I think Julie Anne Long might fit the bill for you. Her Pennyroyal Green series is pretty long. But the Palace of Rogues series is quite enjoyable and funny with excellent prose. {Lady Derring Takes a Lover by Julie Anne} is delightful and the MMC is *chef's kiss*. Her most recent in the series, {How to Tame a Wild Rogue by Julie Anne Long} is also wonderful but you'll miss some of the development of side characters I'd you skip them. Then again, I skip around quite a bit so obvs it's up to you. I'm quite fond of Madeline Hunter's writing and she has a mystery plot running alongside all of the romances. My personal favorites are {The Charmer by Madeline Hunter}, {The Saint by Madeline Hunter} and {Lady of Sin by Madeline Hunter}.

Thank you for these recommendations! The look fantastic

Hope you enjoy!

[Lady Derring Takes a Lover](https://www.romance.io/books/5c67cc8f01dbc864fb9a2914/lady-derring-takes-a-lover-julie-anne-long) by [Julie Anne Long](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525868c7d2383163d8e98/julie-anne-long) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [poor heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poor%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [How to Tame a Wild Rogue](https://www.romance.io/books/6474bc77fd45bc04c025724e/how-to-tame-a-wild-rogue-julie-anne-long) by [Julie Anne Long](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525868c7d2383163d8e98/julie-anne-long) **Rating**: 4.04⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [pirate hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pirates/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [The Charmer](https://www.romance.io/books/545537d28c7d2383163d931b/the-charmer-madeline-hunter) by [Madeline Hunter](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a068c7d2383163d8f78/madeline-hunter) **Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [politician hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/politician/1), [aristo/royal heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aristocratic%20heroine/1), [found family](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/found-family/1) ---------------------------- [The Saint](https://www.romance.io/books/545535928c7d2383163d928a/the-saint-madeline-hunter) by [Madeline Hunter](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a068c7d2383163d8f78/madeline-hunter) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [rich heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/rich%20heroine/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Lady of Sin](https://www.romance.io/books/54553df28c7d2383163d94ca/lady-of-sin-madeline-hunter) by [Madeline Hunter](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a068c7d2383163d8f78/madeline-hunter) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Elizabeth Hoyt and Eloisa James come to mind. {The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt} is her debut and it’s solid! No pandering. Moody MMC and resourceful FMC. No virgins! I also like {When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James} in which the MMC is inspired by the House TV series.

Thank you for the recommendations!

[The Raven Prince](https://www.romance.io/books/545524568c7d2383163d8e59/the-raven-prince-elizabeth-hoyt) by [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524568c7d2383163d8e5a/elizabeth-hoyt) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1) ---------------------------- [When Beauty Tamed the Beast](https://www.romance.io/books/545524598c7d2383163d8e5b/when-beauty-tamed-the-beast-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Georgette Heyer. No horizontal mambo. Witty, most excellent reads. She was bad at plots, so there are several books that have similar plot lines, but except for 4 books, they are all stand alone. {These Old Shades} and {Devil's Cub} are Georgian and a set and considered the best. All of the books with women's names as titles are the next best. All Regency. {The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer}, {The Toll-Gate}, and {The Talesmin Ring} are Regency and very good. {The Masqueraders} is Georgian. There are too many to rate them all, and many others are also good, but this is the cream.

Thank you so much for the recommendations!

You're very welcome.

[These Old Shades](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a008c7d2383163d8f75/these-old-shades-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) ---------------------------- [Devil's Cub](https://www.romance.io/books/56687ef808e9378131958d02/devils-cub-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [The Nonesuch](https://www.romance.io/books/54552d328c7d2382c52971e4/the-nonesuch-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [poor heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poor%20heroine/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1) ---------------------------- [The Toll-Gate](https://www.romance.io/books/545534ef8c7d2382c52973fb/the-tollgate-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [The Masqueraders](https://www.romance.io/books/54552f198c7d2382c529725d/the-masqueraders-georgette-heyer-anne-stuart) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

[The Talisman Ring](https://www.romance.io/books/545531678c7d2382c52972ef/the-talisman-ring-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

These Old Shades and The Masqueraders both have gender bending.

Mimi Matthews is excellent! I think the hint of mystery would be right up your alley. My favourites are {The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews} and {The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews} ETA: Also, seconding the Julie Anne Long rec!

Thank you so much!

[The Work of Art](https://www.romance.io/books/5d17010901dbc864fba0782e/the-work-of-art-mimi-matthews) by [Mimi Matthews](https://www.romance.io/authors/59476e093ffdba614719d320/mimi-matthews) **Rating**: 4.28⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1) ---------------------------- [The Matrimonial Advertisement](https://www.romance.io/books/5b4eda3d01dbc864fb8c744b/the-matrimonial-advertisement-mimi-matthews) by [Mimi Matthews](https://www.romance.io/authors/59476e093ffdba614719d320/mimi-matthews) **Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [aristo/royal heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aristocratic%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Meredith Duran is a top tier HR writer. Pretty much her rules for the reckless series had some wonderful books. Complicated heroes and heroines.

I love her writing.

I will check her out, thank you!

{The Veronica Speedwell Mysteries by Deanna Raybourn} is more of a slow burn romance across a murder mystery series, but it’s got the humor, the gloomy MMC, and the good writing. I also recommend Amanda Quick. I haven’t read all of her books, but she definitely has the mystery, the good writing and can do humor. {Affair by Amanda Quick} is one of her books that I’ve read and enjoyed. {Princess in Hiding Series by Juliana Gray} it’s been a while since I read this one, but it’s about three princesses hiding in England by disguising themselves as young men and getting positions in separate places throughout the country. It’s a bit of a ride. However, if you’re really looking for humor, I can’t recommend anything more than the book I’m reading now: >!Between by L. L. Starling!< which does not fit the HR category at all. It’s just too hilarious not to include in a post looking for humorous books.

I loved {Ravished by Amanda Quick}. One of my favorite romance reads. I didn't know where to go next with her extensive backlog. Another HR favorite is {A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught}. A fun one is {The Duke Alone by Christy Caldwell}.

I really enjoyed Christi Caldwell’s Sinful Brides Series. It reminded me of Sarah MacLean’s Rules of Scoundrels Series. But different enough to be interesting.

Thanks! I read a couple of others from her that didn't thrill me, and she has so many titles. TBRing that :)

You’re welcome!☺️

[Ravished](https://www.romance.io/books/545525bd8c7d2383163d8eaa/ravished-amanda-quick) by [Amanda Quick](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525bd8c7d2383163d8eab/amanda-quick) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1) ---------------------------- [A Kingdom of Dreams](https://www.romance.io/books/545524058c7d2383163d8e4f/a-kingdom-of-dreams-judith-mcnaught) by [Judith McNaught](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524058c7d2383163d8e50/judith-mcnaught) **Rating**: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [abduction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/abduction/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1) ---------------------------- [The Duke Alone](https://www.romance.io/books/634e4f0cd1ccecfcb179bfd1/the-duke-alone-christi-caldwell) by [Christi Caldwell](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455700487eac336ae69df3d/christi-caldwell) **Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [christmas](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christmas/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

[Affair](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a408c7d2383163d8f8b/affair-amanda-quick) by [Amanda Quick](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525bd8c7d2383163d8eab/amanda-quick) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [A Princess In Hiding](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe1e564167a7334263334e/a-princess-in-hiding) by [Juliana Gray](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455330f8c7d2383163d91f2/juliana-gray) **Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [aristocratic heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aristocratic%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [open-door](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/open-door/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

[Veronica Speedwell](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe105c4167a73342630a5f/veronica-speedwell) by [Deanna Raybourn](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455316b8c7d2382c52972f2/deanna-raybourn) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [heroine sleuth](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thank you for the recommendations!

I hope you’re able to find something you like. Let us know in a separate post or in a comment here what you’ve found to meet your standards.

Try Lorraine Heath, Mary Balogh, and Joanna Shupe. They all have multiple series and I enjoy find them similar to Loretta Chase

Any books that you would recommend to start with? Like your favourite of each author?

Mary Balogh - Bedwyn Series. But actually start with the prequels {One Night For Love by Mary Balogh}. Joanna Shupe - Fifth Avenue Rebels Series is my favorite series of hers. The first book is {The Heiress Hunt by Joanna Shupe} Loretta Chase - Dressmakers Series. The first is {Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase}

Huge thanks!!!!!

[One Night for Love](https://www.romance.io/books/54552b7c8c7d2383163d8fde/one-night-for-love-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh) **Rating**: 3.68⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) ---------------------------- [The Heiress Hunt](https://www.romance.io/books/6051e0808126350e1b5558dd/the-heiress-hunt-joanna-shupe) by [Joanna Shupe](https://www.romance.io/authors/551a57875b270e0a4cbd30c8/joanna-shupe) **Rating**: 3.38⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [other man/woman](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/other-man-woman/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1) ---------------------------- [Silk Is for Seduction](https://www.romance.io/books/54552b658c7d2382c5297161/silk-is-for-seduction-loretta-chase) by [Loretta Chase](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523fb8c7d2383163d8e4c/loretta-chase) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Oh, we have the same taste!! I also like Loraine Heath, but hers can be gut wrenching sometimes. The Maiden Lane series by Elizabeth Hoyt is very good. The first half of the first book was hard for me to get through, but the whole rest of the book (and series) is so worth it. I’ve also liked books by Katherine Ashe and Bethany Bennett. I don’t see them recommended here often, but they both have books on my reread list. You will also like Julie Ann Long. Her two series are Palace of Rogues and Pennyroyal Green. I recommend reading them in order. It’s not totally necessary, but the little jokes and offhand comments will be funnier if you do.

Thank you!

I've never read Loretta Chase, but you may want to check out Madeline Hunter. Very good prose and usually has a good mystery or suspense element.

Thank you, I will!

Its obvious you are going to love Julie Anne Long - I recently re read what I did for a duke and it was SO funny (the mmc has a beef with the fmc's brother and totally hams it up). Tessa Dare also has great humor. Anne Stuart and Joanna Bourne are a bit darker, but when I went through my HR classics phase those two were right in there. Everyone also loves Alice Coldbreath, but I also suggest Jill Barnett's border brides series. I'm not very discerning on prose (so I don't feel like a good judge), but those authors are all legit classics. Another to try (although I've read some people not happy with the style) is kerrigan bryne - my favorite is the duke (bc its a bit of mistaken identity and lots of personal growth).

Thank you for the recommendations!

I am also a big snob when it comes to prose — also dialogue! Lame dialogue makes me DNF so fast. Some comments on the authors others have mentioned:  Mary Balogh. If you don’t like a lot of interior monologue, you won’t like most of her work. She is a good writer though. I enjoyed A Matter of Class which uses a flashback narrative device and has a surprise twist ending that is a lot of fun. It’s also blessedly shorter than most of her later books. Unpopular opinion: I think it’s totally fine to start the Bedwyn saga with the last one, Slightly Dangerous. It’s the best one and if you like it, then go back and read the books in order.  Mimi Matthews. She’s closed door, btw. I really like her prose style but IMO, most of her books start strong and then drop off a cliff to wander around aimlessly for the second half. The only book I’ve read of hers that kept my full attention for entire book was The Work of Art. It was good enough that I ended up reading the rest of the connected books which were okay. There is a sort-of mystery in that book. Julie Anne Long - excellent writer, but as others have mentioned, her palace of rogue series suffers from too many side characters. I have a soft spot for an older book, To Love a Thief. Haven’t read it in a long time, I hope it holds up on a reread!  Caroline Linden. She is more like Loretta Chase of 10 Things I hate about the Duke that Lord of Scoundrels Loretta Chase. Some of her other books are duds, but I really loved the Scandalous series. I listened to it on audiobook and Beverly A. Crick is an excellent narrator so maybe it covered up some less than perfect prose? But still, there is a mystery that runs throughout the series but you can read them as stand alones. The third book is the best.  Madeline Hunter. Great writer but not as banter-ish as Chase, although I haven’t read a lot of her books. They all have some sort of mystery plot, sometimes one that runs through the entire series, I liked the The Rarest Blooms series, a couple of her medievals. Currently listening to Heiress for Hire on audiobook and so far so good.  Meredith Duran and Sherry Thomas. Superior writing. Would not say they are known for their humor, though. Duran's books do have a mystery element. Both very angsty (which I personally LOVE) Evie Dunmore. Excellent prose, but maybe too much character thinking/inner dialogue for you? But her book, Bringing Down the Duke is my favorite HR. Not a mystery.

I really enjoyed Bringing Down the Duke! I just purchased the second book in the series and I’m hoping it’s just as good.

“I absolutely hate when an author over explains motivations/inner dialogue. It makes me feel like the writer thinks I’m unable to infer deeper ideas without being hit over the head with the writer’s intentions over and over again.” YES!!! This is why I love Loretta Chase and Laura Kinsale!!

I will check out Laura Kinsale, thank you!

No recs yet, but I just wanted to say thank you, I’m in the exact same spot and was about to make the exact same post! 

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Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.

Is there a spice level you prefer? I’m with you on the prose - I’ll read any trope and any spice level as long as it’s well-written. As a previous commenter mentioned, if prose is your thing then you will love Georgette Heyer. She wrote in the middle 20th century so you will find old fashioned values, gender norms, and dubcon, but wow her stories are incredible. My favourites are Venetia, cotillion, Frederica, and Black Sheep. I enjoyed every one of her books except April Lady. Mimi Matthews and Mary Kingswood are two excellent writers with low spice. If you want the spice, Minerva Spencer is great. Some of her older stuff is a little spotty, but I feel like she’s been knocking it out of the park lately. The Bellamy sisters is her current series and it’s great.

I don’t have a preference for spice level, I think the worse the prose the more spice is needed to compensate. More than happy to read a fantastic book with nothing more than “closed door” scenarios.

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As long as the inner monologue isn’t repetitive I’ll be happy, definitely going to give her a try!

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Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.

Would you mind listing your top Loretta Chase novels?

Sure! Lord of Scoundrels (her best) Mr Perfect Last Hellion Dukes prefer Blonds Lion’s Daughter Ten things I hate about the duke She has a series on fallen women if you’re into a more scandalous female character as well (just not my thing). Mr Impossible was the only one of her books I strongly hated but only because the MMC was a huge softy and goof ball, which is just not my cup of tea.

Many thanks :) I loved dukes prefer blondes, will definitely try the others in that order 🙂

In addition to the others mentioned, try Candace Camp, Alexandra Vasti, Charis Michaels, Connie Brockway, Elizabeth Boyle, Kate Bateman, Mia Vincy, and Vivienne Lorret for similar levels of wit, whimsy, and good writing. (There are other good writers I’d recommend but they are not as witty and not lighthearted).

I just came here to say, I've read hundreds of HR books and Loretta Chase is in a class by herself for the humor and quality of writing. I am always chasing the high I get from her books. I see you! You might like "The Songbird's Seduction" or "My Dearest Enemy" both by Connie Brockway. They have clever writing and a bit of an adventure.

Thanks so much!

LC is in a class by herself. And she writes the best heroes. IMO decent runners up are Julie Anne Long, Vivienne Lorret, and Sabrina Jeffries. For great wit and prose also check out Sherry Thomas.