What Historical Romance to Read Based on Your Favorite Character from The Gilded Age
By: Shelby Cunningham
If you’re anything like me, your Sunday nights feel a little emptier without new episodes of The Gilded Age on HBO. While we do know that the show has been renewed for a fourth season, who knows how long we’ll have to wait. While we do, why not consider expanding from period drama television to historical romance books. I promise the genre has so many of the things we all love about The Gilded Age and much more. Below are six book recommendations for you to check out based on the characters from the show. As viewers of The Gilded Age know, there are a lot of characters, so if you don’t see your favorite on the list, tag Readin’ on Instagram (@readin.magazine) and I will be sure to get you a book recommendation! For now, please enjoy this selection.
Peggy Scott—Topaz by Beverly Jenkins
Peggy has been my favorite character on The Gilded Age since Season 1. She is a layered character and a woman ahead of her time, I love watching her story unfold. Fans of Peggy will love Topaz by Beverly Jenkins. The main character of Topaz is Kate, and like Peggy, she is a writer. Kate is an undercover reporter working on a story in Chicago to expose a criminal who has been scamming vulnerable people out of a lot of money. When things take a dangerous turn, Kate must take extreme measures to ensure her safety. Measures like entering into a marriage of convenience with a U.S. Marshal and traveling to his home in the western territory. Dixon Wildhorse isn’t just any US Marshal, he is the first Black Seminole to hold the position.
Gladys Russell—Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas
It was just a joy seeing Gladys come into her own in the latest season of The Gilded Age, but there is no denying she had quite a few bumps in the road. When I read Ravishing The Heiress by Sherry Thomas, all I could think about was how the main character Millie reminded me so much of Gladys. Like Gladys, Millie had absolutely no say in her marriage. Millie is the only daughter of a very wealthy self-made man, and she knew from a young age that her father would make her marry an impoverished aristocrat to benefit his own standing. When the earl Millie is engaged to dies, she still has to marry the new earl. However, instead of an old man she is scared of, the new earl is her age and very handsome . . . and he is already in love with someone else.
Oscar van Rhijn—Band Sinister by KJ Charles
If you love Oscar van Rhijn, you should read Band Sinister by KJ Charles. This male-male historical romance reminds me a lot of Oscar and I know that his fans would enjoy this story. Sir Philip Rookwood has quite the reputation: he lives a fabulous party lifestyle that many at the time look down upon. Philip and his friends are known for being a scandalous group, and if it wasn’t for his title and money, he would be shunned. Philip must be on his best behavior when he is forced to help his neighbor, Amanda, after she gets hurt on his property. Amanda’s brother, Guy, has lived a very sheltered life up to this point. He stays with Amanda at Philip’s home and has many eye-opening experiences that leave him questioning everything he thought he knew.
Jack—A Notorious Vow by Joanna Shupe
Joanna Shupe has multiple historical romance series set during the Gilded Age, so her books are must-reads for fans of the show. A Notorious Vow from her Four Hundred series features a main character and storyline that will certainly appeal to Jack fans. Like Jack, Oliver of A Notorious Vow is an inventor. His greatest ambition in life is to get his hearing aid invention into production. Oliver is deaf and knows first hand what an impact his invention could have on people like him. It is his life’s work and the only thing he cares about . . . until he is befriended by his neighbor, Lady Christina. When Lady Christina comes to him with a marriage of convenience proposal to help save her from her family, Oliver must weigh his priorities and feelings.
Agnes van Rhijn—The Lady Tempts an Heir by Harper St. George
Aunt Agnes is a no nonsense widow who is committed to causes she cares about, and that reminds me so much of Lady Helena March of The Lady Tempts an Heir by Harper St. George. Helena is a young widow, and rather than trying to find another husband, she devotes her time to helping women in need. Helena is constantly fundraising and championing a cause that is very much looked down upon or overlooked. American businessman Max Crenshaw doesn’t fit the mold of London society either, and he has a lot of respect for the work Helena does. Max comes to Helena with a mutually beneficial plan for them to pretend to be in a relationship. This fake relationship would improve Helena’s respectability in society and for Max it would deter other potential brides he isn’t interested in. You don’t see fake dating too often in historical romance, but I thought this was done perfectly!
George Russell—Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore
If anyone from The Gilded Age has a cult following, it’s Train Daddy George Russell. If you are on the hunt for a self-made millionaire historical romance, look no further than Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore. Lucian Blackstone was born into poverty in the Scottish Highlands and worked his way up to being the wealthiest man in London. Lucian marries Hattie, the daughter of an old money family, and together they go back to Scotland to check on Lucian’s business holdings. Like George’s storyline on The Gilded Age, this book deals a lot with workers rights at this time in history. It’s an amazing history lesson as well as romance, just like The Gilded Age!