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12 Regency-Era Romance Novels That Bridgerton Fans Will Enjoy

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4m ago

Jun 30, 2024 / 5567 Views

Evan Walker

If you have already binged Bridgerton Season 3, we bet you are left with a massive Regency-era void. The show which is popularly based on the historical romance novels by Julia Quinn, has become one of the biggest Netflix shows. With the release of season 3, part 1 and part 2 premiering on the streaming platform on 13 June 2024, here’s a list of some of the best Regency-era romance novels that will transport you to the nineteenth century.

But before diving into the Regency romance novels, let us understand what makes up this historical romance genre and some of its well-known proponents. In terms of political History, the Regency period spanned between 1811 and 1820 when King George III’s eldest son, the Prince of Wales, ruled as Prince Regent during his father’s last days. He later became King George IV and ruled till 1830. Most of the Regency-era works were penned, published or are based on this time frame. In a macroscopic view, an extended Regency era covers the period between 1795 and 1837, between the reigns of King George III and the ascension of Queen Victoria to the throne.

Regency novels uphold the social fabric and pave the way for modern romances, case in point Jane Austen wrote Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility during this period. Washed with glamour and luxury, Regency romances are characterised by strong female characters, external coNFLicts, high moral values and societal issues that, at times, give rise to Scandals.

From a strong-headed Duke looking for a wife to a lady entering into a marriage of convenience or a family navigating class difference, certain themes make Regency romances a separate sub-genre in the Venn diagram of historical romances.

With the popularity of Julia Quinn and Bridgerton, it is time we expand our reading list and flip pages of other Regency-era romance novels.