There are so many different settings in Romance Webtoons, and yet they often end up feeling pretty similar. Today, I want to show you some recommendations with a setup that isn’t super rare, but that you also don’t stumble across every other day: the MCs have a one-night stand in the very first chapter.
First Night with the Duke
Summary: If you want a wholesome romance with mature communication and no red flags, First Night with the Duke probably isn’t for you. But if you enjoy fiction as a fun, messy escape, this one is worth a try. Ripley, the female lead, is quirky and determined to do things her own way – even if it means faking an injury to get away from Duke Zeronis, the male lead who pressures her into marriage after their drunken one-night stand.
You should check it out if you:
- Don’t mind if both leads act questionably: the duke won’t take no for an answer, and Ripley avoids honest conversations and does some pretty dubious things
- Enjoy quirky, lighthearted stories with great art and a satisfying ending
- Like it when almost every character is likable, except Ripley, who might be the only one to really test your patience
Positively Yours
Summary: Positively Yours is a great choice if you enjoy seeing a seemingly perfect CEO male lead grovel for the female lead. The story starts with Doo-joon and Hee-won having a passionate one-night stand after meeting at a bar, and to Hee-won’s dismay, she ends up pregnant. She plans to keep it a secret, but fate has other plans, and Doo-joon eventually finds out. He insists on taking responsibility, and that’s when their relationship really begins. Check out my review of Positively Yours if you want more details before reading.
You should check it out if you:
- Like male leads who have it all: rich, patient, devoted, attractive, and good at everything
- Don’t mind feeling frustrated with the female lead at times because of her cold and stubborn personality
- Love romances that move at a calm, steady pace, with a little drama now and then
How to Hide the Emperor’s Child
Summary: If you want a spicy opening chapter and lots of steamy moments, How to Hide the Emperor’s Child might not be for you – the wedding night is almost entirely off-screen. But if you like stories focused on a strong female lead who is desperate to keep her child a secret from her unstable Emperor ex, this could be your next read. After their wedding night, Kaizen divorces Astelle and leaves her with almost nothing. From then on, her only goal is to get as far away from him as possible. Six years later (with her six-year-old son in tow), a minor territorial dispute brings her back to court.
You should check it out if you:
- Don’t mind if the male lead has a weird character. In one chapter he’s toxic, and in the next he’s supposed to be gentle and understanding. It can feel inconsistent at times, but it improves toward the end
- Aren’t mainly here for the romance, since it takes a backseat until later chapters. Read it for the female lead and the fun tension of wondering, “when is he going to figure out it’s his son?”
- Don’t mind a pretty questionable premise:
Show Spoiler
he divorces her AFTER their wedding night to give her her freedom because he thinks her father forced her into the marriage… how about doing that BEFORE the wedding night, my guy?
Villainess in Love
Summary: Villainess in Love might not have the most original plot, but it’s still a really fun read. The female lead wakes up reincarnated as the villainess in a novel and tries to avoid the original female lead, hoping to escape her fate of being killed by the two love interests. So far, so good. But “unfortunately,” one drunken night changes everything for her.
You should check it out if you:
- Love a male lead who is pretty possessive but also thoughtful
- Like it when the main couple gets together early and shares lots of sweet and steamy moments
- Don’t mind actually feeling a little sorry for the original female lead in the story
Ties that Bind Us
Summary: If you’re used to Webtoon’s typically very censored adult content, Ties that Bind Us will surprise you with how much it shows in chapter 2. Honestly, Webtoon’s policy on adult content is confusing. Canvas artists get flagged for showing a little skin, but this somehow gets through. Anyway, Ties that Bind Us is still pretty new, but the art is stunning and the premise is promising. The story follows Ava, the ‘screwup’ of the Moretti family (her father treats her badly and her siblings just watch ) and Nick Caponelli, the heir to her family’s rival empire. Fun bonus fact: it’s based on a Wattpad story.
You should check it out if you:
- Are into mafia-style romances
- Love it when the male lead “falls first and falls harder”, while the female lead stays distrustful
- Like a good amount of spice in your romance
