Classic Historical Romance Novels
When I started out reading romance novels, I naturally graduated to historical romance novels. I don’t know if it was the covers that drew me in. But whatever it was, I read only historical romance books for many years, and most of the historical romance authors I read were old-school authors like Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux, Stephanie Laurens, Judith McNaught, and Kathleen Woodiwiss.
And maybe because I read hundreds of historical romance books over the years, there are only so many that stood out from the crowd.
The few that made it easily on my keeper shelf are below.
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I would recommend going into these books with an open mind. Some were written more than 20 years ago – they are classic historical romance novels.
Must Read Historical Romance Novels

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
(Scoundrels, #3)
DETERMINED LADY
Tough-minded Jessica Trent’s sole intention is to free her nitwit brother from the destructive influence of Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain. She never expects to desire the arrogant, amoral cad. And when Dain’s reciprocal passion places them in a scandalously compromising, and public, position, Jessica is left with no choice but to seek satisfaction…
LORD OF SCOUNDRELS
Damn the minx for tempting him, kissing him… and then forcinghim to salvage her reputation! Lord Dain can’t wait to put the infuriating bluestocking in her place—and in some amorous position. And if that means marriage, so be it!—though Sebastian is less than certain he can continue to remain aloof… and steel his heart to the sensuous, headstrong lady’s considerable charms.
Published January 1995
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Ravished by Amanda Quick
There was no doubt about it. What Miss Harriet Pomeroy needed was a man. Someone powerful and clever who could help her rout the unscrupulous thieves who were using her beloved caves to hide their loot. But when Harriet summoned Gideon Westbrook, Viscount St. Justin, to her aid, she could not know that she was summoning the devil himself. . . .
Dubbed the Beast of Blackthorne Hall for his scarred face and lecherous past, Gideon was strong and fierce and notoriously menacing. Yet Harriet could not find it in her heart to fear him. For in his tawny gaze she sensed a savage pain she longed to soothe . . . and a searing passion she yearned to answer. Now, caught up in the Beast’s clutches, Harriet must find a way to win his heart–and evade the deadly trap of a scheming villain who would see them parted for all time.
Published July 1992
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Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
(Wallflowers #3)
Four young ladies enter London society and band together to each find a husband. Has the third “Wallflower” now met her match?
A Devil’s Bargain
Easily the shyest Wallflower, Evangeline Jenner stands to become the wealthiest, once her inheritance comes due. Because she must first escape the clutches of her unscrupulous relatives, Evie has approached the rake Viscount St. Vincent with a most outrageous proposition: marriage!
Sebastian’s reputation is so dangerous that thirty seconds alone with him will ruin any maiden’s good name. Still, this bewitching chit appeared, unchaperoned, on his doorstep to offer her hand. Certainly an aristocrat with a fine eye for beauty could do far worse.
But Evie’s proposal comes with a condition: no lovemaking after their wedding night. She will never become just another of the dashing libertine’s callously discarded broken hearts—which means Sebastian will simply have to work harder at his seductions… or perhaps surrender his own heart for the very first time in the name of true love.
Published February 2006
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When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
(Fairy Tales #2)
Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she’s betrothed to a Beast.
Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.
Linnet is not just any woman.
She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love—in just two weeks.
Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return.
If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?
Published January 2011
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The Bride by Julie Garwood
(Lairds’ Fiancées #1)
By the king’s edict, Alec Kincaid, mightiest of the Scottish lairds, must take an English bride. And Jaime the youngest daughter of Baron Jamison, is his choice. From his first glimpse of the proud and beautiful English lady, Alec felt a burning hunger stir within him. This was a woman worthy of his fearless warrior’s spirit. And he aches to touch her, tame her, possess her…forever.
But with the wedding vows, Jamie pledges her own secret oath: She will never surrender her love to this Highland barbarian. He was everything her heart warned her against — an arrogant, brooding scoundrel whose rough good looks and seductive embrace fire her blood. But when strange accidents begin to threaten Jamie’s life and an old rumor that Alec killed his first wife spreads anew, something far more dangerous than desire threatens to conquer her senses.
Published July 1989
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The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
(Mackenzies & McBrides #1)
The year is 1881. Meet the Mackenzie family—rich, powerful, dangerous, eccentric. A lady couldn’t be seen with them without ruin. Rumors surround them—of tragic violence, of their mistresses, of their dark appetites, of scandals that set England and Scotland abuzz.
The youngest brother, Ian, known as the Mad Mackenzie, spent most of his young life in an asylum, and everyone agrees he is decidedly odd. He’s also hard and handsome and has a penchant for Ming pottery and beautiful women.
Beth Ackerley, widow, has recently come into a fortune. She has decided that she wants no more drama in her life. She was raised in drama—an alcoholic father who drove them into the workhouse, a frail mother she had to nurse until her death, a fussy old lady she became constant companion to. No, she wants to take her money and find peace, to travel, to learn art, to sit back and fondly remember her brief but happy marriage to her late husband.
And then Ian Mackenzie decides he wants her.
Published April 2009
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England’s Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch
(Lessons in Love #3)
Lucinda Barrett’s best friends ended up married to the men to whom they delivered their “lessons in love.” So Lucinda decides to choose someone who definitely needs lessons, but someone who will not complicate her life. And that person is definitely not Robert Carroway.
Lucinda Barrett’s best friends ended up married to the men to whom they delivered their “lessons in love.” So Lucinda decides to choose someone who definitely needs lessons, but someone who will not complicate her life. And that person is definitely not Robert Carroway.
Robert is nothing if not complicated, and though he is the brother of a viscount, he rarely goes about society, and finds the weather and hat fashions ludicrous subjects for discussion. Robert is attracted to Lucinda’s unpretentious ways, her serenity and her kindness. When she chooses someone for her love lessons, Robert offers to help her deliver her lessons, but sets out to convince the woman he has fallen for to take a chance on love… and on him.
Published February 2004
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Mastered By Love by Stephanie Laurens
(Bastion Club #8)
The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces that most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride.
As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club known as “Dalziel,” Royce Varisey, 10th Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England’s most august noble titles, he must now take on that gravest duty of all: marriage.
Yet the young ladies the grandes dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle’s willful and determindedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene facade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body…and every piece of her heart.Published July 2009
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Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O’Connell
Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold is a story of family conflicts set in Colorado in 1885. Anne Wells has embarrassed her rigidly proper family since she was a child with occasional but grievous lapses from ladylike behavior. They blame those lapses for the disgraceful fact that she is a spinster at 28. Cord Bennett, the son of his father’s second marriage to a Cheyenne woman, is more than an embarrassment to his well-to-do family of ranchers and lawyers – they are ashamed and afraid of their black sheep. When Anne and Cord are found alone together, her father’s fury leads to violence. Cord’s family is more than willing to believe that the fault is his. Can Anne and Cord use the freedom of being condemned for sins they didn’t commit to make a life together? Or will their disapproving, interfering families tear them apart?
Published April 2010
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Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon
In this epic and haunting love story set on the Oregon Trail, a family and their unlikely protector find their way through peril, uncertainty, and loss.
The Overland Trail, 1853: Naomi May never expected to be widowed at twenty. Eager to leave her grief behind, she sets off with her family for a life out West. On the trail, she forms an instant connection with John Lowry, a half-Pawnee man straddling two worlds and a stranger in both.
But life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death. Even as John and Naomi are drawn to each other, the trials of the journey and their disparate pasts work to keep them apart. John’s heritage gains them safe passage through hostile territory only to come between them as they seek to build a life together.
When a horrific tragedy strikes, decimating Naomi’s family and separating her from John, the promises they made are all they have left. Ripped apart, they can’t turn back, they can’t go on, and they can’t let go. Both will have to make terrible sacrifices to find each other, save each other, and eventually…make peace with who they are.
Published April 2020
(review)
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Have you read any of these yet? What did you think? What’s a favorite historical romance book you would recommend?
Classic Historical Romance Novels
I just read my first historical romances this year and I will definitely read more. I haven’t read any of the ones you mentioned in this post.
Most of the authors on this list are old school authors, the queens of historical romances, their writing is old school as well. Nowadays, the new and younger authors like Tessa Dare or the author of Bringing Down the Duke, their writing is more modern than what was written lets say 20 years ago. Times changes 😀
I’ve read a couple Tessa Dare books and a Maya Banks book so far but I will be venturing out and reading more.
Have fun!! I’ve read mainly historical romances for years, and it’s a wonderful genre to read and enjoy!
I never read historical romance because I don’t tend to like historical books but I picked up a historical romance because of Romanceopoly and I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed it. I definitely won’t avoid that genre anymore.
That’s fantastic, and sometimes all you need is a push 😀
Definitely adding a bunch of these to my TBR!! ??
I hope you’ll find some favorites 😀
Thank you for that list! I loved Where the Lost wander and I had alreadey Eyes of Silver on my TBR!
Where the Lost Wander was SO GOOD!!! And I hope you’ll love Eyes of Silver – it’s one of the BEST, and I’ve read it multiple times already.
Ha. u made my day with this list!:-)
that makes me happy 😀
aww…I just love your list here. And I have read all but Amy Harmon’s Book. This is such a great list of some of the classics that I have such a fondness for.
Thank you ? there have been so many amazing HR over the years, glad you loved them too
Definitely added a few to my tbr and I’ve read some as well. Great list! – Micky
Ah that’s great Micky, glad you found books to add to your tbr.
There was an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp that I used to love – the Zebra Regency Romance novels. They were so good! Have you ever come across any of them?
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them, will have to check it out. I assume different authors wrote for it right?
I came within pages of DNF’ing Lord of Scoundrels, but I absolutely loved it. And I adore Devil in Winter. LK is one of my favorites for sure. I’ve been intrigued by Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold since Heaving Bosoms covered it on the podcast. I need to get around to picking it up!
Oh boy I can see how Lord of Scoundrels is a book to get used to :D, but I’m glad you ended up enjoying it. Also LK deserves the title of ?? of historical romance. If you ever get to Ellen O’Connell’s books let me know. I love them all, and I’m so sad that she hasn’t written anything new in years.
Oh my god …I do share lot of books you like from your different recommendation lists but what what blew my mind is ” Eyes of silver, Eyes of gold” . It’s my all time favorite historical book and I am still searching for something like that . Thanks a lot .
I’ve read and loved most of the books on your list — I think all of them have in common a great love story, multidimensional characters and a sense of time and place. Recently, another author in whose books I found that, is Carla Kelly. Her books’ heroes are soldiers back from the napoleonic wars, and the history is riveting. There are few if any love scenes, but the romances are wonderful.
ooooh, Chris, this sounds fantastic, thanks for the rec, and I will check the author out! Also, love that we have so many books in common. 😀