Dearest Readers: If you love the historical romance escapism (and decidedly modern steamy hijinks) of Netflix’s Bridgerton series, do try these books. We think you’ll be delighted!
The Waltz on the Wild Side by Erica Ridley
Advice columnist Miss Vivian Henry despises the Wild Wynchesters her young cousin idolizes. A privileged, wealthy family might get away with murder, while ordinary people are stuck firmly in their place. But when her beloved cousin goes missing and the authorities shrug, Viv has no choice but to beg for help from the vigilantes she hates.
Like in Love with You by Emma R. Alban
When Lady Rosalie and Catherine both find themselves in competition for the attention of one boring Mr. Dean, they unexpectedly become rivals. What starts as frustration and tension soon evolves into a development of yearning and angst for each other. Lady Rosalie is left straining to control the narrative with the friends and family around her to hide this budding attraction, while Catherine is dragged throughout the Ton by her competitive mother, trying to navigate the intricacies of this new society and prevent further scandal and dishonor to her family name.
The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell
Tess Bright just scored her dream role starring in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. But one thing is standing in Tess’s way-well, one very tall, annoyingly handsome person, actually: Hugh Balfour. Sparks fly, but not in the way Tess hoped, when an electrical accident sends the two feuding co-stars back in time to Jane Austen’s era.
Historical fiction with a touch of time travel, for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Alexis Hall, and Olivia Waite’s Feminine Pursuits series, where a modern bisexual woman is thrown into Regency England and must figure out how to survive, while she falls in love with a woman who will become a famous author.
The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti
From the day of their debut, when Matilda smoked a cheroot and Margo tied a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue, the Halifax twins have flouted convention at every turn. But when Matilda runs off with the dangerous Marquess of Ashford-who has every reason to hate her-she may have gone a bit too far. Determined to stop Matilda’s inexplicable elopement, her sister Margo turns to her oldest friend for help: because if anyone can get her to Scotland in time, it’s starchy solicitor Henry Mortimer.
Ladies in Hating by Alexandra Vasti
Celebrated authoress Lady Georgiana Cleeve has achieved fame and fortune. Unfortunately, she’s also acquired an enemy: the enigmatic Lady Darling, whose spine-tingling plots appear to be pulled straight from Georgiana’s own manuscripts. What’s a stubborn, steely writer to do? Unmask her rival, of course. But unmasking doesn’t go according to plan—because Lady Darling is actually Cat Lacey, the butler’s daughter and object of Georgiana’s very secret, very embarrassing teenage infatuation.
The Violet Delights by Madeleine Roux
Disgraced artist Violet Arden flees the London limelight to her cousin Emilia Graddock’s country estate, where she consistently encounters Alasdair Kerr, the critique who scorned her paintings in front of her friends and family, and who unfortunately stirs up feelings within her heart.
Manic Pixie Dream Earl by Jenny Holiday
When not writing, poet Edward Astley, Viscount Featherfinch, spends his time fending off the young ladies of the ton and avoiding his cruel father. As heir to the earldom, Edward knows he must marry someday. Alas, he is already hopelessly in love with someone. But not only is Miss Julianna Evans not a member of the aristocracy, she is a magazine editor—the only one to publish his work. Also, in all their years of increasingly personal correspondence, they’ve never met. Also, she thinks he’s a woman. Named Euphemia. That is, until Julianna contrives a surpising in-person meeting—very, very surprising.
