Historical Romance books and series set in the Regency era
After watching Bridgerton on Netflix, which I absolutely devoured, I found out it was based on a book series by Julia Quinn. And as the book lover that I am, I immediately picked them up afterward. Since then, I’ve fallen into the black hole that is “Historical Romance Books” and didn’t found my way out yet. In the four months since reading the genre for the first time, I’ve managed to read over 40 books in the genre – which is my personal reading record. So, I’ve accumulated some knowledge on what series to read if you were AS enthralled by the Netflix series as I was. Or, of course, if you’re just looking for your next historical romance book series!
Disclaimer: I don’t know for sure if every book or series mentioned here is set in the regency era, some of them might not (like perhaps the Rokesbys) – but I’m not about to fact check them all. At least almost all the historical romance books or series on this list are set in the regency era. Of that, I’m sure. But I’m in no way a historian or someone with a great deal of knowledge of this time period. So, I apologize in advance!
1. Bridgertons by Julia Quinn
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Abe / Booktopia / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable… but not too amiable.
Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.
Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.
The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule…
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
2. Rokesbys by Julia Quinn
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Abe / Booktopia / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places…
This is not one of those times.
Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband… someday.
Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should…
Or not.
There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he’s arrogant, annoying, and she’s absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can’t stand the sight of him, either.
But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor…
Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can’t abide is the one person they can’t live without…
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
3. Smythe-Smith Quartet by Julia Quinn
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Booktopia / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
Honoria Smythe-Smith is:
A) a really bad violinist
B) still miffed at being nicknamed “Bug” as a child
C) not in love with her older brother’s best friend
D) all of the above
Marcus Holroyd is:
A) the Earl of Chatteris
B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles
C) not in love with his best friend’s younger sister
D) all of the above
Together they:
A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake
B) survive a deadly fever and the world’s worst musical performance
C) fall quite desperately in love
It’s Julia Quinn at her best, so you know the answer is . . .
D) all of the above
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
4. Bevelstoke by Julia Quinn
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Abe / Booktopia / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
2 March 1810… Today, I fell in love.
At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.
But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers…
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
5. The Wildes of Lindow Castle by Eloisa James
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Abe / Booktopia / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
Lord Alaric Wilde, son of the Duke of Lindow, is the most celebrated man in England, revered for his dangerous adventures and rakish good looks. Arriving home from years abroad, he has no idea of his own celebrity until his boat is met by mobs of screaming ladies. Alaric escapes to his father’s castle, but just as he grasps that he’s not only famous but notorious, he encounters the very private, very witty, Miss Willa Ffynche.
Willa presents the façade of a serene young lady to the world. Her love of books and bawdy jokes is purely for the delight of her intimate friends. She wants nothing to do with a man whose private life is splashed over every newspaper.
Alaric has never met a woman he wanted for his own . . . until he meets Willa. He’s never lost a battle.
But a spirited woman like Willa isn’t going to make it easy. . . .
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
6. Pennyroyal Green by Julie Anne Long
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Abe / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
His life is in her hands…
She’s willing to be fearless for a price…but what if the cost is her heart?
A rescued rogue…
Scandal has rocked the city of London. Colin Eversea, a handsome, reckless unapologetic rogue is sentenced to hang for murder and, inconveniently for him, the only witness to the crime disappears. Then again, throughout history, the Everseas have always managed to cheat fate in style: Colin is snatched from the gallows by a beautiful, clever mercenary.
A captivating captor…
Cool-headed, daring Madeleine Greenway is immune to Colin’s vaunted charm. Her mission is not to rescue Colin but to kidnap him, and to be paid handsomely for it. But when it becomes clear that whoever wants Colin alive wants Madeline dead, the two become uneasy allies in a deadly race for truth. Together, they’ll face great danger—and a passion neither can resist.
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
7. The Rules of Scoundrels by Sarah MacLean
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Abe / Booktopia / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets…
A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.
A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.
Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them… even her heart.
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
8. Girl meets Duke by Tessa Dare
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Abe / Booktopia / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…
Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.
His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing.
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.
But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
– They will have dinner together every evening.
– With conversation.
– And unlimited teasing.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
9. Wallflowers by Lisa Kleypas
Buy the Book online: B&N / BAM / Kobo / Waterstones / Abe / Booktopia / Bol.com / Bookdepository / Amazon / Kindle / Audible
Proud and beautiful Annabelle Peyton could have her pick of suitors—if only she had a dowry. Her family is on the brink of disaster, and the only way Annabelle can save them is to marry a wealthy man. Unfortunately her most persistent admirer is the brash Simon Hunt, a handsome and ambitious entrepreneur who wants her as his mistress.
Annabelle is determined to resist Simon’s wicked propositions, but she can’t deny her attraction to the boldly seductive rogue, any more than he can resist the challenge she presents. As they try to outmaneuver each other, they find themselves surrendering to a love more powerful than they could have ever imagined. But fate may have other plans—and it will take all of Annabelle’s courage to face a peril that could destroy everything she holds dear.
Source / Add it to your shelf on: Goodreads
I hope you’ve found some new Historical Romance Books and Series!
Lots of Love,
Britt
