The Best Historical Fiction Books for Every Kind of Reader

If you’re anything like us, there’s something about historical fiction that just hits differently. Whether it’s the way these stories bring the past to life or the powerful characters who face the challenges of their time, we can’t get enough of it. Today, we’re sharing some of our favorite historical fiction novels. These book have made us laugh, cry, and reflect on history in ways we didn’t expect. We hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

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Go As A River by Shelley Read

Amazon’s review is spot on: Inspired by true events surrounding the destruction of the town of Iola in the 1960s, Go as a River is a story of deeply held love in the face of hardship and loss, but also of finding courage, resilience, friendship, and, finally, home—where least expected. This stunning debut explores what it means to lead your life as if it were a river—gathering and flowing, finding a way forward even when a river is dammed.

Emma recommended this book to me and I put it on hold and forgot about it because the wait was so long. Well 2 weeks ago it was my turn to read it and I read it in two days and could. not. put. it. down. I read late into the night, right when I woke up and during every free moment I could find. It is so good. -Grace *Click here to view on Amazon

These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

The characters in this novel feel so vivid and unforgettable. A moving, heartfelt, and exciting American saga inspired by the author’s own family memoirs, this story follows Sarah Prine—a woman of spirit and fire—who builds a remarkable life in the harsh, untamed frontier. Through her diary entries, Sarah captures her journey as her father moves their family and horse ranch from Arizona Territory to Texas. Readers follow her as she grows from a child to a young woman and eventually a devoted mother. I read this a handful of years ago and remember loving it but I do also remember a few moments that left me completely flabbergasted! -Grace *Click here to view on Amazon

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

I absolutely loved The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. The story follows three women—Osla, Mab, and Beth—who become close friends while working as codebreakers at Bletchley Park during World War II. But war, secrets, and betrayal tear them apart, and by the time the war ends, their friendship is in ruins. Years later, they’re forced back together to uncover a traitor, even though old wounds still linger. The story flips between past and present, weaving together espionage, romance, and the incredible strength of women who refused to be underestimated. It’s a gripping, emotional read with plenty of twists and a touch of heartbreak. -Emma *Click here to view on Amazon

The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan

A “pure-blood” German family flees Stalin’s forces, only to be led by ruthless Nazi officers to supposed safety. Right now, this is my favorite book. There are several moments and quotes so beautiful, inspirational, and moving that I’ve written them in my journal. HOWEVER, this is a WWII novel, and the author does not shy away from the raw and real experiences of those who lived through it. -Grace *Click here to view on Amazon

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale pulled me in right from the start. I had been in a reading rut, and this gripping historical fiction novel helped me jump back in. Set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, it follows two sisters, Vianne Mauriac and Isabelle Rossignol, who take different paths in resisting the war’s horrors. Vianne, a mother and schoolteacher, struggles to keep her daughter safe while her husband fights at the front. When German forces take over her town, she is forced to make impossible choices. Isabelle, young and impulsive, joins the French Resistance, risking her life to help others escape. As the war progresses, both sisters endure unimaginable hardships, showcasing the resilience and sacrifices of women in wartime. The novel is framed by a modern-day narrative, where an elderly woman reflects on her past. The Nightingale is a powerful tale of love, survival, and the untold heroism of women in war. Due to its subject matter, the book contains mature themes. -Faith *Click here to view on Amazon

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

This book—its story, characters, and historical depth—is absolutely incredible! I remember when a friend recommended it to me, and even just hearing a few details of the storyline blew me away. Amazon’s review says it perfectly: Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong. -Grace *Click here to view on Amazon

The Orphan Keeper by Cameron Wright

I read this book in 2016 and later that year saw the movie Lion—which tells almost the same story. That blew my mind, given how unbelievable the story is! I remember watching Lion and thinking, I wish they had made The Orphan Keeper into a movie instead.

Based on a true story, this book follows a young boy who is kidnapped from his village in India, sold to a Christian orphanage, and later adopted by an unsuspecting  couple in the United States. It’s a powerful read, written by a Utah author. He’s also written other great books, like The Rent Collector, which I highly recommend! -Grace
*Click here to view on Amazon

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry is a beautifully woven story about love, loss, and the power of storytelling. During World War II, teenage Hazel and her little sister Flora are evacuated from London to the countryside, where Hazel invents a secret fairy tale world to comfort Flora. But when Flora mysteriously disappears, Hazel is left heartbroken, believing her sister is lost forever. Twenty years later, Hazel stumbles upon a book that tells their private story—one only Flora could have known—sending her on a quest for answers. It’s a heartfelt, atmospheric read about sisterhood, hope, and the stories that shape us. -Emma *Click here to view on Amazon

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Read this delightful, warm, and humorous book and then watch Netflix’s version as the finale if you want a lovely experience. I felt like the movie followed the book so well and was so enjoyable (it also helps that I’m a Lily James fan and Michiel Huisman is my celebrity crush haha). 

This book begins in 1946, as London emerges from the shadow of World War II. Writer Juliet Ashton is searching for her next book subject when an unexpected letter arrives—from a man she’s never met. A native of the island of Guernsey, he discovers her name inside a book by Charles Lamb, setting off a correspondence that will change both of their lives. -Grace *Click here to view on Amazon

Content Themes

*DISCLAIMER: We encourage you to do your own research to ensure a book aligns with your values and expectations, especially when exploring historical fiction. These stories, often based on true events, dive into the raw, intense, and sometimes unsettling realities of the past—reflecting the messy, painful, beautiful, and even horrifying moments of history. While some books may be more intense than others, they all have the power to bring history to life in unforgettable ways, so it’s important to be mindful of the content as you dive in.

Each of the books listed above would likely fall in the PG-13 range. See below for more detailed content themes.

• Go As A River: Themes of grief, loss, and survival; references to trauma, assault, and racism.
• These Is My Words: Themes of violence, assault, and abuse; references to death and harsh living conditions.
• The Rose Code: Themes of war, betrayal, and trauma; references to violence, PTSD, and mature content.
• The Last Green Valley: Themes of war, displacement, and survival; references to violence, death, and trauma.
• The Nightingale: Themes of war, survival, and sacrifice; references to violence, death, and sexual assault.
• Before We Were Yours: Themes of child abduction, abuse, and trauma; emotional intensity and mistreatment.
• The Orphan Keeper: Themes of child abduction, trafficking, and trauma; references to loss and emotional struggles.
• The Secret Book of Flora Lea: Themes of loss and self-discovery; references to family secrets and emotional hardship.
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: Themes of friendship, survival, and WWII; mild references to wartime hardships and emotional trauma.

Enjoy!

Whether you love stories of resilience, wartime courage, or quiet moments of strength, these books have something special to offer. We hope you find a new favorite (or two) from our list!