Queer Historical Romance

Queer stories with good representation of periodic romances.

Updated November 7, 2025
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I Am You
Redel, Victoria
Paper Book
This "lush, sexy, absorbing novel" of historical fiction "brings to life two artists who are inextricably linked in passion and competition" (Melissa Febos, bestselling author of Girlhood) A "captivating" lesbian romance set in the "wonderfully atmospheric" art world of 1600s...
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...
Escaping Mr. Rochester
McKinney, L. L.
Ebook
2025 Rainbow Book List In this fresh reimagining of Charlotte Brontë's classic novel by acclaimed author L. L. McKinney, Jane Eyre and Bertha Mason must save each other from the horrifying machinations of Mr. Rochester in this intrigue-filled, empowering young adult romance. Jane...
Fingersmith
Waters, Sarah
Ebook
The Handmaiden, a film adaptation of Fingersmith, directed by Park Chan-wook and starring Kim Tae-Ri, is now available. Sue Trinder is an orphan, left as an infant in the care of Mrs. Sucksby, a "baby farmer," who raised her with unusual tenderness, as if Sue were...
Fried green tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Cafe
Flagg, Fannie.
Ebook
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...
A gentleman never keeps score
Sebastian, Cat
Ebook
If you haven't read Cat Sebastian, what are you waiting for?"--Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author   Once beloved by London's fashionable elite, Hartley Sedgwick has become a recluse after a spate of salacious gossip exposed his most-private secrets. Rarely...
A gentleman's gentleman
Alexander, T. J.
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FOR LGBTQ+ ROMANCE A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK * A USA TODAY BESTSELLER * From the acclaimed author of Chef's Kiss, a groundbreaking trans Regency romance that's both delightfully witty and refreshingly iconoclastic. ...
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...
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...
Ladies in Hating
Vasti, Alexandra
Paper Book
INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER! A Lambda Literary Award Winner and named Best Romance of 2025 by Amazon, Kirkus, Chicago Public Library, and more . . . A pair of Gothic novelists trade rivalry for love in this swoony, steamy, sapphic Regency ...
A lady for a duke
Hall, Alexis J.
Paper Book
From the bestselling author of Husband Material comes a lush, sweeping queer historical romance where sparks fly between childhood friends after a life-changing separation--perfect for fans of Bridgerton, Evie Dunmore, and Lisa Kleypas!​ When Viola Carroll...
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
Audiobook
2020 Audie Awards® Finalist - Young Adult  "A love letter to queerness, self-expression, and individuality (also Madonna) that never shies away from the ever-present fear within the queer community of late '80s New York, Like a Love Story made me feel so full--of hope, love,...
Mutual interest : a novel
Wolfgang-Smith, Olivia
Vivian Lesperance is determined to flee her hometown and live a life worthy of the society pages she writes for. When she meets Oscar Schmidt, a queer middle manager at a soap company, Vivian finds a partner she can guide to build the life she wants -- not least because Oscar will leave Vivian to...
The other March sisters
Epstein, Linda
Paper Book
Giving all the "Little Women" the stories they deserve at last, this imaginative historical novel and companion to the much-loved classic draws Meg, Beth, and Amy March from behind the shadow of Jo - Louisa May Alcott's alter-ego and the "author" of Little Women - as vibrant...
The perfect crimes of Marian Hayes : a novel
Sebastian, Cat
Paper Book
Cat Sebastian returns to Georgian London with a stunning tale of a reluctant criminal and the thief who cannot help but love her. Marian Hayes, the Duchess of Clare, just shot her husband. Of course, the evil, murderous man deserved what was coming to him, but...
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 price of salt
Highsmith, Patricia
Ebook
A chance encounter between two lonely women leads to a passionate romance in this lesbian cult classic. Therese, a struggling young sales clerk, and Carol, a homemaker in the midst of a bitter divorce, abandon their oppressive daily routines for the freedom of the open road, where their love can...
The queer principles of Kit Webb : a novel
Sebastian, Cat
Ebook
"The Queer Principles of Kit Webb kept me up all night! I simply couldn't put it down."-- Tessa Dare, New York Times bestselling author "Sharp, smart, and oh-so-swoony, The Queer Principles of Kit Webb reminds me that Cat Sebastian is an author at the...
The safekeep : a novel
Wouden, Yael van der
Paper Book
* SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKER PRIZE * * WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION * * WINNER OF THE 2025 WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION * Shortlisted for the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize and Aspen Words Literary Prize * A Best Book...
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...
Solomon's crown : a novel
Siegel, Natasha
Paper Book
"This sumptuous romance explores the relationship between Philip II of France and Richard the Lionheart. . . . Betrayal and tragedy lurk around every corner, yet there are moments of breathtaking loveliness."--The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) "Absolutely...
Two rogues make a right
Sebastian, Cat
Paper Book
Will Sedgwick can't believe that after months of searching for his oldest friend, Martin Easterbrook is found hiding in an attic like a gothic nightmare. Intent on nursing Martin back to health, Will kindly kidnaps him and takes him to the countryside to recover, well away from the...
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
Ebook
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...
Worth a fortune
Ledel, Sam
Paper Book
In the aftermath of the Second World War, Harriet Browning has thrived as the heiress to a lumber fortune, living lavishly among New York's elite. Her father's death reveals unexpected financial woes, and Harriet is left to face a sudden, harsh reality. Ava Clark threw herself into the...

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