The book that I have reread most in my life is—without a doubt—Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I have several editions, a few of which I tearfully donated to my local library in the hopes that someone else would pick them up and love them just as much. I kept my original worn copy and a beautifully illustrated copy my best friend got me. I know I’m not alone in my adoration of the book and its author. The countless books, movies, and series inspired by the original story are reason enough to conclude that Pride and Prejudice is timeless. While much of the book revolves around the love, heartbreak, and marriages of the various Bennett sisters, I didn’t adore it because it inspired me to find a partner. On the contrary, I loved it because the main character is a person forging her own path in a society that is telling her to do otherwise. Those are always my favorite stories because they give me inspiration to do the same in my own life.
While I love a good reread, I always have my eye out for other books that invoke this same feeling. If you’re looking for something new to pick up or something old that you’ve never read, try out one of these incredible historical romance books, many of which have titles that include the mention of a duke, which is always a good sign.
This list would not be complete without Sense & Sensibility because where better to seek that Jane Austen feeling than in her other works?
After their father dies, sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, along with their mother and little sister Margaret, must move away from the estate where they grew up. The estate is being passed down to their half-brother, who is less than generous with his newly inherited money and land. The Dashwoods move into Barton Cottage and encounter new friends and foes, including the dashing John Willoughby, who catches Marianne’s eye. While Elinor falls into her own quiet heartbreak, the sisters try to balance love and status with sense and sensibility.
Many of us in the period romance world have long loved this book, but it’s a must-read if you’ve only seen the Netflix series.
Set in Regency London, the world of the ton revolves around several aristocratic families, unspoken rules, and of course, gossip. Daphne Bridgerton is the fourth of eight siblings and is known by all as kind and witty but is often seen as a friend rather than a romantic interest. Simon Basset is the Duke of Hastings and vows to never get married after a painful childhood in which his father wanted nothing to do with him. When the two meet, they form a plan to fake a courtship that will benefit them both. Simon will be able to avoid any marriage proposals, and Daphne will attract more suitors. The plan works—until it all goes awry when love gets in the way.
If you loved Mexican Gothic, this is another book by the same author but is written in an entirely different tone and genre, focusing on romantic themes.
Nina finally has a chance to join the Beautiful Ones, the most notable socialites who are to debut during the Grand Season. Her plans go awry when a telekinetic power she has struggled to control takes over. When her neighbors gossip about her and call her the Witch of Oldhouse, an entertainer named Hector Auvray arrives in town. Hector also has telekinetic powers and uses them to his advantage, traveling the world and performing for audiences. Hector sees Nina’s true potential and begins to tutor her, building up her powers and her love for him. But Hector is hiding a secret that will threaten to end their courtship before it truly begins.
Much like Pride and Prejudice, this is another classic that continues to be referenced and is worth a read, especially during cozy winter months.
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are the four March sisters, who each have their own dreams and ambitions. Set in the Civil War era in America, they rely on one another for guidance when their father is away at war and their mother works long hours to support them. They face love, heartache, betrayal, loss, and change together, and yet each forge their own path in this coming-of-age journey.
I enjoy reading historical fiction books that shine the light on heroines who never got their due, and this book highlights an exceptional group of code-breakers and their love stories.
Set in World War II-era England, Osla and Mab answer the call to join Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Osla is a debutante who has beauty, wealth, and the eye of Prince Philip of Greece, but she is determined to prove that she’s more than just a society girl. Mab grew up in poverty in London and is set on putting her past behind her and marrying well. They meet and befriend Beth, who lives in the local village and has a brilliant knowledge of puzzles and decoding. Their friendship, love stories, and the secrets of their work are torn apart as they eventually have to face a traitor in their midst.
I’m all about an anthology book series because it provides reading options for days, and this one falls into the Rogues and Remarkable Women series.
Set in Regency England, Patience Jordan is an heiress whose husband suddenly dies from a mysterious suicide. When she questions it, she is falsely imprisoned by her husband’s nefarious uncle, and her newborn son and fortune are taken away. Determined to be near her child, Patience is hired as a nanny for her own son by the Duke of Repington. The Duke is charged as the child’s guardian and doesn’t know her true identity. While looking into the mysterious nature of Patience’s husband’s demise, Patience and the Duke begin to form a connection as they face enemies and obstacles.
Sometimes cracking open a script is just as satisfying as reading a novel. If you loved the movie Shakespeare in Love, try out the script of the stage play that premiered after the film.
Promising new playwright Will Shakespeare is plagued by debt and writer’s block and must immediately come up with a new hit play. He eventually finds a muse to propel his writing when he meets noblewoman Viola De Lesseps. They fall in love and together attract the attention of audiences and royalty, including Queen Elizabeth. Most important of all, their forbidden romance inspires Will to write Romeo and Juliet.
If you’re into the Bridgerverse, this is one of my favorite new books, which takes the character created in the Netflix series and expands her origin story.
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is a German Princess known for her intelligence and strength. She is betrothed to the King of England, George III, who has secrets that could shake the foundations of the monarchy. They meet for the first time and are married within hours. Charlotte is thrust into her new role as Queen, navigating the politics of the court with the newly-titled Lady Danbury by her side. Charlotte learns how to step into the power she has to remake society as she fights to preserve the growing love between her and George.
The title of this book is almost too good to pass up, and the story lives up to the sweetness and complexity it promises to deliver.
Set in the aftermath of World World II, Juliet Ashton is a writer looking for her next subject. She receives a letter from a man she’s never met who lives on the island of Guernsey, which was occupied by the Germans during the war. They exchange letters and Juliet learns about the world of Guernsey and the book society that was formed as an alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew. Captivated by her correspondent’s letters, Juliet sets sail to visit Guernsey and what she finds there will change her forever.
Yet another anthology series to dive into, this book falls into A League of Extraordinary Women, and is just as steamy as Bridgerton.
Annabelle Archer has earned a place among the first women to be students at the University of Oxford in the late 1800s. In exchange for her scholarship, she must support the rising women’s suffrage movement and recruit men to champion their cause. Annabelle is assigned to recruit Sebastian Devereux, the cold and calculating Duke of Montgomery who steers Britain’s politics at the Queen’s command—and opposes everything she stands for. The two engage in a battle of wits and rising passion as they both attempt to succeed.
Part period romance, part mystery and drama, this book slides across genres and will keep you guessing until the end.
Kerry MacGregor spent two years in college in New York City, but her studies are derailed when she’s called home to the Appalachian Mountains to help her family. Set during the final stages of construction of the Biltmore House in North Carolina in the late 1800s, Kerry learns that the Vanderbilts need her family’s land to complete their estate. As outsiders suddenly come into town to get involved, Kerry realizes that more than her family’s land is at stake. She gets closer to George Vanderbilt as she attempts to navigate the worlds of wealth and poverty.
Similar to The Rose Code, this book tells the story of women who were forging a path in a male-dominated field during the World War II-era.
Fired for writing as a woman under a male pseudonym, journalist Ella Franks refuses to quit and leaps at the chance to become a correspondent in war-torn France. Photojournalist Danni Bradford also navigates a male-dominated field as she covers news from Normandy. Outside of her work, Danni is searching for her best friend’s sister, Chloe, who joined the French Resistance with her lover. The three women are drawn together to form a team and face the challenges of war, love, loss, and making sure their stories are told.
I will never tire of a book with the word “Duke” in the title, and since this story is described as Bridgerton meets Clueless, it’s a clear yes for me.
Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is the daughter of a duke and has a self-professed talent for matchmaking. However, she has sworn off love and marriage for herself. The Duke of Greydon has just returned to England to revive his family’s fortunes after having escaped society and his vexing neighbor for years. An accident of fate traps the once friends-turned-enemies in an attic together, and their past, along with their attraction, becomes impossible to ignore.
History often tells us about F. Scott Fitzgerald, but I love any book that focuses on the people around the legend that were left out of the spotlight, like his wife Zelda.
17-year-old Zelda Sayre meets F. Scott Fitzgerald, a young army lieutenant, at a country club dance in 1918. The two fall in love, but her prominent family does not approve of the match. When Scott sells his first novel, Zelda defies her family and joins Scott in New York City to get married and start a life of their own. Endless parties, beautiful cities, and a collection of famous artists enter their lives as Zelda attempts to forge her own identity and writing talents while fighting her demons and Scott’s, too.
This book was published after Jane Austen died. It doesn’t get as much attention as some of her other books, but it’s just as exciting to read.
Anne Elliot has two sisters and a father who overspends their income. Eight years earlier, she was persuaded to break off her engagement to a poor, handsome naval captain that she loved named Frederick Wentworth. Anne eventually goes to stay with her youngest sister, who married a wealthy man, and encounters Frederick once again. As they are reacquainted with each other, Anne and Frederick both face new revelations and people who might once again ensure that they are not fated to be together.
