The 25 Best Historical Fiction Books

 

Hey hey,

I thought it was time to do a 'best of' post. I've read so many great historical fiction books, and many are by indie authors and don't get the attention they deserve. These 25 are all ones I would genuinely recommend to a friend, listed by era.

Ancient World

Breaking The Gladiator by Nicola Rose

A dark romance set in Ancient Rome incl. power play.

The First Dai and Julia Omnibus by EM Swifthook

A Welshman and Roman Patrician fight crime in Britain under Roman rule. Expect druids, underworld scallywags and opium smugglers.

Murder in Absentia by Assaph Mehr

A paranormal crime thriller in a town inspired by Ancient Rome. Get taken on a magical journey through beautiful islands, taverns and brothels by a detective who is likeable but a little bit dark.

Viking

 

Fire Fox by Amanda Sloothaak

This is a YA fantasy which draws from Nordic roots. An ancient land with fires and snow. And a young lady in her late teens who must learn to use her powers for good.

The Jarl's Challenge by Thyra Dane

A wintery romance. Shield maiden, Borghild, sets a holmgang when she's faced with marrying her nemesis. 

Medieval

The Good Knight by Sarah Woodbury

11th century mystery which blends fact with fiction. Gwen investigates dastardly deaths around King Owain of Gwynedd in Wales. 

A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters

12th century monk detective. I loved the Cadfael TV series first (starring Sir Derek Jacobi), but these novels are amazing. 

The Monk's Tale by April Munday

An adventure romance with thrills galore ft. a former novice monk.

The Alewives by Elizabeth R Andersen
OMG I super love this book! It centres around female camaraderie as the peasant women in 14th century Germany do their best to survive, especially when there's a murderer in the village.

Love Habit by TL Clark

A sweet yet steamy romance about medieval monks in 15th century Kent, England. "A brave, bold and visionary celebration of monastic gay love". Ft. found family.

Love in the Roses by TL Clark

Still in 15th century Kent, this is a tale of a knight's daughter who enters an arranged marriage with a knight from a family on the opposing side of the Wars of the Roses. 

Tudor

The Queen's Lady by Barbara Kyle
Mistress Larke is a fictional character who weaves between the real royal court of King Henry VIII in this romance. Mystery, intrigue and plots abound. 

Songbird by Karen Heenan

I love this romance series. Again, fictional characters inhabit the court of Henry VIII (who happily doesn't feature much). Ft. unrequited love 'below stairs'.

The Tudor Prince by Jonathan Posner
An adventure series featuring the indomitable Mary Fox. There is a whole heap of fighting, kidnap and plotting action in these books. 

The Wheelwright's Daughter by Eleanor Porter
A fabulous witchy duology set in Elizabethan England. Poor Martha faces accusations by a zealous priest as catastrophe and madness descend. 

17th Century

The Black Madonna by Stella Riley
A truly amazing series set during the English Civil War(s). Through the smoke and gunpowder emerges a dark, mysterious Italian man who lures Kate in despite his aura of danger. 

The Witchfinder's Assistant by Ruth Goldstraw
A 17th century murder mystery incl. a witch hunt which firmly immerses you in village life. Ft. some characters you will love to hate.

The Frost Fair Murders by Ellis Blackwood

A murder mystery set in Restoration London (1666) where a harsh winter has frozen the Thames. Samuel Pepys plays detective with the help of his inquisitors. 

Georgian (incl. Regency)

Cecilia by Fanny Burney

If anyone is ever seeking a historical novel which makes them ugly cry, I will always recommend this one. It destroyed me! And was written by an actual "Keeper of the Robes" to Queen Charlotte! So, the language is very much of its time (1782) but you get used to it. It's worth it. An heiress who can only keep her fortune if her husband agrees to take her surname.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

My favourite book of all time! It's a bildungsroman - a novel which focuses on the moral, psychological and spiritual growth of the protagonist. Jane goes through a lot! I've never seen an adaptation which fully portrays that childhood trauma sufficiently to show her journey. Every time I read this book I get transported through all the emotions. Plus, it contains the word "automaton". 

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

No historical fiction list would be complete without a Jane Austen - one of my own sources of inspiration. This is one of her finest works imho but they're all good. But it's not really a romance novel. It's satire. Jane is full of snark and I'm here for it. 

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
This is a f/f romance which brings all the feels with full heart and soul. Embroidery meets astronomy incl. a countess. Proper 'smash the patriarchy' ethos. 

 

A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles

Whilst I'm thinking of LGBTQIA+ books, this is a m/m romance. Sedition vs Tories, gay men vs Society. Gentleman's clubs provide secret escapes. But the gallows are a real threat. What will they risk for love?

Regency Love by TL Clark

A romance which delves into the mind of a young lady as she enters the perilous marriage mart. Incl. steamy martial antics as well as a rake. 

1920s

The Problem With Dead People by Saffron Amatti

I adore this series. Lucas is able to see ghosts, but he's not happy about it, especially when they don't help with solving their own murders. Miss Marple meets Ghost Whisperer vibes. 

I hope you find something to pick for your next read, or even to add to your TBR. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - A LADY'S DESIRE - a desirable read

A Lady's Desire by Lily Maxton

Date read: 10th August 2026

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Regency Romance (F/F) 

Buy link: Amazon 

It can be difficult to find a really good historical romance ft wlw. 

OK, so a few bits are a little dubious on the historical accuracy front, but if fussy ole me can live with it, I'm sure you can. Why? Because it's a decent story which felt right. 

It fits a lot into its limited pages (being a novella). The characters are well-rounded and believable. And, oh, the yearning! I do appreciate a good friends-to-lovers plot.

The steam scene was sufficiently pleasing. 

And I loved the bluestocking science friends.

Huzzah! 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - SOMETHING IN THE WATERS - Ripples of Cosy!

Something in the Waters by Kim M Watt

Date read: 6th August 2026

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Cosy Chaos Mystery 

Buy link: Amazon 

I needed a palate cleanser, having read far too many books with tense/dreary settings lately. So, when I realised this was still sitting on my TBR, it was a no-brainer. 

I LOVE the Beaufort Mystery books. They give cute dragons, determined WI, and utter chaos, but with cosiness and cake. 

And this one was super refreshing. No murder, but suspicious activity. And torrential rain which just won't stop. And what's up with all the geese and swans? 

Ahhh...that's better :) 

I hope there's many more of these books to come. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - THE GOOD WIFE - incredibly good

The Good Wife by Eleanor Porter

Date read: 15th July 2026

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Historical Fiction (journey) 

Buy link: Amazon  

This is the second (and I think concluding) book in this series. And is, imho, even better than the first (my review of The Wheelwright's Daughter is here).

I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I'll just say... Oh, Jacob!!! Oh, Martha!

Try as she might to blend in, Martha was made to stand out. And she attracts trouble like a magnet. But what will she do this time when she's cornered? 

I love the detailed journey in this tale, and the different characters we get to meet, some of whom challenge perceptions. For who is good and who is bad? Indeed, can anyone be trusted? The sights, sounds and smells all leap off the page.

The addition of Talbot in this story was amazing. Such an intriguing character.

More amazing still is knowing a lot of this is hung from the threads of historic truth. But woven with exceptional storytelling. 

This is historical fiction not romance (no HEA). In fact, the ending is a bit odd yet appropriate. 

CAUTION: Does feature child loss, violence and abuse. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - THE WHEELWRIGHT'S DAUGHTER - spellbinding

The Wheelwright's Daughter by Eleanor Porter

Date read: 4th July 2026

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Historical Fiction (witchy) 

Buy link: Amazon  

Gargh! I didn't realise this wasn't a stand-alone book. So, when I got to the end it was abrupt and surprising. In my defence, the two books aren't linked as a series on the Amazon website.

This story takes place in Elizabethan England. The witch hunts are yet to launch into full swing, but that doesn't hold these folk back. 

I love that it focuses on the peasant villagers. The wealthy manor owners are peripheral yet intrinsic. For all lives are interwoven in Tudor England. 

The priest is suitably zealous and hypocritical. And there are villagers who would use this to their advantage. But will Martha buy into his dark beliefs? 

There are moments of doubt and madness, but also healing. And the very earth reflects this.

The research was clearly immense, but definitely worth it. I fell into this twisted landscape along with Martha. 

A marvellously dark tale of superstition and witch accusation. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - GLASS AND GROUNDWORK - flaming good

Glass & Groundwork by Duckie Mack

Date read: 12th June 2026

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: Sweet Crafter Romance (m/m) 

Buy link: Amazon  

Confession: I pre-ordered this book that came out in Nov, but saved it until I needed a comfort read.

The thing I love most about Duckie Mack books is that I know they'll always bring me joy. They're like a hug in a book. And have wonderfully diverse LGBTQIA+ characters. 

Jasper has rigid, old-fashioned parents. But he's desperate to make his craft his career.

Gio is everyone's papa, and is the kindest human. 

Their story involves a fake marriage, but also some references to food insecurity and mean people. But that shouldn't put you off. The whole bunch of featured characters are positive and lovable.

The care and compassion are off the charts.

Overall, there is the sweetness I know to expect from Heartcraft books. I'm only sad that this is the last of the series, but what a wonderful ending. And there are hints of more like it - hooray! 

Frolicsome found family!

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - TRIAL BY FURY - Mediums are tricksy

Trial by Fury by Saffron Amatti

Date read: 19th April 2026

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: 1920s Ghost Cosy Mystery 

Buy link: Amazon 

A sleuth who has to solve the murders of the ghosts he sees may not be an obvious comfort read. But it's my comfort read. I seek out Lucas Rathbone books when I need a good read with great writing. 

Poor Lucas - will he ever get a ghost who actually tells him what he needs to know in order to help them? Lady Clementine Rosillo doesn't seem to be that one! And there are several people who wanted her dead; she knew how to rile folk up. 

Tommy is navigating his relationship, and throwing a spanner in the works. Lucas is starting a new job, and upsets his colleague. Does the gang need any more stress? Sure they do!  

This book kept me reading late into the night. 

As expected, this was just the book I was looking for. Ghost Whisperer meets Miss Marple. 

A murder to solve in 1920s London, with an unhelpful ghost and my favourite characters.

A scintillating sleuthy tale.

Always in love and light,

TL