Finding the best paperback historical romance novels suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.
Best paperback historical romance novels
1. Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland
Description
Refugee. Queen. Saint. Based on the lives of Saint Margaret of Scotland and her husband, King Malcolm III, in eleventh-century Scotland, a young woman strives to fulfill her destiny despite the risks...Shipwrecked on the Scottish coast, a young Saxon princess and her familyincluding the outlawed Edgar of Englandask sanctuary of the warrior-king Malcolm Canmore, who shrewdly sees the political advantage. He promises to aid Edgar and the Saxon cause in return for the hand of Edgars sister, Margaret, in marriage.
A foreign queen in a strange land, Margaret adapts to life among the barbarian Scots, bears princes, and shapes the fierce warrior Malcolm into a sophisticated ruler. Yet even as the king and queen build a passionate and tempestuous partnership, the Scots distrust her. When her husband brings Eva, a Celtic bard, to court as a hostage for the good behavior of the formidable Lady Macbeth, Margaret expects trouble. Instead, an unlikely friendship grows between the queen and her bard, though one has a wild Celtic nature and the other follows the demanding path of obligation.
Torn between old and new loyalties, Eva is bound by a vow to betray the king and his Saxon queen. Soon imprisoned and charged with witchcraft and treason, Eva learns that Queen Margaretcounseled by the furious king and his powerful priestswill decide her fate and that of her kinswoman Lady Macbeth. But can the proud queen forgive such deep treachery?
Impeccably researched, a dramatic page-turner, Queen Hereafter is an unforgettable story of shifting alliances and the tension between fear and trust as a young woman finds her way in a dangerous world.
2. The Duchess Deal: Girl Meets Duke
Description
An iBooks Best Romance of August Pick!
One of Publishers Weekly's Buzz Books of Romance 2017!
An Amazon Best Romance of August Pick!
2017 RT Reviewer's Choice Book of the Year Nominee and 2017 RT Reviewer's Choice Nominee for Best Historical Love & Laughter!
When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules
Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashburys to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London neer-do-wells by night. Now theres a new item on the list. He needs an heirwhich means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicars daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that shell do.
His terms are simple:
- They will be husband and wife by night only.
- No lights, no kissing.
- No questions about his battle scars.
- Last, and most importantly Once shes pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.
But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
- They will have dinner together every evening.
- With conversation.
- And unlimited teasing.
- Last, and most importantly Once shes seen the man beneath the scars, he cant stop her from falling in love
3. Always
Description
New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands returns with the unforgettable story of a reluctant bride and groom who soon find common ground in the bedroom . . .
Bastard daughter to the king, Rosamunde was raised in a convent and wholly prepared to take the veil . . . until King Henry declared she would wed Aric, one of his most valiant knights. Suddenly she found herself promising to love, honor, and obey.
Rosamunde's education had not covered a wedding night, but the handsome warrior she was now bound to seemed intent on giving her a lesson in the art of pleasure. In no time, Aric was certain she would surrender to the irresistible passion he promised.
And while Rosamunde's spirited nature often put her at odds with her new husband, his mastery in seduction was quickly melting her resolveand capturing her heart.
4. The Rogue Is Back in Town: A Wayward Wallflowers Novel (The Wayward Wallflowers)
Description
Hide your daughters and your maiden auntsLord Samuel Travis is back.
The London Hearsay, special society edition
Equal parts scoundrel and seducer, hes returned to London determined to mend the rift with his older brother. All Sam must do is take possession of a tumbledown town house. A seemingly simple task, except the house is occupiedby an infuriating, whip-smart beauty who refuses to do his bidding.
Miss Juliette Laceys wallflower days are over. She has a plan to turn her eccentric family into the toast of the tonbut the devilishly handsome rake trying to oust them from their home thwarts her at every turn. How can one man be so vexing and make her simmer with desire?
As her attraction to Sam deepens, Julies problems growshe may have, once upon a time, secretly shared a kiss with his honorable older brother. Suddenly, Julies caught between a rogue and a marquess, between passion and respectability. Torn between two brothers, whats a girl to do?
Dont miss the Wayward Wallflower books by Anna Bennett!
My Brown-Eyed Earl (Book 1)
I Dared the Duke (Book 2)
The Rogue is Back in Town (Book 3)
What Reviewers are saying:
"Fans of Regency romance authors Eloisa James, Tessa Dare, and Mary Jo Putney will go wild for...Bennetts Wayward Wallflowers trilogy." - Booklist Starred Review on The Rogue is Back in Town
"A standout historical romance novel...truly delightful." - Romancing the Book Worm on The Rogue is Back in Town
"Smart and sassy romance...simply a joy!" - RT Book Reviews Top Pick on The Rogue is Back in Town
5. Sinful Scottish Laird: A Historical Romance Novel (The Highland Grooms)
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HQNDescription
A young widow puts her sexy suitors to the test in New York Times bestselling author Julia London's scintillating return to the idyllic Scottish Highlands.Widowed and forced to remarry in three years' time or forfeit her son's inheritance, Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick, has plenty of suitors vying for her handand her fortune. But a letter from a long-lost love sends Daisy and her young son to her Scottish Highland estate to buy time for his return. Along the way she encounters the powerful Cailean Mackenzie, laird of Arrandale and a notorious smuggler, and she is utterlythough unwillinglybewitched.
Cailean has no use for any Sassenach in his glen. But Daisy's brazen, flirtatious nature and alluring beauty intrigue him. When her first love appears unexpectedly at her estate, Cailean knows that a passionate woman like Daisy cannot marry this man. And to prevent the union, Cailean must put his own life at risk to win her heart.
6. Stormy Persuasion: A Malory Novel (Malory-Anderson Family)
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Pocket BooksDescription
#1 New York Times bestselling author Johanna Lindsey returns to the dazzlingly passionate world of the Malorys, an aristocratic family of rakehell adventurers and spirited ladies, in a thrilling new tale of unbridled desires.Judith and Jacqueline Malory are not simply cousins; they are inseparable best friends. Refusing to miss Jacqueline's come-out in Connecticut, Judy convinces her parents, James and Georgina, to let her delay her London debut by a few weeks so she can accompany her cousin. Neither girl intends to fall in love during her first Season. But Judy's plans are overturned when aboard ship she comes face-to-face with the ghost who has been haunting her dreams.
Unknown to the Malorys, deckhand Nathan Tremayne is a smuggler with a noose around his neck. Determined to carry out a covert mission in America that could gain him a pardon, Nathan senses that Judith is trouble. Somehow the minx knows his secretand now she's blackmailing him into doing her biddingteaching her how to climb the rigging and how to kiss. While passions can soar on the high seas, Nathan knows this aristocratic beauty is merely amusing herself with a scoundrel like him.
When the unthinkable happens in Connecticut and the elder Malorys' hands are tied, Nathan takes command of a dire situation. Captaining his own ship, he turns the tables on Judy and steers them into uncharted waters, where a lady might just throw caution to the wind and give her heart to a scoundrel.
7. The Governess Who Stole My Heart: A Historical Regency Romance Novel
Description
The heart always knows best...
Everything changes in Susan Wiltons life, when she takes the position of nanny-governess to Elizabeth, the five-year-old daughter of the Duke of Lennox. The Duke while charming and vigorous is still suffering from the loss of his wife in giving birth to their daughter. As Susan and the Duke work together, they find they have a lot in common, and mutual fascination grows, followed by a developing romance. However, Susan, also courted by Daniel, a handsome and dashing naval captain, finds she is torn between the two men and feels she is unable to make a commitment to either. But things are never exactly what they seem to be, and soon life-changing events begin to alter the dynamics in the two relationships as Susan begins to learn more about the two suitors. A historical romance novel full of twists that'll keep you turning the pages *The Governess Who Stole My Heart is a historical standalone story of 85,000 words (around 350 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a super sweet happily ever after. Get this book for free with Kindle Unlimited!8. Redeeming Love
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Redeeming LoveDescription
A story of love that won't let go - no matter what!Californias gold country, 1850. A time when men sold their souls for a bag of gold and women sold their bodies for a place to sleep.Angel expects nothing from men but betrayal. Sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by keeping her hatred alive. And what she hates most are the men who use her, leaving her empty and dead inside.
Then she meets Michael Hosea, a man who seeks his Fathers heart in everything. Michael obeys Gods call to marry Angel and to love her unconditionally. Slowly, day by day, he defies Angels every bitter expectation, until despite her resistance, her frozen heart begins to thaw.
But with her unexpected softening comes overwhelming feelings of unworthiness and fear. And so Angel runs. Back to the darkness, away from her husbands pursuing love, terrified of the truth she no longer can deny: Her final healing must come from the One who loves her even more than Michael doesthe One who will never let her go.
A powerful retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea, Redeeming Love is a life-changing story of Gods unconditional, redemptive, all-consuming love.
Includes a six-part reading group guide!
9. A Devil in Scotland: A No Ordinary Hero Novel
Description
The dawning of desire
1806, Scotland. Wild, reckless Callum MacCreath is in no hurry to become someones husband. But when his responsible, steady older brother Ian announces his engagement to their childhood friend Rebecca, Callum makes a startling discovery: he wants the lovely young lass for himself. But its too late, and when Ian banishes him for his duplicity, Callum is only too happy to leave Scotland forever.
is delicious and dangerous
1816: Marrying Ian was the practical, logical thing for Becca to do. But once Callum sailed away to America, she missed his rakish charm and lust for life. Now Becca is a widow when a much-changed Callum returns to his Scottish homeland. Will he remember their spirited, fiery connection or does he blame her for his brothers unexpected death? This time neither of them can deny their scorching attraction. But will their hearts be burned in the blazing heat of scandal?
Its time to fall in love with Suzanne Enoch. Lisa Kleypas
Steamy and bubbling with humor, a scrumptious tale to begin her No Ordinary Hero series. Booklist (starred review) on Hero in the Highlands
10. Don't Bargain with the Devil (The School for Heiresses)
Description
New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries weaves a dazzling tale of Regency manners and roguish passions in the fifth title in the seductive School for Heiresses series. As New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas raves, Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!Diego Montalvo, a dashing Spanish magician, is determined to find the long-lost granddaughter of a Spanish marques and return her to Spain. He suspects that Lucinda Seton, of Charlotte Harriss School for Young Ladies, is the woman hes been searching for. Now, he just has to steal a look at her thigh to confirm a birthmark before whisking her away to Spain to collect his reward. But Diego never suspected his mission would include falling in love....
Jeffries delivers an irresistible love story with a bad-boy hero, an intrepid heroine, and just the right amount of mystery to pique readers interest and deftly hold them under her spell (Romantic Times).
