10 Best Historical Romance Books, Ranked

The best historical romance books involve well-known popular novels but also some titles that might be surprising. In general, romance is a broad category with many subgenres. There are books that perfectly blend fantasy and romance—so much so that it has now become its own genre, romantasy. There are romance book series that include aliens and iconic period romance books that later become TV shows. Romance is a successful genre because of the endless opportunities and stories that often include other genres.

Historical romance is a popular genre with iconic books such as Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice or Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, but these are classics that the authors wrote during the period they lived in. Historical romance is a genre in which the author writes stories that take place before their time. Considering this factor, many classics do not fall under the “historical romance” genre. However, there are still many excellent historical romance stories to choose from, and there are 10 historical romance books that ultimately stand out from the rest.

10

Devil In Winter By Lisa Kleypas

The Third Book In The Wallflowers Series

Devil in Winter is the third book in Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflowers series, and it revolves around Evangeline Jenner, who finds herself marrying London’s rake, Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent, to escape the dreadful fate of marrying her cousin and being subjected to a lifetime of abuse before her extended family ultimately kill her. Devil in Winter is the most renowned book in the Wallflowers series. Although Sebastian was the previous novel’s heinous villain, he redeems himself in Devil in Winter as the novel depicts an entirely different, more complex character.

Both Evangeline and Sebastian endure incredible growth in Devil in Winter with their stunning character arcs. The plot is riveting from start to finish, and the book balances itself between swoon-worthy lines, funny moments, and jaw-dropping drama. Devil in Winter also demonstrates Lisa Kleypas’ immense talent for writing. It speaks volumes how Sebastian was one of Kleypas’ most hated characters at the end of It Happened One Autumn but became one of Kleypas’ most beloved heroes by the end of Devil in Winter. Wallflowers is an excellent series to read, and Devil in Winter is the best installment.

9

Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake By Sarah MacLean

The First Book In Love By Numbers

Sarah MacLean is one of the most popular historical romance fiction authors and for a good reason. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is the first installment in MacLean’s acclaimed Love by Numbers trilogy, and it also happens to be the best one (although all three books are worth reading). MacLean has a knack for writing typical, everyday people as compelling characters, and Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake embodies that with the protagonists, Lady Calpurnia Hartwell and Gabriel St. John.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is engaging and emotional, providing riveting twists and turns from start to finish. The book perfectly blends adventure and romance, creating the perfect whimsical and thrill-seeking story. Although the book has common tropes, it is still one of the best historical romance novels.

8

On the Way To The Wedding By Julia Quinn

The Eighth Book In The Bridgerton Series

On the Way to the Wedding is the last installment in the Bridgerton books, but it is easily the best one. Gregory Bridgerton is often overlooked since he is the fourth Bridgerton brother, but he is the most compelling of the brothers. His love interest, Lucy, is also a vastly underrated Bridgerton spouse, when she is one of the best heroines in the book series. On the Way to the Wedding is fast-paced, but it works well for this entertaining and hilarious narrative. The book introduces charming and captivating secondary characters that round out the story.

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Although the Bridgerton books are compelling, most of them actually contain several problematic aspects—but On the Way to the Wedding does not. The final Bridgerton installment proves Julia Quinn’s talent for writing romance and complex characters without feeling inclined to insert abuse or sexual assault. On the Way to the Wedding is funny and riveting, with unexpected plot twists at every turn. Gregory and Lucy’s chemistry builds slowly throughout the novel, but their dynamic is unique and irresistible.

7

The Song of Achilles By Madeline Miller

A Standalone Novel

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a retelling of the classic Trojan War in Greek mythology, depicting a timeless romance between Patroclus and Achilles. Miller’s book is critically acclaimed, having won several awards, including the Orange Prize for Fiction and the Gaylactic Spectrum Award. The Song of Achilles has also been featured in the ALA Rainbow Book List, shortlisted for the Chautauqua Prize and Independent Booksellers’ Book Prize, and longlisted for the Massachusetts Book Award. The novel was also nominated for the Stonewall Book Award for Literature in 2013.

Besides The Song of Achilles‘ numerous accolades, it is one of the highest-rated historical romance novels on Goodreads, with an average of 4.32 out of 5 stars. The Song of Achilles is an emotional narrative with beautiful prose, including the iconic line, “He is half of my soul, as the poets say.” Madeline Miller’s novel revolutionized historical romance fiction and includes representation of gay relationships.

6

The Red Palace By June Hur

A Standalone Novel

The Red Palace by June Hur is a historical fiction mystery romance novel that takes place in mid-eighteenth century Korea, known back then as Joseon. The book revolves around the protagonist, Hyeon, a palace nurse who finds herself in the middle of a criminal investigation, determined to prove her mentor’s innocence after authorities accuse her of murdering four women in one night. Hyeon continues to cross paths with Eojin, a junior police officer also investigating the case.

Hyeon and Eojin develop romantic feelings for each other as the case unravels, their unexpected partnership becomes deeper, and the stakes grow. The mystery entwined with Hyeon and Eojin’s romance against the Korean historical background makes The Red Palace one of the best historical romance novels. The Red Palace has an epic romance with a unique mystery to round out the narrative.

The First Book In The Loyal League

Alyssa Cole’s An Extraordinary Union is a 2017 historical romance fiction novel that takes place during the American Civil War. The book features Elle Burns, a former enslaved woman living in Massachusetts who decides to become a spy for the Union Army, and Malcolm McCall, a detective with a mission to infiltrate Confederate territory in Virginia. Their paths end up crossing, leading to an epic love story. Elle and Malcolm’s romance is riveting on its own, but the novel also has a compelling plot—a rare feat for the romance genre.

An Extraordinary Union was featured in both Entertainment Weekly‘s and Vulture‘s best romance books of 2017. The book also received stellar reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus, the latter of which dubbed An Extraordinary Union “a masterful tale.” An Extraordinary Union is undoubtedly one of the best historical romance novels.

4

The Familiar By Leigh Bardugo

A Standalone Novel

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo might seem questionable because it is not as loved as some of Leigh Bardugo’s other books. However, this historical romance novel is widely misunderstood. The magic system is quirky because it is immersed in real Jewish mysticism and Spanish history, making it unique before anything else. The Familiar has a stellar cast of characters, from the resilient protagonist Luzia to the mysterious Guillén Santángel to the social status-climbing Doña Valentina to the selfish and protective Hualit. Luzia and Guillén Santángel’s romance is one for the books, with their unexpected chemistry being delicious and seductive.

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Most importantly, The Familiar is one of the best historical romance novels because of its plot. The Washington Post has dubbed The Familiar “an essential read” because the book illustrates “the suffering that results when the majority imposes its religion on everyone else, using coercive authority to control the very identities of all.” The Familiar utilizes the historical romance fiction genre to shed light on the poisonous Spanish Catholic regime and the extent it went to oppress and brutalize non-Catholics, especially the Jewish people. The Familiar has a compelling romance while evoking meaningful themes based on real historical events.

3

Last Night At The Telegraph Club By Malinda Lo

The First Book In The Last Night At The Telegraph Club Duology

Malinda Lo initially published Last Night at the Telegraph Club as a short story, but she eventually turned the narrative into a novel. The book is a historical romance young adult work of fiction about two women, Lily Hu and Kathleen Miller, who meet at a lesbian bar in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the 1950s, and eventually fall in love. Last Night at the Telegraph Club is a poignant narrative critiquing Red Scare paranoia, anti-Asian racism, and homophobia against the backdrop of a love story that overcomes trials and tribulations during these dangerous times for Lily, a Chinese American lesbian.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club established history when it received the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature in 2021—the first book to win that features a young adult lesbian as the protagonist. Other awards Last Night at the Telegraph Club received include the Stonewall Book Award for Young Adult Literature and the Asian/Pacific American Award for Youth Literature. Last Night at the Telegraph Club illustrates the importance of love despite hatred, fear, and bigotry. It is one of the best historical romance novels and one of the best LGBTQ+ books.

2

Rebel By Beverly Jenkins

The First Book In Women Who Dare

Rebel is the first novel in Beverly Jenkins’ Women Who Dare series, taking place during the Reconstruction era in New Orleans in the late 1860s. It revolves around Valinda Lacey and Captain Drake LeVeq, characters deeply invested in rebuilding New Orleans. Beverly Jenkins is one of the best historical romance fiction authors, having won numerous accolades from the Romantic Times magazine, the NAACP Image Awards, and Romance Writers of America.

Rebel depicts Beverly Jenkins’ talent for prose, historical accuracy, and captivating romances. Rebel does not only have a compelling romance, but it also has a deeply enriching history that adds to the narrative rather than detracts. Valinda Lacey is a strong female protagonist, and Captain Drake LeVeq is a charming, complex, and swoon-worthy hero. Although all of Beverly Jenkins’ novels are worth reading, Rebel stands out as one of her best.

1

Outlander By Diana Gabaldon

The First Book In The Outlander Series

Of course, the best historical romance book is Diana Gabaldon’s ​​​​​​Outlander series, with the first book coming out on top. Outlander has become a phenomenon with an award-winning TV adaptation, over 26 million copies sold (according to CBS News), and the upcoming prequel TV show Outlander: Blood of My Blood. It revolves around Claire Randall, a military nurse who accidentally travels back in time to 1743, where she meets the dashing Jamie Fraser. Claire and Jamie fall in love, establishing an epic love story for the ages.

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Outlander follows Claire Randall, a married nurse from 1945, who is transported back to 1743 Scotland. Amidst political intrigue and danger, she navigates life in the past and becomes torn between loyalty to her husband and the love for a dashing young warrior.

Cast

Caitríona Balfe
, Sam Heughan
, Sophie Skelton
, Richard Rankin
, John Bell
, Duncan Lacroix
, Tobias Menzies
, César Domboy
, Caitlin O’Ryan
, Lauren Lyle
, Grant O’Rourke
, Graham McTavish
, Paul Gorman
, Charles Vandervaart
, Stephen Walters
, David Berry
, Sarah Collier

Character(s)

Claire Randall Fraser
, Jamie Fraser
, Brianna Randall
, Roger Wakefield
, Ian Fraser Murray
, Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser
, Frank Randall / Jonathan Black Jack Randall
, Fergus Claudel Fraser
, Lizzie Wemyss
, Marsali MacKimmie Fraser
, Rupert MacKenzie
, Dougal MacKenzie
, Josiah / Keziah Beardsley
, William Ransom
, Angus Mhor
, Lord John Grey
, Mrs. Bug

Expand

Claire and Jamie have one of the best love stories in all fiction with their unyielding commitment, intense chemistry, and undying love for each other. Outlander blends several genres together—romance, fantasy, historical fiction, and adventure—to craft a compelling narrative. No one writes historical romance fiction like Diana Gabaldon, especially with her unique talent for juggling multiple genres. The first installment, Outlander, is the beginning of it all, establishing this epic story that none of the sequels could quite achieve, although they are still excellent. Outlander also won a RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America in 1992.

Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Vulture, Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, The Washington Post, CBS News