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Quick answer: If you like Lisa Kleypas, read Julia Quinn, Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare and Loretta Chase. All write witty, sensual historical romance with strong heroines, rakish heroes and plenty of banter.
Lisa Kleypas is a leading name in historical romance, known for the Wallflowers, the Hathaways, the Ravenels and the Travises. Her stories mix wit, emotion and slow-burning passion in Regency and Victorian England. The books below offer similar historical romance, from clever comedies to dramatic love stories.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devil in Winter | Lisa Kleypas | Adult | Kleypas's most loved |
| Cold-Hearted Rake | Lisa Kleypas | Adult | the Ravenels |
| The Duke and I | Julia Quinn | Adult | Bridgerton start |
| Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake | Sarah MacLean | Adult | clever rake romance |
| Romancing the Duke | Tessa Dare | Adult | castle comedy |
| Lord of Scoundrels | Loretta Chase | Adult | banter at its best |
| The Bride | Julie Garwood | Adult | Highland historical |
| Slightly Married | Mary Balogh | Adult | marriage of convenience |
| The Duchess War | Courtney Milan | Adult | clever heroine |
| Desperate Duchesses | Eloisa James | Adult | London intrigue |
| Man of My Dreams | Johanna Lindsey | Adult | classic romance |
| Not Quite a Husband | Sherry Thomas | Adult | second chance |
| The Raven Prince | Elizabeth Hoyt | Adult | dramatic Regency |
| Indigo | Beverly Jenkins | Adult | historical with depth |
| The Devil's Bride | Stephanie Laurens | Adult | Cynster family |
1. Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Evangeline Jenner marries the notorious Lord St. Vincent. Funny, tender and often named a favourite.
Best for: Kleypas's most loved.
2. Cold-Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas
Devon Ravenel inherits a ruined estate and meets a spirited woman. A good start for new readers.
Best for: the Ravenels.
3. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
A fake courtship between Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings. Light, warm and witty.
Best for: Bridgerton start.
4. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
A lady makes a list of rules for finding a husband and breaks them all. Sharp and sexy.
Best for: clever rake romance.
5. Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
A near-blind woman inherits a castle and meets its grumpy owner. Funny and sweet.
Best for: castle comedy.
6. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
A prickly heroine takes on the notorious Lord Dain. A classic often called one of the best.
Best for: banter at its best.
7. The Bride by Julie Garwood
A Scottish laird weds an English noblewoman. Warm, funny and old-school.
Best for: Highland historical.
8. Slightly Married by Mary Balogh
A woman marries a soldier to save her family. Tender and character-driven.
Best for: marriage of convenience.
9. The Duchess War by Courtney Milan
A shy woman with secrets meets a duke. Smart, emotional and well plotted.
Best for: clever heroine.
10. Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James
A duchess and her unwilling husband begin to fall in love. Witty and fast.
Best for: London intrigue.
11. Man of My Dreams by Johanna Lindsey
A woman is determined to find her dream husband. Light and romantic.
Best for: classic romance.
12. Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
A marriage of convenience comes apart and is rebuilt. Emotional and strong.
Best for: second chance.
13. The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
A widow hires a secretary who is not what he seems. Atmospheric and sensual.
Best for: dramatic Regency.
14. Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
A woman in the Underground Railroad era meets a man and a mission. Heartfelt and well researched.
Best for: historical with depth.
15. The Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens
A duke resists marriage until he meets the right woman. Passionate and fast.
Best for: Cynster family.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Lisa Kleypas: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
How to Choose
For more Kleypas begin with Devil in Winter or Cold-Hearted Rake. For lighter reads choose Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare or Loretta Chase. For sharper heroines pick Sarah MacLean or Courtney Milan. For emotional second chances try Sherry Thomas or Mary Balogh. Historical romance is a long-running genre, so reading order matters mainly within each series. Many readers enjoy audiobooks of historical romance, since good narrators bring the dialogue to life. If you want the wit and chemistry that Kleypas does so well, Loretta Chase and Julia Quinn are the closest. If you want deeper emotional drama, Mary Balogh and Sherry Thomas deliver it. If you want a sexier, faster read, Sarah MacLean and Stephanie Laurens fit best. Historical romance is also a good genre for audiobooks, and many titles are read by experienced narrators.
Related: Lisa Kleypas Printable Book List · Lisa Unger Books in Order Printable List
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lisa Kleypas known for?
Historical romance series including the Wallflowers and the Hathaways.
Where should I start?
With Devil in Winter or Cold-Hearted Rake.
Do I need to read in order?
Within a series, yes; between series, no.
Are her books explicit?
Yes, with love scenes, though the emotional story matters most.
Does she also write contemporary romance?
Yes, including the Friday Harbor and Travis series.
Is Kleypas similar to Julia Quinn?
Yes, though Kleypas is usually more sensual.
What time period does she write about?
Mostly Regency and Victorian England.
What should I read next?
Try The Duke and I or Lord of Scoundrels.
Are Kleypas's series connected?
Yes, characters often reappear across series, but each book has its own couple and ending.
What is the best order for the Wallflowers?
Secrets of a Summer Night, It Happened One Autumn, Devil in Winter, Scandal in Spring.