List Favorite Historical Romance Novels

The 'Bridgerton' series, like 'The Duke and I', has strong female characters. The heroines in these books are often involved in complex social situations in the Regency era and they handle them with grace and determination. Also, in 'A Room with a View' by E. M. Forster, Lucy Honeychurch is a young woman who gradually discovers her own desires and stands up for what she wants in a society with strict rules.

Well, 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte is a great historical romance novel. It's about the intense and somewhat tragic love between Heathcliff and Catherine. Then there's 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. The relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester is full of passion and moral dilemmas against a historical backdrop. Also, 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne has elements of historical romance in the complex relationship of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale in a Puritan society.

One of the all - time favorite historical romance novels is 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, with their initial misunderstandings and gradual development of love. The social settings and the complex characters make it a classic.

I really like 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It combines historical events with a passionate love story. The story takes the main character Claire, a World War II nurse, who travels back in time to 18th - century Scotland. There she meets Jamie Fraser, and they fall in love. It has elements of adventure, Scottish history, and a very strong and complex relationship between the two main characters.

They often had detailed historical settings. In 'The Flame and the Flower', the descriptions of the early 19th - century England and the sea - faring life were quite vivid. The clothing, the social norms, and the economic situations were all part of the backdrop that added depth to the story. And the romances in these novels were intense. The relationships between the main characters were full of passion, like in 'A Knight in Shining Armor' where the connection between the modern woman and the medieval knight was a central and exciting part of the story.

One of the popular ones is 'Outlander' by Diana Gabaldon. It combines historical elements with a passionate romance set in the Scottish Highlands which has a 'western' feel in terms of its wild and untamed backdrop. Another is 'Ride the Wind' by Lucia St. Clair Robson. It tells the story of a Comanche woman and her journey which includes a romantic aspect against the backdrop of the American West. And 'These Old Shades' by Georgette Heyer is also a great choice. It's set in the 18th - century France but has that charming historical romance with a bit of adventure and a great love story.

Typically, they have a strong historical setting. For example, they might be set in a particular era like the Victorian period, with detailed descriptions of the fashion, social hierarchies, and architecture of that time.

Probably 'Centennial' by James Michener. It's a very popular one as it delves deep into the history of the American West while also having romantic elements. It's like a big, sweeping epic that shows different aspects of life in the West over time.

For beginners, I would recommend 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It has a historical background during World War II and a lovely budding romance. Also, 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett has some elements of historical romance. It's a beautiful story about a young girl and how she discovers love and friendship in a new environment.

You can start by asking at your local bookstore. The staff there are often well - read and can recommend some popular historical romance novels. They might have a section dedicated to historical fiction and romance.