Age Gap romance has long been popular – from a time when it wasn’t even viewed as an age gap for a hero to be a good few years older than the heroine. It certainly wasn’t judged to be scandalous: consider Emma and Mr Knightley (21 and 37), or Marianne and Colonel Brandon (16 and 35). Maxim de Winter is twice the age of his second wife in Rebecca, and there are twenty years between Mr Rochester and Jane Eyre.
Even in Mills & Boon and Harlequin romance novels from the past few decades, it’s hardly even remarked upon when a heroine fresh from finishing school marries a man ten or more years older than her. Today it’s more about the power play and the taboo. It’s a useful obstacle for a relationship, but there’s an important rule of thumb: the hero is with the heroine in spite of, not because of, the age gap.
My Age-Gap Romance novels:
A French Affair
Leonora is on a school trip to Paris, when she discovers that her teacher Mr de Villiers has quite different French lessons in mind.
Forbidden Classes
Laura is still in love with Mr Rydell despite trying to find comfort elsewhere, how can she win him back?
Forbidden Lessons
When boarding school pupil Laura meets her new German teacher her world is turned upside down.
Forbidden Study
Falling in love with her teacher Mr Rydell has overturned Laura’s world. But can their relationship survive the subterfuge or will it buckle under the pressure?
Guarding Her Body
Can bodyguard Brad fight his feelings for Olivia while keeping her safe?
His Model Student
When Sera’s new art teacher mistakes her for a model and demands that she strip naked, sparks start to fly. Will Mr Marek be able to keep his student at arm’s length after seeing everything she has to offer?
My Cousin Io
When Cousin Io comes to stay, she sets about seducing everyone from the vicar to the village vet. Until she finally falls in love herself, and turns everyone’s lives upside down.
Summer’s Edge
When Stewart Walker finds out the girl he kissed is a student at his school he’s furious and determined to keep away. But Alice has fallen hard and won’t give up.
Teaching His Ward
Marcus Harlington, Earl Southwell, is furious to discover that the young woman he romanced at a ball is his runaway ward, Jemima. He now plans to teach her some rather more wifely duties.
The Disapproving Duke
The Duke of Eastleigh wants to disapprove of beautiful Diana St Clair, but can’t get her out of his mind.
The Substitute Bride
When the Marquis of Westford offers to marry disgraced Elizabeth Cosgrove to save her family’s honour, little does he realise that she has swapped places with her younger cousin Lily.