List of 15 authors like Lauren Willig

Lauren Willig is an American novelist recognized for historical romance and mystery fiction. Her popular historical romance series, including The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, entertains with humor and elegance.

If you enjoy reading books by Lauren Willig then you might also like the following authors:

  1. Julia Quinn

    If you enjoy Lauren Willig’s blend of romance, humor, and historical charm, you might also appreciate author Julia Quinn. Quinn is known for witty banter, warm characters, and rich Regency-era settings.

    In her popular novel The Duke and I,  readers meet Daphne Bridgerton, a spirited young woman navigating the pressures of London’s high-society marriage mart.

    She forms an intriguing deal with Simon Basset, the charismatic but elusive Duke of Hastings, pretending they’re courting to help them both dodge unwanted attention. Their arrangement gets complicated when pretend emotions start to feel very real.

    Fans of clever dialogue, engaging family dynamics, and unforgettable storytelling will find plenty to enjoy in Quinn’s book.

  2. Eloisa James

    Eloisa James is an author known for witty, romantic novels with charming characters and clever dialogue reminiscent of Lauren Willig’s style. Her novel A Kiss at Midnight  is a delightful twist on the Cinderella story.

    Kate Daltry, who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, steps into the role expected of her sister and attends a lavish ball at a castle. She has no intention of impressing Prince Gabriel, a handsome royal forced into looking for a wealthy bride.

    But Gabriel notices Kate right away, attracted by her wit, unconventional charm, and independence. Their chemistry sparks lively banter and romantic moments readers won’t easily forget.

    Fans who enjoy historical romance with strong heroines and entertaining plots similar to Lauren Willig’s books may find Eloisa James a perfect match.

  3. Tessa Dare

    If you enjoy Lauren Willig’s novels filled with witty dialogue, romance, and intriguing historical backdrops, you might want to give Tessa Dare a try. Dare writes historical romances that blend humor, heartfelt relationships, and vivid settings.

    One great example is her popular novel The Duchess Deal.  In this story, the Duke of Ashbury, scarred inside and out by war, urgently needs a wife, but only to produce an heir.

    He makes a practical and outrageous offer to seamstress Emma Gladstone: marriage with strict rules, no expectations of affection. Emma, strong-willed and resourceful, challenges Ash’s assumptions and rigid rules, creating a romance filled with humor, vulnerability, and charm.

    Dare crafts a love story that’s funny yet touching, perfect for fans who appreciate the playful banter and layered characters found in Willig’s work.

  4. Deanna Raybourn

    Readers who enjoy Lauren Willig’s blend of historical intrigue, clever mysteries, and vivid characters will likely appreciate Deanna Raybourn.

    Raybourn’s engaging historical fiction often features strong, independent female protagonists who navigate complex mysteries in beautifully detailed historical settings.

    In her novel Silent in the Grave,  Lady Julia Grey finds herself unexpectedly entangled in investigating her husband’s sudden death.

    What initially seems to be natural causes quickly reveals secrets, danger, and twists that challenge everything Julia believed about her marriage. With engaging dialogue and carefully constructed plots, Raybourn creates historical mysteries that are truly enjoyable.

  5. Tasha Alexander

    Books by Tasha Alexander blend historical settings, suspenseful mysteries, and intriguing characters. If you enjoyed Lauren Willig’s historical adventures, Alexander’s And Only to Deceive  might catch your interest.

    This novel introduces readers to Lady Emily Ashton, a young widow navigating the rules of Victorian England.

    As she explores her late husband’s journals, Emily gets pulled into an unexpected mystery that challenges societal conventions and reveals hidden secrets about the art world and her own marriage.

    Alexander’s engaging style and vivid historical details give readers an absorbing combination of suspense and romance.

  6. C.S. Harris

    Books by C.S. Harris are perfect for readers who enjoy the historical mysteries of Lauren Willig. C.S. Harris writes suspenseful stories that combine rich Regency-era settings with vivid characters and clever plotting.

    In What Angels Fear,  the first novel in the Sebastian St. Cyr series, Sebastian, Viscount Devlin, finds himself accused of murder. To clear his name, he navigates London’s dark alleys and glittering ballrooms, uncovering hidden secrets along the way.

    Harris creates a powerful sense of time and place, offering a close look at high society intrigues and shadowy political conspiracies. Readers who appreciate Willig’s blend of history, mystery, and detailed storytelling may find Harris equally engaging.

  7. Amanda Quick

    Readers who enjoy Lauren Willig’s mix of historical romance and mystery will probably appreciate Amanda Quick. Quick’s novels combine romance, history, and suspense with engaging characters and sharp dialogue. A good place to start is Ravished,  set in Regency-era England.

    The story follows Harriet Pomeroy, an independent-minded lady fascinated by fossils. She teams up with Gideon Westbrook, known as the Beast of Blackthorne Hall,  to track down thieves who’ve been hiding stolen goods in nearby caves.

    As they investigate, secrets unravel and sparks fly, offering readers witty exchanges and clever plot twists set against historical backgrounds.

  8. Elizabeth Peters

    Readers who enjoy Lauren Willig’s blend of historical intrigue and lively characters will find Elizabeth Peters’ novels delightful. Peters masterfully combines witty dialogue, rich historical detail, and adventurous plots in novels like Crocodile on the Sandbank. 

    This book introduces the independent Amelia Peabody, a spirited Victorian woman who travels to Egypt and stumbles upon archaeological mystery and danger.

    Alongside new companions—including the stubborn archaeologist Radcliffe Emerson—Amelia navigates ancient tombs, suspicious accidents, and unexpected romance.

    The vibrant atmosphere of 19th-century Egypt, Amelia’s sharp wit, and the fast-paced narrative make Crocodile on the Sandbank  a perfect choice for fans seeking both mystery and historical charm.

  9. Susanna Kearsley

    If you enjoy Lauren Willig’s mix of historical fiction, romance, and intrigue, you might want to check out Susanna Kearsley. Her novel, The Winter Sea,  weaves together present-day and historical storylines.

    Carrie McClelland is an author, and she settles in a remote Scottish village while researching the Jacobite rebellion. The story deepens as her novel becomes unusually vivid and the characters’ lives seem intertwined with her own reality.

    Kearsley’s writing beautifully blends authentic history, a touch of mystery, and emotional connections that span across centuries.

  10. Beatriz Williams

    Beatriz Williams writes captivating historical fiction filled with romance, secrets, and vivid settings. Her book A Hundred Summers  transports readers to the glamorous beach community of Seaview, Rhode Island in the summer of 1938.

    Lily Dane spends her summer quietly healing from past heartbreak, but her peace is disrupted when her former best friend Budgie arrives in town married to Lily’s former fiancé, Nick Greenwald. Old emotions resurface as Lily faces complex relationships amid whispers of scandal.

    With the great hurricane of 1938 approaching the coast, tensions rise and buried truths emerge, changing friendships and love forever. Readers who appreciate Lauren Willig’s historical drama and engaging characters will enjoy Williams’ intricate storytelling.

  11. Stephanie Barron

    Stephanie Barron is perfect for readers who enjoy historical intrigue mixed with sharp wit, similar to Lauren Willig. Her novel, Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor,  kicks off an entertaining mystery series that features Jane Austen as a clever amateur sleuth.

    After attending a lavish gathering at Scargrave Manor, Austen finds herself entangled in scandal when the Earl suddenly dies, and suspicion falls on his wife and friend.

    Jane quietly pieces together clues, bringing readers into a lively investigation full of Regency era charm, clever twists, and witty dialogue reminiscent of Austen’s own novels.

    If you appreciate Lauren Willig’s lively mix of history, romance, and mystery, Stephanie Barron’s vivid storytelling brings you right into Austen’s world.

  12. Andrea Penrose

    Andrea Penrose writes historical mysteries that weave murder, intrigue, and vivid Regency-era settings into engaging stories. If you enjoyed Lauren Willig’s fusion of historical suspense and romance, Penrose’s novel Sweet Revenge  could appeal to your tastes.

    In Sweet Revenge,  England’s elite circles become tangled in scandal when Lady Arianna Hadley gets entangled in a murder investigation.

    Partnered with Earl Alessandro De Quincy, a brilliant but enigmatic investigator, Arianna navigates a dangerous world of high society, espionage, and lethal secrets.

    Penrose adds depth with chocolate-themed recipes and references throughout the book, combining suspense with Regency-era culture. The story offers twists, rich historical detail, and characters full of spark and chemistry.

  13. Anna Lee Huber

    Readers who enjoy Lauren Willig’s blend of historical mysteries and vivid characters may find Anna Lee Huber equally appealing. Huber crafts engaging historical mysteries that bring the past to life through memorable characters and atmospheric settings.

    In her novel The Anatomist’s Wife,  readers meet Lady Kiera Darby, a talented portrait artist who becomes an unwilling sleuth after her husband’s scandalous death.

    Set in 1830s Scotland, the plot centers on a murder at a remote estate where Kiera finds herself accused due to her unsettling past.

    As she works to clear her name alongside investigator Sebastian Gage, secrets emerge, trust shifts, and romance quietly unfolds, capturing readers with both suspense and emotional depth.

  14. Sherry Thomas

    Sherry Thomas is an author known for historical fiction filled with romance, sharp wit, and vivid characters. Her novel The Luckiest Lady in London  combines all these elements into a captivating story set in Victorian society.

    Felix Rivendale, known as the Ideal Gentleman,  is charming, wealthy, and perfectly proper on the surface—but hides a guarded heart and secrets from his past. Louisa Cantwell is practical, determined, and intent on marrying well for security rather than love.

    When their paths cross, clever banter and undeniable chemistry reveal layers of complexity beneath polite society’s polished facade.

    Readers who appreciate Lauren Willig’s blend of historical intrigue and engaging romance will undoubtedly enjoy Sherry Thomas’s entertaining storytelling style and richly developed characters.

  15. Courtney Milan

    Courtney Milan is a historical romance author known for strong characters, witty dialogue, and engaging storylines. Readers who appreciate Lauren Willig’s blend of vivid historical settings and smart, spirited characters might enjoy Milan’s The Duchess War. 

    The story follows Minnie, a woman determined to conceal a scandalous past and live a quiet life. Until she meets Robert, a duke with secrets of his own who accidentally threatens to expose her hidden identity.

    Their clever conversations, layered secrets, and emotional depth create a romance you can’t put down. Fans of historical details, humor, and meaningful relationships will find plenty to enjoy in Milan’s writing.