Is time travel impossible? It could be a yes to theoretical physicists, but it’s an emphatic No to book lovers! Historical romance books can immerse you in the texture and color of any period (past or present).
They are a popular and enduring literature genre that incorporates love, personal growth, romance, and relationships. They also cover themes like fantasy, historical fiction, inspiration, etc.
Some historical romance books on our list include Fingersmith, Friday’s Child, and Indigo.
Are you interested in the best historical fiction romance books of all time? Look no further! As there are a plethora of books to choose from. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy our 20 must-read Historical Fiction romance book selections.
Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
One of the best historical fiction romance books on our list is, without doubt, indigo, an NAACP nominee, written by one of the bestselling authors, Beverly Jenkins. This book is an epic novel with a storyline exploring love, deception, faith, and hope.
Hester Wyatt escaped slavery as a child and became a dedicated member of Michigan’s underground railroad, helping other runaways get the freedom to love. Black Daniel- an important member of the North’s Underground railroad network, was brought injured and was to be cared for by Hester.
When Black Daniel woke in Hester’s cellar, he was not prepared for the young conductor providing his care. However, as he healed, he could not just turn his back on her; her innocence filled him like a breath of fresh air, and he was determined to make her his.
“Indigo” is a powerful and beautifully written novel that explores the intersection of race, class, and gender in 19th-century America. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of black women during a time of great hardship and adversity.
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Fingersmith is a pulsating story that is gripping, elaborate, suspenseful, and twisting, compelling you to read at breakneck speed.
This story talks about two women from different areas of life whose fates are indistinguishably linked. Sue Trinder is a Fingersmith- also known as a thief, and the other, Maud Lilly, an aristocratic lady and a secretary to her debauched uncle.
Sue was to act as her maid and accomplice in the plot of swindling Maud. During their interaction, they fell in love with each other. They later realized that they had been working against each other all the while.
Fingersmith is not a conventional romance but a thrilling tale of betrayal, mistaken identity, and an unforgettable ending.
After years of separation due to war, a former WWII nurse Claire, and her historian husband, Frank Randall, returned to Scotland to reconnect as a family. On a botany tour, Claire stumbled upon an ancient henge that took her back to 1743.
In 1743, she met a Scottish outlaw called Jamie Fraser, created a bond through forced marriage, and then they naturally fell in love, not minding her husband she left behind in 1945.
“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon is a historical fiction novel that blends romance, adventure, and time travel.
Friday’s Child by Georgette Heyer
This Georgette Heyer novel, published in 1944, is relatively lively and humorous as it explores duels, gambling, card games, parties, and elopement. It is not very different from her other books: The Convenient Marriage and April Lady, which revolves around newly wedded couples learning to love each other.
Viscount Sheringham, rejected by his childhood friend Miss Milbourne goes home to his mother and uncle, who demand a rehash, also making him understand that he has no claim over his inheritance unless he gets married.
Sheringham steps out of the house, claiming that he will marry the first woman he sees, which happens to be Miss Hero- his childhood friend. He realized how naïve she was after deciding she would be his perfect bride. The marriage was filled with misunderstandings, but they learned to love each other in the long run.
Friday’s Child is light but entertaining as it combines wicked fun and tender affection in a regency setting and gets interesting with every page turn.
A Night To Surrender (Spindle Cove Series) by Tessa Dare
If you desire a historical romance that is funny, romantic, poignant, and sexy, look no further, as this spindle cove series has got you covered.
A night to Surrender starts her spindle cove series around a coastal retreat for young, refined ladies by the ever-determined Miss Finch.
The Saxon Outlaws Revenge by Elizabeth Hobbes
Hobbes shared the story of Arnaud Constance and a Saxon outlaw, Aelric. Lawless Saxons kidnaped Constance and, in the process, reunited with Aelric, her first love. She noticed that the sweet and caring man she had known seven years ago was now replaced with a brutal man who believed she had abandoned him.
Aelric is now out for the blood of the man he believes replaced him- Norman, to be precise, and not even Constance can stop him.
The Saxon Outlaws Revenge is an action-adventure historical romance novel exploring revenge and true love.
My Beautiful Enemy by Sherry Thomas
My Beautiful Enemy is an adventurous story about two Chinese travelers who fell in love, only to discover they are from opposite sides of a political chess game.
She was betrayed by the man she once loved and crossed paths with him again eight years later. They face the pain of working together but first will have to forgive each other—the story of My Beautiful Enemy centers around love, political intrigue, betrayal, and forgiveness.
The Good Knight ( the Gareth and Gwen Medieval Mysteries) by Sarah Woodbury
The court of Owain, the king of north Wales, was engrossed with the shadow of jealousy, rivalry, and suspicion among the royal princes.
The princess is betrothed to an allied king who dies on his way to the wedding. Two knights – Gwen and Gareth- are tasked with bringing the murderer to justice.
Gareth is once framed for the murder, and Gwen is expected to carry on with the mission alone, faced with unlikely allies in foreign lands and uncovering a conspiracy that will shake the foundation of Wales.
The Good Knight is a romance novel that brings you closer to love, jealousy, and royalty.
A Duke, The Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley
Colin Jordan died before the birth of his son. Patience, Colin’s wife, was forcefully removed from her home by her husband’s evil uncle and taken to Bedlam, hoping to control a large part of her trust, claiming he is the only remaining relative of Lionel.
Patience escaped with a friend with the hope of getting her son back. Her hope was shattered as her home was inherited by Colin’s cousin and heir, Busick—Lionel’s legal guardian. Patience had to disguise herself as a wet nurse to be able to care for Lionel.
She cleared the mix of sexism and racism and worked together to bring Markem down. Patience and Busick’s affection for Lionel created a bond that later became love.
A Duke, The Lady, and a Baby is a multicultural historical regency Romance book that explores racism, sexism, and trust.
The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller
A young Greek prince, Patroclus, is exiled to Peleus’s court, where he meets a gold-haired demi-god, Achilles. They formed a strong bond, sharing Joy, woe, and love. In the end, their happiness was threatened by a terrible prophecy and war.
Song of Achilles is an epic love story, an action-packed adventure, and a tale of kings, gods, the human heart, and immortal fame.
“One Day in December” by Josie Silver
One Day in December” by Josie Silver is a contemporary romance novel that follows the story of Laurie and Jack, two strangers who have a chance encounter inside the bus on a snowy December day. They share a brief moment of connection before the bus drives away, leaving Laurie to wonder if she will ever see Jack again.
The novel spans over ten years, following Laurie and Jack as they navigate their careers, relationships, and personal growth. Despite their intense connection, Laurie and Jack struggle to find their way back to each other as their lives take them in different directions.
Overall, “One Day in December” is a charming and heartwarming romance novel perfect for fans of contemporary love stories.
“The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger
Another time-traveling love story, this novel follows the relationship between Henry, a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time-travel involuntarily, and Clare, the woman he loves across time and space.
“The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger is a unique and emotionally gripping love story transcending time and space.
“The Bronze Horseman” by Paullina Simons
Set during World War II in Russia, this novel tells the story of Tatiana and Alexander, two young people who fall in love amid the chaos of war. Their love is tested as they struggle to survive in a brutal and unforgiving world.
“The Bronze Horseman” by Paullina Simons is a sweeping historical romance set during the siege of Leningrad in World War II.
“The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
This historical fiction novel tells the story of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France who must navigate the dangers of war while grappling with their struggles and relationships. The book is a powerful and moving testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Overall, “The Nightingale” is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will leave you in awe and wonder.
“Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell
This classic novel set in the American South during the Civil War is a sweeping epic story of love, loss, and survival. The love story between Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler is one of the most enduring in literature, and the book’s depiction of the war-torn South is both vivid and haunting.
Overall, “Gone with the Wind” is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will fascinate you. It is a celebration of love and the power of human connection and is a must-read for anyone who loves a good love story set against the backdrop of history.
“The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett
Set in medieval England, this novel tells the story of the building of a great cathedral and the people whose lives are intertwined with its construction. At the center of the book is the love story between Tom, the master builder, and Aliena, the daughter of a disinherited earl.
“The Pillars of the Earth” is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will leave you in awe.
“The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn
This novel tells the story of two women from different periods brought together by a shared mission to uncover the truth about a Nazi spy network during World War I. The book is a gripping, suspenseful page-turner with a passionate and poignant romance.
“The Alice Network” is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will excite you.
“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
This charming novel tells the story of a writer who travels to the island of Guernsey to research a book and becomes immersed in the lives of the locals, including a man named Dawsey, who captured her heart. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the book celebrates the power of literature and the resilience of the human spirit.
This novel is a fictionalized account of the relationship between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley, during their time in Paris in the 1920s. The book captures the excitement and glamor of the era while also exploring the complexities of love and marriage.
Overall, “The Paris Wife” is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will leave you with a sense of admiration for the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
“The Other Boleyn Girl” by Philippa Gregory
This historical fiction novel tells the story of Mary Boleyn, the younger sister of Anne Boleyn, who becomes the mistress of King Henry VIII. The book is set during the Tudor era in England; it follows Mary’s rise to power and the complex relationships between the Boleyn sisters and the king.
The book is a gripping tale of ambition, power, and love and provides a fascinating glimpse into the political and social machinations of the Tudor court. Mary Boleyn, often overshadowed by her more famous sister Anne, is brought to life in all her complexity in this novel. She is a woman torn between her loyalty to her family and her desire for love and independence.
Overall, “The Other Boleyn Girl” is a compelling and engaging historical fiction novel that will appeal to fans of romance and history.
Conclusion
These historical romance books offer a range of romantic experiences, from classic love stories to modern twists. Each book has its unique characters, setting, and plot, but they all share one thing in common: they celebrate the power and beauty of love.
FAQs
What is the difference between fiction and historical fiction?
In historical fiction, the story or the idea is from the past, but the actions, characters, settings, and other elements are fictionalized. Fiction, on the other hand, covers different types of writing, and they are not always historical.
Which novel is the best example of a historical romance?
There are a plethora of historical romance novels available. However, we’ve made a list of our opinions, some of which include: Indigo, Fingersmith, Friday’s Child, etc.
Why is historical fiction the best?
It is important to note that historical fiction emanates from greed for experience- Hillary Mantel. Historical novels are the best as they expose the reader to people’s inner lives across time and place.
Why is historical romance popular?
Historical romance is popular because it offers a rich character description that takes you back in time and gives you the feeling that you are interacting with the characters yourself.
Who are the best historical fiction authors to look out for?
There are so many great fiction authors, some of which include: Diana Gabaldon 1952, Phillipa Gregory, 1954; Sarah Waters, Colson Whitehead, 1969, etc.
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