Older Couples

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This list features romance heroes and heroines who are somewhat older than the norm. While heroes and heroines in their 30s were once unusual in contemporary romances, that is no longer the case. Contemporary romances will only appear on the list if both the hero and heroine are at least 40.

NOTE: If the hero and heroine span two decades we have placed the title in the youngest character’s decade.

(List begun 12/04, updated 08/13)

Contemporary unless otherwise indicated

  • Winter Garden (2000) by Adele Ashworth – European Historical (A at AAR)
  • A Christmas Bride (1997) by Mary Balogh – Regency
  • A Counterfeit Betrothal (1992) by Mary Balogh – Regency
  • The Notorious Rake (1992) by Mary Balogh – Regency (B at AAR)
  • A Secret Affair (2010) by Mary Balogh – European Historical (B- at AAR)
  • Simply Perfect (2008) by Mary Balogh – European Historical (C- at AAR)
  • Black Hawk (2011) by Joanna Bourne – European Historical (A at AAR)
  • All through the Night (1997) by Connie Brockway – European Historical (A at AAR)
  • Armour against Love (1945) by Barbara Cartland – PYR-64
  • Lord Perfect (2006) by Loretta Chase – European Historical (A- at AAR)
  • Tatya’s Story (1984) by Dinah Dean – European Historical
  • Siren Song (1984) by Roberta Gellis – Medieval
  • Lady Dearing’s Masquerade (2005) by Elena Green – Regency (B+ at AAR)
  • And Then He Kissed Her (2007) by Laura Lee Guhrke – European Historical (A- at AAR)
  • Just One of those Flings (2006) by Candice Hern – European Historical (C+ at AAR)
  • Lady Be Bad (2007) by Candice Hern – European Historical (B- at AAR)
  • Black Silk (2002) by Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas – European Historical (A at AAR)
  • Dance (1996) by Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas – European Historical (A- at AAR)
  • Untie My Heart (2002) by Judith Ivory – European Historical (A- at AAR)
  • The Admiral’s Penniless Bride (2011) by Carla Kelly – European Historical (B+ at AAR)
  • Her Hesitant Heart (2013) by Carla Kelly – Frontier/Western (A- at AAR)
  • For My Lady’s Heart (1993) by Laura Kinsale – Medieval Romance (A at AAR)
  • My Sweet Folly (2006) by Laura Kinsale – European Historical (A at AAR)
  • Alicia (1992) by Laura Matthews – Regency
  • An Accomplished Woman (2009) by Jude Morgan – Regency
  • Something Shady (1995) by Pamela Morsi – American Historical
  • Dedication (2005) by Janet Mullany – Regency (B at AAR)
  • Petals in the Storm (1993) by Mary Jo Putney – European Historical
  • The Rake (1994) by Mary Jo Putney – European Historical (A at AAR)
  • Lady Julia Series (2007-) by Deanna Raybourn – Historical Mysteries (Various grades at AAR)
  • The Edge of Impropriety (2008) by Pam Rosenthal – European Historical (B- at AAR)
  • Cry for Passion (2009) by Robin Schone – European Historical (B- at AAR)
  • The Lady’s Tutor (2002) by Robin Schone – European Historical (A- at AAR)
  • The Lover (2000) by Robin Schone – European Historical (B- at AAR)
  • The Silver Nutmeg (1947) by Margery Sharp – European Historical
  • Lady Delafont’s Dilemma (2000) by Donna Simpson – Regency
  • Scandalous Miranda (2005) by Susan Sizemore – European Historical (B at AAR)
  • The Gamble (1987) by LaVyrle Spencer – American Historical Historical
  • Hummingbird (1994) by LaVyrle Spencer – American Historical Historical (A at AAR)
  • That Camden Summer (1996) by LaVyrle Spencer – American Historical Historical
  • Delicious (2008) by Sherry Thomas – European Historical (C+ at AAR)

  • A Basic Renovation (2013) by Sandra Antonelli – Contemporary Romance
  • Out of Control (2002) by Suzanne Brockmann (secondary romance)- Romantic Suspense (A at AAR)
  • Breaking Point (2005) by Suzanne Brockmann (secondary romance)- Romantic Suspense (B- at AAR)
  • Hot Dish (2006) by Connie Brockway – Contemporary Romance (A- at AAR)
  • For Auld Lang Syne (12/1991) by Pamela Browning – HAR-420
  • Eve’s Wedding Knight (10/1999) by Kathleen Creighton – SIM-963
  • I’m Your Man (2007) by Susan Crosby – Category Romance
  • The Basque Swallow (7/1991) by Leigh Daniels – HI-166 (A at AAR)
  • Late and Soon (1943) by E.M. Delderfield – European Historical
  • Full Bloom (1994) by Stacey Dennis
  • There Is a Season (12/1999) by Margot Early – HSR-878 (D at AAR)
  • Comfort and Joy in Santa’s Little Helpers (1995) by Patricia Gardner Evans
  • Luring Lucy in Hot and Bothered (2001) by Lori Foster (A- at AAR)
  • A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005) by Diana Gabaldon – Alternate Reality (A- at AAR)
  • The Drums of Autumn (1997) by Diana Gabaldon – Alternate Reality (A at AAR)
  • The Fiery Cross (2002) by Diana Gabaldon – Alternate Reality (A at AAR)
  • Voyager (1994) by Diana Gabaldon – Alternate Reality (A at AAR)
  • Fall from Grace (2007) by Kristi Gold – Category Romance (A- at AAR)
  • The Star King (2000) by Susan Grant – Alternate Reality (B+ at AAR)
  • Hot Wheels and High Heels (2007) by Jane Graves – Contemporary Romance (B+ at AAR)
  • Contracted: Corporate Wife (9/2005) by Jessica Hart – HR-3861
  • Marriage Reunited (4/2006) by Jessica Hart – HR-3889
  • The Affair (2003) by Sandy Hingston – European Historical (B- at AAR)
  • Love for the Matron (6/1962) by Elizabeth Houghton – HR-664
  • Just in Time (2003) by Judith Lansdowne – European Historical
  • Mergers and Matrimony (2007) by Allison Leigh – Category Romance
  • Only Yesterday (1989) by Syrell Rogovin Leahy
  • Duty and Dishonor (1999) by Merline Lovelace – Romantic Suspense
  • The Trouble with Harry (2006) by Katie MacAlister – European Historical
  • Cold Tea on a Hot Day (2001) by Curtiss Ann Matlock (C at AAR)
  • Love in a Small Town (1997) by Curtiss Ann Matlock
  • Stitch in Snow (1984) by Anne McCaffrey
  • Kansas City Cowboy (2012) by Julie Miller – Category Romance
  • Suburban Renewal (2004) by Pamela Morsi
  • How to Bake a Perfect Life (2010) by Barbara O’Neal – Contemporary Romance
  • The Fourth Wall (1979) by Barbara Paul – Mystery
  • Down in New Orleans (1996) by Heather Graham Pozzessere
  • Black Rose (2005) by Nora Roberts Contemporary Romance (A- at AAR)
  • A Piece of Heaven (2003) by Barbara Samuel (A/B+ at AAR)
  • Scandalous Lovers (2007) by Robin Schone – European Historical (B at AAR)
  • Count on Me (3/2001) by Kathryn Shay – HSR-976
  • Promises to Keep (2002) by Kathryn Shay – Contemporary Romance (B- at AAR)
  • A Matchmaker’s Christmas (2002) by Donna Simpson – Regency (B at AAR)
  • Sweet Hush (2003) by Deborah Smith
  • Bygones (1992) by LaVyrle Spencer
  • The Hellion (1989) by LaVyrle Spencer – Contemporary Romance
  • Home Song (1995) by LaVyrle Spencer
  • Private Arrangements (2008) by Sherry Thomas (secondary romance) – European Historical Romance (A- at AAR)
  • Nerd in Shining Armor (2003) by Vicki Lewis Thompson (secondary romance) (B at AAR)
  • One Fine Day (1994) by Theresa Weir
  • Snowfall at Willow Lake (2010) by Susan Wiggs – Contemporary Romance
  • The Passion of the Purple Plumeria (2013) by Lauren Willig – European Historical Romance

  • The Long Way Home (2010) by Jean Brashear – Category Romance
  • A New Lu (2005) by Laura Castoro
  • Bachelor’s Puzzle (10/1992) by Ginger Chambers – H-WTT-8
  • French Twist (6/1998) by Margot Dalton – HDJ-10 (A at AAR)
  • Remember Love (1992) by Stacey Dennis
  • Return to Love (1993) by Martha Gross
  • Hot Blood (12/1996) by Charlotte Lamb – HP-1852
  • Can’t Buy Me Love (2012) by Molly O’Keefe (secondary romance) (B+ at AAR)
  • Heaven, Texas (1995) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (secondary romance) (A at AAR)
  • Natural Born Charmer (2007) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (secondary romance) (A-/B at AAR)
  • This Heart of Mine (2001) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (secondary romance) (A/B- at AAR)
  • Step-Ball-Change (2002) by Jeanne Ray (B at AAR)
  • Familiar Stranger (6/2001) by Sharon Sala – SIM-1082 (B+ at AAR)
  • Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand (2010) by Helen Simonson
  • The Best Medicine (1993) by Janet Lane Walters
  • Tomorrow’s Promise (1992) by Clara Wimberly
  • The Vow (2008) by Rebecca Winters

  • Julie and Romeo (2000) by Jeanne Ray (B+ at AAR)
  • Eleanor & Abel (2003) by Annette Sanford

This list is closed for submissions.