Who here still remembers Mr. Darcy’s “You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased”? Don’t you wish someone would court you using lines as such? So poetic that half of it just goes over your head, but you still feel complimented because the words (accent) were too pretty? Just kidding (not about the accent). So, here we bring you the best books with Regency/Victorian period romance that will have you curling your toes and getting butterflies. In the era of gorgeous balls, enchanting gowns, society gossip, and gentlemen’s courtship, these romances are legit every girl’s dream (despite the gender discrimination and restrictions faced by women during that period).
P.S. The books have been arranged in alphabetical order because they are all awesome, and how else are we supposed to arrange them in, for the love of all things sensible?
So let’s get started with the best Regency/ Victorian period books:
#1 Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen
About the Book
Title: Above the Bay of Angels
Author: Rhys Bowen
Genre: Mystery, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Type: Standalone
Pages: 323
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
Isabella Waverly only wanted to save the woman she found on a London street. She never expected to get employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, getting to serve Queen Victoria herself. She can’t believe her luck until someone starts blackmailing her, and a member of the Queen’s entourage falls ill and dies – predictably, Bella is suspected of poisoning them. An investigation is to follow, and Bella knows she will be thrown to the gallows once her deceit is found. Bella also knows that the only person who can save her is herself. But will she be on time?
Why do we recommend this book?
Most of the book is about Bella being an incredible chef, talented but paranoid, and quite a success with lots of male gentry of the palace. The murder mystery doesn’t take up much of the plot, and you know what? That was perfectly satisfying. Bella was your typical female protagonist in the victorian period trying to make a name for herself, and sure, the plot wasn’t anything new (almost more than half of the books in this list comes under cliche). However, it was still such a fun read.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.
To buy/gift Above the Bay of Angels, click the below link:
#2 Dangerous Damsels Series by India Holton
About the Book
Title: Dangerous Damsels
Author: India Holton
Genre: Romance, Historical, Fantasy
Publisher: Berkley Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 2
Books in it: #1 The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, #2 The League of Gentlewomen Witches
Goodreads rating: 3.8/5
The Dangerous Damsels series follows the women from two different League/Society, trained and talented at the arts of all things criminal. In The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels, Cecilia Bassingwaite, the prim and proper lady thief, must save her aunt from a crazy pirate and his dangerously charming hired assassin. In The League of Gentlewomen Witches, Miss Charlotte Pettifer needs to go on a mission to steal the long-lost amulet of Black Beryl (to stop it from falling into the wrong hands). There she crosses paths with a pirate whose flirty banters have full potential to steal her heart as well.
Why do we recommend this book?
This series is hilarious! Like legit hilarious. Sure, the men here are swoony-worthy, but the women take the cake (and biscuits and teas) when it comes to scene-stealing because holy hell, where were they my whole life? These women of the mysterious, crazy sorority prove that they are nowhere behind men in anything. Not even in being a rake. These women and the perfect victorian period setting make these books more wholesome.
To buy/gift Book 1 in the series, Dangerous Damsels, click on the below link:
#3 Goode Girls Series by Kerrigan Byrne
About the Book
Title: Goode Girls
Author: Kerrigan Byrne
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Historical, Adult
Publisher: Gnarly Wool Publishing
Type: Series
No. of Books: 4 (and Ongoing)
Books in it: #1 A Dark and Stormy Knight, #2 Courting Trouble, #3 Dancing With Danger, #4 Tempting Fate; To be published – #5 Crying Wolfe, #6 Flirting With Disaster, #7 Playing With Fire, #8 Dealing With the Devil
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
Sir Carlton Morley is famous for his will, focus, and relentless sense of justice. But he got these all after a tragedy forced him to change his dark past that he can’t entirely leave behind no matter how much he tries. Still, he pledges never to give in to temptation in search of redemption; until it lands literally in his lap. Prudence Goode is expected to live a life of struggle, but she wants to experience just one night of desire before that. What luck that she met this supremely gorgeous man. As their passion burns out of control, Morley realizes that he was right about temptations – they are weaknesses, one that his enemies will take advantage of.
Why do we recommend this book?
Girls Series is a continuation of the author’s other work – Victorian Rebels; that is, the first book of this series is the last book of the latter. And everything ties up so nicely. You could start with the Goode Girls series itself, but I would also recommend reading Victorian Rebels because the characters from that series often crossover here. I find Goode Girls a bit better in terms of characterization, but you are free to try with either one. Again, these books aren’t anything unique, but these historical romances with their perfect victorian period settings steal our hearts anyways.
To buy/gift Book 1 in the Goode Girls Series, click the below link :
#4 Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger
About the Book
Title: Parasol Protectorate
Author: Gail Carriger
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Humor, Sci-Fi
Publisher: Orbit
Type: Series
No. of Books: 5
Books in it: #1 Soulless, #2 Changeless, #3 Blameless, #4 Heartless, #5 Timeless
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Alexia is soulless. In a machine-dependent London society where she lives a spinster life, Alexia is horrified by a Vampire trying to kill her, even though she should have expected it. After all, these supernatural have no manners. The situation worsens when she accidentally kills it as Queen Victoria sends the werewolf Lord Maccon to investigate. If Alexia wishes to prove herself innocent, she has to quickly figure out what is happening to London society. And getting tangled with the handsome, charming werewolf isn’t in the plans.
Why do we recommend this book?
It is one of my all-time favorite victorian period romance books (plus it has fantasy, count me in right now); Parasol Protectorate is as perfect as it can get. The world-building, the character development, the relationship progression, and all the characters’ dynamics are legit some of the best I have read in my long-time unpaid career as an avid reader. Also, I would gladly have Alexia stab me with her parasol (who wouldn’t? She is ultra badass with that thing).
To buy/gift Book 1 in Parasol Protectorate Series, click on the below link:
#5 Staunton Sisters Series by Allyson Jeleyne
About the Book
Title: Staunton Sisters
Author: Allyson Jeleyne
Genre: Romance, Historical
Publisher: Fifty Forty Productions
Type: Series
No. of Books: 3
Books in it: #1 In the Viscount’s Arms, #2 The Infamous Duke, #3 An Inconvenient Engagement
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Reeling from the death of her parents, eldest daughter Octavia knows her responsibilities. A source of strength for her sisters, she forges her own path to independence, which leads to the gates of Caswell Hall. Octavia gets the job as the governess of the family. She has plans for her life, and none of them includes the charming bachelor Simon, Viscount Althorne, who is her employer, or his seductive advances. Will Simon convince her that he is a gentleman worth loving? Or will their love remain a memory, separated by class and duty, which can never be overcome?
Why do we recommend this book?
All the Staunton Sisters are such a hoot! I adore them all and their lovers, who are the epitome of whipped. I love some men who are absolute fools when courting (looking at you, Wade, Mr. Darcy version 2.0). A definite read for historical, Regency/Victorian period books lover for a chill, breezy read.
To buy/gift Book 1 in Staunton Sisters Series, click on the below link:
#6 The Bareknuckle Bastards Series by Sarah MacLean
About the Book
Title: The Bareknuckle Bastards
Author: Sarah MacLean
Genre: Romance, Historical, Adult
Publisher: Avon Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 3
Books in it: #1 Wicked and the Wallflower, #2 Brazen and the Beast, #3 Daring and the Duke
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Bastard, son of a duke and king of London’s dark streets, Devil offers Lady Felicity Faircloth his help in landing a duke, who agrees, but only if that marriage has the passion she desires. His last pawn for revenge is this spinster wallflower, whom he needs to turn into an irresistible temptress to set his trap. He couldn’t have imagined getting swept up by temptation himself. Felicity has decided that she wants Devil, and the Devil is finding it hard not to succumb to her seductions. What would he choose? His years-long laid plans or his future?
Why do we recommend this book?
Sarah MacLean is one of those writers who ride a fragile line between feminism and try-too-hard women, but her romances are always steamy enough to cover up the flaws. Luckily, in this series, the characters behave true to that era’s norm, which I really appreciated. I loved almost all the books. Ewan is bae, though, my one true love (my 347th book boyfriend).
To buy/gift Book 1 in The Bareknuckle Bastards Series, click on the below link:
#7 The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
About the Book
Title: The Duke Who Didn’t
Author: Courtney Milan
Genre: Romance, historical, Adult
Publisher: Femtopress LLC
Type: Standalone (book 1 in Wedgeford Trials)
Pages: 352
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
Miss Chloe Fong has got absolutely no time for nonsense. Three years ago, she gave her childhood sweetheart an ultimatum – either get serious or never talk to her again. The boy disappeared that very night. But Jeremy Wentworth is back, with full intention to make Chloe his, who can’t believe his gall to be so shameless. How can he make her understand that it took him years to get serious with his life? How is he supposed to tell her that he hasn’t told her his real name or title in all the years they have known each other, not to mention the little fact that he practically owns the village she lives in?
Why do we recommend this book?
Please, Chloe and Jeremy were like the most hilarious pairing I have ever read in historical fiction (after Maccon and Alexia, of course). And so different. Jeremy is a ray of sunshine, mischievous and playful, while Chloe is the serious, no-nonsense woman. One of those opposites-attract tropes (we all love it, be honest). Their romance was subtle and gradual, making me melt into a puddle, honest to God. Please read it! I can’t wait for Milan’s next book in this series.
To buy/gift The Duke Who Didn’t, click on the below link:
#8 The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
About the Series
Title: The Infernal Desires
Author: Cassandra Clare
Genre: Sci-Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, YA
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Type: Series
No. of Books in it: 3
Books in it: #1 Clockwork Angel, #2 Clockwork Prince, #3 Clockwork Princess
Goodreads Rating: 4.4 / 5
Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld, searching for her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire. And Tessa and her allies are the only things standing between them. And they won’t stop until they are destroyed. Will Tessa and her friends be able to stop them? Or will they also be the ones destroyed?
P.S. This series is available in a box set. The link to buy the box set is at the bottom of the page.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, then you can read this book for free.
Why do we recommend this book?
I absolutely adore Cassandra and her work. She just has this way of writing which sucks you into her world of characters and makes you stay there. I would be lying if I said something was wrong in this series. Everything about it is perfect!!
If you want to buy/gift Book 1 in The Infernal Devices, click on the link below:
#9 The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett
About the Book
Title: The Lady Rogue
Author: Jenn Bennett
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Romance
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Type: Standalone
Pages: 372
Goodreads Rating: 3.7 / 5
Theodora is the main character in this book. Her father is a treasure hunter, and he finds all sorts of exciting and lost valuables. Theodora loves everything about this job. She even likes to go hunting, but her father won’t allow it. And then, one day, when Huck, her father’s student of sorts, returns and asks for her help in finding her father, they both go on the adventure. They find that her father was looking for Vlad, the Impalers ring. And it’s the only way to find her father. So, this book is about their journey of finding her father and Vlad’s ring. It’s filled with adventure, bizarre things, secrets, and information about Vlad.
Why do we recommend this book?
Everything is just perfect, from world-building to its writing style to the characters, to pace to like plot…everything is just perfect. It is a really FABULOUS read!!!!
If you want to buy/gift The Lady Rogue, click on the link below:
#10 The Merry Misfits of Bath Series by Callie Hutton
About the Book
Title: The Merry Misfits of Bath
Author: Callie Hutton
Genre: Romance, Historical
Publisher: Self-published
Type: Series
No. of Books: 5
Books in it: #1 The Bookseller and the Earl, #2 The Courtesan’s Daughter and the Gentleman, #3 Lady Pamela and the Gambler, #4 The Artist and the Rake, #5 The Doctor and the Libertine
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Addie Mallory has turned her back on her husband’s hunt to go happily reside in the lovely town of Bath. After seven unsuccessful seasons being a wallflower, she finally manages to persuade her parents that she should be allowed to use her dowry to buy a bookstore in Bath. Although dyslexic, she has always found peace surrounded by books. Lord Grayson, Earl of Berkshire, is still reeling from his deceased wife’s betrayal and plans never to marry. His hands are anyways full with his young son Michael, who is deaf. When his sister-in-law serves him with court papers declaring Michael incompetent to be an heir, Grayson turns to Addies for help, who takes a personal interest in helping the young child. Neither expected to gain unfortunate, inconvenient feelings along the way.
Why do we recommend this book?
The premise of all the books is so interesting. The Artist and the Rake is my favorite among these totally fantastic series books. And all the characters feel so fresh, unique, and charming. And the romances are all so adorable, sweet, and satisfying. A series worth coming back to re-read.
To buy/gift Book 1 in The Merry Misfits of Bath Series, click on the below link:
#11 The Rules of Scoundrels series by Sarah MacLean
About the Book
Title: The Rules of Scoundrels
Author: Sarah MacLean
Genre: Romance, Historical, Adult
Publisher: Avon Books
Type: Series
No. of Books: 4
Books in it: #1 A Rogue by Any Other Name, #2 One Good Earl Deserves a Lover, #3 No Good Duke Goes Unpunished, #4 Never Judge a Lady By Her Cover
Goodreads rating: 4/5
Four aristocrats, exiled from society and now royalty in the underworld, meet their match in this series, which centers around London’s Fallen Angel gaming hell. Marquess of Bourne was cast out of society with nothing but his title, and now years later, he is back for his inheritance. He would do anything to get it back, even marry Penelope Marbury, once his friend in childhood but now only a step for his revenge. He promises to give her anything she wants, except for his heart. So Penelope asks him to give her the pleasure and excitement he rules upon. But unfortunately, things quickly spiral out of his control as his wife discovers her own desire in the dark underworld of London Society.
Why do we recommend this book?
The angst? Please, it hurts so well. This series is my favorite by MacLean, especially the first two books (both the Macbury sisters were absolute stars). I adore tortured heroes who think they don’t deserve anything in life and their lady loves who just want to hit them on their head to put some sense there. Honestly, I found all the fallen angel boys to be pretty dramatic with their tragic pasts. Still, I love pathetic boys (yeah, we have gone over this before. I have sadistic tendencies when it comes to fictional characters).
To buy/gift Book 1 in The Rules of Scoundrels series, click on the link below:
P.S: Some books recommended here are available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, you can read these books for free. Check out this article: Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?
SO, to conclude, here is the list of the Best Regency/Victorian Period Romance Books:
| 1 | Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen | Buy Now |
| 2 | Dangerous Damsels by India Holton | Buy Box-set |
| 3 | A Goode Girls by Kerrigan Byrne | Buy Box-set |
| 4 | The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger | Buy Box-set |
| 5 | Staunton Sisters by Allyson Jeleyne | Buy Box-set |
| 6 | Bareknuckle Bastards by Sarah MacLean | Buy Box-set |
| 7 | The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan | Buy Now |
| 8 | The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare | Buy Box-set |
| 9 | The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennet | Buy Now |
| 10 | The Merry Misfits of Bath by Callie Hutton | Buy Box-set |
| 11 | The Rules of Scoundrels by Sarah MacLean | Buy Box-set |
Read every book in this list of Regency/Victorian Period Romance Books. I am sure they won’t disappoint you.
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