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Do you ever find yourself wishing for love stories that are as timeless as they are pure?
I know I do.
Clean historical romances are such a joy to read—they take us to charming eras filled with old-fashioned courtships and heartfelt connections.
These are the stories that leave you smiling long after the last page.
If you’re looking for tales of love that are sweet, simple, and full of heart, these books are a perfect place to start.
1. No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer
Emma Chandler is fiercely independent and runs a women’s colony where men are, quite literally, optional.
But when danger threatens her community, she reluctantly turns to Malachi Shaw, the one man she trusts.
As they face increasing threats, their connection deepens, but survival will require more than courage—it’ll take trust, love, and determination.
2. A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist
Constance Morrow’s life is upended when she’s forced aboard a ship to America as part of a “tobacco bride” program.
Drew O’Connor, still mourning his first love, reluctantly takes her in, expecting a housekeeper—not a fiery and headstrong noblewoman with a knack for turning his world upside down. T
heir journey from inconvenience to connection is filled with humor, tension, and the slow build of trust.
3. A Loyal Heart by Jody Hedlund
Captured and held for ransom, Lady Olivia must balance her loyalty to her family with her unexpected feelings for her captor’s knight, Sir Aldric.
As danger looms and loyalties are tested, Olivia and Aldric are forced to decide what truly matters: duty, wealth, or the undeniable bond growing between them.
This medieval romance is equal parts action and heartfelt emotion.
4. A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist
Joe Denton is mourning his late wife and trying to hold on to his land when Anna Ivey, a “Mercer girl” from the East, steps into his life.
Their marriage is meant to be a practical arrangement, but Anna’s determination, humor, and unexpected warmth begin to thaw Joe’s grief.
Their story is tender, funny, and full of second chances.
5. Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
Harry Windower is head-over-heels for Athena Lancaster but believes his lack of wealth makes him unworthy.
Tasked with helping her find a husband, he cleverly introduces her to one unsuitable suitor after another.
Athena, meanwhile, starts to realize that the man she’s looking for might be right under her nose.
This is a sweet and witty Regency tale about love hidden in plain sight.
6. The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller
Lavinia Ellison, the outspoken daughter of a reverend, has no time for Nicholas Stamford, the brooding Earl of Hawkesbury who seems indifferent to the struggles of her village.
But as their lives intertwine, Lavinia begins to see the wounded heart behind his arrogance, and Nicholas finds himself drawn to her compassion and strength.
7. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Angel has endured years of betrayal and heartbreak, leaving her cold and distant.
Michael Hosea, a man of faith and kindness, is determined to show her unconditional love, even as she pushes him away.
Set during California’s Gold Rush, this is a deeply moving story about healing, redemption, and the power of love to transform even the most broken soul.
8. Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson
Kate Worthington dreams of freedom from her controlling family and has set her sights on India.
But to earn her independence, she must first survive a season at Blackmoore, a grand English estate, and secure three proposals—only to reject them all.
With the help of her childhood friend Henry, Kate discovers that following her heart may lead her to an unexpected future.
9. A Taste for Scandal by Erin Knightley
Jane Bunting is focused on running her bakery and supporting her family when Richard Moore, the charming Earl of Raleigh, sets his sights on her.
What begins as a lighthearted flirtation becomes a deeper connection as their worlds collide.
Their story is a sweet and passionate romance about defying expectations and finding love where you least expect it.
10. Arabella by Georgette Heyer
Arabella Tallant dreams of finding a wealthy suitor during her first London season, but an overheard insult leads her to claim she’s an heiress.
Her fib lands her in the social spotlight and catches the attention of the enigmatic Robert Beaumaris, who decides to test her resolve.
Filled with humor, charm, and heartfelt moments, this Regency classic is a delightful tale of pride, love, and second chances.
11. Miss Newbury’s List by Megan Walker
Rosalind Newbury has a fiancé and a future mapped out, but she’s not ready to settle down without a little adventure first.
With the help of her friend and a roguish boxer named Charlie, she crosses off daring tasks from her secret list.
As her heart starts pulling her in a different direction, Ros must decide whether to follow duty or chase the freedom she’s just begun to taste.
12. Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Gabi Betarrini is bored out of her mind on yet another archaeological dig in Italy—until she’s suddenly transported to 14th-century Tuscany and thrown into a world of knights, battles, and medieval intrigue.
As Gabi adapts to this new reality, she discovers a strength she never knew she had and a life she may not want to leave behind.
13. The Fall of Lord Drayson by Rachael Anderson
When Lucy Beresford is forced out of her home by the new Earl of Drayson, she takes revenge by convincing the amnesiac earl that he’s her servant.
But as she gets to know him, Lucy realizes that people aren’t always what they seem, and sometimes life’s greatest surprises come in the most unlikely packages.
14. Mary, Everything by Cassandra Yorke
Courtney’s quiet college job takes a strange turn when a haunted yearbook connects her to a life-or-death mystery spanning decades.
With help from friends in 1921, she battles dark forces threatening her existence.
This gripping story explores love and identity across time, which proves that some connections are too strong to be broken.
15. Marrying Christopher by Michele Paige Holmes
Christopher Thatcher is finally free to follow his dreams, but when he meets the mysterious Marsali Abbott on a transatlantic voyage, his plans are shaken.
As the truth about Marsali’s future unfolds, Christopher must decide if love and loyalty are worth risking everything he thought he wanted.
Also See: 11 Sweet & Dazzling Gilded Age Books You Need To Read
16. Lady Fiasco by Kathleen Baldwin
Fiona Hawthorn has a reputation for turning even the simplest situations into chaos, which makes her ill-suited for the formal world of the Beau Monde.
When Lord Wesmont re-enters her life, his hardened heart begins to thaw—but only if he can accept that love sometimes comes with a bit of disorder.
17. The Tenacious Miss Tamerlane by Kasey Michaels
Tansy Tamerlane has no interest in being a typical governess, especially when she’s swept into the lively chaos of the Benedict family.
With a sharp wit and an iron will, Tansy turns their world upside down and earns the respect—and affection—of the aloof Duke of Avonall in the most unexpected ways.
18. The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch
Alicia’s only hope of saving her family is to marry for wealth, but her growing affection for the mysterious Lord Amesbury complicates her plans.
As secrets from his past and dangers from her own threaten their fragile connection, Alicia discovers that true love comes with risks worth taking.
19. Of Lands High and Low by Martha Keyes
Isla Findlay doesn’t fit in anywhere, and her isolated Scottish village is torn apart by fear when smallpox arrives.
Dr. Graeme MacNeill’s arrival stirs tension—and sparks—with Isla, which forces them to confront their beliefs and each other in a story of survival and unexpected connection.
20. To Sketch a Sphinx by Rebecca Connolly
Hal Mortimer has spent her career sketching secrets for England’s spies, but when she’s forced into the field—and into a marriage of convenience with the prickly John Pratt—her world shifts.
Their mission in Paris tests their wit and trust, showing them that even the coldest alliances can ignite into something more.
The beauty of clean historical romance lies in its simplicity and its ability to transport us to a time when love felt a little more magical.
I hope this list has inspired you to cozy up with one of these timeless love stories.
Have a favorite I didn’t mention? Or are you adding a new one to your list? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to chat about all things romance!
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