Author Topic: Ugly Duckling and Plain Jane Theme book Suggestions? (Read 11975 times)

sandygr · « **on:** June 22, 2012, 09:58 AM »

Hi, I love reading books with the ugly duckling theme. Where the heroines are mousey, shy, plain etc but they have the romance storyline with the hero. This can include books where the heroine gets a makeover or even books where they don't and the plain jane still gets the happy ending etc.
So if anyone can just list even one or two books each, would be great.
Would also appreciate any personal opinions about the book and I love spoilers

Thanks in advance

Primrose❣ · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2012, 04:24 PM »

Try Susan Elizabeth Phillips books....all of her heroines go through both mental and physical transformations to better themselves and the heroes are HOT!

Britt Clarice · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2012, 10:48 PM »

The first thing that came to my mind with this theme is "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" by Julia Quinn. Love how the heroine and hero had practically known each other forever but didn't develop any romance until the hero began seeing the heroine in a new light.

Or if you've read that already, you can also try "A Loving Scoundrel" by Johanna Lindsey. The heroine DEFINITELY gets a major makeover here.

Hope these suggestions are of help to you!

MiniLux · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2012, 09:41 AM »

Open season by Linda Howard has the ugly duckling theme. The h is 33 or 35 yrs old and she gives herself a makeover with the help of others. Pretty funny and steamy love scenes.

Project seduction has a plain Jane theme and the heroine transforms herself. The h is a virgin.
Also Hoping for love by Marie force, and You don't have to say you love me by sarra manning. Both of these heroine were heavy and they lost the weight and transformed themselves. Both are really good and I recommend them. Hoping for love h is a virgin and all of these include HOT male leads! You should read Sarra Manning first because that has my favorite hero ever. Ummm if you want a mature YA book then The Vincent Brothers has a plain Jane makeovered heroine. She's 18 and so is the male lead.

erin1985 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2012, 04:13 AM »

a few of my faves are Match me if you can by susan elizabeth phillips (contemporary romance)
Caught by Jami Alden (suspense romance)
Most of Rachel Gibsons books are, and they are funny as well as romantic
all i can think of right now hope it helps

tome_enthusiast · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2012, 05:42 AM »

Nothing personal by jaci burton.. h has self image issues coz of her mom.. Marriage of convenience - secretary/boss trope which i really like.. She gets a make over somewhere in the middle of the story.. Also the h was a virgin.. :3 definitely on my keeper shelf..

W550470 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2018, 09:35 AM »

I know I am a late in answering your request but the one author who loves working on this theme is Betty Neels. She is excellent in making the characters life-like and not seem like the male or females have to be perfect. The characters just have to good hearts and they begin falling in love with one another.
The females are either nurses, secretaries, or maids. The men are usually surgeons or specialists dealing with the old British health system.

Hope you enjoy,
Marie

Ugly Duckling and Plain Jane Theme book Suggestions?