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The Regency Switch
The Holiday meets Lost in Austen, with a sprinkling of Bridgerton steam… A gloriously witty, escapist and heartwarming romantic comedy about love, finding your people and living life to the full
***
Etta Moore expects nothing more from a Tuesday than another dull day in the office. But when her morning commute ends in Regency England, she is forced to accept the she and her ancestor Miss Henrietta Bainbridge – or ‘Mad Hetty’, as she’s known amongst the ton – have switched bodies.
Suddenly Etta and Hetty must get to grips with the new worlds they find themselves in. For Etta, it’s goodbye to dating apps and the daily commute and hello to the list of things ‘Ladies Do Not’ do. Luckily the dashing Lord Stanhope is on hand to aid her through even the most shocking of faux pas.
Meanwhile Hetty, who has always felt unseen and unknown, finds her truest self blossoming with the help of 21st century medicine and the most welcome attentions of her rather beautiful Adult Learning teacher, Stella.
Two hundred years away from everything they’ve ever known, might Etta and Hetty have actually found a place where they each truly belong?
***
Etta Moore expects nothing more from a Tuesday than another dull day in the office. But when her morning commute ends in Regency England, she is forced to accept the she and her ancestor Miss Henrietta Bainbridge – or ‘Mad Hetty’, as she’s known amongst the ton – have switched bodies.
Suddenly Etta and Hetty must get to grips with the new worlds they find themselves in. For Etta, it’s goodbye to dating apps and the daily commute and hello to the list of things ‘Ladies Do Not’ do. Luckily the dashing Lord Stanhope is on hand to aid her through even the most shocking of faux pas.
Meanwhile Hetty, who has always felt unseen and unknown, finds her truest self blossoming with the help of 21st century medicine and the most welcome attentions of her rather beautiful Adult Learning teacher, Stella.
Two hundred years away from everything they’ve ever known, might Etta and Hetty have actually found a place where they each truly belong?
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2026
18 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Regency romance romp and latter-day lesbian larks
Our book opens with our 2 protagonists — a 25yo office worker who wishes she had better luck on dating apps and could spend more time making sweary embroidery for her Etsy shop and a depressive 21yo who has found a solution to her struggles against the strictures of Regency expectations — swapping places. “Mad Hetty” gets to escape the early 19th century to find descendants who help her adjust to a more supportive 21st century, whereas Etta finds that perhaps the past suits her better — especially when her brother’s dashing best friend (and heir to a marquisate) might be reciprocating her interest.
Thus begins a delightful romp through 2 different time periods, with each young woman finding potential love (sapphic in the now, heterosexual and almost-respectable in the past). While someone who has seen literally a single scene of Bridgerton might have to look up fewer Regency terms, this in no way marred my enjoyment of really entertaining plots in both time periods.
This isn’t the most complicated of novels of course, but it is so well thought-through and so witty that it is clearly not the disappointing kind of light fluff that lesser romance novels can sometimes be. (And don’t get me wrong, I do love me a romance, including that fluff sometimes.) I enjoyed this book more than I expected to and I’m looking forward to seeing what Helen Gaskell brings us next.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley in the expectation of an honest review.
Our book opens with our 2 protagonists — a 25yo office worker who wishes she had better luck on dating apps and could spend more time making sweary embroidery for her Etsy shop and a depressive 21yo who has found a solution to her struggles against the strictures of Regency expectations — swapping places. “Mad Hetty” gets to escape the early 19th century to find descendants who help her adjust to a more supportive 21st century, whereas Etta finds that perhaps the past suits her better — especially when her brother’s dashing best friend (and heir to a marquisate) might be reciprocating her interest.
Thus begins a delightful romp through 2 different time periods, with each young woman finding potential love (sapphic in the now, heterosexual and almost-respectable in the past). While someone who has seen literally a single scene of Bridgerton might have to look up fewer Regency terms, this in no way marred my enjoyment of really entertaining plots in both time periods.
This isn’t the most complicated of novels of course, but it is so well thought-through and so witty that it is clearly not the disappointing kind of light fluff that lesser romance novels can sometimes be. (And don’t get me wrong, I do love me a romance, including that fluff sometimes.) I enjoyed this book more than I expected to and I’m looking forward to seeing what Helen Gaskell brings us next.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley in the expectation of an honest review.
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February 24, 2026DNFing. Not a terrible book by any means but I am struggling to get into it and finding it a bit too non-serious and pop culture heavy for my preference.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Regency Switch is a quick and easy read that doesn't take itself too seriously! It's overall a bit too silly for my tastes, but I was entertained.
This story is told half in 1817 and half in 2023 from the perspectives of two women from each time who have switched bodies with each other. The narrative jumps between the two time periods, which worked well to keep the me reading on. I really tried to suspend disbelief, but I was taken out of the story multiple times by each bizarre turn that didn't make a lot of sense.
The present day woman living in the past was not my favorite. She was constantly mentioning that she was from the future to little or no reaction to those around her. She is supposed to be a big Regency media fan and makes many references to Regency media like Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton, but she can't observe basic historical niceties. Her romance with an 1817 man was pretty lukewarm, and I was not at all invested in her story, though on paper it should have been very fun. The past girl living in the present was very sweet, and I was rooting for her to find her way. Her trials in the present were handled much better with much more reason. Her romance with a 2023 woman was also not terribly exciting, but I liked that she got to embrace her sexuality.
If you're looking for a breezy story of a modern Bridgerton-loving woman thrown into the past and a woman of Jane Austen's time in present day London, I think you'll be entertained.
Thank you, Harper 360, for the arc!
This story is told half in 1817 and half in 2023 from the perspectives of two women from each time who have switched bodies with each other. The narrative jumps between the two time periods, which worked well to keep the me reading on. I really tried to suspend disbelief, but I was taken out of the story multiple times by each bizarre turn that didn't make a lot of sense.
The present day woman living in the past was not my favorite. She was constantly mentioning that she was from the future to little or no reaction to those around her. She is supposed to be a big Regency media fan and makes many references to Regency media like Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton, but she can't observe basic historical niceties. Her romance with an 1817 man was pretty lukewarm, and I was not at all invested in her story, though on paper it should have been very fun. The past girl living in the present was very sweet, and I was rooting for her to find her way. Her trials in the present were handled much better with much more reason. Her romance with a 2023 woman was also not terribly exciting, but I liked that she got to embrace her sexuality.
If you're looking for a breezy story of a modern Bridgerton-loving woman thrown into the past and a woman of Jane Austen's time in present day London, I think you'll be entertained.
Thank you, Harper 360, for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What happens when the mind of a woman from 1817 goes into the body of a woman from 2023? Because a woman from 2023 still thinks the same as she did in her own time, and the same with the woman from the regency era.
Etta doesn’t really mind being in 1817, because she loved reading Jane Austin, Georget Hyer, and watching Brigerton, so that’s all she needs to know, right? And if things go poorly, she can always go back. Hetty, the woman who initiated the switch as told her so, so she pretends she is on vacation in the Regency era, and to go with the flow. Of course, some things she doesn’t like, such as the lack of rights, but she is in an upper-class family, with a maid, and friends with nobles, so life isnt’ all that bad.
Hetty, on the other hand, finds that modern medicine makes her depression that was driving her crazy in her own ear, go away. She also finds other things that were forbidden are open to her, such as education, and “the love that dares not speak its name” which is now common and legal.
Both of the main characters are quite lovable, and real. Their banter is natural, and I wanted more. Sorry to have the book end. And what a wild ride it was.
All the stars for this one. I would have devoured in one gulp, but I had to work and sleep. This is the author’s debut novel, and I look forward to many more from her.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper 360 for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 3rd of March 2026.
Etta doesn’t really mind being in 1817, because she loved reading Jane Austin, Georget Hyer, and watching Brigerton, so that’s all she needs to know, right? And if things go poorly, she can always go back. Hetty, the woman who initiated the switch as told her so, so she pretends she is on vacation in the Regency era, and to go with the flow. Of course, some things she doesn’t like, such as the lack of rights, but she is in an upper-class family, with a maid, and friends with nobles, so life isnt’ all that bad.
Hetty, on the other hand, finds that modern medicine makes her depression that was driving her crazy in her own ear, go away. She also finds other things that were forbidden are open to her, such as education, and “the love that dares not speak its name” which is now common and legal.
Both of the main characters are quite lovable, and real. Their banter is natural, and I wanted more. Sorry to have the book end. And what a wild ride it was.
All the stars for this one. I would have devoured in one gulp, but I had to work and sleep. This is the author’s debut novel, and I look forward to many more from her.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper 360 for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 3rd of March 2026.
March 11, 2026
The Regency Switch is a fun body switch story with Hetty from 1817 switching places with her descendent Etta in present day London. It covers both Hetty and Etta's storylines, both with a romance. I liked the variety in the two storylines, but the 320 page length split over two FMCs did mean that it didn't get particularly deep into either of them. It's a quick, fun and light romcom though which is very easy to listen to.
Etta's story definitely reminded me of Lost in Austen, with her doing a pretty poor, but amusing, job of impersonating a Regency lady. I liked that Hetty's storyline saw her coming out and dating Stella, as well as touching on her mental health struggles. Depression obviously wasn't dealt with well back in the Regency period, so it was nice to see Hetty get the support she needed in the present day. It was dealt with very rapidly though, with one visit to the doctor seeing her get a prescription that seemingly worked straight away because her depression was never mentioned again. This sort of thing is probably down to the short page count split across two FMCs.
The single narration in the audiobook is really good, with the narrator, Gemma Lawrence, doing a great job with both the posh Regency accents and the not-so-posh London accents of the present day.
Etta's story definitely reminded me of Lost in Austen, with her doing a pretty poor, but amusing, job of impersonating a Regency lady. I liked that Hetty's storyline saw her coming out and dating Stella, as well as touching on her mental health struggles. Depression obviously wasn't dealt with well back in the Regency period, so it was nice to see Hetty get the support she needed in the present day. It was dealt with very rapidly though, with one visit to the doctor seeing her get a prescription that seemingly worked straight away because her depression was never mentioned again. This sort of thing is probably down to the short page count split across two FMCs.
The single narration in the audiobook is really good, with the narrator, Gemma Lawrence, doing a great job with both the posh Regency accents and the not-so-posh London accents of the present day.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was an absolute delight to read. A body swap from 1817 to 2023? It's a fun concept and the pay off was a beautiful story that I could not put down.
Hattie travels into the future and truly finds herself and accesses the mental health care she truly needs. I do wish this was explored more but what was written on the page was great either way. Also the exploration of her sexuality, in a time where it is more accepted was heartwarming, seeing her find love.
Etta is able to find family in her life, a drastic contrast to her existence in modern day where she can slow down and traumatise people with songs from the future. She also finds herself as a main character in her own Regency love story, after watching so many on TV.
This story explores mental health and how this is treated in different eras now we have more understanding and treatmens. There's a sapphic love story that a main character feels safe to explore while still having moments of modern day homophobia, showing how times have changed but progress and acceptance is still needed.
Truly a page Turner that is as fun as it is heart warming. I only wish the story was longer!
Thank you to HQ Stories for this ARC
Hattie travels into the future and truly finds herself and accesses the mental health care she truly needs. I do wish this was explored more but what was written on the page was great either way. Also the exploration of her sexuality, in a time where it is more accepted was heartwarming, seeing her find love.
Etta is able to find family in her life, a drastic contrast to her existence in modern day where she can slow down and traumatise people with songs from the future. She also finds herself as a main character in her own Regency love story, after watching so many on TV.
This story explores mental health and how this is treated in different eras now we have more understanding and treatmens. There's a sapphic love story that a main character feels safe to explore while still having moments of modern day homophobia, showing how times have changed but progress and acceptance is still needed.
Truly a page Turner that is as fun as it is heart warming. I only wish the story was longer!
Thank you to HQ Stories for this ARC
March 5, 2026
This was so witty and funny at times, I actually laughed at the humour they each had. This was not at all a serious read but you could feel that it was thought out and was written perfectly, I was honestly sad when it ended as it was such a sweet read.
I loved Hattie finding her sexuality in a time where it is accepted by others and having access to mental health support, again in a time where it is easily accessible compared to 1817.
I personally love a story with dual narration so the switching between characters was perfect for me. I would absolutely recommend this to romance lovers.
Thank you HQ for my ARC!
I loved Hattie finding her sexuality in a time where it is accepted by others and having access to mental health support, again in a time where it is easily accessible compared to 1817.
I personally love a story with dual narration so the switching between characters was perfect for me. I would absolutely recommend this to romance lovers.
Thank you HQ for my ARC!
February 14, 2026
3.75 stars!
thanks so much for HQ for sending me a copy of the regency switch by helen gaskell for review. this was a really lovely, heartwarming regency romance read but with a twist. i really liked almost the fantasy element of Etta and Hetty swapping bodies: one in the 21st century and the other in the 19th century. seeing them both in the different worlds/timelines was interesting. my only preference would be if we had more time in each plot/time to develop. i felt at times it could have been expanded a bit more, but overall really enjoyable historical romance!
thanks so much for HQ for sending me a copy of the regency switch by helen gaskell for review. this was a really lovely, heartwarming regency romance read but with a twist. i really liked almost the fantasy element of Etta and Hetty swapping bodies: one in the 21st century and the other in the 19th century. seeing them both in the different worlds/timelines was interesting. my only preference would be if we had more time in each plot/time to develop. i felt at times it could have been expanded a bit more, but overall really enjoyable historical romance!
October 21, 2025
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
I absolutely devoured this book. A time travelling romance to the regency period was the initial attraction however, I loved the dual storyline with the two main characters points of view.
It made me smile quite regularly and actually laughed out loud at one point. (I very rarely laugh at books)
The plot moved along smartly. There was a bit of heat which was relevant to the storyline.
I thought the author made a smart choice with the two love interests for our main characters.
I have already recommended this to someone else.
I absolutely devoured this book. A time travelling romance to the regency period was the initial attraction however, I loved the dual storyline with the two main characters points of view.
It made me smile quite regularly and actually laughed out loud at one point. (I very rarely laugh at books)
The plot moved along smartly. There was a bit of heat which was relevant to the storyline.
I thought the author made a smart choice with the two love interests for our main characters.
I have already recommended this to someone else.
March 3, 2026
Rating 2.5 stars.
As a longtime fan of the Bridgerton series and a good historical romance, I was excited to read this book. The premise seemed like Bridgerton mixed with Freaky Friday. Unfortunately, it just didn't hit the mark for me, which had my rating bouncing between a 2 and a 3 while I was reading.
Some notes on the characters:
Hetty figures out a way to switch places with her descendant (ancestor?) in 2023. Back in 1817, she's considered crazy because she's dealing with depression. I thought this was really interesting mental health representation, especially in the Regency era, when most mental health disorders were treated very differently. After The Switch, she begins to settle in 2023 and fall for her computer class teacher, Stella, finally coming to terms with her sexuality. Hetty truly went through tremendous transformation from the beginning of the plot to the end, but I felt like we got the point A and point B but not so much of the in between. I found her POV to be boring and mostly there to shed light on the differences between the time periods. I felt like she spent 90% of time with her weird aunts who aren't her aunts at all (more to come on them).
I enjoyed Etta's POV more because I felt it had more action, but I actually found Etta infuriating. Sure, she is randomly, magically transported to 1817 to 2023 without any real warning. But for someone who kept referencing Bridgerton, she did a terrible job of trying to fit into her new time period. Going out without a maid, saying inappropriate things, calling people by their first name instead of their title... any good Bridgerton fans would know that those are no-nos and not do them. It felt like Etta wanted to get caught, like she had no self-preservation skills or desire to blend in. Her constant babbling and use of 2020s-era idioms made me nuts. Time travel/body switches might not be realistic, but the way she handled her switch seemed very unrealistic to me.
But then there's Max. Sweet, lovely Maximilian. He was my saving grace in this and the reason I bumped the rating up from 2 to 2.5. I knew from the get-go that I was going to love him and really enjoy him and Etta together. Every scene with him had me smiling. The way that he humored and understood Etta was charming. He's the reason I preferred Etta's POV -- there was just more happening. I wish there had been more of Max.
And let's not forget the eccentric somehow at the center of this plot, Aggie and Jemima. I can't lie, 75% of the time I didn't understand what they were talking about. I think they were more convenient plot device than charming side characters. I just couldn't take them seriously.
About the writing:
I found this to be a very slow read. It took me a month to get through. Even though it's written in chapters, I felt like I was reading dense journal entries. I felt like nothing was really happening at all until halfway through. The plot felt like it got lost in all the minute details of the protagonists trying to adjust to their new time periods. I spent the whole time waiting for a big conflict to come and I felt it came too late. There wasn't enough time to sit with it and wait for a possible resolution. The prose felt rigid to me, and even in times when I could tell the tone was meant to be goofy, I couldn't really vibe with it.
It's clear that the author put their time, energy, and research into this book and I wished I'd connected with it more. The Regency Switch is out on March 3.
Thank you to Harper Collins 360, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
BookTok review here.
As a longtime fan of the Bridgerton series and a good historical romance, I was excited to read this book. The premise seemed like Bridgerton mixed with Freaky Friday. Unfortunately, it just didn't hit the mark for me, which had my rating bouncing between a 2 and a 3 while I was reading.
Some notes on the characters:
Hetty figures out a way to switch places with her descendant (ancestor?) in 2023. Back in 1817, she's considered crazy because she's dealing with depression. I thought this was really interesting mental health representation, especially in the Regency era, when most mental health disorders were treated very differently. After The Switch, she begins to settle in 2023 and fall for her computer class teacher, Stella, finally coming to terms with her sexuality. Hetty truly went through tremendous transformation from the beginning of the plot to the end, but I felt like we got the point A and point B but not so much of the in between. I found her POV to be boring and mostly there to shed light on the differences between the time periods. I felt like she spent 90% of time with her weird aunts who aren't her aunts at all (more to come on them).
I enjoyed Etta's POV more because I felt it had more action, but I actually found Etta infuriating. Sure, she is randomly, magically transported to 1817 to 2023 without any real warning. But for someone who kept referencing Bridgerton, she did a terrible job of trying to fit into her new time period. Going out without a maid, saying inappropriate things, calling people by their first name instead of their title... any good Bridgerton fans would know that those are no-nos and not do them. It felt like Etta wanted to get caught, like she had no self-preservation skills or desire to blend in. Her constant babbling and use of 2020s-era idioms made me nuts. Time travel/body switches might not be realistic, but the way she handled her switch seemed very unrealistic to me.
But then there's Max. Sweet, lovely Maximilian. He was my saving grace in this and the reason I bumped the rating up from 2 to 2.5. I knew from the get-go that I was going to love him and really enjoy him and Etta together. Every scene with him had me smiling. The way that he humored and understood Etta was charming. He's the reason I preferred Etta's POV -- there was just more happening. I wish there had been more of Max.
And let's not forget the eccentric somehow at the center of this plot, Aggie and Jemima. I can't lie, 75% of the time I didn't understand what they were talking about. I think they were more convenient plot device than charming side characters. I just couldn't take them seriously.
About the writing:
I found this to be a very slow read. It took me a month to get through. Even though it's written in chapters, I felt like I was reading dense journal entries. I felt like nothing was really happening at all until halfway through. The plot felt like it got lost in all the minute details of the protagonists trying to adjust to their new time periods. I spent the whole time waiting for a big conflict to come and I felt it came too late. There wasn't enough time to sit with it and wait for a possible resolution. The prose felt rigid to me, and even in times when I could tell the tone was meant to be goofy, I couldn't really vibe with it.
It's clear that the author put their time, energy, and research into this book and I wished I'd connected with it more. The Regency Switch is out on March 3.
Thank you to Harper Collins 360, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
BookTok review here.
October 15, 2025
Historical, scifi romcom - what more do you need?
—
Are you kidding me? Regency romance, time travel, lesbian shenanigans, Reddit reactions on Instagram? Sign me up! I’m so there!
Seriously, Gaskell gives us a big city girl/country village milieu romance all twisted up and topsy-turveyed out through a science fantasy lens, like a glorious mix of Jenny Colgan (romance writer) and, er, Jenny Colgan (scifi author), with two—TWO!—protagonists I would gladly follow to the ends of the earth. Etta Moore is stuck, her life in London a round of sleep-commute-work-commute-sleep and repeat, the men she meets a series of no-hopers. When she’s accosted by a pair of lovely old ladies with the chance for a holiday from her life, she—well, she doesn’t quite grasp it with both hands, rather more being shanghaied into it, and the next thing she knows, she’s 200 hundred years in the past, in someone’s else’s body tied to a chair and meeting her brother in that time, and his friend, the most gorgeous man Etta has ever met in her life. Will sparks fly, or will Etta be found out and deemed mad?
In 1817, Henrietta Bainbridge is also stuck, her debilitating malaise driving away her family and friends, until she comes up with a (hand-wavey) method of time travel, and lo and behold, she ends up in Etta’s body in the present, aided by her two aunts/descendants. She’s not prepared for the modern world (while Etta has all her hard gleaned knowledge from Jane Austen and Bridgerton, neither of which mention chamber pots), nor for the beautiful woman teaching her computing basics. Will Hetty finally find her heart taken by someone, or will she crash and return back to her original present?
In a brilliant mix of romcom, sci-fi and comedy (extra com, if you like), Gaskell creates two characters and their worlds, their allies and enemies, and, this being a romance, a pair of endings that more than satisfy. A few loose endings (for the sequel?) but the romances and the comedy that help us get there are perfectly judged, and the characters are suitably novel. There’s one character where I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it did, but boy was I surprised. I applaud thee, Helen Gaskell, romance author!
Four and a half stars
—
Are you kidding me? Regency romance, time travel, lesbian shenanigans, Reddit reactions on Instagram? Sign me up! I’m so there!
Seriously, Gaskell gives us a big city girl/country village milieu romance all twisted up and topsy-turveyed out through a science fantasy lens, like a glorious mix of Jenny Colgan (romance writer) and, er, Jenny Colgan (scifi author), with two—TWO!—protagonists I would gladly follow to the ends of the earth. Etta Moore is stuck, her life in London a round of sleep-commute-work-commute-sleep and repeat, the men she meets a series of no-hopers. When she’s accosted by a pair of lovely old ladies with the chance for a holiday from her life, she—well, she doesn’t quite grasp it with both hands, rather more being shanghaied into it, and the next thing she knows, she’s 200 hundred years in the past, in someone’s else’s body tied to a chair and meeting her brother in that time, and his friend, the most gorgeous man Etta has ever met in her life. Will sparks fly, or will Etta be found out and deemed mad?
In 1817, Henrietta Bainbridge is also stuck, her debilitating malaise driving away her family and friends, until she comes up with a (hand-wavey) method of time travel, and lo and behold, she ends up in Etta’s body in the present, aided by her two aunts/descendants. She’s not prepared for the modern world (while Etta has all her hard gleaned knowledge from Jane Austen and Bridgerton, neither of which mention chamber pots), nor for the beautiful woman teaching her computing basics. Will Hetty finally find her heart taken by someone, or will she crash and return back to her original present?
In a brilliant mix of romcom, sci-fi and comedy (extra com, if you like), Gaskell creates two characters and their worlds, their allies and enemies, and, this being a romance, a pair of endings that more than satisfy. A few loose endings (for the sequel?) but the romances and the comedy that help us get there are perfectly judged, and the characters are suitably novel. There’s one character where I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it did, but boy was I surprised. I applaud thee, Helen Gaskell, romance author!
Four and a half stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really liked the premise of this book and so I was excited to read it, but unfortunately it just fell a bit flat for me.
I was tempted to DNF a few times but I thought I'd stick with it to see if maybe it got better but I made it to the end and didn't feel any differently.
The story is told from Hetty's POV in the year 1817 and Etta's POV in the year 2023, before they end up switching lives (the story doesn't explain exactly how the switch happens and just hints around the fact that Hetty was a genius and made it happen).
I think it's just a personal thing, but I didn't connect with any of the characters and I feel they lacked depth. One of the things that has stuck with me after finishing reading is that Etta seems to be unsure about her love interest, she seems to question her thoughts about him more than once but then suddenly seems to lose all her doubts. At one point, it seemed she was flirting with another man and that it might go a different path.
Another thing that surprised me would be too much of a spoiler to say in detail, but I was a little shocked at how careless Etta is with Hetty's body (only their minds have swapped), in case they swap back.
Etta's chapters were the most interesting to me personally, but I did love Hetty being able to find herself as she was so suffocated back in the past.
I appreciate what the author has put into this book and you can tell from the acknowledgements that it has been a work of love, but I think maybe some of the ideas could have been explained better or considered more.
Thank you to Netgalley, HQ, HQ Digital and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
I was tempted to DNF a few times but I thought I'd stick with it to see if maybe it got better but I made it to the end and didn't feel any differently.
The story is told from Hetty's POV in the year 1817 and Etta's POV in the year 2023, before they end up switching lives (the story doesn't explain exactly how the switch happens and just hints around the fact that Hetty was a genius and made it happen).
I think it's just a personal thing, but I didn't connect with any of the characters and I feel they lacked depth. One of the things that has stuck with me after finishing reading is that Etta seems to be unsure about her love interest, she seems to question her thoughts about him more than once but then suddenly seems to lose all her doubts. At one point, it seemed she was flirting with another man and that it might go a different path.
Another thing that surprised me would be too much of a spoiler to say in detail, but I was a little shocked at how careless Etta is with Hetty's body (only their minds have swapped), in case they swap back.
Etta's chapters were the most interesting to me personally, but I did love Hetty being able to find herself as she was so suffocated back in the past.
I appreciate what the author has put into this book and you can tell from the acknowledgements that it has been a work of love, but I think maybe some of the ideas could have been explained better or considered more.
Thank you to Netgalley, HQ, HQ Digital and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
February 24, 2026
Thank you to the publisher HQ for the early copy of The Regency Switch by Helen Gaskell via NetGalley.
The Regency Switch is a warm, funny and wonderfully easy read that completely charmed me. I was especially drawn to the dual timeline and dual POV structure. Moving between the modern day and the Regency era kept the story feeling fresh and dynamic, and I loved seeing how each character navigated a world so different from their own.
The concept itself is such a fun one: a modern-day FMC finding herself in the Regency period, while a Regency-era FMC experiences the modern world. It felt trendy in its execution, but there was also something timeless about the way the story was told, particularly in how it explored love, identity, and belonging across centuries.
I also really appreciated the exploration of the sapphic romance woven into the story. It felt heartfelt and meaningful and I loved seeing that representation centred within such a playful, romantic premise.
My only real critique is that I wanted more. Because the book is on the shorter side, I would happily have read another 100 pages developing the romances of both couples. Each relationship had such lovely foundations, and a little more time spent deepening the emotional arcs would have made them even more satisfying.
Overall, this was a charming, feel-good romantic read with a clever premise and plenty of heart. If you enjoy dual timelines, fish-out-of-water scenarios, and romance with a sapphic twist, this one is definitely worth picking up.
The Regency Switch is a warm, funny and wonderfully easy read that completely charmed me. I was especially drawn to the dual timeline and dual POV structure. Moving between the modern day and the Regency era kept the story feeling fresh and dynamic, and I loved seeing how each character navigated a world so different from their own.
The concept itself is such a fun one: a modern-day FMC finding herself in the Regency period, while a Regency-era FMC experiences the modern world. It felt trendy in its execution, but there was also something timeless about the way the story was told, particularly in how it explored love, identity, and belonging across centuries.
I also really appreciated the exploration of the sapphic romance woven into the story. It felt heartfelt and meaningful and I loved seeing that representation centred within such a playful, romantic premise.
My only real critique is that I wanted more. Because the book is on the shorter side, I would happily have read another 100 pages developing the romances of both couples. Each relationship had such lovely foundations, and a little more time spent deepening the emotional arcs would have made them even more satisfying.
Overall, this was a charming, feel-good romantic read with a clever premise and plenty of heart. If you enjoy dual timelines, fish-out-of-water scenarios, and romance with a sapphic twist, this one is definitely worth picking up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Regency Switch is a time-travel romance about Hetty and Etta, two distantly related women separated by two hundred years. Etta is our modern character, and she finds herself transported from her morning commute on the Tube to the 19th century. Hetty has created a time machine that transports her to the 21st century and allows her and Etta to switch places.
The premise of this book sounded fun, but the execution of the plot didn’t work for me. I had a hard time following Etta’s story as she navigates the 19th century while still acting as if she is living in present day. Her dialogue and modern-day colloquial phrases did not fit with the time period that she traveled to, which made conversations with other characters awkward. She was supposedly a lover of Georgette Heyer and other authors of Regency-era novels, but still seemed unable to adjust to her new time period.
I enjoyed Hetty’s story more and liked seeing how 21st century life benefitted her. Through better medical care and finding a love interest, modern life suits Hetty, and she seemed to adjust easier to her new time period.
If you enjoy Bridgerton, and are looking for a breezy read, you will probably enjoy this book much more than I did. Writing time travel fiction is daunting, and it is difficult to integrate characters into their new time period in an authentic way. I admire the author’s efforts in The Regency Switch, but this was not a book I enjoyed.
Thank you to Harper 360/HQ Digital for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The premise of this book sounded fun, but the execution of the plot didn’t work for me. I had a hard time following Etta’s story as she navigates the 19th century while still acting as if she is living in present day. Her dialogue and modern-day colloquial phrases did not fit with the time period that she traveled to, which made conversations with other characters awkward. She was supposedly a lover of Georgette Heyer and other authors of Regency-era novels, but still seemed unable to adjust to her new time period.
I enjoyed Hetty’s story more and liked seeing how 21st century life benefitted her. Through better medical care and finding a love interest, modern life suits Hetty, and she seemed to adjust easier to her new time period.
If you enjoy Bridgerton, and are looking for a breezy read, you will probably enjoy this book much more than I did. Writing time travel fiction is daunting, and it is difficult to integrate characters into their new time period in an authentic way. I admire the author’s efforts in The Regency Switch, but this was not a book I enjoyed.
Thank you to Harper 360/HQ Digital for an advance reader’s copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I had such a blast! It’s warm, it’s cozy, it’s fuzzy, and everything you could want from a regency/time travel romance!
It was very feel good and I loved seeing how both main characters were able to find their footing in their new respective timelines. I mean, I’d be a little freaked out (okay a lot freaked out) if I suddenly ended up in the 1800s and had no clue what to do. So props for Etta for figuring that out. I also loved how much Etta campaigned and stood up for herself! Especially for being in the 1800s and how much her newfound family accepted her and welcomed her into open arms. We can truly see how much she needed them.
Ugh and Hetty!! Sweet Hetty! What a darling human being. Literally too kind for the world. I love how we were able to explore ‘darker’ themes with her and she’s grasping with the fact that she’s depressed and figuring out her sexuality all while living in a new century. And her sweet aunts/descendants! I love how they were able to guide her into her new lifestyle and teach her about modern things while also pushing her to do things outside her comfort zone to make her happy. Their relationship was precious.
I feel like we could get a book two just so I can see what else happened with these two gals. I absolutely loved the ending, even if it was a tiny, little glimpse of their lives!
Thank you to HQ Digital publishing for the ARC.
It was very feel good and I loved seeing how both main characters were able to find their footing in their new respective timelines. I mean, I’d be a little freaked out (okay a lot freaked out) if I suddenly ended up in the 1800s and had no clue what to do. So props for Etta for figuring that out. I also loved how much Etta campaigned and stood up for herself! Especially for being in the 1800s and how much her newfound family accepted her and welcomed her into open arms. We can truly see how much she needed them.
Ugh and Hetty!! Sweet Hetty! What a darling human being. Literally too kind for the world. I love how we were able to explore ‘darker’ themes with her and she’s grasping with the fact that she’s depressed and figuring out her sexuality all while living in a new century. And her sweet aunts/descendants! I love how they were able to guide her into her new lifestyle and teach her about modern things while also pushing her to do things outside her comfort zone to make her happy. Their relationship was precious.
I feel like we could get a book two just so I can see what else happened with these two gals. I absolutely loved the ending, even if it was a tiny, little glimpse of their lives!
Thank you to HQ Digital publishing for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. My honest review is below.
Publication date 26/02/2026
Overall 4 star rating.
The Regency Switch was a quick-paced, easy-to-devour read that I finished in no time. While I initially had some concerns about how rapidly the story moved in the opening chapters—and found myself a little confused at first—the narrative soon settled into its stride. Once past that initial rush, the book revealed itself as a light-hearted rom-com with a delightful Regency Britain twist, which I absolutely adored.
I found myself more drawn to Etty’s storyline than Hetty’s and was eager to spend more time following her journey, though I did enjoy both romances. It was particularly enjoyable seeing how Hetty experienced life in 2023 and reacted to the differences between the two eras, which added humour and charm to the story. The relationships in each era felt believable and well matched to their respective settings. If anything, I would have loved a little more scene-setting at the beginning to help ground the reader before the plot took off.
Overall, The Regency Switch was an enjoyable and charming read that successfully blended romance, humour, and historical flair.
Publication date 26/02/2026
Overall 4 star rating.
The Regency Switch was a quick-paced, easy-to-devour read that I finished in no time. While I initially had some concerns about how rapidly the story moved in the opening chapters—and found myself a little confused at first—the narrative soon settled into its stride. Once past that initial rush, the book revealed itself as a light-hearted rom-com with a delightful Regency Britain twist, which I absolutely adored.
I found myself more drawn to Etty’s storyline than Hetty’s and was eager to spend more time following her journey, though I did enjoy both romances. It was particularly enjoyable seeing how Hetty experienced life in 2023 and reacted to the differences between the two eras, which added humour and charm to the story. The relationships in each era felt believable and well matched to their respective settings. If anything, I would have loved a little more scene-setting at the beginning to help ground the reader before the plot took off.
Overall, The Regency Switch was an enjoyable and charming read that successfully blended romance, humour, and historical flair.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🕰️ The Regency Switch 🕰️
This is a time traveling, body swapping, modern girl in Regency England kind of story and somehow it works. We get both a sapphic romance and an MF romance here. Etta wakes up in Regency England and Hetty finds herself in modern times.
Etta was honestly terrible at adopting Regency era mannerisms and lowkey seemed to enjoy the shock factor. I cannot even blame her because it was hilarious. I loved watching her find a sense of belonging. She was so desperate for family and connection. I was surprised by how she softened her brother’s heart. And Lord Stanhope was absolutely not prepared for her 🤣
Hetty’s storyline hit me close to home. Her mental health struggles were heartbreaking, especially knowing how long she went without the help she needed. It was healing to watch her finally receive support. Her relationship with Stella was soft and sweet, and I loved their story the most.
💖 What to Expect
• Regency era
• Time travel
• Body swap
• Sapphic romance
• Mental health rep
• Found family
• Historical fiction
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4 stars
📅 Pub Date: March 3, 2026
📝 Thank you to HarperCollins 360 and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
This is a time traveling, body swapping, modern girl in Regency England kind of story and somehow it works. We get both a sapphic romance and an MF romance here. Etta wakes up in Regency England and Hetty finds herself in modern times.
Etta was honestly terrible at adopting Regency era mannerisms and lowkey seemed to enjoy the shock factor. I cannot even blame her because it was hilarious. I loved watching her find a sense of belonging. She was so desperate for family and connection. I was surprised by how she softened her brother’s heart. And Lord Stanhope was absolutely not prepared for her 🤣
Hetty’s storyline hit me close to home. Her mental health struggles were heartbreaking, especially knowing how long she went without the help she needed. It was healing to watch her finally receive support. Her relationship with Stella was soft and sweet, and I loved their story the most.
💖 What to Expect
• Regency era
• Time travel
• Body swap
• Sapphic romance
• Mental health rep
• Found family
• Historical fiction
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 4 stars
📅 Pub Date: March 3, 2026
📝 Thank you to HarperCollins 360 and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts are my own.
February 24, 2026
Review of advance copy received from the Publisher.
Thank you HQ Stories for the proof copy for review!
4⭐️ | OUT 26th February!
This was the perfect little comedic pick-up I needed!
What would you do if you a modern woman from the 21st century was body swapped into the body of a woman from the 19th century? Calamity would ensue as you would expect.
Etta Moore does not expect much of her dull existence in 2023 until she mysteriously meets two older ladies on the tube who speak of her ancestor Henrietta Bainbridge. Before she knows it she has swapped lives with Henrietta in Regency England. Quite frankly, Etta seems to prefers the slower way of life in Regency England without technology, balls and the dashingly handsome Lord Stanhope.
Meanwhile Hetty (Henrietta), who has always felt unseen and lost in the 19th century comes alive in 2023 with the help of modern medicine and the affections of her rather beautiful teacher Stella..
This fun story is told back and forth between the two characters point of view 200 years apart. I found Helen's writing to be snappy and witty. This book was such a joy to read and I had a lot of fun with it.
Definitely one to pick up if you are in for a little Bridgerton meets Freaky Friday!
*Just a note - definitely do not look too closely at the logistics or loopholes on two time-swapping ancestors/descendants or you will start to see a lot of holes. ;)
Thank you HQ Stories for the proof copy for review!
4⭐️ | OUT 26th February!
This was the perfect little comedic pick-up I needed!
What would you do if you a modern woman from the 21st century was body swapped into the body of a woman from the 19th century? Calamity would ensue as you would expect.
Etta Moore does not expect much of her dull existence in 2023 until she mysteriously meets two older ladies on the tube who speak of her ancestor Henrietta Bainbridge. Before she knows it she has swapped lives with Henrietta in Regency England. Quite frankly, Etta seems to prefers the slower way of life in Regency England without technology, balls and the dashingly handsome Lord Stanhope.
Meanwhile Hetty (Henrietta), who has always felt unseen and lost in the 19th century comes alive in 2023 with the help of modern medicine and the affections of her rather beautiful teacher Stella..
This fun story is told back and forth between the two characters point of view 200 years apart. I found Helen's writing to be snappy and witty. This book was such a joy to read and I had a lot of fun with it.
Definitely one to pick up if you are in for a little Bridgerton meets Freaky Friday!
*Just a note - definitely do not look too closely at the logistics or loopholes on two time-swapping ancestors/descendants or you will start to see a lot of holes. ;)
March 3, 2026
Thank you to HQ and Helen Gaskill for my copy.
This was a funny romp through modern and regency times, it was the perfect feel good romcom I needed. It was easy to read and I could have devoured it in one sitting as the writing style was enticing and I very reluctantly set it down to go to work! Perfect for anyone craving a little Bridgerton type hit, it's an ideal book for a cosy Sunday afternoon read with a cuppa.
The story follows Etta and Hetty, two women connected through ancestry over 200 years apart. Hetty finds a way to transport herself into the future swapping bodies with Etta. It is full of faux pas on both sides of the timeline as each woman adjusts to life in a very different era. With society and balls to navigate, Etta must decide if she wants to stay in the Regency era with the dashing Lord Stanhope, whilst Hetty must navigate modern technology and women's rights in the modern period with the help of the delicious Stella. An eclectic set of characters supporting each woman, it's a charming story of discovery for both women and gives you pause to think about which you'd choose if given the opportunity.
This was a funny romp through modern and regency times, it was the perfect feel good romcom I needed. It was easy to read and I could have devoured it in one sitting as the writing style was enticing and I very reluctantly set it down to go to work! Perfect for anyone craving a little Bridgerton type hit, it's an ideal book for a cosy Sunday afternoon read with a cuppa.
The story follows Etta and Hetty, two women connected through ancestry over 200 years apart. Hetty finds a way to transport herself into the future swapping bodies with Etta. It is full of faux pas on both sides of the timeline as each woman adjusts to life in a very different era. With society and balls to navigate, Etta must decide if she wants to stay in the Regency era with the dashing Lord Stanhope, whilst Hetty must navigate modern technology and women's rights in the modern period with the help of the delicious Stella. An eclectic set of characters supporting each woman, it's a charming story of discovery for both women and gives you pause to think about which you'd choose if given the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!
Two young women, Henrietta from 1817 and her ancestor, Etta, from 2024 trade places with the help of a metaphysical bracelet. Each woman is thrust in to a completely new world full of strange social demands and experiences. Each meets a special someone very much of their own time, but with whom they form a bond that would have been impossible before the switch.
The Regency Switch is a fun, frothy book examining social mores over time and the way different keys fit different locks. It has a specific eye on the way women exist in such different time periods, the varying challenges, freedoms, and expectations. Both Etta and Hettie are sympathetic and well-rounded characters who I came to feel for. I loved watching them navigate their fish-out-of-water situations, and the love stories were both wonderful and heart-warming. There's a lot of great humour, touching moments, and the secondary characters were fantastic too. I was absorbed completely into both women's worlds and had a great time with this book.
Two young women, Henrietta from 1817 and her ancestor, Etta, from 2024 trade places with the help of a metaphysical bracelet. Each woman is thrust in to a completely new world full of strange social demands and experiences. Each meets a special someone very much of their own time, but with whom they form a bond that would have been impossible before the switch.
The Regency Switch is a fun, frothy book examining social mores over time and the way different keys fit different locks. It has a specific eye on the way women exist in such different time periods, the varying challenges, freedoms, and expectations. Both Etta and Hettie are sympathetic and well-rounded characters who I came to feel for. I loved watching them navigate their fish-out-of-water situations, and the love stories were both wonderful and heart-warming. There's a lot of great humour, touching moments, and the secondary characters were fantastic too. I was absorbed completely into both women's worlds and had a great time with this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Regency Switch is a fun and charming take on Regency romance with a time-traveling twist. I warmed to the writing instantly, with its humorous and confessional style, trying maybe a bit too hard but still witty and cozy and British. The call to action came so fast, it felt almost abrupt - I’d expected more time Bridget Jones-ing - but getting right down to the action is so rare these days that I can't really complain. I loved getting swept along with Etta's Regency adventure and romance with MMC Max, and Hetty's finding her way to freedom from her mental health struggles and the forced heterosexuality of her own time felt so rewarding. I'll take a sapphic subplot wherever I can get one! Sure, it's all a little - a lot - contrived, but it's also a time-traveling, body-swapping Regency romance, and that's probably the point. Suspend all disbelief, and you’ll have a great time with this one!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC :)
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First off I love time travel stories and anything about the Regency period so I was looking forward to this. Hetty and Etta switch places and each has to navigate their new world and the people they're involved with.
Unfortunately this book did not work for me at all! The present day story wasn't a bad read but the Regency story was off the charts. Etta was a very unlikable character. She carried on as she would in her own time for the most part and people just accepted it. No one even raised an eyebrow at the outlandish things she did and said which didn't sit right with me.
The Regency part was crammed with information, too much information.
I don't like swearing in books because for me it jars and breaks the flow and lately I've seen in creep in to many novels and the innuendo in this one just went on and on.
I see from other star ratings that it definitely has it's fans but sorry, I'm not one of them.
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for an early copy.
Unfortunately this book did not work for me at all! The present day story wasn't a bad read but the Regency story was off the charts. Etta was a very unlikable character. She carried on as she would in her own time for the most part and people just accepted it. No one even raised an eyebrow at the outlandish things she did and said which didn't sit right with me.
The Regency part was crammed with information, too much information.
I don't like swearing in books because for me it jars and breaks the flow and lately I've seen in creep in to many novels and the innuendo in this one just went on and on.
I see from other star ratings that it definitely has it's fans but sorry, I'm not one of them.
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for an early copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Spoiler-free review: The Regency Switch
Publishing: March 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I am a massive fan of any period piece as well as anything with time travel so this seemed like the perfect novel for me! I was so excited to read this, though while I enjoyed parts of it, it mostly fell short.
The writing was my biggest issue. Not only was it clunky in parts, the author tried very hard to incorporate modern day vernacular that was just uncomfortable (examples: “hashtag body positivity” and “Reverend Dickens was sashaying their way…”)
Something that really, really bothered me was the clear description of one character being “plus-sized” though the cover does not depict that at all. It wouldn’t have been hard to accurately depict the character on the cover.
Overall, I enjoyed this. There were really cute parts and several funny bits to make up for the odd writing.
Thank you so very much Harper 360 for the eARC! The opinions in this review are left here honestly and voluntarily.
Publishing: March 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I am a massive fan of any period piece as well as anything with time travel so this seemed like the perfect novel for me! I was so excited to read this, though while I enjoyed parts of it, it mostly fell short.
The writing was my biggest issue. Not only was it clunky in parts, the author tried very hard to incorporate modern day vernacular that was just uncomfortable (examples: “hashtag body positivity” and “Reverend Dickens was sashaying their way…”)
Something that really, really bothered me was the clear description of one character being “plus-sized” though the cover does not depict that at all. It wouldn’t have been hard to accurately depict the character on the cover.
Overall, I enjoyed this. There were really cute parts and several funny bits to make up for the odd writing.
Thank you so very much Harper 360 for the eARC! The opinions in this review are left here honestly and voluntarily.
March 5, 2026
Thank you to @harpercollins360 @hqstories and @Netgalley for the chance to review this ARC.
Read this book if you like time travel, Regency romance, fish out of water, sapphic romance.
Etta Moore is on her way to work on the London Tube on a typical Tuesday morning in 2023 when she encounters two eccentric old ladies who claim that her ancestor, Henrietta Bainbridge, from 1817 discovered a way to swap bodies. Before she knows it she’s back in the Regency era, about to experience a “season” and crushing on the Lord next door. Meanwhile, Henrietta is in the midst of 2023 London learning to embrace technology and finding love with Stella, her computer class instructor. Either of them can leave at any time. But will they want to?
This was a cute story. Both main characters were likable, and watching them both discover new things was fun. Their love stories were sweet and wholesome with fade to black spice. There was a tiny bit of drama that was easily worked through. And a pretty low stakes plot. I did wish for a bit more character development. Even the depression of one of the characters was pretty simply explained and fixed.
But overall this was a cute, low-stakes story with a fun premise.
Read this book if you like time travel, Regency romance, fish out of water, sapphic romance.
Etta Moore is on her way to work on the London Tube on a typical Tuesday morning in 2023 when she encounters two eccentric old ladies who claim that her ancestor, Henrietta Bainbridge, from 1817 discovered a way to swap bodies. Before she knows it she’s back in the Regency era, about to experience a “season” and crushing on the Lord next door. Meanwhile, Henrietta is in the midst of 2023 London learning to embrace technology and finding love with Stella, her computer class instructor. Either of them can leave at any time. But will they want to?
This was a cute story. Both main characters were likable, and watching them both discover new things was fun. Their love stories were sweet and wholesome with fade to black spice. There was a tiny bit of drama that was easily worked through. And a pretty low stakes plot. I did wish for a bit more character development. Even the depression of one of the characters was pretty simply explained and fixed.
But overall this was a cute, low-stakes story with a fun premise.
March 3, 2026
✨ Have you watched Bridgerton and wanted to go to 🎀 Regency Era 🎀 ? Then this debut novel by Helen Gaskell is for you ✨
✨ Hetty and Etta, do a time swap. Now Etta is in 1817 and Hetty is in 2023🔁. We alternate between the two times and their POVs of their new ERAs. Both of them tackling unique situations in this quirky, sweet romance book🤌
✨ What I liked -
-Regency Max is such a green flag 🍀
-A curious FMC with scientific temperament 🫶
-FMC who speaks her mind and takes control💕
-Writing about Depression, LGBTQIA, Suffrage🤌
-Finally someone addressed Sanitation issue 😂😭
✨ What I would have liked more to have -
-A bit more quirky chapters 💜
-More of Charlie, Stella 💜
✨ Book releases today! Happy Pub Day 🎉 (Mar 3, 2026)
✨ Author - @helengaskell.writer
✨ Thank you so much @harpercollins360 , @hqstories for this gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.
🏷️tags:
#bookstagram #bookreview
#regencyromance
#timetravelromance #simplyvaish
✨ Hetty and Etta, do a time swap. Now Etta is in 1817 and Hetty is in 2023🔁. We alternate between the two times and their POVs of their new ERAs. Both of them tackling unique situations in this quirky, sweet romance book🤌
✨ What I liked -
-Regency Max is such a green flag 🍀
-A curious FMC with scientific temperament 🫶
-FMC who speaks her mind and takes control💕
-Writing about Depression, LGBTQIA, Suffrage🤌
-Finally someone addressed Sanitation issue 😂😭
✨ What I would have liked more to have -
-A bit more quirky chapters 💜
-More of Charlie, Stella 💜
✨ Book releases today! Happy Pub Day 🎉 (Mar 3, 2026)
✨ Author - @helengaskell.writer
✨ Thank you so much @harpercollins360 , @hqstories for this gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.
🏷️tags:
#bookstagram #bookreview
#regencyromance
#timetravelromance #simplyvaish
November 18, 2025
This was a really fun wee read with a lot of heartwarming moments.
Positives:
- I loved Hetty being able to get medicine for her depression and being able to come out, it was so sweet
- I enjoy when historical romances have a modern twist, which this had in spades
- Max is green flag central and that’s my favourite kinds of MMCs
- The sapphic romance was lovely and they complimented each other really well
- I really loved the end note about what Etta got up to
The negatives
- The pacing was off at points, the start dragged quite a bit
- Etta makes several really obvious mistakes, which was frustrating from someone who was meant to have watched a lot of Bridgerton
Overall, a really good, light-hearted read!
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Positives:
- I loved Hetty being able to get medicine for her depression and being able to come out, it was so sweet
- I enjoy when historical romances have a modern twist, which this had in spades
- Max is green flag central and that’s my favourite kinds of MMCs
- The sapphic romance was lovely and they complimented each other really well
- I really loved the end note about what Etta got up to
The negatives
- The pacing was off at points, the start dragged quite a bit
- Etta makes several really obvious mistakes, which was frustrating from someone who was meant to have watched a lot of Bridgerton
Overall, a really good, light-hearted read!
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper360 for an ARC of this novel!
I will admit, I found The Regency Switch to be a bit confusing at times. There was little to no explanation of the Season, for instance, and I found myself grasping at it based on context. I think I would have found it more helpful had there been a simple one sentence explanation. I'm American, not British, so that might be part of it anyways.
Outside of the confusion that I experienced, I found this to be a delightful read. Hetty's naivety made her fit into 2023, while Etta's made her stand out a lot in 1817. I was surprised how enjoyable I found this book- I'm not one for sci-fi and time jumps like this- but I found both of their stories sweet and the ending made me swoon!
I will admit, I found The Regency Switch to be a bit confusing at times. There was little to no explanation of the Season, for instance, and I found myself grasping at it based on context. I think I would have found it more helpful had there been a simple one sentence explanation. I'm American, not British, so that might be part of it anyways.
Outside of the confusion that I experienced, I found this to be a delightful read. Hetty's naivety made her fit into 2023, while Etta's made her stand out a lot in 1817. I was surprised how enjoyable I found this book- I'm not one for sci-fi and time jumps like this- but I found both of their stories sweet and the ending made me swoon!
March 5, 2026
The Regency Switch is an absolute blast and a delightful romp, especially if you're going through the post season 4 Bridgerton blues.
It's told between two times periods (now and Regency, hence the switch) with two protagonists. This is one of the rare books where I didn't find myself longing to get back to one of the characters. I really loved both Etta and Hetty's stories. I wanted to stay with both of them! That never happens!!
On top of being genuinely fun and just an easy read, it was also surprisingly heart-warming and I found myself tearing up. It reminded me of how lucky we are to be able to live and love the way we want today and what a gift that is. This is Helen Gaskell's debut and I know I'll be back for her next book.
It's told between two times periods (now and Regency, hence the switch) with two protagonists. This is one of the rare books where I didn't find myself longing to get back to one of the characters. I really loved both Etta and Hetty's stories. I wanted to stay with both of them! That never happens!!
On top of being genuinely fun and just an easy read, it was also surprisingly heart-warming and I found myself tearing up. It reminded me of how lucky we are to be able to live and love the way we want today and what a gift that is. This is Helen Gaskell's debut and I know I'll be back for her next book.
October 24, 2025
"You're Henrietta Moore, and it's 2023. But we're offering you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, right here, right now. If you take this bracelet, you'll be Henrietta Bainbridge, and it'll be 1817."
I have a soft spot for stories like this - Lost in Austen, 13 Going on 30, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure - where magic is sprinkled and unlikely adventures happen. This one is written with vim and vigour, and is a lot of fun.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
I have a soft spot for stories like this - Lost in Austen, 13 Going on 30, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure - where magic is sprinkled and unlikely adventures happen. This one is written with vim and vigour, and is a lot of fun.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a fun, fast read! I am thankful for the opportunity to read an ARC of this from NetGalley. I was really excited for this one, as a Jane Austen fan and regency lover! In some ways, this book reminded me of The Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. I love the same theme in this of body switching in regency era/modern times. I really enjoyed both Etta and Hetty, and their own personal struggles. I am always happy to see LGBTQ+ characters in regency stories! I was so happy for Hetty that in 2023, that she was able to fully live her life out loud. This was such a fun read, and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a good vacation read!
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