New and Delightful Regency romances

Wallflowers, rakes, and everyone in-between: there are new and delightful Regency romances ready and waiting for you.

Between the Georgian and the Victorian period was the relatively short Regency Era (1811 to 1820), marked by King George III’s illness and the appointment of his son George, Prince of Wales, as Prince Regent in his stead (though the term “Regency” is applied to a broader period from 1795 to 1837). Characterized by social and economic reforms, literary figures like Jane Austen and Lord Byron, and fashionably high-waisted dresses, the Regency remains sharp in the modern imagination, especially in the romance world.

The History of Regency Romances

Although historical romances can be set in any historical time and place, the period has remained a popular setting ever since Georgette Heyer popularized the Regency in her historical romances in the 1930s-1970s. Typically featuring balls and courtship among the ton, Regency romances often focus on white, noble characters in heterosexual relationships. To be fair to historical romance, the genre was following a predominantly white and straight industry standard that held across much of publishing history. As publishers have aimed to include more diverse stories and storytellers, there have been exceptions over the years, especially from small presses, of Regency romances with working-class characters, characters of color, and queer characters finding love.

Although there has been a recent decline in publishers acquiring historical romance, less does not mean none. A range of publishers is still promoting and championing historicals. Harlequin may be discontinuing its Harlequin Historical line in the fall of 2027 after 39 years, but will continue to publish historicals under the Carina Press line. Avon, Berkely, Zando, Montlake, Bramble, and others also have historicals on their docket. Independently published historicals are still going strong. Also, Kickstarter has become a space where projects like the Historical Trailblazers: Romance Collection and the JQ Editions: Julia Quinn’s Curated Romance Book Box are thriving.

Have a Ball with these Regency Romances

For now, there are enough new Regency romances with diverse protagonists falling in love to keep readers busy. As a caveat, I’ve included a few Regency romances that take place in the year after the Regency because they were too brilliant to exclude. Have a delightful time.

Game of Rogues by Julie Anne Long

As the proprietor of London’s most exclusive gaming hall, Gabriel Marchand is used to dealing with young earls gambling away their inheritance. He’s not used to dealing with their sisters. Guinevere Woodville will do anything to undo her brother’s mistake, so she accepts Marchand’s offer to clear the debt for one night together. It should’ve been simple, but when their antagonism melts into the hottest night of their lives, both Ginny and Marchand will be forced to face the truth. Ginny can’t keep her place in society if she wants to stay by Marchand’s side, but he is willing to gamble it all away if it means a chance at keeping her.

Rears & Vices by E.M. Caro

Caro’s poly pirate historical is refreshingly sexy, wildly adventurous, and delightfully heartwarming. In 1816, Everand is making do as a Royal Navy career man in a Great Lakes post-war assignment when his former lover is court-martialled before him on piracy charges. Ever hasn’t seen Vitya since their first and last meeting years ago, but he refuses to let him die. With the help of his fellow officer, longtime friend, and sometime lover, Preston D’Arcy, he breaks Vitya out of jail, and the three go on the run. Life as a queer radical pirate is a revelation, but through battles, storms, and strife, Ever begins to build a home with the men he loves.

Like in Love with You by Emma R. Alban

In 1817, Bath, the daughters of two arch-nemeses, Catherine Pine and Lady Rosalie, are set on a collision path toward similar enmity. Catherine wants to win over Lady Rosalie’s suitor and get revenge for her mother. However wooing Mr. Dean is not nearly as tempting as facing Rosalie’s catty wit head-on, and soon Catherine finds herself swooning for the young woman instead. Rosalie is a mean girl who wants to be swept off her feet by Catherine, a woman who challenges and charms her in equal measure. Alban certainly delivers with her sapphic Regency Mean Girls.

How to Fake It in Society by K.J. Charles

To pull off his latest con, Nicolas-Marc pretends to be on a campaign to improve his image as the son of a French noblewoman wrongly convicted for diamond theft. Really, he is just looking to defraud Titus Pilcrow, a man with a newly inherited fortune. Nico didn’t expect he would fall for his mark. Now the silver-tongued swindler will have to tell the truth if he wants a chance to secure Titus’ trust and love. Technically, 1821 is just outside the Regency period, but I simply couldn’t resist recommending Charles’ delightful new historical.

The Duke’s Guide to Fake Courtship by Jade Lee

Grace Nayao Richards is the illegitimate daughter of an earl who lost her latest chance at marriage when the man’s cousin chased him away. As a duke, Declan has plenty on his plate without getting distracted by the wonderfully difficult young woman who could use his help securing a new suitor. Finding himself drawn to Grace, Declan offers a fake courtship to improve her prospects among London society, but soon he begins to fall for the daring debutante.

A Deal at Dawn by Vanessa Riley

When the viscountess Katherine Wilcox Palmers loses custody of her daughter, she will do anything to get her back, even if it means seeing her daughter’s ailing father, the Duke of Torrance. Jahleel campaigned for the court ruling before he fell ill. If he dies, Katherine will lose her daughter and be tossed out by her late husband’s family. She is determined to nurse Jahleel back to health and publicly find a husband with the duke’s help…while privately being his mistress. Jahleel knows he will die from a hereditary blood illness and refuses to marry Katherine, tying her to his fate, even if he loves her. They will have to risk everything for their daughter, even if it means sacrificing themselves in the process.

A Lady for All Seasons by T.J. Alexander

Verbena Montrose is a noblewoman without a fortune, so when she discovers her dear friend, Etienne, needs a convenient wife who will guard his secret, she offers her hand. All goes to plan until the mysterious poet, Flora Witcombe, begins publishing pieces that reveal Verbena and Etienne’s arrangement. Now, Verbena must confront the poet…ending up unexpectedly charmed instead. It’s easy to fall for Flora, but their romance is complicated when Flora reveals that he is also the novelist William Forsyth, who is more than capable of publicly wooing Verbena. Caught in relationships outside the bounds of proper society, Verbena will have to shatter conventions if she wants to claim her happiness.

Only Earl In The World by Amalie Howard

Ths novella from Howard’s Taming of the Dukes series follows suffragette Lady Briar Fairview and the rakish Earl of Lushing, Jasper Lyndhurst, who were both snubbed by each other’s former intended. Briar and Jasper may not get along, but that doesn’t stop them from successfully co-managing a social club that raises funds for fallen women. So, when gossip arises about their failed suits, Briar and Jasper decide to fake a courtship to win back their former flames, only to fall for one another instead.

A Rare Find by Joanna Lowell

Finding an ancient Viking amulet could launch Elfreda Marsden’s career, but before she can report her discovery, she bumps into her scandalous nemesis and loses her prize. Now, Elfreda will need Georgie Redmayne’s help if she wants to find more evidence of medieval life. Georgie didn’t mean to ruin Elfreda’s historic findings, and she could use money to fund her escape from Derbyshire, so she agrees to the hunt. As they work together, Elfreda and Georgie uncover something more precious than a gold-filled Viking hoard: love.

I sincerely hope you devour these new and delightful Regency romances. If you need more historicals in your life, you should try these historical romance books set in France, these historical romances that aren’t about aristocrats, and these spicy historical romances.