Don't expect many harems with characters who can't think for themselves or fall in love with the MC before page 1. Many might have a slow moving plot... have to invest yourself into the characters to find the tragic, beautiful and poignant!... more>>

First, some English original webnovels that are superb and easily googleable (in order of best characters, not necessarily plot): 
1. Trailer tr*sh
2. Iron Teeth
3. Castle Kingside (rewrite)
4. Metaworld Chronicles
5. The Good Student
6. Worm (Parahumans)
7. AnimeCon Harem (18+)
8. Mother of Learning
9. Selena's Reign
10. Double Blind: A modern litRPG
11. Tidal Lock (unfinished)

Note that I've been recently pruning and updating the list to remove some that were just good stories with average characters and move them over to new lists that are top of their genre. You can see all my rec lists at https://www.novelupdates.com/user/10378/tallrice/ <<less

Here is a list of the stories I made Relationship Diagrams for, along with the links to those diagrams (view the notes for each by clicking "more" under them). I typically make diagrams for stories with complicated family trees and interpersonal relationships. This helps remind me of who a character is in stories with slow release schedules, a large casts of characters, and/or similar names.... more>>

*WARNING* - These diagrams are updated to the latest chapter that I have read. That means that they will likely include some spoilers if you are not on the same chapter as I am. I typically do not update completed stories after their climax, so as not to ruin the ending.

Some of the diagrams are not up to date to the latest releases, as I have fallen behind in reading those stories. If you see any errors please let me know in the comments to this list. <<less

Reading list of webnovels featuring court & harem intrigue and may include transmigration, rebirth, and gen, f/m and m/m relationships.... more>>

Comments include a brief summary and contain spoilers. <<less

what the name says... more>>

angst pain torture EMOTIONAL SLAUGHTER and finally COMFORT AND HUGS 

no harem na-da i dun like the cringey harem (tho tasteful ones get an entry pass)  <<less

There are so many amazing works that feature regressed MCs that are going through a second chance in management, corporate ladders, sports, cooking, etc. Definitely stronger list than the second chance in fantasy. Wanted to make a list that specifically targets this genre.... more>>

First, some of the best that aren't on NU:
1. Trailer tr*sh - wonderful depiction of a second chance high school life with strongly developed characters
2. Metaworld chronicles - only barely qualifies because it's really a fantasy world, but it's an alternate modern day Earth, with great detail and development of cultures and places and set in a modern society, if magic based
3. Let me make you a star - [have not yet read] but has good ratings, comment if you've had a chance to read it!

In addition, there are a number of great drama/TV shows (JP, CN and KR) of second chances that I highly recommend if you like this genre. I've added them in a comment below the list.

If you enjoy second chances, you can also try my other lists on:
- Second chances in fantasy (https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/10749/)
- Time loops (includes movies and webnovels not on NU - https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/10681/) <<less

This list is specifically for second chances/age regression in fantasy, historical or VRMMO settings. 
- Not transmigration stories (see: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/16246/)
- Not time loop stories (see: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/10681/)
- Not second chances in modern society (see:  https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/10745/)... more>>

I'll start with a big recommendation for:
1. Metaworld chronicles - wonderful series with well developed characters, magic, monsters and dragons, all set to a really well explored alternate modern Earth fuelled by magi-tech. It's the best in the genre and you should try it out!
2. Selena's Reign - only around 20 chapters out so far, but they're really well done. Beautiful descriptions (though sometimes a bit verbose) and the best depictions of a late 18th century setting that I've seen in an online fantasy. Read this for the magical second chance messiah in a gritty, Louis XIV->Napoleon type time frame world.
3. The Calamity of a Reborn Witch - more of a shoujo take on things, it's filled with political plots and conspiracies of a cinderella type heroine in a rather dark fantasy world
4. Forgotten Conqueror (this was on hiatus for a long time but restarted on the author's site) <<less

Imperial palaces, harems, dynasties, concubines, consorts, inner court, young miss, struggle of the princes competing for the throne, phoenix/dragon destinies, face-slapping, scheming
Includes transmigration of... more>> modern-day women into Ancient China and rebirth of FL with a second chance to avoid the mistakes of the past life. <<less

Female leads that aren’t damsels in distress *Guilty Pleasure*... more>>

- MCs are clever, independent, and can be both mentally and physically strong. 

- Sometimes face slapping and OP. <<less

[For untranslated CN novel suggestions, please refer to the Comment Section of this list]... more>>

Romance novels that will make you reconsider the pre-established order of things, that shine by their realism, that demand that you acknowledge cannon fodders, that hinder you in condemning villains. <<less

Fighting against their families, society, and rulers. Uncovering massive conspiracies and decades old schemes. Changing the fates of dynasties, countries, and worlds. ... more>>

These protagonists, whether of their own volition or through the will of others, are caught up in plots both petty and paramount, and use their wits to turn tables, take revenge, and survive. 

Any kind of world, and any gender and sexuality, as long as it involves scheming. Updated as I read, and please feel free to recommend additions in the comments.  <<less

Just things I like to read or are planning to. Most of these novels deal with reincarnation and almost all of them are told from... more>> the perspective of the FL. <<less

this list contains novels in which the MC is reincarnated into a child. These stories contain lot of fluff. 

This is a collection of romance novels I've read so far that I think is worth reading for. (I've separated rebirth, reincarnation and transmigration themes to... more>> another list. Here's the link: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/8811/). Read and let's all enter the world of romance! <<less

These are novels in which daughters of different families are switched at birth or during childhood. May involve transmigrated/reincarnated/rebirthed  female protagonist/villain. Please advise if there... more>> are any misses. <<less

✨Only the cream of the crop ✨ All the (mostly) historical novels which have proven to stand the test of time a.k.a survived  my endless nitpicking, fluctuating moods and multiple re-read. So yeah, pretty strong novels.... more>>

PS: The others novels I liked, but not enough to be featured here, are in my yearly "New Favorite Historical Romances" lists. <<less

No bad endings, may have spice mixed in some of them although "some" of them may include *rape* (if interested they are at the end of page 1, not that there are many)... You are WARNED!!! ... more>>

Still updating part 2 so you can wait for new discoveries when you finish this list. ^^

Part 2: https://www.novelupdates.com/viewlist/31520/

If they have no description from my part it is because I'm reading it or for reading or leaving a spot. <<less

Protagonist who are the biological parents. Stories must involve their relationship with child or children weather it be hiding, raising, or protecting them. Romance with... more>> the original partner or new lover always open. <<less

A list of my favourite powerful MCs. Multiple vests, genius with hidden abilities and identities, all slowly revealed in these awesomely fascinating plots and faceslapping... more>> the nasty bullies along the way. <<less

Interaction between children that had their identities stolen/swapped. With an emphasis on family/ family reintegration problems... more>>

Note the list is segmented in terms of number of novels

BxG, Quick Transmigration, BL, Yuri

My other lists can be found here https://www.novelupdates.com/user/231781/kawaii12345/
and include

Lost And Found Children

Switch Real Children VS. Fake Children (children coming to terms with being switched)
Fake Children vs Real Children Quick Transmigration
Real Child vs Fake Child Standalone list
Sibling Warfare (when the kids are about to kill each other)
Poisonous Families
Transmigrated into a novel
ACT: Ancient China Transmigration <<less

BL Novels that has more drama than romance

In which the protagonist had problems with their family.

Includes novels with transmigration to the past, cultivation, martial arts, ancient times, cooking, and farming. Add in a sprinkle of fighting for the throne, and you have this list!... more>>

Hope you find something you like! <<less

Novels that have ongoing translations, but I have finished reading them in the MTL version. MTL are understandable for all, but there are confusing parts... more>> to it. Once translations are complete, the novels will be moved to the 'Completed' list.  <<less

No description.

A list of books whose descriptions or reviews interested me. I will read eventually. These are mostly historical/wuxia settings.... more>>

I’ve moved the pure fantasy/xianxia type settings to another To Be Read list. This was getting full.

If you have any suggestions on other novels to put on this list, please drop a comment. <<less