Historical Fiction is my favorite genre, and I’m eager to share my favorites of the year.
2025
Historical Fiction Favorites
I’m linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl: Top Ten Tuesday (and going rogue).
“I love compiling a top ten list!”
Titles are links to my reviews (which contain Amazon affiliate links).
All titles in this post were read this year.
Thanks for sharing great historical fiction with me this year!
Favorite Historical Fiction of 2025
I read 53 histfic selections in 2025, and these are the standouts based on the qualities of enjoyment, engagement, compelling, unputdownable, memorable, unique, and book hangover.
#1
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter
(WWII, Italy)
Superlative: “Most Brave, Determined, and Sacrificial”
WHY: “Friends as close as sisters.”
#2
The Harvey Girls by Juliette Fay
(1920s, USA)
Superlative: “Most Page-turning”
WHY: Informative histfic with a side of thriller.
#3
The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz
(1837, Canada)
Superlative: “Most Multi-layered”
WHY: The female main character is a devoted friend, a kind stepmother, a determined advocate, and a brave spouse.
#4
New Arrivals on West India Dock Road by Renita D’Silva
(1938, London)
Superlative: “Most Inspiring New Beginning”
WHY: An immigrant story and new beginnings.
#5
A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolley
(1851, London)
Superlative: “Most Atmospheric”
WHY: A glimpse into the family life of Charles Dickens.
#6
White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton
(1930s, North Korea and Japan)
Superlative: “Most Character-driven”
WHY: Reading like a memoir, this is a compelling story of survival and following your dreams.
#7
The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin
(1895, London)
Superlative: “Most Daring”
WHY: Women who love to read defy oppressive husbands and social norms and join a secret book club.
#8
Victory for the Foyles Bookshop Girls by Elaine Roberts
(WWI, London)
Superlative: “Most Heartwarming and Uplifting Conclusion”
WHY: WWI is a welcome change of setting, and women supporting women is a compelling premise. (#6 in a series but can be read as a stand-alone)
#9
No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde
(Regency England)
Superlative: “Most Interesting Premise”
WHY: This is a compelling genre mashup (history, mystery, intrigue, family drama, inspiration, and slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance).
#10
A Wager with the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund
(1840, St. Louis)
Superlative: “Most Riveting from Page One”
WHY: Balanced character-driven and plot-driven fiction. (#3 in a loosely connected series that can be read as stand-alones)
Top Ten Most Memorable Reads of the Year Coming Next Week!
QOTD:
Share your favorite historical fiction of the year in the comments! Please?! I’d love to hear!
Happy Reading Book Worms
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
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~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text
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I’m adding The Secret Book Society to my TBR
Thanks for sharing your #TTT, and Merry Christmas!
Is an entertaining read! Enjoy! Merry Christmas 🎄
The Secret Book Society is the only book listed here that I’ve heard of. Sadly, it sits on my TBR a bit longer.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/2026-releases-to-get-excited-about/
I how you enjoy it when the time is right! 🎄
I love this idea! The Lawyer and the Laundress looks amazing 😊. I should try to read a little more historical fiction next year.
If you’d like to visit, here’s my TTT:
https://thebooklorefairyreads.wordpress.com/2025/12/22/top-ten-tuesday-books-on-my-winter-2025-2026-to-read-list/
Thanks! Happy 2026 reading! 🎄
Love these Carol and have added your last two to my TBR. I think my favourite historical fiction this year has to be Ariel Lawton’s The Frozen River which was brilliant.
Yes, that was a compelling read! So many great reads this year!
I think you’re of the historical fiction experts in the TTT community. 🙂
Any chance I can get to spread the love for histfic!
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but I’m glad you enjoyed so many this year. Merry Christmas!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Lindsay! 📚 Merry Christmas! 🎄
Nice picks. I just finished The Christmas Ring. It is a good book. I loved it. I read it in one day. Have a great week. Merry Christmas! Here is my TTT. https://dmhoisington.wordpress.com/2025/12/23/top-ten-tuesday-15/
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Merry Christmas! 🎄 Hopping over to your post…..
You are welcome
It’s fun for me to see what historical fiction you enjoyed the most.
Thanks! Although it was difficult to limit it to ten! Happy 2026 reading!
I enjoy reading historical fiction too but I haven’t read any of your favorites. Let’s see, a few of my historical favorites from the year: Frozen River; The Briar Club; Isola; and The Antidote. Merry Christmas!
I’ve read Frozen River and Briar Club! So many memorable reads! I’m happy to hear we share the love for histfic. Merry Christmas!🎄
I commented on your post but I had difficulty so I think I commented twice! Delete one! 😂
I love a good hist fic read and I haven’t read any of these yet. Several of them are already on my TBR list, but there’s always room for more!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
All tbr worthy! Happy 2026 reading!
I tend to steer clear of Historical books for some reason but if it’s set during WW2 then it does intrigue me to check them out 🙂
Heres a link to my TTT – https://justreadjessie.blog/2025/12/23/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-hope-santa-brings/
I keep thinking I’m burned out on WW2 histfic, then along comes another irresistible title!
I have read a lot of good historical fiction this year but have only read White Mulberry, which I enjoyed. I read it just before we went on holidays to Japan and South Korea!
You’re the first person I know who’s read it! I wonder if she’ll write a sequel? I’d like to know what happens next!
I have no stone unturned on my shelves but haven’t had an opportunity to read it yet. My favorite historical in 2025 has been the Of Cloaks & Daggers series by Erica Vetsch. I could not put them down!
I need to check out that series!
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