!
I can't speak for historical romance, but if you read sweet contemporary, you may like 'A Husband for Danna' by Christina Lorenzen which I read recently and enjoyed. Also - and here's a shameless plug, but it's my first in this group, honest! - my romance 'Warm Hearts in Winter' (Helen Pollard) has a soft-spoken, shy, intelligent hero because I write the kind of hero I like to read!

Helen wrote: "Amy wrote: "Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and thought this would ..."

That makes me remember an author I just read. Beverly Farr. She has clean romances and the men aren't the usual alpha types.

Thanks, Nicola, I'll have to have a look!

Helen wrote: "Hi Amy, I'm new to this group and just came across this discussion.
I'm with you - there's a limit to how much 'alpha' I can take in a hero! Give me a quiet, thoughtful guy anytime! [...]"

Thanks so much for the suggestions, Helen. So glad you agree with me and I'm always happy to find authors that write those type of heroes.

Nicola wrote: "Helen wrote: "Amy wrote: "Hello, all. I've been wandering around this group for quite some time, gathering recommendations from others, but there is something specific I'm looking for now and thoug..."

Thanks for suggesting them, too. I've found a couple of her short stories free at amazon, so I'll get to see if I like her writing style.

As You Are by Sarah M. Eden is a wonderful book with a shy hero. One of my all-time favorites!