Time Travel To: Regency England

"​Ordnance Survey One-Inch Map​"​ by bull_de is licensed under CC BY 2.0

I'm so excited to be teaming up with Hannah of So Obsessed With and Kelly of Belle of the Literati on Time Travel To, a feature celebrating our love of historical fiction. Each edition will highlight a particular historical period or event, and will also feature book recommendations and books we're interested in checking out. Welcome to the first edition of Time Travel To!

a little about my chosen time period

For this kick-off post, I wanted to focus on Regency England. I've been a big fan of this era for some time now! The Regency officially lasted from February 1811 until January 1820, when George IV was Prince Regent in his father's stead. However, what the Regency era represents is a world where glamour, extravagance and romance were celebrated, all representations of how George IV differed in his rule from his father.

Sources (Clockwise, L-R): 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

I find the entire era romantic, from the style of dress to the typical behavior and habits of the time. I also gravitate towards the reticence, caution and glamour of the era. I just love it all - the way they dress, the lessons they learn, the way they behave, and the relationships between various members of society. On the flip side, I do think that there are plenty of restrictive things about this era however, which means I generally admire the female characters who thwart societal structure and act impulsively, nay, courageously in the face of social stigma. (And lucky for me, I've encountered quite a few ladies of the sort in my Regency reads!)

books I've read set in this time period

Lisa Kleypas' Wallflower series {Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened One Autumn, Devil in Winter, Scandal in Spring, A Wallflower Christmas} // Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite historical romance authors! This entire series is one that I really enjoyed, particularly because the heroines are all (a) headstrong and clever, (b) wallflowers, also known as not the typical gal the guys go for and (c) close friends. It's seriously enjoyable to read about every single one of them falls in love, and just thinking about it makes me want to swoon all over again. 

Victoria and the Rogue by Meg Cabot // I can't even tell you how many times I've read this one, at least back when I had a copy in my hands! (Mine is currently in the Philippines.) Apart from a charming romance, this novel has a great story. It has some really unexpected twists and turns (especially a big one towards the end), but it still feels light and fun.

The Season by Sarah MacLean // Not only is this one by one of my favorite historical romance authors, it's a romance and mystery rolled into one! I very much enjoyed reading this novel, and it's a real bonus that the main character and I share a first name.

Here are a couple of bonus book recommendations: Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot / Julia Quinn's Bridgertons series / I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison / Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen / Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen

books I want to read set in this time period

Persuasion by Jane Austen // I would like to read more from Jane Austen, particularly since I enjoyed the two mentioned in the previous section. I've read a young adult novel inspired by this story, but I would like to experience the actual romance between Wentworth and Anne for myself. 

Frederica by Georgette Heyer // I have yet to read anything by Heyer. But while I was browsing for Regency era stories, her novels kept popping up as a recommendation. It felt right to start with one of her most well-known titles, plus Frederica already sounds like an incredible character.

Silk is For Seduction by Loretta Chase // There was bound to be at least one historical romance for my Regency England TBR, and I went with a novel by Loretta Chase. Not only does she come highly recommended by Racquel, but this story sounds different from most of the ones I've read.

I hope you've enjoyed learning a little bit more about Regency England today! If you've got additional Regency reading suggestions or just want to tell me how much you love this era too, please feel free to share in the comments. For more time traveling, visit Belle of the Literati and So Obsessed With to see what time periods Kelly & Hannah have chosen to talk about!

(edited 1/21/2019: Thanks to the lovely Bethany and her mom Barbara, I am adding a link to this very interesting post with more Regency Era information. Thanks again!)