I used to be an avid reader of historical fiction novels. One of my favorite books of all time, Park Avenue Summer, is historical fiction—based on the life of Helen Gurley Brown told from the POV of her assistant. But as I grew up and became enthralled with romance novels, historical fiction kind of fell to the wayside.

I want to get back into reading historical fiction novels, especially ones with a little romance! I rounded up a bunch of historical fiction books to read. Let me know in the comments if you have read any of these.

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All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr // This has been on my TBR ever since I found out it was going to be a limited series on Netflix! Out now, but the book centers on a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Such an interesting read!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah // I think this is one of the more popular historical fiction books that you hear about on booktok and bookstagram. Kristin Hannah is a wonderful and popular historical fiction author—for good reason! Set during WWII, it follows two sisters. One sister, Vianne, must survive with her daughter as their quiet village is invaded by Nazis and they seize Vianne’s home. The book also follows Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, as she joins the Resistance. I loved this and excited for the movie!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid // I wouldn’t normally classify this under historical fiction, but it gives Old Hollywood vibes and it takes you throughout decades in the 20th century. I listened to this one on audio and loved it! Sooo excited for the movie!

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles // This author is also beloved in the historical fiction book community. This one is set in the 1920s in Russia. So interesting!

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray // I got this in my BOTM box a few months ago and has been sitting on my shelf since! This sounds very interesting as it follows the partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, an unlikely friendship.

Jacqueline in Paris by Ann Man // I’ve gotta be honest, I bought this book and started to DNF it about 50 pages in. However, I’ve been itching to download this as an audiobook! This tells the story of Jacqueline, before she became a Kennedy. It takes place in her college year abroad in postwar Paris (September 1949). I think this would be great on audio!

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn // I loved this book! Another great book set in the aftermath of WWII but also during the Great War (WWI). Set in dual timelines, it tells the story of a female spy in WWI and an American woman searching for her cousin in 1947.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi // I just finished Transcendent Kingdom by the same author, and LOVED it. This book has been on my list for some time now. This is her debut novel. It tells the story of two half sisters who each live different lives.

The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis // A good book for book lovers! There’s an intriguing mystery with this one with a hint of fantasy?

The Paris Assignment by Rhys Bowen // Another WWII book! This one features a London woman who falls in love with a French journalist, gets married, and has a son with him. When war hits France, they flee to England, but her husband stays back to join the resistance. Sounds like a strong female character in this one!

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd // I devoured this book and would recommend to just about anyone. I still think about this book! This story is about a woman in the first century who finds her voice and her destiny. Ana is expected to marry as a young woman, but after an encounter with 18-year-old Jesus, everything changes. This story tells the fictional wife of Jesus and how she makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, and their mother, Mary. It’s a fascinating read that I will recommend to anyone!

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn // The same author that brought us The Alice Network gives us another WWII book about three female code breakers and the spy they must root out after the way is over. This has been on my list for ages and I can’t wait to read it—it even has mentions of Prince Philip!

The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore // A silent film star’s wife is sent to quarantine at a Lepers Home in the 1920s.

The Beantown Girls by Jane Healey // Three friends sign up to volunteer to be a Red Cross Clubmobile girl during WWII. They travel overseas where they volunteer for the war. Through it all comes new friendships and romances, unforeseen dangers, and unexpected dreams.

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott // This book was inspired by a true story of the CIA plot to infiltrate the hearts and minds of Soviet Russia. Sounds intriguing!

The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor // This is a dual timeline novel, with one timeline set during WWII in Paris, France and one timeline in present day. It follows Alice during present day when she has inherited her grandmother’s apartment in Paris (that no one knew existed). In the other timeline, we follow Adalyn in wartorn France during WWII as she encounters the Resistance.

The Chelsea Girls by Fiona Davis // This has been on my shelf for ages! Set in the 1950s New York, it features the iconic Chelsea Hotel and a twenty-year friendship that will change two women’s lives. The Chelsea Hotel is iconic because it has long been New York City’s creative oasis for many artists, writers, musicians, actors, filmmakers, and poets. Set on the background of the Red Scare and Senator Joseph McCarthy’s witch hunt for communists, this will be sure be an interesting read!

Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini // This WWII historical fiction novel follows women friends and one American woman in Germany who fight against the rise of evil and defend the oppressed.