#FBF, Flash Book Friday, is a sporadic meme in which I will share and discuss with you books that I've read in the past (pre-blog) that has made an impression on me. Yup, because I really need more reasons to talk about books.
My first #FBF is WHITNEY, MY LOVE by Judith McNaught.
There was a time where I live and breathe historical romances. You have to admit, the swoon factor is sweeping, the pomp and circumstance fascinating, the tension is addictive and the HEA is fairy-tale like. Historical romances is unlike anything I've ever read when it comes to romantic escapes and WHITNEY, MY LOVE holds the title of my most favorite regency romance to date. It remains unparalleled and probably one of the only few books that I will reread and will never tired of.
WHITNEY, MY LOVE is sort of an enemies-to-lovers trope where the younger and rebellious Whitney found herself in an arranged marriage with the arrogant, gorgeous and oh-so-swoony, Clayton Westmoreland, the very rich, very influential, and very Alpha, Duke of Claymore. The tension mounts at every chapter and the climax was simply decadent, I was with Whitney when Clayton "unraveled" her... if you know what I mean. I read this novel when I was 15 so imagine the sort of impossible fantasies and expectations Judith McNaught had me simmering in for weeks! I remember missing doing my homework and even sleep because I can't put this darn novel down! I was daydreaming throughout class, picturing myself in Whitney's yellow maid-of-honor gown with Clayton's arms wrapped around my waist... le sigh!
WHITNEY, MY LOVE gave me my first concept of Alpha males, snark and the importance of sexual tension in presenting a solid romantic story whose importance I've only realized now that I've started blogging. In hindsight, Judith McNaught set the bar for me when it comes to contemporary and historical romances and I believe she ruined regency romance for me overall. Like I said, WHITNEY, MY LOVE is incomparable and timeless, if you love regency romance, I highly recommend you try this one. You can thank me (or not!) later.
What's your favorite historical romance?
FOOTNOTES:
Whitney My Love | Westmoreland Saga 2
Regency Romance | 1985 | Pocket Book
This sounds so good, and I love the cover. I love that you have such fond memories of Whitney, My Love.
ReplyDeleteIt's a classic!
DeleteI love this book so much! I was twelve when I read it for the first time and I still remember where I was and how I felt. It definitely started my love for historical romance and introduced me to the INCREDIBLE Judith McNaught. I must have read it over a dozen times. This one is on my "desert island" book list :)
ReplyDeleteIt is that powerful, isn't it?! I'm with you, I know I was up til late, impossible to put it down
DeleteI love the enemies to lovers trope since it usually includes tension and wicked banter. I think I would enjoy this one!
ReplyDeleteDo give it a try, I know you read historical romance, this is a winner!
DeleteWhat a great idea for a meme Braine! I've been doing that on the blog lately going through older books I read early on in the blog and never reviewed. I feel kinda bad for all those ones I skipped. lol
ReplyDeleteI've not read Judith before but definitely adding her to my list. I love historical romances. My favorites are Sabrina Jeffries and Jennifer Haymore. Anne Barton is pretty amazing too :)
I've been doing TBT & FBF via Twitter, procrastinated doing it here on the blog til now. I will look into your favorites
DeleteWow, Flash Book Friday is a great idea for a meme. I should totally do something like that on my blog because I have about 300 pre blog books I want to talk about.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds pretty awesome!
Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteAll time fav, yikes that is hard!! I can't say, I would have to stare at my bookshelf for a while
ReplyDeleteLOL Let me know when you've made a decision
DeleteIsn't it lovely to find a book that really resonates with you that you can still remember years later? My favourite historical romance is the Gemma Doyle series and definitely the Bronze Horseman <3
ReplyDeleteOh gosh! Bronze Horseman for sure!
DeleteI read the first book in this series awhile ago, but since McNaught's books aren't available as ebooks, I never continued with the series. It figures that the second book would be the best, LOL. I'll have to break down and get in paperback b/c I too love the enemies-to-lovers troupe. I'm sure I can find shelf space somewhere . . .
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is either A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux or or one of Lisa Kleypas' Wallflowers books. It's been too long since I read them, so I can't state with certainty which one I loved best . . .
I've only read Kleypas' contemporary romance series but I heard her historicals are super good too! Will have to check that out one of these days
DeleteI loved Whitney My Love as well, Braine, and I read it a long time ago, not only pre-blog, but pre-Goodreads! It's a great idea to chat about books you've read in the past :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading historical romance, lately, I've come to enjoy both Sabrina Jeffries, Donna Cummings and Tessa Dare. They all write heroines who aren't exactly like the usual heroines in historical romances, and I love that!
Have a wonderful weekend, Braine :)
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
Yeah, we're oldish Lexxie. Social Media was still a dream back then. I've heard of Tessa Dare, I will dogear her name for future reference
DeleteGosh I don't read historical romances. Maybe I should. It's about the only genre that I haven't cracked. Mind you does Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series count??
ReplyDeleteMIss B, I am having trouble putting your button on my page. How do I do it . Normally I see a code and copy it and pop it in. I grabbed one after I clicked on it, the HTML and it just links me to the photobucket page. I had your old button , I was just refreshing with the new domain.
I'm being a duffah. Need some help :)
xx
Mich
Yes, KMM's would count as historical, its genre crossing actually so I think that's fine. If you liked that then you should try the medieval ones with Scots, I know there's a lot of those and some are really good!
Deleteback in the day historical romance...now that is a romance to share! love the new post Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sexxy!
DeleteI read a couple Judith McNaught's years ago. I think it might have been twenty years and I don't remember titles, but I do remember liking them. Yes, the teenage swoon...
ReplyDeleteGreat idea to do the Flashbacks, Braine!
Books read in our formative years are the best right? It's almost like a literal trip to a new place
DeleteGreat idea for a meme. I do like the cover and your rave review.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fundinmental.com
Thanks, Sherry!
DeleteWoohoo! I'm going to have to pick up this one, Braine. I do love historical romance - I just haven't read any in awhile. Hmm, one of my favorite series is the MacKinnon's Rangers series by Pamela Clare. It's set here in the US during the French and Indian War and the historical accuracy is amazing. And the romance is equally so - Highlanders! :)
ReplyDeleteIs this a meme I can sporadically participate in?!? :)
Oooh I'd like to check that out, I love Highlanders! And yes, you may join if you like ;)
DeleteOh my gosh, Whitney. I have something like this called Remember This? on my blog but I don't update it anymore hihi. Anyway, Whitney, My Love <3 I loved it when I was younger then when I reread it again, I looked at it differently. I was surprised, but I guess adulthood does that to you hehe. I still like Whitney, but some of the things Clayton did, not so much.
ReplyDeleteRemember This? sounds cute, you should definitely keep it up. Any excuse to get us talking more books! Clayton is very alpha, I think readers now can still appreciate this tale even if it was printed almost 20 years ago.
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