Book picks similar to
Friday Dreaming by Elizabeth Bailey


historical-romance
virgin-hero
regency
romance

An Earl Like No Other


Wilma Counts - 2014
    Determined and desperate, she has no option but to take the guise of a housekeeper and escape to Yorkshire where the only hope is the enigmatic Earl of Kenrick… …LOVE SAVED THE DAY In all his years spent roaming the world, Jeremy Chilton never braced himself for the burden of a much-damaged inheritance. Now, the new Earl of Kenrick must save his family legacy and raise his motherless young daughter as a proper English lady. His only salvation is his beautiful housekeeper, Kate. But as her secrets unravel, much that is puzzling about her falls into place. No wonder the Earl has caught himself imagining her more wife than employee. Clearly she belongs at Kenrick—safe in his arms. Now, if only he can convince her to agree…100,000 Words

Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride


Christi Caldwell - 2013
    When Emmaline reads one too many reports of his scandalous liaisons in the gossip rags, she takes matters into her own hands. War-torn veteran, Lord Drake devotes himself to forgetting his days on the Peninsula through an endless round of meaningless associations. He no longer wants to feel anything, but Lady Emmaline is making it hard to maintain a state of numbness. With her zest for life, she awakens his passion and desire for love. The one woman Drake has spent the better part of his life avoiding is now the only woman he needs, but he is no longer a man worthy of his Emmaline. It is up to her to show him the healing power of love.

A Sensible Lady: A Traditional Regency Romance


Judith Lown - 2012
    So she leases the Dower House from a kindly baron on a neighboring estate, believing that she has successfully met the greatest challenge of her life.How wrong she is! The kindly baron dies. An orphan arrives, whom Katherine accepts as her nephew. She is determined to provide for him, which means she must forget about love and marry a gentleman with money.There are three possibilities.Her cousin, Sir Clive Brampton, is eager to let bygones be bygones and marry Katherine. She would be able to return to her family home and live a life of financial ease. Her nephew would be provided for and launched into a career deemed suitable by Sir Clive. Can Katherine just accept Sir Clive’s generous offer?The Reverend Mr. Augustus Wharton, the newly arrived vicar, listens attentively to Katherine’s anguished musings over the loss of her brother on a distant battlefield in Spain. There are rumors that Mr. Wharton’s present vocation is a stunning contrast to his past as a hard drinking, gambling rake. Katherine dismisses the rumors and wonders if she could live happily with a man for whom she feels only sisterly affection.Finally, there is the new baron, Lord Henry Dracott. Lord Harry, as he is called, is clearly attracted to Katherine. But in spite of their best efforts to be civil to each other, their disagreements end up in arguments. Although there is mutual attraction, Katherine knows that Lord Harry’s heart is buried with his dead wife.Katherine tries to be a sensible lady and accept a practical marriage. But will her heart let her?

When the Duke Was Wicked


Lorraine Heath - 2014
    But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways…Lady Grace Mabry’s ample inheritance has made it impossible for her to tell whether a suitor is in love with her—or enamored of her riches. Who better to distinguish beau from blackguard than her notorious childhood friend, the Duke of Lovingdon?After losing his beloved wife Juliette, Lovingdon has spent ten years on pleasure. He can help Grace find a proper match, being familiar with ploys of scoundrels, and how to distinguish honest emotions from false. But lessons lead to torrid passion and Grace becomes ensnared in another man’s nefarious marriage plot,

The Defiant Governess


Andrea Pickens - 1997
    Sparking arguments between herself and the mysterious Saybrook is delightful fun. But both are putting her heart in danger. Now she's caught between desire and her deception, for the most a titled lord can offer to a mere governess is ruin.

Lord Dashwood Missed Out


Tessa Dare - 2015
    One night, inspired by a bit too much sherry, Nora poured out her heartbreak on paper. Lord Dashwood Missed Out was a love letter to every young lady who’d been overlooked by gentlemen—and an instant bestseller. Now she’s on her way to speak in Spindle Cove when snowy weather delays her coach. She’s forced to wait out the storm with the worst possible companion: Lord Dashwood himself. And he finally seems to have noticed her.George Travers, Lord Dashwood, has traveled the globe as a cartographer. He returned to England with the goal of marrying and creating an heir--only to find his reputation shredded by an audacious, vexingly attractive bluestocking and her poison pen. Lord Dashwood Missed Out, his arse. Since Nora Browning seems to believe he overlooked the passion of a lifetime, Dash challenges her to prove it.She has one night.

Where the Stars Meet the Sea


Heidi Kimball - 2020
    A fiery young woman. Neither one's heart will come away unscathed.Juliet Graham fervently counts the days until her twenty-first birthday, when she can claim the inheritance that will grant her the freedom she has always craved and the guardianship of her younger brother. Until then, she is trapped under her aunt Agnes’s domineering will. When forced to accompany the family to a house party at Shaldorn Castle, Juliet’s only objective is to keep to herself. That is, until a chance encounter with a boorish stranger stirs up an unexpected whirlwind of emotions in her. Thrown off-balance, Juliet does the unthinkable: loses her temper and insults the man—who turns out to be her unwilling host, the Duke of Halstead. Fully expecting to be sent away, Juliet is surprised when the brusque and callous duke instead takes an interest in her. Drawn to the duke in unguarded moments, Juliet finds herself more and more intrigued by the man who shuns Society’s rules as completely as she does, and over the next few weeks, their unlikely friendship deepens into a connection neither expected. But even as Juliet comes to recognize her true feelings, her scheming aunt issues an ultimatum that threatens the future she was just beginning to hope for. Juliet must choose: either break the promise she made to herself years ago, or lose the man who has captured her heart and soul.

The Marriage Mart


Teresa DesJardien - 1992
    She knew she was no great beauty, and at the ancient age of 28 she was prepared to settle for an older gentleman, one happy to settle down and start a family of his own. Yet, one glimpse of the incomparably handsome Marquess of Rothayne put every practical plan to rout. Mary would be less than a woman if her heart remained unaffected by such a man, but more the fool for giving in to such folly!Nothing intrigued the Marquess of Rothayne more than a challenge, particularly where women were concerned. And Lady Mary Wagnall, with her quick-witted banter and forthright nature would certainly provide enough sport to alleviate his increasing sense of ennui. But as he helped to plot her course to matrimony, he began to wonder if it was to be his sworn bachelorhood which would succumb to her charming nature and lively smile!

His Lady to Protect


Justine Covington - 2020
    Her trust… When Nate promises to protect his best friend’s little sister from her traitorous uncle, he knows it’s the least he can do to atone for his past sins. And if a marriage of convenience is the most efficient way to guarantee her safety? So be it. He’s ready for anything…except how quickly his lovely new bride would steal his heart… Susannah never intended to marry the man who led her brother to his death. The fact that she once loved him? Irrelevant. She just can’t allow herself to trust him again. But it’s not long before she starts to wonder if there’s more to Nate than meets the eye. What if he’s not the villain she assumed he was? And if that’s the case…can her poor, beleaguered heart survive another inevitable fall? Nate and Susannah have much to overcome if they have any hope of finding their way to happily ever after. But what if trust is simply a luxury neither can afford? Buy His Lady to Protect to read the first in an exciting new series centered around six friends from Eton and set in the infamous Regency period.

A Loving Duke For The Shy Duchess


Abby Ayles - 2019
    She has learned to keep her head down, like a shell ready to be crushed at the first harsh remark of society. Now, a married woman, she must slowly start to realize that the man next to her, a man she never truly trusted, may have her best interest at heart after all... Reginald Barrington, the Duke of Crowan, has spent all his life trying to escape a world of crimes and high society. Lucille has always been the one thing that kept his heart warm, but winning her trust may prove to be the hardest thing he has done is his life. Right when she starts feeling her heart warming towards the Duke, a mysterious twist of fate comes to shake her life to its core once again. Now, Lucille may have to fight harder than ever to believe in her strength if she wants to save her loved ones and her marriage from the threat that lurks in the shadows... Can she race against time to defend her life and honor with the help of her loving husband? Or will shame return once more to crush her in its waves?

Caught


Christina J. Michaels - 2017
    I plan to look for more by this author. - Top Contributor: Historical Fiction Books With proper manners and impeccable breeding, the beautiful Miss Alison Brooke should be the envy of London's 18th-century royal society. When villainy occurs, an unexpected hero comes to her aid. But rumors result, and Miss Brooke finds herself in the center of tawdry gossip. Her rescuer, Robert Anderson, Viscount Charmaine, is preoccupied with troubled finances, an ill father, and defense of the Crown. Problematically, Charmaine's best friend, Marquis Anthony Farrington, is clandestinely helping fund the American Revolution. Miss Brooke's large dowry tempts both men. Her father, however, wants his daughter to marry for love, not money. Without her father's permission for marriage, is Miss Broke ready to relinquish her privileged life for love? In this realistic tale of historical fiction brimming with wealth and uncertain allegiances, society's obligations draw them together, along with Miss Brooke's constant companion, the timid Miss Brenda Boswell. When Charmaine discovers proof of Farrington's betrayal, he is forced to choose between friendship and patriotism. Shots are fired, tears fall, and love conquers all in this remarkable historical romance.

Rags to Bitches


Pamela Burford - 1999
    Everyone assumed Gabe’s devotion to girlfriend Dena Devlin was mere puppy love, a rebellious stroll on the wrong side of the tracks. Dena was, after all, the janitor’s daughter. Unfortunately, even a love as strong as theirs couldn’t withstand Gabe’s act of betrayal.At their 15th high school reunion, Dena comes face-to-face with the cheating boyfriend who broke her fragile young heart. The good news is, Dena is now a self-made millionaire, thanks to the pet-resort empire she built, inspired by her love of dogs—a true Cinderella story! The bad news is, Gabe is sexier than ever. Well, no worries. She’s no longer the shy, self-conscious girl she was back then. She can handle one awkward evening.What she doesn’t count on is a full week at a Long Island B&B with Gabe and a quirky cast of characters from the old days. One of their housemates is the girl Gabe cheated with all those years ago, the “appropriate” girl his parents always intended for him to settle down with. Well, so what? Dena is over him. Really. All she wants is to get through the week and never lay eyes on the infuriating man again.If only there weren’t all those unanswered questions, all the doubts and longing she’s repressed for so long. If only she could ignore the magnetic attraction that still hummed between them. Forgiveness and second chances were far from her mind when she signed up for her high school reunion. How is she supposed to get through a whole week under the same roof with Gabe?A feel-good romantic comedy! Originally published as A Class Act.

An Undeniable Rogue


Annette Blair - 2002
    What she needs is a husband, and she knows well enough that romance and matrimony aren't always compatible. While providing for her twins and the child she now carries is paramount, wedding a virtual stranger—even a wealthy one, like Gideon St. Goddard, Duke of Stanthorpe—is no light matter.Sabrina knows the friend who arranged the union would not promise her to a true scoundrel, but one look at her future husband convinces her that he is a shameless rogue. A shockingly handsome and desirable one, at that. Why has he agreed to marry her? When Gideon flashes that wicked, seductive smile, the reason hardly matters, but the chance that he'll steal her heart becomes all too real...

Master of Ransome


Lucy Walker - 1968
    When Sara Brent starts work at a large cattle station her boss doesn’t seem very impressed with her. So his unexpected proposal comes as a great surprise.From the bestselling author of Australian outback romance. Over 12 million books sold worldwide.Sara‘s employer sends her to work as temporary secretary to his cousin, Greg Camden. But the master of Ransome station has little time for his new secretary. Meanwhile, the beautiful and sophisticated Julia has no problem getting Greg’s attention.Through hard work Sara shows Greg how indispensable she is. But she is shocked when he suddenly proposes a marriage of convenience. Will the arrangement be enough for a young girl with romantic dreams? And how will Julia react to their union?Can Sara and Greg’s marriage on business terms really work? Especially when Sara realises that her feelings for her husband are more than strictly professional.

No Regrets


Ann Lethbridge - 2017
    While it breaks her heart to say yes to the arrangement with a man she’s always loved, it’s the only way to secure her sisters’ futures. To the world, Lucas, Lord Foxhaven, is an irrepressible rogue, and wedded bliss is the furthest thing from his mind. But he’s been forced up to the mark by his father, and he’s certain the demure Carolyn won’t give him an iota of trouble—if only her voluptuous body weren’t driving him to distraction. As Carolyn struggles to keep her true feelings hidden, Lucas is drawn ever more powerfully by thoughts of unbridled passion, and he’s stunned by his burgeoning feelings for a woman he’s always seen as a friend. When a scheming Parisian relative threatens to take her from him for good, Lucas realizes he must stand up and be the man Carolyn always knew he could be—even as he suddenly comes to know he wants their marriage in name only to become quite real . . . This book was originally published under the author name Michele Ann Young. Praise for Ann Lethbridge: “Her characters are delightful and full of naughty delight.” —Romantic Times “Readers won’t be able to stop reading!” —Romantic Times About the Author: An army brat born in England, Ann lived all over the UK in her youth. She grew up loving history, and her favorite part of any holiday is to visit an English country house, a castle or a museum. Now living in Canada with her husband and two lovely daughters, she has acquired a Maltese terrier called Teaser, who likes to sit on a chair beside the computer while she creates her award-winning romances.