Bodice Ripper Readers Anonymous discussion

Just read a NA historical romance book that had your typical enemies to lovers storyline...it was boring. I want BR enemies to lovers- if you read BR you know what I mean. Make it CRAZY!!!!

Eliza wrote: "Just read a NA historical romance book that had your typical enemies to lovers storyline...it was boring. I want BR enemies to lovers- if you read BR you know what I mean. Make it CRAZY!!!!"

Tangential question - what would be hallmarks of NA? Is it the simplistic/contemporary writing style?

i r e n e wrote: "Tangential question - what would be hallmarks of NA? Is it the simplistic/contemporary writing style?..."

As someone reading NA now, the qualifiers that come to mind include:

-High school to college-aged characters
-Contemporary
-And that's it? From there I can think of movies that predate NA but have similar themes like 10 Things I Hate About You, Sixteen Candles, Clueless, those kind of movies but now made to be more modern. I mainly think of high school/ college-aged dramas that often contain the enemies to lovers trope.

Btw I agree the enemies to lovers trope is often better done in bodice rippers vs. contemporary new adult books. I like the hate to feel real between the characters, and see that more often in bodice rippers.

Good question…

I guess it comes down to the writing style. Take Rose Lerner for example. She writes historical romance with strong sexual situations, but she writes elegantly and her books have depth with unique storylines.

Nina Pennacchi and Scarlett Peckham are also newer authors who write that way. Neither shy away from touchy subjects.

NA historical, to me, is always a little more surface and tends to have characters acting uncharacteristically modern. The hero’s are PC and always “ask permission”. You’re not going to find any Rape, kidnapping or obsession in these books because the writers are clearly too scared.

But- I don’t even know if NA historical is a thing. It’s just how I classify the books authors seem write quick as a flash without any of the depth I look for.

I shouldn’t say the authors are too scared- that’s their prerogative to not write BR

Ooh, I should probably qualify my earlier answer...I was describing NA contemporary. I don't think I've ever read NA historical. The NA contemporary I've read often does include rape, dubious consent, if not kidnapping. I've never heard of the NA historical category. I do think I've come across what you've described before though, historicals written more recently where the characters act more modern than what they would if I was reading a bodice ripper.

Ya- NA historical is probably not even a thing, it’s really just how I classify some of these newer historical reads 😂

I feel stupid. I had never heard of new adult books. I had to look up NA.

Lauren wrote: "I feel stupid. I had never heard of new adult books. I had to look up NA."

I used to read a lot of NA, but the younger more emotional storylines started to annoy me the older I got. :) I know what you're saying, my friend calls them modern historical romances which is pretty funny. 😂

Eliza wrote: "Good question…

I guess it comes down to the writing style. Take Rose Lerner for example. She writes historical romance with strong sexual situations, but she writes elegantly and her books have de..."

Interesting. I don't read NA, but have come across historicals that are published now that feel too contemporary for my taste in the simplistic and plain writing style that is like written for a teenager. I like historicals with sentence structure that is a little complex, poetic, not sure how to describe it, but reads smooth and deep.

I think what you call NA historical is what I generally would class under vanilla or wallpaper historical in the simple writing style + very safe situations.

Meredith, Empress of the Sock Puppet Army wrote: "i r e n e wrote: "Tangential question - what would be hallmarks of NA? Is it the simplistic/contemporary writing style?..."

As someone reading NA now, the qualifiers that come to mind include:

-..."

Thank you for this. I was googling NA vs YA a few days ago, which is what prompted this question.

I was confused because I'm not sure if NA is a sub-genre of romance, or if NA is meant to emulate YA, in which case, I don't think YA is a romance genre, although it may have love plots. I don't read YA, fyi.

Lauren wrote: "I feel stupid. I had never heard of new adult books. I had to look up NA."

lol I will join you! This is a recent term for me.

My bad! I guess I didn’t read your question!

I thought you were asking me what made a historical romance NA. Sorry! 🤣

i r e n e wrote: "I was confused because I'm not sure if NA is a sub-genre of romance, or if NA is meant to emulate YA, in which case, I don't think YA is a romance genre, although it may have love plots. I don't read YA, fyi..."

For me, the difference between YA and NA is sex. I don't typically read YA. All the teenage angst with no sex stresses me out. New Adult sometimes has the same age-range (high school) as YA but has graphic sex scenes and often unpc scenes that typically would not be in a YA book. Sex in high school often squicks me out, so I prefer NA with college-aged kids.

NA historical romance is new to me, so I think what Eliza is describing is different. New Adult (contemporary) is definitely it's own subgenre of romance though separate from YA.

An example: There's a lot of NA being published right now that's also combined with the subgenres mafia and reverse harem. That's very distinct from YA, and not trying to emulate YA at all...it's more in line with romantic suspense/contemporary romance (though often set in high school academy settings or college).

Eliza wrote: "My bad! I guess I didn’t read your question!

I thought you were asking me what made a historical romance NA. Sorry! 🤣"

Oh no! Don't apologize! Your thoughts have given me a lot to think about because you are touching on a trend in historicals being published nowadays... it's interesting to hear them be described as NA! I also think of it, I don't love the term, but it feels like chick lit in costume dress.

Meredith, Empress of the Sock Puppet Army wrote: "i r e n e wrote: "I was confused because I'm not sure if NA is a sub-genre of romance, or if NA is meant to emulate YA, in which case, I don't think YA is a romance genre, although it may have love..."

Oooh ok that makes a lot of sense and the sex thing is also what I was thinking would be the distinction, and I've come across people online who love YA and do not want sex scenes in them.

Yes, I can see NA being part of romantic suspense/contemporary romance and also I feel like the bully sub-genre is what I seem to come across on my GR feed.

Thank y'all for indulging me in this question 😅😅😅

Jac K wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I feel stupid. I had never heard of new adult books. I had to look up NA."

I used to read a lot of NA, but the younger more emotional storylines started to annoy me the older I got...."

I totally get what your friend means about modern historical novels lol!! There should be a term for these historicals!! Because I usually describe them in a very clunky manner: "more recently published historical novels..."

Hm the 2 times I've tried to read NA (and they were both bully romance), I stopped. Just couldn't do it.

They definitely need a term because modern historical sounds like an oxymoron and NA historical romance isn’t it either.

Eliza wrote: "They definitely need a term because modern historical sounds like an oxymoron and NA historical romance isn’t it either."

actually I find "modern historical" fitting since these books use history like a cheap prop for their very much boring, modern characters. haha we could call it Modern "Historical" :)

Joking aside, I haven't seen Angelique by Anne Golon recommended (it's a long series) There is no graphic sex, but there is lots of bodice ripping. One of the men in Angelique's life starts of as her enemy. This aristocrat treats her like a peasant wench and looks down on her even though she is his cousin. I loved him haha. If I remember correctly there was a scene involving a riding crop, but I don't remember who used it on whom.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

"Modern historical" sounds good to me. So much easier to say than: 'Historical romances written more recently," or whatever.

I want to read Angelique but book 1 in that series is so difficult to find! (At least in English) I have a few of the later books in the series. Do you know if the books can be read out of order?

Meredith, Empress of the Sock Puppet Army wrote: "I want to read Angelique but book 1 in that series is so difficult to ..."

The story is linear and follows her life as it unwraps through the years, so I recommend reading it in order. I was lucky that my mom had most of the books in this series. Unfortunately she didn't have Silver Devil so I'll probably never get to read that one.

doesn't angelique have a tv series or movies too?

Caro ♡ Hot Mess Sommelière wrote: "doesn't angelique have a tv series or movies too?"

Yes there is a TV series from the 60s that could help as an introduction to the plot. Recently a remake has been made and my god like everything done today it was a sort of cringe I cannot stomach. The casting was horrid too (they picked a guy who was probably 70 to play de Peyrac)

By the way has anyone seen The last Duel? On one hand, I am scared to see it because I am sure Ridley Scott has bastardized history for the modern audience, but on the other I want to watch Adam Driver playing a bodice-ripping rapist and then fighting a duel to prove his innocence. I would love to read a BR based on this historical event sans all the annoying modernization.

I haven’t watched it yet, but I will strictly for Adam driver

I haven't watched that one. I haven't been to the cinema this year except to see Dune because I like Villeneuve. Ridley Scott is an "eh" director for me. I get that many love his style, but for me it always feels a bit too glorious and forced.

I want to watch The Last Duel- the trailer gave me major BD vibes. Been hesitating due to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon playing lords but Adam Driver would be good in this role…

Dune is amazing… the chemistry between all the couples were off the charts.

I haven't heard of The Last Duel - going to look that up.

Glad to hear you guys liked Dune. I have a subscription to HBO Max and I've considered watching it at home...but I've heard with the cinematography it's worth seeing in theaters. My only concern is it's been so long since I sat through an entire movie in a theater (where it's rude to pull out my phone and read lol). Reading books has shortened my attention span when it comes to movies.

@Morena thanks. I'll keep my eye out for Angelique. Occasionally The Silver Devil shows up on places like ebay or abebooks for reasonable prices. It's worth doing some kind of search alert (if you live in place where you can ship from those websites). I was able to purchase The Flesh and the Devil from Abebooks for only $10 about a year ago.

Meredith, Empress of the Sock Puppet Army wrote: "I haven't heard of The Last Duel - going to look that up.

Glad to hear you guys liked Dune. I have a subscription to HBO Max and I've considered watching it at home...but I've heard with the cine..."

Watch it in theatres, if you can! The cinematography is unbelievable. I loved all the shots. They did a lot of filming on location like in Jordan, Norway etc. I've watched it twice and am seriously wanting to see it in IMAX.

Ok you talked me into it :) There are some movies where it's absolutely worth it to watch in theaters. I'm jealous of the people who got to see Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen. I wouldn't want to miss out on this if the cinematography is just as good. If the movie is compelling enough I can sit through it all the way too.

Meredith, Doctor Zhivago and The Color Purple would be amazing to watch on the big screen too. Both have gorgeous Cinematography.
I want to see The Last Duel (big history fan) but my attention spand is also short thanks to books. I actually miss commercials so I can read in between the show. I know sad, right?

I got Silver Devil and other Br for free on z library or z-lib.org. if anybody's looking for old BR.

Eliza,

If your still looking for enemies to lovers:
Have you ever read Heather Graham/Sharon Drake ---practically all her books have the same formula.
Princess of Fire

My Wicked Enchantress by Meagan McKinney

Evening Star Catherine Coulter has many books with this trope

The Dark Lord by Kathryn Le Vegue. The H does some very disturbing things

His Wicked Ways My Cherished Enemy by Samantha James

Moonstruck Madness by Laura Mcbain

The Maiden Bride by Roxanne Becnel

Tempted by Virginia Henley.

I dont think these are the type of crazy books you wanted. Still some are good.

sorry my desktop is acting up. ignore the duplicate sentence at the end.

Hey Lauren,

Just wanted to thank you for the list of recommendations. I already acquired one of those books and can't wait to dig in!

Jericho, Your welcome! I hope you enjoy reading them.

oh The Dark Lord by Kathryn le Veque I should warn you that the H commits genocide. So it's dark! I like some of her other books better.

The Dark Lord....lord that book. I hated it 😁 Not because it was dark, that's actually what drew me in. It was just bad. Bad writing, bad characters, BAD cover.

Thank you for all the suggestions! I am bound to find something!

Eliza wrote: "The Dark Lord....lord that book. I hated it 😁 Not because it was dark, that's actually what drew me in. It was just bad. Bad writing, bad characters, BAD cover.

Thank you for all the suggestions!..."

LOL I just looked at that cover. Pumped-up sausage in micro-miny. I am aware that published authors have no say what graphics are used for their covers (though maybe Le Vegue did), and it shows. They used to get it right when using Tom Hall's illustrations.

Chain mail Booty shorts 😂

That cover though... 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

For your information, he is not wearing booty shorts! His muscles are so big they broke the lower half of his chainmail. Conan the Barbarian had this same problem. ;).

My bad 😂