Historical Romances I Still Think About

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There was a time when historical romance was one of my favorite corners of the romance genre.

Before billionaire romances, small-town romances, romantic suspense, and alien romance took over my Kindle, I loved getting swept into castles, clans, ballrooms, arranged marriages, family rivalries, stubborn heroines, and heroes who were impossible, infuriating, and completely unforgettable.

I’ll be honest: I haven’t read as much historical romance recently.

Part of that is because the historical romance authors I know and love don’t seem to release as many new books anymore. But the ones I still think about? The ones I remember years later? They are absolutely worth recommending.

These are the historical romances and authors that made me fall in love with the genre — and if you have newer historical romance recommendations, I would genuinely love to hear them.

A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught

Best For:

  • epic historical romance
  • enemies-to-lovers tension
  • emotional drama
  • unforgettable characters

If I had to pick my all-time favorite historical romance, it would probably be A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught.  It’s the second in the series but you do not need to read them in order at all.

This book has everything I love in an epic historical romance: tension, emotion, conflict, chemistry, and characters who completely stay with you.

It feels sweeping and dramatic in the best way, with the kind of romance that pulls you in and makes you feel fully invested in both the love story and the emotional stakes.

This is one of those books I still think about years later.

If you love historical romance that feels big, emotional, and unforgettable, this is the one I’d start with.

Julie Garwood Historical Romances

Best For:

  • protective heroes
  • humor and heart
  • comfort-read historical romance

Julie Garwood is one of the historical romance authors I will always recommend.

Her books have that perfect mix of humor, heart, chemistry, and protective hero energy. They’re romantic, entertaining, and easy to fall into.

What I love about Julie Garwood is that her books feel warm. Even when there’s conflict, danger, or stubborn characters clashing, there’s usually a sense of fun and emotional comfort underneath it.

If you’re new to her historical romances, I’d start with:

Her books are great when you want historical romance that feels adventurous, funny, romantic, and deeply satisfying.

Jude Deveraux Historical Romances

Best For:

  • sweeping romance
  • family sagas
  • emotional storytelling
  • classic historical romance vibes

Jude Deveraux is another author I associate with classic historical romance.

Her books often feel sweeping, emotional, and full of family history, big feelings, and memorable characters. There’s something very old-school romance about them in a way that feels nostalgic and comforting.

If you enjoy historical romances that feel dramatic, emotional, and connected to larger family stories, Jude Deveraux is absolutely worth exploring.

A good place to start would be:

These are the kinds of books that remind me why historical romance became such a beloved genre in the first place.

Julia Quinn Historical Romances

Best For:

  • witty banter
  • Regency romance
  • charming families
  • lighter historical romance

I loved Julia Quinn long before the Bridgerton Netflix series made her books wildly popular.

Her historical romances are witty, charming, romantic, and fun. They have a lighter, more playful feel than some of the more dramatic historical romances, which makes them especially easy to binge.

The family dynamics, banter, and emotional payoff are what make her books so enjoyable.

If you’re new to Julia Quinn, you can obviously start with the Bridgerton books, beginning with The Duke and I or try something outside of that world, Splendid.

But I also think her books are worth reading beyond the show because the tone, humor, and character relationships are such a big part of what made readers love them in the first place.

Educating Caroline by Meg Cabot

Best For:

  • fish-out-of-water heroine
  • witty dialogue
  • lighter historical romance
  • charming characters

Most people know Meg Cabot for her contemporary romances and The Princess Diaries, but I absolutely loved Educating Caroline.

This book has a lighter, funnier feel than some of the sweeping historical romances on this list, which makes it a great palate cleanser if you’ve just finished something emotionally heavy.

Caroline is intelligent, determined, and completely memorable, and the romance has the kind of humor and charm that keeps the pages turning.

What I remember most about this book is how much fun it was to read. It’s romantic, entertaining, and doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering a satisfying love story.

If you’re looking for a historical romance that’s a little lighter, a little witty, and a lot of fun, this is one I’d definitely recommend.

Why I Still Love Historical Romance

Historical romance works for me when it feels like a true escape.

I want:

  • emotional tension
  • strong heroines
  • protective or impossible heroes
  • real chemistry
  • beautiful settings
  • and a love story that feels big enough to remember

The best historical romances feel timeless. They pull you into another world, but the emotions still feel completely familiar.

That’s what makes them so easy to revisit.

Final Thoughts

I may not read as much historical romance as I used to, but the books and authors I love in this genre have stayed with me for years.

If you’re looking for historical romances that feel emotional, sweeping, witty, dramatic, or just completely comforting, these are the authors I’d recommend starting with:

  • Judith McNaught
  • Julie Garwood
  • Jude Deveraux
  • Julia Quinn

And if you have newer historical romance authors I should try, please send them my way — because I would love to fall back into this genre again.

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