Well, 'Gone with the Wind' has Scarlett O'Hara as a rather vulnerable heroine in the context of romance. She is constantly trying to hold on to the things she loves, especially Rhett Butler, in the midst of the chaos of the Civil War and its aftermath. Additionally, 'Beauty and the Beast' (in its novel form) has Belle, who is vulnerable in the strange environment of the Beast's castle but still manages to fall in love.
One popular example is 'Pride and Prejudice'. Elizabeth Bennet can be seen as a somewhat vulnerable heroine in a sense. She has to navigate the social norms and expectations of her time while dealing with her own pride and prejudices. Another is 'Jane Eyre'. Jane is an orphan and has to endure a lot of hardships, yet she remains strong in her search for love and a place in the world.
A good vulnerable heroine romance novel is 'Wuthering Heights'. Catherine Earnshaw is a complex and vulnerable character. Her love for Heathcliff is intense but also fraught with difficulties due to their different social standings and her own insecurities. 'The Notebook' also features a heroine who has to face the challenges of memory loss and the passage of time, which makes her vulnerable in the context of her relationship.
Because they're relatable. Most people have been through tough times and can identify with their pain. Readers can see themselves in these heroes and that draws them into the story.
Some popular ones include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It features Elizabeth Bennet, a strong - willed heroine. Her relationship with Mr. Darcy is full of misunderstandings and slow - burning romance. Another is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. The heroine, Claire Randall, travels through time and has a passionate love story with Jamie Fraser.
The hero's dreams and desires can also make him vulnerable. If he has a big dream, like starting a new business or achieving a certain career goal in a modern - day romance, and the relationship with the heroine might interfere with that, he is in a vulnerable position. He has to balance his love and his personal ambitions, and the fear of losing either one makes him vulnerable.
Past traumas make them vulnerable. For example, if a hero has witnessed the death of a loved one, it can create deep - seated fears and insecurities. He may be afraid of losing his new love in the same way.
One popular one is 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'. It features a strong - willed female protagonist in a world filled with magic and danger, and there's a romantic subplot intertwined with her journey as a kind of 'warrior' figure. Another is 'Red Queen' where the heroine Mare has to fight in a world of class struggle and also has a romantic relationship along the way.
There's 'Bet Me' by Jennifer Crusie. The heroine in this novel is a curvy woman. The story is about her unexpected romance. It shows how she overcomes her own insecurities while falling in love with a man who sees her for who she really is.
One popular one could be 'The Bride' where the heroine runs away from an unwanted arranged marriage and finds unexpected love on her journey.
One popular example could be 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'. The heroine, Feyre, has been through a lot of hardships which have scarred her in various ways, both physically and mentally. And of course, there's the 'Outlander' series. Claire Randall, the main character, faces many challenges that leave their mark on her, while also being in a very passionate romance.
One popular one is 'The Wallflower' series by Lisa Kleypas. It features heroines who are initially shy or overlooked but find great love.
Another example could be 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'. Feyre is a strong - willed and intelligent heroine. She has to navigate a complex faerie world and her relationship with Rhysand is filled with passion and intrigue. Her ability to adapt and outwit her opponents makes her a bit of a genius in the story.