Queer Historical Romance

Queer stories with good representation of periodic romances.

Updated November 7, 2025
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The ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye : a novel
Cameron, Briony
Paper Book
This "thrilling, swashbuckling story" (People) based on true events illuminates a woman of color's rise to power as one of the few female pirate captains to sail the Caribbean, and a forbidden love story that will shape the course of history. In the tumultuous town of...
The care and feeding of waspish widows
Waite, Olivia
Paper Book
When Agatha Griffin finds a colony of bees in her warehouse, it's the not-so-perfect ending to a not-so-perfect week. Busy trying to keep her printing business afloat amidst rising taxes and the suppression of radical printers like her son, the last thing the widow wants is to be...
Fried green tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Cafe
Flagg, Fannie.
Paper Book
Folksy and fresh, endearing and affecting, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is a now-classic novel about two women: Evelyn, who's in the sad slump of middle age, and gray-headed Mrs. Threadgoode, who's telling her life story. Her tale includes two more women--the irrepressibly...
The gentleman's guide to vice and virtue
Lee, Mackenzi
Paper Book
A Kirkus Prize nominee and Stonewall Honor winner with 5 starred reviews! A New York Times bestseller! Named one of the best books of 2017 by NPR and the New York Public Library! "The queer teen historical you didn't know was missing from your life."--Teen Vogue "A...
Gwen & Art are not in love
Croucher, Lex
Paper Book
An Instant New York Times Bestseller! "A total, rollicking delight. Gwen & Art gave me the same cheeky, swoony, giddy, irresistible high of the first time I saw A Knight's Tale. Lex Croucher is one of my favorite romcom authors, and they should be yours...
Infamous : a novel
Croucher, Lex
Paper Book
Named a Most Anticipated Romance of 2023 by Goodreads and Bookpage "Lex Croucher is one of my favorite rom-com authors, and they should be yours, too." --Casey McQuiston, #1 bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue "Croucher...
An island princess starts a scandal
Herrera, Adriana (Romance author)
Paper Book
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER! "Adriana Herrera is once again here to upend any outdated notions of historical romance." --Entertainment Weekly One last summer.  For Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan, the invitation to show her...
Lady like : a novel
Lee, Mackenzi
Paper Book
A BOOKPAGE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * Two women set their sights on marrying the same duke, but instead of becoming enemies, they find themselves falling in love--though not with him. "My new favorite romance author."--Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling...
Last night at the Telegraph Club
Lo, Malinda
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND STONEWALL BOOK AWARD * From acclaimed author Malinda Lo comes a gripping, tender coming-of-age novel exploring identity, queerness, and historical upheaval set in San Francisco's Chinatown during the 1950s. ...
Learned by heart
Donoghue, Emma
Paper Book
From the bestselling author of Room and The Wonder, this novel is based on the true story of two girls who fall secretly, deeply, and dangerously in love at boarding school in 19th century York. "A wrenching love story." --Chris Bohjalian, The...
The librarian of burned books : a novel
Labuskes, Brianna
Paper Book
For fans of The Rose Code and The Paris Library, The Librarian of Burned Books is a captivating WWII-era novel about the intertwined fates of three women who believe in the power of books to triumph over the very darkest moments of war. <...
Like a love story
Nazemian, Abdi
Paper Book
Stonewall Honor Book * A Time Magazine Best YA Book of All Time "A book for warriors, divas, artists, queens, individuals, activists, trend setters, and anyone searching for the courage to be themselves."--Mackenzi Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and...
Most ardently : a Pride & Prejudice remix
Novoa, Gabe Cole
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A STONEWALL HONOR BOOK A trans boy searches for a future--and a romance--in which he can live and love openly as himself in this heartwrenching YA reimagining of Pride & Prejudice, perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Gwen...
The Paris affair
Marshall, Maureen
Paper Book
A "tense" queer historical romantic suspense novel about a young engineer working for Gustave Eiffel caught in a web of deceit that could destroy both him and the famous tower (The New York Times). Fin Tighe is clinging to respectability by his nail-bitten...
The perks of loving a wallflower
Ridley, Erica
Paper Book
Fans of Bridgerton will love this "delightful" Regency romp (Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author​) named one of the best romances of the year by Entertainment Weekly. As a master of disguise, Thomasina Wynchester can be a...
The secret lives of country gentlemen
Charles, KJ
Paper Book
Gothic scandal meets Bridgerton intrigue in this swashbuckling Regency romance from celebrated author KJ Charles. Abandoned by his father, Gareth Inglis grew up lonely, prickly, and well-used to disappointment. Still, he longs for a connection. When he meets a charming stranger, he falls...
A shore thing
Lowell, Joanna
Paper Book
"Glorious.... Every scene in this book is a treasure."--The New York Times "A Victorian queer love story that will have you giggling and blushing... This book is full of charm and low-stakes adventure, just the warm and soft romance many of us are looking for."--NPR...
We could be so good : a novel
Sebastian, Cat
Paper Book
A New York Times Notable Book of 2023 A New York Times Books Review Best Romances of 2023 pick * Apple Books' Best Books of the Month * Amazon Best Books of the Month Editor's Pick, Romance * An NPR "Books We Love" * Library Journal Romance Pick of the Month * LibraryReads Hall of Fame:...
The world and all that it holds
Hemon, Aleksandar
Paper Book
The World and All That It Holds--in all its hilarious, heartbreaking, erotic, philosophical glory--showcases Aleksandar Hemon's celebrated talent at its pinnacle. It is a grand, tender, sweeping story that spans decades and continents. It cements Hemon as one of the boldest voices in...

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