Cover of The Scottish Boy

The Scottish Boy

Alex de Campi

historical romance(5k)

An English knight captures a feral Scottish boy — and slowly loses his heart to him in 1333.

Content Warnings
violence/goredeath of loved one

Description

1333. Edward III is at war with Scotland. Nineteen-year-old Sir Harry de Lyon yearns to prove himself, and jumps at the chance when a powerful English baron, William Montagu, invites him on a secret mission with a dozen elite knights. They ride north, to a crumbling Scottish keep, capturing the feral, half-starved boy within and putting the other inhabitants to the sword.But nobody knows why the flower of English knighthood snuck over the border to capture a savage, dirty teenage boy. Montagu gives the boy to Harry as his squire, with only two rules: don't let him escape, and convert him to the English cause.At first, it's hopeless. The Scottish boy is surly and violent, and eats anything that isn't nailed down. Then Harry begins to notice things: that, as well as Gaelic, the boy speaks flawless French, with an accent much different from Harry's Norman one. That he can read Latin too. And when Harry finally convinces the boy – Iain mac Maíl Coluim – to cut his filthy curtain of hair, the face revealed is the most beautiful thing Harry has ever seen.With Iain as his squire, Harry wins tournament after tournament and becomes a favourite of the King. But underneath the pageantry smoulder twin secrets: Harry and Iain's growing passion for each other, and Iain's mysterious heritage. As England hurtles towards war once again, these secrets will destroy everything Harry holds dear.

Books like this

Cover of One Indulgence

One Indulgence

Lydia Gastrell

historical romanceIndulgence #1
(897)

One stolen night between a lord bound for marriage and a man who wants forever — but duty stands between them.

forbidden romancesecret relationshipmorally grey hero

9 tropes in common

Cover of The Sea Ain't Mine Alone

The Sea Ain't Mine Alone

C.L. Beaumont

historical romance
(1k)

A Vietnam vet chasing surf glory finds something worth living for when a mysterious champion steps up beside him.

forbidden romancemorally grey heroreluctant hero

8 tropes in common

Cover of The Wolf and His King

The Wolf and His King

Finn Longman

historical romance
(1k)

A knight hiding his wolf-curse must give fealty to a lonely king who begins to long for more than counsel.

forbidden romancemorally grey heroreluctant hero

8 tropes in common

Cover of Romancing the Scot

Romancing the Scot

May McGoldrick

historical romanceThe Pennington Family #1
(702)

A grieving Scottish lord discovers a half-dead mystery woman in a crate — and she's hiding more than her identity.

forced proximitymorally grey heroreluctant hero

6 tropes in common

Cover of Halfling

Halfling

S.E. Wendel

romantasyMonstrous World #1
(7k)

A gentle half-orc outcast saves a captured human woman — then they run for their lives together.

captor/captiveforbidden romanceforced proximity

8 tropes in common

Cover of Texas Destiny (Texas Trilogy, #1)

Texas Destiny (Texas Trilogy, #1)

Lorraine Heath

historical romanceTexas Trilogy #1
(9k)

He was sent to escort his brother's mail-order bride — and lost his heart on the three-week journey.

forbidden romanceforced proximityreluctant hero

8 tropes in common

Cover of Seize the Fire

Seize the Fire

Laura Kinsale

historical romance
(2k)

A naive princess hires a disgraced war hero to escort her home — and he's the worst man she could trust with her heart.

forced proximityreluctant hero

7 tropes in common

Cover of Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold

Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold

Ellen O'Connell

historical romance
(13k)

Found alone together in 1885 Colorado, an outcast rancher and a spinster must decide if a forced marriage can become rea

forced proximityreluctant hero

7 tropes in common

Cover of Eirik

Eirik

Joanna Bell

historical romanceMists of Albion #1
(1k)

A modern woman is captured by a Viking berserker after time-travelling into a raid — and falls for her captor.

captor/captiveforbidden romanceforced proximity

10 tropes in common

Cover of Comanche Moon (Comanche, #1)

Comanche Moon (Comanche, #1)

Catherine Anderson

historical romanceComanche #1
(10k)

A Comanche warrior kidnaps the mute woman he believes is his prophesied destiny — but she sees only her enemy.

captor/captiveforbidden romanceforced proximity

9 tropes in common

Cover of Briarley

Briarley

Aster Glenn Gray

historical romance
(1k)

A WWII-era parson stumbles into a cursed manor and slowly falls for the dragon-man trapped within.

forbidden romanceforced proximitymorally grey hero

7 tropes in common

Cover of Queen Charlotte

Queen Charlotte

Julia Quinn

historical romanceBridgerton
(46k)

A headstrong German princess falls for a king who keeps her at arm's length — and hides a world-altering secret.

forbidden romancereluctant hero

6 tropes in common

Cover of Exit, Pursued by a Baron

Exit, Pursued by a Baron

Aydra Richards

historical romanceThe Beaumonts #1
(962)

Reunited after five years apart, a baron and the actress he exiled play a dangerous game of revenge — and old desire.

forbidden romancesecret relationshipmorally grey hero

8 tropes in common

Cover of Daindreth's Assassin

Daindreth's Assassin

Elisabeth Wheatley

romantasyDaindreth's Assassin #1
(8k)

An assassin sent to kill a cursed archduke discovers only she can save his soul — if she doesn't lose her heart first.

captor/captiveforbidden romanceforced proximity

8 tropes in common

Cover of Terra Feliz: Vanity

Terra Feliz: Vanity

Ginny Bryce

historical romance
(71)

Married to a stranger, Madeleine finds forbidden love on a remote island — but danger closes in from all sides.

forbidden romancesecret relationshipmorally grey hero

6 tropes in common

Cover of The Queer Principles of Kit Webb

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb

Cat Sebastian

historical romanceLondon Highwaymen #1
(12k)

A reformed highwayman teaches a posh lord to rob — and they steal far more than they planned.

forced proximityreluctant hero

6 tropes in common

Cover of When the Duke Was Wicked

When the Duke Was Wicked

Lorraine Heath

historical romanceScandalous Gentlemen of St. James #1
(9k)

A grieving rake helps his childhood friend spot fortune hunters — and falls for her instead.

reluctant hero

6 tropes in common

Cover of A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

Foz Meadows

romantasyThe Tithenai Chronicles #1
(12k)

Two men from rival nations are forced into a political marriage — and into each other's hearts.

forbidden romanceforced proximitymorally grey hero

9 tropes in common

Cover of Servant of Earth

Servant of Earth

Sarah Hawley

romantasyThe Shards of Magic #1
(16k)

A feral human servant must survive six deadly fae trials — and a forbidden rebellion — to win her freedom.

captor/captiveforbidden romancetournament/trial/competition

8 tropes in common

Cover of If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers, #1)

If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers, #1)

Kresley Cole

historical romanceMacCarrick Brothers #1
(14k)

A Scottish mercenary kidnaps a Castilian noblewoman for revenge — and finds his heart spellbound instead.

captor/captiveforbidden romanceforced proximity

9 tropes in common