Best Historical Romance Novels Of All Time
Best Historical Romance Novels Of All Time
There is nothing better than a love story set in a fascinating period. We've compiled a list of the best historical novels, from time-traveling passion in 18th-century Scotland to dukes and tombs falling head over heels with unexpected ladies to cowboys who love lassoing in the Wild West to Regency-era bachelors who have their match. Check out our list of the best historical novels and series below.
Outlander is the ultimate in historical romance, starring Jamie, the crappy hero and 18th century Highland hunk. A prototypical pin-up, Jamie is smart, sexy and hopelessly devoted to time-traveling nurse Claire. We love a hero who will do anything for his true love, even travel through time and space to find her!
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Queen of Romance, Nora Roberts, knows her way around happily ever after, and her Mac Gregor series is one of her most satisfying sagas. We love how these sexy Scots fight for the good and learn to make their guards depend on the guys and girls taking their hearts.
Alyssa Cole, one of the most talented young novelists to debut in recent years, creates a thrilling, flawlessly written story in An Extraordinary Union. Our hearts are pounding when both hero and heroine take incredible risks in the pursuit of justice.
Who hasn't dreamed of waking up to a fortune? Anna Snow is living a Cinderella story, but she must first find Prince Charming. Balogh writes characters with chemistry that jumps on the page; the lonely hero and orphanage are a fascinating combination.
Sebastian creates a smart, sexy romance with two soulmates from different parts of society, which makes their romance all the more convincing. Although Jack and Oliver seem like complete opposites, they have a sizzling chemistry that lights up the pages.
Lisa Kleypas, a favorite author of historical romance, offers a romance between friends and lovers that scorches when she touches the heart. You will have a hard time putting down the first book in the Hathaways series; have a fan nearby to keep yourself cool during some pretty hot love scenes.
Regency novels are a dime in a dozen, but Chase manages to strike a perfect balance between historical detail and character development to bring this pivotal period in British history to life. Readers will eagerly cheer for the recognizable and courageous heroine of the story as she navigates a world that comes to a vibrant, sparkling life in this book.
Vanessa Riley masterfully balances important issues and passionate romance in this captivating novel. Worlds collide when her beautifully drawn heroine is provoked by a duke who is also a single father; all these elements fit together perfectly to create a compelling and fairytale story.
It takes quite a bit of woman to resist a duke, and our heroine, Minerva, is one such woman. In her desire to avoid scandals, Minerva shows a strong character that we truly admire. But true love has plans of its own, and we love how Minerva finds her happily ever after without sacrificing herself.
A pioneering author of African-American historical romance,Jenkins is a master of creating smart, sexy characters and storylines that relate to social issues relevant in the 19th and 20th centuries. She skillfully combines the electrical chemistry of Eddy and Rhine with a deeply moving discussion of the hero forced to go for White.
McCarty pens warriors like no other. Her Highland Guards are not only the fiercest fighters in the British Isles (she obviously did her research on combat tactics), but they are also really good-hearted guys. After reading this, you'll want to find yourself a Highland hottie to love ...
Arranged weddings are hard to craft in romantic novels, but Garwood convincingly builds up considerable tension and passion between the Scottish hero and the English heroine. We love how their respective heartbreaks eventually give way little by little, and we cheer when sparks fly and eventually ignite.
The gladiator is the Highlander of the ancient world, and what could be sexier than a shirtless warrior fighting for his feminine love? Quinn effectively raises the stakes in this novel, making the story not just about a little hunter in the arena, but the entire Roman Empire, so the conflict is more important than the romance.
We love how Ai Li is a woman who doesn't need a man to defend herself; in fact, she's a warrior worthy of any Highlander or gladiator! And she leaves everything behind to follow her heart, both in life and in love, which is truly admirable.
Huguley skillfully interweaves faith, history, romance and human rights into a unique, unmissable story. We love how Amanda and Virgil slowly bond, despite secrets and haunted past that readers are eager to unravel.
We love classic romantic tropes done right; Julia Quinn expertly does that by creating a fake courtship that accidentally becomes very, very real. Her agile disposition leaves no doubt that the hero and heroine are meant for each other, however much they resist it oh so delightfully.
Fairy-tale meets historical romance in Tessa Dare's delightful tale of a virgin heroine. Isolde may be innocent, but she's not innocent; she's smart, smart and knows what she wants, and she'll work to get it!
The classic opposites attracting hook is revived in Eloisa James' seductive romance. We appreciate how the author uses traditional figures of speech. Here the heroine may be sheltered and innocent, but she is neither naive nor stupid; the hero is a rake, but he has a heart of gold, waiting to be discovered by the right woman.
Deveraux finds herself in two worlds, Europe and America, in this world-colliding romance. Her tender love scenes and sparkling chemistry between the hero and the heroine make this story a success.
We love it when a handsome alpha hero falls not for the woman he wants, but for the woman he needs. In this case, it's Bannor the Bold, who is looking for an appropriately meek mother to his children, but ends up with an outspoken woman who has her own needs. The hero learns a valuable lesson in life and love - and should never underestimate a powerful woman!
Enchanting Thomas's story has a beginning of love at first sight, but promises to deliver the reader a romance full of surprises and passion. We love how she keeps readers guessing, with unexpected plot twists that will keep them alive long after their bedtime.
known for her red-hot contemporary romances,Maya Banks might as well step back in time to create a dynamic hero and heroine centuries ago. Banks creates a brave, lovable heroine who wins the hearts of readers with her courage despite seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Sarah MacLean writes a hero who is all bad boy - and completely loving at the same time. Bourne may not be the most respectable of rake, but he has a big heart and an even greater capacity for love. We wish he were a real guy!
Colonial America isn't a much-featured setting in historical novels, but Jae tackles the Oregon Trail with confidence. Two well-crafted heroines are thrown together in unexpected circumstances and we love how they fall in love as they brave the perils of their journey together.
We love how two women on the other side of a tragic conflict work to defy the culprits in their midst. In the process, they fall in love as they navigate important and irrefutable issues of faith, family, and fear.
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greedy Jeffries turns an engagement into a full-blown romance romp, complete with cultural clashes (she's American; he's British) and lots of sensual thrills. Her dialogue is witty and clever, making Maria and Oliver's courtship one we love to follow right down to the last page.
A touch of historical fantasy turns Charles' reckless adventure into a roguish romance perfect for readers of all those subgenres. If you're looking for a Three Musketeers remake with a hint of true love, this is the book for you.
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