Books like 'Wives and Daughters'
Readers who enjoyed Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
historical funny fantasy victorian sweet heroine nerdy-hero small town caretaking friends to lovers slow burn
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Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi Vol. 1 by 墨香铜臭, Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù
Wei Wuxian was once one of the most powerful men of his generation, a talented and clever young cultivator who harnessed martial arts and spirituality into powerful abilities. But when the horrors of war led him to seek more power through demonic cultivation, the world's respect for his abilities turned to fear, and his death was celebrated throughout the land... -
Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher
He’s a paladin of a dead god, tracking a supernatural killer across a continent. She’s a nun from a secretive order, on the trail of the raiders who burned her convent and kidnapped her sisters.When their paths cross at the point of a sword, Istvhan and Clara will be pitched headlong into each other’s quests, facing off against enemies both living and dead... -
The Unlovely Bride by Alice Coldbreath
Lenora Montmayne leads a charmed life as the most beautiful woman at King Wymer’s court, surrounded by admirers. And then disaster strikes. The red pox sweeps the summer palace at Caer-Lyones and Lenora’s fair face falls victim to its ravages. Without her looks, what does Lenora have left to her? If ever there was a knight the crowd loves to hate, it’s Garman Orde... -
Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland
Tam Becket has hated Lord Lyford since they were boys. The fact that he’s also been sleeping with the man for the last ten years is irrelevant. When they were both nine years old, Lyford smashed Tam’s entry into the village’s vegetable competition. Nearly twenty years later, Tam hasn’t forgiven the bastard...Categorized as:
hurt-comfort small town sweet-hero caretaking second chances friends to lovers fantasy m-m -
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His Forsaken Bride by Alice Coldbreath
Fenella Thane is a desperate woman. Her absentee husband of eight years has served her with divorce papers and she looks likely to lose her beloved home and be forced into a convent. There is just one slim chance to avoid this fate, one person of prominence at court who she knows has the ear of the King... -
A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn
Veronica Speedwell returns in another adventure filled with secrets and betrayal from Deanna Raybourn, the New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Julia Grey Mysteries. Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell is whisked off to a remote island off the tip of Cornwall when her natural historian colleague Stoker's brother calls in a favor...Categorized as:
victorian friends to lovers slow burn competent heroine heroine sleuth suspense mystery historical -
Emma by Jane Austen
'I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.' Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others...Categorized as:
friends to lovers slow burn small town independent heroine sweet-hero georgian clean historical -
Sent to a Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 4 by Jaclyn Osborn
Life's hard for a muffin lord.Between running a super successful business and falling deeper in love with his men, all the while fretting over a possible war between two kingdoms, Evan has a lot on his plate. With the coming of spring, a festival is held in the kingdom, and Evan is asked to join the celebration. A nice distraction from everything else going on... -
A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn
Veronica must find and stop a devious killer when a group of old friends is targeted for death in this new adventure from the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated author Deanna Raybourn.Veronica's natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse... -
He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 31 ratings1914 finds archaelogists Amelia Peabody, narrator, and husband Radcliffe Emerson back in Egypt for another dig, despite civil unrest. Defiantly pacifist son Ramses hides his spy activity with cousin David. He rescues Molly 12ish, and his dazzling smile conquers yet another female. An artifact from Giza confirms the return of archnemesis Sethos... -
Prince and Assassin by Tavia Lark
He’s supposed to kill Prince Julien. Not fall for him.Whisper doesn’t remember his real name. All he knows is the elite assassin guild that raised him—and controls him with the threat of blood magic. Plagued by nightmares, he doesn’t get to refuse assignments, even when his new job doesn’t make sense:Infiltrate Prince Julien’s court, protect him until the signal arrives, then kill him...Categorized as:
forced proximity hurt-comfort childfree-couple caretaking m-m fantasy magic historical -
The Rebel's Queen by Tanya Bird
A rising king. A falling queen. An unimaginable love.Queen Cora is married to a monster. Three years she has played wife, and all she has to show for it is a marked face, an empty womb, and a bitter taste in her mouth best washed away with wine. It is a good thing she is made of something solid, because marriage is a life sentence. Or is it? The rebel prince is coming for the crown... -
Storms of Paine by Opal Reyne
After the storm that separates them, Captains Rosetta Silver and Alister Paine find themselves sailing side by side together once more. Their passion refuses to fizzle out and burns brighter, hotter, and, frighteningly, deeper every time. Rosetta manages to convince the land hating Alister to port. They need supplies and the Laughing Siren still needs repairs... -
A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsVeronica and Stoker discover that not all fairy tales have happy endings, and some end in murder, in this latest historical mystery from New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author Deanna Raybourn... -
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A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn
London, 1887. At the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task--saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution... -
Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters
The 1895-96 season promises to be an exceptional one for Amelia Peabody, her dashing Egyptologist husband, Emerson, and their wild and precocious eight-year-old son, Ramses. The much-coveted burial chamber of the Black Pyramid in Dahshur is theirs for the digging. But there is a great evil in the wind that roils the hot sands sweeping through the bustling streets and marketplaces of Cairo... -
A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn
Veronica Speedwell and her natural historian colleague Stoker are asked by Lady Wellingtonia Beauclerk to help with a potential scandal so explosive it threatens to rock the monarchy...Categorized as:
victorian friends to lovers slow burn competent heroine heroine sleuth historical mystery suspense -
Three Lives Three Worlds, the Pillow Book I by Tang Qi Gong Zi, 唐七公子
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 12 ratings... -
Yours Until Dawn by Teresa Medeiros
Gabriel Fairchild's valor during battle earns him the reputation of hero, but costs him both his sight and his hope for the future. Abandoned by the fiancée he adored, the man who once walked like a prince among London's elite secludes himself in his family's mansion, cursing his way through dark days and darker nights... -
Socially Orcward by Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
Dave is a simple orc with a simple life. He has his dragons, his music, and his friends, and that’s mostly enough. Sometimes though, he gets lonely and wishes there was someone he could share his interests with—maybe even someone he could hold hands with, although he knows it’s not likely that there’s a special person out there for someone who’s seven feet tall and green to boot... -
Castles by Julie Garwood
Orphaned and besieged Princess Alesandra knew that only hasty marriage to an Englishman could protect her from the turmoil in her own land. To the amusement of her makeshift guardian, Colin, younger brother of the Marquess of Caineswood, the bold raven-haired beauty instantly captivated London society... -
Primrose and the Dreadful Duke by Emily Larkin
He's inherited more than just a dukedom... Oliver Dasenby is the most infuriating man Primrose Garland has ever known. He may be her brother’s best friend, but he has an atrocious sense of humor. Eight years in the cavalry hasn’t taught him solemnity, nor has the unexpected inheritance of a dukedom. But when Oliver inherited his dukedom, it appears that he also inherited a murderer... -
Yuletide Treasure by Eliot Grayson
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsThere’s not enough Yuletide spirit in the world to fix this holiday disaster… Eben Sypeman’s world is falling apart. It’s two days before Yule and his business partner is dead, leaving behind empty accounts and looming bankruptcy. And if that isn’t bad enough, his patron goddess is irritated with him. It seems she’s tired of his tendency to mince words and avoid conflict... -
Sea of Roses by Opal Reyne
Captain Alister Paine has always had his good eye set on treasure, murder, and sinking ships. His fame as a ruthless, blood-thirsty pirate has spread across the Seven Seas. The Howling Death, his precious warship, is the deadliest ship on the ocean waters, striking fear into the hearts of all those who see it... -
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A Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd
I’m the eldest daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. No, they didn’t die in the tomb...Categorized as:
independent heroine competent heroine fantasy medieval mystery suspense humor historical -
Ridiculous! by D.L. Carter
Identity theft regency style. After the death of her miserly cousin Antony North, Millicent Boarder is determined her family should never be poor or vulnerable again. To protect them she conceals her cousin's death and assumes his identity. Now she must face the Ton and the world as Mr. North and accept the price she must pay for her family's safety -- she will never be loved... -
A Novel Arrangement by Arden Powell
A dressmaker who secretly publishes thrilling romances. Her handsome war-veteran fiancé. And his best friend, a charming artist of ill-repute determined to ruin their relationship.There are two things standing between Elizabeth Turtledove and her happily-ever-after: her fiancé’s best friend, who despises her, and the blackmailer scheming to steal her savings... -
Never Conspire with a Sinful Baron by Renee Ann Miller
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsLast season, Lady Nina Trent fell for a scoundrel. This year, she intends to choose more wisely... When a duke more interested in fox hunting and sports than womanizing comes to town, Nina thinks him the perfect catch. Sadly, he doesn't seem to notice her... -
Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 3 by Jaclyn Osborn
Dream check.Being loved by three amazing check.Life in Bremloc has been incredible for Evan. I mean, if you forget about the whole being "Evan-napped by a mysterious but gorgeous thief with dark magic" thing. Oh, and how that annoying magician Lupin popped up to reveal a massive secret and then vanished again like the jerk he is.But still. Life is great...Categorized as:
sweet-hero slow burn caretaking hurt-comfort nerdy-hero forced proximity friends to lovers fantasy -
Wed By Proxy by Alice Coldbreath
Thrice wedded, but never bedded, Mathilde Martindale has long lived in the shadow of her indomitable mother, and meekly done as she was told. Until one day she decides to become mistress of her own destiny and leave the royal court to find her own path. Married by proxy, Lord Martindale has never even met his bride of three years... -
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for... well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret... and fears she doesn't know him at all... -
Tempest in a Teapot by Kate Valent
Charlotte loves tea as much as the next person, but she never expected a magical teapot to choose her husband. When eccentric businessman and magician Martin Steepe hosts a tea party to find a wife, Charlotte doesn’t expect to be chosen. After all she’s only a baker’s daughter aspiring to be a penny blood author and the Steepes want to marry into nobility. Except he does choose her...Categorized as:
victorian competent heroine shy heroine sweet heroine nerdy-hero sweet-hero fantasy humor -
Peach Blossom Debt by Da Feng Gua Guo
“All predestined affinities are merely debts to be repaid.”In his mortal life, Song Yao ate an elixir pill that dropped from the heavens by accident, and thus began his life as an immortal.After millennia of living in idleness, the Jade Emperor orders Song Yao back to the mortal plane. His task is seemingly simple: to oversee the love trial between two immortal lords... -
Silent Night by Deanna Raybourn
Rated: 3.82 of 5 stars · 25 ratings'Tis the season for an investigation! Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane return for a Christmas caper at Bellmont Abbey—. After a year of marriage—and numerous adventures—Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together—until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals... -
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The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown by Julia Quinn, Suzanne Enoch
Lady Whistledown Tells All! Society is abuzz when the Season's most promising debutante is jilted by her intended—only to be swept away by the deceitful rogue's dashing older brother—in New York Times bestseller Julia Quinn 's witty, charming, and heartfelt tale... -
Her Bridegroom Bought and Paid For by Alice Coldbreath
Aimee Ankatel, oldest daughter to the richest merchant in all Karadok only has eyes for the heavily scarred Lord Kentigern. A ferocious competitor, her heart beats louder when she watches him compete in the field. Not one of the handsome knights draws her admiration like he does... -
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
Rated: 3.80 of 5 stars · 65 ratingsVanity Fair is an English novel by William Makepeace Thackeray which follows the lives of Becky Sharp and Emmy Sedley amid their friends and families during and after the Napoleonic Wars... -
Barnabas Tew and The Case Of The Missing Scarab by Columbkill Noonan
Rated: 3.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBarnabas Tew is a private detective struggling to survive in his trade in Victorian London. Fearing that he is not as clever as he had hoped to be, he is plagued by a lack of confidence brought on in no small part by his failure to prevent the untimely deaths of several of his clients... -
The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford
Rated: 3.66 of 5 stars · 40 ratingsFord Madox Ford wrote The Good A Tale of Passion in 1915. It covers the narrative of two couples, the Dowells and the Ashburnhams, and is set in the years preceding World War I. In order to treat Florence's purported heart issue, the American couple The Dowells fly to a health spa in Nauheim, Germany... -
The Virgin and the Rogue by Sophie Jordan
Continuing her bestselling Rogue Files series, Sophie Jordan brews up a scintillating romance about a timid wallflower who discovers a love potion and ends up falling for a dashing rogue. A love potion… Charlotte Langley has always been the prudent middle sister, so her family is not surprised when she makes the safe choice and agrees to wed her childhood sweetheart...Categorized as:
forced proximity shy heroine sweet heroine regency historical virgin heroine fantasy humor -
Lady Susan by Jane Austen
Rated: 3.61 of 5 stars · 51 ratings"**Lady Susan**" by Jane Austen is a captivating epistolary novella that offers a tantalizing glimpse into the sophisticated world of Regency-era England. Through a series of letters exchanged between the characters, Austen weaves a tale of intrigue, manipulation, and romance... -
The Professor by Charlotte Bronte
Discover the Hidden Gem from the Author of Jane Eyre! 📚 Dive into the lesser-known masterpiece from Charlotte Brontë, the genius behind Jane Eyre and Villette. In "The Professor," she weaves a compelling tale of love, ambition, and resilience. 🏫 William Crimsworth, our unconventional hero, escapes the constraints of his English society to seek adventure in the exotic world of Brussels... -
The Duke Is Mine by Eloisa James
This Duke is Mine He is a duke in search of a perfect bride. She is a lady—but a long way from perfect. Tarquin, the powerful Duke of Sconce, knows perfectly well that the decorous and fashionably slender Georgiana Lytton will make him a proper duchess...
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