hello ! i’m looking for a historical fiction book with some romance, with a strong female lead with good character development. i’ve had trouble finding good authors that i like for historical fiction. i like when the characters language is as historically accurate as possible, while still being able to understand it. im into european history but would be open to reading books where it takes place is asia as well. i loved the signature of all things by elizabeth gilbert, outlander (didn’t like the writing style) and i am currently reading the year of wonders. the earliest time period id want to read is the 1700’s. thanks!
by Charming_Suit2554
6 Comments
The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati
The Outlander series!
Katherine by Anya Seton
Empress Orchid by Anchee Min
The stunning The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, which has a female lead amongst other leads; mesmeric and ‘fake’ Victorian novel but it’s wonderful; set in NZ’s goldrush.
Rose Tremain, same subject, different story: The Colour.
The Secret River by Kate Grenville; Australian colonists circa 1700 or so. [Grenville is brilliant for female POV historical novels set at this time.]
Signature of All Things is fantastic!
[The Cape Doctor by EJ Levy](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50998140-the-cape-doctor) is historical fiction with romance, but in an unexpected way.
[The Old Filth Series](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37060.Old_Filth?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_9) is also good.
{{The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly}}, and the rest of the Rose trilogy. Also A Northern Light by Donnelly.
I love KJ Charles, but she is more on the romance side and mostly writes m/m romance. But Gilded Cage by her has an amazing FMC.
Other romance writers worth checking out: Sherry Thomas has a wuxia romance duology in the 1880s and 1890s – The Hidden Blade/My Beautiful Enemy. Her other books are good, too! You might also want to take a look at Joanna Bourne’s Spymaster books.
Seconding Katherine by Anya Seton, but it’s set in the 14th century.