What is a comfort read? Well, it can be different things to different people but one feature is always the same - it's a book you have read more than once. It may not be great literature or that author's most skilled offering, in fact, sometimes I prefer it not to be, but it has something going for it, some sense of place and people that makes you want to visit again, and again.
My comfort reads are usually on the lighter side of life. They are books with characters I like, places I visit in my mind and stories I can sink into when feeling less than wonderful myself. The plots are usually not too involved (I couldn't keep track in the aftermath of a migraine), there's a limited cast, most of whom are nice, and not too much pain, horror or angst. If there's some humor so much the better although it can be dispensed with.
I have selected only one book per author, even if some have several which would count as comfort reads. Some of the books have been reviewed on this site, either by me or Janice, and are linked. Others we haven't got around to yet or are too familiar with to review. It is possible, you know, to know a book too well. 
So here they are (whimsically listed by the authors' first name) with the hope that you, too, will enjoy them!
- Anthea Malcolm - The Courting of Philippa
I particularly enjoy books about writers because this is one subject authors know well. This is one of the best.* - April Kihlstrom - An Outrageous Proposal
Odds are usually stacked against women without the all powerful hero's machinations. Here's one guy that gets his comeuppance - and how!* - Barbara Benedict - Catch of the Season
She doesn't know she's the heroine and he doesn't want to be the hero but somehow...* - Carola Dunn - My Lord Winter
I have every Regency Carola has ever written but when I feel under the weather this is the one I tend to pick up.* - Charlotte Louise Dolan - Fallen Angel
Tiresomely often the Plain Jane heroine gets a makeover and turns into a beauty. Refreshingly, this heroine manages to capture the hero without!* - Clare Darcy - Cressida
I've reread most books by this, mostly forgotten, author but none of them as often as this one. It's one of those books where the characters transcend the plot.* - Diana Delmore - Cassandra
Yes, Cassandra does remind some of Heyer's The Grand Sophy yet she's her own person as well. This is an old favorite with a plot no more outrageous than the heroine.* - Dixie Lee McKeone - Daughters Four
In romances, wit is rarer than humor but this, although quite an amusing tale is also witty. Still delightful after many a reread.* - Dorothy Mack - A Prior Attachment
A summer story, almost breathing birdsong and flower scents. Two love stories intertwined in a believable setting.* - Elizabeth Chater - A Time to Love
Unlike most Regencies, this one is set in Cit circles, those people 'in trade' wanting to be somebody too without aspiring to the nobility.* - Elizabeth Hewitt - A Lasting Attachment
A book that takes you from New England, across the Atlantic via Portugal to Britain. You can almost feel the salty breeze.* - Elizabeth Mansfield - The Fifth Kiss
Her sister happily married to a libertine! Thinking little of society, this bluestocking heroine ponders love and kisses, some of them forbidden.* - Emma Jensen - Best Laid Schemes
Never did a starchier hero stalk across the pages and rarely a heroine with less dignity. Add a ditzy aunt, her pet monkey and the mix gets richer.* - Georgette Heyer - The Quiet Gentleman
The older I've got the more this book has appealed to me even though it's the source of that awful 'button tip' error. I simply enjoy the atmosphere.* - Jane Ashford - A Radical Arrangement
Have you ever been to Penzance? The Cornwall setting of this book is more than half the tale and that ain't bad.* - Janet Edmonds - Count Sergei's Pride
The darkest book on the list, I believe but absorbing. If you don't like Russian settings, well, you won't like this one.* - Jasmine Cresswell - The Reluctant Viscountess
From the opening words this novel is a delight. It's amusing and heart-rending, sometimes both at once.* - Jean Reece - The Primrose Path
Believing his depraved brother's every word, this nobleman knows what a heartless, unprincipled woman is his sister-in-law. Far would it be from her to disabuse him!* - Joan Smith - Lover's Quarrels
Looking for a caretake... er.. wife for his brother, the hero entangles the plot almost beyond unraveling, especially when he realizes he wants the chosen bride for himself!* - Joy Freemen - A Suitable Match
Freemen only published two Regencies - this one is a gem. This rakish hero's past isn't simply glossed over, he does get what's coming to him. Good!* - Julie Tetel - The Temporary Bride
On her way to a new position, our governess is mistaken for somebody else and thus starts her imposture as wife to the gambling gentleman. Adventure without danger; how can it be more comfortable?* - Laura Matthews - The Seventh Suitor
Low-key yet teeming with feelings, this is a tale about adult people solving problems in an adult manner. There are no spies or adventures but I wasn't bored for a moment. She could've left out the gypsy fortuneteller though.* - Margaret Summerville - The Duke's Disappearance
Maybe this book should've been retitled The Disliked Duke. Hiding from gossip by stepping away from his rank, the duke finds his heart and fellow feelings. No bad thing that.* - Marian Devon - The Rogue's Lady
When young Alex beat Harry to defend her pudding-hearted hero. Now adult and her great aunt's underpaid companion, the hero engaged to an heiress, Harry decides to take a hand saving his old playmate.* - Marjorie Farrell - Miss Ware's Refusal
Definitely this author's best novel. A large part of the book takes place indoors in libraries and parlors. Now that's comfy!* - Marnie Ellingson - The Wicked Marquis
A bit of a Cinderella story where the practical heroine acts as her own fairy godmother. Incidentally she also saves her cousins from unsuitable marriages and finds a hero of her own.* - Martha Jean Powers - The Perfect Fiancée
Endurance Fraser is as far from being the perfect fiancée as anyone can be. Impulsive, warmhearted to a fault, she moves from one near disaster to another. Is it surprising her guardian wants to marry the soothing Honoria, who never puts a foot wrong?* - Mary Balogh - Lord Carew's Bride
If you like beta heroes, this story is a must for you. Unusually low key for a Balogh, this is a book I've read again and again.* - Megan Daniel - The Queen of Hearts
At eighteen, mousy Mally was married to younger son Tony and shipped to Barbados. Ten years later, she's become strong and courageous when returning as the wealthy Countess of Haye. Now her brother has found another Tony for Mally to marry but she will have none of it!* - Nancy Richard-Akers - The Lilac Garland
Some books I just read for the atmosphere and sense of place. This is one of them. Well, the story is kinda cute too.* - Paula Marshall - Cousin Harry
Alex is outraged when his distant cousin's widow inherits the estate he always thought of as his. The nasty gossip about her doesn't make it better. There's something about this story that just gets to me.* - Pauline York - The Torpid Duke
A strong heroine with three charming heroes to chose from - while her best friend plays Aphrodite, the goddess of love, to the hilt. How's that for intrigue?* - Rosemary Edgehill - Turkish Delight
English Louisa was brought up in the seraglio of the Grand Turk so naturally Byron's fancy tales are her favorites - although not for the usual reasons! Nor is she the usual prissy debutante, whatever her aunt and her too many cousins wish.* - Sarah Carlisle - Cleopatra's Carpet
In this book, characters are way more than the plot. I'm still wondering if the heroine's mother or the plot is the sillier of the two. Vastly amusingly told!* - Sheila Bishop - A Speaking Likeness
A middle class poverty-stricken soldier widow is not your usual romance heroine but this story has one. Some books are meant to be read more than once. This one is one of them.* - Sheila Simonson - Cousinly Connexion
Without in any way imitating her style, this book is more attuned to Jane Austen both in time and style than any other historical novel I've read. You can really sink into this one.* - Sheila Walsh - The Sergeant Major's Daughter
Don't be fooled this is another The Grand Sophy. The heroine may have followed the drum and as a result have developed a somewhat independent spirit but the likeness stops there.* - Sylvia Andrew - An Unreasonable Match
Hester is a mathematician with a special knack for ciphers. She doesn't need a husband, or so she tries to convince her parents. Part of the Steepwood series but on rereading I usually skip the tie-ins.* - Teresa DesJardien - The Bartered Bridegroom
If you love horses, I do, then you enjoy this heroine. A story about love and the struggle of women for the freedom to be themselves - without a lot of feminist diatribes.*
