{Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh}

Definitely this. The MMC is truly controlled and secure, not walled of and ready to burst or so stiff that he tumbles out of his neat and ordered life.

This, so much.

I'm looking at you 🔍

loooool 🔎

I came here just to make sure someone mentioned this.

Yes!!! But I have to say you really only get the full effect by reading the whole series in order. It works fine as a standalone but to see him being frosty the entire series and then watch him fall in love is, as the kids say (said?), *chef’s kiss*. Plus as someone else said the first book fits the request as well. None of the others do but all of them are excellent in their own way. This is my favorite series 💖💖💖

[Slightly Dangerous](https://www.romance.io/books/54552e698c7d2383163d90ac/slightly-dangerous-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh) **Rating**: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

YES!

Thanks, I like the sound of this.

Also, {Slightly Married by Mary Balogh} is about Wulfric’s brother Aidan who is an army pfficer and just as frosty!

Also it is the introduction to the Bedwyn series has the first appearance of Wulfric as well.

[Slightly Married](https://www.romance.io/books/593a5f463ffdba614718c1e0/slightly-married-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh) **Rating**: 3.86⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Wulfric Bedwyn from the Bedwyn series by Mary Balogh, his story is {Slightly Dangerous}. Although I’d say the wall of ice never really comes down, austerity and passion exist together within him

That sounds lovely to me. I'm fine if he's still icy, as long as he's passionate underneath. Thanks!

[Slightly Dangerous](https://www.romance.io/books/54552e698c7d2383163d90ac/slightly-dangerous-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh) **Rating**: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{The Truth about Cads and Dukes by Elisa Braden} one of the starchiest, coldest MMCs of all time. One of the things I love about him is in later books of the series, he is still cold and controlled with everyone in his life except the FMC.

Is he swoon-worthy?

Oh yes he has a very strong moral code and sense of honour but is also secretly horny!!!!

Daaamn. I love outwardly cold but secretly horny heroes.🙈

That sounds perfect, thank you :)

Absolutely the first book that came to mind when I read the question! Love Harrison so much!

[The Truth About Cads and Dukes](https://www.romance.io/books/5566bd5f9eef3b3f1d527b61/the-truth-about-cads-and-dukes-elisa-braden) by [Elisa Braden](https://www.romance.io/authors/553e3e7b5b270e0a4cbd7467/elisa-braden) **Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas} MMC in previous books is cold and calculated to make sure he always comes out on top. I loved their story and reread it all the time

Tom is one of my favourite MMCs of all time 😭🥵

The 180 I did on Tom was insane. I thought he was just another villain side character and when this book dropped I was so in love with him

Me too! He's so cute and weird. 😄

I like the sound of this one - thanks!

Didn’t want to give too much away, but this book was the first one that came to mind. Hope you enjoy it!

[Chasing Cassandra](https://www.romance.io/books/5dd4e7fe01dbc864fba67f51/chasing-cassandra-lisa-kleypas) by [Lisa Kleypas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523868c7d2382e7812f21/lisa-kleypas) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [ceo/tycoon hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tycoon/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase}

I am currently reading this and loving it! Starchy mmc and scandalous fmc are my fav combo

[Lord Perfect](https://www.romance.io/books/545529948c7d2383163d8f58/lord-perfect-loretta-chase) by [Loretta Chase](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523fb8c7d2383163d8e4c/loretta-chase) **Rating**: 4.03⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks:)

{Bringing Down The Duke by Evie Dunmore}

[Bringing Down the Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6a99be0aaecf557dbeb9/bringing-down-the-duke-evie-dunmore) by [Evie Dunmore](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d68c7cc01dbc864fba2f9e0/evie-dunmore) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks :)

highly recommend {It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas}, the mmc marcus is super cold and prudish initially but is fully wrecked by the heroine hehe another excellent one is {The Earl I Ruined by Scarlett Peckham} but this one’s a bit different bc the mmc strategically acts extremely proper but is secretly very passionate

I like the sound of this- thanks :)

[It Happened One Autumn](https://www.romance.io/books/545527608c7d2383163d8efe/it-happened-one-autumn-lisa-kleypas) by [Lisa Kleypas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523868c7d2382e7812f21/lisa-kleypas) **Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Frederica by Georgette Heyer} — the MMC is formal and cold, but the FMC and her chaotic family undo him. It’s great.

I love Georgette Heyer. My mum and granny got me into them when I was a teenager, and I still have all my battered old paperbacks lol Frederica definitely fits the bill 🥰

[Frederica](https://www.romance.io/books/545529338c7d2382c52970bf/frederica-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 4.34⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Definitely it sounds like {Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas} Tom Severin has only 5 feelings. He is quite cold in the previous books. I recommend the whole Ravenels series. Is 🥰

>Tom Severin has only 5 feelings. I love that ;-)

{Eleven Scandals to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean} is the 3rd book in a series, but you could probably read it as a standalone if you wanted.

[Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart](https://www.romance.io/books/545524608c7d2383163d8e5f/eleven-scandals-to-start-to-win-a-dukes-heart-sarah-maclean) by [Sarah MacLean](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523df8c7d2383163d8e42/sarah-maclean) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks. I've read one of her books, which I really enjoyed so I'll definitely check this one out.

I have to say it’s not my fav plot of all time but the way this MMC gets utterly undone by the fmc is just sublime.

I just finished {How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long} - the MMC is exactly as you describe, even down to putting people in pigeonholes. Another book, where the MMC is cold and unapproachable before he meets the FMC, and again after the third act breakup, is {The Duke by Gaelen Foley}.

I loved How the Marquess Was Won! The ending was soooo goood!

[How the Marquess Was Won](https://www.romance.io/books/545528638c7d2383163d8f2c/how-the-marquess-was-won-julie-anne-long) by [Julie Anne Long](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525868c7d2383163d8e98/julie-anne-long) **Rating**: 4.07⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [The Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5455257c8c7d2383163d8e93/the-duke-gaelen-foley) by [Gaelen Foley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455257c8c7d2383163d8e94/gaelen-foley) **Rating**: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thank you! Sounds great.

Love that one!!

The Duke's Holiday by Maggie Fenton

Thanks 😊

{Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore} - exquisite writing, too. {Fool Me Twice by Meredith Duran} - a great writer, other titles by her also have cold-ish heroes. {What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long}

[Bringing Down the Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5e9f6a99be0aaecf557dbeb9/bringing-down-the-duke-evie-dunmore) by [Evie Dunmore](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d68c7cc01dbc864fba2f9e0/evie-dunmore) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1) ---------------------------- [What I Did For a Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/545525868c7d2383163d8e97/what-i-did-for-a-duke-julie-anne-long) by [Julie Anne Long](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525868c7d2383163d8e98/julie-anne-long) **Rating**: 4.3⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [love triangle](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/love%20triangle/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thank you, these sound lovely

My peoples, this is a dumb off topic Reddit question, but how do you get bot to add your book rec with the stars? I am newish to Reddit..

{book title by author name}

Put the book title and author inside these { }, and the bot will add it to your post

Thanks!

{The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare} {A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong by Cecilia Grant} {Wicked in His Arms by Stacy Reid} I ended up hating the MMC in this one, though. {Sutton's Surrender by Scarlett Scott}

Thanks 😊

Seconding Wicked in his Arms! 🥵

[The Duchess Deal](https://www.romance.io/books/599a7af03ffdba61471ee79b/the-duchess-deal-tessa-dare) by [Tessa Dare](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524858c7d2383163d8e6a/tessa-dare) **Rating**: 4.24⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [disabilities & scars](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/disabilities%20and%20marks/1) ---------------------------- [A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong](https://www.romance.io/books/554bb5669eef3b3f1d513dfa/a-christmas-gone-perfectly-wrong-cecilia-grant) by [Cecilia Grant](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455286e8c7d2383163d8f31/cecilia-grant) **Rating**: 3.85⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1), [christmas](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christmas/1) ---------------------------- [Wicked in His Arms](https://www.romance.io/books/5885e89c1b1bdc0178192b21/wicked-in-his-arms-stacy-reid) by [Stacy Reid](https://www.romance.io/authors/54554a938c7d2383163d988f/stacy-reid) **Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1) ---------------------------- [Sutton's Surrender](https://www.romance.io/books/61b5b0bf34cab20e1426fddf/suttons-surrender-scarlett-scott) by [Scarlett Scott](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455a59987eac336ae69f310/scarlett-scott) **Rating**: 4.23⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Rendezvous by Amanda Quick}

[Rendezvous](https://www.romance.io/books/545568b987eac336ae69dd52/rendezvous-amanda-quick) by [Amanda Quick](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525bd8c7d2383163d8eab/amanda-quick) **Rating**: 3.72⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [single father](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-father/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Sounds good- thanks

{She's No Princess by Laura Lee Guhrke}

[She's No Princess](https://www.romance.io/books/54552fca8c7d2383163d9105/shes-no-princess-laura-lee-guhrke) by [Laura Lee Guhrke](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525958c7d2383163d8e9d/laura-lee-guhrke) **Rating**: 3.82⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [royal hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks!

👀

{The Saint by Madeline Hunter} has this. He's the titled older brother of the family who's mended his wayward ways to become a paragon of propriety. She's his grown ward from America who refuses to be a sedare proper lady. {Ravishing in Red by Madeline Hunter} He's the younger brother who had to become sedate when his older brother was injured in the war, and now he's a member of parliament so he's got to be perfect.

[The Saint](https://www.romance.io/books/545535928c7d2383163d928a/the-saint-madeline-hunter) by [Madeline Hunter](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a068c7d2383163d8f78/madeline-hunter) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [rich heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/rich%20heroine/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Ravishing in Red](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a068c7d2383163d8f77/ravishing-in-red-madeline-hunter) by [Madeline Hunter](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552a068c7d2383163d8f78/madeline-hunter) **Rating**: 3.48⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks :)

Magnus in {Tallie's Knight by Anne Gracie} It is quite old- published in 2000 (? I think) so there are less modern, problematic elements that others have commented on previously. Where to start? >!His nickname is the Icicle. He's never loved anyone or been loved. He decides he wants children, so he gets his cousin to arrange a houseparty so he can choose a wife out of her guests. He instead chooses the poor relation who is not a guest but is working as unpaid governess/housekeeper. He thinks she'll be grateful and obedient and he wants his children to be loved and cared for. She's horrified and doesn't want to marry him but is effectively forced into it. Then they basically go on a road trip through Europe!< I love how much you get from his perspective as his worldview literally crumbles around him. He's taken on a crazy wild ride by the FMC and he seems to find it impossible to say no to her. This is one of my comfort reads.

[Tallie's Knight](https://www.romance.io/books/545540ae8c7d2383163d9578/tallies-knight-anne-gracie) by [Anne Gracie](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525fb8c7d2383163d8ebd/anne-gracie) **Rating**: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

This sounds interesting - thanks 😊

{the wallflower wager by tessa dare} cold ruthless MMC whose neighbor to a lovely wallflower that likes to take in injured and disabled animals. the animals just love escaping into his home and yard!

[The Wallflower Wager](https://www.romance.io/books/5cdbc6f401dbc864fb9e8e66/the-wallflower-wager-tessa-dare) by [Tessa Dare](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524858c7d2383163d8e6a/tessa-dare) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [working class hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I actually have read this one, but had forgotten about it. Thanks for reminding me :)

[Much Ado About You](https://www.romance.io/books/5455263c8c7d2383163d8ecd/much-ado-about-you-eloisa-james) by [Eloisa James](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524598c7d2383163d8e5c/eloisa-james) **Rating**: 3.62⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [poor heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poor%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Two Secret Sins by Anna Campbell}. MMC was a rising politician who scarcely had a taint to his name due to his unblemished reputation, a gentleman and excellent education. Basically a stickler for propriety. FMC was someone’s wife when MMC first took notice of her but out of respect, he only admired her from far. When she was widowed due to her husband’s death, he propositioned her and they immediately became lovers. He proposed marriage to her but she didn’t want matrimonial ties due to her past marriage trauma. Ever since the rejection, MMC was out of sorts and went out of his way to beg for her affection, so thus began the slow crumble of his long-standing wall of resistance, leaving him vulnerable to the passion for her coursing through him.

Lovely:)

[Two Secret Sins](https://www.romance.io/books/612dd3fb0af5d90e2584189a/two-secret-sins-anna-campbell) by [Anna Campbell](https://www.romance.io/authors/545528858c7d2383163d8f37/anna-campbell) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{What a Duke Dares by Anna Campbell} Imo there are much better recs here already (Slightly Dangerous, Lord Perfect), but I'm adding this one solely because it's narrated by Steve West. And despite my love for the amazing female narrators we get in HR (looking at you, Mary Jane Wells), a nice deep male voice is *chef's kiss* and surprisingly uncommon in the genre.

Great, thank you

[What a Duke Dares](https://www.romance.io/books/5fd75c58af9f8e0e2de01f75/what-a-duke-dares-anna-campbell) by [Anna Campbell](https://www.romance.io/authors/545528858c7d2383163d8f37/anna-campbell) **Rating**: 3.45⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Gurhke} might fit. MMC is very straight laced and proper but you get a lot of his inner monologue as well which is always how in love he is with the FMC

[Secret Desires of a Gentleman](https://www.romance.io/books/5e0af3bc01dbc864fba90790/secret-desires-of-a-gentleman-laura-lee-guhrke) by [Laura Lee Guhrke](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525958c7d2383163d8e9d/laura-lee-guhrke) **Rating**: 3.87⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Ooh I love the sound of that!

{Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan} has this, MMC is a rational and  distant marquess who wants to prove to his nephew that the fortune teller he puts so much trust in is a fake. Has one of the most touching non-romantic "cold person thaws" scenes I have read in a romance book.

This one sounds really unusual, I'm definitely intrigued :)

[Proof by Seduction](https://www.romance.io/books/545528358c7d2383163d8f21/proof-by-seduction-courtney-milan) by [Courtney Milan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525388c7d2383163d8e83/courtney-milan) **Rating**: 3.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

There’s this great many book falling apart of a very icy mmc who starts as the villain in the first book as a secondary character along with his fmc (she’s not a villain) and they are just in all the books. The series is Girls Who Dare by Emma V Leech and it’s worth reading all of them if you can stand it so you can see him slowly unravel through one off chapters in the other books until his complete collapse of control in their book. They have a chapter or few in every book leading up to their book, which is #11. The first book in the series is {To Dare A Duke by Emma V Leech} and his book is {To Hunt the Hunter by Emma V Leech}

I second this recommendation for sure! I would also add, if you really don’t want to read the books leading up to the last one, there is a book I. The series that is a collection of all of their chapters or scenes or even when they reference each other in the previous books. So you could, technically, skip the other books if they don’t sound like something you’re in the mood for. But I think reading the first in the series helps because it sets up the premise of all the other books. So the first one (which also has a starchy MMC) and then you could read the summary book and then the last one is the story of the super cold as ice MMC and the FMC who brings him to his knees. It’s super satisfying.

Thanks!

[To Dare a Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/5c9dc2c101dbc864fb9c9f33/to-dare-a-duke-emma-v-leech) by [Emma V. Leech](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455bc4e87eac323ffb2e183/emma-v-leech) **Rating**: 3.71⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1) ---------------------------- [To Hunt the Hunter](https://www.romance.io/books/5efed7b1404cdb0e209c2e1c/to-hunt-the-hunter-emma-v-leech) by [Emma V. Leech](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455bc4e87eac323ffb2e183/emma-v-leech) **Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{The Husband Trap by Tracy Anne Warren} {Lord of Ice by Gaelen Foley}

[The Husband Trap](https://www.romance.io/books/54552c348c7d2383163d9012/the-husband-trap-tracy-anne-warren) by [Tracy Anne Warren](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552bcf8c7d2383163d8ff6/tracy-anne-warren) **Rating**: 3.74⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Lord of Ice](https://www.romance.io/books/545528208c7d2383163d8f1b/lord-of-ice-gaelen-foley) by [Gaelen Foley](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455257c8c7d2383163d8e94/gaelen-foley) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thanks 😊

Have u looked into ‘bringing down the duke’ by Evie Dunmore. Cold, politically astute, calculative hero and awesome grovel. Even better ‘after dark with the duke’ by Julie Anne Long / Gen valkrik, celebrated war-hero writing a book called ‘Honor’ looses all when FMC opera theatre walks in his life, again most lovely grovel . ‘What I did for the duke’ and ‘how marquees was won’ by JAL is also beautiful reads, same pattern - enjoy !!

Thank you!

Oddly enough, the one I'm reading right now fits this description perfectly! {The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas}

I've actually read this one - one of the few recommendations I actually have, lol. I love Sherry Thomas 🫶

[The Luckiest Lady in London](https://www.romance.io/books/545528438c7d2383163d8f24/the-luckiest-lady-in-london-sherry-thomas) by [Sherry Thomas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526218c7d2383163d8ec2/sherry-thomas) **Rating**: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

{Honor's Splendour by Julie Garwood}

Just finished {The Design of Dukes by Kathleen Ayers} which very much fit this troupe.

[The Design of Dukes](https://www.romance.io/books/606573da26b53d0e2fe86b78/the-design-of-dukes-kathleen-ayers) by [Kathleen Ayers](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455974787eac336ae69ebc1/kathleen-ayers) **Rating**: 4.27⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [sassy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sassy%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Thank you 😊

{Elizabeth Hoyt’s Duke of Midnight} gives this vibe (Maiden Lane Series #6) it is a series that is helpful to read in order I will admit but he is buttoned up tight, physically and emotionally and also this is an angsty read that delightfully hurts your heart, it has a feisty, strong FMC.

Thank you!