Strong FMCs
March is Women’s History Month, which means it’s time to celebrate the fearless, brilliant, rule-breaking women who demand their space in the world—and in our books. Romance heroines have come a long way from the days of damsels waiting to be rescued. Now? They’re shaping their own destinies, choosing love on their terms, and redefining what strength looks like.
And while mainstream publishing still drags its feet on giving us women who are messy, complex, and unapologetically powerful, indie romance has been delivering for years.
If you’ve met Holland Gallagher (Holland, My Heart) or Ivy Rose Greene Gardiner (When Ivy Met Adam), you already know I have a soft spot for women who fight for what they want—whether that’s love, a second chance, or a future that looks nothing like they expected. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are three more indie romance heroines who wrecked my heart in the best way.
A Voice Without Reason by Irene Bahrd, narrated by Amy Hall
FMC: Becca
Why she’s unforgettable: Because there’s no one more badass than a romance author. Becca doesn’t just write about love—she’s built a whole career crafting epic, heart-stopping, once-in-a-lifetime love stories. She knows the tropes, she knows the beats, and she knows soulmates aren’t real.
…Until she meets Julian. And suddenly, her life starts reading like the books she thought were pure fiction.
💡 Read if you love: Romance authors as FMCs, found family, heroines who refuse to stay quiet, and indie romance that hits deep.
This Bowl of Stars by Tamaya Cruz
FMC: Ali Moreno—an anthropologist, treasure hunter, and love scholar who should honestly have her own action franchise.
Why she’s unforgettable: Because she’s dedicated her life to studying love—but real life is messier than any lecture hall. Ali Moreno is a brilliant anthropologist on a mission to uncover the Southwest’s biggest buried treasure—a legend that might just prove true love exists.
Tamaya Cruz delivers a story that’s thrilling, romantic, and packed with the kind of adventure that reminds us that women belong in every legend. Ali isn’t just finding treasure—she’s reclaiming her own story, rewriting the rules, and proving that true love isn’t just real… it’s been waiting for her all along.
Also? There’s a diva cow with an eye patch. And if that’s not reason enough to read, I don’t know what is.
💡 Read if you love: Love triangles (quadrangles?) done right, high-stakes adventure, whip-smart heroines, and a touch of desert magic.
Beard in Mind (Winston Brothers #4) by Penny Reid, narrated by Angela Dawe & Chris Brinkley
FMC: Shelly, one of the strongest characters I’ve ever cried for
Why she’s unforgettable: Because strength doesn’t always look the way we expect. Shelly is brilliant, guarded, and living with OCD—a reality that romance rarely portrays with the depth and respect it deserves.
Penny Reid never writes basic heroines, and Shelly is one of her best. She’s proof that strength isn’t about never struggling—it’s about showing up, fighting through, and loving yourself enough to keep going. And if you don’t cry for her at least once? Check your heart.
💡 Read if you love: Me (because this is a favorite and I want you to read it!), neurodivergent heroines, slow-burn romance, and books that change the way you see people.
Romance is revolutionary. It tells us that our stories matter, that we deserve love, and that strength comes in endless forms. Whether it’s Becca fighting for her voice, an archaeologist racing against time, Shelly confronting her deepest fears, or Holland and Ivy forging their own paths to love—these are the stories that remind us what’s possible.
Who’s your favorite strong romance heroine? Drop your recs below, because I need more books to cry over.
🔥 Want more feminist, indie, and swoon-worthy reads? Check out Holland and Ivy’s stories in Holland, My Heart and When Ivy Met Adam—or sign up for my newsletter here for more book recs, behind-the-scenes peeks, and love stories worth fighting for.
