12 Closed-Door Regency Romance & Historical Romance Books – March 2026 TBR Book List

Spring is almost here, which means it’s Cottagecore Season. I’m ready to read all the Regency Romance books. Come find out which titles I’m excited to read this spring season.

Welcome, my sweet book friends!

If you’d prefer to listen to this book list, you can check out the full episode on The Bookmarks ‘n Blankets Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or listen below.

I invite you over to X (aka Twitter)Facebook, or Instagram to let me know what you thought of any of the books on my list, what you’re reading this month, or what new releases you are excited to read.

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There’s something about early spring that makes me want to step into a quieter, softer world, one filled with blooming gardens, handwritten letters, and slow-burn love stories. Lately, I’ve been craving the charm of Regency and historical romance, especially the kind that leans sweet, cozy, and completely spice-free.

This March, my TBR book list is full of closed-door romances that capture all the things I adore about the genre, from witty banter and tender glances to countryside settings that feel like a breath of fresh air. If you’re also in the mood for something gentle and heartwarming with a touch of cottagecore charm, these are the books I can’t wait to curl up with this season.

Reading Challenges

March New Releases

These are in order based on release date.

The Half-Hearted Queen by Charlie N. Holmberg

The Half-Hearted Queen

by Charlie N. Holmberg

You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate

You with the Sad Eyes

by Christina Applegate

Served Him Right by Lisa Unger

Served Him Right

by Lisa Unger

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

Once and Again

by Rebecca Serle

Stakeouts and Strollers by Rob Phillips

Stakeouts and Strollers

by Rob Phillips

Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson

Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief

by Benjamin Stevenson

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins by Melanie Dickerson

The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

by Melanie Dickerson

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

The Night We Met

by Abby Jimenez

A Deadly Inheritance by Kelley Armstrong

A Deadly Inheritance

by Kelley Armstrong

We're a Bad Idea, Right? by K.L. Walther

We’re a Bad Idea, Right?

by K.L. Walther

Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward

Ship of Dreams

by Donna Jones Alward

12 Closed-Door Regency Romance & Historical Romance Books

Many of these books are available on Kindle Unlimited.

1
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

by Beth Brower
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Series
GoodReads:4.10
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

“I’ve arrived in London without incident. There are few triumphs in my recent life, but I count this as one. My existence of the last three years has been nothing but incident.”

The Year is 1883, and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.

Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

2
A Fortunate Miscalculation by Karen Thornell

A Fortunate Miscalculation

by Karen Thornell
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in The Gentlemen's Gamble Series
GoodReads:4.32
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

A wager. An inconvenient love. A fortunate miscalculation that changes everything.

Andrew Langford is an honorable man. So it is deeply inconvenient when Sophie Renard, the woman he loved, appears at his door on the very day he’s reminded of a youthful wager that will cost the last unwed man a small fortune. She is beautiful, desperate, and, Andrew believes, married.

Sophie came to London for a prestigious mathematics position that she’s worked toward for six years. But after the promised job is withdrawn, she faces humiliating failure unless she can persuade her employer to reconsider. With no one else to turn to, she seeks help from her old friend, Andrew.

Andrew offers assistance where he can, determined to be nothing more than a friend. But proximity rekindles old feelings neither of them can afford, and Sophie’s charm and brilliance remind him why he once fell for her. As secrets unravel and the future threatens to pull them apart for a second time, they both must decide what they are willing to risk for love.

3
Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson

Blackmoore

by Julianne DonaldsonGoodReads Nominee for Favorite Romance 2013
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
GoodReads:4.18
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

Kate Worthington knows her heart, and she knows she will never marry. Her plan is to travel to India instead—if only to find peace for her restless spirit and to escape the family she abhors. But Kate’s meddlesome mother has other plans. She makes a bargain with Kate: India, yes, but only after Kate has secured—and rejected—three marriage proposals.

Kate journeys to the stately manor of Blackmoore, determined to fulfill her end of the bargain, and enlists the help of her dearest childhood friend, Henry Delafield. But when it comes to matters of love, bargains are meaningless, and plans are changeable. There, in the wild lands of Blackmoore, Kate must face the truth that has kept her heart captive. Will the proposal she is determined to reject actually be the one thing that will set her heart free?

Set in Northern England in 1820, Blackmoore is a Regency romance that tells the story of a young woman struggling to learn how to follow her heart. It is Wuthering Heights meets Little Women with a delicious must-read twist.

4
Reputation at Risk by Martha Keyes

Reputation at Risk

by Martha Keyes
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in A Chronicle of Misadventures Series
GoodReads:4.25
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

Charlotte Mandeville traffics in gossip. It not only puts money in her family’s bare pockets but ensures the haut-ton cannot guard all the power and the secrets.

Anthony Yorke has a tainted reputation to protect and a mystery to unravel. However, someone seems intent on hedging up his way. He is determined to discover who.

But Charlotte is not easily deterred, requiring Anthony to spend precious time trying to persuade her against leaking his secrets. When they are found together in a compromising situation, Anthony is forced to do the unthinkable—claim they are engaged. Neither of them wishes to marry, but it may well be inevitable—and increasingly more desirable than it first seemed.

5
Mischief and Manors by Ashley Newbold

Mischief and Manors

by Ashley Newbold
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in The Change of Heart Series
GoodReads:4.24
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

When Annette Downing and her mischievous little brothers are sent to Kellaway Manor for the summer, she hopes for a relaxing escape. But Annette finds her closeted heart in jeopardy when reunited with the handsome Owen Kellaway, a childhood acquaintance and respected gentleman.

When Owen is enlisted to help the boys with their behavior, Annette wonders if he has just as much mischief up his sleeve as her brothers. Bound by a promise she made to her late parents, and amid a frightening mystery, Annette faces a difficult decision when she finds herself falling for Owen’s charm…

6
Vying for the Viscount by Kristi Ann Hunter

Vying for the Viscount

by Kristi Ann Hunter
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in The Hearts on the Heath Series
GoodReads:4.12
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India, where he was born and raised, was already an arduous enough endeavor. When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited, along with his title, depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he’s even more at a loss.

The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley’s refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought.

Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can’t help but be intrigued by the area’s newest eligible bachelor. Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other.

As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life. But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?

7
Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham

Sense and Suitability

by Pepper Basham
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
GoodReads:4.22
My Score:N/A
Spice:N/A

Book Summary

After two failed social seasons, her family may think the third time will be a charm, but Emmeline Lockhart just wants to survive with her dignity (and singleness) intact. She thought she’d found her perfect match in Simon Reeves–charming, handsome, a veritable hero from a novel—until he vanished from her life without so much as a “farewell” or “my deepest regrets” (or even a vague apology scribbled on the back of a calling card). Lesson never fall for a man known for his charm.

Fortunately, and unlike many of the other eligible young ladies of the ton, Emmeline has no need for a husband–because she’s already found success in her scandalous (and very anonymous) profession as an author. Why bother with matrimony when she can make her own fortune and write men exactly the way she wants them?

But fate—or the misfortune of Simon’s reckless patriarchs—has other plans. Simon’s once-proud estate is in shambles, his family fortune has been gambled away, and the younger impressionable siblings in his care are running wild across his estate (and possibly across all of England). Simon is in desperate need of a wealthy, prestigious bride . . . and a friend.

Emmeline may not fit the role of heiress, but she can certainly be a friend. Just a friend. She’ll help him find a suitable match, ensure his reputation remains intact, and keep things strictly platonic—no matter how dangerously appealing his new-and-improved sincerity and regret may be.

There’s just one small the undeniable chemistry that still smolders between them. Can Emme play matchmaker for the man she’s still in love with without losing her heart all over again? And is it possible that some love stories–especially the messy, inconvenient, impossible ones–are worthy of a rewrite?

Filled with lively banter, adorable children, a frog named Blast, and swoony kisses, Sense and Suitability is the clean Regency romance you’ve been looking for. Basham brings her signature humor to the Regency era, where social strictures keep the tension tight but the stakes low in this second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance.

8
The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

The Governess of Penwythe Hall

by Sarah E. Ladd
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in The Cornwall Series
GoodReads:4
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.

Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast, she tries desperately to forget.

Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief over his brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.

9
A Matter of Persuasion by Theresa Howes

A Matter of Persuasion

by Theresa Howes
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
GoodReads:3.82
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

Lose yourself in this retelling of Persuasion, the ultimate tale of love, loss, and sacrifice, re-imagined in the opulent but guarded Gilded Age society.

New York, 1882.
Amy Eaton is a bestselling authoress, much to the embarrassment of her family. Proudly ‘old money’, they see her professionalism as an impropriety. Despite their undisguised disdain for her, Amy is bound by a promise she made to her dying mother to look after her two sisters and father.

Eight years have passed since Amy gave up the love of her life, after her mother’s best friend persuaded her not to marry him. But now Wareham is a rich, self-made man in search of a wife.

Doing her best to forget the life she might have had with Wareham, Amy must learn how to navigate her small social circle without letting her true feelings show. As new and unexpected situations arise, will Amy defy expectations and choose her own path?

10
A Bachelor's Lessons in Love by Sally Britton

A Bachelor’s Lessons in Love

by Sally Britton
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in The Bachelors of Blackstone's Series
GoodReads:4.27
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

A reluctant guardian. A determined spinster. A battle of wits that might just end in love.

Former military officer Edward Halstead never imagined his quiet bachelor existence would be upended by the unexpected guardianship of a spirited young lady. When his late comrade’s daughter, Daphne Price, is placed in his care, Edward is faced with a challenge unlike any battlefield he has ever encountered, especially with her fiercely protective aunt, Felicity Price, staying in his home to ensure he doesn’t fail in his duty.

Felicity has dedicated her life to her beloved niece, and she has no intention of leaving Daphne in the hands of a gruff and emotionally distant bachelor. If Edward Halstead believes he can simply house, feed, and marry off her niece without regard for her well-being, he is sorely mistaken. Felicity will remain at Briarwood House as long as necessary to ensure Daphne’s future and to make certain Edward doesn’t ruin it. After all, she doesn’t want her niece to end up a spinster…like Felicity.

With Felicity and Edward at odds over Daphne’s upbringing, propriety, and the girl’s future, tension sparks and tempers flare. Yet, beneath the clashes and differences of opinion, an undeniable attraction grows. As Daphne’s entrance into Society looms and Edward’s past resurfaces in unexpected ways, Felicity and Edward must decide if their partnership is merely one of convenience or if love has been the lesson they’ve both been waiting to learn.

11
An Arrangement of Sorts by Rebecca Connolly

An Arrangement of Sorts

by Rebecca Connolly
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in The Arrangements Series
GoodReads:4.04
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

He was intrigued…

Nathaniel Hammond, Earl of Beverton, is working to restore his new estate and aid his tenants. But everything changes when he meets the beautiful and mysterious Moira Dennison, a bold young woman who offers to hire him, unaware of his title, to help her find her fiancé. Curious and unable to resist, Nathan accepts her offer, keeping his true identity a secret, never dreaming of what the future held for him.

She was desperate…

Moira is set on finding Charles now that she has come into her inheritance. With her new-found wealth and independence, she is determined to locate her betrothed so they may finally
marry. With Nathan as her guide, she feels confident in the path before her. But when their arrangement forces them closer together, she finds her chosen path may not be as clear
as she thought.

12
Return to Pemberley by Fenella J Miller

Return to Pemberley

by Fenella J Miller
Published:
Genre:
Subgenre:
Series:#1 in The At Pemberley Series
GoodReads:3.98
My Score:N/A
Spice:None

Book Summary

When Jane Bennet meets Mr. Bingley at the ball in Meryton, she quickly loses her heart to him. Everyone thinks their union will be announced imminently, but arrogant Mr Darcy has other plans.

Determined to make a better match for his friend, Darcy contrives to separate the young couple, leaving Jane heartbroken.

With Jane and Bingley both in London, the Bennet sisters hope their paths will cross, and Jane and Bingley will resume the relationship between them. But will fate – or others – intervene to keep these two young lovers apart forever?

A charming read perfect for Pride and Prejudice fans!

Kelly Matsudaira
About Kelly

Books have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and today, I read more than 150 each year. Through Bookmarks ‘n Blankets, I love sharing my reading journey, favorite book lists, and reading tips to help you make the most of your own reading life.

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