I recently featured two reviews for books with Autumnal adjacency, as I am always looking out for a Regency Read that feels like the Fall, or has a spooky or gothic element. Every year in August or September I issue a call out for recommendations, and this year my call was received with recommendations of things I have already read. So instead, I broadened my own TBR outside Regency for my fix. But in case you haven’t visited my past lists, and you are looking for something with the same Fall vibes, I have developed a master list of things that you should check out:
If you like a little campy or supernatural with your romance:
Brooklyn Ann – His Ruthless Bite — Vampire lords combined with a marriage of convenience plot make for a sensual paranormal romance. Ann imbues her paranormal Reg Roms with humor and all the right stuff, so readers are sure to laugh and love.
Brooklyn Ann – Bite Me, Your Grace – A gothic authoress and a Vampire Duke is well written, with fun characters who are slightly off-kilter from the traditional Regency reads. There is a little spice but also a lot of humor.
Ann Radcliffe – The Mysteries of Udolpho – A class gothic, horrid novel that delights with thrills and chills. Its one of the original Gothic Romances, so we can forgive some of the hand wringing, sobbing and poetry. Its also not very scary, so chickens fear not!
Charlotte Louise Dolan – The Ghost of Castle Ravenswych The ghost is really a lady in hiding, and the romance is a bit overblown, but this is nonetheless a fun and perfect for Autumn short novella. Its not scary, more suspenseful and I tore through it in an evening, so its a great quickie.
Amber Michelle Cook: Night of the Victorian Dead – A Victorian zombie book told in tongue-in-cheek, fast paced fashion. While not my normal cup of tea, this book was entertaining and had me on the edge of my seat. Normal gross zombie stuff.
Rita Boucher – The Would-be Witch – This Signet Regency Romance puts a paranormal spin on the traditional Regency, with a heroine descended from Merlin who learns what real magic is from a skeptic. All the wonderful historical details with a touch of the paranormal to give it a distinct flavor.
Karen Harbaugh: The Vampire Viscount: Published in 1995 before the peak of the latest vampire craze, this is one of the original mash ups of paranormal and Reg Roms.
Alyxandra Harvey, Haunting Violet: Another YA about a heroine who sees ghosts, with mystery elements and friends to lovers.
Elizabeth Boyle: His Mistress By Morning A young lady makes a wish on an inherited ring that her unrequited crush will find
Tracy MacNish: Stealing Midnight I read this after Sarah MacLean called this book “straight up bananas” and she wasn’t lying. Its got all those gothic elements you want, plus some you didn’t know you did.
If you want less campy, more gothic vibes:
Wendy Lyn Watson- Once Upon A Wallflower A Gothic villain, a mystery, and sizzling romance to heat up colder nights.
Georgette Heyer: Cousin Kate A gothic tale that is darker than other Heyers yet with all the wonderful storytelling that makes her a classic, fan favorite.
Jane Aiken Hodge: Watch the Wall, My Darling: A broody, moody gothic tale set in the soggy marshlands it has some fantastic romance.
Erica Ridley, Too Wanton To Wed: On the run, Violet seeks shelter in a crumbling abbey with secrets, including a child imprisoned in the dark to save her from an illness..and others. Full of gothic mood and part of a whole series of gothic delights, this has all the passion you are looking for along with mystery and intrigue.
Joan Smith, The Black Diamond: Jane Eyre and Rebecca in one mysterious and easy to read Victorian.
Julia Klassen: The Silent Governess Inspirational that goes long and deep on the gothic elements, this is perfect for the kisses only reader wanting a Lord Byron-esque hero with some darker elements.
Erica Ridley: Too Wicked to Kiss Looking for a good gothic, I was so tickled to find Ridley has written a whole series of them. I started with book one (a rare occurrence, I know!) and absolutely loved this gothic/murder mystery.
If you want funny with your paranormal or gothic or Autumnal mood:
Joan Smith: Old Lover’s Ghost: A ghost-hunting papa, a creepy gothic castle, and a perfectly matched H/h.
Kasey Michaels: The Haunted Miss Hampshire: A humorous take on the paranormal Regency by the talented Kasey Michaels as part of her Alphabet Series.
Mary Chase Comstock: A Midsummer’s Magic: Funny and cute, Comstock weaves in paranormal elements to a Shakespearean comedy of errors.
Linda Banche: Pumpkinnapper: A traditional Regency with a comedic bent, it tells the tale of second chance romance set in the Fall.
Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey If you haven’t read this yet, you don’t know what you are missing. Its Jane’s hilarious send up of the gothic “horrid” novel, with the perfect mixture of mystery, romance, and comedy to please the most discerning reader. My favorite Austen for good reason!
M.C. Beaton, The Ghost and Lady Alice: The ghost of a duke Pygmalions a scullery maid…and falls in love in this hilarious paranormal rom com.
If you want all the Autumn feels, but no paranormal or gothic elements:
Lisa Kleypas’ It Happened One Autumn is a part of a lovely triology, and is set in the Autumn.
Collection, Love, One Regency Autumn: This collection of 8 stories are set in Autumn, so big Fall mood!
Arietta Richmond, A Duke in Autumn: Kisses only tale set in Autumn in Bath, part of series.
Candace Hern: The Best Intentions: An annual Autumn house party, a widowed hero and a clumsy heroine bring this traditional Regency tale to life.
Erin Langston: A Day Until Forever A novella at All Hallowtide, where the MCs get into romps and explore some heated chemistry among harvest festival backdrop. Fan favorite.
Jane Austen: Persuasion With another reader recommending as “beautifully autumnal”, you know the second chance romance won’t disappoint on delivering the full Regency experience.
Georgette Heyer: Venetia Recommended by several other Heyerites who love its Autumn mood. With a naughty rakehell neighbor, and a managing female heroine, it also has the classic foundation for a great Reg Rom….and is a great Autumn re-read.
If you like mystery as the main element (cozy/kisses only) you might try:
Joan Smith: The Black Diamond: A gothic mystery with an undercover nursemaid and a cursed family heirloom, replete with moors.
Joan Smith: Love’s Harbinger: Regency on the road tale of an errant fiancé and a gossip column. Murder and mystery are light but engaging.
Julia Klassen: The Secret of Pembrooke Park: Inspirational tones are woven in to this gothic leaning Regency with murder and mystery elements.
Julia Klassen: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill and The Ladies of Ivy Cottage: Inspirational Regencies in an episodic, ensemble format with several mysteries for readers to solve.
Lynn Messina: A Brazen Curiosity: Laugh out loud moments, slow burn romance, and a cozy mystery are combined in this first book of a series.
Georgette Heyer: The Quiet Gentleman: Heyer was a prolific mystery author, in addition to being the Grandmother of Regency Romance and this book weaves the two together.
Beth Andrews: Hidden in the Heart: This is the first in a series of Regency Romance with a cozy mystery element. Funny and charming.
Jane Wetherby: A Dangerous Melody: First in a series about a country vicar’s daughters. This trends more towards the gothic with mysteries about the MCs employer.
Jennifer Monroe: Dukes, Drinks, and Murder: First of the Victoria Parker Regency Mysteries series, this has romantic elements but like a cozy mystery it is continued until the next book.
Claudia Stone: A Death, A Duke, and Miss Mifford: Returning to her village after an unsuccessful season, Mary Mifford is accused of murder. There is a cozy mystery, romance, and this kicks off the Regency Murder and Marriage series.
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