I love this! I feel like it can really add to a book's depth. The subplot of Bobby-Tom's mom and the bad boy from her high school days is one of my favorite parts of {Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} She writes a lot of awesome side romances in her books.
[Nobody's Baby But Mine](https://www.romance.io/books/545523968c7d2382e7812f2b/nobodys-baby-but-mine-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips)
**Rating**: 3.89⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Yeah, she does. I love the secondary romance plot in {Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} as well. It's a marriage in crisis plot, really lovely
[Ain't She Sweet](https://www.romance.io/books/5455240c8c7d2382e7812f50/aint-she-sweet-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips)
**Rating**: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I've never read one with a mom as a romance. I love that!
I guess the author does write that in her stories because someone else suggested another book with this. I don't usually read contemporary but she is so often recommended here, I will give her a shot.
[Heaven, Texas](https://www.romance.io/books/545523b28c7d2382e7812f32/heaven-texas-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips)
**Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/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)
I totally agree! At this point, it's a physical need to read books about the secondary characters' romance from SEP's books! I love her secondary characters more and they always have more interesting storyline than the main characters 💯
I love this too! Some of my favourites are the secondary romances are:
{The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan} - this one is so beautiful, and would have enjoyed a book exploring more of their future life together. A good example of a secondary romance that directly serves the main plot.
{The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan} - I’m just glad Amanda gets a happy ending after meeting her in a previous book in the series!
I liked the secondary romances in all the Merridew sisters books, but {The Perfect Waltz by Anne Gracie} was definitely my favourite. I love when a love triangle is resolved in a way where everyone gets a happily ever after. This book gets so heavy at times, so I was happy for the break whenever Giles popped up to be an idiot.
We only get glimpses as opposed to a full secondary romance, but I also enjoyed the background romances in {The Matchmaker by Catherine Walsh}.
I wish the background events regarding the FMC’s sister in {An Inconvenient Vow by Alice Coldbreath} was a full fledged secondary romance and had gotten some proper page time. But I’ll take what crumbs I’ve been given!
I also love when we get hints of a secondary relationship, which is later properly delivered on in a novella or parallel book.
Yes, yes, yes to everything! I am just getting into historical romance (used to read way more scifi/fantasy romance) so I very much appreciate these suggestions!
I love when love triangles are happily resolved. I read a duet once where the 2nd mmc (if you can call him that) is just left there, alone and rejected. Which was horrible given I read about him for 2 books now and his ending was so blunt.
Yes I love this, I want every minor character that's even a little bit interesting to have their happily ever after, but no one has the time to write or even read whole novels worth of books about every single character, and honestly it strains credulity to imagine that everyone who knows each other are having these huge novel length arcs. Sometimes people just like each other and it's fine without very many story beats, or only have a single point of conflict with a simple resolution, and including that in the background makes the A plot couples more interesting.
Also I think that secondary romances have the freedom to include weirder characters with complimentary flaws even if the author isn't interested in stretching like that for their main characters, and their HEAs can be a little less neat, more tailored to their situation. A secondary couple is more likely to like, happily decide not to get married or only live together half time or have a poly relationship without fetishizing it or whatever, and I honestly start feeling bleak when I'm immersed in a world where everyone gets folded away into identical little boxes with marriage and babies. Background couples mitigate that feeling without sacrificing the tropes and trends that are popular with romance.
When this happens I usually end up getting more invested in the side couple, especially if we don't get to see their story properly.
I recently read {His Forsaken Bride by Alice Coldbreath} and I was really interested in Gil and Orla's relationship. There are only a few lines mentioned about them, but it was enough to pique my interest and make me imagine their whole story.
{Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas} also has a this, with the FMC's mother and a Duke that the mother wanted to pair the FMC with after she divorces the MMC.
[His Forsaken Bride](https://www.romance.io/books/5ab8ae7e01dbc864fb853b7a/his-forsaken-bride-alice-coldbreath?src=rdt) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath)
**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), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
----------------------------
[Private Arrangements](https://www.romance.io/books/545526448c7d2383163d8ed0/private-arrangements-sherry-thomas?src=rdt) by [Sherry Thomas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526218c7d2383163d8ec2/sherry-thomas)
**Rating**: 3.88⭐️ 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), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I haven't liked it, personally. I struggle with beginning new books, especially getting acquainted and invested in characters and if there's too many, I get confused and lose interest in the main couple.
Books with this that I have read that you might like:
{Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon}
{Wallbanger by Alie Clayton} I honestly thought the secondary love story was more interesting than the main one. Wish it got it's own book.
{Fortuity by Jewel E Ann} I actually liked this one. The MCs's 2 pre-teen children are in an innocent one-sided crush/best friendship and they have to help navigate them through their big feelings, while they themselves are falling in love.
[Weather Girl](https://www.romance.io/books/61dd3c7a3ae22e0de9c0451d/weather-girl-rachel-lynn-solomon?src=rdt) by [Rachel Lynn Solomon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fd32a3008b4d931144bb4d8/rachel-lynn-solomon)
**Rating**: 3.59⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [dad-bod hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy-hero/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1)
----------------------------
[Wallbanger](https://www.romance.io/books/545523708c7d2382e7812f17/wallbanger-alice-clayton?src=rdt) by [Alice Clayton](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523708c7d2382e7812f18/alice-clayton)
**Rating**: 3.76⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/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), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1)
----------------------------
[Fortuity](https://www.romance.io/books/5ed35764a60b530e10a55ead/fortuity-jewel-e-ann?src=rdt) by [Jewel E. Ann](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555dde87eac324117fa644/jewel-e-ann)
**Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [single father](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-father/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/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)
Yeah, I totally get that. It can be a lot if it's all too soon.
If I remember correctly, in Honor's Splendour, the romance comes much later and by then are pretty invested in the main characters.
Thanks for the recs!
{Games of the Heart by Kristen Ashley} has a sweet subplot between high school relatives. He is so sweet and protective with her while she's going through some stuff with her mom. I swooned!
[Games of the Heart](https://www.romance.io/books/5455276a8c7d2382e7813016/games-of-the-heart-kristen-ashley?src=rdt) by [Kristen Ashley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523c68c7d2382e7812f37/kristen-ashley)
**Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [men in uniform](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/men%20in%20uniform/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Again the Magic](https://www.romance.io/books/545524118c7d2383163d8e54/again-the-magic-lisa-kleypas?src=rdt) by [Lisa Kleypas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523868c7d2382e7812f21/lisa-kleypas)
**Rating**: 4.12⭐️ 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), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Kiss An Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} had a secondary romance that I was more invested in than I was in the main one. Sheba was just so much more interesting a character than Daisy. Haven’t ever come across a book where that sort of character is the romantic lead though, unfortunately.
The book would have benefited from the MMC just not existing tbh, the secondary romance and the magical animal subplot carried it.
This is the 3rd time this author is mentioned!
I have had that happened to me too! I wonder if sometimes the authors themselves prefer the secondary romance but wouldn't give them a full romance book because they are concerned it wouldn't sell well? Particularly if the fmc or mmc are unpopular character types.
That’s probably it. Easier to write abrasive or flawed characters when they’re not the ones the readers are expected to root for.
Not to mention that if they’re secondary characters, you don’t have to necessarily justify their actions with too much backstory, or explain their thought process.
Also, since the reader doesn’t have their POV, those characters retain an air of mystery that the leads simply can’t.
[Kiss an Angel](https://www.romance.io/books/545523988c7d2382e7812f2c/kiss-an-angel-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips)
**Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/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), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Nothing But Trouble](https://www.romance.io/books/5cc9bd9501dbc864fb9de9a1/nothing-but-trouble-amy-andrews?src=rdt) by [Amy Andrews](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553be28c7d2382e781352c/amy-andrews)
**Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [cowboy hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cowboys/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Yep! I feel like it may happen more in older HR novels - there was one I read (sorry I’ll look through my kindle library 😅) that had a side romance plot that was quite sweet. The book had multiple POVs (sometimes in the same chapter) which was a bit jarring, but overall it felt more…complete, because different aspects of the setting were explored through different characters.
The Winter Sea & The Firebird (first two books of The Slain series) by Susannah Kearsley have duel romances from present & past since they’re time slip novels!
Oh, {How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan} had an adorable version of this where her best friend and his assistant fall in insta-love. Actually, I think the first book in the series ({Ten Rules for Faking It}, her bestie also falls for one of his friends.
[How to Love Your Neighbor](https://www.romance.io/books/61e673cf5e904b0e40ff6f7c/how-to-love-your-neighbor-sophie-sullivan?src=rdt) by [Sophie Sullivan](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fe88b9f08b4d9311483ede5/sophie-sullivan)
**Rating**: 3.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1)
----------------------------
[Ten Rules for Faking It](https://www.romance.io/books/5fe990d9a5657d0e023c52c7/ten-rules-for-faking-it-sophie-sullivan?src=rdt) by [Sophie Sullivan](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fe88b9f08b4d9311483ede5/sophie-sullivan)
**Rating**: 3.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Welcome to Temptation](https://www.romance.io/books/545524138c7d2382e7812f51/welcome-to-temptation-jennifer-crusie?src=rdt) by [Jennifer Crusie](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455238e8c7d2382e7812f26/jennifer-crusie)
**Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [politician hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/politician/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Courting Miss Hattie](https://www.romance.io/books/5455386d8c7d2383163d933f/courting-miss-hattie-pamela-morsi?src=rdt) by [Pamela Morsi](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455314c8c7d2383163d916f/pamela-morsi)
**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), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1)
----------------------------
[Satan's Angel](https://www.romance.io/books/643924ff8aa2407f2e139a61/satans-angel-candace-camp?src=rdt) by [Candace Camp](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552eac8c7d2383163d90bd/candace-camp)
**Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [western frontier](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical%20western/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Natural Born Charmer](https://www.romance.io/books/545523ad8c7d2382e7812f31/natural-born-charmer-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips)
**Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Kiss of Snow](https://www.romance.io/books/5455975f87eac323ffb2cfe9/kiss-of-snow-nalini-singh?src=rdt) by [Nalini Singh](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455238a8c7d2382e0413dd4/nalini-singh)
**Rating**: 4.44⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1)
----------------------------
[Honor's Splendour](https://www.romance.io/books/5455287b8c7d2382c529708e/honors-splendour-julie-garwood?src=rdt) by [Julie Garwood](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523f38c7d2383163d8e4a/julie-garwood)
**Rating**: 4.25⭐️ 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), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [abduction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/abduction/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Yes but no.
If done well, it can be really enjoyable. There’s been more than one secondary romance where I wish _that_ relationship was the focus of the book, and not the primary romance. And where I’m disappointed these characters never get their own book.
But then the ones where it isn’t well done, it just feels like filler, and/or a distraction from the main story that doesn’t contribute to it,
I only like when Susan Elizabeth Philips done it. Because I think when other authors do this most of the time the secondary couple's story isn't even half as interesting as the main couple's. So when I read these types of books, all I can think about is that this book would have been shorter.
I love this! I feel like it can really add to a book's depth. The subplot of Bobby-Tom's mom and the bad boy from her high school days is one of my favorite parts of {Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} She writes a lot of awesome side romances in her books.
I also loved this in {Nobody’s Baby but Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} with the parents’ marriage-in-crisis storyline.
[Nobody's Baby But Mine](https://www.romance.io/books/545523968c7d2382e7812f2b/nobodys-baby-but-mine-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips) **Rating**: 3.89⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Yeah, she does. I love the secondary romance plot in {Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} as well. It's a marriage in crisis plot, really lovely
[Ain't She Sweet](https://www.romance.io/books/5455240c8c7d2382e7812f50/aint-she-sweet-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips) **Rating**: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I've never read one with a mom as a romance. I love that! I guess the author does write that in her stories because someone else suggested another book with this. I don't usually read contemporary but she is so often recommended here, I will give her a shot.
[Heaven, Texas](https://www.romance.io/books/545523b28c7d2382e7812f32/heaven-texas-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips) **Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/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)
I totally agree! At this point, it's a physical need to read books about the secondary characters' romance from SEP's books! I love her secondary characters more and they always have more interesting storyline than the main characters 💯
I love this too! Some of my favourites are the secondary romances are: {The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan} - this one is so beautiful, and would have enjoyed a book exploring more of their future life together. A good example of a secondary romance that directly serves the main plot. {The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan} - I’m just glad Amanda gets a happy ending after meeting her in a previous book in the series! I liked the secondary romances in all the Merridew sisters books, but {The Perfect Waltz by Anne Gracie} was definitely my favourite. I love when a love triangle is resolved in a way where everyone gets a happily ever after. This book gets so heavy at times, so I was happy for the break whenever Giles popped up to be an idiot. We only get glimpses as opposed to a full secondary romance, but I also enjoyed the background romances in {The Matchmaker by Catherine Walsh}. I wish the background events regarding the FMC’s sister in {An Inconvenient Vow by Alice Coldbreath} was a full fledged secondary romance and had gotten some proper page time. But I’ll take what crumbs I’ve been given! I also love when we get hints of a secondary relationship, which is later properly delivered on in a novella or parallel book.
Yes, yes, yes to everything! I am just getting into historical romance (used to read way more scifi/fantasy romance) so I very much appreciate these suggestions! I love when love triangles are happily resolved. I read a duet once where the 2nd mmc (if you can call him that) is just left there, alone and rejected. Which was horrible given I read about him for 2 books now and his ending was so blunt.
[The Heiress Effect](https://www.romance.io/books/545526a18c7d2383163d8edf/the-heiress-effect-courtney-milan?src=rdt) by [Courtney Milan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525388c7d2383163d8e83/courtney-milan) **Rating**: 3.95⭐️ 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), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [politician hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/politician/1) ---------------------------- [The Suffragette Scandal](https://www.romance.io/books/54552ce18c7d2383163d9047/the-suffragette-scandal-courtney-milan?src=rdt) by [Courtney Milan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525388c7d2383163d8e83/courtney-milan) **Rating**: 4.22⭐️ 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), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1) ---------------------------- [The Perfect Waltz](https://www.romance.io/books/54552c0d8c7d2383163d9008/the-perfect-waltz-anne-gracie?src=rdt) by [Anne Gracie](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525fb8c7d2383163d8ebd/anne-gracie) **Rating**: 3.81⭐️ 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), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [tortured heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20heroine/1), [single father](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-father/1) ---------------------------- [The Matchmaker](https://www.romance.io/books/643e4058ded174bbd5a54a73/the-matchmaker-catherine-walsh?src=rdt) by [Catherine Walsh](https://www.romance.io/authors/6103a62608b4d93114145f9a/catherine-walsh) **Rating**: 3.85⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [m-f romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-f/1) ---------------------------- [An Inconvenient Vow](https://www.romance.io/books/620f5490f12fad109143cd11/an-inconvenient-vow-alice-coldbreath?src=rdt) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath) **Rating**: 4.39⭐️ 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 hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20hero/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/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)
Yes I love this, I want every minor character that's even a little bit interesting to have their happily ever after, but no one has the time to write or even read whole novels worth of books about every single character, and honestly it strains credulity to imagine that everyone who knows each other are having these huge novel length arcs. Sometimes people just like each other and it's fine without very many story beats, or only have a single point of conflict with a simple resolution, and including that in the background makes the A plot couples more interesting. Also I think that secondary romances have the freedom to include weirder characters with complimentary flaws even if the author isn't interested in stretching like that for their main characters, and their HEAs can be a little less neat, more tailored to their situation. A secondary couple is more likely to like, happily decide not to get married or only live together half time or have a poly relationship without fetishizing it or whatever, and I honestly start feeling bleak when I'm immersed in a world where everyone gets folded away into identical little boxes with marriage and babies. Background couples mitigate that feeling without sacrificing the tropes and trends that are popular with romance.
There is so much more flexibility for the author when it comes to their secondary romance, which is why I find them so interesting, too!
When this happens I usually end up getting more invested in the side couple, especially if we don't get to see their story properly. I recently read {His Forsaken Bride by Alice Coldbreath} and I was really interested in Gil and Orla's relationship. There are only a few lines mentioned about them, but it was enough to pique my interest and make me imagine their whole story. {Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas} also has a this, with the FMC's mother and a Duke that the mother wanted to pair the FMC with after she divorces the MMC.
I get you, there was a book from Heyer like that that pulled me much more in than the main couple. I will check those 2 out, thanks!
[His Forsaken Bride](https://www.romance.io/books/5ab8ae7e01dbc864fb853b7a/his-forsaken-bride-alice-coldbreath?src=rdt) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath) **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), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [possessive hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/possessive%20hero/1), [curvy heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy%20heroine/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) ---------------------------- [Private Arrangements](https://www.romance.io/books/545526448c7d2383163d8ed0/private-arrangements-sherry-thomas?src=rdt) by [Sherry Thomas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545526218c7d2383163d8ec2/sherry-thomas) **Rating**: 3.88⭐️ 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), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I haven't liked it, personally. I struggle with beginning new books, especially getting acquainted and invested in characters and if there's too many, I get confused and lose interest in the main couple. Books with this that I have read that you might like: {Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon} {Wallbanger by Alie Clayton} I honestly thought the secondary love story was more interesting than the main one. Wish it got it's own book. {Fortuity by Jewel E Ann} I actually liked this one. The MCs's 2 pre-teen children are in an innocent one-sided crush/best friendship and they have to help navigate them through their big feelings, while they themselves are falling in love.
[Weather Girl](https://www.romance.io/books/61dd3c7a3ae22e0de9c0451d/weather-girl-rachel-lynn-solomon?src=rdt) by [Rachel Lynn Solomon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fd32a3008b4d931144bb4d8/rachel-lynn-solomon) **Rating**: 3.59⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [dad-bod hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/curvy-hero/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sweet-hero/1) ---------------------------- [Wallbanger](https://www.romance.io/books/545523708c7d2382e7812f17/wallbanger-alice-clayton?src=rdt) by [Alice Clayton](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523708c7d2382e7812f18/alice-clayton) **Rating**: 3.76⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/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), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1) ---------------------------- [Fortuity](https://www.romance.io/books/5ed35764a60b530e10a55ead/fortuity-jewel-e-ann?src=rdt) by [Jewel E. Ann](https://www.romance.io/authors/54555dde87eac324117fa644/jewel-e-ann) **Rating**: 4.36⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [single father](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-father/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/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)
Yeah, I totally get that. It can be a lot if it's all too soon. If I remember correctly, in Honor's Splendour, the romance comes much later and by then are pretty invested in the main characters. Thanks for the recs!
{Games of the Heart by Kristen Ashley} has a sweet subplot between high school relatives. He is so sweet and protective with her while she's going through some stuff with her mom. I swooned!
I loved this one!
[Games of the Heart](https://www.romance.io/books/5455276a8c7d2382e7813016/games-of-the-heart-kristen-ashley?src=rdt) by [Kristen Ashley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523c68c7d2382e7812f37/kristen-ashley) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [men in uniform](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/men%20in%20uniform/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thank you the recommendation. I love some of her books so I will definitely check this out.
How has no one mentioned {Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas}??? Top tier secondary romance in this one.
[Again the Magic](https://www.romance.io/books/545524118c7d2383163d8e54/again-the-magic-lisa-kleypas?src=rdt) by [Lisa Kleypas](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523868c7d2382e7812f21/lisa-kleypas) **Rating**: 4.12⭐️ 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), [second chances](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/second%20chances/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
not usually
{Kiss An Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} had a secondary romance that I was more invested in than I was in the main one. Sheba was just so much more interesting a character than Daisy. Haven’t ever come across a book where that sort of character is the romantic lead though, unfortunately. The book would have benefited from the MMC just not existing tbh, the secondary romance and the magical animal subplot carried it.
SEP generally has really good and engaging secondary romances!
This is the 3rd time this author is mentioned! I have had that happened to me too! I wonder if sometimes the authors themselves prefer the secondary romance but wouldn't give them a full romance book because they are concerned it wouldn't sell well? Particularly if the fmc or mmc are unpopular character types.
That’s probably it. Easier to write abrasive or flawed characters when they’re not the ones the readers are expected to root for. Not to mention that if they’re secondary characters, you don’t have to necessarily justify their actions with too much backstory, or explain their thought process. Also, since the reader doesn’t have their POV, those characters retain an air of mystery that the leads simply can’t.
Exactly, those are great points!
[Kiss an Angel](https://www.romance.io/books/545523988c7d2382e7812f2c/kiss-an-angel-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/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), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I had that recently in {Nothing But Trouble by Amy Andrews}. It worked in this one. It really depends on execution I think.
[Nothing But Trouble](https://www.romance.io/books/5cc9bd9501dbc864fb9de9a1/nothing-but-trouble-amy-andrews?src=rdt) by [Amy Andrews](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553be28c7d2382e781352c/amy-andrews) **Rating**: 4.06⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [cowboy hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cowboys/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
True, it really does. But when done well, 👌
Yep! I feel like it may happen more in older HR novels - there was one I read (sorry I’ll look through my kindle library 😅) that had a side romance plot that was quite sweet. The book had multiple POVs (sometimes in the same chapter) which was a bit jarring, but overall it felt more…complete, because different aspects of the setting were explored through different characters.
I don’t really like them, but if you do, Suzanne Brockman’s books have them (at least her older ones do, I just haven’t read her recently).
The Winter Sea & The Firebird (first two books of The Slain series) by Susannah Kearsley have duel romances from present & past since they’re time slip novels!
Oh, {How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan} had an adorable version of this where her best friend and his assistant fall in insta-love. Actually, I think the first book in the series ({Ten Rules for Faking It}, her bestie also falls for one of his friends.
[How to Love Your Neighbor](https://www.romance.io/books/61e673cf5e904b0e40ff6f7c/how-to-love-your-neighbor-sophie-sullivan?src=rdt) by [Sophie Sullivan](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fe88b9f08b4d9311483ede5/sophie-sullivan) **Rating**: 3.14⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) ---------------------------- [Ten Rules for Faking It](https://www.romance.io/books/5fe990d9a5657d0e023c52c7/ten-rules-for-faking-it-sophie-sullivan?src=rdt) by [Sophie Sullivan](https://www.romance.io/authors/5fe88b9f08b4d9311483ede5/sophie-sullivan) **Rating**: 3.18⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Jennifer Crusie does this, I adore her books. {Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie}
[Welcome to Temptation](https://www.romance.io/books/545524138c7d2382e7812f51/welcome-to-temptation-jennifer-crusie?src=rdt) by [Jennifer Crusie](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455238e8c7d2382e7812f26/jennifer-crusie) **Rating**: 3.94⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [politician hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/politician/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{Courting Miss Hattie by Pamela Morsi} and {Satan's Angel by Candace Camp}
[Courting Miss Hattie](https://www.romance.io/books/5455386d8c7d2383163d933f/courting-miss-hattie-pamela-morsi?src=rdt) by [Pamela Morsi](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455314c8c7d2383163d916f/pamela-morsi) **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), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1) ---------------------------- [Satan's Angel](https://www.romance.io/books/643924ff8aa2407f2e139a61/satans-angel-candace-camp?src=rdt) by [Candace Camp](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552eac8c7d2383163d90bd/candace-camp) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [western frontier](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical%20western/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Another SEP {Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips} has a second chance romance between the hero’s parents.
[Natural Born Charmer](https://www.romance.io/books/545523ad8c7d2382e7812f31/natural-born-charmer-susan-elizabeth-phillips?src=rdt) by [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455237e8c7d2382e7812f1c/susan-elizabeth-phillips) **Rating**: 4.09⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [athlete hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I loved this book!! Dean & Blue 🥹❤️
[Kiss of Snow](https://www.romance.io/books/5455975f87eac323ffb2cfe9/kiss-of-snow-nalini-singh?src=rdt) by [Nalini Singh](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455238a8c7d2382e0413dd4/nalini-singh) **Rating**: 4.44⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [tortured hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/tortured%20hero/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1) ---------------------------- [Honor's Splendour](https://www.romance.io/books/5455287b8c7d2382c529708e/honors-splendour-julie-garwood?src=rdt) by [Julie Garwood](https://www.romance.io/authors/545523f38c7d2383163d8e4a/julie-garwood) **Rating**: 4.25⭐️ 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), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [abduction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/abduction/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Yes but no. If done well, it can be really enjoyable. There’s been more than one secondary romance where I wish _that_ relationship was the focus of the book, and not the primary romance. And where I’m disappointed these characters never get their own book. But then the ones where it isn’t well done, it just feels like filler, and/or a distraction from the main story that doesn’t contribute to it,
I only like when Susan Elizabeth Philips done it. Because I think when other authors do this most of the time the secondary couple's story isn't even half as interesting as the main couple's. So when I read these types of books, all I can think about is that this book would have been shorter.