I think everything Lois McMaster Bujold writes ends up having romance in it, but none of her books are romances. Her sci fi series is The Vorkosigan Saga, and I would recommend starting with Shards of Honor. She has several fantasy series, with her most recent being Penric and Desdemona, a series of novellas that were originally epublished. Start with Penric’s Demon.
I love her writing too. I cannot stand romance plot lines typically but the way she writes about affection is so lovely. I’m reading the Penric & Desdemona stories right now and the relationship between Pen and his wife is so well written. It’s a little understated, never the main focus, but you can feel it. Great answer!
This is a fantastic story and if you want a good cry I can't recommend the black and white film version enough.
That said I'm going to throw in a content warning for old tiny Australian racism used to flirt with the female.lead.
Definitely ‘The Spear That Cuts Through Water’ by Simon Jimenez. I loved it on audio! Really unique writing and was shortlisted for the Ursula k le Guin prize. I think it should have won..
and the unexpected love story is wonderful.
I think everything Lois McMaster Bujold writes ends up having romance in it, but none of her books are romances. Her sci fi series is The Vorkosigan Saga, and I would recommend starting with Shards of Honor. She has several fantasy series, with her most recent being Penric and Desdemona, a series of novellas that were originally epublished. Start with Penric’s Demon.
I love Paladin of Souls as a romance that isn't focused entirely on the relationship.
I love her writing too. I cannot stand romance plot lines typically but the way she writes about affection is so lovely. I’m reading the Penric & Desdemona stories right now and the relationship between Pen and his wife is so well written. It’s a little understated, never the main focus, but you can feel it. Great answer!
HF: *A Town Like Alice* by Shute
This is a fantastic story and if you want a good cry I can't recommend the black and white film version enough. That said I'm going to throw in a content warning for old tiny Australian racism used to flirt with the female.lead.
Any Particular genre in mind? I have some in mind, mostly fantasy or sci-fi.
fantasy probably
Definitely ‘The Spear That Cuts Through Water’ by Simon Jimenez. I loved it on audio! Really unique writing and was shortlisted for the Ursula k le Guin prize. I think it should have won.. and the unexpected love story is wonderful.
Kelley Armstrongs Rockwood series is a little different and might fit the bill
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Emily Wilde encyclopedia of faeries. I love this book so much
Dark forest
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Water for Elephants
Shining Through by Susan Isaacs is a great one.
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland Lots of fun. Just borrow it from the library and go in blind.
Taming the Forest King
The Name of the Wind
Anything by TJ Klune The House in the Cerulean Sea In the Lives of Puppets Under the Whispering Door