A great tortured hero romance novel is 'Beauty and the Beast' in its original book form. The Beast is tortured by his own appearance and loneliness. Belle's love gradually heals him. Also, 'Jane Eyre' has Mr. Rochester as a tortured hero. His dark secrets and past mistakes haunt him, yet his love for Jane is undeniable.
Another novel is 'Gone with the Wind'. Scarlett O'Hara is a complex and tortured heroine. Her love life is full of chaos, from her unrequited love for Ashley to her tempestuous relationship with Rhett Butler.
'Gone with the Wind' features Scarlett O'Hara as a tortured heroine in the context of a romance. She endures the hardships of the Civil War, losing loved ones, and her struggle to maintain her family's plantation. Her love for Ashley and her complicated relationship with Rhett Butler are full of angst and turmoil.
In 'The Catcher in the Rye', Holden Caulfield can be seen as a tortured hero. He is tortured by his disillusionment with the adult world and his own identity issues. 'Dracula' can also be thought of in this context. Jonathan Harker is tortured both physically and mentally by his encounter with Dracula. 'Frankenstein' is another. The creature created by Victor Frankenstein is tortured by his own existence, being shunned by society and longing for acceptance, while Victor himself is tortured by the consequences of his creation.
Tortured heroines are popular because they create a sense of drama. Readers are drawn to their stories as they often face internal and external conflicts. For example, they might be in love with someone they can't have due to social status or family obligations. Their pain makes the story more engaging.
One popular 'cold hero romance novel' is 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. The male lead, Christian Grey, can be seen as a 'cold hero' at first. He has a complex and often aloof personality. Another one could be 'Twilight'. Edward Cullen, the vampire hero, is initially cold towards Bella as he tries to resist his attraction to her.
One popular one is 'Ready Player One' which has elements of geek culture and a touch of romance. The main character's journey in the virtual world is intertwined with his relationship with another character.
Some well - known gentle hero romance novels include 'Sense and Sensibility'. Colonel Brandon is a gentle hero who shows great compassion. In 'Outlander', Jamie Fraser is a gentle yet strong hero. He has a soft side especially when it comes to his love for Claire. Also, 'Me Before You' has a gentle hero in Will Traynor, who, despite his physical and emotional challenges, is a kind and gentle soul.
'Beauty and the Beast' can also be considered in a way. The Beast is an imperfect hero. He's gruff and cursed, but his journey with Belle is a classic romance. Their relationship develops as they get to know each other's true selves, and it shows that love can grow between two very different and imperfect beings.
Some Greek hero romance novels that are worth mentioning include those that center around Hercules. His great strength and his adventures often involve elements of love and romance. Also, novels about Odysseus can have romantic sub - plots. His long journey home in 'The Odyssey' can be explored in a romantic context, with his relationship with Penelope being a key aspect.
One popular one is 'The Viscount Who Loved Me' by Julia Quinn. The hero has some emotional wounds from his past which adds depth to the romance. Another is 'A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire' by Jennifer L. Armentrout where the male lead has his own traumas that play into the relationship. Also, 'Beauty and the Beast' - the novel version - can be considered in this category as the Beast is a wounded hero in a sense.