Books like The Bride — picked by fans

This one will probably surprise a few people, but it is a historical romance. For those who haven’t read the book, please know that the movie starring Daniel Daydream- Lewis does not accurately parallel the book. I chose this novel because it is an American story with American characters, published in 1826. Cora is another very strong character, certainly ahead of her time and admired by Hawkeye, who was also an unusual character for the period. I enjoyed the historical details intertwined with fiction. Definitely worth your time to read.

This is a beloved book for many, but I love it so much because both of the characters are so unlikeable—yet you fall in love with them. I also love the conflict and the dueling, strong personalities of Scarlet and Rhett.

The plot is full of emotion and passion, and yet there are no sex scenes, which is another reason why I like it so much.

Jane Austin is a classical writer of romance and a perfect combination of well-written English. The love Mr Darcy had for Elizabeth was explained with passion through the English language. 

It addressed issues within that time, and the beauty of a girl, as well as the strength of a man, was portrayed well. Jane Austin has other books, but my favorite was this one. 

Of course, I must include a novel set in the American West. How could I not? And oh, so many to choose from—a difficult task. This is another recommendation based on strong, intriguing characters. The heroine is determined to save her family from financial ruin and she faces the hardships of the West. Lindsey has written two very passionate, headstrong individuals, and you will have some laughs and some tears reading this one.

I read this decades ago, and the emotion has stayed with me.

It was written so many decades ago; it’s a book that feminists would rail against today because Aislinn (the heroine) “belongs” to the hero Wulfgar. Yet as much as we, in the Western world, wouldn’t stand for that today, this was the reality in medieval times when women in England and Europe didn’t have the rights and freedoms enjoyed there today. 

We might even say that there’s a touch of "Stockholm Syndrome" in this book, yet the emotion is so well written, it’s believable that captor and "slave" do fall for each other and that Aislinn will fall hard for this sexy warrior! Having said all that, I’m very pleased I don’t live in those times!

I’ve enjoyed every Johanna Lindsey book I’ve read, so it’s unsurprising this made my list!

This novel is set in 1192, and I loved that Reina is a very strong heroine in an age where women were generally downtrodden and devoid of legal rights. Her father was forward-thinking as he’s ensured she can choose her own husband, and he’s left capable Reina in charge to defend his people and his keep, which she is serious about defending.

The hero, Ranulf, is quite an ill-mannered boor, but I loved how he changed for his sassy, strong, and independent heroine. It was hilarious that he visits the local whore for lessons in lovemaking! (That alone made this book memorable!) It’s a true love story.

Having attended jousting tournaments with my husband and children when we were travelling in the UK, I particularly liked the portrayal of the jousting tournaments.

Holly - the fairest woman in all of England - is the "prize" in a tournament, but doesn’t want her beauty to be her appeal, so she disguises herself. She’s surprised when the hero, Sir Austyn, is pleased with his "plain" bride.

Teresa Medeiras has woven a lot of trickery, lies, and deceit into this story. It builds up the action. I liked the way I was able to empathise with the characters and understand how they’ve suffered.

As a writer, I’m told - the greater the obstacles and the higher the stakes, the sweeter the attainment of the goals. Medeiras delivers!

No "best of" medieval romance list would be complete without a title by Kathryn Le Veque.

I’ve read and enjoyed many of her medieval titles. One of the best things about this author’s novels is that she writes series, so many of the characters reappear. I enjoy reconnecting with them.

The Wolfe is set in 1231 AD, and the Scottish heroine, Lady Jordan, saves an English knight from certain death. She’s aware that he’s English but is completely unaware that he’s the knight her kinsmen fear the most. Later, they meet again, and the romance develops.

I’ve chosen this title as not only did I enjoy the story, but the writing made me feel as though I was right there in medieval England and Scotland. The characters were also very "real."

This is a novel that I suspected I was falling into as much as reading—that is, I felt utterly and, at times, uncomfortably immersed in Murakami’s story universe.

I love the blending of contemporary realism in the novel (our protagonist’s day-to-day life) with the historical and the way the Japanese military’s atrocities in Manchuria in the 30s haunt the recognizably contemporary world so that even a man sitting at the bottom of a well contemplating existence and history feels like an acceptable and dreamlike weirdness.

I’m completely taken with such a strange and affecting representation of lesser-known histories and the ghosts such events leave us with.

I loved how this wholesome romance novel effectively captured the essence of frontier life through its relatable characters and their interactions within a close-knit community. I especially liked the heroine, Hannah, who stands out due to her occupation as a tailor, which was quite unusual for women during that era. Initially, the hero misjudges Hannah, perceiving her as someone who prioritizes fashion over more serious matters.

This created much of the romantic tension that kept me turning pages. I really enjoyed the humor of Hannah’s attempts to assist the hero’s sister in finding a beau. This subplot not only provided me with laughter but also impressed me with how it enriched character relationships and showcased Hannah’s resourcefulness.