Best American Historical Romance Books of 2026

A Girl Called Samson: A Novel by Amy Harmon is a captivating story of Deborah Samson, a young woman who disguises herself as a soldier and enlists in the Continental army during the American Revolutionary War. The book offers a unique perspective on the war, as it highlights the often-overlooked roles women played during that time. Harmon's writing style is engaging, and the characters are well-developed. The story is a beautiful blend of history, adventure, and love. A Girl Called Samson is a must-read for anyone who loves literary fiction and historical novels.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic novel set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, depicting the narrator's interactions with mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and Gatsby's obsession to reunite with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan. The novel explores themes of social class, inherited wealth, and the cynical attitude towards the American dream. With a final title desired by the author as "Under the Red, White, and Blue," the novel has become a literary masterpiece and a contender for the title of the Great American Novel. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in classic literature and fiction.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic novel set in the Jazz Age on Long Island. Narrator Nick Carraway's encounters with the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsession with reuniting with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan, form the plot. Fitzgerald's youthful romance with socialite Ginevra King and the lively parties he attended on Long Island's North Shore in 1922 motivated the novel. The Great Gatsby is a literary masterpiece and a contender for the title of the Great American Novel. A Best Seller Classic that belongs on everyone's library shelf.

The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abé is a heart-wrenching historical novel that takes readers inside the scandalous courtship and honeymoon aboard the Titanic of the most famous couple of their time—John Jacob Astor and Madeleine Force. Despite their age difference and the scandal of Jack’s recent divorce, Madeleine falls headlong into love and becomes the press’s favorite target. The novel is a beautifully written story of love, tragedy, and survival that will stay with readers long after turning the last page.

Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon is an epic and haunting love story set on the Oregon Trail. The story follows Naomi, a young widow who sets off with her family to start a new life out West, and her connection with John Lowry, a half-Pawnee man straddling two worlds. The trials of the journey and their disparate pasts work to keep them apart, but when a tragic event strikes, they must make terrible sacrifices to find each other and eventually make peace with who they are. Harmon brings the tribulations of the vast westward migration to life in this sweeping, majestic narrative, filled with tension and honest reflection.

Gone With the Wind, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, is a sweeping tale of tangled passion and courage set in the red hills of Georgia during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Mitchell vividly depicts the drama of the era through unforgettable characters, particularly Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy plantation owner. Beyond being one of the bestselling novels of all time, it is considered by many as The Great American Novel. The book is a must-read for those interested in classic literature and fiction.

The Great Gatsby (Deluxe Hardbound Edition) is an epic story that can only be defined as ‘a great American novel’. Set in the Roaring twenties, the book explores the perverted American dream, the lure of money, and the ostentatious displays of wealth and decadency. The enigmatic host of the most extravagant parties, Jay Gatsby, remains unaffected by the materialism that surrounds him. The book is beautifully encased in a hardbound edition with gilded edges and beautiful endpapers. Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald’s writing is a definitive tale on American culture and is a must-read for anyone interested in American historical romance books.

My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton is a beautifully written biographical historical fiction book that tells the story of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, a revolutionary woman who shaped an American legacy in her own right. The book follows Eliza's journey as she champions the fight for independence and falls in love with Alexander Hamilton, Washington's aide-de-camp. From glittering inaugural balls to bloody street riots, the Hamiltons are at the center of it all, including the political treachery of America's first sex scandal. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, and the authors' use of thousands of letters and original sources make it an immersive experience.

Fields of Bounty (Leah's Garden) is a historical Christian romance book by Baker Pub Group/Baker Books. Lilac Nielsen's dream has come true when the handsome Reverend Ethan Pritchard finally notices her. However, she must balance this new courtship with the pursuit of another dream - the publication of her artwork in a New York paper. As their family farm expands, and Lilac's relationship with the reverend grows, it's a time of new beginnings. The book is a tender story about relying on faith to bring one's true destiny to light. Overall, the book is a worthwhile read for those interested in Christian romance novels that incorporate family, faith, and love in a unique way.

The Scarlet Letter: The Original 1850 Edition by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a historical fiction novel set in Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony during the years 1642 to 1649. The novel tells the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives a daughter through an affair and then struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. The book explores themes of legalism, sin, and guilt, and its characters are haunted by the weight of unacknowledged sin. This classic novel is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature and its unique qualities.