Historical Romance Books Worth Reading

You can start this book list with my top 10 favorite historical romance novels. I'm sure even the most skeptical reader will fall in love with the genre after reading these books.

Best Historical Romance Novels

I think the historical romance novels on this list are some of the best books that you should read. They have great characters, great writing, and great story lines, and they make you feel like you're part of the story.

The first time you read a book in this kind of genre, you can't go wrong with one of these historical books.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldan

This is the best historical romance book I've read so far, even though Gabaldon doesn't think her book is a romance novel.

Besides, the writing, historical references, time travel, and other great things about this book, the relationship between Jamie and Claire is one of the best things about it, even though some people don't like it. It's a slow-burning relationship that turns into something that's hot!

Her husband is on a second honeymoon with her when she walks through a group of standing stones. She goes back in time to 1743, when Scotland was in the middle of a war. She meets a young Highland warrior there, and they fall in love.

This book has it all, from an interesting story to great world building and great characters. This story is so good that you'll want to read the whole book series!

What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long

I love it when a man in a romance book falls in love with a woman, even if it's not what he expected or wanted.

He chooses to get back at the person who crossed him by having sex with the sister of the person who crossed him. He didn't think he would fall in love with her because of her wit and her passion.

I loved how Genevieve and Alexander's relationship grew and how strong and honest they were. I think this book is one of the best historical romances to read.

A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught

If you like historical romance, you should read A Kingdom of Dreams. Judith McNaught is one of the best historical romance authors, and it was the first historical romance book that I read.

Jenna Merrick is kidnapped by the Duke of Claymore, but this story isn't just about the Duke of Claymore. Jennifer and Royce had a lot of tension in this book, which made it hard to put down. I like strong heroines, and this book had a lot of tension between them.

I think that any historical romance written by Judith McNaught should be read. This one was my favorite.

Truce by R.L. Mathewson

The book Truce isn't just one of my favorite historical romance books. It's also one of my favorite romance books of all time because it's just so good!

You can find this book in Mathewson's Neighbor from Hell series, which also includes all contemporary romance books with the exception of this one. It's a great book! Elizabeth and Robert are enemies, but they become lovers. It's a very interesting story that has you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen between them. It's very hot.

This is a story about two people who were enemies when they were kids. A woman who wants her inheritance and a second son who has nothing to offer.

I love this book so much that I read it at least once a year. If you like it, you won't be let down!

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Lisa Kleypas is yet another name that comes to mind when people think of historical romance. Her popularity is justified because of all the great books she has written.

I love The Wallflowers, but Devil in Winter is my favorite.

Evangeline has to go up to Sebastian, a well-known rogue, and ask for his hand in marriage in order to keep her inheritance. This is what she has to do. In the beginning, Evie may seem shy and awkward. Sebastian, who is known for being a womanizer, quickly falls in love with Evie. Loved: I loved Evie, but Sebastian might be one of Kleypas' best-loved people, too.

To anyone who likes historical romance, this book is a must. It's also a good choice for someone who wants to try the genre.

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

If you want to read a good historical romance, you should also read Julia Quinn. Her entire book list in the Bridgerton series is a must read.

In this series, An Offer from a Gentleman is a Cinderella-themed story. I like this one better than the rest. Sophie is a servant who goes to a ball with Benedict and dances with him. As soon as he meets Sophie, Benedict starts to fall in love with her. He wants to find and marry the woman from the ball, but he also starts to like her.

Love this pair? You will, too. Netflix has a show called Bridgerton that you can watch after you read this book.

The Bride by Julie Garwood

I can't believe I've only read two Julie Garwood books so far, but they've been great! In historical romances like The Bride, the man has to marry, and the woman he chooses isn't happy about it.

When Alec Kinkaid is forced to marry an English woman, he chooses a strong woman named Jamie. She may be young, but she fights back against Alec. She soon falls in love with him, even though she has tried to keep them apart.

You won't be disappointed by this well-known historical romance book.

Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks

A historical romance with a Scotsman is always a good choice for me, and Maya Banks has written a lot of must-read books about sexy Highlanders that you should not miss out on!

My favorite book in the McCabe brothers trilogy is "Never Love a Highlander." All of the books are great, though. We have a jilted bride and a brother who wants to make up for his mistakes in this fun historical romance. I was hooked from page to page.

I think it's very interesting because it has a lot of action and mystery, which makes the story even more interesting. If you like historical romance novels, you should read this one and all of Banks' Highlander historical romance novels.

Into the Wildnerness by Sara Donati

As a fan of Claire Fraser from Outlander, I had to read Donati's Into the Wilderness because I love her. Before I started reading, I didn't like the world that Donati's writing made and the people who lived in it, so I didn't finish the book.

In New York, we see an Englishwoman living there. Soon, she starts to fall in love with an American frontiersman, too.

In this book, there is a lot more than just love. I think it's a great story about how people lived in frontier times and how they fought with the Mohawks, a Native American tribe.

I had to move on to the next book right away after I finished this historical romance novel.

To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning

My favorite historical romances with Highlanders are the ones that have a lot of Highlanders in them.

In her Highlander series, I have read almost all of them. To Tame a Highland Warrior is my favorite. This is a story about two people who were meant to be together, but fate brought them together again.

When I read Moning's stories, they have a little bit of the supernatural in them, which was a first for me, but I loved it. Be ready to be swept away by this one.

Historical Romance Novel Recommendations by Time Period

I tried to include a romance book that wasn't on my top 10 list as often as possible to give you more choices. This is what I did:

The King’s Man by Elizabeth Kingston

When Gwenllian of Ruardean grows up, she'll be the daughter of a powerful Marcher lord. She prefers to be a knight and lead her men than wear a dress and be the lady of the house.

It is when she saves and nurses King Edward I's favorite killer, Ranulf, back to health that their lives become forever bound together.

This book had so much to like. There are people who have inner struggles, a slow-burning love, a marriage of convenience story, and a lot of cunning and intrigue.

I thought Gwenellian and Ranulf were two very interesting characters in Kingston's medieval world, and I really liked them.

Fires of Winter by Johanna Lindsey

Sir Garrick Haardrad is the son of the ruthless chieftan of the Vikings. Lady Brenna was taken by Viking invaders, but she vowed that no barbarian could take over her noble Celtic heart until Garrick Haardrad claimed her.

In this case, you can buy books on Amazon and read them on Goodreads

The Secret by Julie Garwood is a historical romance book set in the Scottish Highlands.

The birth of Judith's childhood friend's child makes her leave her home in England to be there for her. She didn't think she'd fall in love with Ian, the Lord of the clan, but her secret could break them apart.

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