The Best Historical Romance Books of 2016

Written by Silke, updated 08 Jun 2021

The year is ending soon and people start asking about gift ideas - so we thought that it would be the perfect time to put down our list of the best historical romance books released this year.

  • #1 Storm and Silence - Robert Thier

    Storm and Silence - Robert Thier

    new adult historical victorian mystery office

    Best victorian romance

    Freedom – that is what Lilly Linton wants most in life. Not marriage, not a brood of squalling brats, and certainly not love, thank you very much! But freedom is a rare commodity in 19th-century London, where girls are expected to spend their lives sitting at home, fully occupied with looking pretty. Lilly is at her wits’ end – until a chance encounter with a dark, dangerous and powerful stranger changes her life forever.. more

  • #2 Marrying Winterborne - Lisa Kleypas

    Marrying Winterborne - Lisa Kleypas

    historical victorian regency funny friends to lovers

    Best high society romance

    Savage ambition has brought common-born Rhys Winterborne vast wealth and success. In business and beyond, Rhys gets exactly what he wants. And from the moment he meets the shy, aristocratic Lady Helen Ravenel, he is determined to possess her. If he must take her virtue to ensure she marries him, so much the better... Helen has had little contact with the glittering, cynical world of London society. Yet Rhys’s determined seduction awakens an intense mutual passion. Helen’s gentle upbringing belies a stubborn conviction that only she can tame her unruly husband.. more

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  • #3 A Promise of Fire - Amanda Bouchet

    A Promise of Fire - Amanda Bouchet

    fantasy paranormal magic ancient times abduction

    Best fantasy

    Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…

    Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn... more

  • #4 A Gentleman's Position - K.J. Charles

    A Gentleman's Position - K.J. Charles

    m-m (gay) regency historical politician friends to lovers

    Best M-M historical

    Power, privilege, and the rigid rules of class leave two hearts yearning for connection... Among his eccentric though strictly principled group of friends, Lord Richard Vane is the confidant on whom everyone depends for advice, moral rectitude, and discreet assistance. Yet when Richard has a problem, he turns to his valet, a fixer of unparalleled genius—and the object of Richard’s deepest desires. If there is one rule a gentleman must follow, it is never to dally with servants. But when David is close enough to touch, the rules of class collide with the basest sort of animal instinct: overpowering lust... more

  • #5 Duke of Sin - Elizabeth Hoyt

    Duke of Sin - Elizabeth Hoyt

    regency historical enemies to lovers forbidden love boss & employee

    Best strong heroine

    Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery's household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous. Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can't resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear.. more

  • #6 The Beautiful Pretender - Melanie Dickerson

    The Beautiful Pretender - Melanie Dickerson

    christian fantasy medieval historical royalty

    Best medieval romance

    What happens when a margrave realizes he’s fallen in love with a servant? The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character. Avelina is only responsible for two things: making sure her deception goes undetected and avoiding being selected as the margrave’s bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.. more

  • #7 A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas

    A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas

    friends to lovers forbidden love bad boys demons mystery

    Best young adult

    Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two... more

  • #8 Forbidden - Beverly Jenkins

    Forbidden - Beverly Jenkins

    western historical western frontier african-american multicultural

    Best african-american romance

    Rhine Fontaine is building the successful life he's always dreamed of—one that depends upon him passing for White. But for the first time in years, he wishes he could step out from behind the façade. The reason: Eddy Carmichael, the young woman he rescued in the desert. Outspoken, defiant, and beautiful, Eddy tempts Rhine in ways that could cost him everything . . . and the price seems worth paying... more

  • #9 My Lady Jane - Cynthia Hand,Brodi Ashton,Jodi Meadows

    My Lady Jane - Cynthia Hand,Brodi Ashton,Jodi Meadows

    paranormal historical fantasy magic young adult

    Best hilarious historical

    The comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey. In My Lady Jane , coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride , featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help. At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about... more

  • #10 Lady Lost - Jane Goodger

    Lady Lost - Jane Goodger

    historical victorian mystery marriage of convenience strong heroine

    Best marriage-of-convenience

    All Marcus Granton wants is to be left alone to lick his wounds after the humiliating scandal of his wife’s death in another man’s bed. Secluded in his moldering seaside estate on the cliffs of the Black Sea, he suddenly finds himself host to Lady Lilian Martin, one small child, and an annoying cache of servants all bent on ruining his solitude. Seems the lady got herself into a bit of a pickle and is accused of murder, of all things. Now she must rely on him for protection—and to keep his thoughts and hands away from her delectable body.. more