'The Duke and I' is also a good choice. The heroine is a young virgin in the Regency era. It shows the courtship and relationship development in the high - society setting of that historical period, with all the manners, balls, and social expectations adding to the charm of the romance.
One popular one is 'Outlander'. It features a strong female lead who is a virgin at the start. The story weaves historical events with a passionate romance. Another is 'The Bronze Horseman' where the heroine is a young virgin and the novel beautifully portrays a love story set against the backdrop of historical turmoil.
Another aspect is the build - up of sexual tension. Since the heroine is a virgin, the author can slowly develop the romantic and physical relationship, making it more tantalizing. In a historical setting, this can be even more interesting as there are often social mores and restrictions around sex and courtship.
One popular one is 'Outlander'. It has elements where the heroine, Claire, faces various challenges and at times, situations that could be considered abuse within the context of the historical setting. The relationship she has with Jamie is complex and set against a vivid historical backdrop.
A good example is 'The Winter Sea' where the female lead's pregnancy becomes an important part of the story set in a historical context. The novel beautifully weaves historical details of Scotland with a romantic plot and the changes that come with her pregnancy.
The 'Twilight' series also features Bella and Edward as relatively innocent characters at the start. Their love story, with all the supernatural elements, is a huge hit. The fact that they both have a certain naivete in the beginning regarding love and relationships adds to the charm of their story.
They offer a sense of innocence. It's like seeing love in its purest form, untainted by past experiences. For example, in many such novels, the characters are experiencing love for the very first time, and that makes their emotions more intense and relatable.
One popular one could be 'Fifty Shades of Grey' series. Christian Grey can be seen as an alpha hero and Anastasia Steele as a virgin heroine. It has a complex relationship filled with passion and romance.
One such novel could be 'The Forbidden Love of a Wronged Lady'. In this story, the heroine is wrongly accused of a crime she didn't commit. It weaves a tale of love and intrigue against a historical backdrop.
One popular example could be 'Outlander'. The heroine, Claire, is a very plain - in the sense of being an ordinary woman thrust into extraordinary historical circumstances. She has to navigate love and survival in a historical setting.
I'd recommend 'Beneath a Golden Moon'. In this story, the poor heroine's journey through love is quite captivating. The setting and character development make it a great read.
One such novel could be 'The Secret of the Duchess' where the heroine finds herself in peril due to a web of political intrigue.