Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series has a fan base of its own, and it’s easy to see why. It has drama, time travel, smut, and incredible storylines that will keep you glued to its pages.
While these books are pretty much unmatched in their genre, here are 20 best books like Outlander that can woo any bookworm with their plotlines. Pick them up after you finish the OG series, and you’ll never have to leave the time travel universe again.
A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
In this book, Dougless, who has been “abandoned by cruel fate,” accidentally summons a most extraordinary man. This man is none other than Nicholas Stafford, Earl of Thornwyck, from the 16th century.
Magnetically drawn to him, Dougless must go on a grand adventure with Nicholas to help him figure out who framed him for treason in his time and bring justice to the wrongs done to him in the past. While the two forge a bond based on need, it transforms into a relationship that stands, quite literally, the test of time.
This book discusses the heart-breaking civil war and how it impacts Scarlett O’Hara, the young (and incredibly spoiled!) daughter of a well-to-do plantation owner.
Although it does not involve time travel in the conventional sense of the term, the book is a masterpiece every bibliophile should read once in their lifetime.
This book is a favorite with Outlander fans and that’s no surprise.
It is a continuation to The Last of the Mohicans, and tells the story of an unlikely duo: Nataniel Bonner, a rugged Scotsman, and Elizabeth Middleton, a 29-year-old sheltered spinster.
From the moment they meet, the attraction between the two is palpable and it becomes even more intriguing as readers learn that Elizabeth has been promised to another man, Dr. Richard Todd. Factor in Elizabeth’s parent’s disapproval of the duo and secret love scenes with explosive climaxes, and this Donati masterpiece will have you gripping the edge of your seat in anticipation of what’s about to happen.
This sweeping love story set in 1912 will tug at your heartstrings.
When Scottish poet Elspeth begins a correspondence with David, an admirer from America, the two build a friendship which quickly blooms into pure love. However, everything changes when David volunteers to drive ambulances in France during WWI, leaving Elspeth waiting at home, hoping he would survive.
Fast forward to June 1940, a bomb hits Elspeth’s house during WWII, and our main character disappears in a puff of smoke. Her daughter, Margaret, turns to a letter from her mother’s past to learn her whereabouts and to find out what transpired on that fateful day.
My Lady’s Choosing: An Interactive Romance Novel by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris
You are the plucky but penniless heroine in this interactive romance novel set in the 18th century, so you can choose your own happily ever after!
Will you find love with the wealthy but bantering Sir Benedict Granville? Will the hardworking Captain Angus McTaggart capture your heart? Or, will you give your readers some quality adult content with the rogue Lord Garraway Craven? You’ll have many options to make your own story.
But once you factor in the intertwining storylines, this novel becomes a rare treat for the booklover in you.
In this riveting romantic comedy, a cynical 23-year-old August Landry meets the dazzling Biyu Jane Su — a punk lesbian — on a subway train. Not soon after, August falls in love with her. The only catch? August cannot meet with Jane off the Q train, and the duo quickly realize that it’s because she has been misplaced in time — from the 1970s!
What ensues is a passionate romance straddling the ever-changing landscape of fated time travel.
Shadow of Night is the sequel to A Discovery of Witches, so be sure to read that first before picking up this one for a read that will have you swooning.
It follows the journey of Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch, and Matthew Clairmont, a vampire, in Elizabethan London. Readers will enjoy the blend of history and fiction in the plot and witness the two characters treading a dangerous path as Matthews’ past weaves a tight coil around them.
You can also watch the book’s TV adaptation on Amazon Prime Video.
Stars Over Clear Lake by Loretta Ellsworth
As she revisits the Surf Ballroom — the place where she first fell in love, Lorraine Kindred is forced to confront the secrets of her past. She reminisces how she chose between the two men she loved. Give this romance a read to see Lorraine’s resilience in facing the fateful decision and watch her rediscover herself.
This epic 1000-page love story stars a young and naive Tatiana Metanova, who’s about to turn seventeen when WWII takes place. As a result, she’s forced to grow up fast and is sent out to buy food, where she meets Alexander, a Red Army Soldier, and falls for his charm.
Tatiana soon learns that her sister Dasha is in love with Alexander too. So she decides to ignore her shared infatuation with Alexander to avoid hurting her sister. The challenging times make their forbidden romance even more impossible, so get ready to flip the pages to see if their bond will survive the trial of the times.
This book is best described as where “Outlander meets Camelot. ”
The book, set in Britain, rescues Languoreth — a powerful Queen and the twin sister of Lailoken, the warrior who’ll go on to inspire the character of Merlin — from obscurity. She is set to marry Rhydderch, son of the High King. But, and there’s always a but, she collides with Maelgwn, and her plans fall to dust.
With Christianity on the rise, Languoreth must learn how to balance the needs of her people while staying true to her duty to the Old Way. She also must fight for everything and everyone she loves. Join her on this journey; we promise you won’t regret it.
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.: A Novel by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland
In the Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O., Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland combine science fiction with a slow-burn romance to make all your magical dreams come true. In this complex, near-future thriller, the members of the Department of Diachronic Operations (D.O.D.O.) — a secret government organization, are determined to bring magic back and will travel through time to make that possible.
Flip through the pages to go to places beyond your wildest imagination.
Picture this: You’re about to die on a Napoleonic battlefield in 1812, but instead of, well, actually dying, you wake up 200 years later in 21st-century London.
That is the story of Lord Nicholas Falcott.
Nicholas yearns to return to the gorgeous Julia, who remains in the past. Unfortunately, he learns that it’s impossible to return to his time from the Guild — a secret organization of time travelers. Luckily, Nicholas does not give up easily, and this thriller sees him finding ways to get back to his lady love.
This time travel book follows Eva Ward, who returns to her hometown Cornwall after her film star sister Katrina dies to find peace.
The house, filled with memories of her family and people who’ve lived there in the 18th century, connects her to Daniel Butler, a man who is lost — and found — in time. Eva soon finds herself falling for Daniel and is stuck between choosing the life she once had and the life she’s living now.
Will she make the right choice? Flip through the pages in breathless anticipation as the mystery unravels.
This unusual story will intrigue you from start to finish.
The novel tells the story of Clare Abshire and Henry Detamble, who’ve known each other since Claire was a wee baby of 6 while Henry, an adventurous librarian, was 36. But when they get married, Clare is 23 while her husband, Henry, is 31.
Aging back? We don’t think so.
Henry has a genetic disorder that allows him to travel erratically through time. On one of his travels, he meets — and falls in love with — Clare, a sculptor. But that’s not even the best part. The story discusses challenges that any real couple faces, which gives it just the right hint of realism to make people question themselves.
It’s a read we’d 10/10 recommend. Or, you can watch its movie adaptation.
The Winter Sea is a dual-timeline story with a time warp that will keep you on your toes.
Best-selling author Carrie McClelland starts writing a story about the Jacobite uprising of 1708 — when the exiled King James tried to reclaim the crown. But somehow she starts to live the experience herself. She soon discovers she’s tapping into ancestral memory, which gives another perspective to the ordeal and uncovers centuries-old secrets.
Factor in romance and ghostly memories, and you have a fascinating read that will keep you engaged till your turn the last page.
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal el-Mohtar
This novel tells the story of two time-traveling rivals: Agent Red and Agent Blue. The two leave each other messages as they travel back and forth in time to secure the best future for their fractions — which go from being taunting to being romantic and flirtatious.
The ideal scene? Not really.
Getting discovered means death, and Agent Red’s commander has recently learned of her affection for Blue. Give it a read to find out what happens next.
Timekeeper, the sequel to Timeless, combines romance with a tale of magic.
The book centers on Michele Windsor, who is beyond overjoyed at finding out that Philip Walker, the new student in her class, is the guy she had to say goodbye to. Except, he doesn’t remember her.
Michele finds her father’s journals and discovers something eerie. What will she do when she finds herself at the center of a rift? Read the book to know know the fate that befalls her.
Anne Gallagher makes a trip to Ireland to scatter her grandfather’s ashes when she is transported back in time to 1921 — and with a bullet wound in her side. She is rescued by Dr. Thomas Smith, who mistakes her to be his ward’s mother.
Anne settles into the assumed role of the ward’s caretaker, who looks oddly familiar to her. She is drawn into the struggle for Irish Independence alongside Thomas, who she falls in love with. However, as questions about the other Anne’s disappearance start popping up, she must decide whether or not to stay in the past.
This historical romance trilogy discusses Alexandria Carrington Falconer — the woman who marries her sister’s widower, St. John, to help raise the motherless newborn twins. The pair eventually fall in love and emigrate to America, and readers will also find storylines of her descendants in the books.
If you’re still nursing the Outlander universe hangover, these books will definitely come through for you. They have the most amazing storylines and complex characters, with just the right touch of romance and adult content to add an element of realness to an otherwise far-fetched futuristic world of fiction.
Which book will you pick up first? Let us know in the comments below.
FAQs
What should I read if I like Outlander?
If you liked Outlander, you can read The Lost Queen by Signe Pike, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, and Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir.
Are the Outlander shows as good as the books?
There are many differences between the Outlander books and shows. But if you’re a visual person, you’ll find that the shows are binge-worthy.
What to read after Outlander book 9?
You can read Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole, The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway, Wild Swan by Celeste De Blasis, or The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley after you wrap up Outlander Book 9.
What should I read if I like the writing style of Diana Gabaldon?
You may read works of authors like Audrey Niffenegger, Margaret Mitchell, and Sara Donati for a similar reading experience to Diana Gabaldon.
What’s The Next Best Book to Outlander?
While many books fight for the second spot in the time traveler romance category, Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati definitely comes right after Outlander.
Keren Dinkin had seven years of work experience in digital marketing and e-commerce before shifting gears and becoming a full-time content writer. She loves words and the power they hold, which explains her passion for writing.
Keren is based in California. When she is not at her desk whipping up compelling narratives and sipping on endless cups of coffee, you can find her curled up with a book, playing with her dog, or pottering about in the garden.
