I love a historical romance that will put a smile on my face. The romantic comedies of the Historical Romance genre as it were. I know I’m not alone in this, so I have compiled a list of the historical romantic comedies that have never fail to put a smile on my face
Historical romance. People outside the romance reader community give it such a bad rap. Surely it’s all purple prose and men in billowy white shirts and ladies fainting in their corsets. And well…I have read a few of those; they are ridiculous and I love them. But historical romance has more nuance than that. You can get dark and angsty, action packed and full or intrigue, or perhaps you like paranormal element thrown in, or adventures on the high seas. For me, my favourite type of historical romances are the light hearted gonna-make-me-smile ones; the historical romantic comedies. Much like their contemporary counterparts historical romantic comedies are packed with witty repartee, shenanigans and hijinks, only it’s all done in corsets.
The Perfect Rake by Anne Gracie
The Merridew Sister #1
If there’s one thing I love in a romance book, it’s when a previously overlooked plain Jane/wallflower heroine has the sexiest guy in the room head over heels for her. Yet she is oblivious. I know, I know, it’s a very specific trope (if you know of any books that have this, please let me know in the comments! I rarely come across it) but I lap it up.
But that is just one of the reasons I love The Perfect Rake so much. Another reason is because it’s light hearted and cute, making this historical romantic comedy perfect for a relaxing easy read
Truce by R.L. Mathewson
Neighbor from hell #4
The Neighbor from Hell series is actually contemporary romance that follows the Bradford family. But in book 4 Truce we go back in time and meet the Bradford’s ancestors and see how they came over to America. As that’s the case, you don’t need to have read any of the previous books in the series, it can standalone
If you’ve read Mathewson before you know what to expect. If you don’t expect to find sarcasm and barbed humour. And amazing heroines that take delight in torturing the hero. It shows that Mathewson can nail not only contemporary romantic comedy but historical romantic comedy as well!
The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands
Standalone
Our heroine is worried that her soon-to-be-husband, a man who will meet her for the first time at the altar. She isn’t slender and pretty like her sister, she’s kind of plump and plain. But, she’s determined to be the perfect wife. Accidentally setting fire to her new husband on her wedding night probably wasn’t the best start…
Historical romance isn’t a genre you would typically associate with slapstick comedy and yet, here we have it: The Perfect Wife. The slapstick, slip-on-a-banana-peel side of historical romance. This book made me full out belly laugh. It’s completely ridiculous and over the top and I loved every second.
Must Love Dukes by Elizabeth Michels
tricks of the ton #1
I first picked up Must Love Dukes on a whim looking to try a new historical romance author and I immediately fell in love. I’ve continued reading this author but this remains my favourite series because it has that fun and light hearted elements that you can expect from a historical romantic comedy.
Lady Bridget’s Diary by Maya Rodale
Keeping up with the cavendishes #1
This book was inspired by Bridget Jones Diary and Pride and Prejudice (I know, I know Bridget Jones Diary is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice!). But in Lady Bridget’s Diary Maya Rodale pops it into a historical setting and created Lady Bridget and Lord Darcy. Bridget is clumsy, new to the world of the ton and doesn’t know how to fit in, despite desperately wanting to find her place. Darcy is the perfect English gentleman, aloof, with impeccable manners and the ability to look down his gorgeous nose at everyone else.
Need I say more? This historical romantic comedy is both hilarious and delicious.
A Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase
Difficult Dukes #1
Let me tell you about this book, we have…
…one wallflower, voted the most boring girl in the ton.
…a wedding where the heroine, who happens to be the bride, gets a little tipsy before the trip down the altar and decides to climb out the window to get away.
…to be pursued by the best man, a duke of course, with the nickname Dis-Grace.
Shenanigans and antics ensue as they traipse around London together, which as the reader, we get to enjoy.
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
Love by numbers #1
This is one of my favourite historical romance books ever. There’s something so human and relatable about Callie. No matter what Maclean writes, and she writes some amazing books, with modern super competent paragons of womanhood as heroines. However, for me they have lost a little of Callie’s fallible humanity. And boy, is Callie fallible often in hilarious ways. The mixture of romance, laughs and the relatable and aspirational motif of this book has it firmly stacked on my favourites shelf.
Pin it for later!
Lord Holt Takes a Bride by Vivienne Lorret
The mating habit of scoundrels #1
Francesca has long been a fan of Vivienne Lorret, but for me [Suzanne] this is my first ever book from her. And boy, have I been missing out! A book where a group of ladies accidentally kidnap the hero…I’m all for it. This was a great mix of physical comedy and wit and I now have a new author’s back list to delve in to.
The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
Girl meets duke #1
Pick a Tessa Dare book…any Tessa Dare book and you will find a witty historical romantic comedy that transforms you into that weirdo on the bus that chuckles to themselves.
The Girl Meets Duke series is Dare’s latest offering to the historical romance genre and it’s a doozy. Smart and funny, with heroines who know exactly what they are about, it’s perfect for the modern romance reader.
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Bridgerton #1
If you want a series that will leave your heart brimming with the warm fuzzies, then you have to try the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. It’s a finished series about a group of siblings, with each book following the romance of one of the Bridgerton brood. Although you will inevitably have your favourites in this series, each book is packed with warmth and humour and leave you longing to be part of the loving embrace of the Bridgerton family.
But, lets talk about Netflix! I was both excited and nervous as hell to see my favourite fictional family depicted on screen. How would it turn out? Would it awful!? Would it be wonderful? Personally, for me, there’s something both wonderful and awful seeing my favourite fictional family on screen. But, I know they would never please me 100%. Overall though I think they have done a great job of bringing out the feel of the Bridgerton books.
What are historical romances bring a smile to your face?
Annnnnd I will stop myself there, before I start waxing lyrical about my love of historical romance and fantasy as well; no one needs to know about my elf fantasies. As you can tell, I adore and day dream about most romance genres, and my three big loves are 1) reading about romance 2) writing about romance and 3) talking about romance with my gals. Which, is why I love Under the Covers so much, I get all my bookish needs satisfied and don’t get judged when I talk about my favourite characters like they are real people. Which they are right?
- Battered Hearts series by Kele Moon - January 24, 2023
- Meet the Chase Brothers by Lauren Dane - January 23, 2023
- It’s magical at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas - January 10, 2023
I’ve only read 2 and 9 so I’ll be adding to my wishlist. I’ve never really thought about the historicals I’ve read making me laugh but the Girl Meets Duke series is definitely one (sham sandwiches).
Thank you for the list Suzanne! I bought #10 can’t wait to read it!
Great list! I would also include Katie Macalister, Manda Collins, as well as others from Lynsay Sands and Loretta Chase
Anything by Sabrina Jeffries. Excellent writing, lots of angst, great banter. Females are usually strong and sassy.
A newer author I have found is Kate Bateman. She writes stories that include actual historical events into them.