Having climbed many a tree with the boys as a kid, I cannot stay away from a good gender-bender romance. The suspense, the humour of it, and the inevitable conclusion that not your appearance but your choices define who you are – a perfect combination in my opinion. Mix in a male counterpart who is supportive and understanding and I am hooked! So much so, that I have written a book about a girl who dressed up as a boy.
By Anna Jane Greenville
London, 1872. In Victorian England, a woman’s only hope is to marry well, but who would want a penniless wife? Joanna doesn’t believe in fairy tales, and chooses to be her own prince. She decides to pursue a career of her own by attending the prestigious Oliver Kenwood Boarding School – disguised as a boy.
If only it weren’t for her cunning yet fascinating teacher Charles Hanson who seems to dislike her quite passionately. With him watching her every step, she finds it increasingly difficult to hold up her disguise, particularly when rich and confident Abigail sets her eyes on Hanson – why does it bother Joanna quite so much? And is her secret really as safe as she hopes?
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By Georgette Heyer
Love is not the only thing that is in the air in this one. Penelope happens to dangle off a window in boy clothes just when Mr. Right comes passing by.
If Heyer's romance books were a food, they would be red velvet cupcakes – sweet and elegant. I have yet to read one of hers that is not amazing.
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By L.A. Meyer
Mary "Jacky" Faber, an orphaned street kid in early 19th century London, begins her adventures across the seven seas by dressing up as a ship's boy. Throughout the series she builds up quite the amazing resume that would put a Navy Seal to shame. And of course, there is a bit of romance here and there but the focus lies on Jacky sailing the world and kicking butt!
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By Emmaline Andrews, Reese Dante
A somewhat different kind of setting awaits readers in The Academy. It depicts a dystopia in space that resembles Victorian times quite strikingly. Pretty awesome combination, huh? The heroine infiltrates an all-boys school to become a spaceship pilot and navigate the stars. Only to discover even the galaxy is not big enough to run from love.
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By Louisa May Alcott, Roberta Bordone
Why I recommend this book that every romance-head can recite cover to cover? Because I could not possibly take myself seriously as an author if I didn't. Seriously, Jo is a tomboy legend. She does not even need to get dressed up as a boy to show us who’s boss.
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By William Shakespeare, William J. Rolfe
Twelth Night or, What You Will just has to be on here, being the mother of all boys-clothes-wearing heroines. The plot has been adapted in so many books and films that it is definitely worth it to read the original (or better yet: watch the play) to see where the brilliancy stems from.
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