I came to Heyer late in my Reg Rom career, being mostly a mass market girl. Back then I was still analog, and most of my books were purchased second hand. Second hand Heyer books are unicorns. Or at least all white horses. With good reason…when you have one you never want to let it go.
Since those days of analog, I have become a traditional Reg Rom enthusiast, gone digital, and devoured all Heyer in short order (I tried to parse them out like rationing a chocolate bar–not very successfully!). Thankfully, Heyer is now available digitally and on re-release, so they are much easier to come by.
But if you are even a bit like me, it won’t take long to rip through her Regencies.
So then, what is a devoted Reg reader to do? I turned to the internet, of course, to look for a master list of “If you like Heyer…” but never did find one. I found bits and pieces of suggestions from intrepid trad. Reg readers which I tested throughout the years. Some were great, some were blech.
In turn, I would like to offer up the master list of my fantasy for Heyer fans looking for a similar read. I will be keeping this fresh as I continue to find treasures, so bookmark to come back and check in!
If you love Arabella
A provincial Arabella pretends to be an heiress to snub the pompous Beaumaris, who decides to support her ruse to the ton for his own amusement.
A bit masquerade a bit fish out of water, this novel is beloved for its humor and charming pairing of a Corinthian and sassy provincial.
You May Like
Similar to Arabella: Masquerades, assumptions, and fish out of water element lend itself to folly and fun.
Similar to Arabella: Masquerades, assumptions, and a bit of slapstick humor make this a fun story of a daring girl winning the heart of high in the instep hero.
Similar to Arabella: A strong headed heroine and a stiff rumped hero follow their follies to Town.
Similar to Arabella: A disguised Duke and impoverished debutant meet in this fun and flirty Regency.
Similar to Arabella: A coach breakdown is responsible for the meet up, and subsequent masquerade between hero and heroine.
If you love Sylvester, or The Wicked Uncle
Author Phoebe lampoons Duke of Salford, Sylvester, in her gothic novel after a disastrous first meeting. But when they are brought together as a possible match, Phoebe flees raises Sylvester’s interest.
A madcap romp ensues. This is one of my favorites, for its humor, absurd supporting characters, and a high in the instep Duke who becomes softened by a spitfire smartie.
You May Like
Similar to Sylvester: Lots of funny characters, fast pace, and an unlikely romance blossoms between an author and a high in the instep aristrocrat.
Similar to Sylvester: Comedic characters, an unlikely match, a high in the instep lord and a funny and witty novelist.
Similar to Sylvester: A spunky heroine and scowling Lord provide a diverting read with funny moments.
Similar to Sylvester: Lots of laughs, and a classic pairing of MCs.
Similar to Sylvester: Scathing send up pairs these MCs in one romp after another. Very funny.
Similar to Sylvester: Her pointed pen brings together these enemies to lovers with great tension, great cast of characters, and some sweet, funny moments.
If you love Cousin Kate
Heyer’s gothic treat, filled with windswept vistas, stormy nights, and lots of mystery.
You May Like
Similar to Cousin Kate: Strong genre sensibilities carry this gothic toned traditional marriage of convenience story
Jane Aiken Hodge: Watch the Wall, My Darling. There is smuggling! Dark relatives! Ghostly rooms! Crumbling dow manors! Bleak, rainy weather! Super villains!
Similar to Cousin Kate: Great recipe for gothic disaster and some delicious romance that curls your toes in more ways than one.
Julie Klassen: The Tutor’s Daughter. A great suspenseful Regency told in the tradition of gothic romance.
Similar to Cousin Kate: There are many of the tropes of the gothic romance, howls and late night haunting music, mysterious conversations and on edge servants. But Klassen manages to pull it off, just short of Jane Eyre, and present a very real world of Regency life, class warfare, family expectations, and grief. The gothic adds to the suspense, pushing the plot along at a fast and enjoyable clip.
Similar to Cousin Kate: Gothic, moody tone and hints of haunt.
If you love A Civil Contract
Returning war hero confronts dismal family fortunes and must deny his hearts desire for a marriage of convenience that grows into love.
You May Like
Similar to A Civil Contract: Marriage of convenience between MCs of different classes with good growth ARCs.
Similar to A Civil Contract: Class differences, money, and a marriage of convenience with real love blossoming.
If you love Frederica
Self-appointed guardian brings her siblings to London to launch her younger sister and begs a distant cousin for help. The rakish and bored Lord Alverstoke finds his ennui disappearing as this family of distant relatives involves him in a variety of hilarious scrapes.
You May Like
Similar to Frederica: Fun, funny with similar MCs and lots of romping.
If you love Cotillion
Kitty’s guardian presses her to marry one of her cousins, so she engages Freddy to serve as a fake fiancé while she visits London for some Town Bronze and to make her other cousin jealous. The sheltered woman quickly makes many missteps in which the unlikely hero, Freddy, rises to the occasion to squash.
You May Like
Similar to Cotillion: Provincial ingenue, dandy hero, and lovable supporting characters in Town.
Similar to Cotillion: Missteps and comic foibles in Town with an untried Miss and a well meaning hero.
If you love The Unknown Ajax
The heir apparent, but otherwise unknown entity, arrives to assume his legacy amid a family torn up over the turn of events. This fish out of water story is a slow burn that features a romance with a sensible heroine.
You May Like
Similar to The Unknown Ajax: Sensible heroine, family conflict, and a well meaning hero.
Similar to The Unknown Ajax: Great secondary characters, and elder heroine and a mysterious hero.
Similar to The Unknown Ajax: Provincial setting, new heir arriving, and a long suffering heroine.
If you love The Quiet Gentleman
Returning from war, the 7th Earl arrives to assume his duties amid a family that has been awaiting his demise at war. Gervase is a dandy who also plays hero amid several attempts on his life, for which Heyer sets up a gothicesque mystery along with a quiet romance.
You May Like
Similar to The Quiet Gentleman: A new heir, squabbling family, and a sensible heroine.
Similar to The Quiet Gentleman: Witty banner, country setting, and a little bit of fun at the expense of gothics.
If you love Friday’s Child
Spurned Lord Sherington vows to marry the next lady he comes upon. She happens to be young, penniless Hero. The engagement of convenience leads them to London with plenty of follies, scrapes, and hilarious moments as both MCs discover romance.
You May Like
Similar to Friday’s Child: Fake engagement with a masquerade with a similar pairing of MCs.
Similar to Friday’s Child: Laughs, a bit of mystery, and an unlikely pairing.
If you love The Grand Sophy
Managing Sophy shows up at her cousin’s house and sets about trying to take charge of their lives. The high in the in step head of household quickly comes to loggerheads, and sparks fly.
You May Like
Similar to The Grand Sophy: Matchmaking heroine and a salty hero with lots of comedic moments.
Similar to The Grand Sophy: Eccentric, wealthy Victoria raised abroad meets her match when faced with London manners.
Similar to The Grand Sophy: Hilarious, full of romps and a pairing of unlikely loves.
Similar to The Grand Sophy: Enemies to lovers, rompish scenes, and a spunky heroine.
If you love The Corinthian
Fleeing from her home dressed in men’s clothing, Penelope is discovered by Sir Richard. What ensues are some madcap adventures, along with romance.
You May Like:
Similar to The Corinthian: H/H and foils, delightful and funny.
If you love Lady of Quality
A spinster sets out to establish her own household in Bath when she stumbles upon a fleeing heiress. She is soon faced by his very rude guardian, and takes a journey of self discovery along with romance.
You May Like
Similar to Lady of Quality: Enemies to lovers, comedy, and good character foils.
Similar to Lady of Quality: Comedy, exile, and jerky MC.
Similar to Lady of Quality: Witty dialogue, great supporting characters, and traditional pacing.
If you love The Regency Buck
Heiress and her brother launch themselves into London in defiance of their unknown guardian, only to find themselves confronted by the heavy handed hero. A bit of mystery along with romance.
You May Like
Similar to The Regency Buck: Guardian/ward MCs, lots of comedic moments.
If you love The Nonesuch
Governess and famed sportsman tangle in this provincially set story, with plenty of humor.
You May Like
Similar to The Nonesuch: Comedy of errors, Nonesuch hero, older heroine, and good foils.
Similar to The Nonesuch: Governess heroine and rakehell hero cross swords in this comedy country Regency.
If you love Venetia
A country miss in charge of the manor is courted by a rakehell and some provincials, in this story of country manners and unlikely loves.
You May Like
Similar to Venetia: Multiple suitors, country setting, and well established heroine.
Similar to Venetia: Provincial setting, scandalbroth, and spanking dialogue.
Similar to Venetia: Growing up through friendship with new neighbor, great character arc for titular MC.
If you love Faro’s Daughter
Mistress of a gaming house and renowned gamester clash in this funny set up of older MCs at opposing sides.
You May Like
Similar to Faro’s Daughter: Enemies to lovers, enterprising heroine and a high in the instep hero.
If you love The Convenient Marriage
Marriage between a confirmed rake and a young, reckless miss saving her family from ruin.
You May Like
Similar to The Convenient Marriage: Bargain between MCs bring a rake and young miss together.
Similar to The Convenient Marriage: Unlikely loves with a heart hardened hero.
Similar to The Convenient Marriage: Marriage of convenience with unlikely lovers.
If you love False Colours
A twin switch/masquerade, potential ruination and a marriage of convenience, all feature in this heartwarming and often funny romance.
You May Like
Similar to False Colours: Masquerades, comedy, and a lot of country romping.
Similar to False Colours: Masquerade, humorous elements, and characters who learn something about themselves.
Similar to False Colours: Twin switch, fun and funny.
Similar to False Colours: Switch, marriage of convenience, and a quick pace.
This is a great list! Thanks for putting this together! I’ve been trying to find good recommendations for books similar to Heyer but haven’t been able to find any good lists until this one.
Oh, I am so happy you like it! I struggled myself to find a good list of similar titles, so this was a labor of love. I hope to update in the future and also add in reader suggestions, so if you have things you would like to recommend that are similar to your favorite Heyer’s, drop them in the comments below.
Will do! I have a question, I was looking through your list and was curious which 3 recommendations are your personal favorites?
The only regency ones I’d recommend are Regency/Fantasy. “Mairelon the Magician” by Patricia Wrede” and “Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot” The ones I found that are similar in style, but not regency are any books by Berta Ruck. I can’t think of any other regency books I’ve found yet though.
Several books on the list are also on my top funny Regencies, and those are my favorites. That list includes: Susan Carroll’s Brighton Road, Barbara Metzger’s Miss Lockarte’s Letters, and Joan Smith’s Babe and Aunt Sophie’s Diamonds. I have found Joan Smith to be fairly consistent in short, funny, traditional Regencies. For a newer voice, I really enjoyed Caroline Ashton’s books.