A Strong, Independent Female Lead (Who May Have a Man)

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A Strong, Independent Female Lead (Who May Have a Man)

All in the title, a recommendation list for anyone who is looking for a strong female lead, whether it's emotionally, mentally and/or physically, in a heteros*xual romance based novel.

((This list is currently being updated))

*Most of the titles were found through their webcomic/manwha adaptations or promo one-shots, so I may not have read the original novels... Yet.

**A warning that this list will contain novels with mature and potentially upsetting/triggering content; an additional warning will be included in the summaries. **

** May contain slight spoilers, personal notes and bookmarks!

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11 Followers

Leggy-sama

Created: Aug 26th, 2020, Updated: Aug 26th, 2020

Created Aug 26th, 2020

Updated Aug 26th, 2020

KR (3.9)

#1The Emperor and the Female Knight

13 Chapters Every 154.2 Day(s) 1939 Readers 7 Reviews 01-25-2020

Action Adventure Mature Romance Slice of Life

*Was adapted into a webcomic/manwha ... more>>

**((The novel and maybe the webcomic/manwha gets an R-15+ from me. A lot of the not explicit, but more graphic and potentially triggering events and events that occur in the novel were omitted in the webcomic/manwha version - so heads up for those planning to read the novel))**

"Our female lead is Pauliana, a female knight in a male-dominated army and sexist society who can hold her own against others, and she doesn't take s**t from anybody (you go girl!). The emperor of Acrea, Lucius, recognises her strength and potential and makes her his closest, most trusted knight and advisor. However, while Pauliana has a good head on her shoulders and can beat down anyone who tries to lay their hands on those she cares for, she is oblivious (or pretends to be) to Lucius romantic feelings for her."

** Notes ** (Minor Spoilers! Based mostly on the webcomic adaptation)

- Perhaps one of the best-written females leads out there, Pauliana isn't conventionally beautiful or acts overtly-feminine in any way - in other words, she a *real* tomboy. She endures a lot of prejudice and discrimination initially from her male peers, but they all come to respect her for her skills and talent as a knight.

- The male lead, Lucius is also a great character as unlike most male characters who are of nobility/royalty, he isn't arrogant or rude. In a refreshing twist, the love interest is the one to fall in love first. He also doesn't try to force himself on Pauliana or take advantage of her once he realises he has become interested in her.

- The overall dynamic between him and Pauliana works well; it's light-hearted and often comedic, and they are able to communicate with one another (apart from when it comes to romance, of course... *cough*).

- However, while Lucius makes clear hints that he is in love with Pauliana (and everyone can tell that he is). But whether it's because of the difference in social status, Pauliana having no desire to be married or just the obliviousness on her side; Lucius' feelings are, for the most part, unreciprocated (for now...) - In other words, we have probably the biggest slow burn in all of the romance novels. (Hang in there bro...)

**(Slight trigger warning!!!)** Kudos to the author for not romanticising the s*xual assault and ab*se that occurs in the novel to any of the characters.** <<less

KR (3.8)

#2Light and Shadow

23 Chapters Every 107.6 Day(s) 2490 Readers 12 Reviews 06-18-2025

Adult Drama Fantasy Josei Mature Romance Smut

*Was adapted into a webcomic/manwha... more>>

KR (4.2)

#3Remarried Empress

479 Chapters Every 83.5 Day(s) 13041 Readers 132 Reviews N/A

Drama Fantasy Josei Psychological Romance

*Was adapted into a webcomic/manwha ... more>>

"The female lead is the soon-to-be-divorced and then-be-remarried Empress Naiver, who was selected by the previous Empress to be married to the Emperor Sovieshu when they were both children. But her position as the Empress is threatened once Sovieshu (more like Soviesh*t) makes an ens*aved girl (T)Rashta his concubine and promises her Naiver's position. However, not all hope is lost for Naiver as the soon-to-be king of the Eastern Empire, Prince Heinley makes his appearance."

** Note ** (Minor Spoilers!)

- Naiver does not deserve all the sh*t she is forced to go through, but respects to her for handling the entire situation in the calmest and level-headed way possible. She is THE *true* empress and her choosing to have Heinley by her side does not make her any less of a strong heroine.

- Prince (soon-to-be King) Heinley, although portrays himself to be a womaniser, loves, cherishes and respects Naiver more than her (soon to be ex-)husband ever would and will continue to do so in the future.

- Heinley's dynamic with Naiver is just refreshing to see, that while the two of them are opposites of each other, they just work together so well. (Just wish that more female leads in stories and situations where they're stuck with a terrible lover are able to get themselves a man like Heinley).

- Soveish*t is an absolute s*umbag (not the arguably not worst, but he's pretty DAMN high up there). While he 'may' be 'good' at his job as an emperor (for now...) but he becomes arrogant and believes he's entitled to whatever he wants or expects from Naiver *EVEN after they divorce*. (Just the sheer f**king audacity of this jack*ss).

- tr*shta is no better and uses her pitiful state in order to deceive and manipulate Soviesh*t and have him wrapped around her finger emotionally. By the time, Soviesh*t 'actually' sees through her lies and grow a pair for once, it'll be far too late.

- Soviesh*t and tr*shta are truly perfect for each other in the worse ways possible. It's satisfying to know that the two of them have continuously dug their own graves despite all the red flags along the way (telling them it's TIME TO STOP). But unfortunate as their lil' sh*tshow has and will affect everyone around them. <<less

KR (4)

#4The Baby Isn’t Yours

143 Chapters Every 35.6 Day(s) 8655 Readers 16 Reviews 02-09-2024

Completed Comedy Drama Fantasy Romance Slice of Life

*Promo webcomic/manwha one-shot available... more>>

"Our female lead Kalia is a renowned war hero and the strongest soldier in the Empire who, after spending a single wild yet passionate night with her long-time best friend and archmage Simon Terroan, discovers that she is pregnant. Kalia is overjoyed at the news of becoming the mother but is unsure of whether or not Simon shares the same sentiment. So for the better or worse, in order to spare her baby daddy the trouble of being forced to marry her, Kalia makes the (what sounded like the most rational) decision to suddenly retire and disappear from his life. The only problem is, Simon loves her more than anyone else."

** Notes ** (Minor Spoilers!)

- Kalia is a war hero; the greatest commander and solider in the history of the Rohas Empire having ended a seven-year war (so she's definitely one tough cookie!) Having grown up as an orphan on the streets of the city, Kalia's biggest dream has been to have a family of her own. However, romance doesn't appear to be her forte as she is unaware of Simon's love towards her.

- Simon is the greatest mage in the Rohas Empire; the only son of a duke; a fellow war hero alongside Kalia; her best friend, (one-time, still on for debate) lover and baby daddy. (Phew! Damn he's been *busy*...) He was saved by Kalia when they were both just children, as a result, the two were always by each other's side. Unbeknownst to Kalia, Simon has harboured feelings for her for quite a while now (but he has yet to openly confess to her).

- The situation between Kalia and Simon with a lack of communication from mainly Simon (just confess already dude!) and a whole lot of misunderstandings mostly on Kalia's side (since she is quite dense), is a recipe for a comedic yet worrisome disaster.

- The Rohas Empire is quite open-minded when it comes to allowing both men and women to train and become soldiers (so extra brownie points to their progressiveness).

- This is certainly one of the more light-hearted entries on the list, although with a little bit of humour leaning to the more 'adult' side of things. *wink, wink* *nudge, nudge* (Damn Kalia and poor Simon) <<less