Last Updated on February 21, 2025 by Jella Erhard
Explore sweeping new historical fiction books for adults and teen readers. Read historical romance books, historical books about WW2, dark historical fictions, and other immersive and epic stories that’ll take you back in time and around the world.
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Best Historical Fiction Books For Adults & Teens
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Thanks to creative new historical fiction books all readers can get transported back in time and go on unforgettable adventures while learning more about historical events and figures.
If you’re a historical fiction fan then you’re in luck because there are dozens of new stories coming that already stole early reviewers and critics’ hearts.
You’ll be able to read new dark romance books and, books about Jane Austen and other historical figures, as well as new sweeping historical romances, and get lost in highly emotional and thought-provoking stories about love, family, and human nature.
These stunning new historical books not only transport their readers back in time but also takes them around the world so they can explore some of the most beloved cities including Paris and New York.
RELATED: New Historical Fantasy Books For Adults
While many of the books are feel-good you can also find here new historical thrillers, heartbreakingly beautiful historical fiction books about WW2 and WW1. However, you can also explore alternate realities that were inspired by magical stories and fantasy realms.
No matter if you’re looking for a light-hearted historical fiction novel with romance and laugh-out-loud moments or epic historical tales because you’ll find here a captivating read that’ll surely keep you on the edge of your seat.
If you want to check out other book lists filled with beloved classics and some of the most popular new books from around the world then check out our book nook.
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
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A missing artifact. A long-buried secret. A mystery that spans from the golden age of Egyptian archaeology to the glitz of 1970s New York.
In 1936, Charlotte Cross is an ambitious anthropology student with the opportunity of a lifetime—joining an elite archaeological dig in Egypt’s legendary Valley of the Kings. But tragedy strikes, and her dreams crumble beneath the scorching desert sun.
Four decades later, in 1978, Annie Jenkins is eager to prove herself in the glamorous world of high fashion, landing a job with none other than Diana Vreeland as the iconic Vogue editor orchestrates the Met Gala, the most dazzling event of the year.
But while the city’s elite sip champagne beneath the museum’s grand ceilings, Charlotte—now a quiet but brilliant curator in the Met’s Department of Egyptian Art—has her mind elsewhere. She’s obsessed with Hathorkare, a rare female pharaoh dismissed by history.
When one of the museum’s most prized Egyptian artifacts vanishes, whispers of an ancient curse resurface, and Charlotte and Annie are thrust into an electrifying hunt for the truth.
With only a desperate hunch to guide them, the unlikely duo embarks on a journey back to Egypt, forcing Charlotte to confront the past she swore she’d left behind.
Isola by Allegra Goodman
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Marguerite was born into wealth, her future neatly laid out before her—elegant gowns, glittering pearls, a life of privilege. But fate has other plans. When she is orphaned, her guardian, a volatile and mysterious man, squanders her fortune and forces her on a perilous journey to New France. Then comes the ultimate betrayal: accused of treachery, Marguerite is cast away on a desolate island, left to fend for herself with nothing but her wits and sheer will to survive.
Once a lady of refinement, now at the mercy of the elements, she faces the brutal cold, hunger, and solitude. But as the ice tightens its grip around the island, Marguerite discovers something unexpected—her own unbreakable spirit.
If you love survival stories like The Revenant but with the poetic depth of Circe, this one is for you.
Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen
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In 1956, Ruth Handler walks into the boardroom of the toy company she co-founded with a radical idea: a doll that isn’t a baby, but a confident, stylish woman. A doll that will let girls dream of being more than just mothers—doctors, astronauts, CEOs. The executives scoff. America isn’t ready. But Ruth knows better.
With a team of brilliant but unconventional minds—Jack Ryan, a genius engineer hiding dark secrets; Charlotte Johnson, a visionary designer; and Stevie Klein, a fashion hopeful with everything riding on this project—Ruth races against time to bring Barbie to life.
What follows is a rollercoaster of success, scandal, and reinvention as Barbie becomes more than just a toy.
Told with wit, warmth, and an insider’s look at one of the most fascinating creations in pop culture, Let’s Call Her Barbie is a behind-the-scenes ride through ambition, innovation, and the price of making history. If you loved The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Mattel vs. Hasbro, this is your next must-read.
The Pretender by Jo Harkin
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A peasant boy. A royal conspiracy. A battle for the throne. The Pretender unearths one of history’s most fascinating forgotten figures—Lambert Simnel, the ten-year-old boy who dared to claim the English crown.
In a quiet English village in 1480, young John Collan’s biggest problem is dodging the local devil goat. That is, until a well-dressed stranger arrives with a bombshell revelation: John isn’t John at all. He is Lambert Simnel, lost son of the Duke of Clarence, and rightful heir to the throne.
Suddenly thrust into a dangerous game of power and deception, Lambert is sent to Oxford for an aristocratic education, trained in royal etiquette in Burgundy, and thrown into the shadowy world of court intrigue in Ireland.
But Lambert isn’t playing this game alone. Enter Joan, the sharp-tongued, ruthlessly cunning daughter of his Irish patrons. With only two choices—marriage or the convent—Joan isn’t about to let anyone dictate her future.
And when she teams up with Lambert, their fates become dangerously intertwined. He will either become king or die in battle. She will either carve out her own destiny or disappear into history.
Inspired by the true, little-known tale of the 1487 Yorkist rebellion, The Pretender is a whip-smart, fast-paced historical epic packed with ambition, betrayal, and razor-sharp wit. If Wolf Hall and The Queen’s Gambit had a mischievous, politically savvy love child, this would be it.
Get ready for a ride through fifteenth-century England, where every alliance is fragile, every betrayal is deadly, and the crown is never secure.
Glamorous Notions by Megan Chance
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Old Hollywood, deadly secrets, and a past stitched together with lies—Lena Taylor knows how to create illusions, both on-screen and in real life.
As the head costume designer for Lux Pictures, Lena’s world is all about reinvention. She dresses the biggest stars, keeps their dirty laundry under wraps, and ensures that scandals stay hidden behind perfectly tailored gowns. But Lena has a secret of her own—one even juicier than the affairs and rivalries swirling through 1955 Hollywood.
Because once upon a time, she wasn’t Lena Taylor. She was Elsie Gruner, a young designer from Ohio who earned a coveted place at an art academy in Rome.
There, she was swept into the intoxicating world of jazz clubs, whispered code words, and dangerous midnight errands—all led by the magnetic and mysterious Julia. Then, one night, everything went terribly wrong. A murder. A betrayal. A web of intrigue stretching far beyond what Elsie ever imagined. So she ran.
Now, years later, her past is clawing its way back. With an engagement to a rising screenwriter putting her under Hollywood’s ruthless spotlight, Lena is running out of time. Can she untangle the truth before everything—including the new life she’s so carefully built—comes crashing down?
A lush, suspenseful tale of identity, betrayal, and the high cost of reinvention, Glamorous Notions delivers The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibes with a noir twist. Prepare for a story where every gown hides a secret, every friendship holds a danger, and the past refuses to stay buried.
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
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Witchcraft, lost treasure, and an ancient curse lurking beneath the glittering waves of the Amalfi Coast—what could go wrong?
Haven Ambrose isn’t just any archaeologist; she’s a fearless deep-sea explorer on a mission. Officially, she’s in Positano to study the region’s mysterious shipwrecks. Unofficially? She’s chasing the ghost of her father’s last dive, hoping to find a stash of legendary gemstones he spotted before tragedy struck.
But the moment she sets foot in the sun-drenched Italian village, the sea turns against her. Freak storms, eerie accidents, and an unsettling feeling that something—or someone—is watching her.
As Haven plunges deeper into the past, she uncovers a tale of forbidden love, ancient magic, and a woman who once dared to wield the ocean’s power through stregheria—Italy’s own brand of witchcraft. Could the curse that doomed her centuries ago still be at work? And if so, will Haven be the one to break it—or fall victim to it?
With a mix of dark enchantment, high-stakes adventure, and a romance as tempestuous as the sea, The Amalfi Curse is a spellbinding blend of The Da Vinci Code meets Practical Magic.
The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin
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Synopsis:
The Booklover’s Library by Madeline Martin is a heartwarming tale of resilience, community, and the magic of books during wartime England.
Emma Taylor, a widowed mother, lands a job at Boots’ Booklover’s Library just as the war forces her daughter, Olivia, to evacuate to the countryside. Separated from her child, Emma finds comfort in the friendships she builds with coworkers and neighbors and in helping library visitors discover the perfect books to lift their spirits.
But life at the library isn’t without challenges—missing books, haunting memories of her past, and the ever-present fear of the Blitz. As Emma fights to reunite with Olivia, she learns the true power of stories and community in overcoming even the hardest times.
If you love books about books and heartwarming stories of hope, this one’s a must-read!
Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris
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Synopsis:
Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris is a thrilling mix of gothic fantasy, historical mystery, and just a touch of romance that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. It’s like Dracula and Sherlock Holmes got together and said, “What if we added some strong, brilliant women to the mix?”
The story takes us to Paris at the dawn of the 20th century, where Samantha Harker, who just so happens to be the daughter of Dracula’s killer, works for a society dedicated to studying strange phenomena. But Sam has a secret—she can tap into the minds of monsters, a gift (or curse?) that’s as fascinating as it is dangerous.
Enter Dr. Helena Moriarty, the fiercely independent daughter of Sherlock Holmes’ arch-nemesis. She’s a detective with a reputation that makes most people steer clear—probably because her past partners tend to, well, not survive. But Sam and Hel are thrown together to solve a series of gruesome murders, leading them from Parisian high society to its shadowy underworld.
As they work to unravel the mystery, sparks fly—not just from the danger but from the simmering tension between them.
Can they trust each other, or is one of them playing a darker game? With a richly atmospheric setting, razor-sharp dialogue, and a plot that keeps you guessing, Strange Beasts is the perfect blend of chills, twists, and heart. If you love your historical fiction with a dash of monsters and a side of unexpected romance, this one’s for you.
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman
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Synopsis:
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman is a heartwarming tale brimming with second chances, lost love, and the bittersweet magic of life’s unexpected twists. At nearly 80, Augusta Stern is starting a new chapter in a Florida retirement community, only to be confronted by Irving Rivkin—the boy who broke her heart decades ago in 1920s Brooklyn.
As a teenager, Augusta was caught between the grounded wisdom of her pharmacist father and the mystical remedies of her Great Aunt Esther, a healer with an unconventional flair for potions and elixirs.
A fateful decision involving Esther’s most potent concoction led to heartbreak, leaving Augusta to carry the weight of her mistakes for sixty years.
Now, as she reconnects with Irving and revisits her past, Augusta must untangle the mysteries of what went wrong and decide whether to embrace the magic she once rejected. With wit, charm, and a sprinkle of enchantment, this novel is perfect for readers who believe it’s never too late for redemption—or a little bit of love.
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn
Synopsis:
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn takes readers to 1950s Washington, DC, at the height of the McCarthy era, weaving a rich, suspenseful tale of friendship, secrets, and resilience. At the center is Briarwood House, an all-female boardinghouse that shelters a cast of diverse women, each with their own struggles and pasts.
Enter Grace March, a widow whose charm and mysterious presence spark unexpected bonds among her neighbors: the elegant but wounded Fliss, the policeman’s daughter Nora tangled with a dangerous gangster, and Beatrice, a former baseball star facing an uncertain future.
When violence rocks the house, the women must decide where their loyalties lie and who can be trusted.
The Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie
Synopsis:
The Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie is a powerful story that delves into family secrets, resilience, and the legacy of women across generations. Artist Tig Costello heads to Darren, Kentucky, to paint a portrait of her grandfather, Benjamin—a local hero with a mysterious past. To truly understand him, Tig must speak with Eloise Price, the woman who killed him 50 years ago and is now in a state institution.
Eloise agrees to share her stories, revealing not only her own history but that of Tig’s grandmother and the other women tied to Benjamin. Central to it all is Whitmore Halls, a mansion that was once a place of triage, death, and a moment that forever changed Eloise.
An Echo in Time by Boo Walker
Summary:
If you’re on the hunt for a historical fiction read that blends mystery, family drama, and a touch of romance, An Echo in Time by Boo Walker should be on your list. The story follows Charli Thurman, who’s approaching thirty and feels like life’s constantly throwing her curveballs. After a nudge from her best friend, she tries out this unconventional “soul reader” to dig into her family’s tangled history—and boy, does she find more than she expected. We’re talking a haunting, violent memory that pushes her to uncover what really happened centuries ago.
Determined to break the cycle and get answers, Charli finds herself in Winchester, England. Enter Noah, a pub owner with a past as tangled as her own. Together, they dig into an old murder and a troubled inheritance, searching for the truth that could set them both free. If you love stories about healing, digging into the past, and a touch of romance, this book will sweep you up.
A Wild and Heavenly Place by Robin Oliveira
Historical Love, Pacific Northwest, American Dream
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Publication Date: February 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Synopsis:
Robin Oliveira serves up a hefty slice of historical heartache with A Wild and Heavenly Place. So, here’s the scoop: Samuel Fiddes is doing the brotherly hustle in Glasgow’s grimy tenements, scrimping to keep his sister fed. Enter Hailey MacIntyre, who’s never had to count pennies, but somehow, fate throws her and Samuel into each other’s orbit.
Sparks fly, secret glances are exchanged, and just like that, we’re all aboard the love train. But as luck (or the lack thereof) would have it, Hailey’s dad goes broke, and their family zips off to Seattle, chasing rumors of coal and cash.
Samuel, struck by Hailey’s last words (“Remember, Washington Territory”), decides it’s time for an adventure. With nothing but hope and determination, he sets off to find Hailey, betting everything on a dream of a better life.
Seattle, though, is no picnic. It’s a fledgling city with more shadows than a forest at dusk, promising a test of love, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness.
A Wild and Heavenly Place isn’t just a love story; it’s a beautifully penned tribute to the wild heart of the Pacific Northwest and the rugged dreamers who dared to make it their home. Get ready for a journey through love’s labors, lost and found, in Oliveira’s homage to enduring love and the American Dream, circa 1800s style.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Heroic Women, Vietnam War, Resilience and Recovery
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Publication Date: February 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
Swapping coasts for combat zones, The Women by Kristin Hannah plunges us into the heart and heat of the 1960s, a time when America was at war with Vietnam and itself. Enter Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a nursing student whose life in sunny Southern California is as far removed from the jungles of Vietnam as you can get.
Yet, inspired by a newfound realization that women can be heroes too, she trades her comfortable life for the chaos of war as an Army Nurse, following in her brother’s footsteps.
Off she goes, swapping beach vibes for battlefield chaos, because apparently, women can be heroes too. Who knew?
In the thick of Vietnam, Frankie finds out that war is more than just a backdrop for dramatic heroics; it’s about forming bonds tighter than your favorite jeans and dealing with betrayals that sting worse than a bad sunburn.
And just when you think they’re out, the real fight starts—coming home to a country that’s flipping through the channels trying to forget the war ever happened.
The Women isn’t just a story about Frankie; it’s a shoutout to all the ladies who dove headfirst into the fray. With a mix of bravery, heartache, and a dash of “what the heck am I doing here?” Hannah gives us a front-row seat to the era that redefined courage. Welcome to the 60s, Hannah style.
The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West by Sara Ackerman
Aviation Adventure, Historical Mystery, Female Aviator
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Publication Date: February 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Synopsis:
Fasten your seatbelts because The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West is the tale where history and mystery fly in tight formation.
Livy West, our sky-high heroine from 1927, has her eyes on the prize: the Dole Air Race across the Pacific. There’s just one problem—she’s got the wrong chromosomes for the boys’ club. Undeterred, she wiggles her way in as a navigator, embarking on a journey that’s anything but smooth sailing.
Zoom to 1987, and enter Wren Summers, almost broke but suddenly the owner of what’s basically a jungle gym in Hawai’i.
Hidden within an old barn lies the gateway to Livy’s long-lost saga, turning Wren from pauper to history sleuth overnight. With a little help from her elderly allies, she’s on a mission to stitch together a story that’s been waiting decades to take flight again.
Sara Ackerman crafts a narrative that’s part adrenaline-pumping race, part heartfelt quest for truth. The Uncharted Flight of Olivia West soars beyond the conventional, proving that some treasures don’t just glitter—they soar.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Magic Intrigue, Spanish Golden Age, Immortal Secrets
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Publication Date: April 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Synopsis:
Let’s dive into The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, and trust me, it’s a journey back to the Spanish Golden Age that’s as glittery as it is gritty. Picture Luzia Cotado, not your average Cinderella, slaving away in Madrid’s not-so-fairytale setting.
Her magic? More practical than sparkly, used for more than just making her chores disappear. It’s her ticket out of drudgery—until her boss finds out and sees dollar signs, or rather, ducats in her little miracles.
Enter Antonio Pérez, a man with a reputation as tarnished as the silverware Luzia’s probably scrubbing. He’s got plans for the king of Spain, who’s licking his wounds after a maritime smackdown from England. Luzia’s magic? Suddenly it’s not just party tricks for Perez and his royal boss; it’s a potential game-changer in international politics.
But here’s where it gets as spicy as Spanish paella: Luzia’s Jewish heritage is a ticking bomb in an era when the Inquisition’s hobby is lighting fires under heretics. And then there’s Guillén Santángel, our immortal with a closet full of skeletons and maybe, just maybe, a heart of gold.
Bardugo isn’t just spinning a yarn; she’s weaving a tapestry of magic, intrigue, and survival. Luzia’s not just trying to climb the social ladder; she’s balancing on a tightrope over a bonfire. With a blend of real history and the kind of magic that makes you wish you paid more attention in history class.
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan
War’s Ambiguity, Colonial Struggles, Espionage Redemption
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Publication Date: January 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Drama
Synopsis:
Dive into The Storm We Made, where Vanessa Chan turns the historical fiction genre on its head. Imagine this: Malaya, 1945, and Cecily Alcantara isn’t just stirring soups; she’s stirring up a storm as a spy with a closet full of skeletons.
Her son’s gone AWOL, one daughter’s dodging a fate worse than death, and the other’s seething at tea parties with enemy soldiers. Cecily’s got a past that could topple her family’s future, all thanks to a fling with espionage and a charming general promising freedom.
Vanessa Chan throws us into a whirlwind of family drama, war secrets, and the kind of moral dilemmas that’ll have you questioning right from wrong.
Told through the eyes of four characters you’ll end up rooting for (or maybe shouting at), The Storm We Made is a heartfelt rollercoaster that grabs you and doesn’t let go.
The American Queen by Vanessa Miller
Resilience, Hope, Freedom
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Publishing Date: January 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Inspirational
Synopsis:
Vanessa Miller’s The American Queen takes us on a journey back to 1869. It’s the story of Louella, who’s spent 25 long years under the cruel shadow of slavery at the Montgomery Plantation.
She’s got one feeling, and it’s not warm and fuzzy: pure, burning hate. Love? Not even on the radar, not even for the decent Reverend William, who she agrees to marry.
But hold up, things take a turn. William, nudged by Louella, leads their group of newly freed folks away from the plantation’s horrors. This is where Louella’s story flips from hate to hope. She starts to see a future filled with freedom, miracles, and maybe even a bit of trust.
Together, William and Louella become the founders of the Kingdom of the Happy Land – talk about a fairy tale ending, right? They’re surrounded by naysayers, but they’re all about spreading joy and fighting for dignity and freedom.
The London Bookshop Affair by Louise Fein
Espionage, Love, Secrets
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Publishing Date: January 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance
Get ready for Louise Fein’s latest page-turner, The London Bookshop Affair. It’s a rollercoaster of a historical drama set in the swinging sixties of London, right smack in the middle of the Cold War’s chill.
Celia Duchesne, stuck in a dreary London bookshop in 1962, dreaming of something, anything, more thrilling. Enter a suave American who whisks her into the heart-pounding world of spies and secrets.
It zips us back to 1942 France, where we meet young Anya Moreau, a fearless member of the resistance. Her story is one of bravery and betrayal, and it’s been buried… until now.
As Celia digs into Anya’s past, she uncovers jaw-dropping secrets and a twist you won’t see coming – they’re connected in ways she never imagined.
The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker
Family, Secrets, Resilience
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Publishing Date: February 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, Family Saga
Synopsis:
The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker is a roller coaster of a tale! It’s 1924, and little Cecily is left at an orphanage with a promise that her mom will return. Spoiler: she doesn’t. Next thing you know, Cecily’s life flips upside down when she’s sold to a circus.
Yep, a circus! She finds this quirky, makeshift family there, but life isn’t all glitz and glamour under the big top. Fast forward to 2015, and 94-year-old Cecily’s quiet life in Minnesota gets a jolt. Thanks to a DNA test (surprise, surprise!), decades of hidden love stories and family secrets come tumbling out.
This book isn’t just a story; it’s a journey through what makes us family and how forgiveness can redefine our lives. Get ready for laughs, tears, and a whole lot of heart!
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Mystery, Spirits, Revenge
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Publishing Date: February 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy
Synopsis:
Get ready for “The Fox Wife” by Yangsze Choo, hitting shelves in February 2024. This isn’t just any historical mystery; it’s a ride into the enchanting world of fox spirits and unsolved riddles.
Imagine Manchuria in 1908, where a woman’s body is found frozen in snow, sparking whispers about foxes turning into gorgeous humans to lure people into danger. Enter Bao, the detective with a nose for the truth and a childhood fascination with fox gods.
Then there’s this family running a famous Chinese medicine shop, plagued by a curse killing all their eldest sons before they turn 24. Their current hope? A grandson, aged 23. In walks a mysterious woman, and suddenly, their luck shifts. But who is she really? A simple servant or a vengeful fox spirit?
Yangsze Choo weaves a tale where mortals and spirits, humans and beasts, collide in the most unexpected ways. It’s a story of a mother’s revenge, a detective’s quest, and folklore that might not be just tales after all.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
Haunting, War, Brotherhood
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Publishing Date: February 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Drama
Synopsis:
Katherine Arden’s The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a wild ride of a historical novel with a spooky twist. Picture this: World War I is raging, and Laura Iven, a tough-as-nails combat nurse, is on a mission to find her brother Freddie. Everyone says he’s a goner, lost in the trenches, but Laura’s gut screams otherwise.
Flashback to 1918 in Halifax, Canada. Laura’s just heard the gut-wrenching news of Freddie’s death, but she’s not buying it. So, she zips back to Belgium, working in a hospital where ghost stories are as common as bandages. Here, she starts piecing together Freddie’s last days.
But wait, there’s more. Cut to 1917, and there’s Freddie, somehow surviving a blast and buddying up with Hans Winter, a German soldier. These unlikely allies stumble upon a mysterious guy who’s got a knack for making the war’s nightmares vanish.
Arden spins a tale that’s not just about finding Freddie; it’s about wrestling with the ghosts of trauma and figuring out what’s worth holding on to. The Warm Hands of Ghosts isn’t just a book; it’s a haunting, heart-tugging journey through the shadows of war.
If the Tide Turns by Rachel Rueckert
Pirates, Love, Freedom
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Publishing Date: March 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance
Synopsis:
Rachel Rueckert’s If the Tide Turns, hitting the shelves in March 2024, is like a time machine straight into the world of pirates and post-Salem witch trial drama.
Imagine this: Eastham, Massachusetts, 1715. Maria Brown, rich girl with a snooze-fest of a future all mapped out, is about to get her world rocked. She’s supposed to marry John Hallett (total yawn), but then bam! In walks Samuel Bellamy, a sailor with more charm than a barrel of rum and dreams bigger than the ocean.
Sam’s got stories that would make your hair stand on end and ideas about freedom that set Maria’s heart on fire. But, uh-oh, society’s not having any of their star-crossed lover vibes.
Spurned and fired up, Sam turns pirate, diving headfirst into a life of high-seas adventure and brotherhood. Meanwhile, Maria’s back home, dodging gossip and staying strong.
Rueckert’s book is a wild ride of love, freedom, and fighting for your own path, all wrapped up in a swashbuckling, heart-tugging package. If the Tide Turns? More like when your heart turns to this epic tale!
Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
Empowerment, Partnership, Resilience
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Publishing Date: March 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Political Drama, Biography
Synopsis:
Stephanie Dray’s Becoming Madam Secretary, a rip-roaring tale of Frances Perkins, a firecracker who lands in early 20th century New York ready to stir things up. Raised on stories of her revolutionary forebears, Frances hits the Big Apple, parasol in hand, eyes on the prize.
By day, she’s working with kids in Hell’s Kitchen; by night, she’s rubbing elbows with the likes of millionaire socialite Mary Harriman Rumsey and the ever-charming Sinclair Lewis in Greenwich Village. Romance? Check.
She falls for Paul Wilson, a troubled reformer, but then – plot twist – along comes young lawyer Franklin Delano Roosevelt. First impressions? A disaster. She thinks he’s a pampered snob; he pegs her as a preachy bore. Little do they know, they’re destined to become an unstoppable duo.
Climbing the political ladder in a man’s world, Frances becomes FDR’s right hand, tackling the Great Depression and juggling her personal life. Dray’s novel is a whirlwind of wit, willpower, and the will to shape a nation, all through the eyes of a woman who dared to lead.
The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan
Resilience, Hope, Community
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Publishing Date: March 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Drama, War Story
Synopsis:
Get ready for Jennifer Ryan’s The Underground Library, coming in March 2024. Picture this: three gutsy women, one beloved library, and a whole lot of wartime drama.
First up, Juliet Lansdown, the new deputy librarian at Bethnal Green Library. She’s on a mission to spruce up the place, but it’s not all smooth sailing, thanks to a past that won’t leave her alone and a world where men call the shots.
Then there’s Katie Upwood. She thought the library gig was just a pit stop before university, but life laughs at her plans, tossing in a personal crisis and a jaw-dropping secret.
And let’s not forget Sofie Baumann, the brave Jewish refugee. London was supposed to be her fresh start, but instead, she’s stuck as a maid. The library becomes her lifeline, a beacon of hope and friendship.
The library’s hit by bombs. Quick-thinking Juliet moves the books to an Underground station, turning it into a literary haven for sheltering locals. As the war rages on, Juliet, Katie, and Sofie face their own battles. Can they keep the library’s spirit alive, or will it be another casualty of war?
Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
Intrigue, Power, Rebellion
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Publishing Date: July 2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Political Drama
Synopsis:
Get ready for O.O. Sangoyomi’s Masquerade that’s going to whisk you away to a brilliantly reimagined 15th century West Africa. This isn’t just a story; it’s a lyrical journey exploring freedom, identity, and the hunger for power.
Meet Òdòdó, a member of a blacksmith guild in Timbuktu, living on the outskirts of society. Things go south when Yorùbá warriors storm in and take over. And then, in a wild twist, Òdòdó gets kidnapped and ends up in Ṣàngótẹ̀, face-to-face with the Yorùbá warrior king himself. He’s not just any king; he wants Òdòdó as his queen!
From the shadows to the spotlight, Òdòdó’s world turns upside down. She’s plunged into a dizzying mix of luxury, power, and politics. It’s a world where allies are as dangerous as enemies, and every choice is a gamble.
Will she bend to the king’s will or play the game to win? Masquerade is a thrilling dive into a world where a woman’s will clashes with the iron grip of destiny. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride!
In the Hands of Women by Jane Loeb Rubin
Get Your Copy HERE
Published: 2023
Synopsis:
Alright history buffs and feminist enthusiasts, saddle up for a whirlwind journey with In the Hands of Women. Meet Hannah Isaacson: obstetrician-in-training by day, bad-ass women’s rights advocate… also by day! It’s 1900 – Baltimore and NYC are buzzing, and not in a good way.
Hospital births are the new ‘it’ thing, and midwives? They’re having to resort to some, let’s say, less-than-ideal practices to make ends meet.
But our girl Hannah isn’t having any of that. Amidst botched abortions and stifling laws, she’s out here trying to rewrite the rulebook, with a little help from some fierce friends (Hello, Margaret Sanger!).
But the path of a revolutionary is never smooth, and soon enough, she’s landed herself in the notorious Blackwell’s Prison. Will she get out? Will women’s rights triumph?
In the Hands of Women transports readers into an era where women’s choices were limited, but their spirits? Absolutely unstoppable.
The Lady of the Loch by Elena Collins
Get Your Copy HERE
Published: 2023
Synopsis:
Journey to the mystical heart of Scotland with The Lady of the Loch. In 1307, as the battle drums of independence echo, Agnes Fitzgerald, a kitchen maid, finds refuge in Ravenscraig Castle after a narrow escape.
While war brews, she’s entangled in a whirlwind romance with the dashing Cam Buchanan. Fast forward to the present, and the castle’s ancient walls embrace Leah and Zoe, twins looking for a fresh start.
Little did they know, they’ve RSVP’d to a 700-year-old emotional party, complete with ghostly whispers and tear-jerking love tales. Elena Collins, who’s really the fab Judy Leigh in disguise, spins a tale that’s equal parts heart-pounding romance and ‘I-can’t-sleep-because-of-ghosts’ thriller.
The Lady of the Loch is perfect for those who fancy a sprinkle of historical romance, a dash of modern-day mystery, and a big ol’ dollop of Scottish charm.”
Where Waters Meet by Zhang Ling
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Published: 2023
Synopsis:
Dive into Zhang Ling’s poignant Where Waters Meet, where the waters of memory and discovery converge in a torrent of emotion. Phoenix Yuan-Whyller, rooted in Toronto but with tendrils stretching back to China, finds herself adrift after her mother Rain’s passing.
But when an enigmatic suitcase, two evocative photographs, and a mysterious bottle beckon her, she’s propelled on a journey that’s more than just a pilgrimage—it’s a deep dive into forgotten histories and cloaked truths.
As Phoenix ventures from Canada’s urban expanse to China’s rich tapestry, she doesn’t just uncover the layers of her mother’s life; she unravels threads of her own identity.
Where Waters Meet is a heart-stirring odyssey of love, loss, and self-realization; a must for those who relish tales of familial bonds and personal awakenings.
Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley
Get Your Copy HERE
Published: 2023
Synopsis:
Prepare to globe-trot with Lucinda Riley’s Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt. Step back to 1928 Paris, where a silent boy with a mysterious past is on the brink of death, only to be rescued and nurtured by a warm-hearted family.
As he blossoms into a talented young man, hints of his shadowy origins linger, and Europe’s looming turmoil threatens to pull him back into the darkness. Flash forward to 2008 in the Aegean, where the Seven Sisters unite aboard the Titan, discovering startling truths about their elusive father, Pa Salt.
It’s a riveting journey through time, exploring the intricacies of family, identity, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt is a captivating saga weaving history and mystery; a must-read for those enthralled by complex family dynamics and world-spanning tales.
The Venice Secret by Anita Chapman
Get Your Copy HERE
Published: March 7, 2023
Synopsis:
Get ready to time travel with Anita Chapman’s “The Venice Secret,” a tale that’ll have you darting between 18th-century Venice and the present day faster than you can say “Canaletto!” When Rachel stumbles upon a painting in her grandmother’s loft, she’s whisked into a thrilling art mystery.
Could it be a genuine Canaletto? Meanwhile, in 1780, Philippa’s Venetian escapades with Lady Cordelia pack intrigue and secrets enough to fill the Grand Canal.
As both women navigate their respective times, their stories intertwine in a rich tapestry of romance, art, and secrets. Chapman’s meticulous research paints Venice so vividly, you’ll be checking your shoes for canal water.
The Venice Secret is a riveting journey across centuries and canvases; perfect for those who delight in art mysteries, romantic rendezvous, and the allure of Venice’s past.
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods & Evie Gaughan
Get Your Copy HERE
Published: 2023
Synopsis:
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods and Evie Gaughan, a captivating blend of mystery, secrets, and the transformative power of books. The story follows the adventures of Opaline, Martha, and Henry, ordinary folks from Dublin, finding their lives turned extraordinary through the enchantment of a vanishing bookshop.
As they unlock the secrets of the shelves, they’re whisked away into a world where imagination rules and nothing is as it seems.
The Lost Bookshop is one of the most heartwarming new historical fiction books filled with magic and mysteries.
RELATED: Unique Gifts For Book Lovers
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
Synopsis:
A luminous, boldly imagined debut novel about three Vietnamese siblings who seek refuge in the UK, expanding into a sweeping meditation on love, ancestry, and the power of storytelling.
There are the goodbyes and then the fishing out of the bodies—everything in between is speculation.
After the last American troops leave Vietnam, siblings Anh, Thanh, and Minh begin a perilous journey to Hong Kong with the promise that their parents and younger siblings will soon follow. But when tragedy strikes, the three children are left orphaned, and sixteen-year-old Anh becomes the caretaker for her two younger brothers overnight.
In the years that follow, Anh and her brothers resettle in the UK and confront their new identities as refugees, first in overcrowded camps and resettlement centers and then, later, in a modernizing London plagued by social inequality and raging anti-immigrant sentiment.
Anh works in a clothing factory to pay their bills. Minh loiters about with fellow unemployed high school dropouts. Thanh, the youngest, plays soccer with his British friends after class. As they mature, each sibling reckons with survivor’s guilt, unmoored by their parents’ absence.
With every choice they make, their paths diverge further, until it’s unclear if love alone can keep them together.
Told through lyrical narrative threads, historical research, voices from lost family, and notes by an unnamed narrator determined to chart their fate, Wandering Souls captures the lives of a family marked by war and loss yet relentless in the pursuit of a better future.
With urgency and precision, it affirms that the most important stories are those we claim for ourselves, establishing Cecile Pin as a masterful new literary voice. If you love psychological fiction books that transport you back in time then you should check out this beautiful novel.
Wandering Souls is one of the most emotional new historical fiction books about family and war.
Written in the Ashes by Novel by K. Hollan Van Zandt
Alexandria’s Enigmatic Saga: Love, War, and Mysticism
Buy it HERE
Genres: Historical Fiction
Let’s dive into Written in the Ashes by K. Hollan Van Zandt. This stunning story transports readers back to fifth-century Alexandria, Egypt where Hannah, our main gal, gets snatched from her home and ends up as a slave in Alexandria. However, she’s not just any slave; she’s got a voice that could make the gods weep and she eventually catches the eye of Alizar, a secret pagan alchemist.
Now, Alexandria at this time is like a powder keg with Christians and pagans eyeing each other warily. Hannah, in the middle of all this, becomes buddies with Hypatia – yes, the famous philosopher! – and other library folks who are desperately trying to keep pagan culture alive.
Hannah’s off on this wild quest, think Indiana Jones with more mysticism, to piece together this Emerald Tablet, which is pretty much the only hope for peace. There’s forbidden love, betrayals that hit you in the feels, and reunions that’ll make you go “aww.”
So, Written in the Ashes? It’s a rollercoaster through ancient oracles, lost cities, and personal drama with the fate of Alexandria hanging by a thread. It’s history with a side of spice – think love, war, and a dash of magic.
Go as a River by Shelley Read
Synopsis:
Victoria Nash is just a teenager in the 1940s, but she runs the household on her family’s peach farm in the ranch town of Iola, Colorado—the sole surviving female in a family of troubled men. Wilson Moon is a young drifter with a mysterious past, displaced from his tribal land in the Four Corners region, who wants to believe one place is just like another.
When Victoria encounters Wil on a street corner, their unexpected connection ignites as much passion as danger and as many revelations as secrets. Victoria flees into the beautiful but harsh wilderness of the nearby mountains when tragedy strikes. Living in a small hut, she struggles to survive in the unforgiving conditions with no clear notion of what her future will be.
What happens afterward is her quest to regain all that she has lost, even as the Gunnison River rises to submerge her homeland and the only life she has ever known. Go as a River is a story of love and loss but also of finding home, family, resilience—and love—where least expected.
Go as a River is one of the most touching and beautifully written historical fiction books that’s a great choice for readers who love coming-of-age stories.
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash – March 2023
Synopsis:
A sweeping, tenderhearted love story, Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash tells the story of two families living through World War II on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and the shy, irresistible young woman who will call them both her own.
As German bombs fall over London in 1940, working-class parents Millie and Reginald Thompson make an impossible choice: they decide to send their eleven-year-old daughter, Beatrix, to America. There, she’ll live with another family for the duration of the war, where they hope she’ll stay safe.
Scared and angry, feeling lonely and displaced, Bea arrives in Boston to meet the Gregorys. Mr. and Mrs. G, and their sons William and Gerald, fold Bea seamlessly into their world. She becomes part of this lively family, learning their ways and their stories, adjusting to their affluent lifestyle.
Bea grows close to both boys, one older and one younger, and fills in the gap between them. Before long, before she even realizes it, life with the Gregorys feels more natural to her than the quiet, spare life with her own parents back in England.
As Bea comes into herself and relaxes into her new life—summers on the coast in Maine, new friends clamoring to hear about life across the sea—the girl she had been begins to fade away, until, abruptly, she is called home to London when the war ends.
Desperate as she is not to leave this life behind, Bea dutifully retraces her trip across the Atlantic back to her new, old world. As she returns to post-war London, the memory of her American family stays with her, never fully letting her go, and always pulling on her heart as she tries to move on and pursue love and a life of her own.
As we follow Bea over time, navigating between her two worlds, Beyond That, the Sea emerges as a beautifully written, absorbing novel, full of grace and heartache, forgiveness and understanding, loss and love.
Beyond That, the Sea is one of the most romantic historical fiction books about love and loss during WWII.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries (Emily Wilde #1) by Heather Fawcett – January 2023
Synopsis:
A curmudgeonly professor journeys to a small town in the far north to study faerie folklore and discovers dark fae magic, friendship, and love, in this heartwarming and enchanting fantasy.
Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world’s first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people.
She could never make small talk at a party–or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.
So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk.
Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily’s research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.
But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones–the most elusive of all faeries–lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery:
Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she’ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all–her own heart.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries is one of the best new historical fiction books with romance and magic.
Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods #1) by Chloe Gong – July 2023
Synopsis:
Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.
Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it.
Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last to kill him.
Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive.
Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.
Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills.
But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.
Immortal Longings is one of the most atmospheric new historical fiction books that’s perfect for those who love romance stories and retellings.
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Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – April 2023
Synopsis:
After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together.
Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.
To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper.
When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.
When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.
Shadow and Bone meets Lore in this epic enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel filled with hope and heartbreak, and the unparalleled power of love.
Divine Rivals is one of the most magical new historical fiction books that’s a great choice for YA and adult readers as well.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano – March 2023
Synopsis:
William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him. So it’s a relief when his skill on the basketball court earns him a scholarship to college, far away from his childhood home.
He soon meets Julia Padavano, a spirited and ambitious young woman who surprises William with her appreciation of his quiet steadiness.
With Julia comes her family; she is inseparable from her three younger sisters: Sylvie, the dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book and imagines a future different from the expected path of wife and mother; Cecelia, the family’s artist; and Emeline, who patiently takes care of all of them.
Happily, the Padavanos fold Julia’s new boyfriend into their loving, chaotic household.
But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable loyalty to one another.
The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?
Vibrating with tenderness, Hello Beautiful is a gorgeous, profoundly moving portrait of what’s possible when we choose to love someone not in spite of who they are, but because of it.
Hello Beautiful is one of the most moving contemporary historical fiction books about family life and love.
The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel – June 2023
Synopsis:
From the bestselling author of the “heart-stopping tale of survival and heroism” (People) The Book of Lost Names comes a gripping historical novel about two mothers who must make unthinkable choices in the face of the Nazi occupation.
Paris, 1939: Young mothers Elise and Juliette become fast friends the day they meet in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne. Though there is a shadow of war creeping across Europe, neither woman suspects that their lives are about to irrevocably change.
When Elise becomes a target of the German occupation, she entrusts Juliette with the most precious thing in her life—her young daughter, playmate to Juliette’s own little girl.
But nowhere is safe in war, not even a quiet little bookshop like Juliette’s Librairie des Rêves, and, when a bomb falls on their neighborhood, Juliette’s world is destroyed along with it.
More than a year later, with the war finally ending, Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, only to find her friend’s bookstore reduced to rubble—and Juliette nowhere to be found. What happened to her daughter in those last, terrible moments?
Juliette has seemingly vanished without a trace, taking all the answers with her. Elise’s desperate search leads her to New York—and to Juliette—one final, fateful time.
An “exquisite and gut-wrenching novel” (Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author) you won’t soon forget, The Paris Daughter is also a sweeping celebration of resilience, motherhood, and love.
The Paris Daughter is one of the most immersive new historical fiction books about WW2 and is set in Paris, France.
The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly – March 2023
Synopsis:
The acclaimed author of the “sweeping and beautifully written novel” (Woman’s World) The Light Over London weaves an epic saga of love, motherhood, and betrayal set against World War II.
Liverpool, 1935: Raised in a strict Catholic family, Viv Byrne knows what’s expected of her: marry a Catholic man from her working-class neighborhood and have his children.
However, when she finds herself pregnant after a fling with Joshua Levinson, a Jewish man with dreams of becoming a famous Jazz musician, Viv knows that a swift wedding is the only answer.
Her only solace is that marrying Joshua will mean escaping her strict mother’s scrutiny. But when Joshua makes a life-changing choice on their wedding day, Viv is forced once again into the arms of her disapproving family.
Five years later and on the eve of World War II, Viv is faced with the impossible choice to evacuate her young daughter, Maggie, to the countryside estate of the affluent Thompson family.
In New York City, Joshua gives up his failing musical career to serve in the Royal Air Force, fight for his country, and try to piece together his feelings about the family, wife, and daughter he left behind at nineteen.
However, tragedy strikes when Viv learns that the countryside safe haven she sent her daughter to wasn’t immune from the horrors of war. It is only years later, with Joshua’s help, that Viv learns the secrets of their shared past and what it will take to put a family back together again.
Telling the harrowing story of England’s many evacuated children, bestselling author Julia Kelly’s The Lost English Girl explores how one simple choice can change the course of a life, and what we are willing to forgive to find a way back to the ones we love and thought lost.
The Lost English Girl is one of the most heartbreaking new historical fiction books about WW2 and is set in England.
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson – February 2023
Synopsis:
From the award-winning author of Yellow Wife, a daring, beautiful, and redemptive novel that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.
1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter.
But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright
Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his parents don’t let just anyone into their fold.
Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.
With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.
The House of Eve is is one of the most anticipated new romantic historical fiction books set in 1950s Philadelphia with a highly emotional story about dreams and motherhood.
The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly – April 2023
Synopsis:
Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II—an extraordinary novel inspired by true events from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls
American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue are thrilled to be working in the French resistance, stealing so many Nazi secrets that they become known as the Golden Doves, renowned across France and hunted by the Gestapo.
Their courage will cost them everything. When they are finally arrested and taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, along with their loved ones, a reclusive Nazi doctor does unspeakable things to Josie’s mother, a celebrated Jewish singer who joined her daughter in Paris when the world seemed bright.
And Arlette’s son is stolen from her, never to be seen again.
A decade later the Doves fall headlong into a dangerous dual mission: Josie is working for U.S. Army intelligence and accepts an assignment to hunt down the infamous doctor, while a mysterious man tells Arlette he may have found her son.
The Golden Doves embark on a quest across Europe and ultimately to French Guiana, discovering a web of terrible secrets, and must put themselves in grave danger to finally secure justice and protect the ones they love.
Martha Hall Kelly has garnered acclaim for her stunning combination of empathy and research into the stories of women throughout history and for exploring the terrors of Ravensbrück.
With The Golden Doves, she has crafted an unforgettable story about the fates of Nazi fugitives in the wake of World War II—and the unsung females spies who risked it all to bring them to justice.
The Golden Doves is perfect for those readers who love spy stories and are looking for brilliantly crafted historical fiction books about WW2.
Code Name Sapphire by Pam Jenoff – February 2023
Synopsiss:
A woman must rescue her cousin’s family from a train bound for Auschwitz in this riveting tale of bravery and resistance, from the bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris
1942. Hannah Martel has narrowly escaped Nazi Germany after her fiancé was killed in a pogrom. When her ship bound for America is turned away at port, she has nowhere to go but to her cousin Lily, who lives with her family in Brussels.
Fearful for her life, Hannah is desperate to get out of occupied Europe. But with no safe way to leave, she must return to the dangerous underground work she thought she had left behind.
Seeking help, Hannah joins the Sapphire Line, a secret resistance network led by a mysterious woman named Micheline and her enigmatic brother Mateo.
But when a grave mistake causes Lily’s family to be arrested and slated for deportation to Auschwitz, Hannah finds herself torn between her loyalties. How much is Hannah willing to sacrifice to save the people she loves?
Inspired by incredible true stories of courage and sacrifice, Code Name Sapphire is a powerful novel about love, family and the unshakable resilience of women in even the hardest of times.
Code Name Sapphire is one of the most emotional new historical fiction books about WW2 with a heartbreaking story about love and family.
RELATED: Highest-Rated New Fiction Books To Read
Homecoming by Kate Morton – April 2023
Synopsis:
Adelaide Hills, Christmas Eve, 1959: At the end of a scorching hot day, beside a creek on the grounds of the grand and mysterious mansion, a local delivery man makes a terrible discovery.
A police investigation is called and the small town of Tambilla becomes embroiled in one of the most shocking and perplexing murder cases in the history of South Australia.
Sixty years later, Jess is a journalist in search of a story. Having lived and worked in London for almost twenty years, she now finds herself laid off from her full-time job and struggling to make ends meet.
A phone call out of nowhere summons her back to Sydney, where her beloved grandmother, Nora, who raised Jess when her mother could not, has suffered a fall and been raced to the hospital.
Nora has always been a vibrant and strong presence: decisive, encouraging, young despite her years. When Jess visits her in the hospital, she is alarmed to find her grandmother frail and confused.
It’s even more alarming to hear from Nora’s housekeeper that Nora had been distracted in the weeks before her accident and had fallen on the steps to the attic—the one place Jess was forbidden from playing in when she was small.
At loose ends in Nora’s house, Jess does some digging of her own. In Nora’s bedroom, she discovers a true crime book, chronicling the police investigation into a long-buried tragedy: the Turner Family Tragedy of Christmas Eve, 1959.
It is only when Jess skims through the book that she finds a shocking connection between her own family and this once-infamous crime—a crime that has never been resolved satisfactorily. And for a journalist without a story, a cold case might be the best distraction she can find…
Homecoming is a perfect choice for thriller novel lovers who want to read twisty and mystery-filled historical fiction books.
Weyward by Emilia Hart – March 2023
Synopsis:
Three women. Five centuries. One secret.
‘I had nature in my heart, she said. Like she did, and her mother before her. There was something about us – the Weyward women – that bonded us more tightly with the natural world.
We can feel it, she said, the same way we feel rage, sorrow or joy.’
In 2019, Kate flees an abusive relationship in London for Crows Beck, a remote Cumbrian village. Her destination is Weyward Cottage, inherited from her great Aunt Violet, an eccentric entomologist.
As Kate struggles with the trauma of her past, she uncovers a secret about the women in her family. A secret dating back to 1619, when her ancestor Altha Weyward was put on trial for witchcraft…
Weyward is a stunning debut novel about gender and control – about the long echoes of male violence through the centuries. But more than that, it is a celebration of nature, female power and breaking free.
Weyward is one of the most magical and atmospheric paranormal historical fiction books for adults about female empowerment.
The Secret Service of Tea and Treason (Dangerous Damsels #3) by India Holton – April 2023
Synopsis:
Two rival spies must brave pirates, witches, and fake matrimony to save the Queen.
Known as Agent A, Alice is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret government intelligence group that is fortunately better at espionage than at naming itself.
From managing deceptive witches to bored aristocratic ladies, nothing is beyond Alice’s capabilities. She has a steely composure and a plan always up her sleeve (alongside a dagger and an embroidered handkerchief).
So when rumors of an assassination plot begin to circulate, she’s immediately assigned to the case.
But she’s not working alone. Daniel Bixby, otherwise known as Agent B and Alice’s greatest rival, is given the most challenging undercover assignment of his life— pretending to be Alice’s husband.
Together they will assume the identity of a married couple, infiltrate a pirate house party, and foil their unpatriotic plans.
Determined to remain consummate professionals, Alice and Daniel must ignore the growing attraction between them, especially since acting on it might prove more dangerous than their target.
The Secret Service of Tea and Treason is one of the most magical new historical romance fiction books for adults who love enchanting stories.
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Henry – May 2023
Synopsis:
1939: Fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora evacuate their London home for a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War.
Living with the Aberdeen family in a charming stone cottage, Hazel distracts her young sister with a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their own: Whisperwood.
But the unthinkable happens when Flora suddenly vanishes after playing near the banks of the River Thames. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, carrying the guilt into adulthood.
Twenty years later, Hazel is back in London, ready to move on from her job at a cozy rare bookstore for a career at Sotheby’s. With a cherished boyfriend and an upcoming Paris getaway, Hazel’s future seems set.
But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing a picture book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars.
Hazel never told a soul about the storybook world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to Flora’s disappearance? Could it be a sign that her beloved sister is still alive after all these years? Or is something sinister at play?
The Secret Book of Flora Lea is one of the most thrilling and emotional mystery-thriller historical fiction books about WW2, family, and first love and is set in the English countryside.
Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner – April 2023
Synopsis:
A heartrending story about a young mother’s fight to keep her daughter, and the winds of fortune that tear them apart by the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things and The Last Year of the War.
California, 1938—When she loses her parents in an accident, sixteen-year-old Rosanne is taken in by the owners of the vineyard where she has lived her whole life as the vinedresser’s daughter.
She moves into Celine and Truman Calvert’s spacious house with a secret, however—Rosie sees colors when she hears sound. She promised her mother she’d never reveal her little-understood ability to anyone, but the weight of her isolation and grief prove too much for her.
Driven by her loneliness she not only breaks the vow to her mother, but in a desperate moment lets down her guard and ends up pregnant.
Banished by the Calverts, Rosanne believes she is bound for a home for unwed mothers, and having lost her family she treasures her pregnancy as the chance for a future one. But she soon finds out she is not going to a home of any kind, but to a place far worse than anything she could have imagined.
Austria, 1947—After witnessing firsthand Adolf Hitler’s brutal pursuit of hereditary purity—especially with regard to “different children”—Helen Calvert, Truman’s sister, is ready to return to America for good.
But when she arrives at her brother’s peaceful vineyard after decades working abroad, she is shocked to learn what really happened nine years earlier to the vinedresser’s daughter, a girl whom Helen had long ago befriended. In her determination to find Rosanne, Helen discovers that while the war had been won in Europe, there are still terrifying battles to be fought at home.
Only the Beautiful is one of the most sweeping new historical fiction books about WW2.
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