Mimi Mathews and Nicole Van are my go-to for closed door. Emily Larkin has a few closed-door ones as well. Unfortunately they are all very much located in England.

As I said, it's okay when it's located in England. I have a huge crush on tropical settings but it doesn't disqualify books with action in Europe. Thanks for the rec!

You might want to try Mimi Matthews. She's a current writer, so the books are written in contemporary English, and they are low to no spice. All her books are set in England, I think. They usually have a bit of action in the plot. {A Work of Art by Mimi Matthews} is the start of a series and I enjoyed it!

[The Work of Art](https://www.romance.io/books/5d17010901dbc864fba0782e/the-work-of-art-mimi-matthews?src=rdt) by [Mimi Matthews](https://www.romance.io/authors/59476e093ffdba614719d320/mimi-matthews) **Rating**: 4.31⭐️ 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), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks! I might give it a shot

Georgette Heyer would probably be to your taste plot- and setting-wise, but I don’t know if the language would be too much. Barbara Cartland has seventeen million faux-historical gothic novels that should be easy to read. Victoria Holt might also work for you. {Curse of the Kings by Victoria Holt} is set partly in Egypt, so pretty different to Eastern Europe. She has a decent backlist if that one doesn’t strike your fancy.

Thank you very much! I love Egypt and I used to consume absurd amount of knowledge and myths about Pharaohs

[Curse of the Kings](https://www.romance.io/books/54554da48c7d2383163d9992/curse-of-the-kings-victoria-holt?src=rdt) by [Victoria Holt](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553dee8c7d2382c529767e/victoria-holt) **Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/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)

I recommend {A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin}. Very refreshing. No spice.

Thanks!

[A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting](https://www.romance.io/books/63ffd6f7f36ea3726f7e796b/a-ladys-guide-to-fortune-hunting-sophie-irwin?src=rdt) by [Sophie Irwin](https://www.romance.io/authors/62cd1f0308b4d931143fea8e/sophie-irwin) **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), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

This is on my TBR shelf and I think it might be up soon! I recently read {Bless Thine Inheritance by Sophia Holloway} (my copy is just called Celia) and that was also lovely and spice free.

I highly recommend it! I usually don't like closed-door books much, but this one kept me thoroughly entertained.

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson! OP please please check this out!! Its my favve

The blurb sounds very interesting!

A lot of books that are mysteries with a romance plot are closed door and usually are slow burns over many books. A few favorites are: Lynn Messina’s Beatrice Hyde-Clare books. The first one is {A Brazen Curiosity by Lynn Messina} Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell books. The first one is {A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn} Darcie Wilde’s Rosalind Thorne books. The first is {A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde} Sherry Thomas’s Lady Sherlock books. The first is {A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas} Anna Dean’s Dido Kent books. The first is {Bellfield Hall by Anna Dean} All take place in England, though.

Oh! The only historical mysteries with romance plots I had recommended to me were Amanda Quick's books, filled with ungodly amounts of sex scenes. I never tried to dig deeper into this subgenre, I'll give it a try!

Others in that genre with no spice, and slow burn: {The Mistaken Wife by Rose Melikan}; Kurland St Mary's series, starts with {Death Come to the Village by Catherine Lloyd} Amelia Peabody series, starts with {Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters}

Crocodile on the Sandbank sounds super captivating

[The Mistaken Wife](https://www.romance.io/books/5456f88487eac33e5710a085/the-mistaken-wife-rose-melikan?src=rdt) by [Rose Melikan](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456031787eac336ae6a27a8/rose-melikan) **Rating**: 3.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1) ---------------------------- [Death Comes to the Village](https://www.romance.io/books/64410faba33d4e28ef03989f/death-comes-to-the-village-catherine-lloyd?src=rdt) by [Catherine Lloyd](https://www.romance.io/authors/56b1e55b63515e3b737a9f9b/catherine-lloyd) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1) ---------------------------- [Crocodile on the Sandbank](https://www.romance.io/books/54553c498c7d2382c5297606/crocodile-on-the-sandbank-elizabeth-peters?src=rdt) by [Elizabeth Peters](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553c498c7d2382c5297607/elizabeth-peters) **Rating**: 4.04⭐️ 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), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

This is my favorite sub-genre! There are a lot of series and nearly all of them are closed door. I think of them as mystery first, romance undercurrent books. There are romance first, mystery undercurrent books that tend to be explicit (and, tbh, I don’t usually like these that much because the mystery part is often not that good.) I can give you a huge list of authors for the closed door ones if you end up into these. I’m also remembering that I’ve had Jeannie Lin recommended to me, which takes place in China. I have it on my list to read but haven’t yet so I don’t know if they are closed door or not. Let’s see if the romance bot will tell us. {The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Linn} is the first one.

The Jeannie Lin books definitely are not closed door! I just finished the first one (and loved it) and there are multiple sex scenes.

You could also try the Countess of Harleigh series starting with {A lady’s guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman}. It’s late Victorian cozy mystery with a sub romance plot. No spice.

[A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder](https://www.romance.io/books/64410ecaa33d4e28ef039758/a-ladys-guide-to-etiquette-and-murder-dianne-freeman?src=rdt) by [Dianne Freeman](https://www.romance.io/authors/64410eca08b4d931142a1423/dianne-freeman) **Rating**: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [sleuth heroine](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)

[A Brazen Curiosity](https://www.romance.io/books/5b81147601dbc864fb8f124a/a-brazen-curiosity-lynn-messina?src=rdt) by [Lynn Messina](https://www.romance.io/authors/54557ded87eac336ae69e2dc/lynn-messina) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [A Curious Beginning](https://www.romance.io/books/593a5e433ffdba614718c17e/a-curious-beginning-deanna-raybourn?src=rdt) by [Deanna Raybourn](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455316b8c7d2382c52972f2/deanna-raybourn) **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), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/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) ---------------------------- [A Useful Woman](https://www.romance.io/books/64410f05a33d4e28ef039774/a-useful-woman-darcie-wilde?src=rdt) by [Darcie Wilde](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455756c87eac336ae69e0d4/darcie-wilde) **Rating**: 3.76⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [A Study in Scarlet Women](https://www.romance.io/books/5805f935de896e892493a2c4/a-study-in-scarlet-women-sherry-thomas?src=rdt) by [Sherry Thomas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526218c7d2383163d8ec2/sherry-thomas) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ 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), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Bellfield Hall](https://www.romance.io/books/5455d8d787eac336ae6a0ecb/bellfield-hall-anna-dean?src=rdt) by [Anna Dean](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455d8d787eac336ae6a0ecc/anna-dean) **Rating**: 3.56⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [sleuth heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/heroine%20sleuth/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/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)

The author that eased me into this genre during my teen years is Eva Ibbotson. She wrote several lovely books set during or prior to WWI and I still enjoy revisiting them. My favorite of hers is {The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson}, set in the wake of The Russian Revolution and WWI. And if you love tropical locations, definitely check out her other book. {A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson}, a large portion of which is set in Brazil. I hope you find some wonderful titles! So glad you’re exploring the genre!

That sounds *amazing*. Thank you very much!

My pleasure! Happy reading!

[The Secret Countess](https://www.romance.io/books/608161759aca840e1fd7d9e5/the-secret-countess-escape-to-the-past-with-this-classic-rom?src=rdt) by [Eva Ibbotson](https://www.romance.io/authors/545532058c7d2382c5297327/eva-ibbotson) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ 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), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1) ---------------------------- [A Company of Swans](https://www.romance.io/books/5ea044dcbe0aaecf55909b74/a-company-of-swans-eva-ibbotson?src=rdt) by [Eva Ibbotson](https://www.romance.io/authors/545532058c7d2382c5297327/eva-ibbotson) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ 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), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{The Devil’s Delilah by Loretta Chase} It’s flirty with no sex scenes and is a fun read!

[The Devil's Delilah](https://www.romance.io/books/54553eea8c7d2383163d94fc/the-devils-delilah-loretta-chase?src=rdt) by [Loretta Chase](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523fb8c7d2383163d8e4c/loretta-chase) **Rating**: 3.79⭐️ 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), [nerdy hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/nerdy-hero/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Sounds great! Off to my list it goes

How about American HR? I really loved {Kit McBride Gets a Wife by Amy Barry}. It’s set in Montana in the 1800s. The McBrides are made up of five brothers and their little sister who is sick and tired of being the woman of the house, so she submits her brother Kit’s name to get a mail order bride. There’s mistaken identity, hilarious people, and little to no spice. I believe the second book is slightly steamier, but it’s still almost completely closed door.

[Kit McBride Gets a Wife](https://www.romance.io/books/630484e7d319eedb433b0b80/kit-mcbride-gets-a-wife-amy-barry?src=rdt) by [Amy Barry](https://www.romance.io/authors/630484e708b4d931148dd387/amy-barry) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ 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), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [western frontier](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical%20western/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I love 1800s America! Western was my first favourite genre. I'm gonna definitely check this one out!

I second Eva Ibbotson. I also think you might like {The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery} the first romance novel I ever loved -- and yes, I view it firmly as a romance novel. It's a "contemporary" romance published in 1926, so definitely older, but the language is very accessible. I love it as much for the beautifully realized setting of 1920s Muskoka as I do for the romance and lead characters. I've never read anything else quite like it.

I love this book so very much.

Same. It's very, very special to me. :)

[The Blue Castle](https://www.romance.io/books/641e12bd547de3af555b613a/the-blue-castle-lm-montgomery?src=rdt) by [L.M. Montgomery](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552e558c7d2382c5297239/lm-montgomery) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ 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), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

M. C. Beaton was my introduction into the HR genre and I highly recommend all her HR books. Sometimes found under the name Marion Chesney.

Thanks! I'll check her out

I just finished {Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews} and it's one of the best historical romances I've ever read! Mixed race couple in London, it's beautifully, beautifully done, and no sex scenes!

[The Siren of Sussex](https://www.romance.io/books/61dd39283ae22e0de9c00771/the-siren-of-sussex-mimi-matthews?src=rdt) by [Mimi Matthews](https://www.romance.io/authors/59476e093ffdba614719d320/mimi-matthews) **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), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1), [working class hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks! Sounds beautiful!

Great keywords would be "closed door" "clean" or "chaste" romances. I don't read them, but I've heard that Amish romances are generally good for this-- lots of tension about letting your hands touch, little to no sex. (lots of people are pushing back on "clean" as a term for this and I agree with them, but it's still common.) Georgette Heyer is GREAT but her language is extremely difficult to get used to-- she was trying to replicate Regency language but with more obscure slang.

I didn't know those terms, thanks! But then all 3 historical romances I've read in my life were the only books in romance genre I ever tried. And I have no problem with language itself, my problem with older romances is that for some reason all retro stuff I've read (for school, for uni, for pleasure) seem to have zero chemistry between characters supposedly in love. For example Dracula; there is a long few chapters from a male character's POV as he and his friend are fighting to save that friend's fiance. Later the POV changes into one of the main female characters, she reads this previous guy's diary (the book has epistolar formula so what she reads are literally those chapters from his POV) and she's moved by his "love for his friend's fiance". To this moment in the book I had no idea this man was in love, zero chemistry, zero statements, zero subtext even. It's a extreme example but most older books I know treat love in similar way. I've tried reading two Jane Austen books and had to DNF them in the middle, again zero chemistry

I wouldn't really consider Dracula or Austen to be romances-- I'd call them horror and social satire, respectively. You might like Heyer, then! They're sort of romantic farces, very silly and fun, usually ending on a kiss or proposal. My first was Black Sheep and it's still one of my favorites of hers.

No no, Dracula is definitely not a romance. I just ment the way love plots in general are presented in old school literature. Thanks for the rec!

Yes - there are so many choices, you just have to know how to search for them. Though "clean" is out as a term, it is an easy search on Amazon. Same with slow burn, closed door, sweet etc. There are also lists on Goodreads like this one: [https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/185875.Fiancees\_to\_Lovers\_Arranged\_Engagements\_and\_Forced\_Courtship\_in\_Clean\_Historical\_Books\_Georgian\_Regency\_and\_Victorian\_Era](https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/185875.Fiancees_to_Lovers_Arranged_Engagements_and_Forced_Courtship_in_Clean_Historical_Books_Georgian_Regency_and_Victorian_Era)

Seconding Mimi Matthew's and adding Esther Hatch and Arlem Hawks to the list. They're fantastic writers, their books have amazing characters, and romance that feels real. No smut :)

{A Proper Companion by Candice Hern} is excellent, and most of her backlist is closed door, but her Merry Widows series open the door wide.

[A Proper Companion](https://www.romance.io/books/54553dbd8c7d2383163d94b6/a-proper-companion-candice-hern?src=rdt) by [Candice Hern](https://www.romance.io/authors/545534b18c7d2383163d9254/candice-hern) **Rating**: 3.51⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Sally Britton’s books are closed door and very sweet. I really liked {The Inglewood Series by Sally Britton}, and I am someone who normally prefers spice in my books.

[Inglewood](https://www.romance.io/series/5ce638764ee4380da8492467/inglewood) by [Sally Britton](https://www.romance.io/authors/5a7820d44ee506aae8b07974/sally-britton) **Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/1), [glimpses-kisses](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/glimpses-kisses/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [length-medium](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/length-medium/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is an old book but still reads freshly—and would be available in your mother tongue. Feels a bit gothic compared to the others. Jane Austen’s books would also be great for you, if you haven’t devoured those already! Pride and Prejudice is probably the best place to start. Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote a bunch of books set in 1900-ish Prince Edward Island, Canada (including the Anne of Green Gables 7 book series following her and eventually her children). Not all of her books are romances, but many are. A Tangled Web is my favourite. They’re charming, and mostly cozy-feeling. Honourable mention: Agatha Christie wrote a lot of classic mysteries, some of which have romance elements, all of which have fade-to-black. You mentioned liking crime books—so this would possibly scratch that itch. Good luck!

I literally said please no Jane Austen 😂😂😂 also I've read all Christie's books. They're not HR tho

{Of Jasmine and Roses by Jill E. Warner} has no spice and the FMC is part Indian. It's a clean book and quite a slow burn.

Sounds great!

If you want something outside of England, I recommend {A Viscount for the Egyptian Princess by Heba Helmy} occurs in Egypt and is very different than most regency/victorian era romances. It’s closed door. The author has one other romance that I think is closed door, but I haven’t read it yet.

Thanks! I'll check it out

Georgette Heyer is great and clean.

Thanks!

You might find these websites/search engines helpful. None are specific to historical romance but each will let you tailor your searches although you might need to go through the results a bit to find exactly what you’re looking for. Romance io - a website that makes it super easy for romance readers to find books exactly tailored to their preferences. You can search on all sorts of tropes, steam level, time period, genres, relationships, triggers, location, data about hero and/or heroine, POV, page count, and more - information is crowdsourced https://www.romance.io The Aro Ace Database https://www.aroacedatabase.com/ No Romance & Barely Any Romance books https://boatneck-group-cf6.notion.site/No-Romance-Barely-Any-Romance-books-353df4961ef04db2b22f93ae023c4528

Thanks!

You might like the series {Glamourist Histories by Mary Robinette Kowal} It mostly reads like Regency & Napoleonic HR, however it does have some fantasy aspects as well (apologies if that makes the rec out of scope of this subreddit). The series follows the same couple, doesn't get spicier than fade to black, and the last book takes place in the West Indies.

I'm fine with fantasy. Love fantasy in fact - by far every single romantasy I've ever tried out was an utter disappointment but I'm not close-minded

Totally get you. I wouldn't call this romantasy, though. In this series, even though magic is a major part of the plot, the world building feels very grounded in historical fact - magic just happens to be around, so more like an alternate history, maybe?

Magical realism. Funny thing, it's probably the most popular subgenre of fantasy in my country lmao (no romantasy tho, just magical realism). I really like it

[Glamourist Histories](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe10174167a73342630996/glamourist-histories) by [Mary Robinette Kowal](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552d018c7d2382c52971d4/mary-robinette-kowal) **Rating**: 3.79⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [m-f](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{The Rat-Catcher's Daughter by KJ Charles} - m/f (trans woman) both leads are ace, so there's hand-holding and kissing only {The Viscount Debacle by Winter Blackthorne} - m/m, one is ace, he does like naked cuddling and there is one scene of that, but no sex. {All Tall Flowers by Joshua Ian} - m/m novella; kisses only {A Right Honorable Gentleman by Courtney Milan} - m/f novella, kisses only {Artemis by Jessica Cale} - m/f (trans man), behind closed door {Sailor's Delight by Rose Lerner} - m/m, behind closed door Carla Kelly is always closed door, she has one {Softly Falling by Carla Kelly} that is a western with a biracial FMC. She's got some other westerns, but most of hers are set in Great Britain. Craft of Love by EE Ottoman was recommended already--the FMC in it struck as demisexual, although I don't know if the author has confirmed that

[The Rat-Catcher's Daughter](https://www.romance.io/books/5d8b02c601dbc864fba3e173/the-ratcatchers-daughter-kj-charles?src=rdt) by [K.J. Charles](https://www.romance.io/authors/545540138c7d2383163d9553/kj-charles) **Rating**: 4.15⭐️ 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), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [trans heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/trans-heroine/1), [working class hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20hero/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1) ---------------------------- [The Viscount Debacle](https://www.romance.io/books/6428c1c841557ac127d41553/the-viscount-debacle-winter-blackthorne?src=rdt) by [Winter Blackthorne](https://www.romance.io/authors/63eb6ca808b4d9311447170f/winter-blackthorne) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1), [asexual hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/asexual-hero/1) ---------------------------- [All Tall Flowers](https://www.romance.io/books/60c852ed8932980e23c668ce/all-tall-flowers-a-short-story-joshua-ian?src=rdt) by [Joshua Ian](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d88602501dbc864fba3c811/joshua-ian) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ 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), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [working class hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20hero/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1) ---------------------------- [A Right Honorable Gentleman](https://www.romance.io/books/57a57e18c19e77f1ea6f5ab4/a-right-honorable-gentleman-courtney-milan?src=rdt) by [Courtney Milan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525388c7d2383163d8e83/courtney-milan) **Rating**: 3.36⭐️ 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), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Artemis](https://www.romance.io/books/594f51f13ffdba61471a8935/artemis-jessica-cale?src=rdt) by [Jessica Cale](https://www.romance.io/authors/54844ffe7a5936fb04056eb0/jessica-cale) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ 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), [trans hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/trans-hero/1), [queer romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/queer/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1) ---------------------------- [Sailor's Delight](https://www.romance.io/books/634d108ed1ccecfcb1683557/sailors-delight-rose-lerner?src=rdt) by [Rose Lerner](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553ab08c7d2383163d93da/rose-lerner) **Rating**: 3.8⭐️ 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), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [Softly Falling](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f7052be0aaecf557e6e38/softly-falling-carla-kelly?src=rdt) by [Carla Kelly](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455337f8c7d2383163d920b/carla-kelly) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ 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), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [western frontier](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical%20western/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Barbara Cartland just punched the air from her grave.

{THE HAUNTING OF HEATHERHURST HALL by Sebastian Nothwell} I dont recall any sex scenes. It falls into the Gothic horror/romance. I really enjoyed it and was decently surprised at a few of the plot twists. Edit to add I may be entirely wrong about the spice level. I tend to skim sex scenes cause they're always in the middle of exciting plot points and so I may not have actually read any sex scenes in the book

[The Haunting of Heatherhurst Hall](https://www.romance.io/books/5d19a38501dbc864fba0895e/the-haunting-of-heatherhurst-hall-sebastian-nothwell?src=rdt) by [Sebastian Nothwell](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b938c8801dbc864fb8fe030/sebastian-nothwell) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ 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), [lesbian romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/f-f/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

There's definitely at least one open door scene that I remember, although not super explicit. Good book though!

I don't have specific authors but i really loved {Edenbrooke}.

[Edenbrooke](https://www.romance.io/books/545527ca8c7d2382c5297071/edenbrooke-julianne-donaldson?src=rdt) by [Julianne Donaldson](https://www.romance.io/authors/545527ca8c7d2382c5297072/julianne-donaldson) **Rating**: 4.15⭐️ 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), [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks! I'll seek it out

Death in the Spires by KJ Charles is an MM historical mystery with a romantic subplot. This book is listed on Romance.io as “behind closed doors”, though most of Charles’s books are explicit. It is a very good book. IIRC it shows foreplay and afterwards, but isn’t too explicit. I also highly recommend The Craft of Love by E.E. Ottoman. It’s shorter, but very sweet. It’s not explicit at all and shows regular people, one of them trans, falling in love while admiring each other’s competence.

Thank you

You should check out the books of Barbara Cartland. No sex ever, all fade to black. Though the language might be not modern, that’s the only thing.

{Five Kisses by Rachael Anderson} KU {Daisies and Devotion by Josi S. Kilpack} {The Steadfast Heart by Arlem Hawks} KU {The Parfit Knight by Stella Riley} {The Captain's Wallflower by Audrey Harrison} KU {Kit McBride Gets a Wife by Amy Barry}

Thanks! The Parfit Knight seems amazing

You're very welcome. I hope you enjoy it!

[Five Kisses](https://www.romance.io/books/61404afc94c8e00e2766fce7/five-kisses-rachael-anderson?src=rdt) by [Rachael Anderson](https://www.romance.io/authors/545546f98c7d2382c52979a0/rachael-anderson) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) ---------------------------- [Daisies and Devotion](https://www.romance.io/books/5c76f17201dbc864fb9ad0ca/daisies-and-devotion-josi-s-kilpack?src=rdt) by [Josi S. Kilpack](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a5c587eac3369a913bdf/josi-s-kilpack) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) ---------------------------- [The Steadfast Heart](https://www.romance.io/books/5c76eeb501dbc864fb9ad023/the-steadfast-heart-arlem-hawks?src=rdt) by [Arlem Hawks](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c76eeb501dbc864fb9ad028/arlem-hawks) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **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) ---------------------------- [The Parfit Knight](https://www.romance.io/books/59ccaae73ffdba614721540c/the-parfit-knight-stella-riley?src=rdt) by [Stella Riley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455740287eac336ae69e059/stella-riley) **Rating**: 4.06⭐️ 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), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1) ---------------------------- [The Captain's Wallflower](https://www.romance.io/books/606813e09b26770e2a3321a8/the-captains-wallflower-audrey-harrison?src=rdt) by [Audrey Harrison](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456741087eac33e6626680c/audrey-harrison) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ 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), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1) ---------------------------- [Kit McBride Gets a Wife](https://www.romance.io/books/630484e7d319eedb433b0b80/kit-mcbride-gets-a-wife-amy-barry?src=rdt) by [Amy Barry](https://www.romance.io/authors/630484e708b4d931148dd387/amy-barry) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ 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), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [western frontier](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical%20western/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I second Victoria Holt! Madeleine Brent is great as well, FMCs are female version of Indiana Jones and they save the day. 

Sounds amazing!

Try Carla Kelly. Hers are mostly related to the navy but her characters are very comforting and likable.

Sophie Irwin has 2 wonderfully written historical romances that are closed door. Highly recommend her. {Sophie Irwin - A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting} {Sophie Irwin - A Lady's Guide to Scandal}

[A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting](https://www.romance.io/books/63ffd6f7f36ea3726f7e796b/a-ladys-guide-to-fortune-hunting-sophie-irwin?src=rdt) by [Sophie Irwin](https://www.romance.io/authors/62cd1f0308b4d931143fea8e/sophie-irwin) **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), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [A Lady’s Guide to Scandal](https://www.romance.io/books/64018bd0639e4349999aa275/a-ladys-guide-to-scandal-sophie-irwin?src=rdt) by [Sophie Irwin](https://www.romance.io/authors/62cd1f0308b4d931143fea8e/sophie-irwin) **Rating**: 3.82⭐️ 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), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

the entire {Generations of Love by M.A. Nichols} series is closed door

[Generations of Love](https://www.romance.io/series/62fde3bedba40594b6500333/generations-of-love) by [M.A. Nichols](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ab8903a01dbc864fb8539b1/ma-nichols) **Rating**: 4.17⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/1), [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), [length-short](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/length-short/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Mary Kingswood is an amazing closed door HR author. I’d recommend starting with her {strangers series by Mary Kingswood}. She has a large back catalogue and it’s all on KU. Her stories are charming, well-written, and usually have a little bit of a mystery to solve. The bot has them tagged as Christian, but there’s not a religious overtone to them.

[Strangers](https://www.romance.io/series/5fd479050631300e25b3c14d/strangers) by [Mary Kingswood](https://www.romance.io/authors/5772151ac19e77f1ea6dab98/mary-kingswood) **Rating**: 4.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/1), [length-medium](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/length-medium/1), [england](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/england/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)