Historical romance

[Gillypip]

Hi Everyone,

The lockdown is depressing and I need something to read to get me through. Can anyone recommend a really good historical romance story please.

I haven't read any of her work but I believe Julia Quinn wrote Bridgerton and some Regency romances.

Depends what sort of writing you're looking for.

Georgette Heyer can't be beaten as far as I'm concerned but it's definitely romance rather than anything racy. It's also very well-written, incredibly well-researched, and can be very witty.

Just came on to mention Georgette Heyer who set the bar pretty high. Enjoy.

Geraldine Cameron has some decent stuff available on Amazon :).

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll check them out.

Georgette Heyer for sure. I’ve been re-reading her lately, just for the elegance and wit of her dialogue.

Another favourite is Loretta Chase, who is witty and funny. Try Lord of Scoundrels.

I read the first book of Julia Quinn’s that Bridgerton was based on and found it dull and one scene very problematic.

Which Georgette Heyer book would you recommend first? I tried black moth before Christmas but only got 1/3 of the way through it. It could have been my anxiety about Christmas that made me lose patience with it.

I love Georgette Heyer too, I have been rereading a lot of them lately, they are perfect comfort reading.

Arabella, Venetia and Frederica are all good ones. My personal favourite is Bath Tangle but I know a lot of other people aren't so keen on that one, I think its my favourite as it was the first one I read.

There are some that are more adventure focused than romance but I enjoy those as well, and she has also written some crime books if you like golden age style cosy mysteries.

I love Elizabeth Elgin books & am re-reading the series knows as the 'Suttons' series.

The first book in the series is 'I'll bring you Buttercups' & is set a few years before WW1 & follows the lives of the Sutton family, friends & staff through the war & out the other side.

Most of Elgins books are based around Yorkshire during WW2 & have a similar 'feel' to them. It means I love all of her books, but my DMum had no desire to read more than one - fair enough obviously.

I like the trashy end of historical fiction! In all cases, the early books are the best and then they get a bit samey:

Lyn Andrews
Iris Gower
Evelyn hood
Elvi Rhodes- Ruth Appleby is a favourite
Lesley Pearse - mix of modern and historical. Best ones - Remember Me, Trust Me and Never Look Back.

None of these are high brow!

An oldie but Possession by AS Byatt might fit the bill. The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif is similar but with a hefty dose of Egyptian history and politics.

Try Julie Anne Long's Pennyroyal Series, I especially loved 'What I Did For A Duke'. I have read that so many times.

@Gillypip

Which Georgette Heyer book would you recommend first? I tried black moth before Christmas but only got 1/3 of the way through it. It could have been my anxiety about Christmas that made me lose patience with it.

Try The Grand Sophy? My favourite - if you don't like it, then she's probably not for you!

These Old Shades is another absolute favourite.

Poldark series - Winston Graham. Just brilliant.

Anya Seton - Katherine. Omg. Obsessed with it as a teen.

I recently enjoyed reading Jane Austen and reading Joan Aiken’s sequels to each book.

Also, Eva Ibbottson’s teen romances - all set at points between 1910 and WW2 - are lovely, comforting reading.

Under The Jewelled Sky by Alison McQueen. It's exquisite (and heartbreaking!)

My favourite Heyer is probably Venetia, but The Toll Gate and The Unknown Ajax are up there. The Black Moth is an early Heyer and probably not her best. If you’re reading them as ebooks, download a sample first - some of them have awful quality issues.

Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody books are fun. They’re more romantic suspense than straight romance, but very enjoyable. If Mary Poppins was an Egyptologist, she’d be Amelia Peabody.

Romeo and Juliet, hah, Historical romance

Amanda quick, mystery romance usually I think? At least the ones I’ve read are.

I’d recommend Tracy Rees. I’ve read all but one of her books. Amy Snow or The House at Silvermoor would be my specific recommendations of hers but I loved them all.

Thanks for all the recommendations they will keep me busy for a while 😉