Historical romance is flourishing. Julia Quinn's regency romance, Bridgerton is delighting new audiences. Our experts have picked historical romance books that range from the medieval time period to World War 2. Perfect for readers that like their romance set in a bygone era.
The Venice Sketchbook
by Rhys Bowen
***Shortlisted for the 2022 Edgar Allan Poe Awards***
The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen is a work of historical fiction (or possibly historical romance) set in both the present and the lead up to World War II. We've included it because it's been shortlisted for an Edgar, but it's not really a mystery in the classic sense of having you guessing whodunnit. The plot revolves around a woman learning more about the past life of her recently deceased great aunt, with most of the action taking place in Venice (aka La Serenissima).
“I love that it’s set in the medieval era but it’s also familiar in that it’s a road trip story. They spend most of the audiobook traveling around Wales, and you get a sense of where they’re going and what the countryside is like. I think part of the appeal is you don’t see that time period explored very much, or at least I don’t. Most of the time you have Regency or Victorian romances. This is going way back, and it’s set during the Welsh rebellions against the Norman rulers. It’s part of a series, but it’s one that you can listen to on its own. “ Read more...
Emily Connelly, Journalist
The King's General
by Daphne Du Maurier
In a way reminiscent of Walter Scott, it’s historical romance but in the sense of quests, adventure, rebellion, strong women, and so on. The portrayal of love in some ways in King’s General is probably one of the most emotionally felt. There’s a realism about the relationship between Honor and Richard Grenvile, Honor knows him for who he truly is and doesn’t shy away from his dastardly reputation.
“This book is set during the siege of Badajoz. It is the retelling of a true story of Harry Smith, who was an officer at Badajoz, who saved a 14-year-old girl and eventually married her. In fact, in later life he becomes the governor of the Cape Colony and he founds the town of Ladysmith and names it for his wife. It is a sort of nostalgia for me. It is what I grew up with, under the bedclothes in the middle of the night.” Read more...
The best books on The Regency Period
Stella Tillyard, Historian
“This book is probably the most intelligently written historical novel I’ve ever read. This is a book that’s as much about marriage as it is about love. The hero and heroine fall in love during a fractious marriage that changes both of them for the better: this book is the best evidence I can offer for the fact that a man and woman can live an intelligent, sensual, thoughtful and kind life together – even when the partners themselves could never be described as thoughtful or kind. Marriage is a tremendously interesting state, and this novel looks squarely at its best and worst qualities.” Read more...
Eloisa James on Her Favourite Romance Novels
Eloisa James, Literary Scholar
