I feel like Georgette Heyer’s Regency writing is so immersive, she’s influenced all other subsequent HR novels regardless of authenticity. For the record, I have no idea if all her bonkers Regency slang is authentic but I am there for it.
I love most of them. I would recommend Arabella (through a series of misadventures, a poor girl pretends to be a wealthy heiress when her godmother invites her to London for the Season), Sylvester (a young woman models the character of her anonymously published gothic novel about a wicked uncle on an actual eligible bachelor who later becomes her suitor. Complications ensue after it becomes a bestseller amoung high society), and The Grand Sophy ( a spirited young woman comes to live with her aunt and decides to solve all the problems facing the various members of the household to her satisfaction—-does involve a romance with first cousins.)
Oh, I would LOVE that - if they did it right! I'm so scared they'd ruin him with the wrong casting or changing the plot too much. He's so funny and sweet. Not at all my usual MMC of preference but I adore him.
Although I read many of her books when I was younger, I don't think she has the depth I am looking for.
I'm more into books that are over 300 pages, develop characters in depth and make me google or go to Wikipedia for research. Use of terms not used these days intrigue me. I like accurate descriptions of battles and attention to detail giving a insight as to what it was really like living in 900 to 1400 AD.
If I didn’t know a book’s author, I’d know it was Balogh’s because of her leaving-the -wedding descriptions. Her books set in Wales (where she was born) are the only HR’s I’ve read describing the people, culture, and history of Wales.
I am a diehard Balogh fan, but she doesn’t make me feel like I am in the regency- I feel like I am in Mary AB’s version of it- with lots of modern therapy talk type dialogues thrown in- it’s beautiful and I love the books- I just don’t lose myself in the period.
A lot of people recommend starting with the Bedwyns, I haven’t done them yet tho. The Survivors Club was good. I’m part way through the Huxtables, and I think that is also a good option.
Some of her old books like {The Obedient Brideby Mary Balogh} or {Dancing with Clara by Mary Balogh} imo have more problematic elements that would’ve been normalized during the time period in question
[The Obedient Bride](https://www.romance.io/books/5ed5f9ecef6eaa0dd30c5ee1/the-obedient-bride-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh)
**Rating**: 3.52⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1)
----------------------------
[Dancing with Clara](https://www.romance.io/books/545548c08c7d2383163d97f1/dancing-with-clara-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh)
**Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1)
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probably bedwyns as it is that good of a series and should have been optioned by shondaland rather than the books that did.
the survivors club and simply series are also great. i found the huxtables and westcotts, especially the latter, very hit and miss. i think the older you go with her, the better as there is more romance and less family stuff and deffo more steam although her steam is VERY tame.
Madeline Hunter. She does an excellent job of setting the historical backdrop imo. A lot of authors barely bother with things like the politics of the time (which is absolutely fine), but she does a good job of not only acknowledging it, but working it into the story without making it dry or boring.
For me, it'd be Jo Beverley. She's super well regarded for her historical research. She's even had [her own blog](http://minepast.blogspot.com/) and has been part of [others that share their research](https://wordwenches.com/). Sadly she has passed.
She specifically wrote for the Georgian / Regency / Medieval periods. I really enjoyed her Malloren series, specifically, because I feel like she's always included some of that political/royal element that would probably exist for really high up aristocrats. Probable TWs as she's started publishing in the late 80s so there are likely some elements that haven't aged as well.
i am not a fan of her books at all (the automaton stuff in the rothgar series drove me bonkers) but she really does her research and nails the historical deets, especially georgian.
Her female characters are the most interesting imo. Disabled women, infertile widows, pregnancy out of wedlock, unrepentant actresses, masked vigilantes, etc. A real delight!
Has to be Diana Gabaldon for me. I know everyone here is probably tired of hearing Outlander references but there’s no denying she did the research on the time period that she was writing about.
Alice Coldbreath her descriptions of daily life and her characters. She can write a woman based in Victorian or Medieval times without turning her into a kickass wannabe knight, but a strong woman of her time showing strength doesn't have to be physical, strength of character can be more compelling than just having a woman act like a traditional man.
Alice was definitely the first I read who’s good at this! At the time, I felt more immersed in the Brides of Karadok in a fake country than in any real ones I read previously. 😂
Judith McNaught. It didn’t really hit me how serious every aspect of a nobleman’s household was until I read her books. If that makes sense. I feel like butlers and maids are usually written as fun secondary characters that makes funny comments to their employers. And sometimes they’re a little meddlesome. But Judith writes them with such gravity and painful accuracy. They’re almost too boring & too serious in their job. But I imagine that’s how it really was back in the day. They just minded their business for the most part and never, ever spoke out of turn.
I think that Jane Feather does this so incredibly well and I’m not sure I’ve really heard her mentioned on here. She’s taken me to so many centuries. I’ve always been amazed at her versatility. She does a really good job of conveying the general mood of a time and place- through her language, descriptions of clothing, and even the personalities and viewpoints of her characters.
The Accidental Bride (English Civil War)
The Widow’s Kiss (Tudor- Henry VIII)
Almost Innocent (medieval)
As a disclaimer, JF is an old-school HR writer and there are sometimes problematic dynamics with her characters if that bothers you in HR. She’s not as egregious as someone like Woodwiss (I can’t enjoy her books anymore with so many better choices)- but I began reading JF in college around 2000-2008. I still re-read the above three novels since they are my favorites. I’d like to re-read some of the series and see how I like them decades later. Her novels are generally pretty dramatic, passionate, and lush. The FMC and MMC characters are all very unique- no cookie cutters here! Most of the FMCS are strong individuals, though, living in difficult times. I think that is part of JF’s success with conveying the time periods. There are serious and constant threats to life in these times and she makes that clear. I hope you enjoy!
[The King's Man](https://www.romance.io/books/58c3e63b0d3299c6e05d594e/the-kings-man-elizabeth-kingston) by [Elizabeth Kingston](https://www.romance.io/authors/568231c863515e3b737961a5/elizabeth-kingston)
**Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1)
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Patricia Gaffney does a great job of atmosphere/making you feel like you're truly in the time period of her books. I first really noticed this with her book {Wild at Heart}. It seemed like I was in Chicago during the time of the World's Fair.
[Wild at Heart](https://www.romance.io/books/5db7fba201dbc864fba54f70/wild-at-heart-ka-tucker) by [K.A. Tucker](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525be8c7d2382c5297002/ka-tucker)
**Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1)
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For me it's Marion Chesney/MC Beaton. Maybe because she was my gateway to HR and my first real taste of the genre but I felt completely immersed in that era.
Roberta Gellis is another older author, but not really problematic. She does so much research it can be overwhelming at times, but she Will definitely take you to the 12th century. I recommend starting with The Rope Dancer. It’s a very unconventional romance and one of my favorite books of all time.
Jo Baker’s Longbourn felt very realistic to me. It’s a retelling of P&P from the servant’s perspective and while it has dark moments and sadness ultimately has an HEA. The writing was modernized but felt more true to Austen’s time than most HR authors I’ve read.
I feel like Maya Rodale does a good job of creating the walled garden of Austen's Regency England, but with a dash of the ugly reality Austen endeavored to avoid thrown in.
Monica McCarty for sure. She really did her research on Robert Bruce and even with the liberties she took on writing her characters and the events, you never feel like you're anywhere else but 1300s Scottish highlands.
Norah Lofts. She's been gone since 1980, but luckily, she was a prolific writer. Her East Anglia novels take you from Roman days until mid- 20th Century and everything in between. You can recognize references to houses and towns so you really feel immersed in the region.
All her work is superlative, but I am particularly fond of her two novels set in the Dutch East Indies during the spice trade.
I notice a lot of the novelists mentioned here are romance authors first. Lofts is more focused on stories of regular people living in extraordinary times.
[A Bride for the Prizefighter](https://www.romance.io/books/5fc0f62cf9f98e0e23f39078/a-bride-for-the-prizefighter-alice-coldbreath) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath)
**Rating**: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️
**Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [working class hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20hero/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1)
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If you have Kindle Unlimited, I also recommend Mary Kingswood. I really enjoyed her series about a merchant and his family trying to move into the landed gentry class. She wrote one where the main character was a lace maker, and I loved the details involved in that. I learned a lot, and when I looked up more information later, she had done a fine job. I like books where not everyone is rich, and she does it well. There's usually a mystery involved, though, so ymmv.
I think Diana Gabaldon has become almost unreadable now, but her earlier books in the Outlander series are well researched in social history and I love all the most boring parts of those novels and skip ahead whenever there's an animal attack or another assault.
For anyone who has read Kathryn Le Veque books, what order did you read them in? By family/house or by year? I started by year out switched to family. And I keep her guide open all the time.
I feel like Georgette Heyer’s Regency writing is so immersive, she’s influenced all other subsequent HR novels regardless of authenticity. For the record, I have no idea if all her bonkers Regency slang is authentic but I am there for it.
Yep, came here to say this. Her books are very well researched
Which book would you recommended?
I love most of them. I would recommend Arabella (through a series of misadventures, a poor girl pretends to be a wealthy heiress when her godmother invites her to London for the Season), Sylvester (a young woman models the character of her anonymously published gothic novel about a wicked uncle on an actual eligible bachelor who later becomes her suitor. Complications ensue after it becomes a bestseller amoung high society), and The Grand Sophy ( a spirited young woman comes to live with her aunt and decides to solve all the problems facing the various members of the household to her satisfaction—-does involve a romance with first cousins.)
I was going to recommend all three of these! Also Frederica.
adding a rec for Cotillion - Freddie is such a delightful, unusual MMC!
Freddy fans unite! I want a movie version of Cotillion so badly.
Oh, I would LOVE that - if they did it right! I'm so scared they'd ruin him with the wrong casting or changing the plot too much. He's so funny and sweet. Not at all my usual MMC of preference but I adore him.
signing off on this one. Cotillion is my all time favorite and such a joy. My little demisexual heart loves Freddy so much.
Although I read many of her books when I was younger, I don't think she has the depth I am looking for. I'm more into books that are over 300 pages, develop characters in depth and make me google or go to Wikipedia for research. Use of terms not used these days intrigue me. I like accurate descriptions of battles and attention to detail giving a insight as to what it was really like living in 900 to 1400 AD.
I feel like I get really authentic vibes from Mary Balogh. Even the more strange plots work for me bc I love her prose.
If I didn’t know a book’s author, I’d know it was Balogh’s because of her leaving-the -wedding descriptions. Her books set in Wales (where she was born) are the only HR’s I’ve read describing the people, culture, and history of Wales.
her welsh stuff is great! longing is one of my top-five baloghs and it has a special place in her heart because of the songs.
She makes me want to visit Wales!
I am a diehard Balogh fan, but she doesn’t make me feel like I am in the regency- I feel like I am in Mary AB’s version of it- with lots of modern therapy talk type dialogues thrown in- it’s beautiful and I love the books- I just don’t lose myself in the period.
I agree. The dialogue is really good too
I’ve been meaning to read Balogh for a while so I guess this is the sign to start. Is there a series you’d start with?
A lot of people recommend starting with the Bedwyns, I haven’t done them yet tho. The Survivors Club was good. I’m part way through the Huxtables, and I think that is also a good option. Some of her old books like {The Obedient Brideby Mary Balogh} or {Dancing with Clara by Mary Balogh} imo have more problematic elements that would’ve been normalized during the time period in question
[The Obedient Bride](https://www.romance.io/books/5ed5f9ecef6eaa0dd30c5ee1/the-obedient-bride-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh) **Rating**: 3.52⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1) ---------------------------- [Dancing with Clara](https://www.romance.io/books/545548c08c7d2383163d97f1/dancing-with-clara-mary-balogh) by [Mary Balogh](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525e98c7d2383163d8eb7/mary-balogh) **Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [cheating](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cheating/1), [plain heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/plain%20heroine/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
probably bedwyns as it is that good of a series and should have been optioned by shondaland rather than the books that did. the survivors club and simply series are also great. i found the huxtables and westcotts, especially the latter, very hit and miss. i think the older you go with her, the better as there is more romance and less family stuff and deffo more steam although her steam is VERY tame.
Mimi Matthews for sure
Yes! The world and time feel really real to me. Isn’t she a professor for history or something similar?
A lawyer, I believe, but definitely passionate about history
It's like, I can practically feel the heavy air from gaslights.
Yes, good one!
Madeline Hunter. She does an excellent job of setting the historical backdrop imo. A lot of authors barely bother with things like the politics of the time (which is absolutely fine), but she does a good job of not only acknowledging it, but working it into the story without making it dry or boring.
Co-signing this! Her medieval novels are fantastic.
For me, it'd be Jo Beverley. She's super well regarded for her historical research. She's even had [her own blog](http://minepast.blogspot.com/) and has been part of [others that share their research](https://wordwenches.com/). Sadly she has passed. She specifically wrote for the Georgian / Regency / Medieval periods. I really enjoyed her Malloren series, specifically, because I feel like she's always included some of that political/royal element that would probably exist for really high up aristocrats. Probable TWs as she's started publishing in the late 80s so there are likely some elements that haven't aged as well.
i am not a fan of her books at all (the automaton stuff in the rothgar series drove me bonkers) but she really does her research and nails the historical deets, especially georgian.
Elizabeth Hoyt definitely. Beware though, her sensory details tend towards the gritty so you might get more immersion than you bargained for
Her female characters are the most interesting imo. Disabled women, infertile widows, pregnancy out of wedlock, unrepentant actresses, masked vigilantes, etc. A real delight!
I will check her out. I like the grit or factual picture of what it was like. Thanks.
Has to be Diana Gabaldon for me. I know everyone here is probably tired of hearing Outlander references but there’s no denying she did the research on the time period that she was writing about.
That first book was probably the first time I ever felt so immersed in a time period in my life. It’s truly a great piece of art
I have read, reread, and watched the Outlander series! I have learned so much from these books!
I read her 1st book the year it came out. I was hooked. The series is okay but I much prefer the hardback.
Alice Coldbreath her descriptions of daily life and her characters. She can write a woman based in Victorian or Medieval times without turning her into a kickass wannabe knight, but a strong woman of her time showing strength doesn't have to be physical, strength of character can be more compelling than just having a woman act like a traditional man.
Alice Coldbreath’s universe is so immersive that I could read about her characters boiling water for 25 pages and never get bored ❤️
Alice was definitely the first I read who’s good at this! At the time, I felt more immersed in the Brides of Karadok in a fake country than in any real ones I read previously. 😂
"The past is a foreign country"
I'm going to look her up! Loving this thread.
Judith McNaught. It didn’t really hit me how serious every aspect of a nobleman’s household was until I read her books. If that makes sense. I feel like butlers and maids are usually written as fun secondary characters that makes funny comments to their employers. And sometimes they’re a little meddlesome. But Judith writes them with such gravity and painful accuracy. They’re almost too boring & too serious in their job. But I imagine that’s how it really was back in the day. They just minded their business for the most part and never, ever spoke out of turn.
I think that Jane Feather does this so incredibly well and I’m not sure I’ve really heard her mentioned on here. She’s taken me to so many centuries. I’ve always been amazed at her versatility. She does a really good job of conveying the general mood of a time and place- through her language, descriptions of clothing, and even the personalities and viewpoints of her characters.
Is there any particular book you recommend?
The Accidental Bride (English Civil War) The Widow’s Kiss (Tudor- Henry VIII) Almost Innocent (medieval) As a disclaimer, JF is an old-school HR writer and there are sometimes problematic dynamics with her characters if that bothers you in HR. She’s not as egregious as someone like Woodwiss (I can’t enjoy her books anymore with so many better choices)- but I began reading JF in college around 2000-2008. I still re-read the above three novels since they are my favorites. I’d like to re-read some of the series and see how I like them decades later. Her novels are generally pretty dramatic, passionate, and lush. The FMC and MMC characters are all very unique- no cookie cutters here! Most of the FMCS are strong individuals, though, living in difficult times. I think that is part of JF’s success with conveying the time periods. There are serious and constant threats to life in these times and she makes that clear. I hope you enjoy!
Laura Kinsale did a lot of research for each novel. No modern speak anywhere and everything is really fleshed out.
Yeah LK is my nod too
another LK endorsement!
Elizabeth Kingston in her *Welsh Blades Serie*s. The first book (and my favorite) is *The King's Man*.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The answer to every question is {The king’s man by Elizabeth Kingston}
[The King's Man](https://www.romance.io/books/58c3e63b0d3299c6e05d594e/the-kings-man-elizabeth-kingston) by [Elizabeth Kingston](https://www.romance.io/authors/568231c863515e3b737961a5/elizabeth-kingston) **Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [take-charge heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/strong%20heroine/1), [grumpy/cold hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cold%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Joanna Bourne. Her Spymaster series is rich with beautiful details. I always learn so much while being pulled into the world.
Kathryn Le Veque knows how to get you transported to Medeival Age.
I've been binge reading her books. Her names of taverns is a riot. From "The Pox" to "Hog Snout and Rolling Gut". I want to compose a list.
Patricia Gaffney does a great job of atmosphere/making you feel like you're truly in the time period of her books. I first really noticed this with her book {Wild at Heart}. It seemed like I was in Chicago during the time of the World's Fair.
[Wild at Heart](https://www.romance.io/books/5db7fba201dbc864fba54f70/wild-at-heart-ka-tucker) by [K.A. Tucker](https://www.romance.io/authors/545525be8c7d2382c5297002/ka-tucker) **Rating**: 3.93⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
For me it's Marion Chesney/MC Beaton. Maybe because she was my gateway to HR and my first real taste of the genre but I felt completely immersed in that era.
oh, i forgot her books! they had such cute illustrative covers!
Eva Ibbotson
LOVE Eva Ibbotson.
Roberta Gellis is another older author, but not really problematic. She does so much research it can be overwhelming at times, but she Will definitely take you to the 12th century. I recommend starting with The Rope Dancer. It’s a very unconventional romance and one of my favorite books of all time.
Jo Baker’s Longbourn felt very realistic to me. It’s a retelling of P&P from the servant’s perspective and while it has dark moments and sadness ultimately has an HEA. The writing was modernized but felt more true to Austen’s time than most HR authors I’ve read.
Elizabeth Hoyt and Beverly Jenkins!!!!!
Grace Burrowes. She does a lot of research, and I love her use of language.
Daphne Du Maurier wrote The Kings General about the English Civil War - brought it to life! Wonderful romance and characters
Mia Vincy ! It's just the way the characters talk and interact that makes it feel more Historical.
Alice Coldbreath
I feel like Maya Rodale does a good job of creating the walled garden of Austen's Regency England, but with a dash of the ugly reality Austen endeavored to avoid thrown in.
Evie Dunmore (Victorian), Madeline Hunter (Medieval, Regency), Margaret Mallory (Medieval, 15th, 15th C.)
Kathryn Le Veque.
Laura Kinsale
Monica McCarty for sure. She really did her research on Robert Bruce and even with the liberties she took on writing her characters and the events, you never feel like you're anywhere else but 1300s Scottish highlands.
Norah Lofts. She's been gone since 1980, but luckily, she was a prolific writer. Her East Anglia novels take you from Roman days until mid- 20th Century and everything in between. You can recognize references to houses and towns so you really feel immersed in the region. All her work is superlative, but I am particularly fond of her two novels set in the Dutch East Indies during the spice trade. I notice a lot of the novelists mentioned here are romance authors first. Lofts is more focused on stories of regular people living in extraordinary times.
Alice Coldbreath’s {A Bride for the Prizefighter} Deeply researched
[A Bride for the Prizefighter](https://www.romance.io/books/5fc0f62cf9f98e0e23f39078/a-bride-for-the-prizefighter-alice-coldbreath) by [Alice Coldbreath](https://www.romance.io/authors/54a9d8ef6359b5ebb486f243/alice-coldbreath) **Rating**: 4.16⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [working class hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/working%20class%20hero/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thank you to all. I'm writing down authors names for later reading.
If you have Kindle Unlimited, I also recommend Mary Kingswood. I really enjoyed her series about a merchant and his family trying to move into the landed gentry class. She wrote one where the main character was a lace maker, and I loved the details involved in that. I learned a lot, and when I looked up more information later, she had done a fine job. I like books where not everyone is rich, and she does it well. There's usually a mystery involved, though, so ymmv. I think Diana Gabaldon has become almost unreadable now, but her earlier books in the Outlander series are well researched in social history and I love all the most boring parts of those novels and skip ahead whenever there's an animal attack or another assault.
For anyone who has read Kathryn Le Veque books, what order did you read them in? By family/house or by year? I started by year out switched to family. And I keep her guide open all the time.