20 Best Steamy Historical Romance Novels

Steamy historical romance novels are a subgenre of romance fiction that combines historical settings with passionate and explicit, romantic content. These novels are set in a specific historical period, featuring accurate time details, including societal norms, clothing, speech, and events. Common eras include (but are not limited to) Regency England, Victorian England, the American West, Medieval Europe, and Scotland’s Highlands.

Most of the popular romance books are historical because we love history. Romancing with historical elements or tropes makes a book and the characters legends. Goodreads announced that the most-read romance books are steamy or erotical. So, the steamy historical romance novels keep the top position.

20 Best Steamy Historical Romance Novels (Adult Fiction)

Steamy historical romances include explicit descriptions of the physical relationships between characters. The intimate scenes are detailed, emphasizing both physical and emotional connections.

You are here to read the best historical and sensual romance book. So, I will discuss the 20 best steamy historical romance novels ranking on top. Let’s go!

1. Edenbrooke

This is, without a doubt, the tamest and sweetest rural romance I have ever read. It follows our heroine, Marianne, living in Bath with her aunt. She craves the countryside. She craves fresh air and open spaces. So it’s perfect timing when her sister, Cecily, sends her a letter and asks to join her at a country estate. Cecily has her eyes set on a Duke who lives at this country estate. Moreover, she will stop at nothing to get him. She wants help with her sister in bagging this Duke.

So she asks Marianne to come to the country, and Marianne decides this is the perfect time she’s going to go and she’s going to spend some time with her sister. But as Marianne makes her way to the country home, she encounters highwaymen and is saved by a man she does not know or recognize. From there, the story gets further complicated when Marianne arrives at the country home and starts developing feelings for someone she is forbidden from falling in love with.

Author: Julianne Donaldson
Average Rating: 4.7/5
Category: Regency Romances
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Library Binding | Kindle

2. The Governess Game: Girl Meets Duke

This is the second book in Tessa Dare’s Girl Meets Duke series. It got a lot of people into steamy historical romance, which does not surprise me at all. It is because Tessa Dare uses the perfect formula every time to get you to fall in love with both of her characters. This book is about a woman named Alexandra, and she is a very independent, strong-willed, intelligent woman. Also, she has been employed most of her life, which is surprising.

But after several events, she is forced to take new employment. When she enters this notorious rake, a historical speak-for-player, she is unknowingly roped into the governess. Here are these two young orphan girls that she takes care of. She doesn’t intend to be a governess, but she enters his home, and he mistakes her for the governess. Now, she is the governess for these two children.

She decides to take the opportunity and run with it. In the process, she gets close to the guy, the guardian of these two children. His name is Chase, and he is so much fun. The story follows Alexandra as she juggles her new job, her desire for independence, and her desire for Chase. This book perfectly bridges the gap between Pride and Prejudice or Edenbrooke and brings you into the more passionate historical romance territory without being overwhelming.

Author: Tessa Dare
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: 20th Century Steamy Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback

3. The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics: Feminine Pursuits

This book is about one of our heroines named Lucy. She is devastated because the woman she has had a relationship with has unexpectedly left her for a man. She will get married and live elsewhere, and Lucy is devastated. As a result, she’s looking for a distraction, and one day, the perfect distraction comes along. A countess woman is looking for someone to translate a French astronomy text.

Her husband has recently passed away, and her husband was passionate about astronomy. While Countess Catherine wants nothing to do with his pursuits anymore, she wants someone to translate this text because she knows it means a lot to her husband. In the meantime, she will pursue her interest for once because she didn’t get to do what she wanted when her husband was alive.

So this story is about the Countess, Catherine, and Lucy coming together to get this text translated and encourage each other. So, if you want some passionate, steamy scenes and a female romance, this book will fit the bill.

Author: Olivia Waite
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Victorian Historical Romance, Lesbian Romance
Available: Audiobook | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD

4. Lord of Scoundrels

This story is about our heroine, Jessica Trent, who goes to France to track down her brother. Her brother is in France because he is in leagues with a notorious rake named Sebastian Bannister, and Sebastian is a marquis. He has a bad history of drinking, gambling, and womanizing. Jessica doesn’t want her brother with someone like this because the family fortune is dwindling. Also, Jessica has to live off of this fortune until she gets married. So, she decides to go track him down in France.

But when she does so, she meets the notorious player Sebastian. She falls head over heels for him. But there’s an instant attraction there, and there is instant banter from this. Instant banter, though, comes to a very compromising situation that she finds herself in, and she has to convince Sebastian to marry her so that she is not ruined.

In addition, it becomes a marriage of inconvenience. The story is about this marriage of inconvenience and them trying to work together, not fall in love, and dealing with some secrets coming out about Sebastian’s past.

Author: Loretta Chase
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Historical Erotica
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback

5. A Kingdom of Dreams (The Westmoreland Dynasty Saga)

The story is about Jennifer Merrick, the daughter of a Highland warrior. He is the clan leader, trying to keep the clan safe. He sends Jennifer and her younger sister to a convent to a hideout to do so. But unfortunately, that is not the safest place for them to be. The wolf voice in Westmoreland, part of the English Army, captures the two girls and takes them captive for ransom.

So, about half of the story is about Jennifer trying to escape the clutches of Royce. The other half of the story is about her trying to fight her attraction and reconcile her obligation to her family and her love.

Royce is such a fantastic hero. At the beginning of the book, there are some questionable elements because he punishes Jennifer and her sister for trying to leave, which makes sense given that she is a captive. Beyond that, he is a lot softer than you would expect from his characterization at the beginning of the book. You expect him to be this big, scary guy, but early on, you realize he has this deep attraction to Jennifer and wants to treat her softly.

Author: Judith McNaught
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Scottish Historical Romance
Available: Pocket Book | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Pocket Book

6. The Highwayman (Victorian Rebels)

This story opens up with our heroine, Farah. She works for Scotland Yard, which is rare in historical romance for a woman to have a job, let alone a job helping law enforcement, especially. She’s working there because she is trying to uncover some of the pasts of her childhood. She remembers her rough upbringing and wants to track down some people who hurt and helped her.

Farah thinks working with Scotland Yard is the best way to do this, and one day, a mysterious criminal named Dorian Blackwell arrives in jail. It is her job to interrogate Dorian, and she is inextricably attracted to him. She thinks she might know him from her past. She’s getting hints that this might be someone she knows, and the story goes from there. They’re in love, and they love each other and end up going to a work camp.

Author: Kerrigan Byrne
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Scottish Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | MP3 CD

7. In Bed with a Highlander

This one gives you a lot of Outlander vibes because our heroine is rich, and she recently came into money. So people are trying to marry and force her into marriage to take her money or land. One day, a very brave little boy kidnaps her. His uncle is a clan leader, and he ends up saving him and saving her because she’s been so nice to the boy.

To protect and save her, they enter into a marriage of convenience. But they hate each other, and she will not listen to him. She does a lot of things that she thinks are right.

Author: Maya Banks
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Historical Erotica
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD

8. The Sum of All Kisses

This is the third book of the Smythe-Smith Quartet series. Our hero (Hugh) is injured in a duel. He has a limp and has to walk with a cane, and he feels defeated. He can’t protect his woman, even like Harry. So Hugh ends up romancing with our heroine, Smythe-Smith’s child. Sarah hates him and blames him for something. When they meet, she tells him why.

They spend a lot of time together at a wedding. Sarah is pushed to keep him company, and they fall for each other, and they have to go on a long heritage ride together. She genuinely wants to know about his injury and how to help him. So it was adorable, and it was hate to love. There’s a lot of force proximity.

Author: Julia Quinn
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: 20th Century Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle

9. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Love by Numbers)

This is Sarah McLean’s first adult historical romance novel. Callie has a list of things she wants to do because she is a spinster. Her sister is madly in love with a guy. She wants to drink, go shooting, and see a duel, and she decides to do that. Gabriel (Rake) ends up helping her to achieve all these tasks without meaning.

Callie wants to fence, runs into him, and they keep on falling into each other’s path. She also has promised to help his sister, his half-sister from Italy, come out into society. So they’re often around each other, which is a good romance.

Author: Sarah MacLean
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Single Women Fiction, Historical Passionate Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD

10. Her Night with the Duke: A Novel (Clandestine Affairs)

Our heroine is a widow, and she is at the inn, and there’s no room for her. But Duke proposes for her to share a room. They spend a steamy night together. Then she realizes that the Duke intends to marry her stepdaughter, her best friend because they’re close in age. She loves to travel and writes about her travel. She doesn’t want to get tied down.

Her stepdaughter needs to marry a Duke. So, she’s trying to displace her feelings and let them continue to court. But she is still in love with the Duke, and there’s a lot of groveling in here.

Author: Diana Quincy
Average Rating: 4.2/5
Category: Regency Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD

11. If the Duke Demands (Capturing the Carlisles)

Our hero needs to get married, and he’s looking for a respectable lady to get married to. The heroine grew up with her family, but she is with the farmers next door, so she’s not high class. She falls in love with the hero’s brother and sedates him. But she ends up going into the wrong bedroom and attempting to seduce the wrong brother and doesn’t realize it until after they share a passionate kiss. It is because they’re wearing masks.

So he promises to help her court his brother if she helps him find a respectable wife, and then his mother decides to sponsor her. Then she has a season, and they dance around each other, and it’s adorable. Moreover, it will remind you of a few Bridgerton books.

Author: Anna Harrington
Average Rating: 4.3/5
Category: Regency Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD

12. The Secret: Highlands’ Lairds

This one is another Highlander romance. Our heroine is British and has a best friend she met on the border. She is Scottish, and her best friend is scared of having a baby because her mother and grandmother passed away from childbirth.

So she promised to be there for that birth. Her best friend is pregnant. The clan leader ends up coming to find her and take her back. They hate each other at first, and they fall for each other. She likes to study to be a midwife, which is cool. So, she helps other women in the clan while waiting for her friend to give birth.

Author: Julie Garwood
Average Rating: 4.7/5
Category: Medieval Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback

13. Destiny’s Surrender

It is book two in the Destiny series, which is about Billie. She is a sex worker, and she and Andrew like each other. But they can never be together, and she becomes pregnant. So she shows up, and the romance goes from there. It is one of the best historical erotic romance books. If you love the surprise pregnancy trope, this book is for you.

Author: Beverly Jenkins
Average Rating: 4.7/5
Category: Historical Sensual Romance
Available: Audiobook | Mass Market Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD

14. Sea of Ruin

This is a dark historical romance, a pirate romance with a love triangle. Our heroine is a pirate captain. She is married to another pirate, but they are on the rocks because he cheated on her. Then she gets kidnapped by a Commodore who is a pirate hunter and has a romance with him. It’s very dark. She does get a lot of assault, and sexual assault happened to her, so know that going in that this is a dark romance.

Author: Pam Godwin
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Sea Adventure Fiction, Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle

15. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie: Mackenzies Series

This historical romance novel revolves around a widow named Beth Ackerley. Beth is engaged to a man who turns out to be fairly deceptive. He has a bunch of mistresses. Lord Ian McKenzie finds out about this. Upon meeting her, he finds her very attractive. So he tells her about what a jerk the guy she’s engaged to be and proposes to her. There’s a murder mystery.

The two main characters’ interest in each other is entirely lust. They look at each other, and they’re having difficulty keeping their hands off each other. Some questions arise: Why didn’t Beth go for Ian initially, and why did she refuse his proposal? She was very attracted to him. Yet she ran off and said, I didn’t get that entirely. Beth was an understanding person, but she was also a strong female character.

Author: Jennifer Ashley
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Category: Regency Romance, Scottish Historical
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback

16. Outlander

Outlander is an adult historical fiction romance, and this is the first book in an ongoing epic historical fantasy romance series. It follows our main character, Claire Beauchamp, living in the 1940s. The war has ended, and she is in Scotland with her husband during the war. Claire and her husband, Frank, were apart because she worked as a combat nurse, a second honeymoon. Claire goes somewhere and accidentally falls through time back to the 1740s in Scotland.

So this book follows the main character, Claire Beauchamp. She is trying to get by in the 1740s and return home to Frank in the 1940s. Claire Beauchamp is one of the best parts of this book. The protagonist is wonderfully imagined, and the character development throughout the book is well done. Jamie Fraser is one of the main protagonists in this story and is my love interest.

Author: Diana Gabaldon
Average Rating: 4.7/5
Category: Scottish Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle

17. A Week to Be Wicked: Spindle Cove

This is the second book in the Spindle Cove series, dealing with Colin Payne. He’s the cousin to Victor Bramwell, the hero in the series’ first book, and dealt with Minerva Highwood. In the first book, you’re introduced to this mother and her three daughters, and they’re the Highwoods. Minerva is the second daughter. She’s the very bookish scientific one, and her mother keeps wanting to get her eldest daughter, Diana, to marry everyone, even Colin Payne or any of the other lords.

But Minerva doesn’t care. She wants to be able to get to Scotland to go to this. It’s the Royal Geological Society. It’s a summit or big presentation, and she’s made this cool discovery. She found a footprint of this lizard and has a casting of it, and she wants to take it up there. But she has no way to get there herself. So she proposes to Colin, Hey, let’s fake an elopement.

His cousin controls Colin’s fortune until he turns twenty-seven or marries. He’s still got a few months until his birthday. But he goes along with the idea. He thinks it’s risky and silly, but he goes along, and they have interesting conversations and whatnot. They have good chemistry.

Author: Tessa Dare
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Historical Fiction Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD

18. Girl with a Pearl Earring

The book is Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. She writes incredible historical fiction. The front cover painting of the book is very famous. It was done by a famous painter, Johannes Vermeer, but no one knows the model. Who is this woman? So Tracy Chevalier decided to write a novel about the girl with the Pearl Earring and who this mysterious woman is. How did she sit for him in this painting? So, who is this mysterious woman?

This wholly fictional account of this woman in the painting could have been in this true-life historical painting. So Chevalier’s main character is a 16-year-old girl called Griet. Her father is very ill, and she has to work as a maid for the famous painter Johannes Vermeer. She meets him, and she’s living in this horrible little cupboard, and he lives in the house with servants, his wife, and children.

There are always essential people coming in and out of this house because he’s a famous painter. One day, he tells her, I want you to model for me. I want to draw you, and you get the idea that she is his muse. She’s inspired him in some way.

It’s a book about people using power to abuse others, but people in vulnerable situations know something bad will happen to them. There’s nothing they can do to stop it because this is set in the 16th century, and Great needs to keep her job as a maid because she’s sending money back to her mum and dad, and her dad’s incredibly sick. Also, she knows by agreeing to sit for this painting. She could be fired because people think she’s having an affair with her master. If his wife finds out, she’ll fire her anyway.

Author: Tracy Chevalier
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Literary Fiction, Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Library Binding | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback

19. Mine Till Midnight

Mine Till Midnight is the first book of The Hathaways series. It directly follows the series that Lisa Kleypas wrote called The Wallflower series. Our heroine’s name is Daisy. You meet the hero from this book, In a Devil in Winter. So it’s fun if you have been introduced to him before. His name is Cam, and he’s a gypsy with no idea who he is and no memories of his family or past. He knows he was pretty much abandoned, and he was brought into this casino to work by the heroine’s father from a devil in winter. Then, everyone’s father died.

The hero took over the casino and kept Cam as the casino manager, which was considered unusual since he was a gypsy and most people didn’t trust him. That hero also gave Cam shares in the casino, which he hates because he doesn’t want to make money as a gypsy. He thinks it’s disgraceful in his culture to make money, but everything he does brings money back. So that’s the hero to set you up. Then there’s the heroine in the first. This is the beginning of the Hathaway series because the heroine is called Amelia Hathaway.

She is the oldest sister of a family of five, and her family can’t make money to save their lives. They’re on the brink of destruction. She has a brother who drinks himself into the ground and a sister who’s very sick. Another sister who’s a kleptomaniac. Then there’s Poppy, who’s hard to explain. She’s an interesting character. She has her book, too. They all have their books, but Amelia is the mother hen. Their parents have died, and she’s doing everything possible to keep their family together. Meanwhile, she meets Cam when she goes to the casino searching for her drunkard brother, who’s gone missing.

Cam thinks that she’s an exciting, very beautiful woman. He’s also intrigued that her servant, who isn’t a servant, is more part of the family. His name is Kev McCracken. That Kev is a gypsy. By coincidence, he runs into her again, kicking off their romance. He had been in the process of deciding to hitch everything, leave everything behind, and go off and find his tribe. Instead, he meets the Hathaway’s and ends up deciding to stay. So it’s a perfect romance, very steamy, great love scenes.

Author: Lisa Kleypas
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Category: Victorian Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD

20. Tempt Me at Twilight

This is part of the Hathaway series, The Story of Poppy Hathaway, one of the younger sisters in the Hathaway series, and Harry Rutledge. Harry is a hotel owner who most people don’t like. They look down on him, and he doesn’t care because he makes a lot of money. Poppy is a flybridge obit in her family. She’s a Florida Jebet and has a very bizarre and exciting family. There’s Amelia, her oldest sister, a mother hen, andand Winn, the sickly one. Then there’s her brother, who’s the drunkard, and he’s also the lord of their family.

Poppy and her family move into a hotel when Amelia marries Cam from the first book, and Cam is wealthy. They had a problem with their home. So their house had burned down, and they had moved into this hotel, and they had gotten a reputation of being a bizarre family. She finds a secret passage in the hotel and follows it into Harry. Rutledge is in a privileged private area, and she meets him and has no idea who he is. She thinks that the hotel owner is very old and eccentric, and she talks to Harry about the owner as if he is old and eccentric. Harry finds himself enchanted by her and quite charmed.

Then, he becomes very determined that this woman will be his wife. So he pulls out all the stops, all the evil, nefarious stops, because he is a villain and does everything. Poppy doesn’t realize he’s doing it until it’s too late. So their story is somewhere along the lines of love at first sight rush into marriage.

Since it’s a historical romance, they can make it work. It isn’t one of her steam as far as the Hathaway series goes. I like the first two books in the series a little better, and this is the third one. It’s great to see the characters again in this series because they are fun, and there is a lot of funny stuff in this book.

Author: Lisa Kleypas
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Category: Victorian Historical Romance
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Mass Market Paperback

10 Best Steamy Historical Romance Novels Kindle Unlimited

Here are ten highly regarded steamy historical romance novels that were available on Kindle Unlimited:

“The Madness of Viscount Atherbourne” by Elisa Braden: A mysterious viscount and a resilient woman finds love amidst intrigue.

“The Beast of Beswick” by Amalie Howard: A beauty-and-the-beast retelling where a war-scarred lord meets a determined lady.

“My Wild Duke” by Eva Devon: A duke known for his wild behavior is tamed by a woman with secrets of her own.

“Never Seduce a Scot” by Maya Banks: A tale of a fierce highlander and a woman with disabilities struggling with the complexities of love.

“The Duke Who Didn’t” by Courtney Milan: A light-hearted story about a list-making duke and his pursuit of the woman he loves.

“A Wicked Kind of Husband” by Mia Vincy: A marriage of convenience turns complicated as secrets and passions intertwine.

“A Rogue by Any Other Name” by Sarah MacLean: A former friends-to-lovers story filled with tension, passion, and redemption.

“The Wallflower Wager” by Tessa Dare: A determined woman and her reclusive neighbor clash and connect in this heartwarming tale.

“The Highwayman” by Kerrigan Byrne: A tale of a masked outlaw and his love, blending dark themes with intense passion.

“The Work of Art” by Mimi Matthews: A gentlewoman and an injured war hero come together in a marriage of convenience, only to find genuine affection and love.

These novels span various themes, settings, and character dynamics, but all deliver a steamy historical romance that readers have well received. The availability of titles on Kindle Unlimited can vary over time, so checking the platform for current listings is recommended.

5 Best Steamy Historical Western Romance Novels

Steamy historical western romances blend the rugged landscapes of the American West with passionate romances, often featuring cowboys, outlaws, and spirited heroines. Here are five of the best novels in this subgenre:

Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath: This is the first book in the “Texas Trilogy” series, it introduces us to the rough landscapes of Texas and the equally rugged cowboy, Houston Leigh. When he’s entrusted with escorting Amelia Carson, a mail-order bride, across the state, an unexpected romance blossoms amidst challenges and adventures.

Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold by Ellen O’Connell: This is a story of family conflict, forbidden love, and hidden identities. Anne Wells, an outcast from her family, finds solace and an unexpected passionate romance with Cord Bennett, a man with his share of family troubles and a tarnished reputation. Their relationship faces societal prejudices and personal battles in the tumultuous setting of the Old West.

Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson: Set in the Wild West, this spicy novel tells the poignant story of Loretta Simpson, a survivor of a Comanche attack, and Hunter of the Wolf, the Comanche warrior who rescues her from her trauma. Their bond defies cultural boundaries. They struggle with the complexities of their feelings for each other.

The Outlaw and the Lady by Lorraine Heath: When the innocent Angela Bainbridge meets the notorious outlaw Lee Raven, she’s both intrigued and terrified. As their paths cross repeatedly, a fiery romance ensues, challenging both to reconsider their life choices and what they truly desire.

Never Love a Lawman by Jo Goodman: Rachel Bailey may have been reluctant to settle in the small town of Reidsville, Colorado, but when she gets involved with the local sheriff, Wyatt Cooper, sparks fly. Their passionate romance is set against a backdrop of secrets, betrayals, and life challenges in a western town.

Each of these novels offers readers a journey filled with passion, adventure, and the allure of the American West. They showcase the challenges of love in a time.

10 Best Steamy Historical Romance Novels Free Online

There are some platforms and websites that offer promotional or time-limited free books. For example, Project Gutenberg, Feedbooks, and Open Library provide free access to older classics.

For modern titles, check platforms like Amazon Kindle’s free section, Smashwords, or authors’ websites for promotions. Also, joining mailing lists of romance authors or publishers might get you access to free ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) or promotional copies. Here’s a list for you:

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell: This is a classic romance novel set against the backdrop of industrializing England. The story revolves around Margaret Hale, a young woman from the rural south who moves to the industrial northern town of Milton. As she grapples with the stark contrasts between the rural south and industrial north, Margaret meets the brooding and stern mill owner John Thornton, leading to a romance that bridges the societal divide.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: This historical romance is one of the most iconic novels, telling the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Set in the Regency era, it explores love, class, and societal expectations. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy face misunderstandings, prejudices, and their pride. The novel has witty dialogues, memorable characters, and a love story that has stood the test of time.

Works by Georgette Heyer: Georgette Heyer is celebrated for reviving the historical romance genre with her meticulously researched. While each book offers a unique story, common elements include sharp wit, memorable characters, and a deep appreciation for the Regency era. Heyer’s novels incorporate love, societal norms, and delightful misunderstandings, leading to captivating romantic entanglements.

Various titles by Tessa Dare: Tessa Dare’s novels are renowned for their steamy romance, engaging plots, and strong-willed heroines. Set primarily in the Regency era, Dare infuses her stories with humor, passion, and unexpected twists. Readers can expect a blend of historical accuracy and modern sensibilities, making her novels both relatable and escapist.

Various titles by Courtney Milan: Milan crafts historical romance novels with depth, addressing issues like gender equality, societal constraints, and personal freedom. While steamy, her characters are multifaceted, and the romance is built on mutual respect and understanding. Milan’s stories are both entertaining and thought-provoking, making them stand out in the genre.

The Sheik by E.M. Hull: The Sheik is a romance novel set in the deserts of North Africa, where Diana Mayo, an English aristocrat, is kidnapped by the powerful Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan. As Diana grapples with her captivity, the two develop an intense and passionate relationship. The novel, filled with passion, cultural clashes, and the allure of the exotic, was groundbreaking and remains influential in the romance genre.

Wicked Designs by Lauren Smith: This is the enthralling tale of Emily, a young woman kidnapped by a rogues. Among them is the enigmatic and charismatic leader, the Duke of Essex. Emily plans her escape and finds herself drawn to the Duke, leading to a steamy romance filled with intrigue and passion.

Forever and Always by Chasity Bowlin: Set in a world where love and danger intertwine, “Forever and Always” follows the story of a woman named Sarah, who finds herself inexplicably drawn to a mysterious man named Gabriel. Their passionate love story is set against supernatural events and historical settings.

Various titles by Erica Ridley: Erica Ridley’s historical romances are characterized by their captivating characters, engaging plots, and steamy romantic scenes. Set against the Regency and Victorian eras backdrop, Ridley’s novels focus on love, societal expectations, and personal growth. Her works incorporate humor, making them both heartwarming and entertaining.

Lost to the Desert Warrior by Sarah Morgan: This steamy romance novel follows the story of Layla, who finds herself in a marriage of convenience with the desert king, Sheikh Raz. They face their new relationship and discover a passion and connection that neither expected. Sarah Morgan masterfully captures the protagonists’ tension, desire, and emotional journey against the exotic and mesmerizing desert landscape.

More Historical Romance Books:

Books Like Edenbrooke

15 Historical Romance Books

Historical Romance Authors Like Julia Quinn