April 6, 2015

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.


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!)

17 Comments:

  1. I LOVE Persuasion by Jane Austen. I think it's one of her underrated but best novels. I just had to reread it for an English class and I fell super in love with it. Thanks for the post!

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  2. I love this era too. I'm going to England soon just to go to Bath like all the characters in these books do.

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  3. I love regency England! Jane Austen's novels, and The Season are favorites of mine. I'll be sure to check out Meg Cabot's regency novels too!

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  4. Ooh this feature makes my heart beat a little faster! I have read Pride and Prejudice a few years ago and found it really hard to get through because of the writing style but I'm always fascinated by the fashion and the traditions from different periods. I can't wait to see what you have in store with this feature!

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  5. I've wanted to read The Season for FOREVER but never picked it up. I've heard it's good for people who The Luxe (which I adore), I'll have to make a point of getting around to it if you like it :)

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  6. Regency England! I do love me some Regency England. I love Lisa Kleypas, too. I actually just re-read Mine Till Midnight. So good!

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  7. Based on these books, I think you might like the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig. The books are a nice combination of romance/action/adventure, plus there is a modern-day storyline woven throughout.

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  8. I'm still in a Regency hangover from having finished the Bridgertons series (which I loved) + something by MacLean (Nine Rules to Break, which I also loved) the past few weeks, so this post is absolutely perfect for my mood now! I wish I could experience being in a ballroom like the often do. I'll probably be a wallflower but I'll enjoy the music and the dancing and the outfits just the same <3

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  9. I'm still in a Regency hangover from having finished the Bridgertons series (which I loved) + something by MacLean (Nine Rules to Break, which I also loved) the past few weeks, so this post is absolutely perfect for my mood now! I wish I could experience being in a ballroom like the often do. I'll probably be a wallflower but I'll enjoy the music and the dancing and the outfits just the same <3

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  10. Morgan @ Gone with the WordsApril 6, 2015 at 1:12 PM

    ALEXA I LOVE THIS FEATURE!!!!!!!!!! (ahem) And I love the time period you picked, I'm such a fan of Regency England! It really is a romantic era like you said and I can't even count how many times I've watched Emma and Pride & Prejudice <3 I have not heard of Lisa Kleypas but you've sold me quickly on this series! I have to check it out. And I can't believe you've read Victoria and the Rogue too!!!!! I loved that entire series but Victoria and Nicola were my two favorites :D (Emily and the Scot also hehe). I have them at home, I should reread. I'm putting almost all of your suggestions on my list. I love swoons and mysteries and balls!

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  11. What a brilliant idea!


    I highly recommend Persuasion. It was the last of Austen's novels, and doesn't get a whole lot of praise or acknowledgement (I think, in part, because it's about an older heroine and the past coming back to the present, rather than young and fresh and new). It's my second favorite Austen novel BECAUSE it seems far more realistic and less satirical than her other ones.


    Georgette Heyer is definitely one to read (or so I've been told). If you like romance and mystery and Regency, she's basically a go-to after Austen. I'd be happy to join you in any Heyer readalong!

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  12. Morgan @ Gone with the WordsApril 6, 2015 at 1:32 PM

    To echo Laura (and because I forgot to add it to my own comment) Persuasion is wonderful! I've read all of Jane Austen's books and I think it might be my favorite :)

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  13. Isalys / Book SoulmatesApril 6, 2015 at 3:04 PM

    What a lovely feature ♥

    Historical romance is my comfort food and I tend to flop between Victorian and Regency books. I love the over-the-top glamour of the Victorian era but the more subtle romance of the Regency era :)

    I still need to read Persuasion too. I'm not as familiar with this story and it's one of Austen's most loved.

    I've also only read one Heyer novel and it was her "Venetia". It was written in the late 50s so the style is very different from what is published nowadays. I enjoyed it - just don't expect much steam in the smexy department, lol

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  15. You need to read Persuasion ASAP. It might be my favorite Austen title. Meanwhile I'll be adding The Season to my TBR--it sounds great. Love this feature and looking forward to more "time travel" adventures!

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  16. Danielle @ Love at First PageApril 7, 2015 at 6:35 PM

    This is such an awesome feature! You girls are so creative. :)
    So Regency England would have been my first choice too. :P Gotta love my historical romances (aka Lisa Kleypas + everyone else ;) )
    Definitely read Persuasion! It's just as good as P&P. :)

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  17. I love Regency England!! And this is such a cute series! I always prefer books that were actually written during that time over books that were written about about that time, though. Happy reading!

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Thanks for leaving a comment! I love seeing what you have to say, and will try to reply (here or on Twitter) as soon as I can :)