Meet Reviewer Jeanne W
About Me Favorite Romance Novels
I’m in my thirties and married with no kids yet. I live in California and work in the accounting field. When I was young, my class went to the library to learn how to use it, and I picked up a Nancy Drew book. I became hooked on the Nancy Drew series, mysteries, and reading.
I tried a few romances but didn’t like them. I didn’t identify with perfect, gorgeous women and their flimsy problems. The romances also seemed poorly written, with unbelievable plots and laughable dialogue. However, I didn’t mind the romantic subplots in the mysteries I read.
Three years ago, I was burned out on mysteries. I didn’t want to read any more killings, bodies, and cynicism. I wanted fiction with a more positive tone. I tried romances again and found the heroines approachable and the quality of writing amazing. I loved the happy endings. I loved reading about how two people fall in love. It may take years for me to read all the great romances published so far, but I’m not complaining.
Absolute Favorites
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
The Princess and the Barbarian by Betina Krahn
Favorite Classic
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Anything by Jane Austen
Personal Reading Tastes Favorites by Sub-Genre
What I’m a sucker for in a book: Great writing, compelling, insightful stories, historical accuracy, historical details, romantic scenes, confessions of love, wit, humor, adventure; stories of intelligent/perceptive heroines and heroes who appreciate them, characters who have admirable qualities and do admirable deeds, plain heroines, outsiders/underdogs, common/working people, marriage between strangers (in historicals only), vampires.
What I don’t particularly care for in a book: Forced seduction, depressing stories and sad endings.
What drives me absolutely nuts in a book: Characters who don’t talk to each other about any misunderstandings! Stupid/silly misunderstandings, spelling errors, undeveloped/boring characterizations and plots, supposed smart characters that do dumb things.
Favorite Romance Authors
All-Time Favorite Romance Authors
Jane Austen
Carla Kelly
Jo Beverley
Best Discovery/Buried Treasure Authors
Paula Reed
Anne Gracie
Deborah Simmons
My Biggest Glom
Mary Balogh (trads)
Carla Kelly
Betina Krahn
European Historical:
Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
The Seduction by Julia Ross
The Gentleman Thief by Deborah Simmons
Traditional Regency:
Anything by Carla Kelly, Emma Jensen, and Anne Gracie
The Rake’s Retreat by Nancy Butler
Lord St. Claire’s Angel by Donna Simpson
Medieval:
The Princess and the Barbarian by Betina Krahn
Alternate Reality:
A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
Favorites by Plot Type
Cabin or Road:
The Princess and the Barbarian by Betina Krahn
Funny:
Undead series by MaryJanice Davidson
The Gentleman Thief by Deborah Simmons
How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn
Sexy:
The Princess and the Barbarian by Betina Krahn
Favorite Characters Favorites by Mood
Favorite Hero
Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Rupert, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Saxxe, The Princess and the Barbarian by Betina Krahn
Favorite Heroine
Elizabeth, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Daphne, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Most Tortured Hero
Robert, My Sweet Folly by Laura Kinsale
Strongest Heroine
Bryony, Night in Eden by Candice Proctor
Favorite Couple
Elizabeth and Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Daphne and Rupert, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase
Lily and Remmington, Scoundrel by Elizabeth Elliott
Comfort Reads:
All of my favorite romances
Most-Hanky Reads:
Never Change by Elizabeth Berg
Guilty Pleasure:
Cruel, domineering, manipulative heroes who supposedly change their ways for the heroines
Least-Favorites
Most Disappointing Books
Any of Edith Layton’s historicals
Worst Books
The Courtship by Catherine Coulter
Authors I Have Given Up On
Edith Layton
Non-Romance Favorites
Favorite Author
Charlaine Harris
Jane Austen
Sarah Smith
Favorite Book
The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
Anything by Jane Austen
Anything by Sarah Smith
Favorite Classic Novel
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Anything by Jane Austen
Favorite Women’s Fiction
Bridget Jones’s Diaries by Helen Fielding
The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler
Favorite Fantasy Novel
Anything by Douglas Adams
Favorite Mystery Novel
Anything by Agatha Christie
Anything by Sarah Smith
The Alphabet Mysteries by Sue Grafton (up to G only)
Favorite YA Book
The Prydain Series by Lloyd Alexander
Time Travel Series by Madeleine L’Engle
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Favorite Set of Connected Books
The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris
The Golden Chronicles by Patricia Veryan
The Hitchhiker Series by Douglas Adams
Book Most Often Reread
Too many romance books to read to do rereads