The Juiciest, Smuttiest, and Most Scandalous Regency Romances That’ll Cure Your ‘Bridgerton’ Withdrawals

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Ever since Netflix dropped Bridgerton in late 2020, the Internet has been obsessed with regency romances. The secret looks across the ballroom, late-night rendezvous in the gardens, and the scandalous gossip about you-know-who. The 18th-century dialect that just gives you all the feels. Like, when Anthony said, “You are the bane of my existence and the object of my desires.” Contemporary romance could never.

It can be difficult to find some good Regency romances, especially if you’ve read Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series and are craving more historical love stories. Not too many novels can top that franchise, but there are a few books here and there with fine-as-f*ck protagonists and smutty drop-your-panties pick-up lines. So, before you go down the rabbit hole that is Goodreads and BookTok, take a peek at these 17 Bridgerton-like books that’ll have you fantasizing about having your own Mr. Darcy.

A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley

This book is for the sistas (oh, and everyone else too). Instead of your common fair-skinned woman with luscious brown hair—the authors stayyyy using this description—our main character is West Indian heiress Patience Jordan. Jordan is a recent widow who is struggling to rebuild her life and regain custody of her child following her husband’s mysterious death. Getting her child back was one ordeal, but falling in love with her son’s guardian? Not in the plans at all.

Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore

Annabelle Archer is one of the first women to attend Oxford. An honor that’s not all it’s cracked up to be, considering Annabelle must convince the misogynistic male scholars to fund the rising women’s suffrage movement (and her scholarship too). Her main target? The Duke of Montogomery Sebastian Deveraux, who is beautiful as he is cold. They may be on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but their mutual desire is something they both can agree on.

Rebel (Women Who Dare) by Beverley Jenkins

Goodbye England, hello New Orleans. Here, we have Valinda Lacy, a determined young woman who wants to help the recently-free New Orleans community succeed. All is well until thugs target her, which sends Valinda fleeing straight into the arms of Captial Drake LeVeg. The pair fall in love and live happily ever after…until Valinda’s father demands she returns home to marry someone else.

The Magpie Lord: A Charm of Magpies by KJ Charles

Disgraced son Lucien Vaudrey returns home from a 20-year exile in China once he hears of his father and brother’s mysterious deaths. But when he comes back to England, he doesn’t recognize the earldom disposed upon him. Or, the enemies out for revenge for his family’s sins. So, he recruits magician Stephen Day who also hates him (fun), but can’t deny his attraction to the new Earl.

To Have and to Hoax: A Novel by Martha Waters

There are your average historical romances and then there are the couple-in-crisis historical romances. I, for one, am a fan of the latter. To Have and to Hoax follows married couple Violet and James, who haven’t spoken to each other in the four years of the five-year marriage. That all changes when James gets seriously injured and Violet rushes to his side. Only to find out that he’s fine—fighting is James’ love language, obvi. Violet being Violet, aka desperately in love with her husband but in deep denial, gives James a taste of his own medicine and the games of "I hate you but I love you" commence.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

This is the most Bridgerton-esque book on the list. Lady Calpurnia Hartwell is our Daphne Bridgerton, a self-proclaimed “good girl” whose rule-following nature has led her to zero suitors and no marriage proposals. Tired and unsatisfied, she decides to recruit devastatingly handsome and devious Marquess of Ralston Gabriel St. John (our Simon) to, um, teach a few lessons on chemistry. Too bad Callie fails the first test: don’t fall in love.

A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins

Castle meets Bridgerton in this romantic mystery novel. Lady Katherine Bascomb is a newspaper columnist reporting on a string of murders in London. Detective Andrew Eversham doesn’t appreciate Kat’s interference with his cases. Her beauty and brains may be attractive, but no woman is worth getting kicked off the police squad. That was until said woman becomes a witness to murder, putting her life in jeopardy and his heart in peril.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Yes, yes, this isn’t a Regency romance, but it is a modern royal romance with Bridgerton undertones, so I say it counts. Plus, it’s queer, so shush! White House son and Britain’s Prince of Wales are enemies who are forced to become friends to save their parents’ reputation. Only friendship wasn’t in their Bingo cards. Hehe.

The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan

I LOVE novels with obsessed and down-for-you male main characters. There ain’t nothing more attractive than a man who embodies “Keep my wife’s name out your mother-freaking mouth.” And Jeremy Yu is exactly that man. See, Jeremy has been in love with Chloe Fong since childhood but ruined their relationship when he mysteriously disappeared for three years. But now, he’s back and his eyes are set on wooing Chloe back.

A Wolf in Duke's Clothing by Susanna Allen

Werewolves anyone? Duke of Lowell, Alfred Blakesely, is a werewolf who must mate with his true love to save his pack from death. Said love is Felicity Templeton, a soon-to-be heiress who takes a vow of celibacy until she turns 25. Here’s hoping Alfred can convince Felicity that 1) they’re a fated pair and 2) surprise, werewolves exist!

Aphrodite and the Duke by J.J. McAvoy

J.J. McAvoy creates the perfect second-chance romance with Aphrodite Du Bell, a young lady grieving the Duke who jilted her and their supposedly perfect love story. When Aphrodite returns to London to aid her sister’s debut to the ton, she runs into her former lover Evander Eagleman who’s desperate to win back her affection and apologize for their breakup. Aphrodite refuses to give Evander a chance until news reveals all is not what it seems and that poor Evander may be the victim instead of the villain.

My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh

Eva Leigh makes the 1984 cult-classic Sixteen Candles Regency in this page-turner. Lady Grace Wyatt is crushing on a handsome naturalist and decides to get his attention by faux dating her colleague, anthropologist Sebastian Holloway. Too bad Bastian is a drab, boring geek that can’t compete with any eligible suitor. Or, is he?

Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh

This isn’t your typical historical romance. For one, our female protagonist is a widower who’s been accused of murdering her husband. And the male character is Stephen Huxtable, an Earl who decides to risk his family’s reputation to marry the disgraced and scandal-ridden widower, Cassandra Belmont. Why? Cause’s he’s in love with her, though he doesn’t know that yet *wink* *wink*.

The Luckiest Lady in London by Sherry Thomas

Eldest sister Louisa Cantwell has to marry up to support her sisters. Though she’s wary of marrying golden boy Marquess of Wrenworth Felix Rivendale, he’s the only man to propose, so she accepts. But is Felix really the ideal gentleman his reputation makes him out to be? Or, does he, like everyone, have a few secrets in his closet?

The Rake: Lessons in Love by Suzanne Enoch

Another classic romance story but~regenecy~style. Viscount Dare seduced Lady Georgiana Halley into bed all for a bet. After her innocence is gone (oh, the horror!), and the bet is revealed, a furious Georgiana swears revenge on the Viscount. She will do to him what he did to her but worse. The plan was solid until the Viscount proposed marriage and swore he loved her. Side eye. Can Georgiana trust this scumbag to treat her properly and love her, or will she have to marry someone else and end the book without her happily ever after?

While the Duke Was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan

This is the juiciest, most scandalous book on this list and that’s sayin’ something. Hopeless romantic Poppy Fairchurch is in love with the Duke of Atuenberry, despite them not knowing each other (me when I think barista who made my coffee smiled at me and is the love of my life). When the Duke falls into a coma and Poppy is mistaken as his wife, she slides into her pre-destined role and has her happily ever after. Only, the Duke’s half-brother Struan Mackenzie may or may not know’s what's up.

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

A rag-to-riches love story. Arabella isn’t royalty or a lady, but she wants a new life in London and dammit, she’s gonna get it. So, she enters the ton with nothing but a godmother and a spiteful attitude. Somehow, she gains the ire (is it really contempt, though?) of bachelor Robert Beaumaris. The two cannot be anything alike, but you know what they say about opposites…

You Might Also Like

• Here’s What NOT to Wear to a Wedding

• Meet the Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You’ll Ever Try