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I love Georgette Heyer - anything similar I can read?

35 replies

Gorgeousette · 21/11/2020 16:50

I've read all her books so many times. It's become a bit of a tradition for me now to read her at this time of year :). I'll never tire of her books but I would like to read similar books by other authors, and have never been able to find any that are comparable. There are lots of books set in the same period of time but the writing is nowhere near as good.

Does anyone know of any similar authors I could read? Thank you.

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sueelleker · 21/11/2020 16:52

They're quite a bit sexier, but I love Stephanie Laurens and Eloisa James.

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Gorgeousette · 21/11/2020 16:57

Thank you @sueelleker, I think I've tried Stephanie Laurens but not Eloisa James. I'll have a look :)

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asifiwould · 21/11/2020 17:02

Julia Quinn - they are about to show her Bridgeton series on Netflix - can't wait.

I really enjoyed Stephanie Laurens to begin with, but I think she is just churning out the same old books now. I did love the original Cynsters novels though.

Eloisa James - yes I like her books. And obviously, there is Jane Austin.

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mbosnz · 21/11/2020 17:04

I'm binge reading them at the moment! I love 'em.

I've started reading her murder mysteries as well.

I think she's really quite under-rated.

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diplodocusinermine · 21/11/2020 17:05

Mary Stewart, Dorothy Dunnett, Josephine Tey, Daphne Du Maurier, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Norah Lofts, Winston Graham (Poldark), Philippa Carr, Jean Plaidy, MM Kaye. I think Mary Stewart possibly closest - she has a lightness of touch that compares with Georgette Heyer.

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Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 21/11/2020 17:05

Not really similar, but maybe close enough...

Susan Howatch - big historical sagas.

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Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 21/11/2020 17:06

And, yes to Mary Stewart.

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asifiwould · 21/11/2020 17:06

Oh - I forget - Loretta Chase is really good - her Carsington Brother series in particular - Miss Wonderful, Mr Impossible, Lord Perfect and Not Quite a Lady.

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Gorgeousette · 21/11/2020 17:07

Thank you for further recommendations. I just bought Marianne by Jenny Hambly - will report back.

I think Georgette is under rated too @mbosnz (and I've also read her crime novels). Her writing is witty without being cloying imo.

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Gorgeousette · 21/11/2020 17:11

Oh I x posted with lots more suggestions - thank you. Heading back to amazon again!

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DelphiniumBlue · 21/11/2020 17:13

Yes to all the above, also Stella Gibbons.

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FredtheFerret · 21/11/2020 17:18

Big list of things I agree with from diplodocus.

Also try some of Joan Aiken. I loved her children's books but she's also written some terrific Regency romance stuff.

joanaiken.wordpress.com/2019/02/13/joan-aiken-does-romance/

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Gorgeousette · 21/11/2020 17:21

Oh god @FredtheFerret I had completely forgotten Joan Aiken - I read a lot of her books years ago, definitely worth a re-read! Thank you :).

You folks are doing wonders for my expanding Books to Read list Flowers.

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Gorgeousette · 21/11/2020 17:29

So I've bought five books this afternoon thanks to this thread :) I'm very grateful, I hate having nothing lined up to read.

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FredtheFerret · 21/11/2020 17:42

You've also inspired me, @Gorgeousette.

I have a couple of Joan Aiken's books where she's written spin offs to Jane Austen. Only I haven't read Jane Austen since school and I found it boring. I keep putting off reading these in case they are dull. I bought them a) because I like Joan Aiken and b) I didn't watch any of the film/tv Austen adaptations but people raved about them and I felt a bit uneducated... Blush

I shall dig them out.

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EthelBeavers · 21/11/2020 17:47

Have you read any Stella Riley? She’s got a Civil War and a Georgian series and they’re both great reads. If you like Georgette Heyer I think they’ll be right up your street.

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JayAlfredPrufrock · 21/11/2020 17:49

Kate Morton.

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SonjaHeniesTutu · 21/11/2020 18:08

@diplodocusinermine

Mary Stewart, Dorothy Dunnett, Josephine Tey, Daphne Du Maurier, Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Norah Lofts, Winston Graham (Poldark), Philippa Carr, Jean Plaidy, MM Kaye. I think Mary Stewart possibly closest - she has a lightness of touch that compares with Georgette Heyer.

Great list!!

I'd just add
Elizabeth Goudge
Elizabeth Cadell (the one with Lilies in the title is rather dark though)
I did like Rosamunde Pilcher's Coming Home
Patricia C Wrede's Sorcery and Celcelia series
Connie Willis To Say Nothing of the Dog
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ChinesedragonTeapot · 21/11/2020 19:00

I love Joan Aiken and I love Georgette Heyer. I had no idea Joan Aiken wrote these sort of books so I am now completely delighted.

I also agree that GH is underrated - her prose is beautiful.

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FredtheFerret · 21/11/2020 19:03

I do love a good book thread! Mumsnet can be marvellous.

Favourite Georgette Heyer book, anyone?

Mine would be something with a heroine of character and humour. Frederica or Lady of Quality.

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clary · 21/11/2020 19:09

Can I plug a friend of mine who writes carefully researched historical novels - she is often likened to Philippa Gregory - anyway my friend writes as Joanna Courtney, she has recently written a book about Lady Macbeth which I thought was great.

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BamboozledandBefuddled · 21/11/2020 19:23

Clare Darcy's books are very similar to Heyer's and quite good.

Favourite Georgette Heyer book, anyone?

Love Frederica Grin And Sylvester, The Unknown Ajax, These Old Shades and Devil's Cub.

anyway my friend writes as Joanna Courtney, she has recently written a book about Lady Macbeth which I thought was great.

Thank you! Added to Amazon wishlist Smile

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FredtheFerret · 21/11/2020 19:27

Ooh, yes. The Unknown Ajax. Although, I've just remember that my utter favourite is probably The Toll Gate and I loved The Reluctant Widow. So many to choose from.

Sadly, I never got into These Old Shades or Devil's Cub. The heros didn't do it for me at all.

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BamboozledandBefuddled · 21/11/2020 19:31

@FredtheFerret

Ooh, yes. The Unknown Ajax. Although, I've just remember that my utter favourite is probably The Toll Gate and I loved The Reluctant Widow. So many to choose from.

Sadly, I never got into These Old Shades or Devil's Cub. The heros didn't do it for me at all.

Heresy Shock Vidal was one of my first major crushes!

I forgot The Grand Sophy. It's probably quicker to list the books that aren't favourites.
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asifiwould · 21/11/2020 19:35

Grand Sophy is my favourite - so witty.

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