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Dual timelines are a fantastic way to get lost in a story.
They let you experience two different time periods at once, building suspense and intrigue as both timelines slowly come together.
It’s one of my favorite storytelling techniques because it keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
Historical fiction is a genre I truly enjoy, and when it’s paired with dual timelines, it’s even better.
You get the chance to dive into different time periods and see how events in the past affect the present.
In this post, I’m sharing 15 historical fiction books with dual timelines that you should check out.
1. The Lavender Garden by Lucinda Riley
This book takes you from the sunny south of France to World War II Paris.
Emilie inherits a stunning château but also a pile of debt and questions about her family’s past.
Meanwhile, Constance, a British clerk, finds herself in a dangerous undercover mission in Nazi-occupied Paris, where she must decide who to trust.
As Emilie uncovers secrets about her family’s involvement in the war, she starts to realize just how connected she is to Constance.
2. Time’s Undoing by Cheryl A. Head
This story jumps from 1929 Birmingham, Alabama, where Robert, a Black carpenter, faces growing danger in a city dominated by the Klan, to 2019 when Meghan, his great-granddaughter, seeks answers about his unsolved murder.
Meghan’s search for the truth pulls her into a journey of uncovering painful family secrets and fighting for justice.
It’s a beautiful display of family, history, and the strength of a community coming together to fight for change.
3. Two Wars and a Wedding by Lauren Willig
Betsy Hayes, a young archaeologist in 1896, heads to Greece to follow her passion for excavation but gets swept into war nursing when a war breaks out.
In 1898, she joins the Spanish-American War to save her estranged friend.
Through both wars, Betsy navigates friendship, love, and challenges as she strives to be more than the women around her expect.
It’s an inspiring story of a bold woman breaking barriers.
4. The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo
In 1943, young Nena discovers she has supernatural powers, and her journey into magic takes her from El Paso to colonial Mexico, where she learns about her true strength.
In the present day, her grandniece Marta, a lawyer, also discovers her own supernatural abilities.
Together, they search for a long-lost child, and soon uncover family legacies, magic, and deep connections.
This one is a heartwarming story about family, magic, and finding one’s true path.
5. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
Edie Burchill’s life changes when a letter leads her to Milderhurst Castle, a decaying mansion with secrets tied to her mother’s past.
As Edie finds out family history and the mysteries surrounding the Blythe sisters, she begins to piece together a haunting story of love and loss during WWII.
I loved this because it is an atmospheric tale of uncovering the power of memory and how the past shapes our present.
6. The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Charlotte Cross, an archaeology student, heads to Egypt in 1936 for a dig but is changed forever by a tragedy.
In 1978, Annie Jenkins is working for Vogue and finds herself involved in a mysterious disappearance linked to Charlotte’s past.
Together, they unravel an ancient mystery that takes them to Egypt and confronts Charlotte’s darkest secrets.
7. Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
Bern Hendricks, a professor of music, finds out a shocking secret about the famous composer Frederick Delaney.
It turns out that his greatest work may have been stolen from a Black woman, Josephine Reed.
As Bern investigates, he discovers a tangled web of lies and faces powerful forces trying to suppress the truth.
This book is an inspiring, suspense-filled story about righting historical wrongs and honoring hidden talent.
8. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
When Eva returns to Cornwall to scatter her sister Katrina’s ashes, she finds herself connected to the past in a way she never expected.
At her childhood summer home, Eva can slip between centuries and interact with the people of the past.
And this includes Daniel Butler, a man from the 18th century who’s long gone but still holds a place in her heart.
9. Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey
Jess, fleeing an abusive relationship, finds herself in an old house in London where she stumbles upon a letter from 1942.
This leads her to the love story between Stella, a British woman, and Dan, a U.S. airman, whose love letters were the only thing that kept them going during the war.
Jess’s search for their story becomes a healing journey for herself.
This is a tender and emotional read that will make you believe in love across time.
10. Overseas by Beatriz Williams
Kate, a Wall Street analyst, is swept into a romance with Julian, a billionaire with a mysterious past.
Their love story spans both modern New York and World War I France, where Julian was saved by a woman who may be the key to their connection.
As they confront their past, their love grows stronger in this romantic and sweeping tale about love that transcends time.
11. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Vianne and Isabelle are two sisters living in France during WWII, each facing the horrors of war in their own way.
While Vianne struggles to protect her family, Isabelle joins the Resistance to fight back.
Their courage, strength, and love for each other are tested in unimaginable ways, which makes this a deeply moving story of bravery and sisterhood during one of the darkest times in history.
12. The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch
Rosie, a young woman from a noble family, returns to Russia to find out the tragic history of her ancestors.
The story spans three generations, starting with Tonya, a noblewoman caught in the 1917 Revolution.
As Rosie delves into her family’s past, she learns of betrayal, love, and the hardships faced during the Soviet era.
13. What the Light Touches by Xavier Bosch
In 1940s Paris, Margaux’s life is turned upside down when a photo of her appears in Nazi propaganda.
Years later, in 2008, her granddaughter Barbara moves into Margaux’s apartment, where she finds out secrets about their family’s past.
As she unravels the mystery with the help of a stranger, Barbara is drawn into a story of love, loss, and family legacy.
An emotional tale of history and the bonds that shape our lives, I’d recommend this book to anyone any time of the day.
14. The Midnight House by Amanda Geard
In 1940, Lady Charlotte disappears mysteriously, and her death affects her family for years.
As Nancy’s daughter, Hattie, moves into Blackwater Hall, she begins to uncover secrets.
Decades later, Ellie finds a letter that holds the key to unlocking Charlotte’s disappearance.
This one is a wonderful, haunting mystery about family, secrets, and the ghosts that linger.
15. A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain
Kendra Donovan, a rising star at the FBI, accidentally travels back in time to 1815 England.
She becomes involved in a murder mystery, where her modern skills clash with the past’s rigid rules.
This book is a thrilling adventure with mystery, time travel, and a strong, clever lead character.
If you’re interested in more book recommendations, feel free to check out my related posts!
I’d love to hear your thoughts – are there any books you’d add to the list?
Drop a comment below, and let’s chat.
