Beyond Bridgerton: 5 Regency Romances with a Twist
I’m always on the hunt for books like Bridgerton, and I am a sucker for a Regency romance.
I have binged all the Shondaland Bridgerton series. I have worn my pastels, dreamed of elaborate balls and briefly convinced myself that I, too, should be promenading through the countryside in search of the love of my life.
As Charlotte Lucas puts it in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice: “We are all fools in love.”
And while I could recommend Jane Austen until the cows come home, what if you fancy your Regency romance with a little something extra?
Perhaps you want murder. Or mystery. Or scandal. Or maybe even a pair of ladies who would rather solve crimes than sit around waiting for a husband.
Well, I have some recommendations for you.
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
I was blown away by this book.
I randomly spotted it on Audible, checked out the blurb and thought, “Alright, I’ll give that a go.”
And then I was hooked.
Two sisters have been deemed spinsters by the ton, but instead of quietly accepting their fate and spending their days embroidering handkerchiefs, they decide to do something rather more interesting: solve crimes and help the most vulnerable people in society.
And then there is Gus.
Lady Augusta “Gus” Colebrook is clever, determined and absolutely not interested in behaving herself simply because society tells her she should. Oh, and she meets a handsome highwayman along the way.
Regency romance? ✔️ Scandal? ✔️ Crime? ✔️ A handsome rogue? Absolutely.
If you like your historical romance with a little more adventure, put this one on your list.
The Agency for Scandal
Something for the YA readers!
Although, to be fair, The Agency for Scandal is one of those books that I think anyone can enjoy if you’re looking for those Bridgerton vibes.
I cheated slightly with this one because it’s not technically Regency. But if you miss the glitzy ballroom scenes, the dashing duke and a heroine who is much more interested in uncovering the truth then this is the book for you.
Mystery, scandal, a female-led detective agency. What’s not to like?
A Most Agreeable Murder
Fancy changing things up a little?
How about a murder mystery… in a Regency manor house?
If Bridgerton and Agatha Christie had a baby, this might be it.
There’s a grand house, a collection of suspicious characters, secrets lurking behind closed doors and, naturally, a murder.
Because what is a Regency gathering without a little scandal?
If you love the elegance and atmosphere of a period drama but want something with more mystery, this is the one for you.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
This… is not what you expect.
And honestly, that is exactly why I loved it.
Yes, it is historical romance. Yes, there are ladies in beautiful dresses. Yes, there is a handsome gentleman.
But there are also pirates.
And flying houses.
Yes. You read that correctly.
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels takes the historical romance formula and throws it out of the window. A window that just so happens to be attached to a flying house. It is completely bonkers, ridiculously fun and exactly the kind of book you pick up when you want something a little different.
The Other Bennet Sister
And finally, we have to talk about Mary Bennet.
While Elizabeth Bennet has had her happily-ever-after immortalised countless times, The Other Bennet Sister asks us to look at the sister who is often left in the background.
Mary has always been the awkward one. The serious one. The sister who never quite seems to fit.
But what happens when she gets her own story?
If you love Pride and Prejudice and have ever wondered what happened to the other Bennet sisters once Elizabeth and Jane had found their husbands, this is a lovely way to revisit the world of Austen from a completely different perspective.
So, if you have finished your latest Bridgerton binge and are suffering from serious Regency withdrawal, hopefully one of these books can fill the void.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some pastels to put on and a promenade to attend.
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