Book picks similar to
Allerdale by Jenny Hambly


romance
regency
historical-romance
dnf

The Unusual Story of the Silent Duchess


Emma Linfield - 2018
    On just such a dark night, a mysterious voiceless girl arrives at the doorstep of the powerful Duke of Rutland, Neil Arnold. Thanks to her, his gloomy soul will see its first sunny days after a very long time. Her silence, though, hides secrets, and whatever evil force made her run for her life that dreadful stormy night is coming after her... The Duke, while still trying to find his way back to happiness, will have to find the strength to protect not only the mysterious stranger that stole his heart but also his innocent daughter. He can't afford to lose the ones he loves for the second time. But the danger is resting closer than he thinks as no one can be trusted.

A Fall from Grace


Jennie Goutet - 2020
    He needs one less person to worry about.Selena Lockhart comes with neither fortune nor connections, and she knows better than to expect Society to give her a welcome—especially after her father gambled away his fortune, precipitating the family’s sudden fall from grace and Selena’s betrothed to break off the engagement. It therefore comes as no surprise that her new neighbor, Sir Lucius, treats her with disdain. Why should he look beyond appearances when her own promises so little? Sir Lucius Clavering is not married, but he may as well be, considering he is expected to escort his widowed mother to watering holes, round out the numbers at his married sister’s dinners, and come to the aid of his scapegrace younger siblings. It doesn’t help that single women and matchmaking mamas jostle each other for his face, fortune, and title so that he’s left without a moment’s peace. When Selena shows up at Lucius’s doorstep looking for help, he is sure it’s another ploy aimed at cutting up his prized bachelor existence. Although his prejudice does not last long, Lucius fears his first reaction might have ruined his chances with her. How can he save her from Society’s teeth when she continues to hold him at arm’s length?

Bride for the Sake of Duty


Bridget Barton - 2020
    To make matters worse, her new husband leaves right after their nuptials on his first trip overseas. After two years of loneliness, Miles returns and he’s even more handsome than she remembers, but he still remains a complete stranger to her. Could she ever grow feelings for him after all this time? Will she eventually get the one thing she has always dreamt of?Miles Fitzroy craves adventure but he has to get wed to honour his father’s wishes. His wife may be breathtaking, but he has no time to get to know her before he leaves for India. Now that he is finally back home, he finds himself longing for something other than the sea. He realizes that it might be the journey of falling in love that has been missing from his life. Could he ever choose the warmth of his beautiful wife over the exciting life of an adventurer?Two strangers are bound together forever, but it won’t be easy to create a genuine bond after their long separation. A string of mishaps and adventures that follow can either bring them together forever or tear them apart for good. Will Eleanor get her wish for a true, heart-melting romance? Will Miles finally find a place to call home in Eleanor’s eyes?"Bride for the Sake of Duty" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

A Fragile Mask


Elizabeth Bailey - 1996
     Denzell Hawkeridge sees her from the window, beautiful and animated. When he meets mysterious Verena Chaceley, she is a polite statue. Provoked and intrigued, flirtatious Denzell sets out to prick the mask. And finds a hidden and poignant vulnerability. Anxious for her abused mother’s health, terrified the perpetrator will come after them, Verena struggles to stay aloof and heart-free. She dare not drop her guard. Yet is there disappointment when Denzell retires, defeated? A chance encounter provides an unexpected key, reviving Denzell’s affections. But can he coax Verena out of her ingrained fear of matrimony?

The Earl Next Door


Amanda Grange - 2001
    Tenth Anniversary EditionNote: This book was originally published under the title of Anything But A GentlemanMarianne is delighted when the empty estate next door is rented by an earl, but she soon finds that Luke, Lord Ravensford is anything but a gentleman! And yet with his dark hair and his dangerous air, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him, despite the rumours that he has ruined her missing brother. When the secret of Kit's disappearance is exposed, she finds herself drawn into an adventure which will test her love to the limits and reveal hidden depths to Luke and his profound feelings for her . . .Amanda Grange: Humour, adventure and romance, with a guaranteed happy ending.Reviews for Amanda Grange:"Believable dialogue and lively characters ... nice touches of humour, too." - Historical Novels Review"Hits the Regency tone and language on the head." - Library Journal"Well written, clean romance. 4 1/2 stars!" - Amazon review"Amanda Grange writes from the heart . . . Highly recommended" - A Romance Review

Miss Adeline's Match


Joanna Barker - 2019
    But when her closest friend, Charity Edgeworth, breaks off her arranged marriage without explanation, even Adeline's superior skills are put to the test. Charity's father banishes the two young women to the country, sending Adeline with a charge to find Charity a husband or suffer dire consequences. As Adeline takes on the role of reluctant matchmaker, she discovers more than one obstacle in her path. Not only does Charity prefer escaping in books to socializing, but Adeline soon finds her own attentions distracted by the standoffish—and irritatingly handsome—Mr. Evan Whitfield. Amidst an eventful foxhunt and the unexpected arrival of Charity's former betrothed, Adeline simply doesn't have time for a battle of wits with Evan. But the two are continually drawn together until Adeline begins to question her tightly guarded convictions about love and marriage. However, when secrets are revealed and truths made known, Adeline must face her most fearsome obstacle yet: herself.

His Lady in Hiding


Jen Geigle Johnson - 2020
    Her hand in marriage has been offered to the highest bidder, a distressing proposition in and of itself but made all the more repulsive when she meets her father’s first choice for her hand: Lord Pinweather. When her parents refuse to hear her pleas, Liz is forced to take drastic measures—she will impersonate her maid and begin anew in America on her own terms.Once on board the ship to America, another passenger, Lord Barton, almost immediately discovers her true status as a noble. After listening to Liz’s highly modified version of her life and her plans to begin again, Barton has compassion on her and teaches her how to abandon her noble mannerisms. Upon disembarking, however, Barton’s generous spirit quickly dampens when he discovers Liz has indeed found work—as his own head housekeeper. Suddenly, the tender feelings they hid from each other on the ship are inescapable, but their difference in station makes romance impossible. As misunderstandings abound and a shocking character from Liz’s past looms, she knows she can’t hide her true identity forever. But as her deception begins to unravel, will her charade cost her the man she loves?

The Devil You Know


Sophia Holloway - 2017
    Here we are, riding in the Park, and you are calmly discussing whether it would be advisable to seduce me, your wife. I should also say it does not sound very impulsive.' 'I do not know about “advisable”, I was thinking more “desirable”. I have the advantage of you, my dear. You have no experience of seduction, and I have a lot.' The Honourable Catherine Elford – Kitty – is presented with an awful choice. Either she is cast off, penniless, by her penny-pinching step-brother, or she marries the handsome Earl of Ledbury, who would be perfect were he not a serial womaniser, and the very man Kitty idolised when she made her debut in Society; idolised right up until she found him in a compromising situation with a married lady. Ledbury has only ever courted other men’s wives, and does not want a wife of his own. However, Kitty’s generous dowry, which will keep him from selling his beloved racehorses, proves too tempting. Following a swift ceremony and a disastrous wedding night, Kitty believes her only chance of survival is to make her head rule her treacherous heart. If she doesn’t fall in love with Ledbury, his waywardness cannot hurt her. For his part, Ledbury has spotted a spark in his ‘dab of a wife’, especially when he discovers their mutual love of horses, and sets out to woo her in the only way he knows. As Kitty begins to succumb to his seduction and believe that they have a chance of happiness together, Ledbury’s past starts to catch up with them. Kitty feels that all of London is watching her, gossiping about her, pitying her. Meanwhile, as Fate conspires to keep the couple from love and a proper consummation, Lord Ledbury becomes ever more frustrated and desperate, and his temper worsens. It’s a recipe for disaster. This witty and spirited romance casts an historical light on Regency Society life, and reveals that, despite the changes in social protocol, love and desire – and what they do to us – has not changed. Praise for The Devil You Know... 'The Devil You Know is an immensely satisfying read. Everyone loves a Georgian rake and Sophia’s hero doesn’t disappoint. Lord Ledbury’s as naughty as they come – enough George Wickham to set the pulse racing, with a civilising measure of Mr Darcy’s nobility to ensure you fall in love for all the right reasons…' - Annie Holder, author of Against All Odds Sophia Holloway is a military historian turned novelist, whose first interest was the Peninsular War, and who ‘grew up on Georgette Heyer’, so writing Regency feels very natural to her. She also writes medieval crime, and alternates between the two genres to keep both fresh.

A Dazzling Stranger in the Earl's Arm


Emily Honeyfield - 2020
    What follows are moments that challenge Thea in every way possible; not only must she survive the humiliation of the whirlwind process of planning a ceremony that even the dourest bride would be embarrassed by, but also find her place in the vast, intimidating Seaforth house with a man she barely knows. Will this be the beginning of a lustful journey or will she be entrapped in a loveless marriage?Philip Bennington, the dazzling Earl of Seaforth, has vowed to never risk his heart in a love match. But his life is about to change forever when he sees an attractive young Lady falling off her horse and he runs to her rescue. To their misfortune, they are discovered in what mistakenly seems to be a compromising situation, and he soon finds himself trapped in an accidental marriage. As they embark on their tumultuous relationship together, he finds himself losing his heart to her, unsuitable match or not. However, when his family and the whole of society refuses to accept their passionate affair, will he ever manage to prove them wrong and turn this forced marriage into a burning love?Just when Thea and Philip think they've reached a peaceful point in their flaming relationship, she finds mysterious notes addressed to Philip. Before they realise it, they embark on a path to discovering who is trying to shove a wedge between the newly married couple. Will they be able to discover who is trying to ruin their unexpected affair, or will all of their hard work be ruined by a malicious outsider? In the end, will they break all the barriers that wish to keep them apart and create their own happily ever after?"A Dazzling Stranger in the Earl's Arms" is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Mended by Love


Charlotte Darcy - 2016
    For the sake of the duchy and for the sake of his sisters, he must bring much needed income into the estate. This is made very clear when an unfortunate incident leaves him indisposed in front of some local merchants. Can he keep secret the state of the duchy? Harry Beckleham was a solider, much more at home fighting Napoleons troops than making polite conversation with the ton. However, he understood that as the Duke of Arleton he had duties. An overheard conversation between his sisters brought home just how real it all was. “I shall just pretend to be passionate about the older fashions. After all, I still have some very beautiful gowns.” Edith was as bright and light as always. “That’s not what others will see, darling,” Georgian had told her. Harry knew she was right, soon everyone would know they were broke. This should have been his sister's finest season. They could not attend in old gowns no matter how beautiful. He would have to marry. As the nightmares of his past life come back to haunt him he escapes to his town house for one last week little knowing that it will change his life forever. A meeting with a local seamstress, a plot to destroy the duchy, and a lady placed in danger are all part of this light, clean, and fun historical romance.

A Wish for Father Christmas


Laura Rollins - 2021
    She would never even consider remarrying, if it wasn’t painfully clear that her son needs a father. With no male relative to help her see past the masks everyone wears among society, Alice chooses to embark on a most risky endeavor—she will be Lady Nightingale half the time, and Mr. Allen, her own cousin, the other half.Lord Ezra Brooks has tried everything else, but it is now clear he must marry a woman with a large dowry or lose everything. Such would be simple, if Lady Nightingale would stay out of his way and out of his mind—as the daughter of the man responsible for his near ruin, Ezra would court any woman before her.Alice practices and rehearses and yet she still isn’t prepared for Lord Brooks, a man who shows Lady Nightingale utter disdain while showing Mr. Allen friendship, and even trust. Nor is she ready for her heart to find in him the companion she’d only ever dreamed of. But how can they ever become more when, if she were to tell him the truth, she’d only prove herself to be as manipulative as her father?Other books in A Christmas Matchmaker Series :A Wish for Father Christmas by Laura RollinsA Sleighride Kiss by Jen Geigle JohnsonA Yorkshire Carol by Jennie GoutetA Mistletoe Mistletoe Mismatch by Sally BrittonA Tangled Wreath by Laura Beers

Anna's Decision: A Regency Romance


Penny Fairbanks - 2020
    She hasn’t been able to catch any man’s eye, dooming her to a future as the lonely maiden aunt. Why keep putting herself through the misery of being invisible among all the many beautiful, interesting ladies that flock to London every Season? Just when Anna is about to accept spinsterhood, her brother convinces her to give London one more chance.Much to Anna’s shock, she immediately finds herself courted by not one but two gentlemen! Her attempts at faking confidence must be working. But how long can she keep up this act for before she’s discovered?Mr. Noah Waynford has never been one to rush anything—especially not love. When his father reveals some devastating news that threatens their whole family and future, Noah must put his desire to fall in love aside.He needs to marry, and marry well, if he has any hope of saving his family from ruin. Luckily for Noah, he hears a rumor about a lady with a large dowry who needs to get married by the end of the Season. Can Anna finally find someone to love her for who she is?Will Noah’s motives cause him to risk his chance at love?They just might be each other’s answer.

The Rise of Miss Notley


Rachael Anderson - 2017
    Driven by desperation, she applies for the position of housekeeper at Tanglewood Manor, the home of the handsome Mr. Jonathan Ludlow. The moment Jonathan sees Miss Notley, he is intrigued. She is far too young and inexperienced, yet there is something about her that that inspires a certain hope within him. Does he dare offer her the position of housekeeper or will doing so result in catastrophe?

Country Flirt


Joan Smith - 1987
    STILL PLAYING THE COUNTRY BUMPKIN TO MAKE ME APPEAR A FOP." So said Lord Monteith during the usual repartee to which he treated Samantha when he stopped with his mama in the country. For her part, Sam had lived for Monty's visits between Seasons as long as she could remember, knowing that she could expect little else from that jaded gentleman. But their innocent flirtation was about to be dashed from a quite unexpected quarter: Monty's middle-aged--and debauched--uncle Howard was returned from India, laden with riches and ready to spend them on a pretty young wife. And when Howard set his cap for Sam, Monty suddenly found that he must protest too much--that is, for just an old and trusted friend....

The Marquess and the Wallflower


Tiffany Baton - 2022
    Lady Emily, however, fears she will be the first to break both of these traditions. Very insecure in her appearance, and with the only man she is interested in not looking to get married, this season might prove to be nothing short of disastrous...Lord Aaron’s idea of family and love shattered completely the day his betrothed chose his own brother over him. He is certain he will never love again. Until he crosses paths with an insecure wallflower, and finds himself drawn to her. Too bad that their newfound happiness is hanging by a thread, and sabotage is just a breath away…*If you like powerful Dukes, loving Duchesses and a marvelous depiction of the majestic Regency and Victorian era, then The Marquess and the Wallflower is the novel for you.This is Tiffany Baton's 14th novel, a historical Regency romance of 60,000 words (around 00 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.Grab "The Marquess and the Wallflower" today to discover Tiffany's fantastic story!