Best Historical Fiction Books of 2026
I have read so many great books this year that I knew it was time to make my list of the best historical fiction books of 2026. I wanted to have a list of all my favorite books in one place.
Together, Kirsten and I read approximately 300 books a year, give or take. The best books immediately stand out. The writing, storytelling, and character development set these books apart. The 5-star reads become more than just the sum of their parts. They have that extra something that makes you think about them long after you finish the last page. If you are looking for the best fiction books of 2026, I have that list as well.
Since this year isn’t over, this list will change as Kirsten and I add books we love. We would also love to hear your recommendations for your favorite five-star historical fiction books of 2026 to add to our list. Feel free to reach out with suggestions.
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Best Historical Fiction Books of 2026
A Great Act of Love
Author: Heather Rose
Release Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Caroline Douglas arrived in Hobart, Australia, in 1939. She has a boy in her care, and she is determined to start a new life. But she is also searching for her father, who committed a horrible crime. The lives of Caroline, her father, and the people of Hobart come together in powerful ways.
With her family heritage in mind, Caroline purchases a plot of land and begins learning to make champagne. Set against the backdrop of a nation coming into its own while grappling with its reputation, this stunning saga is unlike anything I’ve ever read.
Trigger Warnings
Slavery
Why Kirsten loves it
Of course, I knew that Australia was originally a land turned into a prison by the British Empire, but I had no idea how those roots shaped the people and the country. In addition to a beautiful story about a daughter’s love, I enjoyed the backdrop of the Hobarts’ fight to break their reputation. The secondary characters were wonderfully vivid, each painted with such heart. It’s a lovely story worthy of savoring. #gifted by Libro.FM and Simon & Schuster.
Find this book in: Fiction Books About Wine
Meet the Newmans
Author: Jennifer Niven
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The Newmans, Del, Dinah, and their sons, have been America’s Favorite Family on television for two decades. By 1964, the ratings were dropping, and the picture-perfect family seemed to be out of touch with real family life. When Del is in a car accident, Dinah has to hire someone to help write the final episode. Juliet is young and full of ideas that are very different from what Dinah envisions. Will the Newmans be able to change TV history, or will they be canceled before they have a chance?
Trigger Warnings
Sexism, Car Accident
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s hard to explain how much I loved this book. Dinah coming into her own, the kids finding themselves, even Del eventually finding his way in a new world, it all came together in a story that was thoughtful and fun. I would love to see this turned into an adaptation of some kind because of the costumes and settings alone! The narrators were wonderful and really elevated the story. Gifted by MacMillan Audio
Find this book in: Books like Lessons in Chemistry / Books Set in the 60s
The Fourth Princess
Author: Jamie Chang
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Genre: Historical Thriller
More info: Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
A gothic novel set in old Shanghai? Sign me up! It’s 1911 and Lisan Liu is the newly hired secretary for wealthy American, Caroline. She’s moved into Lennox Estate, which will be Caroline and her husband, Tom’s, new home. But the estate holds dark secrets, and both women soon get caught up in its deadly history.
Lisan is trying to remember the childhood she can’t access in her memories, while Caroline is certain she’s been lured to Shanghai under false pretenses. Both women grow close as their secrets unfold, and they swept into the mysteries of the Lennox Estate and the woman in the red dress that haunts it.
Why Kirsten loves it
This gothic novel was my first five-star book of the year! I adored the many layers of mystery throughout this book but the ending is what pushed this over the edge. I was screaming when the story came together! If you like Daphne Du Maurier or Kate Morton, you MUST read this book!
Find this book in: Haunted House Books / Historical Thrillers
Liar’s Dice
Author: Juliet Faithful
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: August 2026 Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Set in Brazil in the 70s, this thought-provoking novel showcases how far 13-year-old Dolores will go to be united with her disabled twin sister, Mita. Told in multiple timelines, Dolores looks back at how Mita came to have cerebral palsy and ultimately why she was removed from her home. Simultaneously, Dolores’s quest to be reunited with Mita while navigating her parents’ complicated marriage and trying to acclimate to The British School, to which she was transferred following her father’s recent promotion.
Trigger Warnings
Ableism, Transphobia
Why Kirsten loves it
Unable to read or write at the beginning, Dolores’s narrative is unlike that of other child protagonists. Being inside her head was marvelous, as I could see exactly why she was reacting the way she was, and I could infer more of the context she was missing because I’m reading it as an adult.
The fact that this was a debut was astounding. The setting was lush, the prose was incredible, and Dolores was so vividly made alive that I felt I was her at points while reading. Additionally, the secondary characters and storylines were as fleshed out as Dolores and Mita’s stories, with topics like class, the impacts of parenting a chronically ill child, transphobia, and self-harm all examined at various parts of the story. I’ll be thinking of this story for years to come. #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: Books Set in Tropical Locations / The Best Coming-of-Age Books for Adults / Best Books for Book Clubs
The Windsor Affair
Author: Melanie Benjamin
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author of Swans of Fifth Avenue
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is the story of the abdication of Edward VIII, and the decades-long feud between Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Wallis Simpson. It is a dual narrative told from the perspectives of the two women. This is the first novel to be written about the famous rivalry, it’s origins, and how it continued until the end of both women’s lives.
Why Kirsten loves it
First of all, I loved the way this novel was structured. As someone who has read many stories about the royal family and the Duchess of Windsor, the nonlinear nature of this story kept me thoroughly entertained. I’d read biographical fiction about both women separately and knew of their feud from those stories and The Crown, but this story focused on just how long that rivalry lasted and included more post-abdication stories than I had ever read before.
The Queen Mary chapters were excellent additions to the text as well. I started the story by reading it and ended it by listening, and I can say both options were a fun way to consume the book. #Gifted by PRH Audio and Ballantine.
Find this book in: Popular Nonlinear Narrative Novels / Books about the Royal Family / Royal Historical Fiction
Wait for Me
Author: Amy Jo Burns
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: March 2026 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Elle Harlow is a folk singer who reached the height of her fame in 1973. After a performance at the Grand Ole Opry, she disappears. Two decades later, when a meteor strikes her small town, Marijohn Shaw, also a folk singer, uncovers information linking her to Elle. Suddenly, Marijohn questions everything she thought she knew about herself.
Told in three parts, Elle and Marijohn each get their own narratives before their stories dovetail for the final portion of the book. From Nashville to Appalachia, this immersive story is filled with tales of the music industry in the 1970s and early 1990s. It’s a story of loss and redemption, and the fight within us all to be seen for who we truly are.
Why Kirsten loves it
I was captivated by Marijohn and Elle’s individual stories, but when they merged, I was swept into their world. You must listen to this story as an audiobook because all the original songs peppered throughout the book are sung with a musical accompaniment. I felt as if I were a fly on the wall watching two extraordinary artists come into their own.
I think this will be the runaway hit of the summer, because it’s a perfect balance of thought-provoking themes and imaginative storytelling. I’d also like to respectfully request an adaptation of this story! #gifted by Macmillan Audio and Celadon.
Find this book in: Read with Jenna Book Club List 2026 / Wait for Me Book Club Questions / Summary of Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns / Novels About Music, Bands, and Musicians to Love / Books Set in the 70s / Best Beach Reads 2026 / Best Books to Get Out of a Reading Slump / Books like Daisy Jones and The Six
It Girl: A Novel
Author: Allison Pataki
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author of The Magnificent Lives of Majorie Post
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
At the beginning of the 20th century, pop culture was born, and Evelyn Talbot was America’s sweetheart. Evelyn becomes the first female American celebrity who is sought after by powerful men. When Evelyn gets caught at the center of a murder investigation, she is blamed for the acts of the men around her, and to survive, she will have to make her own ending.
Inspired by the real-life story of Gibson Girl, Evelyn Nesbit, this story charts the fictitious Evelyn’s life from artist’s model to Broadway star as well as her romantic entanglements with the Gilded Age Manhattan elite.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Assault
Why Kirsten loves it
I both loved and hated this story. It felt very timely with the release of the Epstein files, as we saw how long the billionaires of the world control the women around them, often taking advantage of those they claim to be protecting. Pataki’s rich storytelling made the story of Evelyn come to life, and I adored the ending – specifically how it diverged from the real Evelyn’s past. #gifted by Ballantine
Find this book in: Gilded Age Books
Lake Effect
Author: Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
In Rochester NY, Nina Larkin can no longer accept her marriage, embarking on an affair that will send shockwaves through her family and the community at large. As Nina’s daughter, Clara, is falling in love, Nina is trying to get out of her marriage – something that simply wasn’t done in suburbia in 1977.
Nina’s choices affect not only her family but also her neighbors. With various plotlines, readers see the impact inside multiple homes and the ripple effects of Nina’s decisions that span decades. This novel is an empowering take on finding happiness in mid-life.
Why Kirsten loves it
I was fascinated by the historical taboo of divorce – something I had never considered before! The various narratives in this story brought the impact of society’s prejudice toward divorce particularly powerful. This family drama also helped me appreciate how far we have come as a society. The decades-long timeline also allowed for depth in the exploration of the trauma the divorce had on the families involved. This thought-provoking story would be particularly wonderful for a multi-generation book club. #gifted by HarperAudio
Find this book in: Books Set in the 70s
Lady Tremaine
Author: Rachel Hochhauser
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: March 2026 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is one Cinderella retelling you’ve never read before. In this dark reimagining of Cinderella’s story, Lady Tremaine takes center stage in a non-magical version that reminded me of Ever After (the Drew Barrymore movie of my dreams!). It depicted the rise and fall of Lady Tremaine’s fortunes and the reasoning behind many of her decisions.
While this story is devoid of magic, the dark themes explored included what parents will sacrifice for their children, corruption of power, and the darker side of aristocratic life.
Trigger Warnings
Sexual Assault
Why Kirsten loves it
First of all, I love a villain retelling because the story is always so different when told from the bad guy’s perspective, and Lady Tremaine had me firmly on her side the entire time. I adored how dark this version of Cinderella got. It was incredibly thought-provoking to have the story told and examined with the darker plot twists. It was an enjoyable listen, and the audiobook narrator brought the story to life. #Gifted by MacMillan Audio
Find this book in: Fairy Tale Retellings for Adults / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2026
The House of Hidden Letters
Author: Izzy Broom
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
In this dual timeline narrative, Skye is running from a difficult marriage. She buys a dilapidated home on a Greek island for $1 and, with the help of her new neighbors, begins to renovate the property. During the renovation, she uncovers a cache of letters from WWII. While she tries to figure out what happened on the island in the past, she’s also trying to get her own life in order.
Meanwhile, in the WWII timeline, letters show what life was like on Folegandros during the war when the island’s men were fighting the very people occupying their shores.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
This story reminded me of a mash-up between Under the Tuscan Sun and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. It was heartwarming and thought-provoking without being too heavy, unlike many other WWII stories. I fell for all the characters in this story! #gifted by Berkley.
Find this book in: WWII Books / Best Beach Reads 2026
Daughters of the Sun and Moon
Author: Lisa See
Release Date: June 9, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
This story is about three Chinese women in Los Angeles in 1870. Dove, foot-bound, is the daughter of a scholar, sent to be the second wife of a wealthy Chinese merchant. Petal has been sold twice, once by her father for money to buy rice seed, and again at a human auction when she arrives in the United States. Moon, the wife of a Chinese doctor, speaks fluent English but walks with a limp due to a failed foot binding.
The three women find their way to each other and feel a connection when the anti-Chinese sentiment is very strong. The Night of Horrors brings the three women together. The story is told in the 1870s and the 1920s, after the Second World War.
Trigger Warnings
Rape, murder, physical assault, torture
Why Jackie loves it
Lisa See not only researches her books meticulously, but she also delivers characters that are rich and seem to emerge from the page.
Find this book in: Books Set in the 1920s
Expert Tip
Are you looking for the best new historical fiction books of 2026 but can’t choose what to read next? Here are some expert tips for choosing your next book:
- If you know what genre of book you are in the mood for, pick a book from that category
- Are you a “Kirsten” or a “Jackie”? Have a look at who read the book and what we loved about it. Kirsten and I often read different books, so you have a wide variety of books to choose from. Bonus if we both read the book!
- Read the description of what the book is about. Kirsten and I never include books that we have not read in our book lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best new historical fiction books of 2026?
Kirsten and I have read some fantastic historical fiction books this year. Some of our favorites are:
1. Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns
2. Liar’s Dice by Juliet Faithful
3. The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin
Related Content
- Best Historical Fiction Books of 2025
- Best Fiction Books of 2026
Epilogue
What is your favorite historical fiction book of 2026? If you have a book that you loved that is not on this list, please let me know so I can add it to my TBR.
