5 Best Historical Romance Reads (2020)
I like to read widely across fiction: mysteries, literary fiction, yummy commercial fiction, an epic here and there, and sometimes even non-fiction.
But when I start reading romance, I fall into historical romance. I once spent an entire Memorial Day Weekend ensconced in my apartment, reading historical romances (mostly devouring Mary Balogh novels).
I tend to like Regency and Victorian historical romances the best, so here are 5 of my favorites to fill your shelf for 2020.
5 Favorite Historical Romance Reads for 2020
Historical Romance #1
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Why I Love This Historical Romance:
The tension of two protagonists who really don’t want to like each other but do is just so delicious! Then there’s the sassy heroine, the gruff hero who melts like butter by the end, and awesome banter.
Historical Romance #2
The Right Kind of Rogue by Valerie Bowman
Why I Love This Historical Romance:
This is a classic underdog story of the ignored girl finally capturing the popular boy’s attention. Hart and Meg make charming protagonists surrounded by a colorful cast.
Historical Romance #3
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
Why I Love This Historical Romance:
This Victorian romance is a break from the standard setting of good old England. Most of it takes place in India! Besides the beautiful descriptions, this love story feels so modern because it’s about a divorced couple who finally start talking about what went wrong and find their way back to each other.
Historical Romance #4
Longing by Mary Balogh
Why I Love This Historical Romance:
I downloaded Longing in the middle of my long weekend reading Mary Balogh, and I expected another novel set in London or the English countryside. Instead, it explores the power dynamics in a Welsh coal mining town. You get romance and an interesting dissection of the industrial revolution.
Historical Romance #5
The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
Why I Love This Historical Romance:
You’ve got to love a wallflower who takes the reins of her own destiny! While I skimmed over some of the subplot about the gaming hall, I really enjoyed the initial setup of a rake and a wallflower finding common ground.