What is RH?
To begin this post, you might be asking: What is RH?
RH stands for Reverse Harem. As you may or may not know, a traditional harem (in former times) was part of Muslim culture and usually consisted of multiple wives, concubines, and female servants all belonging to the man of the household. Essentially, it was multiple women and one man. Reverse harem is the opposite: multiple men and one woman.
That was just a way to explain it, of course. The focus on RH in literature and art is not the same as taking a traditional harem and gender-swapping everything. The men are not owned and the woman does not control them. If any of you readers watch anime, occasionally there is harem or reverse harem situation. It is widely accepted in Japan already, but there is not much knowledge about it here.
Reverse-harem--in terms of reading--is a sub-genre that is not focused on any religion or culture. Most of the time, the story is about a group of guys and a girl, and somehow things start to progress romantically or platonically towards where a book can be considered RH. This may seem confusing, but it really isn't. The only time it gets confusing is when you have to compare ménage and reverse harem (ménage is 2 guys/1 girl while RH is 3+ guys/1 girl).
Enough of the explaining part, let's get into the fun part of the post. And I promise you, if you give RH a chance, you might find some of your favorite books in this sub-genre (I know I have).
My Top Recommendations
There are a few easy series to try if you want to test out the RH waters. I personally think that this sub-genre has so many different types of books in it: there are contemporary, dystopian, espionage, sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal, and so much more.
For someone who wants to try different authors and genres, there is a RH anthology compiled by some of the top-rated RH authors out there. It is only $1.99 and comes with 10 short novels (and all proceeds go to charity). The title is Falling For Them and there are plenty of well-known RH authors who contributed, such as C.L. Stone.
I am currently reading this anthology and really enjoying it. Personally, as a reader, I think there is something in here for everyone. I'm only on story 4, but already I've read diverse writing styles and plots. There are a few that are short and sweet, and others that are fast-paced and action-filled.
Goodreads Description:
Indulge in 10 all-new reverse harem stories from New York Times, USA Today, and bestselling authors, as well as up-and-coming indie authors. This collection of modern, paranormal, and sci-fi romances is sure to satisfy every palate. Whether you love to turn up the heat with a spicy romance, or savor a sweet love story, Falling for Them has it all. On sale for a limited time, all proceeds will go to charity. Help us make a difference for the new year by doing what you love…meeting our guys.
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Next is one of the most popular (if not the most) RH series out there. This was my first foray into this sub-genre before I even knew what RH was. It was quick and fun and amazing. There were times I laughed and cried. I've bonded with so many people over this series and it will always hold a special place in my heart. That series is: The Ghost Bird Series by C.L. Stone. The first book (which is always free on Amazon or iBooks) is titled Introductions.
As I said, I loved this series. There are currently 10 installments and 2 novellas, with about 12+ being planned. I understand it is a lot to invest in, but it is such an amazing series. The first book is always free on Amazon and iBooks, of course, so it really doesn't cost anything to just try it out *wink*
Goodreads Description (Book 1)
With an agoraphobic mother and a barely-there father, Sang abhors the isolation keeping her in the shadows. The only thing Sang craves is a fresh start and to be accepted as ordinary by her peers, because for her being different meant being cast out alone.
When her family moves to a new school district, Sang infiltrates a group of boys nearly perfect in every way. Grateful for an influence outside of her parents’ negativity, she quickly bonds with the boys, hoping to blend in and learn from them what it means to have a natural relationship with friends.
Only the boys have secrets of their own and they’ll do anything to keep her safe from the knowledge of the mysterious Academy that they've sworn allegiance to. Bit by bit, Sang discovers that her friends are far from the normalcy she expected. Will her loyalty change when she's forced to remain in the dark, or will she accept that she's traded one house of secrets for another?
Meet Kota, Victor, Silas, Nathan, Gabriel, Luke and North in a story about differences and loyalty, truth and mystery, friendships and heart-throbbing intimacy.
The Academy, ever vigilant.
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I'm just gonna move onto the next series with a free first book, and that is the Faith series by Nikki Bolvair. I discovered this series when I first discovered RH was an actual thing and I fell in love. This series is so interesting and heart-pounding and I loved it. The first book (always free on Amazon) is called Love is Not Lost.
This was one of my favorite series of 2016. I read the first book and was instantly hooked. Faith's story really hit me in the feels and her boys are just perfect. I bought and binge-read the next three books and just fell in love. It's a nice, fluffy series that also has darker undertones. I loved it. There's currently four books out (the main four) with an epilogue/5th book releasing soon. As I stated above, book one is always free.
Goodreads Description (Book 1)
"It's Daniels."
All sixteen-year-old Faith Daniels, or Daniels for short, wanted was a chance. A chance to forget her dark past and forge her own future. But that's hard to do when your past is full of great darkness.
Death always comes at a hefty price, more so, when you're unsure if you've carried out such a sentence.
Given the chance to break free from her hometown with an officer by her side, Daniels will find out that sometimes it's not the past you have to be worried about; the future can be just as scary. Especially in a new town where three hot neighbor guys want your attention.
As Tyler, Kayden and Lincoln McGuire try to break down the walls Daniels has formed; things get a little out of hand.
Maybe it was the dumb mutt that kept harassing her or the crazy cop foster parent that seemed to keep her on her toes, either way; Daniels walls were cracking.
Sometimes it takes more than just one guy to keep your walls down. To gain your trust. To help you love again.
Maybe for Daniels, three hot guys was her lucky number. Or perhaps, it was all about the mutt.
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Next up is one of my top 3 RH series ever. It is the Seraph Black series by Jane Washington. Again, this is a series I found right at my first foray into RH and I binge-read it so quick. The first of four books is Charcoal Tears.
I fell in love with these characters and this story. The characters are all so different and unique. The story was dark and riveting yet fluffy and light. The plot was amazing. It was all so well put together. Book four releases soon and I promise that this is a series you will want to binge-read.
Goodreads Description (Book 1)
“You see, there is safety in simplicity… in a life of simple peace, where the electricity doesn’t dance across the backs of my eyelids, and the sparks don’t slither over my consciousness. Only asinine peace, where my paintings don’t seem to paint themselves, leaving me with terrible feelings of premonition and a chill beneath my fingernails.”
Seraph Black used to think that she was prepared for anything. She could last days without eating, and she always walked away from the violent altercations with her father relatively unharmed. She even survived working at the club, surrounded by the dregs of society, all staring into their bottles instead of noticing the unravelling lives that trailed behind them.
She had thought that she could survive anything, but she wasn’t prepared for Noah and Cabe to come bulldozing into her life, careless of the precious secrets they picked apart in their quest to take over her world. She was even less prepared for the mysterious Miro and Silas, but most of all…
Most of all… it was the stalker that threatened her talent for surviving. She wasn’t ready for the photos, and the messages. The warnings. The threats.
Seraph’s life of surviving in the shadows was over, because the searchlight had found her, and there was nowhere that she could hide.
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Next we have another of my top 3 RH series. It is the My Pack series by Lane Whitt. It is a paranormal New Adult RH series, and it's amazing. Sometimes it is easy for RH authors to use cliche characters or make all the characters the same except for their hair color or favorite food. Every character in this story, however, is completely unique from each other. I loved it 100%. The first of (currently) three book is Finding My Pack.
This is another series that I binge-read (easy to do considering there's only two books out currently, with a third in editing). I loved each and every aspect of these books. I especially loved the paranormal aspect. I've reread them and loved them over and over since I first bought them. It's definitely a great introduction to RH, in my opinion. I think anybody who enjoys paranormal or romance novels would like this one.
Goodreads Description (Book 1)
Abandoned as a baby and forced to grow up way too fast, Kitten has learned to live and survive by her own unique code. When Kitten is at her lowest point and thinks she can’t carry on, she meets an extraordinary group of men who welcome her into their home and their hearts, showing her more kindness than she has ever known. What will happen when she finds out the secrets they keep? They may be more connected than they all thought when secrets about Kitten begin to surface as well.
Last, but certainly not least, is another of my top 3 RH series/books: The Veil Diaries series by B.L. Brunnemer. Currently, only the first book has been released, but there are 15 in this first series planned with a sequel series planned after. The first book is titled Trying To Live With The Dead.
This book was so amazing. It's pretty freaking long, but I read it in less than a day. I cried over it, I laughed over it, I obsessed over it. It combined so many different paranormal aspects with simplistic high school and friendship trials. The first book is also different than many other RH stories I've read. The romance is a very slow-burn, and the first book has absolutely no romance between the main character and her group of guys. Which brings me to another point: all the characters are so unique. The plot was amazing, yes, but it was the characters that made the book so good.
Goodreads Description
Hi, I’m Alexis Delaney. I’m your average 17 year old girl. Except I can see the dead. And talk to the dead. And push them away and, well, help them move on. So..okay, I’m not your average 17 year old girl. For years I’ve been struggling to survive the souls still roaming around. The shitheads always seem to find me. Moving from town to town every few months never helped either. More dead just always find me. But things are changing for me now. I’m moving in with my uncle Rory and cousin Tara. I’m finally going to be able to do normal teenage stuff I’ve been missing out on. Right?
Well, if this one bitch of a ghost could leave me alone on campus that would be great. Especially since I haven’t told my new friends about my abilities. Can you believe this? Five good looking guys practically adopt me on my first day of school, and I still think they’re a bit nuts for it. Now if I can only just keep my life with the dead from mixing with my normal life everything would be great. Yeah...I don’t see that happening either. But I’m going to give it a shot. Who knows? It might work.
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Well, there you have it folks: my top reverse harem recommendations. This sub-genre is such an amazing one and four of the books/series I mentioned above made it on my top books of the year list for 2016 (ranking up there next to Cassandra Clare, Marissa Meyer, Amie Kaufman, and Sarah J. Maas. I truly believe that this genre has something for every reader.
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Thanks for reading
xoxo
Lauren
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I have read almost all of these books and loved them!
ReplyDeleteCool! Some new books I haven't tried before.
ReplyDeleteBtw, have you check out books my Stella Purple?
Have you checked out this RH series?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/Living-Shallows-UK-Crush-Book-ebook/dp/B01MG6L7NM
Rebecca Royce has two rh series that I just love love love. Wings of Artemis and last hope. They might be a bit more mature though.
ReplyDeleteHave read a few of these and loved them! Top favourite is definitely CL Stone's Ghost Bird series, it was my introduction to RH before I even knew it was a thing. If you haven't read the Stardust series by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke, it's a must! It's a bit of a slow-burn book too, but it takes time to develop the characters really well.
ReplyDeleteI read the first book in that series but haven't continued on yet! *insert hidey face emoji here*
DeleteThe Divinicus Nex Series is also really good https://www.amazon.com/Demons-Deadnight-Paranormal-Divinicus-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B006UKMMU0/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1514854595&sr=1-2&keywords=divinicus+nex+chronicles
ReplyDeleteCurse of the Gods by Jane Washington and Jaymin Eve is one of my favorites. It's creative and is set in a completely different world.
ReplyDeleteHi guys! So i'm kinda new to this Reverse Harem thing. I have seen a lot of RH books that has good reviews but have been avoiding since i'm into the possessive alpha thing. Restrictly one female and one male whose so into each other. But i am also open minded and a lot curious. May i ask what the endings usually are for RH books? Will the female end up with one guy at the end? Or will she have her happily ever after with all of them?
ReplyDeleteHey, I know this is kinda late, but the female usually ends up with all the males . Most of the series on here aren't finished yet though, like the C.L. stone one and the veil diaries,
DeleteIt all just depends on the book but usually RH books have a HEA with all the guys. I would recommend trying the Kit Davenport books by Tate James or if you don't care for paranormal romance then try anything by C.L. Stone or even for something a little more adult then try the Rock Hard Beautiful series by C.M. Stunich. Hope you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot! I'll try one of C.L Stone since it seemed like a good start for my first RH.
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