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 - THE BLACK MADONNA - dark times provide a thrilling tale

The Black Madonna by Stella Riley

 Date read: 11th October 2025

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: English Civil War, Historical Romance (m/f)

Buy link: Amazon  

Wow! This book is EPIC!

The amount of research which has clearly gone into this book is staggering. Yet it never labours the point or bombards you with irrelevant detail. It's always exactly what the story needs. 

And this story demands a lot. I will say it's a very slow burn. There is a monumental build-up of drip-feeding. But it's all required and adds to the plot. 

Writing about England during the Civil War is no mean feat. This author gives colour and understanding like no history teacher ever did. The roundheads and the cavaliers all leap of the page, brandishing weapons both political and martial.

The sights, the smells and sounds are all there, transporting you into that tumultuous world. 

And through it all, amidst the smoke of gunpowder, saunters a dark Italian figure who makes one's heart race. Oh, he's devious and dangerous. The ultimate bad boy. Who can resist an Italian? But who's side is he truly on? Are his motives as pure as he'd have you believe with his honeyed words and hypnotic looks? 

Kate must look after her family whilst playing the dutiful daughter and weaving her own way through dangerous times. 

Treachery and villainy are all about. People switch allegiances. And it's nigh impossible to tell friend from foe. 

So, clear some time and plough through this tome. You will get more adventure, excitement and even knowledge that you didn't know you needed. 

A clever, intriguing, insightful romantic tale of deception and vengeance. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - THE GOOD KNIGHT - He sure is!

The Good Knight by Sarah Woodbury

Date read: 1st October 2022

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Historical Mystery 

Buy link: Amazon 

Phew! A tale so dastardly you don't want to believe any of it's true. 

However, this book cleverly blends historical fact with fiction. The attention to detail is amazing. It must've taken a great deal of research. 

As this book is set in 11th century Wales, there are several Welsh names which could've maybe benefited from a glossary so those unfamiliar know how to pronounce them. 

There is mention of slavery and kidnapping; just in case these are triggers for you.

That aside, this book is amazing. There are Cadfael vibes as Gwen investigates murder most foul, but within the confines of 11th century knowledge and behaviour. 

Power struggles have formed history since time immemorial and this tale utilises that in a fascinating way. It centers around King Owain of Gwynedd and his family. 

There is a host of well-rounded characters who are dragged through an action-packed drama. The body count keeps mounting and misinformation abounds! 

An intriguing mystery with some truth. 

4.5*

 

MY NEW BOOK - LOVE IN THE ROSES

 

After two years of research and writing, it gives me tremendous pleasure to say that my medieval romance, Love in the Roses is now available!

I really wanted to explore love in 15th century England - were the Dark Ages really as miserable as they made out? I mean, how much joy can there be in a land before potatoes and coffee?? 

I have made it as historically accurate as possible. There is mild poetic license utilised for the sake of a good romance story, but when is that not the case, really? 

I think you can see from all the medieval research blog posts that I have invested a LOT of effort and care into this stand-alone book. 

So, what's it about? 

Isabel has never met her husband…

Their parents have arranged the marriage. But, when Isabel discovers who her intended is, it becomes apparent that he’s on the wrong side of the Wars of the Roses.

As a knight with honour, surely her father would not sacrifice their family to the House of Lancaster. Yet, to her horror, he insists upon the union with Sir William.

15^th century England is perilous – betrayal and ruin are only ever a heartbeat away. And death hides behind every door. Can Isabel survive and be a good wife, even when she’s married to the enemy?

Adventure through Medieval England in this intriguing story of love battling against all odds.

This is a stand-alone historical romance which contains an abundance of marital bedchamber antics.

The fictitious tale of a knight’s daughter, living life as it very well may have been in 1484.

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I really hope you enjoy this one. If you do, please don't forget to leave a review. 

Paperback also available on Waterstones and  Barnes & Noble. 

Always in love and light,

TL