This Rec League comes from our very own Elyse, who was inspired by a particular scene she recently read. And of course, a new catnip was discovered and she wants more of it.
Elyse: So after completely falling in love with Felicity on Arrow and also reading Look to the Stars, I want a smart, slightly awkward heroine who doesn’t realize she’s being wooed.
There’s a great part in Look to the Stars where the hero is like “I was courting you.”
And she says, “Wait, is that what you were doing?”
And he’s like, “Well now I feel super bad about myself.”
Amanda: I feel so bummed out because I can’t remember anything I’ve read that has this.
Then again, I’ve been traveling and my allergies have made an awful appearance.
Sarah: Girl from Mars by Julie Cohen ( A | BN | K | AB ) is like that, as is the Six de Los Reyes book, Love and Other Chemical Reactions.
Does anyone know of a similar romance with a heroine who’s oblivious to being wooed?
Yes to Howl’s Moving Castle. Perfectly fits the description!
The short story A Husband for Fanny in Pistols for Two by Georgette Heyer
The India Fan by Victoria Holt. Told in the first person, H has his mother arrange for h to be sent to India where he is. H is a constant background in her rather busy life. She thinks his family is just overbearing and powerful. She is a rather lovely, strong and independent heroine.
I think The First Word by Isley Robson might fit into this wonderful bag of catnip. The hero is neurodivergent and doesn’t have much confidence in his social skills when it comes to romance. He falls so deeply in love with the heroine, an early intervention occupational therapist, who is working with his son who has ASD. She falls for the hero and can’t imagine he’d be feeling the same (her self worth took a huge hit when she was growing up) while he is just head over heels… *sighs dreamily*
Olivia Parker’s “To Wed a Wicked Earl”–the “wicked earl” has been in love with the awkward heroine for years.
The Oracle Glass – Judith Merkle Riley already mentioned and fits the description perfectly. So so good.
Alright! I have a few more…. Love this theme!
I am going to add in Kulti by Marina Zapata. He is her coach (they are adults) so it is hands off for a long time but he is wooing her. She isn’t really socially awkward but she is really focused.
Won’t You be my Nieghbor by Vanessa Gray Bartal (This woman goes on a date and gets a kiss and still has no real clue.) love it. She goes to therapy because her social awkwardness is a huge issue for her.
Project Daddy by Kate Perry Her bestie is love with her. She spouts random facts.
This Guy Kills Meby Anlyn Hansell Heroine tends to blurt out what ever awful thing she notices about people. Very funny. To be fair, he isn’t trying to woo her for some of the book but then he is lol
What about that Courteney Milan one where the heroine is a scientist and doesn’t realize why the hero is willing to help her get her results out to the public? The Countess Conspiracy.
It’s 1/2 SF and 1/2 romance, but I have to suggest “Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen” by Lois McMaster Bujold.
I love this trope. Amanda Quick is good for this one. Umm. Other oblivious heroines? I would have to check my GR notes.
Seconding The Hating Game (Thorne) and The Countess Conspiracy (Milan). And nominating Laura Florand’s The Chocolate Temptation and A Crown of Bitter Orange. Both heroines are self-contained perfectionists who can’t believe the lovely, golden-boy, good-humored hero is flirting with them in any special way. And of course the heroes are completely head over heels.
Are we accepting Cyrano scenarios? (… starting with Cyrano?) Because if so, Claiming the Duchess by Sherry Thomas.
… also Delphine Dryden, The Theory of Attraction.
Chiming in late, because I was on vacation last week. “Fallen Angel” by Charlotte Louise Dolan is absolutely delicious with this trope. Towards the end, the hero becomes so frustrated that she still doesn’t understand he’s wooing her that he loses his patience and literally drags her into a church, special license in hand, and collars a clergyman to marry them immediately.
I adore Fallen Angel. Dolan is an amazing writer.
Just finished Fallen Angel and I LOVED it. Grumpy hero and a clueless but heroine.