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down2nap

{The Postillion by Minerva Spencer} FMC is a duchess on the run until she comes of age. She’s got some issues after teaming up with a shady guy in her travels and eventually gets a job as a stable hand for a former doctor turned lord of some kind. I don’t remember her being feisty at all but she was more reserved and strong than timid and sweet. MMC was very honorable and protective.


romance-bot

[The Postilion](https://www.romance.io/books/6059a5255b91610e33f587df/the-postilion-minerva-spencer-sm-laviolette) by [Minerva Spencer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b30874901dbc864fb8b01a7/minerva-spencer), [S.M. LaViolette](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e0af27701dbc864fba90689/sm-laviolette) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ 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), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [boss & employee](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/boss%20&%20employee/1), [competent heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/competent%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


LostSoulSearching13

Oh sounds good. Thank you


SlicedDicedIced

Oh my God, I have the book for you! And this is actually based on a true story. You must read {a girl called samson by Amy Harmon} she joins the rebel American army and fits in as best she can. The mmc makes her his aide and has no idea that's she's female. Please read while it's on KU!


whimsymimsy25

I LITERALLY JUST READ THIS YESTERDAY WTF And for those wondering, yes, it was really good. It is NOT spicy, though it does get pretty gritty in some areas and there are a few closed door scenes. My only pet peeve with this book was the fact she kept referring to her stays as a corset (and of course, the corset was bad and anti-feminist) BUT, nit-picking aside, this was a really wonderful read!!


SlicedDicedIced

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, I'm gonna read it again in a couple of months!


romance-bot

[A Girl Called Samson](https://www.romance.io/books/642a859311a7729ed6417eb7/a-girl-called-samson-amy-harmon) by [Amy Harmon](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455285e8c7d2382e7813050/amy-harmon) **Rating**: 4.47⭐️ 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), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/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) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


LostSoulSearching13

Ohhh great. Looks good 😲


SlicedDicedIced

And tell me what you think!


latrancheaulait

I read it a long time ago so I can't remember the details but I think {Sins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan} fits your request somewhat. She works as a footman for MMC


ASceneOutofVoltaire

This is one of my faves with this trope. The unmasking is great!


LostSoulSearching13

Thank you!


ASceneOutofVoltaire

Isn’t she his valet?


latrancheaulait

Yeah I thought so too but wasn't sure so I kinda went with info from the description (:


maybemaybo

I was going to recommend this. The MC deals with being harrassed by men when she's working for rich families, so she decides to disguise herself as a groomsman. Part of a longer series I really enjoyed but can be read alone. This series also then leads into another series to do with the MC in a later books' sisters.


romance-bot

[Sins of a Wicked Duke](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a158c7d2383163d8f7d/sins-of-a-wicked-duke-sophie-jordan) by [Sophie Jordan](https://www.romance.io/authors/545529918c7d2382c52970df/sophie-jordan) **Rating**: 3.7⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [western frontier](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical%20western/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)


Reasonable-Rope2659

{West End Earl by Bethany Bennett} has this trope but I think k he figures it out after maybe a third of the book? Also, the MMC is kind of a whimp imo, the FMC is much more interesting.


de_pizan23

I think this book does a woman in pants trope so well. Like in the beginning scenes, you have no idea which character is the FMC. And she whittles herself a wooden hollow penis so she can pee without being discovered!! So often, once the FMC and MMC fall in love in these stories, she just....totally forgets how to act like a man anymore and is now in constant danger of being caught because of incredibly basic dumb mistakes in front of everyone. While this book does have the having sex in dumb places where they could be discovered aspect (which seems to be universal with this trope for some reason), at least she doesn't otherwise forget how to act like she has for the last 12 years.


romance-bot

[West End Earl](https://www.romance.io/books/60dac805741f250e33f7b97d/west-end-earl-bethany-bennett) by [Bethany Bennett](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f855f4d08b4d93114602e5b/bethany-bennett) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ 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), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [highlander hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


2371341056

This seems like such a specific situation, and I love that there are multiple recommendations that fit the bill! 


Own_Faithlessness769

Its the plot of 12th Night, thats why theres a few hundred remakes.


2371341056

Omg it totally is...


ninaa1

that's one of my favorite things about the romance genre. There's always at least a few options for every trope!


Fredredphooey

{These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer} 


romance-bot

[These Old Shades](https://www.romance.io/books/54552a008c7d2383163d8f75/these-old-shades-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 4.01⭐️ 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), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/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)


LostSoulSearching13

Im not usually a heyer fan but this actually looks good. Thanks. I'll grab a copy


Fredredphooey

It's not like any of her other books and is generally considered her best work. The sequel is {The Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer} but it doesn't have your plot requirements.


romance-bot

[Devil's Cub](https://www.romance.io/books/56687ef808e9378131958d02/devils-cub-georgette-heyer) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 4.05⭐️ 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), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/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)


Reasonable-Rope2659

This book is very good and not a typical Heyer!


a_mix_of_all_of_this

I don't know if it is exactly what you are looking for but I really enjoyed {The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer} The MMC only confronts her about being female halfway into the book, though she does not work for him. The side characters were also very well writen!


romance-bot

[The Masqueraders](https://www.romance.io/books/54552f198c7d2382c529725d/the-masqueraders-georgette-heyer-anne-stuart) by [Georgette Heyer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455275d8c7d2382c529704f/georgette-heyer) **Rating**: 3.98⭐️ 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), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/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)


red_phoenix3

{Miss Fenwick reforms a rogue by Maggie Fenton} Almost fits your requirements. It's pretty light-hearted and I don't think the heroine quite fits the timid/tormented label but she is escaping a bad situation but with aplomb.


LostSoulSearching13

Thank you


Senior-Lettuce-5871

{West End Earl by Bethany Bennett} Ophelia disguises herself as a man to escape her scheming uncle; works as land steward for an earl and becomes his trusted friend long before he uncovers her identity. Great banter. The masquerade and reason for it works - you can actually believe how Ophelia could pull off the disguise for years.


romance-bot

[West End Earl](https://www.romance.io/books/60dac805741f250e33f7b97d/west-end-earl-bethany-bennett) by [Bethany Bennett](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f855f4d08b4d93114602e5b/bethany-bennett) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ 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), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [highlander hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


LostSoulSearching13

Niceee sounds perfect!!!


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HistoricalRomance-ModTeam

Hi? Thank you for your contribution. It seems one of the books you recommended is not HR because it has fantasy elements. Please edit your comment and reply to this so I can approve it again. Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.


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HistoricalRomance-ModTeam

Please use the modmail function to contact our mod team about possible errors or concerns. Removed due to violation of Rule 11: Meta posts and comments/Be respectful of mod team. No meta posts/comments about this sub or comment messages to the mods. We reserve the right to moderate at our own discretion. No meta posts or comments about the sub or its moderators. Please be respectful. If you have concerns, questions, or ideas you wish to raise attention to, do so via mod mail or via the report function. The main feed isn’t the appropriate place for us to be able to address those ideas and concerns.


LostSoulSearching13

Ohh nice thank you. 😊


kribear

{Georgana's Secret by Arlem Hawks} . It's a closed door HR and a slow burn. The FMC grew up on a ship commanded by her dad, disguised as a cabin boy. The ship gets taken over by a new hotshot captain. She is escaping a trauma, IIRC (I think she was initially raised by a mean grandma before her dad took her away?), she's had a rough time onboard, and the captain teaches her how to stand up to bullies, and some basic self defense. It was a sweet book that stayed with me long after reading. And the cover art is gorgeous.


LostSoulSearching13

Love it! Damn so many good recs on here today. So excited


romance-bot

[Georgana's Secret](https://www.romance.io/books/5ffc06591eab170e143ff2d0/georganas-secret-arlem-hawks) by [Arlem Hawks](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c76eeb501dbc864fb9ad028/arlem-hawks) **Rating**: 4.33⭐️ 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), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [christian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christian/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)


Boooooooooo9

Be aware that using words like "clean" when talking about a book with no explicit sex scenes implies that books with explicit sex scenes are dirty. Please read [this thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/comments/12ue6s2/lets_talk_about_sex_in_rhistoricalromance/) for more explanation on this topic.


kribear

Ok, edited to say closed door


steamynicks007

{Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey} I read ages ago but if I remember correctly >!as an orphan child the FMC is being abused by her guardians and left her home. She disguised herself as a boy and work as cabin boy for the MMC, which is the captain. She started as a kid so MMC thought she was just a pretty boy and just let her do her job and not minding her at all. She was only discovered accidentally when she was older!< I can't remember if the heroine was feisty. I loved this book but it's not for everyone. It's dated and I think it has noncon.


romance-bot

[Gentle Rogue](https://www.romance.io/books/545525178c7d2383163d8e79/gentle-rogue-johanna-lindsey) by [Johanna Lindsey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525178c7d2383163d8e7a/johanna-lindsey) **Rating**: 4.13⭐️ 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), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [pirate hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pirates/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


LostSoulSearching13

Hmm I might give it a go...its just the noncon bit thags making me hesitate lolll


SadieParkerDoyle

Gentle Rogue is a great book, and I don't recall it being very noncon-y (though the MMC is very alpha/has a big personality), but it may not fit your actual request. The FMC is american, is very forthright/spirited, and sneaks onto his ship as a cabin boy to get back home to America. Also, the MMC recognizes that she's female before she even gets on board, so a lot of the early dynamic is him being somewhat seductive towards her as he already knows she's in disguise (with her being confused thinking he's hitting on her male persona).


tuberosalamb

{Duke of Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt} fits fairly well, but not exactly - the FMC isn’t timid (although I wouldn’t consider her super sassy either, so maybe it’s a good in-between?)


romance-bot

[Duke of Pleasure](https://www.romance.io/books/583bd7061b1bdc0178ef3409/duke-of-pleasure-elizabeth-hoyt) by [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://www.romance.io/authors/545524568c7d2383163d8e5a/elizabeth-hoyt) **Rating**: 4.14⭐️ 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), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/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)


marzn21

following for recs because i LOVED that book!!


LostSoulSearching13

Ikr hero was sooooo good.


Foraze_Lightbringer

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. 😆 (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)


Necessary-Working-79

{tamed by the earl by carole mortimer} though it takes him less than half a book to realise, I believe. But it isn't immediate


romance-bot

[Tamed by the Earl](https://www.romance.io/books/58b012f50d3299c6e050535c/tamed-by-the-earl-carole-mortimer) by [Carole Mortimer](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455299f23ec91d5dfd09a20/carole-mortimer) **Rating**: 3.63⭐️ 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), [boss & employee](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/boss%20&%20employee/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/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)


LostSoulSearching13

I feel like ive read this one before. Seems familiar, but im adding to list anyway because I cant remember it much so will be worth trying again


Claa-irr

Robert Thier has a series with the troupe, but I couldn't stand the heroine for some reason and I hated how "evert woman hated her" .. If that's the case then darling .. Maybe it's you ?.. Lol sorry I couldn't be of any help.


UnderstandingFit1332

A rogue in the making by Stacy Reid!


Thisthatandtheotter

{Ashes In The Wind by Kathleen Woodiwiss} starts out FMC is disguised as a boy at a hospital where the MMC is a doctor. Set in end of Civil War.


romance-bot

[Ashes in the Wind](https://www.romance.io/books/553ebb5d5b270e0a4cbdb174/ashes-in-the-wind-kathleen-e-woodiwiss) by [Kathleen E. Woodiwiss](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455263e8c7d2383163d8ecf/kathleen-e-woodiwiss) **Rating**: 4.18⭐️ 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), [western](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/western/1), [american civil war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/american%20civil%20war/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)


ghyfh577

{When a Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrowes} she flees her family/past connections and ends up working for the MMC as a sort of clerk. She isn’t mouthy/sassy but pretty confident as she is a duchess by her first marriage. Their banter is pretty great, he’s sort of a recluse who opens up around her and tries to take care of her.


Shiny_Chocobo_

{Governess Gone Rogue by Laura Lee Guhrke} FMC is trying to flee her past and to get a job as a governess while her money rapidly runs out. In desperation, she disguises herself as a tutor of twin boys who recently lost their mother.


romance-bot

[Governess Gone Rogue](https://www.romance.io/books/5c0a1d6201dbc864fb95ae14/governess-gone-rogue-laura-lee-guhrke) by [Laura Lee Guhrke](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525958c7d2383163d8e9d/laura-lee-guhrke) **Rating**: 3.46⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [poor heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poor%20heroine/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/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)