I get a little giddy talking about this era because the Regency has such a specific flavor — polite balls, sharp wit, strict social rules and the occasional rakish hero with a secret heart. If you want the classics that actually lived through that time, start with Jane Austen: 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Sense and Sensibility', and 'Persuasion' capture manners and marriage with such precision that they still feel fresh. For a novelist who practically defined the Regency romance as a subgenre, Georgette Heyer is essential. Try 'The Grand Sophy', 'Venetia', or the more historically grounded 'An Infamous Army' if you like Napoleonic war backdrops.
If you prefer modern takes with sparkle and steam, Julia Quinn's 'Bridgerton' books — like 'The Duke and I' and 'The Viscount Who Loved Me' — are delightful, witty, and character-driven. Other contemporary authors who often set their stories in Regency or Regency-adjacent society include Eloisa James, Tessa Dare (who plays fast and sweet with the era's trappings), and Mary Balogh. For variety, mix in Loretta Chase's clever banter and Georgette Heyer for social detail; together they give you the full Regency palette, from historically rooted to romance-first pastiche.