Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books for People Who Like…Mary Balogh

For this Top Ten Tuesday, we’ve got ten Regency romance recommendations for readers who enjoy Mary Balogh’s historicals.

It’s Top Ten Tuesday, where we post a list of 10 of our best/favorite/most important bookish-related items, depending on the week’s Artsy Reader Girl for providing us with this feature. We enjoy coming up with creative ideas each week.

“Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.”

Lord Carew’s Bride was such a pleasant read that it left us in a mood for Regency romances. So for this week, we’re posting our list of ten books to read if you like reading Mary Balogh’s romances. Almost all of these historical Regency books are available on Kindle.

Top Ten Books We Recommend for Readers Who Enjoy Mary Balogh’s Regency Romances

#1 Carla Kelly

Carla Kelly is an award-winning author. She has over 67 titles to her name. Born in 1947, Kelly is a self-described “navy brat.” As a result, she has lived all over the United States. Kelly has been writing since 1985. She is still creating romances. Her Regency romances don’t always focus on nobility but on people from all stations of life.

We recommend reading: Miss Drew Plays Her Hand, Signet, 1994

Fleeing from the unwelcome advances of her brother-in-law, a widow relocates herself and her daughters to a nearby estate. She soon meets her new landlord, a divorced Marquis who is shunned by society after divorcing his unfaithful wife. A delightful romance begins.

This 1995 RITA Award-winning Regency Romance tale is a classic.

#2 Jo Beverley

Jo Beverley was a successful romance author who had over 30 novels published. She was born in England in 1947 and settled in Canada in the 1970s. In 1984, she published her first historical romance. Beverley earned numerous honors for her work, including five RITA awards from the Romance Writers of America.

She passed away in 2016.

We recommend reading: An Arranged Marriage, Zebra, 1991

The novel tells the story of a young woman forced into an arranged marriage with a man she barely knows. Despite their initial reluctance, the couple eventually finds themselves falling in love. This is a romantic story where love leads to redemption.

#3 Loretta Chase

Loretta Chase is a best-selling author of historical romances. She was born in 1949 in the United States and began her writing career in the 1980s. Chase is best known for creating witty and intelligent heroines and paying close attention to historical accuracy.

We recommend reading: Lord of Scoundrels, Avon, 1995

A notorious rake falls in love with a headstrong woman determined to resist his charms. A witty and passionate battle of the sexes ensues. Fans of enemies-to-lovers romances might appreciate this. This full-length sensual historical is sure to captivate readers with its witty banter and sizzling chemistry.

#4 Barbara Hazard

Barbara Hazard was born and raised in New England. Since 1978, she has been writing historical romances, particularly Regencies. She published over 25 novels in her career, many of which featured unconventional heroines and heroes. Her emotional and touching stories often deal with issues of social class, gender roles, and the constraints of society.

We recommend reading: The Dreadful Duke, Signet, 1985

The novel follows the story of a 31-year-old spinster who is pursued by a determined Duke who desires her for his mistress. But when he realizes she is one of the few people who can reign in his wild twin daughters, he changes course. Perhaps she would be better suited as a bride? One way or another, he will have her.

#5 Edith Layton

Edith Layton was a prolific author who published over 30 historical romances, many of which were set in the Regency era. Layton was a three-time winner of the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award and a two-time finalist for the RITA Award.

Her stories featured strong-willed heroines and unconventional heroes and often explored themes of love, duty, and family.

We recommend reading: The Duke’s Wager, Avon, 1995

The daring novel features two villainous heroes who prey upon a lovely young woman and wager a bet on who will have her first. One will continue on the dark path, while the other will change for love. Readers who enjoy romances with redemption will appreciate this novel.

#6 Anita Mills

Anita Mills is an eclectic author of historical romance novels, with over 40 books to her name. Her works took place during different periods in history, such as the Medieval, Regency, and Western eras. They often feature heroines with fortitude and intricate political plots.

Mills was born in the United States and began writing in the early 1980s.

We recommend reading: The Duke’s Double, Bantam, 1995

After a scandalous rumor destroys their marriage, leading to a scandalous divorce, a Duke and his wife go their separate ways. Years later, when they meet again, the Duke realizes he has been betrayed.

#7 Mary Jo Putney

Mary Jo Putney is a New York Times bestselling author of historical romance novels. She has published over 30 books in the genre, primarily set in the Regency era. Putney is known for her well-researched historical settings, complex characters, and emotionally intense storylines.

We recommend reading: The Rake and the Reformer, Zebra, 1992

Alys Weston conceals her true identity and puts on a men’s disguise so she can be the manager of a secluded estate. However, with the arrival of Reginald Davenport, who is bent on revenge, her plans seem destined to collapse.

#8 Joan Wolf

Joan Wolf is a talented author of over 50 historical romance novels. Her works span multiple historical eras, including the Regency period, and often feature strong, independent heroines and intricate political plots.

Wolf was born in the United States and began writing in the early 1980s.

We recommend reading: The Counterfeit Marriage, Signet, 1980

This Regency romance has a tinge of “bodice ripper” to it. An arrogant Earl abducts and ravishes a beautiful woman at a country inn. The night of debauchery leads to an arranged marriage. The couple struggles to recognize their feelings for one another as both outside and inward forces tear them apart.

#9 Barbara Metzger

Barbara Metzger is a prolific author of historical romance novels, with over 50 books to her name in various subgenres, including Regency, historical, and contemporary romance. 

She was born in 1948 in the United States and began her writing career in the early 1980s. Metzger’s works are known for their humor and lightheartedness, as well as their attention to historical detail. She received several awards for her work, including the Romance Writers of America RITA Award.

We recommend reading: A Loyal Companion, Signet, 1997

Dog lovers will delight in this unique romance told from the perspective of man’s best friend. A free-spirited young debutante falls for a veteran of the Napoleonic wars, who has been ostracized by the ton. Fans of all romances will appreciate this heartwarming and funny story.

#10 Elizabeth Mansfield

From 1978 to 2003, Elizabeth Mansfield published 38 Regency romances. Mansfield was the pen name of Paula Reibel Schwartz, who also wrote different genres using the pen names Paula Reibel, Paula Reid, and Paula Jonas.

Mansfield was born to a Jewish family in the Bronx, New York City. She was a drama and English teacher before she began to write novels in 1973. Mansfield passed away on December 21, 2003.

We recommend reading: The Bartered Bride, Charter, 1989

After a failed romance leaves him with a broken heart, an impoverished lord marries a wealthy heiress of the common class, who is secretly in love with him.

Your Opinion

What do you think of our picks for the top ten list? Are you a Mary Balogh fan or a fan of the authors and books we’ve recommended? Do you agree if you like Mary Balogh’s Regency romances, you’ll enjoy reading these books??

As always, please drop a comment, and let’s talk romance!