If You Like….

If you like lighthearted Regency romances, you’ll probably like….

— Julia Quinn’s novels. I know people swear by the Bridgertons (start with The Duke and I), but don’t neglect the pre-Bridgerton Everything and the Moon and To Catch an Heiress. To Catch an Heiress was one of the inspirations for the original Pink book.

— Jessica Benson’s The Accidental Duchess, a hilarious Regency romp. She also has two shorter (also very funny Regencies), Much Obliged and Lord Stanhope’s Proposal.

— Teresa Medeiros’ After Midnight and The Vampire Who Loved Me. Yes, these may have vampires, but I promise, they’re not sparkly.

— Sarah MacLean’s “Numbers” trilogy, starting with Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. Don’t worry; there isn’t a one to eight, so you’re starting in order when you start with nine.

— Amanda Quick’s With This Ring or assorted others. I like the Gothic/Regency mash-up of With This Ring (think Northanger in spades), but some of her older novels are less Gothic, more Regency.

— Eloisa James’ When Beauty Tamed the Beast. How can you go wrong with historical House?

— Loretta Chase’s Mr. Impossible— or Lord Perfect or Lord of Scoundrels or…. You really can’t go wrong with Loretta Chase.

The Lady Most Likely, a story in three parts tri-authored by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Connie Brockway. Like those sampler packs of flavored oatmeal, it’s a great way to sample their three different writing styles.

— How could I possibly leave out the Queen of the Regency Romp, Georgette Heyer? Among her most romp-ish, try Sprig Muslin, Arabella, The Nonesuch, and The Grand Sophy.

I know I’m forgetting a ridiculous number of people. Who would you recommend for a fun Regency read?

10 Comments

  1. jeffrey on November 28, 2011 at 9:36 am

    I just finished a PERFECTly lovely Regency romance: The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath. It has just been released and it features the sweetest and most satisfying romance between a most unlikely heroine and her even more unlikely hero. (can I mention a distant resemblence to our beloved Turnip?) One of THE BEST Miss Austen P & P sequels I have ever read.

  2. Joanne M. on November 28, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Lisa Kleypas has fun, lighthearted historical romances: The Wallflower series, Dreaming of You, Lady Sophia’s Lover, etc…

  3. Elizabeth W on November 28, 2011 at 9:53 am

    I will be reserving this entire list at the library, I think!

    Thank you- funny Regency romance is perfectly in my sweet spot. And this list is the next best thing to begging you to write faster.

  4. Anya on November 28, 2011 at 12:27 pm

    I LOVE DUKE AND I….I haven’t been able to get my hands on any other ones though….=(

  5. Renee on November 28, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Clare Darcy. Not quite as good as Heyer, but very similar in style. Lydia and Regina are good ones to start with. I’m particularly partial to Cressida.

  6. Leslie on November 28, 2011 at 9:24 pm

    Leigh Michaels’ “Just One Season in London” was a lot fun.

    “Frederica” and “The Unknown Ajax” are two more wonderful romps by Georgette Heyer.

    I love Julia Quinn’s “How to Marry a Marquis” and ” The Viscount Who Loved Me” are two of my favorites.

    Candace Camp’s Matchmaker series is good reading.

  7. Jessica C on November 28, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    LOVE the Bridgerton series! Also a fan of Candice Hern (The Best Intentions is my favourite). A lot of the Regencies on my bookshelf are Austen ‘fan-fiction’ – there are some fabulous authors out there who enjoy playing with Austen’s characters (and I love reading them!)

  8. melody burns on November 29, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    Grace Burrowes’ “The Heir”, “The Soldier” and “The Virtuoso” are very good books. You also might want to check out Madeline Hunter, Sophia Nash, Olivia Parker and Edith Layton.

  9. Diya on November 29, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    I LOVE The Lady Most Likely! I just started rereading it over Thanksgiving! Got anymore more like it?

  10. Chris on July 29, 2012 at 7:28 am

    Jeanne, if I meet an aspiring wtirer, I always encourage them to join their local RWA chapter. Everything I know about writing, about the publishing world I learned from some part of RWA. I treasure them!!!

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