A Guide to Historical Romance for Beginners [Plus tons of Recommendations!] 

Judith macnaught, tessa dare, lisa kleypas sarah maclean and julie garwood are my favorites.

I love Lisa Kleypas especially the Wallflower series. It's definitely one of my faves and I have been reading Historical Romance for over 20 yrs.

I love love Johanna Lindsey!!! Especially the Mallory Family series. I was devastated when I found out she passed away. Her books bought me so much joy growing up. I also love Jude Deveraux, Judith Mcnaught, Julie Garwood, Lisa Kleypas and Patricia Grasso. Good reading.

Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux, Linda Lael Miller and LaVyrle Spencer were some of my faves along with Johanna Lindsey.

Judith Mcnaught is one of the queens of historical romance. 'Once and Always' remains one of my favourites!

i’ve just recently started getting into historical romance and i can’t get enough! this video is perfect, thank you!

Will definitely check some of these out 😊 thank you! I recommend Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton Series!

Twenty years ago, Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale brought me back to reading romance after a hiatus of almost 15 years (yes, I belong to that much older demographic than your usual followers but I love all your content. Keep up the great work!!!). I was amazed at how romance books changed from when I was younger and used to devour books from Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNauhgt et al. Since then, I've discovered and enjoyed the clever writing of Historical Romance authors like Lisa Kleypas, Theresa Madeiros, Elizabeth Hoyt, Rose Lerner, Mary Balogh, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Mansfield, Joan Smith, Laura Matthews, Jayne Fresina and oh so many more! But Flowers from the Storm and Laura Kinsale will always have a special place in my 💓.

ahhh i needed this! I wanted to get into historical romances and i didn’t know where to start!

Heather Graham has a Viking book - well series but I've only read the first one, called Golden Surrender, that you may like, a Viking prince and an Irish princess. I read it a long time ago but it still stuck in my head and the only other historical that's done that is Lindsey's Mallory series (Tender Rebel had me swooooning) and Shanna.

YESSSS!!! I’ve been hoping you’d do a video like this!

I read my 1st judith mcnaught's book - kingdom of dreams... I wanted to be Jenny just to have Royce 😂... I never thought a writer could really tell in a story how one feels really at such circumstances! I've got almost heaven too.. Will read it soon... I've got Julie garwood's bride, wedding and ransom.. Will read all them just to spend this covid holidays..

I needed this video! I want to start reading romance books so thanks for all the recs! I’ll definitely check out the other romance guides as well ❤️❤️

Such a great video! When I first started reading romance I started with Tessa Dare books. I love seeing these types of videos from you and I cant wait to read some of these!

Love this channel! Thanks so much! My all time treat at the end of the day is to read historical romances!

You named so many authors at the end that I haven't heard of! I will definitely be checking out their books soon!

I also started with Tessa Dare. I'm so in love with The Duchess Deal--which also my first ever read in this genre. And now, I'm hooked esp. because of your channel and how I am so sold whenever I see your enthusiasm with this genre.

I am starting my journey in Historicals and I'm loving all your videos with recommendations. I'm currently reading The Ducheal Deal and just added more books to my list Thank you, awesome video!

Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught have some great Contemporary Romances too! Joanna Lindsey started writing in early 80's I believe. I remember reading my mom's copy written in 1983.

I'm currently reading the Flame & The flower by Kathleen Woodwiss, I love it!

i love this video! and i think we’re gonna need more beginners guides!

historical romance covers are just so stunning 😍😍

I read a lot of Amanda Scott when I went through a period where I only picked up Scottish romances. I remember they were really fun reads

I just read my first Sarah MacLean, and I loved it sooo much! I read Nine Rules to Romancing a Rake, and let me say IT WAS SOOO GOOD! I'm looking forward to reading the other two on the series. I think that Tessa Dares writing style is much more contemporary, yes! Yet, the setting is an historical setting. Wallflower Wager is great! I love how they all build a small family starting with book 1 and then leading into book 3. These were my first ones too! I'm looking forward to Bride Bet. I have yet to dip into any other authors; I had to force myself to stop reading Tessa Dare. I've been trying to get into Johanna Lindsey and some of the older historical romance books. I get stuck in them and only want to read them back to back. I have to force myself to read contemporary again after a historical romance binge. It's like stepping into a totally different world.

Loved seeing your guide to historical romance! I grew up on Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught and Julia Quinn. My more recent favorites are Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, Sarah MacLean and Sherry Thomas!

Omg omg omg I been tooo excited to see this video

Thanks for the recs! I just started reading romance and I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy historical romance, Tessa Dare is sooo good at the stories. Totally recommend Romancing the Duke, it was my favorite of that series

New follower. I have been reading Johanna Lindsey since the early 80's. I think she started in the late 70's. I can hardly wait for you to get to her Mallory family series. SOOOO good. Kathleen Woodiwiss and of course Diana Gabaldon are terrific! I also like Catherine Coulter whose earlier books were historical romance but her more recent books are a detective series.

Julie Garwood’s “The Secret” and “The Bride” are amazing books! Check those out, please! Trust me.

My fave historical (she also now writes contemporary) author in high school and college was Karen Robards. I surprisingly never hear ppl on booktube talk about her, but she has some fantastic (and pretty steamy) historicals that I'd highly recommend. She writes a lot of rakes, taboo relationships, and age gaps (Morning Song was one that really encompassed all three of those tropes, plus it's set in historical Mississippi).

I'm back home from college for the summer and I was going through my mom's bookshelf and found quite a few Johanna Lindsey!💓 Can't wait to read them! 😁

Yesss! I needed this video! Im currently reading The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Shupe, my very first historical romance and omg i love it! I want/ NEED MORE!!! Thanks girl! 😘

My fav is Julie Garwood, she has so funny style ♥ Her characters are always heartwarming, good headstrong heroine and good hero, they always fight but fall in love immediately :) Now I'm trying to read all of her historical books :)

Why didn't I discovered this channel before? Thank you for flexing the historical romance, I could say this is the best period of romance ever. In a world of HR, Kleypas, Garwood, McNaught, Dare are some of the greatest in this field!

Omg this video was needed I’ve always wanted to read historical books but everything I’ve read I’m never been into it. I’ll try these for sure

When I was in high school I secretly read all of my big sister's Julie Garwood books! She was my favorite along with early Nora Roberts.

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley is one of my all time favorites. The Hero has Asperger's Syndrome, of course back then they didn't know what any of that is so he was labeled mad. It was just an amazing read I love the whole series but Ian is my favorite. If you haven't read that one you totally sure it's so good!

I'm consider myself a bit of a HR expert, having been reading the genre since I was 13 years old and I did come to this video with a bit of an attitude to judge how thorough your guide would be - (I love your videos, okay?) - and I wasn't disappointed. I highly recommend that people read Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas even before reading Secrets of a Summer Night.

I just went on a historical romance shopping spree! Obsessed lol

I love in Ransom where Gillian tells Broderick, "I will NOT love you!" And he smiles, leans down into her ear and says, "Sweetheart, you already do." And walks away. Grrrrrrrh so arrogant! Love it!

Love this video!! I love love love Judith Ncnaught and Kleypas’ Hathaways series is her best series, in my opinion. :) I love books 3 and 5! 😍

So glad you recommended Tessa Dare Say Yes to the Marquess. I really liked Do You Want to Start a Scandal, and wasn’t sure if I should back pedal and read that one since she was engaged to Piers. I will make sure to get to it. My favorites of hers are The Duchess Deal, A Week to be Wicked, and Do You Want to Start a Scandal.

yay been looking for a video like this one! I know this is an old video but I've been meaning to get into historical romance for a while the only ones I usually like are Highlander ones lol

We need a kindle unlimited historian romance Rec video! Love your videos! ♥️

I just love your RU-vid page!!!

Julie Garwood was my first intro to HF & addiction. Then Judith McNaught, Amanda Quick & Lisa Kleypas. I would recommend all their historicals. Multiple times.

Teresa Medieros is also good....."Yours until Dawn" is good and "The Devil wears Plaid". Michelle Sinclair's McTiery's Highland series. Teri Brisbain, Lyndsey Sands, Mary Wine, Mary Balogh, Jennifer Ashley, Hannah Howell, Paula Quinn, Amanda Quick, Samantha James, Laura Kinsale, Monica McCarty, Mary Jo Putney. Okay and Gaelyn Foley "The Knight Miscellany" series....brothers and sisters.....Kelsey MacGregor, "Sin". Annette Lamb "Chieftin". Can you tell I love Historical Romance? LOL.

Julie Garwood was where I started when I was about 15 (so 1994 ish) I read everything she wrote, I love her. And The Secret is AMAZING. (Then again, most of them are) She has a few books that take place in the Highlands. Johanna Lindsey has a series called the Mallory's and while I didn't read them all, the first 6 or 7 are very good. There's rake's, pirates, mistaken identity, very funny. Stephanie Laurens is also old school and very good. Her Cynster series is very long but I enjoyed it. Julia Quinn is laugh out loud funny as well so you may like her. I read her and Lisa Kleypas around the same time. Sabrina Jeffries, Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins )she does highlanders as well), and Kathryn Smith are also really good too. Elizabeth Lowell has some good American historical romances. They take place right after the Civil War in the Midwest and are pretty good.

OMG. I have just discovered your videos. I am a old historic reader. I have been reading historica novels for years and years. I would defomently reccommend readding teh rest of Lisa Kleypas wallflower books.

The Flame and the Flower was the first Historical Romance I read and That got me hooked!!

I love all of the authors you've recommended!! I have never gave them bad ratings. =0)

All the books from Judith mcnaught, i love them so much.. But there are other books from authors too like 'knight in the shining armour'.. I adore that book.. But yes to all the highland historical romances. They are my fav favourites.

I recently read When a Scot ties the knot by Tessa Dare and absolutely loved it. It was my first Tessa Dare book and actually my first Historical Romance and now I’ve fallen in love with them.

Reading romance novels has really taught me a lot about myself! I noticed that I always look for heroines that are similar to me. And that I should have lived in the 19th century!

I read the newest Tessa Dare books and was surprised how funny they were! Anymore funny historicals from different authors?

Thanks for the recommendations. The one by Maya Banks looks promising. Will check that out. Ransom and Honour's Splendor are two of my favorites by Julie Garwood.

Mary Balogh is a pretty good author, especially her Bedwyn series. 😀

The wallflower series and the wallflower trope is a fun one.

Search Results Judith McNaught, Lisa Kleypas, and Suzanne Enoch's books are superb! Nothing beats them for me so far. After reading each and everyone of their masterpieces, there's no going back. I can't help but compare every other books that I've read after them. I always turn back to them for the most wonderful escape in this crazy times.

Untamed by Elizabeth Lowell is SO good! I don’t hear many people talk about this series but it’s amazing!

Shannon Drake, Teresa Medieros, Julie Garwood are my favs!

Saving Grace by julie Garwood.... my all time favorite!!!!!!

I absolutely love Elizabeth Hoyts Maiden Lane series. It's just fun to learn about history through romance 🙂.

I read "Devil in winter" and "Devil's daughter" by Lisa Kleypas. She has now become my all-time favorite writer when it comes to historical romance. Can't wait to read the rest of her books. ❤

As an older woman who was there when historical romances first became popular and has read them all, you really need to check out Laurie McBain, Karen Robards, Teresa Medrious, Pamela Morsi, and Lavyrle Spencer. My favorite Johanna Lindsey novel was A Pirates Love.

Definitely try The Madness if Lord Ian McKenzie. So good!

GIRL. You gotta finish the Wallflowers series. Devil in Winter is one of my all time faaaavorites!!! My favorite historical romance author is Mary Balogh. Check out the Survivors series--so so good.

Thank you for this recommendation video! I've read 4 Tessa Dare books in the past few months. A part of me wants to drop my tbr and read all the historical romances haha!

Ove read some of these authors. In addition, Elizabeth Hoyt and Lynsay Sands are two of my favorites.

Julia Quinn is also a classic. Her Bridgertons (sp?) Series is currently being adapted into a Netflix series!!!

Historical romances are one of my favs to read

I’m reading the duchess deal right now! So funny!

I've got some of these on my list, but non of the older ones as I'm really leery of those. But I have been dipping my toes into more HR this year and these are some (loads... I've gone totally overboard as an almost beginner!) other authors I've come across that have written at least one book that really appeals me and TBH I wasn't expecting there to be so many! I'm also interested in much more than UK society based ones (this subset holds the least interest for me overall but I'm trying now that I know there are stories out there that will appeal to me), but different locations/periods and include some normal characters not just those from the 'ton'. It's important to note for those of us less interested in Dukes etc, that there is far more to HR than just the Regency type. *POC MCs -* Alyssa Cole, Vanessa Riley, Kianna Alexander, Courtney Milan, Jeannie Lin, Rebel Carter, Piper Huguley, Lydia San Andres, Cat Sebastian, KJ Charles, EE Ottoman, Pema Donyo *Queer MCs -* Nicola Davidson, Cat Sebastian, KJ Charles, EE Ottoman, Courtney Milan, Alyssa Cole, Olivia Waite, Gretchen Evans, *Non-UK based -* Courtney Milan, Jeannie Lin, Rebel Carter, Piper Huguley, Lydia San Andres, Maya Rodale, Amy Harmon, Chanel Cleeton, Lydia San Andres, Pamela Morsi, Ellen Connor, Catherine Anderson, Joanne Bischof, Irene Davis, Felicia Grossman, Christine Sterling, Alyssa Cole, Kianna Alexander, Rebel Carter, Piper Huguley, Lydia San Andres, *Other authors of UK based Regency/Victorian/Georgian/Edwardian period books -* Nicola Davidson, Vanessa Riley, Cat Sebastian, KJ Charles, EE Ottoman, Pema Donyo, Rose Lerner, Laura Kinsale, Scarlett Peckham, Laura Trentham, Eva Leigh, Madeline Hunter, Olivia Waite, Stacy Reid, Megan Frampton, Mia Vincy, Laura Lee Guhrke, Amalie Howard (I 3 star enjoyed The Beast of Beswick), Lorraine Heath (I also 3 star enjoyed Waking Up With the Duke although I HATED the first two in the trilogy) and Jennifer Ashley (I 😍The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie so am going to buy the whole series at some point!). As usual, TFS :) PS... in these times, I've obviously got FAR too much time on my hands with some of my long comments...!

Jessica, you need to read some Mary Balogh! 😉 One of my fave historical romance authors ever!!

Temptations of a wallflower by Eva Leigh is my new favorite and I'd love to know what you think of it! I read two Eva Leigh so far and loved them. My only "issue" might be her epilogue/endings bc one was a little too predictable/dramatic for my taste and the other was just fine. I'm probably the problem here, I think I don't really like epilogues that much 😅

I LOVED the Highwayman, especially the childhood friends/loves aspect. Do you have any other recommendations for sweet childhood friendships that become romances?

There are a few old school historical romance authors who aren't writing anymore, but they've written wonderful books which can either be purchased on kindle or in used bookstores or Ebay: Penelope Williamson (who now writes suspense, I think) - Keeper of the Dream, A Wild Yearning, Once in a Blue Moon, The Outsider (which was made into a very good, non-Hallmark movie). Patricia Gaffney (who now writes women's fiction) - Sweet Everlasting, Crooked Hearts, Wild at Heart, The Wyckerley Trilogy, Lily, etc. Judith Ivory - The Proposition, Sleeping Beauty, The Indiscretion, Untie My Heart, Black Silk Laura Kinsale (my favorite) - For My Lady's Heart, The Prince of Midnight, The Shadow and the Star, Flowers from the Storm, My Sweet Folly Carla Kelly - Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career, Courting Carrie in Wonderland, etc. Pamela Morsi - Marrying Stone, Simple Jess, etc. Mary Balogh - Silent Melody, More Than a Mistress, etc. Mary Jo Putney - One Perfect Rose, Uncommon Vows, The Wild Child, etc. Betina Krahn - Love's Brazen Fire, The Marriage Test, Sweet Talking Man, etc. Sherry Thomas - Private Arrangements, Delicious, etc. Julia Quinn - The Bridgerton Series starting with the Duke and I, soon to be a Netflix series.

Lots of great authors recommended here. Since you like scottish historical romance, you must read The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham. Spoiled, headstrong english lass causes a scene that gets her forced into marriage to a handsome rogue who turns out to be a scotsman spying undercover as an englishman. Imagine her surprise when he drags her off to the highlands. Lots of good angst while they fight their attraction. The war between Scotland and England is the backdrop. First Published in 1988. Can still purchase paperback or ebook. 🙏

You should read the madness of Ian Mackenzie. It’s one of the first historical romance I read and it’s still one of my favorites.

Can you list out the books that you recommended here? I'm not a native English and I can't read the titles clearly *squinting. I love your bookcase by the way. Can we got a tour of that? @ has it been featurednin your channel? New subbie here.

Awesome recommendations! If you'd like to try more Lisa Kleypas, I'd definitely recommend her her Hathaways series--IMO it's her best. :)

I swear Tessa dare is everyone’s go to for historical romance 😂

can u please do a rockstar, celebrity or someone who's popular book recommendation. been loving that trope since I've watched Forever My Girl, if you haven't watch it, it's good and you should!! 💗💗

Read some of Loretta Chase's more recent novels. Her newer writing is comparable to Tessa Dare. I recommend her Dressmaker's series. They're really entertaining and funny! I did love Lord of Scoundrels but I know what you mean by hard to get into. But there's only a few of hers like that. Her newer stuff is much more consumable.

I just read When love Awaits by Johanna Lindsey. First I read from her.

Loretta Chase´s is the best, but all you recommendations are great.

Have you ever read Emma V. Leech? I really enjoyed her Rogues and Gentlemen series and Girls Who Dare series.

I'm sorry , but I have been reading historical romances before you were born. Johanna Lindsey, Tessa Dare Julie Garwood, Lisa Kleypas and Joanna Shupe are favorites of mine. They are great writers and their books are funny and emotional. And the love scenes are terrific.

I asked for this exact video and recommendations a couple of weeks ago, so THANK YOU SO MUCH for making it! 😘 and then I've fallen down the rabbit hole and read almost all of Tessa Dare's backlog and started with Mary Lancaster's books (especially her Unmarriageable series) which I haven't heart a lot about on booktube, but she is sooo good with the similar vibe. I'm still a bit afraid of Kerrigan Byrne because of her writing style and the darkness you mentioned, but I really want to read the Highwaymen, so it's definitely on my TBR. Again, THANK YOU so much...historical romace is the PERFECT escapism for this time 💖

If you dare by Kresley Cole is also Scottish Romance

I used to read historical romances almost exclusively for a few years. When I started with Tessa Dare, I used to love her, but am I the only one who doesn't love her anymore? Her books are too contemporary, they don't feel like genuine historical romances to me. Of course, you already mentioned that in the video so it depends on what one is looking for. Judith McNaught is amazing, but most of her books have problematic content. I love them!! Because the angst is real and I love angst but a lot of people might have an issue with that.

This is everything I need in life.

Mary Balough, Elizabeth Hoyt and Liz Carlyle are also amazing

Have you tried Philippa Gregory books? I ❤️ them so much!

It seems as though historical romance is mostly regency or Victorian. nowadays The market and booktube is saturated with them. I'm glad you highlighted some outside of those periods. :-)

Joana Shupe is about New York City high society like Astor and Granmercy and MrMacey who died in the I the Tatanic.

Courtney Milan, the Brothers Sinister series!

ahhhh yessss!!!!

I am just starting out with this genra and someone sent me some books by melliss Lynn hones, barbers Neil and also Sophia James can anyone tell me if they are any good x

I am really enjoying your reviews. Sometimes the author names are a challenge to see from glares when you’re holding them. It helps that you repeat the name. I am big into intellectual dialogue. So far my favorite is Delilah Marvelle by FAR!!!