“When we press the thorn to our chest we know, we understand, and still we do it.”
Few things captivate readers quite like an epic love story, especially when it is set against the dramatic backdrops of history. From whispered promises under gleaming ballroom chandeliers to passionate exchanges shared over wartime fronts, the best historical fiction love stories don’t just follow the classic arcs of romance – they’re layered with the struggles, traditions, triumphs and tragedies of eras gone by. Which is why we here at What We Reading thought we would dive into some of our favourite historical fiction novels where love transcends time and circumstance. Whether it’s forbidden passions or tender tales of resilience, prepare to be swept away by the grandeur and emotion of these unforgettable historical romances!
Outlander (Outlander #1) – Diana Gabaldon
Kicking off our list of the best historical fiction love stories is Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. The first entry in the series follows Claire Randall, a nurse during the Second World War who, whilst vacationing in the Scottish Highlands, is transported back to the year 1743. In this tumultuous era of clan rivalries and political tension, she encounters Jamie Fraser, a young Highland warrior. Starting out as a tale of necessity, the two of them soon find themselves pulled into a deep and enduring bond as battles, betrayals, and the clashes between Claire’s modern sensibilities and Jamie’s traditional worldview collide.
What makes Jamie and Claire’s romance stand out is its blend of passion, resilience and survival against historical turmoil. Forged against a backdrop of Scotland’s fight for recognition and a looming Jacobite Rebellion, their relationship quite literally bridges time periods, making for a tale that is both intense and tender.
The Tea Girl Of Hummingbird Lane – Lisa See
In their remote mountain village, Li-yan and her family centre their lives around the seasons and the farming of tea. For the Akha people, ensconced in rituals and routine, life trundles in much the same way it has done for generations. That is, until a strange appears at the village gates in a jeep – the first automobile any of the locals have ever seen.
One of the few educated girls on her mountain, Li-yan rejects the customs that have moulded her early life. When she has a baby out of wedlock, she refuses to let her child be killed and instead leaves her wrapped in a blanket with a tea cake near an orphanage in the closest city. A unique historical romance tale centred around independence and tradition, Lisa See’s The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane follows both Li-yan and her daughter, Haley, across the globe as China’s evolving role in the world unfolds.
The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale is a powerful tale of courage, sisterhood and love set in Axis-occupied France during World War II. The story follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who both respond to the horrors of war in remarkably different ways. Vianne, whose husband is away fighting on the frontlines, struggles to protect her family from a German officer’s watch; Isabelle, on the other hand, joins the Resistance, fighting against the occupation. Amid the terror, both sisters find love in unexpected ways – Vianne in the strength of her family, and Isabelle in a passionate romance.
The love stories in The Nightingale stand out for their raw emotion and the stark choices war often presents. Both Vianne’s loyalty and Isabelle’s fierce determination show love’s power to endure incredible hardship, even as conflict upends their lives.
The Song Of Achilles – Madeline Miller
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller reimagines Homer’s famous tale Iliad as a tender, tragic love story between Achilles, the best of all the Greeks, and Patroclus, his devoted companion. Told from the perspective of Patroclus, the narrative follows their bond from childhood friendship to a profound love that defies both societal expectations and the brutal world of ancient Greece. As the Trojan War looms, Achilles squares up to his fated role in the conflict, whilst Patroclus remains by his side, bound by both love and loyalty.
What makes this tale one of the most beloved historical fiction love stories is its exploration of vulnerability within heroism. Miller’s lyrical prose brings depth to Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship, highlighting the emotional stakes and tragic choices love often demands. Combining mythology and romance, Miller’s retelling is an intimate and epic tale that celebrates love’s power and the sacrifices performed in its name.
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The English Patient – Michael Ondaatje
In an abandoned Italian villa at the end of World War II, a severely burned and mysterious man, known only as ‘the English patient’ is cared for by Hana, a Canadian nurse. As Hana tends to him, the patient recounts the passionate and ultimately doomed affair he had with Katherine, a woman whom he had loved deeply before the war began. Their love story unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of the North African theatre during the Second World War.
The English Patient stands out as one of the best historical romances for its poetic look at memory and desire. Author Michael Ondaatje intertwines the patient’s fractured recollections with Hana’s quiet longing, creating a narrative in which both love and trauma coexist.
Pachinko – Min Jin Lee
Pachinko is an epic, multi-generational story of resilience, family and forbidden love. Set between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, the novel follows Sunja, a young Korean woman who, after becoming pregnant, opts to move to Japan and marry a kind minister. There, Sunja and her family soon encounter discrimination and hardship, navigating an unforgiving society where Koreans are marginalised. Despite the cultural struggles and incredible sacrifices, Sunja’s love for her family and her resilience to survive continue to drive her forward.
What makes Pachinko such a gripping love story is its focus on familial love and the strengths that emerge from adversity. Sunja’s complex relationships, particularly with her sons, are set against a backdrop of the tumultuous historical events from the 1910s to 1980s, reflecting the challenges faced by many Korean generations.
Check Out The Best Books Like Pachinko
The Thorn Birds – Colleen McCullough
Set in the Australian Outback, Collen McCullough’s The Thorn Birds is a sweeping family saga centred around three generations of the Cleary family. At the epicentre of the story is the forbidden love between Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Catholic priest. From an early age, Meggie is drawn to Ralph. As they grow, this bond blossoms into a passionate, albeit unattainable, love. Ralph’s dedication to the church and ambition within the Vatican conflict with his feelings for Meggie, creating a tragic tension between his spiritual vows and human desires.
Meggie and Ralph’s love story sticks out for its delving into the sacrifices, loyalties and forbidden passions that follow so many of us. Set against the harsh, untamed wilds of Australia, The Thorn Birds paints a portrait of love that endures despite social and faith-based constraints. McCullough’s epic scope and dramatic twists help make this one of the best historical fiction love stories of all time.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
