18 Historical Romance Books to Read

Fall in love with these charming historical romance books, captivating historical fiction novels with love stories and classic romances.

If you know me at all, you would know that I am not much of a romance reader. From time to time, I enjoy a quick beach read but generally I prefer heavier reads.

For the 2026 Reading Challenge, I prompted readers to choose a historical romance book so it seemed only fitting that I give some recommendations. But I’m going to do it in Booklist Queen fashion.

When you think of historical romance books, you probably think of a shirtless Fabio paperback at a thrift store. Which totally counts. It’s just not what I read. Instead, I’ve combined my list of the most popular historical romance books with some thought-provoking historical fiction novels that prominently feature a love story. And because I can never resist a well-written book, I’ve thrown in the must-read classic romance books. 

Would a librarian call all of these historical romance books? Probably not. But I love to include a little something for everyone in my book lists.

One of the ultimate historical romance books, Gabaldon’s Outlander series creates a sweeping love triangle. Recently returned from serving as a WWII nurse, Claire Randall decides to take a second honeymoon with her husband. When she steps through a standing stone in the British Isles, she finds herself transported back to 1743 in war-torn Scotland. As Claire allies with the great warrior James Fraser, she must decide between the love of two completely men in two completely different times.

Publication Date: 1 June 1991
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In the first book of her Bridgerton historical romance book series, Daphne Bridgerton refuses to play along with the strict rules of Regency London. The fourth of eight children, everyone finds Daphne amiable but she’s too honest for her own good, refusing to play the romantic games expected of her. No one would call Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings, amiable as he rejects marriage and society. To keep his family’s pressure off and make Daphne considered more desirable, the two strike up a fake courtship that might be more than they expected in the cutthroat world of London’s elite.

Publication Date: 5 January 2000
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For those who enjoy a proper romance book, Edenbrooke has all the charm of historical romance books without any of the steam. To escape boredom and an unwanted suitor, Marianne Daventry joins her twin sister Cecily on a sprawling country estate where Cecily hopes to snag the heart of the heir. From a run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds her summer going awry and must decide whether she can, or will, rein in her traitorous heart.

Publication Date: 27 March 2012
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In 1879, Annabelle Archer becomes one of the first female students at the University of Oxford. Tasked with helping the women’s suffrage movement, Annabelle is sent to recruit wealthy men to her cause. Sebastian Devereux, Duke of Montgomery, helps control the queen’s policy but stands against everything Annabelle believes. Yet the two can’t seem to fight a growing attraction in this fiery historical romance book.

Publication Date: 3 September 2019
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When her son needs a kidney transplant in 2022, single mother Mallory Dunne must face two secrets from her past: her mother’s adoption from an infamous Irish orphanage and Mallory’s past love affair. Years earlier, Mallory had an all-consuming summer fling with her childhood best friend, Monk Adams, who is now a famous singer-songwriter. In Cairo in 1951, a Hungarian refugee finds herself pregnant and caught between two men in a game of spies as rumors of a revolution swirl. 

Publication Date: 25 June 2024
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Fleeing the French occupation of Mexico, Ana María Luna Valdés and her sisters are secretly sent to live in Victoria-era England. Having lived her life as the perfect daughter, Ana María gets her first taste of freedom in London and gets swept up in the eyes of Gideon Fox, a member of Parliament determined to abolish cross-Atlantic slavery. When a nefarious nobleman sets his eyes on Ana María, Gideon realizes he must protect her, but also wonders if she might win his heart as well.

Publication Date: 4 April 2023
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At the height of World War II, Rosalind Porter was an eminent physicist working on the Manhattan Project caught in a passionate affair with a colleague. Five years later, she’s living an obscure and heartbroken life in Chicago. When the FBI asks her to help investigate the sale of nuclear secrets and her old flame suddenly wants to reconnect, Rosalind gets caught in a sexy Cold War spy game.

Publication Date: 18 August 2020
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In the 1980s, Joan Goodwin is an unassuming professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University helping her sister to raise her niece. When she sees an ad for the first women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, Joan finds herself training to be an astronaut with a colorful cast of characters that teach her about the transformative power of love. Set amidst the competitive wanderlust of the early space program, Taylor Jenkins Reid presents a love story not only of two astronauts falling in love but also of the immense love of an aunt for her niece. 

Publication Date: 3 June 2025
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A list of historical romance books wouldn’t be complete without Gruen’s bestseller. Poor orphan Jacob Janowski never expected to find a home with the Benzini Brothers’ circus show. A veterinary student, Jacob is put in charge of the circus’s animals where he falls in love with an untrainable elephant and a gorgeous married equestrian star.

Publication Date: 22 May 2006
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Set during the Great Depression, Englishwoman Alice Wright marries a handsome American and finds herself transplanted to rural Kentucky. To escape her unhappy home life with her withdrawn husband and overbearing father-in-law, Alice agrees to become a traveling librarian, riding around the countryside bringing books to local residents. In her new job, she meets other fierce women and gains lasting friendships. Add in plenty of drama, love stories, corrupt businessmen, and even murder, and you have the perfect light historical fiction mystery to read.

Publication Date: 3 October 2019
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In the time space, a massive library exists filled with books containing the memories of those who have died. The library is only accessed by special watches once passed from father to son but now in the hands of the government. Trapped in the library as a child, Lisavet begins to collect memories when she realizes government agents are entering the library to destroy books to tell their version of history, But the arrival of an American spy will make Lisavet realize how much she is missing. A good choice if you enjoy a bit of time travel fantasy mixed with a historical romance.

Publication Date: 26 August 2025
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Despite its fascist dictatorship of Francisco Franco, Spain continues to allure tourists in the late 1950s. Ready to embrace his mother’s Heritage through photography, Texan Daniel Matheson arrives in Madrid full of hope. When he meets Ana, one of the hotel maids, his life irrevocably changes. Within the truth about Franco’s reign and the lasting repercussions of the Spanish Civil War, Ruta Sepetys mixes family drama, love, and heartbreak into this fascinating historical setting.

Publication Date: 1 October 2019
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Growing up, Marisol Ferrera was always enthralled by tales of her grandmother, who fled Cuba during the Revolution. Her grandmother, the daughter of a sugar baron, lived a sheltered life until she began an affair with a passionate revolutionary. After her grandmother dies, Marisol Ferrera travels to Havana to spread her ashes where she meets a handsome stranger and learns lessons from her grandmother’s past.

Publication Date: 6 February 2018
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It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen the BBC miniseries or the Keira Knightley movie, you still need to read the book. Jane Austen’s witty novel is a fun reminder of the importance of marrying for love and not lust or security. Follow along as Elizabeth Bennett goes from loathing to loving Mr. Darcy in this classic British romance.

Publication Date: 1813
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Gone with the Wind is Margaret Mitchell’s idealized look at the South at the time of the civil war provides you food for thought about how we portray our bias into historical events. Her extremely flawed heroine Scarlett O’Hara gives you much to contemplate about love and selfishness. While I adore watching the movie, I love being able to see into Scarlett’s thought process in the book.

Publication Date: 1936
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One of my favorite classic romances, North and South revolves around Margaret Hale, the preacher’s daughter uprooted from her country home to live in the smog of industrializing London. There she meets John Thornton, the harsh owner of a textile mill. Throw in labor riots, social justice concerns, and a dash of Victorian romance and you have a perfect classic book to read.

Publication Date: 1854
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Orphaned as a child, Jane Eyre has always felt like an outcast. She gladly accepts a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall, caring for Adele, the young ward of the brooding Mr. Rochester. Soon Jane has fallen in love with Rochester’s troubled but kind soul, but a lurking secret at Thornfield Hall threatens to leave her heartbroken.

Publication Date: 16 October 1847
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On the edge of an English moor, Catherine Earnshaw must decide between her passionate gypsy neighbor Heathcliff and her well-to-do English suitor. When she chooses the latter, a brooding Heathcliff takes out his anger on the next generation. Love it or hate it, Wuthering Heights is still one of those classic romance books you need to read in your lifetime.

Publication Date: 1847
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Do You Enjoy Historical Romance Books?

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with my Historical Romance Books list? What historical romances have I forgotten? As always, let me know in the comments!

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• Dazzling YA Historical Fiction
• Historical Fantasy Books
• Discussion-Worthy Book Club Recommendations
• The Best Summer Reads
• Delightful Books About Friendship
• 100 Classic Books to Read Before You Die

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