Best traditional regency novels from the 1980s and 1990s.

This includes works in the tradition of Georgette Heyer, with an emphasis on the primary romance plot, are considered traditional. Traditional Regency Romance writers usually pay close attention to historical detail, as their readers are notorious for noting errors, and the writers often do extensive research so they can clearly understand and replicate the voice of the genre. The more traditional Regencies feature a great deal of intelligent, fast-paced dialogue between the protagonists and very little explicit sex or discussion of sex.
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496 books · 227 voters · list created August 19th, 2010 by Olivia (votes) .
171 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


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Comments Showing 1-15 of 15 (15 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Marina (new)

Marina Nice list.


message 2: by Nadja (new)

Nadja Hallo alle zusammen,
ich hoffe ihr könnt mir helfen. Habe vor Jahren ein tolles Buch gelesen und leider fällt mir der Titel+Autorin nicht mehr ein -musste viele meiner Bücher aus Platzmangel verkaufen :-(. Hier die Handlung -ungefähr: Ein Lord -oder Viscount (weiß ich leider nicht mehr) will sich mit der jüngeren Schwester vermählen -macht ihr den Hof. Zu dumm, dass die ältere Schwester immer im weg ist - und sich die zwei immer einen Schlagabtausch liefern. Nun, die zwei kommen natürlich zusammen -aber der Weg dorthin ist steinig und lustig. Achja, ein Hund kommt auch darin vor. So, jetzt hoffe ich auf viele Antworten - danke schon mals dafür. LG Nadja


message 3: by willaful (last edited May 12, 2013 08:17PM) (new)

willaful A description of what is a traditional Regency might be helpful -- certainly a lot of books here I wouldn't consider traditional. (Jo Beverley would be surprised to see some of her books here!) And there are books here that aren't from the 80s and 90s.


message 4: by Sandra (new)

Sandra Removed some victorian era romances, paranormal romances, and contemporary romances.


message 5: by Lyuda (last edited Jan 24, 2017 07:10AM) (new)

Lyuda There are some books on the list, for example, In For a Penny that would never be classified as traditional regency because of their sensuality. Also, I'm sure Courtney Milan would be very surprised to be on the list (wrong time and genre).


message 6: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Aug 16, 2018 09:41AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) I'm at a loss here... The description says "Best traditional regency novels from the 1980s and 1990s." Yet none of the books I've voted for (which were already on this list!) were first published in either of the two decades mentioned...


message 7: by Franzola (new)

Franzola Sandra wrote: "Removed some victorian era romances, paranormal romances, and contemporary romances."

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is still there, not a Regency, even less a Traditional one.


message 8: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Aug 16, 2018 09:41AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Franzola wrote: "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is still there, not a Regency, even less a Traditional one."

It's been removed.


BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Lyuda wrote: "Also, I'm sure Courtney Milan would be very surprised to be on the list (wrong time and genre). ..."

Which number(s)?


message 10: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Aug 16, 2018 09:48AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Nadja wrote: "Hallo alle zusammen,
ich hoffe ihr könnt mir helfen. Habe vor Jahren ein tolles Buch gelesen und leider fällt mir der Titel+Autorin nicht mehr ein -musste viele meiner Bücher aus Platzmangel verkau..."


Nadja, if you haven't found it yet, try What's the Name of That Book??? (Sorry, I can read German but can't write it 😊)


message 11: by Vicki (new)

Vicki Since these are supposed to be "in the tradition of Georgette Heyer," books by Heyer herself should not be included, right? Yet at least five of hers are listed in the top 100.


message 12: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Nov 04, 2018 06:52AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) Vicki wrote: "Since these are supposed to be "in the tradition of Georgette Heyer," books by Heyer herself should not be included, right? Yet at least five of hers are listed in the top 100."

I have a feeling the description has slightly changed, as I had to delete all of my books (and I always read the description....)


message 13: by Preeti ♥︎ (new)

Preeti ♥︎ Her Bookshelves Sorry but Invitation to Scandal isn't exactly Trad!

Lovely list otherwise!
So many of my favorites.


message 14: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited May 02, 2020 04:27AM) (new)

BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) The Knave of Hearts was first published in 1950, Devil's Desire in 1975, An Arrow of Love in 1975, A Hazard of Hearts in 1949, Lost Enchantment in 1972, A Serpent of Satan in 1979, The Unknown Heart in 1978 and A Halo for the Devil in 1972. I've removed those.


message 15: by Bona (new)

Bona Caballero Good list, it has helped me finding the most appreciated trads. Nevertheless, more than one title is clearly not a Traditional Regency title. For instance, the books written by Amanda Quick or Lisa Kleypas.
The trads don't have explicit sex, they are what today is considered 'sweet', 'clean' or 'Christian', the level of sensuality is similar to inspirational nowadays.


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