The best clean and wholesome historical romances

Why am I passionate about this?

Danielle Thorne has researched, traveled, read, and written sweet stories about historical gentlemen, pirates, ladies, and not-so-distressed damsels from her home south of Atlanta for over half her life. A graduate of BYU-Idaho with an English minor, she also writes clean and wholesome contemporary romance for Harlequin's tasteful Love Inspired line. She is the author of over twenty-five family-friendly books in a variety of genres.  


I wrote...

A Pirate at Pembroke

By Danielle Thorne,

Book cover of A Pirate at Pembroke

What is my book about?

When Sophie's sent to a matchmaking party, the pirate from Pembroke Hall arrives and distracts everyone from the summer festivities. Unguarded, her feelings about the mysterious Captain Murdock bloom into a trusted friendship Sophie fears may mean more than anyone suspects.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Pride and Prejudice

Danielle Thorne Why did I love this book?

Pride and Prejudice is the gold standard for clean and wholesome romance with its colorful characters and tasteful handling of difficult and sometimes scandalous choices. While some readers may hesitate to tackle fiction written over two hundred years ago, it is easily read and the many film adaptations are enjoyable. This novel's wit and observation tie in beautifully to the romance and its main character, Lizzie, who must face herself before she can accept what's in her heart. 

By Jane Austen,

Why should I read it?

29 authors picked Pride and Prejudice as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One of BBC's 100 Novels That Shaped Our World.

Jane Austen's best-loved novel is an unforgettable story about the inaccuracy of first impressions, the power of reason, and above all the strange dynamics of human relationships and emotions.

Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is illustrated by Hugh Thomson and features an afterword by author and critic, Henry Hitchings.

A tour de force of wit and sparkling dialogue, Pride and…


Book cover of Edenbrooke

Danielle Thorne Why did I love this book?

Lately becoming known as a modern and very recent classic, Edenbrooke is sweet romantic fiction at its best with authentic echoes of Jane Austen. The setting is well-established, the characters multi-dimensional, and the writing is elegant and beautiful. It is a romance novel that can be enjoyed again and again, and it's a shame that it hasn't been brought to film yet. 

By Julianne Donaldson,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Edenbrooke as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she'll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue…


Book cover of Courting Miss Lancaster

Danielle Thorne Why did I love this book?

Courting Miss Lancaster is a perfect first novel for those new to Sarah Eden. She is the queen of beautiful and inspirational wholesome romance novels. This story is original, fun, witty, and so heartwarming you will be an instant fan. Well-researched, it brings the Regency era—and courtship—to life.

By Sarah M. Eden,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Courting Miss Lancaster as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Harry Windover adores blonde, green-eyed Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman s hand. To add insult to injury, Athena s brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding the gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous. Athena can't comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eligible and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed,…


Book cover of The Heiress of Winterwood

Danielle Thorne Why did I love this book?

This novel brings England's moors to life with a Regency romance that is sometimes haunting. It features a courageous heroine who doesn't know her own strength until she must flip social norms upside down by proposing marriage to a man she doesn't know or love—but needs. A couple determined to sacrifice everything for the love of a child makes this story memorable, and the romance is beautiful. 

By Sarah E. Ladd,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Heiress of Winterwood as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In this sweet Regency romance, Amelia Barret will risk everything to keep her word-even to the point of proposing to a sea captain she's never met.

Amelia Barrett, heiress to an estate nestled in the English moors, defies family expectations and promises to raise her dying friend's baby. But she knows she can't do it alone and finds herself in the surprising position of asking Graham, the child's father-a man she's never met before-to marry her.

When the baby vanishes with little more than an ominous ransom note hinting at her whereabouts, Amelia and Graham are driven to test the…


Book cover of Engaging Sir Isaac

Danielle Thorne Why did I love this book?

This is my favorite book of Sally Britton's many clean and wholesome Regency romances. I love how fully dimensional her characters are, and her research is always spot-on and entertaining. She creates wonderful stories set in England that pull at your heartstrings and bring the most satisfying happily-ever-afters in the end. Many of her books are part of a series, but they can be read in any order. 

By Sally Britton,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Engaging Sir Isaac as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

She promised she would bring the baronet to his knees, never dreaming she would lose her heart in the process.

Millicent Wedgwood will never obtain her rightful place in Society, which means she will never have an advantageous reputation, marriage, or future. All because Millie's sister eloped years before. But there is a chance to rise above that disgrace. If she can win the trust of the baronet who insulted Lady Olivia, and then betray him, she will earn back her position in Society with Lady Olivia’s sponsorship.

Sir Isaac Fox returned from war with one less arm and a…


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Book cover of This Animal Body

Meredith Walters

New book alert!

What is my book about?

Neuroscience PhD student Frankie Conner has finally gotten her life together—she’s determined to discover the cause of her depression and find a cure for herself and everyone like her. But the first day of her program, she meets a group of talking animals who have an urgent message they refuse to share. And while the animals may not have Frankie’s exalted human brain, they know things she doesn’t, like what happened before she was adopted.

To prove she’s sane, Frankie investigates her forgotten past and conducts clandestine experiments. But just when she uncovers the truth, she has to make an impossible choice: betray the animals she’s fallen in love with—or give up her last chance at success and everything she thought she knew.

By Meredith Walters,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked This Animal Body as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Frankie Conner, first-year graduate student at UC Berkeley, is finally getting her life together. After multiple failures and several false starts, she's found her calling: become a neuroscientist, discover the cause of her depression and anxiety, and hopefully find a cure for herself and everyone like her.

But her first day of the program, Frankie meets a mysterious group of talking animals who claim to have an urgent message for her. The problem is, they're not willing to share it. Not yet. Not until she's ready.

While Frankie's new friends may not have her highly evolved, state-of-the-art, exalted human brain,…


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