“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
If you love Jane Austen, you know that her novels offer the perfect blend of witty social commentary, strong heroines, slow-burn romances and Regency-era charm. But, once you’ve read Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma, where do you turn to next? Thankfully, many authors write like Jane Austen, creating books with striking humour, rich character dynamics and timeless romance. Whether you’re looking for modern authors who capture Austen’s wit, Regency romance novels with a classic feel or historical fiction that immerses you in the world of balls and bonnets, we here at What We Reading have something for every Jane Austen fan. From classic literature read-alikes to contemporary takes on Austen-style storytelling, authors like Jane Austen are sure to satisfy your love for social satire and unforgettable love stories.
What Makes A Book Like Jane Austen’s?
Jane Austen’s novels have captivated readers for generations, thanks to her witty dialogue, sharp social commentary and timeless romances. But, what exactly makes a book feel like one of Austen’s? Whether you’re searching for books similar to Jane Austen or modern authors who capture her spirit, here are the key elements that define Austen-styled storytelling.
1. Sharp Social Commentary
Austen’s novels don’t just tell love stories – they cleverly critique the customs, class divisions and gender roles of her time. Authors who write like Austen usually explore similar themes, whether set during the Regency period or through a more contemporary lens.
2. Strong, Independent Heroines
From Elizabeth Bennet to Anne Elliot, Austen’s heroines are intelligent and opinionated and often challenge social conventions. Many Regency romance authors and historical fiction writers craft leading ladies who embody that same spirit.
3. Slow-burn, Emotionally Charged Romance
Unlike whirlwind love stories, Austen’s romances develop gradually, with misunderstandings, witty banter, and character growth driving the tension. Fans of classic literature read-alikes often enjoy books that feature a similar sort of slow-build relationship.
4. Engaging, Witty Dialogue
Austen’s novels shine with clever conversation and humorous observations. Writers who channel Austen’s style often create books filled with lively exchanges, whether in a historical or contemporary setting.
5. Regency-Era Or Historical Settings
For many readers, part of the magic of Austen’s work lies in its Regency-era charm – grand estates, country dances and strict social etiquette. While some authors set their stories in the early nineteenth century, others translated these themes into modern-day novels with Austen-esque sensibilities.
Books that capture Jane Austen’s wit, romance, and timeless themes appeal to readers who love Regency romance and classical literature read-alikes. If you’re looking for authors who write like Jane Austen or historical fiction that mirrors her storytelling style, the following novelists are perfect additions to your reading list!
Authors Like Jane Austen
Georgette Heyer
Often hailed as the queen of Regency romance, Georgette Heyer (1902-1974) was a historical fiction writer who pioneered the genre long before it became mainstream. Known for her impeccable research, sparkling wit and delightful character dynamics, Heyer’s novels transport readers to the Regency era with immersive period detail and sharp humour.
Why Austen fans will love her:
Heyer’s books feature clever, independent heroines, slow-burn romances, and witty, banter-filled dialogue, much like many of Austen’s most beloved novels. She expertly captures Regency society’s social intricacies, with a mix of romance, comedy and sharp observation. If you adore Pride and Prejudice for its verbal sparring and strong-willed leads, Heyer’s novels will feel like a natural extension of Austen’s world.
Our recommendation: The Grand Sophy – A lively heroine who turns high society upside down.
Curtis Sittenfeld
Curtis Sittenfeld is a modern author known for her sharp, character-driven novels that explore social dynamics, romance and family relationships – all themes dear to Jane Austen fans. While she writes contemporary fiction, her work often mirrors Austen’s own keen eye for class distinctions, personal growth and the complexities of love.
Why Austen fans will love her:
Sittenfeld’s writing captures the wit, humour and keen social observations that make Austen’s novels so timeless. Her book, Eligible, is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, set in contemporary America, complete with strong-willed heroines, romantic tension and family drama. Sittenfeld’s books offer a fresh yet familiar take if you love Austen’s ability to dissect human nature with intelligence and irony.
Our recommendation: Prep – A nuanced coming-of-age story filled with sharp social commentary.
Sophie Kinsella
Sophie Kinsella is a contemporary author best known for her witty, romantic and feel-good novels. While her books are set in the modern day, they share many of the same qualities that make Jane Austen’s stories so beloved – charming heroines, romantic misunderstandings, and plenty of humour.
Why Austen fans will love her:
Kinsella’s novels feature strong, relatable characters, often grappling with love and societal expectations with humour, heart and personal growth. Much like Austen’s heroines, her protagonists are independent, flawed and full of personality, making them easy to root for. If you enjoy the lighthearted romance and comedic misunderstandings of Emma or Pride and Prejudice, Kinsella’s books provide a new take on romantic entanglements and witty banter.
Our recommendation: Confessions of a Shopaholic – A lighthearted, laugh-out-loud romance featuring an unforgettable heroine.
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Mimi Matthews
Mimi Matthews is a historical fiction author known for her beautifully researched Victorian and Regency romances. Her novels blend Austen-like wit, slow-burn romance and strong heroines with a level of historical accuracy that immerses readers in the era’s social norms, customs and values.
Why Austen fans will love her:
Matthews writes intelligent, character-driven romances that focus on emotional depth rather than melodrama. Like Austen, she crafts strong-willed yet vulnerable heroines, honourable yet complex heroes, and relationships that are built on witty dialogue and mutual respect. If you love Austen’s ability to balance romance with commentary, Matthews’ books offer a similarly refined and heartfelt reading experience.
Our recommendation: The Matrimonial Advertisement – A slow-burn, marriage-of-convenience romance with shades of Persuasion.
Juliet Archer
Juliet Archer is another modern author like Jane Austen who brings many classic tales into the twenty-first century. Her novels reimagine Austen’s beloved characters and plots in contemporary settings whilst staying true to the sharp wit, romantic tension and insightful social commentary.
Why Austen fans will love her:
Archer’s writing captures the essence of Austen’s humour, strong heroines, and slow-burn romance, but with a fresh and modern twist. Her Darcy & Friends series updates Austen’s novels for today’s readers, making them perfect for fans of retellings and adaptations. If you love how Austen explores love, pride, misunderstandings and personal growth, Archer’s books provide the same themes in a more contemporary backdrop.
Our recommendation: The Importance of Being Emma – A witty, modern retelling of Emma brimming with all the charm of the original.
Lauren Willig
Lauren Willig is a historical fiction author best known for her intriguing blend of romance, historical settings and humour. With novels that often weave together past and present timelines, Willig crafts multi-layered stories filled with memorable characters and romantic tension, much like Jane Austen’s own works.
Why Austen fans will love her:
Willig’s books, namely the Pink Carnation series, are rich with witty dialogue, strong heroines and layered romantic plots, making them perfect for fans of Austen’s social commentary and slow-burn style. Her characters’ chemistry and personal growth echo the dynamics found in Austen’s novels, whilst her intricate plots and historical environments add an extra layer of excitement.
Our recommendation: The Secret History of the Pink Carnation – A delightful mix of historical romance and mystery with a witty heroine.
Karen Joy Fowler
Karen Joy Fowler is a contemporary author known for her insightful, character-driven narratives that explore the complexities of family, identity and relationships. While her works are often more modern in tone, her attention to character development and social themes makes her novels appealing to Jane Austen fans who appreciate subtle wit and emotional depth.
Why Austen fans will love her:
Fowler’s books share the same keen social observations and exploration of personal relationships that Austen is revered for. Her characters grapple with love, class and social expectations, much like Austen’s heroines, but in more contemporary surroundings. If you appreciate Austen’s biting social commentary and character-driven plots, Fowler’s books will appeal to your love for snappy dialogues and nuanced relationships.
Our recommendation: The Jane Austen Book Club – A novel about a group of friends who bond over their love of Austen’s works, filled with humour, warmth and insight.
Mary Balogh
Mary Balogh is a historical romance author renowned for her Regency-era novels that combine emotional depth, slow-burn romance and strong character development. Much like Jane Austen, Balogh’s stories focus on complex relationships and personal growth, all set against a context of Regency England’s social intricacies.
Why Austen fans will love her:
Balogh’s novels are deeply influenced by Austen’s focus on societal expectations, love and moral dilemmas. Her books feature witty, independent heroines and complex heroes, and her plots explore themes of romantic tension, misunderstandings and eventual growth – tying with the slow-burn romance that any Jane Austen readers will recognise.
Our recommendations: Slightly Dangerous – A witty, charming romance with a hero who eventually learns how to let go of his pride.
Eloisa James
Eloisa James is another historical romance writer like Jane Austen celebrated for her Regency-set novels that mix wit, passion and emotional depth. Similar to Austen, James crafts compelling characters who wrestle with the complexities of love, social expectations and personal transformations within the refined world of the British aristocracy.
Why Austen fans will love her:
James’ novels are filled with sharp dialogue, romantic tension and strong-willed heroines, all qualities that resonate with fans of Jane Austen’s writing style. Her stories often feature smart, independent women and heroes who must grow emotionally, echoing the themes of personal development, love and class dynamics present in her most timeless tales. If you adore the way Austen creates nuanced relationships that develop through conversation and mutual respect, you’ll find James’ writing equally irresistible.
Our recommendation: The Duke Is Mine – An engaging Regency romance with a heroine caught between love and duty, similar to Austen’s own heroines.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
