“How steamy is this historical romance?”

For many romance readers, that is the first question they ask. If you’re asking because you want to make sure there is enough steam for you, then this is the blog post for you. If you prefer romances that keep anything more than kissing off the page, then go ahead and click away now.

On this page, I’m keeping a running list of the best steamy historical romance novels I read. Some of these are starter books for who I consider the best historical romance authors, and others are stand-outs you absolutely need to read this very minute.

What does “steamy romance” mean anyway?

“Steamy romance” means something different to every reader. If you really want to get granular break-downs of how many scenes are in each book and even what kind of “steamy acts” you can expect, I recommend checking out the private Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats group over Facebook (or following the admins on Goodreads).

For our purposes, I’m defining steamy as anything with multiple scenes featuring on-page physical intimacy. In other words, these are all steamy historical romance books that are appropriate for 18 years and older.

The Best Steamy Historical Romances (and Steamy Historical Romance Authors) I Loved

Looking for free online steamy historical romances? Jump here.

From Eva Leigh

You can count on Eva Leigh to write historical romances with lots of on-page intimacy where each character has specific sexual personalities and preferences.

my fake rake historical romance cover — My Fake Rake

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.61
A bluestocking hires a faux suitor to help her land an ideal husband only to be blindsided by real desire…

would i lie to the duke cover — Would I Lie to the Duke?

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.80
When an ambitious entrepreneur pretends to be a lady of means, she catches the eye—and heart—of a duke...

waiting for a scot like you historical romance cover — Waiting for a Scot Like You

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.74
For a merry widow and a stoic major, it’s a bumpy road to love…

temptations of a wallflower historical romance cover — Temptations of a Wallflower

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.69
A Lady’s secret career writing erotic fiction is jeopardized by real-life romance . . .

From Tessa Dare

Tessa Dare is known for her light touch. She writes heartfelt romances that are funny as well as sexy. You can always count on her characters to get it on! Here are a few of my favorites:

twice tempted by a rogue tessa dare cover — Twice Tempted by a Rogue

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.64
Horses, gambling, and secrets are the game played by the men of the Stud Club--until love raises the stakes in *Twice Tempted by a Rogue.*

three nights with a scoundrel historical romance cover — Three Nights with a Scoundrel

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.86
The men of the Stud Club live and play by their own rules—until passion changes the game.

when a scot ties the knot historical romance — When a Scot Ties the Knot

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.94
When Maddie’s fake lover shows up in the flesh, what choice does she have except to love him in the flesh?

From Cat Sebastian

When you’re reading a Cat Sebastian, you know you will have nuanced characters - and plenty of on-page steam. Some of the stand-outs for me are:

A Delicate Deception

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.85
Two lost souls find each other in the countryside, but can their passion last when they find out about each other’s pasts?

The Soldier’s Scoundrel

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.01
A scoundrel who lives in the shadows and a proper soldier come together on a mission…and in passion

From Mia Vincy

If you love a regency romance, you need to try out Mia Vincy. Not only are her characters and plots nearly perfect, but there are plenty of scenes that will make you fan yourself. My favorites are:

A Beastly Kind of Earl

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.85
An outcast fighting for her future and a recluse hiding from his past combine forces…and passion

A Wicked Kind of Husband

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.13
It was the ideal marriage of convenience...until they met

A Dangerous Kind of Lady

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.10
A desperate situation calls for dangerous deeds…

From Scarlett Peckham

I have a hunch that one of Scarlett Peckham’s goals in life is to help readers reclaim some sex positivity with her steamy historical romances. In these books, you’ll find characters who own their sexuality. The ones that live rent-free in my mind are:

The Rakess

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.87
She's a Rakess on a quest for women's rights. He's not looking for a summer lover. But one night changes everything...

The Lord I Left

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.86
He’s a minister to whores… She’s a fallen woman…

From Rose Lerner

Rose Lerner writes beautifully-research historical romances with sex scenes that pop. Including a few erotica novellas! Here are some of her full-length novels that I love:

Sweet Disorder

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.74
*Politics can make spectacular bedfellows…*

True Pretenses

Average Goodreads Rating: 3.98
A con man and an heiress make for interesting lovers!

Listen to the Moon

Average Goodreads Rating: 4.03
She’s a maid-of-all-work, and he’s a valet of no play...

Some Standouts

Confession: I often read just one book by an author before moving on, because I want to try so many authors! Here are a few of the best steamy historical romance novels that I’ve read as standalones: