Recommend It is a new feature I want to try to do on a more consistent basis, I have actually received such great feedback for this weekly post, so I will be doing this weekly. I am so excited as I always have such great recommendations as I read all over the genre and my hope is that I can share recs that are for all the sub-genres if I can! The “Recommend It” feature, is where I will recommend romances based on a certain theme, trope, or character type. If you have a trope or theme or character type you want me to put at the top of my list, I have a form that I have created that will just automatically upload into my spreadsheet and I will put it at the top of my list! I feel like as book bloggers, reviewers, readers, we all have great lists to share and this is what I hope I can do for any who want to expand their horizons in the romance genre.
So today our topic is going to be prickly heroines. I really love softer more feminine heroines. BUT sometimes I really love a good prickly heroine because when done well they can be fun. But I will say that heroines that are prickly can end up being super toxic and abusive.
The Lorraine Heath has such a prickly heroine. She is so determined to have her own way, very strong willed and sassy but isn’t the most likeable heroine but you really become endeared to her very quickly. The majority of Talia Hibbert heroines can be a bit prickly, and defensive so I don’t always love them, but this one is my favorite heroine from this author. Play with Me has such a PRICKLY lady lol but she becomes very likeable very quickly. Kenyon writes the best heroines especially when they are the more unlikeable ones. And most of KA heroines are kinda crazy and prickly and Indy is queen of them lol
Even though Lillian is my least favorite heroine of the Wallflower series, she is still one of my more favorite prickly heroines overall. Thea Harrison writes the best prickly ladies because they have other characteristics that are so quickly likeable. the heroine from Reckless Refuge is one of my FAVORITE heroines from this author. I am not sure exactly why, but I was so drawn into her character. She was so so prickly, but she also has a great journey we see her go through and endearing redemption. Fires of Winter is kinda crazy but I loved it. But I love how strong the heroine is. Capture the Rainbow has a heroine is always so defensive, but her job makes it make sense on the why. If you love a good prickly heroine that isn’t toxic, Susan Elizabeth Phillips writes the most endearing heroines. They are so well balanced. They are sassy and can have some unlikeable traits, but at the same time they aren’t toxic or abusive, but intentional.
so tell me what do you think of my list? Any you loved or hated? What are some of your favorite prickly heroines? Let me know in the comments below!
I have read a few grumpy-sunshine romances where the grump was the heroine and I loved it. It’s nice to see that swap. I feel like the woman is always expected to be sunshine, and I personally am NOT sunshine.
well not really a fan of a grumpy heroine. Prickly heroines are a bit different. Prickly heroines are more challenging, unlikeable heroines that have more toxic attributes at times. Grumpy heroines are a bit different. So I wouldn’t put these books in the grumpy sunshine category even. But I do agree that heroines that aren’t likeable at least aren’t very popular. I think that is due to author’s not writing them well. Any talented author can make a character personality type endearing to the reader. But I am not really a fan of sunshine heroines all that much though. I like more softer sweet heroines.
A girl like her has been on mu list for a while already- hoping to read it this year, maybe!
These are fun choices. Meghan Quinn has a great prickly heroine coming in The Reason I Married Him.
I’ve read a few of these and can agree 🙂 I think there’s a great balance to be found with a ‘prickly heroine’ and I can always call it a win when I actually like her (or even love her sometimes).