Historical Fiction about Real Life Women

Updated June 10, 2026
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Sisters in Arms
Alderson, Kaia
Audiobook
Kaia Alderson's debut historical fiction novel reveals the untold, true story of the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black battalion of the Women's Army Corps, who made the dangerous voyage to Europe to ensure American servicemen received word from their loved ones during World War II. ...
White houses : a novel
Bloom, Amy
Paper Book
For readers of The Paris Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue comes a "sensuous, captivating account of a forbidden affair between two women" (People)--Eleanor Roosevelt and "first friend" Lorena Hickok. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS...
The Unexpected Diva
Warren, Tiffany L.
Paper Book
"Beautifully crafted and captivating.This triumphant tale is sure to be an instant classic."--Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Personal Librarian "How do we not all know the name of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield The story of this...
By her own design : a novel of Ann Lowe, fashion designer to the social register
Huguley, Piper
Paper Book
The incredible untold story of how Ann Lowe, a Black woman and granddaughter of slaves, rose above personal struggles and racial prejudice to design and create one of America's most famous wedding dresses of all time for Jackie Kennedy. 1953, New York City Less than a...
The only woman in the room
Benedict, Marie
Paper Book
The New York Times and USA Today Bestseller! She possessed a stunning beauty. She also possessed a stunning mind. Could the world handle both? Her beauty almost certainly saved her from the rising Nazi party and led to marriage with an Austrian arms dealer. Underestimated in...
Malinalli
Chapa, Veronica.
Paper Book
Book Riot's Best New Book Releases A 2025 Latino Book Award Winner, Gold Medal for Best Novel -- Historical Fiction -- English "A vivid and unprecedented journey into the Spanish invasion of Aztec Mexico." --Luis Alberto Urrea, acclaimed...
Sister mother warrior : a novel
Riley, Vanessa
Paper Book
ONE OF USA TODAY'S "BEST BOOKS OF SUMMER!" Acclaimed author of Island Queen Vanessa Riley brings readers a vivid, sweeping novel of the Haitian Revolution based on the true-life stories of two extraordinary women: the first Empress of Haiti, Marie-Claire Bonheur, and Gran Toya, a West...
The queen of Sugar Hill : a novel of Hattie McDaniel
Billingsley, ReShonda Tate
Paper Book
As seen on The TODAY Show! Bestselling author ReShonda Tate presents a fascinating fictional portrait of Hattie McDaniel, one of Hollywood's most prolific but woefully underappreciated stars--and the first Black person ever to win an Oscar for her role as Mammy in the critically acclaimed...
Diva
Goodwin, Daisy
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Daisy Goodwin returns with a story of the scandalous love affair between the most celebrated opera singer of all time and one of the richest men in the world. In the glittering and ruthlessly competitive world of opera, Maria Callas was...
The Chanel sisters
Little, Judithe.
Paper Book
A USA Today and Globe and Mail bestseller! A novel of survival, love, loss, triumph--and the sisters who changed fashion forever Antoinette and Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel know they're destined for something better. Abandoned by their family at a...
The collector's daughter : a novel of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb
Paul, Gill
Paper Book
Bestselling author Gill Paul returns with a brilliant novel about Lady Evelyn Herbert, the woman who took the very first step into the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, and who lived in the real Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle, and the long after-effects of the Curse of Pharaohs. <...
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 lost journals of Sacajewea
Earling, Debra Magpie.
Paper Book
Winner of the American Book Award Winner of the Montana Book Award Winner of the PNBA Book Award "In my seventh winter, when my head only reached my Appe's rib, a White Man came into camp. Bare trees scratched sky. Cold was endless. He...
Someone always nearby : a novel of Georgia O'Keeffe and Maria Chabot
Albert, Susan Wittig
Paper Book
In 1940, art-world icon Georgia O'Keeffe bought a house in a mountain-rimmed New Mexico desert, planning to live there for six months every year. To manage her remote household while she paints, O'Keeffe invited Maria Chabot-a young and naïve would-be writer-to join her. &...

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