WWII Romance Books
There have been so many WWII novels over the years (dare I say too many?), but my personal favorites are ones that focus on love stories because they represent hope in the face of the darkest evil. That’s why I wanted to round up my favorite WWII romance books for you.
Any WWII novel is considered historical fiction, but what makes it historical romance is whether the book has a love story at the center of the plot. The stories below all feature a love story that will have your heart singing as you find the silver lining in these novels about the darkest time in world history.
The Best WWII Romance Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best WWII Sweeping Love Story
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons – Jump to section
The Best WW2 Romance Novel Set in France
The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah – Jump to section
The Best WWII Romance Book Set in Britain
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffner and Annie Barrows – Jump to section
The Best World War 2 Romance Novel Set in the US
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford – Jump to section
*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.
Sweeping WWII Love Stories
The Bronze Horseman
Author: Paullina Simons
Year: 2009
Genre: Historical Romance
More info: Bronze Horseman #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This epic love story can almost rival that of Jamie and Claire in Outlander. This saga takes place over decades and all over the world. This is an epic love story that begins in Leningrad during WWII.
Tatiana Metanova meets Alexander, an officer of the Red Army. Amid the terror of the war, the two fall in love, but Alexander is keeping a secret that can devastate them all.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a fantastic story from a historical fiction perspective because of the attention to detail. I learned a lot about everyday life in that era. Like Outlander, it’s a whopping 1000 pages but I couldn’t stop!
Find this book in: Historical Romance / Books Like Outlander / Cozy Books / Books with Colors in the Title/ The Best Long Books / WWII Romance Books
The Invisible Bridge
Author: Julie Orringer
Year: 2010
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestsellers
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
On the verge of war with Germany, Andras Lévi arrives in Paris from Budapest as a Jewish architecture student with a letter to C. Morgenstern, becoming intertwined in the lives of the letter’s recipients while his brothers are on their own paths. His older brother is a medical student, and his young brother becomes an actor until Europe descends into war.
From Paris to Budapest to the Hungarian countryside and then into labor camps, the brothers’ bond will be tested as they try to remain a family during Europe’s darkest hour.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, War, Child Death
Why Jackie loves it
Clocking in at over 500 pages, I wasn’t sure I could handle a book that was that long. However, I decided to read it, and boy am I glad I did! The story is part coming-of-age, part wartime survival. The characters come to life, flaws and all, as you experience the thrill of first love, the loss of innocence, and the grittiness of war.
Find this book in: Best Books by Jewish Writers and Authors / Books Set in Paris / WWII Romance Books
The Golden Hour
Author: Beatriz Williams
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling author of The Summer Wives
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This historical fiction story takes place in the Bahamas during WWII. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor are prominently featured, though the main story revolves around the murder of a man named Harry Oaks, life in Nassau, and the romance between the female lead and her beau.
There is also a bit of a flashback-type story that plays out in parts, too. It’s set in a tropical location, which sets it apart from most historical fiction stories.
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s a lovely little royal novel that had me flipping pages quickly and kept me entertained by the pool.
Find this book in: Books Like the Crown / Royal Reads / Books with Colors in the Title / Books Set in Tropical Locations / Royal Historical Fiction / WWII Romance Books
Beyond That, the Sea
Author: Laura Spence-Ash
Year: 2023
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I’ve read a lot of books about WWII but not as many books about what it was like after the war. This particular story is about Bea, an 11-year-old sent to America during the bombings in London. She assimilates into an American family with two sons during the war years, only to be wrenched away at the end of the war.
Her time in America forever changes Bea, and she struggles to reconnect to her home country and her family. As she grows up, her American family is never far from her heart.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved how she merged her two families throughout her life. While often sad at times, it was truly a lovely tale.
Find this book in: Beach Reads 2023 / Family Sagas / Seaside Books / WWII Romance Books
WW2 Romance Novels Set in France
The Lost Vintage
Author: Ann Mah
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Kate is working to become a certified wine expert and the only thing standing in her way are the Burgundy wines at her family’s estate (and her first love who lives nearby).
While dealing out the basement filled with generations of belongings, Kate starts to learn about her family during the WWII occupation. Of all the WWII books, this is the one we recommend the most and we have never had anyone not love it.
Why Kirsten loves it
This mystery book feels like a warm hug. A little bit of historical fiction, a little bit of mystery, and a little bit of romance. It was so lovely to read at sunset with a glass of wine.
Why Jackie loves it
This book has a little bit of everything and kept me turning the pages non-stop. I completely agree with Kirsten when she says this book feels like a warm hug. I loved every bit of it and was sad when it ended.
Find this book in: Fiction Books About Wine / Feel-Good Books / Books to Get Out of a Reading Slump / WWII Romance Books
The Paris Apartment
Author: Kelly Bowen
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
In 2017, Aurelia inherits an apartment in Paris when her grandmother dies. She is not prepared for what she finds inside the apartment that she never knew existed. Now she must get the help of an art restorer to discover the history and the mystery surrounding the apartment and its contents. In 1942, Estelle is living in Paris under Nazi occupation. When the Germans come to take away her beloved friends, Estelle does everything she can to help them.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, Violence
Why Jackie loves it
Oh, how I loved this book. Part historical fiction, part mystery, and part love story, this book was so well written, and the story was delivered perfectly.
Find this book in: Books Set in Paris / WWII Romance Books
Plot
After watching her husband get shot by an SS officer for hiding Jewish children, Lana joins the French Resistance. Lana, Guy, and Odette have stolen my heart. I can’t recommend this one enough!
Trigger Warnings
Miscarriage, Grief
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved this story, and I need to sing its praises. If you love WWII Historical Fiction, this one is for you! I’ve never read a book set in the French Riviera during this time, so I found the new setting particularly intriguing.
Find this book in: Books About Female Spies / WWII Romance Books
WWII Romance Books Set in Britain
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffner and Annie Barrows
Year: 2008
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This story about the island of Guernsey’s occupation during WWII features a book club that started to deceive the German soldiers. The members of the book club quickly become friends. Can you think of a better book for book clubs than one about a book club?
When a young novelist finds out about their society, she begins a correspondence and eventually visits them to learn more. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society must remain secret for their safety rather than by choice.
Trigger Warnings
War, Death
Why Jackie loves it
The story is told entirely in letters and was recently turned into a Netflix movie! I love this heartwarming novel. If you have not read this cozy book, I highly recommend it to anyone who loved The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner.
Find this book in: Secret Society Books / Books About WWII / Friendship Books / Books About Books / British Books / Epistolary Novels / Books with Food in the Title / Books About Book Clubs / Books Set on an Island / WWII Romance Books
The Kennedy Debutante
Author: Kerri Maher
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Range: 18+
Spice Rating: 💋💋
Plot
I had no idea the Kennedy girls were just as interesting at the Kennedy boys. This Historical Fiction biography told the story of Kick Kennedy during her stay in London before and during WWII. I found her to be a fascinating character.
Kick was a rebel, following her heart and standing up for what she believed in. I had so much sympathy for everything she went through in her life.
Why Kirsten loves it
I always love Kerri Maher’s historical fiction novels and this was no exception. Kick was one of the most fascinating subjects for a biographical fiction that I have ever read. I spent so much time googling photos of her during this time of her life that I felt like I knew her by the time the book was finished.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Books About Women in Politics / WWII Romance Books
The Last Bookshop in London
Author: Madeline Martin
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Range: 16+
Spice Rating: 💋💋
Plot
Grace has always wanted to live in London and finds herself working at a bookshop as WWII looms on the horizon. Grace’s newfound love of books, the store, and the friends who have become family, becomes the glue that holds her together during air raids, blitzes, and nights spent in darkness.
Trigger Warnings
War
Why Jackie loves it
Wow, did I love this book. I am always happy to have any excuse to recommend this great historical fiction, and this one was fabulous.
Find this book in: British Books / WWII Books / Books about Bookstores / WWII Romance Books
World War 2 Romance Novels Set in U.S.A
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Author: Jamie Ford
Year: 2009
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Two lovers are separated in the mists of war and are reunited later in life. The relationship between the characters is reminiscent of Outlander. The story is all about the treatment of Japanese immigrants in the United States during World War 2. I had no idea about the darker side of our country (and the internment camps) until I read this book. It was eye-opening.
Why Jackie loves it
Although I read this book years ago, the emotional impact of this book has stayed with me. And oh! That love story still warms my heart.
Find this book in: Novels about Immigration / WWII Romance Books
The Notebook
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Year: 1996
Genre: Romance
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
If you love the second-chance romance trope, this is an iconic book that skyrocketed to fame after the movie came out. This is one of the rare instances where the movie brought the book to life. And that kiss……
Post WWII, Noah cannot stop thinking about the beautiful and charismatic deb who stole his heart nearly a decade earlier. Allie is a socialite who is supposed to marry a wealthy lawyer. She is not supposed to be thinking about Noah. Will these two get their second chance at romance?
The Notebook is on Broadway, and Jackie and I were lucky enough to go see it. Were we both sobbing? 100%. Was it fantastic 100%
Why Kirsten loves it
To me, this is the quintessential second-chance romance!
Why Jackie loves it
I loved the book and then loved it even more after I saw the movie. This is one of the rare exceptions where the movie was just as good as the book.
Find this book in: Second Chance Romance Books / WWII Romance Books / Novels Set in Retirement Communities
The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club
Author: Martha Hall Kelly
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is a dual-timeline narrative that takes place in 2016 and 1942. Mari Starwood has gone to Martha’s vineyard from Califonia after the death of her mother. She is looking for answers with only the name of a famous painter as a clue.
The Smith girls are trying to hold their family together during WWII. Cadence and her best friend Bess start a book club which grows in members and popularity, while Cadence’s sister, Briar, is off snooping and spying. When a man washes ashore, he says there is a spy among them and the girls don’t know who to trust.
Trigger Warnings
War
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved learning about the impact of WWII on Martha’s Vineyard. I had no idea about the D-day drills or what life was like for the women on the island with the men off at war. Each character’s storyline was intriguing, though the 2016 narrative didn’t add much to the story, it DID help resolve a few wartime secrets in the present day. #gifted by PRH Audio
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2025 / WWII Books / Books Like The Alice Network / Books Set at the Beach / Books About Book Clubs / Books Set on an Island / WWII Romance Books
Expert Tip
- These are all WWII romance books, but check out the triggers listed at the bottom to make sure a story won’t be too much for you to handle.
- Try to pick a few books from different countries to get a better idea of how the war played out across the world.
- Don’t forget to pay attention to the spicy ratings!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best WWII romance novel to start with?
For an epic story, The Bronze Horseman, for a story worthy of a book club discussion, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.
Are there closed door WWII romance books?
Yes! In fact, many WWII romance novels are love stories more than steamy romances. Check the spice rating on each of our book cards to see which ones are closed-door, but start with The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club for mild spice.
Which WWII romance novels have a happy ending?
This is a tough one. Most romances do have a happy ending, including the one on this list, but many have bittersweet endings. The Bronze Horseman and The Lost Vintage are probably your safest bets for a happy ending.
What is the difference between WWII fiction and WWII historical romance?
WWII fiction centers the war or the home front, and its impact on the greater world, while WWII historical romances do that with a central love story too.
Are WWII romance novels good picks for book clubs?
They can be if the romance isn’t the only major plotline in the story. These stories have the potential to talk about PTSD, life on the front, and women’s issues back home, but sometimes they are also just about longing, so make sure you are reading the right kind of WWII romance novel for book club! Something like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society or The Lost Girls of Paris works well for a book club.
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Epilogue
While the WWII romance book trend was crazy popular a decade or so ago, I think there has been a steady decline in the number of these stories being written. Do you agree? That’s all the more reason to cherish a good story if you find one, so let me know your favorite below!
