One common trope in Regency and Victorian historical romances is “plain heroines.” Usually, this is an internal definition: the heroine considers herself ugly, and since we readers are in her head, we feel that pain whether or not other characters consider her ugly, too. Sometimes, there is evidence that she is not considered beautiful, in which case the love interest’s view of her is usually unique (and makes us fall in love with them so much more quickly). Other times, it is all in her head.
Either way, there is something in this story that every reader can connect to. Women in particular spend so much of our time being told how we are supposed to look that we all have hang-ups, believing we aren’t enough to meet societal expectations. Romances featuring heroines who feel the same and come out by the end of the book valuing themselves - and with a partner who values them, too - are incredibly cathartic.
If you’re craving a historical romance novel featuring a plain heroine, here are ten recommendations for you:
A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.60
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.15
The blurb:
Cassandra and Jeremy married years ago but haven’t lived even one day together. When Cassandra arrives in London for the Season and finds Jeremy there, too, their fake marriage is tested with reality, as is Cassandra’s hypothesis that Jeremy has avoided her because she isn’t beautiful enough to capture his attention.
A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.92
The blurb:
After saving enough money as a paid companion, Jenny is determined to travel to India in search of her lost relative. When she reveals her plan to her friend’s solicitor Tom, he decides to accompany her. Jenny thinks it is from a weird paternalistic protective instinct, since she believes herself to be unattractive, but of course, no man follows a woman around the world unless he finds her desperately beautiful and interesting. This is a wonderful travelogue as much as it is a romance!
The Virgin Who Ruined Lord Grey by Anna Bradley
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.98
The blurb:
Sophia Monmouth is a female vigilante, and Tristan is a retired Bow Street Runner who sees justice in black and white. When Sophia sets herself upon proving the murderer of Tristan's friend is innocent, Tristan sets himself to tracking Sophia. Since she is masculine in interests and appearance, Sophia has never considered herself pretty, but Tristan is instantly attracted to her. Thus ensues a very cute, intense romance where they both deny their attraction for a while before succumbing to it.
My Kind of Earl by Vivienne Lorret
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.92
The blurb:
Jane breaks into a brothel to research sex, on behalf of all uneducated virgins of England. Raven sees her and is instantly captivated. He agrees to help her with her research, but Jane gets distracted with uncovering exactly who Raven is and whether he actually has a secret claim on an ancient title. While Jane is often dismissed for being too bookish to be pretty, Raven is attracted to her more than he is willing to admit, resulting in a lot of angst as they deny their love for each other.
To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.89
The blurb:
Melisande has been in love with Lord Vale for years, but he doesn't even know her name. She decides to shoot her shot the morning his bride jilts him at the altar, and Lord Vale is pretty excited to have neatly solved the problem. After their marriage, Melisande is disappointed that he is actually bad in bed. Between that and him ignoring her (as he tries to track down a traitor to his regiment), Melisande concludes he really isn’t attracted to her since she is, after all, “plain.” Only once they start communicating do things start to work out for this married couple!
Don’t Miss This Free Historical Romance!
Millie is a happily unmarried spinster making her living by spinning wool into yarn - until a handsome and mysterious man leases her old loom. Will Josiah Beauford be the man who persuades her that marriage is worth the risk?
Bedding Lord Ned by Sally MacKenzie
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.61
The blurb:
Ellie has loved Ned since forever, but he married her friend, and even now 4 years a widower, he has yet to notice Ellie. Feeling more invisible and plain than ever, Ellie puts on a brave face to make it through a Valentine’s Day house party with Ned. Of course, after some strategic Cupid-themed games assisted by Tessa Dare-esque animal encounters, Ned finally sees what has been in front of his face for so many years. Note: only pick this one up if you like strong unrequited love, because there is a lot of angst!
How to Wed an Earl by Ivory Lei
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.56
The blurb:
Penelope has been preparing her whole life for her marriage to Lucas, who was betrothed to her as a child. Lucas, meanwhile, has spent most of his life ignoring the obligation. Now that they are forced to carry through the marriage, Penelope has to undo years of self-esteem damage from her supposed-fiance ignoring her. Meanwhile, Lucas has to fight to prove that he is serious about her, once he realizes how much he cares for her.
The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter by Mimi Matthews
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.85
The blurb:
Valentine is doing her best since her adoptive father died. She is a lady's companion and is determined to save enough money to become a missionary. Tristan, meanwhile, is a rogue through and through. He is literally at a house party that is just an orgy. When he discovers Valentine, he immediately sees beneath her plain facade and is attracted to the vibrant human within. When they are caught making out in the conservatory, he offers to marry her. Unfortunately, that is when the rest of the world decides to work together to prevent the marriage, leaving both Valentine and Tristan questioning whether the other really wants it.
Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke
Average Goodreads Rating: 3.91
The blurb:
Daphne is a trained archaeologist doing her thing at the Duke of Tremore’s estate. While she fosters a huge crush on the devastatingly handsome duke, he sees her only as an employee - or worse, as someone who can never be a great beauty. Daphne knows that’s how he thinks of her, because she overhears him say as much to his sister. That’s when she decides to commit to a makeover and show him once and for all what he could have had. And of course, it works!
Note: this is a very classic “plain heroine turns into a beautiful swan” story - but it is all framed by the male gaze. As in, the hero “teaches” the heroine how to be attractive, rather than recognize her intrinsic beauty for what it is.
SHAMELESS PLUG: The Husband Plot by Katherine Grant
Average Goodreads Rating: 4.79
The blurb:
Lisbeth has been left at the altar once already, so she insists on marriage at first sight this time around. When the marriage night does not go well, she concludes her husband finds her grossly unattractive and asks for an annulment. That’s when Adrian decides to court his wife, to prove that the problem is not her at all but him: he doesn’t know what he is doing.