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When we talk about the Regency era, what immediately comes to mind are the ballgowns and ballrooms; the dazzling soirées, the slow-burn glances across a crowded room, the scandalous gossip, and of course, the matchmaking mamas.
If you’re familiar with the Bridgerton series on Netflix, you’ll be pleased to know it’s adapted from Julia Quinn’s novels set in this very era. Bridgerton has captured hearts globally with its swoon-worthy romances, witty heroines, and dashing dukes. But what exactly is the Regency era?
The Regency period refers to the early 19th century in Britain, roughly between 1811 and 1820, when King George III was deemed unfit to rule and his son, the Prince Regent (later George IV), stepped in. This time was marked by extravagant fashion, strict social rules, and a glittering upper class obsessed with marriage, inheritance, and social status. It’s the lush, high-stakes backdrop that gives Regency romance its appeal centuries later.
So, if you’ve binge-watched Bridgerton and are craving more slow-burn, scandal-laced love stories wrapped in empire-waist dresses and whispered secrets in moonlit gardens, here are 8 Regency-era romances you’ll absolutely devour:
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1. Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
If you loved Anthony and Kate’s enemies-to-lovers tension in Bridgerton, you’ll be utterly swept away by this steamy, emotionally rich romance. Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, is a notorious rake in need of a fortune. Evangeline Jenner is a painfully shy heiress desperate to escape her abusive relatives.
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She proposes a marriage of convenience where he gets her money, and she gets her freedom. But what neither expects is the slow blossoming of real affection. Their dynamic is electric, with Evie’s quiet strength surprising Sebastian at every turn. It’s the classic tale of a rake reformed by love, and Kleypas does it with breathtaking intimacy. Price: $13.65. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon.
2. Defying the Earl by Erica Ridley
Matilda Dodd is weeks away from her twenty-first birthday and eager to gain her independence. When she learns that a grumpy earl has been appointed her guardian, she does what any self-respecting Regency heroine would do. She sneaks into a ball and accidentally kisses a stranger… who turns out to be the earl himself.
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Titus Noble, the Earl of Gilbourne, is a rigid, emotionally scarred man who wants to marry her off as fast as possible and return to his peaceful solitude. But Matilda is sunshine in human form, and the two find themselves caught in a slow-blooming, opposites-attract romance that is as heart-warming as it is swoony. If you’re a fan of the grumpy x sunshine trope, this book is for you. Price: $6.58. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon.
3. A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
Minerva Highwood is an intellectual woman who’d rather discuss geology than gossip. Lord Colin Sandhurst is a charming scoundrel with no plans to settle down. But when Minerva needs an escort to a scholarly event in Scotland, she blackmails him into accompanying her on a scandalously improper road trip.
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What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming journey of opposites attract filled with fake elopements, roadside disasters, and swoon-worthy character development. Tessa Dare is a queen of witty, feminist historical romance, and this book is one of her most beloved. Price: $30.91. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon.
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4. One Perfect Rose by Mary Jo Putney
If you want a more tender, emotional story, One Perfect Rose is like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. Stephen Kenyon, Duke of Ashburton, has just been given a terminal diagnosis. Wanting to escape his aristocratic obligations, he journeys and meets Rosalind, a travelling actress with a kind heart and a mysterious past.
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Their love story is quiet, grounded, and deeply moving. It’s a tale of finding love when you least expect it and discovering what really matters in life. There’s no unnecessary bickering in this book as it’s about two people falling in love and facing life’s challenges and adversities together. Price: ₦1,174. Where To Buy: Shop Iwemi.
5. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
A ruined duke and a disgraced seamstress enter into a marriage of convenience and it’s every bit as deliciously dramatic as it sounds. The Duke of Ashbury needs a wife to produce an heir, and Emma Gladstone shows up at his door wearing a wedding gown.
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Their arrangement is simple: no love, no questions, just duty. But as they grow closer, the walls they’ve built begin to crack. Tessa Dare uses humour, heat, and heartache with the ease of a true regency backdrop. Fans of Simon and Daphne will love this emotionally complex pairing. Price: $9.60. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon.
6. A Wicked Kind of Husband by Mia Vincy
Cassandra and Joshua married for convenience and have barely seen each other for two years. This chapter soon closes when Cassandra returns to London, determined to fight for her family’s rights, and is forced to reckon with the maddeningly charming husband she barely knows.
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What follows is a battle of wills and wits as their mutual indifference turns into intense attraction. This book is a masterclass in slow-burn romance and character growth, with sharp dialogue and chemistry. If Bridgerton’s secondary couples intrigued you, this one’s a brilliant exploration into a complicated, mature relationship. Price: $12.99. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon.
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7. The Duke’s Guide to Winning a Lady by Alexa Aston
In The Duke’s Guide to Winning a Lady, the emotionally reserved Duke of Malcolm Ware discovers that love isn’t a weakness, but rather the very thing he’s been missing all along. Still mourning a cold, arranged marriage that ended in tragedy, Malcolm views his second chance at marriage as a practical decision until he meets Effie Strong.
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Spirited, clever, and utterly uninterested in marriage unless it’s for love, Effie is the embodiment of everything Malcolm’s upbringing taught him to avoid.
As Effie grows close to his younger sister and helps him imagine a life led not by duty, but by desire and partnership, Malcolm finds himself yearning for more than just a convenient match. Price: $12.99. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon.
8. Duke with a Reputation by Scarlett Scott
The Duke of Brandon, long known for his ladies’ man reputation, finds his past catching up with him when a green-eyed child lands on his grandmother’s doorstep bearing a striking resemblance to him. Suddenly, he must marry quickly or risk losing a prized estate.
But then he encounters Lottie, the widowed Countess of Grenfell, who wants a single night of passion to reclaim her independence after a cold, loveless marriage.
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What she doesn’t expect is a marriage proposal. Their chemistry is electric, but it’s Lottie’s grace, wit, and natural warmth with his daughter (and her mischievous dog named Cat) that truly captivates Brandon. This book has a mix of steamy romance with heartfelt emotion and lively banter that makes it an irresistible read. Price: $13.50. Where To Buy: Shop Amazon.
The Regency era remains irresistible because it was a world of sweeping romance, strict social codes, and sizzling tension beneath silk gloves. And suppose you’re craving a story of brooding dukes needing a little redemption.
In that case, these novels will scratch that Bridgerton itch while introducing you to entirely new love stories and unforgettable characters.