romance books about travel

Travel Romances to Escape Into

I’m ready for a vacation – maybe a road trip, a quiet beach, a country estate, or a trip to see the wonders of a National Park. It’s time for some romance book travel! I’ve included a few of my favorites but would love to hear your favorites too!

Float Plan by Trish Dollar, takes place in the Caribbean. A young woman, Anna, hires Keane to help her sail the route she and her fiancé had planned to take before he passed away. The scenery is breathtaking. My favorite parts of the story are when they are island hopping, cliff jumping, whale watching and swimming with sea turtles. (DIK)

In The Beach Trap by Ali Brady, Kate and Blake are half-sisters who inherit a beach house in Destin, FL. I loved watching the sisters get to know and care for each other again as they fix up their beach house. There are also two love stories and I especially liked Blake’s and Noah’s because of the humor the two share.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee, is a marvelous romp featuring Monty and Percy who head out for a grand tour of Europe that turns into a grand adventure with highwaymen, pirates, daring escapes and a mystery. I adored this coming-of-age story of love and friendship. (DIK)

In A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase, Grace and her  mom, Loralynn, (who is obsessed with Elvis) go on a road trip from El Paso to Graceland in her mom’s purple Cadillac. Their journey is funny and sad as they make roadside stops and discover old secrets. My favorite part is when Grace finds romance along the way. (DIK)

Powerless by Elsie Silver, has Jasper, a hockey player and Sloane, a ballerina, carrying a load of hay across the Canadian Rockies to Sloane’s cousin’s ranch. It’s a little angsty in spots but it’s often lighthearted. As the two travel, they swim in a mountain lake and find love as they stay in a cabin on the way. My favorite part is when Jasper rescues Sloane from her cheating ex. I enjoyed this spicy, small-town romance.

In You, With a View , Jessica Joyce, Noelle and Theo explore incredible scenery as they travel through the Western U.S. They hike on trails, boat through canyons, and take a jeep tour with breathtaking views and open their hearts to each other. I loved it because of the funny banter and amazing scenery. (DIK)

Less by Andrew Sean Greer, is a Pulitzer Prize winning love story. Less is feeling sad after he gets a wedding invitation to Freddy’s wedding, his boyfriend for the past nine years. Less wants to get away and decides to attend literary events he has been invited to (he’s a writer) taking place around the world. He travels to Paris, Morocco, Berlin, India and more and then runs into someone who is very special to him when he least expects it. I especially enjoyed the humor and thought this was a lovely story.

In Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens, Laura travels to the Jersey Shore to visit the place where her parents first fell in love. Her adventure begins when she grabs the wrong suitcase at the airport. I loved the humor when Ted (her gruff cab driver and guide) helps her track down the suitcase owner and also helps her when she’s trying to find information about her parents. I thought this was a cute romcom.

A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare is a road trip adventure. Minerva offers Colin money if he will escort her to her to the Royal Geological Society of Scotland in Edinburgh so she can present her paper. Things quickly go wrong on their trip, but Colin teaches Minerva how to have fun. I loved Colin’s humor and Minerva’s passion for geology and her family. (DIK)

In Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh, we have Wulfric who is intrigued by Christine when he meets her at a house party at a friend’s country estate. Later in the story, he invites Christine to his sister’s house party at her country estate and I loved this part, where we see them enjoying the summer party festivities as they fall in love. (DIK)

Carley Fortune does beautiful settings in her books and my favorite is This Summer Will be Different . When Lucy visits her best friend on beautiful Prince Edward Island, she meets her friend’s brother Felix. I loved the gorgeous island setting, the big oyster shucking contest, and their long walks on the beach.

Escape to Egypt in As You Desire by Connie Brockway, where Desdemona and Harry find love and adventure at archeology digs. I especially love when Harry declares his love to Desdemona in his famous You Are My Egypt speech. (DIK)

I would love to hear from other readers, about your favorite romance travel books.

Kayne Spooner is a retired science teacher, dog owner, and proud grandma who lives in beautiful Colorado. While she's an avid reader of all genres, romances have always swept her off her feet. Kayne gravitates toward stories with humor, swoon-worthy love interests, and memorable furry sidekicks, although really, if there's a happy ever after, she's here for it! She loves sharing her passion for books with the romance community and connecting with fellow readers. https://www.instagram.com/kspoonerfish/.

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Gone With The Family

Adventures in Family Travel

Escape With These 40 Flirty Romance Books Set in Fabulous Destinations

At Home , Book Reviews / February 11, 2021 by Lisa Goodmurphy / 2 Comments

I’m a voracious reader and enjoy most genres of books but sometimes (like this winter) I just need a light, entertaining read. When this mood strikes then I turn to so-called chick-lit books for diversion. And, of course, my favourites are those that take place in a destination that I love or want to visit.

These 40 books are my picks for the best rom-coms and contemporary romance novels set in fabulous destinations – mostly new releases from the past couple of years plus a few old friends. They’re all perfect for Valentine’s Day season or any time that you need a little romantic escape!

You might also enjoy 36 Books Set in Paris: A Literary Escape to the City of Light and find all of our book recommendations here !

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to  Amazon.com  and affiliated sites.   As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Eighty Days to Elsewhere by KC Dyer

Setting: Around the world trip

“The Amazing Race” meets Around the World in 80 Days as a woman desperate to save her family bookstore falls for her competition.

This romantic comedy is a fun read as Romy travels the globe in an  Amazing Race  style (mis)adventure based on Jules Verne’s  Around the World in 80 Days  as part of a competition to land a job at ExLibris Expeditions and save the bookstore owned by her uncles in New York City.

Along the way, Romy discovers that her sole (rather attractive) competitor might not be as evil as she initially thought. On her madcap adventure Romy travels from New York City to Liverpool, London, Paris, the French Alps, Italy, Egypt, India, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Niagara Falls and more!

In the second installment in the ExLibris Adventures series, An Accidental Odyssey , Gia should be planning her wedding but a series of events result in her following her father, an eccentric Classics professor, to the Mediterranean where he will be retracing Odysseus’s famous voyage with assistance from an attractive, young archeologist.

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2. The Rome Affair by Karen Swan

Setting: Rome, Italy

1974 and Elena Damiani lives a gilded life. Born to wealth and a noted beauty, no door is closed to her, no man can resist her. At 26, she is already onto her third husband when she meets her love match. But he is the one man she can never have, and all the beauty and money in the world can’t change it.

2017 and Francesca Hackett is living la dolce vita in Rome, leading tourist groups around the Eternal City and forgetting the ghosts she left behind in London. When she finds a stolen designer handbag and returns it, she is brought into the orbit of her grand neighbor who lives across the piazza – famed socialite Viscontessa Elena dei Damiani Pignatelli della Mirandola.

Mutually intrigued by each other, the two women agree to collaborate on a project, with Cesca interviewing Elena for her memoirs. As summer unfurls, Elena tells her sensational stories, leaving Cesca in her thrall. But when a priceless diamond ring found in an ancient tunnel below the city streets is ascribed to Elena, Cesca begins to suspect a shocking secret at the heart of Elena’s life.

I haven’t read this novel yet but have read several others by Karen Swan. Many of her contemporary romance books are page-turners set in fabulous destinations and usually have a bit of a mystery element to them as well. This one set in Rome is the perfect escape if you’re in need of a little Italian dolce vita .

3. Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal

Setting: Pakistan

Told with wry wit and colorful prose, Unmarriageable is a charming update on Jane Austen’s beloved novel and an exhilarating exploration of love, marriage, class, and sisterhood.

I loved this retelling of Jane Austen’s  Pride and Prejudice  set in modern day Pakistan. Even though I technically knew how the story was going to end, I couldn’t wait to see how it all worked out for Alys, Darsee and the rest of the characters – such a fun read!

4. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Setting: London, England

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London’s trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season’s must-haves. The only trouble is, she can’t actually afford it – not any of it.

Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn’t pay much at all. And lately Becky’s been chased by dismal letters from the bank – letters with large red sums she can’t bear to read. She tries cutting back. But none of her efforts succeed. Her only consolation is to buy herself something . . . just a little something.

Any or all of Sophie Kinsella’s books could be on this list but I decided to go with the first. I read Confessions of a Shopaholic shortly after it was first published 20 years ago and was instantly hooked at Becky’s laugh-out-loud funny escapades and the London setting. I have read every book that Ms. Kinsella has written since as well as a couple that she had written previously under the name of Madeleine Wickham.

5. The Love & Series by Jenna Evans Welch

Setting: Tuscany (Book 1), Ireland (Book 2) and Greece (Book 3)

In Love & Gelato , 16 year-old Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn’t in the mood for Italy’s famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She’s only there because it was her mother’s dying wish that she get to know her father. But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy and a summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany following in her mother’s footsteps.

This is a fun read that both my teenage daughter and I enjoyed. Welch followed up the bestselling  Love & Gelato  with  Love & Luck  about a road trip through Ireland filled with love, adventure, and the true meaning behind the word family and  Love & Olives  about a teen girl finding romance while trying to connect with her absent father in beautiful Santorini, Greece.

6. Beach Read by Emily Henry

Setting: The Beach

A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters.

Although it’s not really in a particular destination, the two main characters are living next door to each other in beach houses for the summer which sounds like a fabulous destination to me! Loved the characters, the setting, the flirty dialogue and the way the author balances romance with serious issues – Emily Henry is a must-read author for me!

7. Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy by Kevin Kwan

Setting: Singapore and Hong Kong

When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor.

Crazy Rich Asians is the first in a trilogy by Kwan (the others are  China Rich Girlfriend  and  Rich People Problems ) and I loved them all! The stories are hilarious and have everything – love, romance, scheming social climbers and more. The novels are set primarily in Singapore and  Hong Kong  and have definitely stoked my wanderlust and desire to visit both of these incredible Asian cities. (For visual travel inspiration – watch the film after reading the books!)

8. The Flip Side by James Bailey

Setting: Bristol, England

Penny wise or pound foolish? A heartbroken young Brit decides to turn his love life over to the flip of a coin – in this delightfully British rom-com in the vein of Jenny Colgan, Rosie Curtis, Nick Hornby, and David Nicholls.

I love a British rom-com and I can’t wait to read this one that’s told from the guy’s point of view. Plus he lives in Bristol which has been on my travel wish list for quite some time!

9. The Hidden Beach by Karen Swan

Setting: Sweden

In the oldest part of Stockholm, Bell Everhurst is working as a nanny for an affluent family. Hanna and Max Von Greyerz are parents to seven year-old Linus and five-year old twins Ellinor and Tilde, and Bell has been with the family for more than two years.

One early Spring morning, as she’s rushing out to take the children to school, she answers the phone – and everything changes. A woman from a clinic she’s never heard of asks her to pass on the message that Hanna’s husband is awake. Bell is confused. She clearly just saw Max walking out of the house a few minutes earlier, but the woman mentioned Hanna by name . . . When she gets hold of her employer, the truth is revealed: Hanna’s first husband fell into a coma seven years earlier, following an accident. But now he’s awake. And life is going to change for them all.

I read this Karen Swan contemporary romance last summer and loved it! It’s set in the historic city of Stockholm and along the beautiful archipelagos of the Swedish coast. We visited Stockholm on a cruise several years ago and I have wanted to return to see more of Sweden ever since – this novel cemented that desire.

10. The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore

Setting: Tuscany, Italy

When Gracie Burton stumbles upon an advertisement for a week-long cookery course in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, she cannot resist, and ploughs her life savings into the trip. Her only family – daughter Carina and granddaughter Anastasia – are hesitant about what has prompted this seemingly random venture. But they have no sense of Gracie’s past; of what could possibly be calling her to Italy. They have no idea that Gracie is harbouring the secret of an extraordinary life that preceded them.

This was the first novel that I read by bestselling author, Santa Montefiore, and I enjoy her style of contemporary romance set in beautiful destinations. The theme of this novel is that you should never give up on your dreams no matter how long you hold onto them. I enjoyed reading about Gracie and the dreams that prompted her to visit the Tuscan countryside (a destination that I have always wanted to visit!).

11. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Setting: Australia and New York City

The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence – based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers.

It has been a few years since I read this novel but the quirky romance between an awkward genetics professor and the woman who is all wrong for him is one of my all-time favourite rom-coms. The couple live in Australia but there’s also a trip to New York City in an attempt to find Rosie’s father. The book also has two sequels The Rosie Effect and The Rosie Result .

12. Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding

Bridget Jones’s Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud account of a year in the life of a thirty-something Singleton on a permanent doomed quest for self-improvement.

It’s not possible to have a list of rom-coms without including Bridget Jones’ Diary as it’s widely considered one of the best rom-coms of all time. It has been 25 years since it was first published and I hold Helen Fielding responsible for my obsession with British rom-coms! It was also a wildly successful book which was followed by sequels detailing later developments in Bridget’s life as well as a series of films.

The follow-up books are: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason ; Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy ; and Bridget Jones’s Baby: The Diaries .

13. The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Setting: Hawaii

For two sworn enemies, anything can happen during the Hawaiian trip of a lifetime – maybe even love – in this romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling authors of Roomies.

I have yet to read this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy but it was on a lot of must-read lists for 2019. A bout of food poisoning takes out everyone in Olive’s sister’s wedding party except for Olive and her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man.

As a result, there’s an all-expenses paid vacation in Hawaii up for grabs that Olive and Ethan decide to take together despite their mutual hatred. Posing as loving honeymooners in paradise, however, might just lead to feelings that neither of them were expecting!

14. Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Setting: England

Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie’s work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can’t refuse. She’s excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn’t expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain private secretary, his charming accent, and unyielding formality.

I recently read this novel, by best-selling author Jasmine Guillory, and quite enjoyed the story of the middle age romance between Vivian and Malcolm. Most of the story is set at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate and in London as Vivian travelled to England with her daughter who is styling the Duchess.

It’s set during the holiday season but most of the plot isn’t Christmas-related so it’s a fun read at any time of the year. There’s one fairly steamy scene in the book so if you’re buying it as a gift then it might not be ideal for granny or your teenage daughter.

15. Anna and the French Kiss

Setting: Paris, France

A teen romance about a girl from Atlanta whose father sends her to boarding school in France for her senior year. Anna is less than thrilled until she meets Étienne St. Clair, the perfect boy. The only problem? He’s taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her crush back home.

16. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

Setting: Larchmont neighbourhood of Los Angeles

Meet Nina Hill: A young woman supremely confident in her own…shell.   The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book. When the father Nina never knew existed suddenly dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! They’re all – or mostly all -excited to meet her! She’ll have to Speak. To. Strangers. It’s a disaster! And as if that wasn’t enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny, and deeply interested in getting to know her. Doesn’t he realize what a terrible idea that is?

I loved this quirky romance when I read it a couple of years ago – maybe because I love books and trivia and love to plan too! It’s set in the Larchmont neighbourhood of Los Angeles which is known for its historic homes on tree-lined streets and quaint shopping district with cafes, boutiques and independent stores. I hadn’t heard of this neighbourhood before but reading the book made me think that I want to visit Larchmont when I finally get to Los Angeles.

17. Simmer Down by Sarah Smith

Setting: Maui

Nikki DiMarco knew life wouldn’t be all sunshine and coconuts when she quit her dream job to help her mom serve up mouthwatering Filipino dishes to hungry beach goers, but she didn’t expect the Maui food truck scene to be so eat-or-be-eaten – or the competition to be so smoking hot.

It has been years since we visited Maui and I would love to go back so I’m looking forward to reading this contemporary romance that revolves around the Maui food truck scene.

18. The Spanish Promise by Karen Swan

Setting: Madrid, Spain

One of Spain’s richest men is dying. But as he prepares his estate, his family is shocked to discover he is making plans to give away his wealth to a young woman they have never even heard of. Who is she, and what hold does she have over him?

Charlotte Fairfax is asked to travel to the troubled family’s home in Spain to get to the bottom of the mysterious bequest.

But in Madrid, things don’t go to plan when the woman denies knowing anything about the gift. Is she lying? Looking for clues, Charlotte digs into the prominent family’s history and unearths a dark and shocking past in which two people were torn apart by conflict.

That description along with the dreamy book cover was enough to put this book at the top of my summer reading list two years ago. Spain has been on my travel wish list for some time and reading this novel provided even more inspiration so hopefully I will be able to finally book that trip to Madrid and Barcelona soon!

19. Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay

Setting: Paris, Ireland and Tuscany

A thirty-year-old woman retraces her gap year through Ireland, France, and Italy to find love – and herself – in this hilarious and heartfelt novel.

A popular rom-com from 2020 that I just finished reading. Chelsea’s escapades in Europe are funny and there are heartfelt bits as well as she deals with her grief over the loss of her mother and how she can move on with her life.

What I enjoyed most though was travelling vicariously to Ireland, Paris and Tuscany with Chelsea. Reading about two of my favourite places (Ireland and Paris) and one at the top of my bucket list (Tuscany) was just the escape I needed while staying at home.

20. The Switch by Beth O’Leary

Setting: London and a Yorkshire village

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen’s house for some long-overdue rest.

Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She’d like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn’t offer many eligible gentlemen.

So they decide to try a two-month swap.

Another popular rom-com from 2020 that I have just finished reading and I loved this charming feel-good story about a grandmother/granddaughter duo switching lives and finding love and happiness as a result.

Eileen was my favourite character in this book – we all could use a feisty grandma like her – and I loved the small Yorkshire village where she lives. Yorkshire has been on my travel wish list for awhile and now I want to visit all the more!

21. Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

Setting: Italy and London

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I Owe You One, an utterly delightful novel about a woman who ditches her dating app for a writer’s retreat in Italy – only to find that real love comes with its own filters .

Sophie Kinsella is my guilty pleasure and I thoroughly enjoyed this rom-com, in no small part because it’s set at a writer’s retreat along the Mediterranean in Italy as well as in London. Plus there’s an adorable (if a bit naughty dog)!

22. Shipped by Angie Hockman

Setting: Galápagos Islands cruise

The Unhoneymooners meets The Hating Game in this witty, clever, and swoonworthy novel following a workaholic marketing manager who is forced to go on a cruise with her arch-nemesis when they’re up for the same promotion.

This is a cute enemies-to-lovers rom-com but what I really loved about it was the unique setting. Henley and her colleague, Graeme (who she hates), are both in the running for a promotion at the adventure travel company they work for. Their boss decides to send them both on one of the company’s small ship cruises to the Galápagos Islands and have them compete to come up with the best sales marketing campaign for that region.

A Galápagos cruise has been on my travel wish list for a very long time so the descriptions of their experiences in the islands was enough to make this an enjoyable read for me!

23. If Only by Kate Eberlen

Letty and Alf are the only English speakers in an Italian class in Rome, where they discover that the language that really connects them is dance. Alf is nineteen, a former ballroom champion who seems reassuringly confident and at ease with himself. Letty, twenty-two, is unusually reserved and studious, having been forced to give up her childhood dream of becoming a ballet dancer. They come from different worlds, but when they waltz around the Piazza Navona together, a passionate relationship begins.

If Only is a novel about identity, secrets, passion and dance – and the indefinable collision of physical, emotional and intellectual excitement that we call falling in love.

I haven’t read this one yet but I love anything that reminds me of my one visit to Rome almost 10 years ago already.

24. The Endless Beach by Jenny Colgan

Setting: A fictional Scottish island

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bookshop on the Corner and The Cafe by the Sea comes another enchanting, unforgettable novel of a woman who makes a fresh start on the beautiful Scottish Island of Mure – only to discover life has more surprises in store for her.

I loved this contemporary romance set on a remote Scottish Island – and the sequel Christmas at the Island Hotel is just as good!

25. Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler

Setting: Alaska

A grouchy mountaineer, a Hollywood starlet and miles of untamed wilderness…What could possibly go wrong?

If you like a well-written romantic comedy set in a great destination then you’ll enjoy this series where each book focuses on a different couple in Moose Springs, Alaska. Enjoy the View is the third book in the series and was preceded by The Tourist Attraction and Mistletoe & Mr. Right .

26. 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

Setting: Nantucket Island

When Mallory Blessing’s son, Link, receives deathbed instructions from his mother to call a number on a slip of paper in her desk drawer, he’s not sure what to expect. But he certainly does not expect Jake McCloud to answer. It’s the late spring of 2020 and Jake’s wife, Ursula DeGournsey, is the frontrunner in the upcoming Presidential election.

There must be a mistake, Link thinks. How do Mallory and Jake know each other?

Based on the classic film Same Time Next Year (which Mallory and Jake watch every summer), 28 Summers explores the agony and romance of a one-weekend-per-year affair and the dramatic ways this relationship complicates and enriches their lives, and the lives of the people they love.

Elin Hilderbrand is a prolific writer of contemporary romance novels set on beautiful Nantucket Island. I have read several and found them all quite enjoyable so pretty much any of them could be on this list! A few more recent favourites are The Hotel Nantucket and The Five-Star Weekend .

27. Much Ado About You by Samantha Young

Setting: An English village

At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling’s life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she’s passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing.

In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There’s no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover.

Is it wrong for me to be jealous of a fictional character? Evie’s holiday working in a bookshop in a quaint English village does sound like a dream vacation! There’s also a flirty local farmer in the mix so perhaps a little holiday romance or maybe even something longer lasting. An enjoyable, light and easy rom-com read. Not much happens plot-wise but it’s set in a charming village in Northumberland in the north of England. Bonus points because it involves a book shop.

28. The Summer House by Jenny Hale

Setting: North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Callie Weaver and her best friend Olivia Dixon have finally done it: put their life savings into the beach house they admired through childhood summers, on the dazzling white sand of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. They’re going to buff the salt from its windows, paint its sun-bleached sidings, and open it as a bed and breakfast.

Callie’s too busy to think about her love life, but when she catches the attention of local heartthrob Luke Sullivan, his blue eyes and easy smile make it hard to say no. He’s heir to his father’s real estate empire, and the papers say he’s just another playboy. But as they laugh in the ocean waves, Callie realizes there’s more to this man than money and good looks.

Just when true happiness seems within reach, Callie and Olivia find a diary full of secrets . . . secrets that stretch across the island and have the power to turn lives upside down. As Callie reads, she unravels a mystery that makes her heart drop through the floor.

Will Callie and Luke be pulled apart by the storm the diary unleashes, or can true love save them?

I’m not familiar with this author, however, I’m looking forward to reading this contemporary romance as I have heard a lot about North Carolina’s Outer Banks and would love to visit someday.

29. The House by the Sea by Santa Montefiore

Setting: Tuscany and the Devon coast of England

Spanning four decades and sweeping from the Italian countryside to the English coast, this story by Santa Montefiore is a moving and mysterious tale of love, forgiveness, and the past revealed.

This was the second novel by Santa Montefiore that I read last year and I thoroughly enjoyed both. This one is also partly set in beautiful Tuscany as well as the Devon coast of England – two destinations that I would love to visit!

30. The Greek Escape by Karen Swan

Setting: The Greek islands

Running from heartbreak, Chloe Marston leaves her old life in London for a fresh start in New York. Working at a luxury concierge company, she makes other people’s lives run perfectly, even if her own has ground to a halt. But a terrible accident forces her to step into a new role, up close and personal with the company’s most esteemed and powerful clients. Charismatic Joe Lincoln is one of them and his every wish is her command, so when he asks her to find him a secluded holiday home in the Greek Islands, she sets about sourcing the perfect retreat.

But when Tom, her ex, unexpectedly shows up in Manhattan and the stability of her new life is thrown off-balance again, she jumps at the chance to help Joe inspect the holiday house; escaping to Greece will give her the time and space to decide where her future truly lies. Tom is the man she has loved for so long but he has hurt her before – can she give him another chance? And as she draws closer to Joe, does she even want to? As magnetic as he is mysterious, there’s an undeniable chemistry between them that she can’t resist.

But whatever her heart is telling her, she’s in over her head – another client’s wife has mysteriously disappeared and serious allegations about Joe threaten more than just her happiness. Who can she trust? And will Chloe uncover the truth in time?

If you’re looking for a novel that is pure escapism – with a little mystery and romance thrown in – then internationally bestselling author Karen Swan is for you! Another Karen Swan book that I’m looking forward to reading – this one set on a lush Greek island.

31. Something Wilder by Christina Lauren

Setting: Canyonlands National Park, Utah

From the author of the “heartfelt and funny” (Publishers Weekly) sensation The Unhoneymooners, this page-turning adventure full of second chances, complicated relationships, and the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest will take fans on one wild ride.

A fun second-chance romance/adventure novel that reminded me a bit of the movie Romancing the Stone from the mid ’80s.

Lily Wilder, daughter of a notorious treasure hunter, has resorted to leading tourists on fake treasure hunt/horseback riding trips in Utah using her father’s hand drawn maps in order to make ends meet. The current group includes Leo Grady who broke Lily’s heart after a summer working on her family’s ranch in Wyoming 10 years earlier.

What is supposed to be a fun few days on a wilderness trip takes a turn and the group embarks on a dangerous search for Butch Cassidy’s long missing treasure in Canyonlands National Park that might also lead to Lily and Leo finding their way back to each other. Just a fun escape that’s perfect for lazy summer days!

32. Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens

Setting: Channel Islands

From the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year comes a heartwarming and hilarious tale that asks: What if you picked up the wrong suitcase and fell head over heels for its mystery owner?

I picked out this book to read entirely because it takes place on Jersey in the Channel Islands and it sounded like a fun rom-com with an interesting premise.

Laura is a writer for a digital lifestyle magazine who is travelling to Jersey to write a story about how her parents fell in love on the island but when she arrives at her hotel she realizes that she has the wrong suitcase. The contents of the suitcase reveal that the owner is Laura’s dream man and she is convinced that destiny has brought them together. So with the help of Ted, a local cab driver, she sets out to find the owner of the suitcase while at the same time tracing her parents’ footsteps and learning more about her island family.

Just Haven’t Met You Yet is a sweet romance that’s laugh-out-loud funny in places and I’m still keen to visit the Channel Islands after reading it but it’s also a much deeper heartfelt story about grief and family memories that left me in tears as often as it had me laughing. And I absolutely loved the sentiment from the last line of the book: “ I have no illusions about happily ever afters – I know life will bring its challenges and nothing is forever – but I hope we might be happy today, and for as many todays as we are lucky enough to have “.

33. Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras

Setting: Key West, Florida

From the USA Today bestselling author of West Side Love Story, an acclaimed romantic comedy series with its own set of complex family dynamics set in Key West, Florida filled with humor, fake dating, Latinx culture, and perfect for summer beach reading…

When social media influencer Sara Vance is stranded sans her flaky boyfriend just before a Key West family vacation, a meet-cute with Cuban-American firefighter Luis Navarro in the parking lot of the airport is the answer to her prayers. With Luis as her fake fiancée for the week, Sara can maintain her “perfect” image IRL. But what happens when the fake starts feeling so real?

This first in Oliveras’s Keys to Love series was an enjoyable read so if you’re looking for an escape to a beautiful sunny destination then this sweet yet steamy contemporary romance set in beautiful Key West will be the perfect addition to your beach bag this summer! Anchored Hearts is the second installment in the series and is the story of the firefighter sister of the male main character in Island Affair .

34. People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry

Setting: Various destinations in Canada, the U.S. and Europe

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers and Beach Read comes a sparkling novel that will leave you with the warm, hazy afterglow usually reserved for the best vacations.

Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance to fall in love.

Poppy and Alex don’t hit it off when they meet during first year university but develop a friendship on a road trip home to their small town in Ohio at the end of the year. Over the next decade, they get together for a week long vacation each summer until an ill-fated trip to Croatia ends their friendship.

It’s now two years later and Poppy contacts Alex and invites him on another summer vacation. The two meet up in Palm Springs and the novel then alternates between this summer’s trip and each of the previous vacations so that the reader experiences the development of Poppy and Alex’s relationship, discovers what happened on the trip to Croatia and roots for them to get together now that they have reconnected.

This book was the perfect escape for me. I easily related to Poppy, a small-town girl with insatiable wanderlust, who starts out as a travel blogger and becomes a writer at a well-known travel magazine and I loved vicariously experiencing the destinations that they visited which include Vancouver Island, Nashville, San Francisco, New Orleans, Colorado, Sanibel Island, Tuscany, Croatia and Palm Springs.

Likeable characters, witty dialogue, bucket-list settings and some emotional bits that left me in tears make People We Meet on Vacation an engaging and entertaining read!

35. Two For the Road by Chantel Guertin

Fans of Sophie Kinsella and Christina Lauren will adore this touching and witty novel about a woman who takes an impulsive trip to England to meet the man behind the audiobook narrator she’s fallen for.

This is the Canadian title of Chantel Guertin’s book – in the US it is called Gigi, Listening .

Gigi has been running her family’s bookshop in Ann Arbor, Michigan since the death of her parents several years earlier. She avoids dating in favour of reading but is obsessed with Zane, the narrator of her favourite audiobook who also works for his family’s tour business. When her friends find out, they gift her a 10 day coach tour through England for her 30th birthday so she has the opportunity to meet him in person and discover whether he actually is her soulmate.

A light-hearted romance and armchair travelling all in one! Gigi’s obsession with Zane’s voice which is the premise for Two for the Road is a bit cringey but once you get past that then it’s quite a fun read.

Gigi seems a bit flaky but she hasn’t recovered from the tragic loss of her parents and her travels across England become a journey of self-discovery. A great cast of supporting charaacters and I loved vicariously travelling around England with Gigi and the rest of the group. Two for the Road is a charming rom-com (more sweet than steamy) and a fun escape!!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

36. Ciao for Now by Kate Bromley

When an American interning at a fashion house in Rome butts heads with her professor’s surly son, sparks fly!

A cute, lighthearted rom-com set in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

Violet is a 29 year-old design student from New York City, deeply in debt and plagued by self-doubt, who has landed a coveted internship in Rome that will have her competing with two classmates for a job at a New York fashion label. Shortly after arriving in Rome, Violet falls in a cafe spilling coffee everywhere and breaking a man’s laptop. Although she tries to make things right, he’s not impressed with her profuse apologies and she later discovers that he is her professor’s son, Matt.

Violet needs to win this competition to launch her fashion career but sparks fly as she spends more time with Matt and the distraction might cost her the prize. Fun banter and chemistry, fabulous setting (Rome and a weekend trip to Capri), and interesting secondary characters (especially her friend and fellow student Marco) – Ciao For Now is a fun read that will be perfect for the beach bag this summer!

Thanks to NetGalley for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

37. Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk

Setting: Los Angeles, California

Greetings card copywriter Phoebe Chapman knows a good romantic line or two – and it makes her a fantastic Cupid.

So when she lands in the Hollywood Hills – a place that proves film stars, golden beaches and secret waterfalls don’t just exist in the movies – she can’t resist playing matchmaker for her handsome neighbour, carpenter Ren.

But you can’t hide from love in La La Land.

And isn’t there something a little bit hot about Ren, her own leading man next door?

I enjoyed this fun friends to lovers rom-com and especially the nod to Cyrano de Bergerac! There’s more than just romance here – the story also touches on family, friendship and toxic relationships plus there’s some exploring of the hidden gems of Los Angeles as Bel and Ren take Phoebe to the beach, hiking, and to a Dodgers game so she gets to know the real LA. Loved the British humour and the secondary characters – Phoebe’s relationships with Bel, Myrna, and Suzanne are every bit as much fun as the one with Ren.

This is a fun, feel-good read – perfect as a summer beach read or when you need an escape to sunny California!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

38. The Second Chance Hotel by Sierra Godfrey

Setting: Greece

It’s all fun and games until you accidentally marry a stranger in Greece and inherit a hotel.

A fun rom-com set in a beautiful destination!

Amelia and James have both fled problems at home in the U.S. to travel in Europe for several months when they find themselves as the only guests at a hotel on a small Greek island that doesn’t get much tourist traffic. In a strange turn of events, they find themselves married and owners of the hotel.

Amelia agrees to stay and run the hotel through the busy summer season with James but as she finds her attraction to him growing she begins to wonder if she should be returning to her real life as a project manager in San Francisco or whether the universe has presented her with a second chance to start over and live a different sort of life.

I thought this was an enjoyable read – funny with quirky secondary characters and a great sense of place – The Second Chance Hotel made me want to run off to Greece and run a hotel!

39. Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli

Setting: Alaskan cruise

An impulsive decision to join an Alaskan cruise getaway brings the chance for an onboard romance in this new enemies-to-lovers romance from the author of A Holly Jolly Diwali.

An enjoyable romance that takes place on a 10 day cruise to Alaska from Seattle.

Jasmine Randhawa is 33, newly single and a bit of a mess. She has had a rocky relationship with her parents for years because she was rebellious as a teen and considered a bad girl in their South Asian community but decides to travel with them on this cruise in an effort to mend their relationship.

Jasmine expects that many friends from her younger days will be on the group cruise but it turns out that it’s a senior’s cruise and she and childhood acquaintance and golden boy, Jake, are the only two under ’50s on the ship.

I was a couple of chapters into this book when I realized that Jasmine is the older sister of Niki in Holly Jolly Diwali which I had read previously and I enjoyed that connection. This is a romance but it’s as much about Jasmine’s growth and the mending of her relationship with her parents. I loved the descriptions of the ports-of-call as it reminded me of the Alaskan cruise we went on years ago and reminded me that I would love to cruise there again!

40. The Paris Connection by Lorraine Brown

In this witty and heartfelt debut love story for fans of Josie Silver’s One Day in December, a woman stranded in Paris for the day discovers that the wrong road can sometimes lead us in the right direction.

A fun, light, enjoyable read. Hannah and her boyfriend, Simon, have been on a romantic getaway in Venice and are on their way to Amsterdam for his sister’s wedding. They accidentally get separated on the overnight train and Hannah ends up in Paris instead where she spends the day seeing the city with Léo, a young Parisian man who she met on the train.

I love a book set in Paris and the best part of this book is exploring Paris with the two as Léo takes Hannah to see all of his favourite places in the city. The descriptions of the city made me want to hop on a plane and return to la belle Paris!!

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Reader Interactions

Colleen Lanin

February 26, 2021 at 3:01 pm

Lately, I’ve only been reading memoirs (travel and chef memoirs, usually). But these look super fun. I loved Bridget Jones’ Diary years ago. Will pin these books for later!

Lisa Goodmurphy

March 3, 2021 at 2:03 pm

Thanks, Colleen! Lately I’m enjoying alternating between serious books and lighter reads but I should probably work a few memoirs into the rotation too!

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10 Travel Romance Books To Read Right Now

I personally love travel romance books. Witty banter? Check. Happily ever after? Check. Stunning backdrop? Check. They’re cute. They’re cliche. They’re feel-good. So over the past two months, I’ve binged a lot of travel romance novels. A questionable amount.

But let’s not get into that. Instead, let’s dive into the best travel romance books to read right now.

P.S. Please support your local independent bookstore or library if you can!

Disclosure:   Heads up, this post contains affiliate links, which means Passport To Eden may get a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make an online purchase. Don’t feel pressured to buy anything. We still love that you’re here, reading our content (side note: we suggest getting a coffee or tea first because our blog posts tend to be long). You can read our full affiliate disclosure here to find out more.

Table of Contents

Love With A Chance Of Drowning

Love trumps fear in Torre DeRoche’s heartfelt memoir. After a reader ( thanks Becky ) recommended this as our next book club pick , I knew I had to pick it up immediately. And I fell in love. That’s an understatement. Love With A Chance Of Drowning follows Torre through the South Pacific with her Argentinian boyfriend ( who is adorable to boot ). She’s afraid of the ocean. He wants to sail. It’s one of the most unique travel romance novels ever ( and I have to constantly remind myself that it’s a true story ). It’s about love ( of course ), but it’s also about so much more than love – taking risks, overcoming fear, believing in yourself .

Love & Gelato

Love & Gelato might just be one of the cutest travel romance books I’ve ever read. It’s a young adult novel and I can’t recommend it enough. The descriptions of Italy are so heartfelt and real and humorous and wonderful that I felt like I was right there whilst reading it. Reading any one of Jenna Evans Welch’s books gives me the same feelings as seeing a rainbow, petting a puppy, and eating fresh-baked cookies. Love & Gelato is no different. This book is a warm hug. Lina’s Italian adventure is so sweet, you’ll be laughing and crying and wanting to read it all over again ( or maybe, follow up with the sequel – Love & Luck ).

Eat Pray Love

It’s no secret that Eat Pray Love is one of my favorite memoirs of all time. I’ve talked about Elizabeth Gilbert’s three-country adventure a lot on Passport To Eden: here , here , and here . And I guess, considering I’m mentioning it again, that’s not enough. In Eat Pray Love, you follow Liz ( Groceries, according to Richard ), a fast-paced writer who travels to Italy, India, and Bali in search of herself . It’s raw and honest and emotion-packed.

P.S. The copy I have is the Bloomsbury Modern Classics edition ( it’s a little nicer than the mass market version and the same cost ). I’ll link it here .

The Unhoneymooners

Barring the toucan on the cover ( seriously, why is there a toucan? Toucans aren’t native to Hawaii ), The Unhoneymooners is one of the best travel romance books. Much like Olive and Ethan’s romance, my relationship with The Unhoneymooners was hate-to-love. The travel writer in me wanted Olive and Ethan to explore a bit more than their resort. But at the same time, this book made me want to book a ticket to Hawaii ASAP . The Unhoneymooners is a quick, fun, binge-able read . There are funny moments aplenty (mostly two-line quips and fast-paced banter). And it made me laugh more than I care to admit.

The Tourist Attraction

If you like Luke from Gilmore Girls, you’ll love The Tourist Attraction . It’s a breezy travel romance novel that’s filled with plenty of witty banter and cute moments. It’s also set in Alaska. Do I just like travel romance books set in Alaska? Maybe ( *silently wonders if I have a book type* ). Graham is a gruff local who owns a diner called The Tourist Trap ( a joke. well, it started off as a joke ). Zoe’s the opposite of Graham. She’s a tourist on a two-week Alaska vacation. And the Moose Springs rom-com that ensues is cute and sweet. Sarah Morgenthaler’s debut is one of the most underrated travel romance novels.

The People We Meet On Vacation

I’m saving People We Meet On Vacation for this summer ( side note: this is also one of our Travel Book Club picks – just saying ). It’s the story of Poppy and Alex, two longtime friends with a broken relationship and a plan for a remedy (or at least closure). I’ve tried to steer clear of spoilers for this book (given all the rave reviews on Booktube) but know this: People We Meet On Vacation has been described as a “heartfelt” (Jodi Picoult) “gorgeous slow-burn” (Beth O’Leary) . I can’t wait to finish it this July and update you with all my thoughts!

Happiness For Beginners

One year post-divorce, Helen Carpenter signs up for a wilderness survival course in a remote range of Wyoming’s peaks . The humor and the wit sold me ( if you enjoyed the dialogue in The Unhoneymooners , you might enjoy the dialogue in this ). And much like Cheryl Strayed’s Wild , it’s deep ( but nowhere near Wild-level deep ). There’s a cheesy happily ever after . I knew there was. But for some reason, expecting a surface-level chic-lit threw me for a loop. Because Happiness For Beginners is anything but. It’s packed with life lessons and characters that seem to spring from the pages. And let’s be honest, I absolutely adored Jake.

Outlander will make you want to visit Scotland immediately ( and book that future plane ticket ). It’s a passionate love story woven around a rich historical tapestry – an ode to Scotland. On a random side note, I completely believed Diana Gabaldon lived in Scotland whilst reading this novel ( in the same way I thought Stephanie Meyer lived in Forks, Washington ). Turns out she lives in Scottsdale, Arizona ( I only discovered this after visiting her home bookstore and wondering why in the world there were so many Outlander books on sale )! You’ll be hard-pressed to find a list of travel romance books that doesn’t include Outlander ( or any of the books in the series ) so I’m slipping in a mention as well.

What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding

Definitely the raciest of the travel romance books on this list ( odd considering the title ), What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding is also undoubtedly funny. What I remember is this: Kristin Newman, an incredibly confident scriptwriter ( That ’70s Show, How I Met Your Mother ), shares her juiciest hookup stories in this hilarious travel memoir. Vacationship at its finest. It’s far from my favorite novel but I felt the need to mention it because every traveler I know who has read it has absolutely loved it. My issue ( which is nitpicky so maybe I should give it a reread ) was Kristin’s tone. I feel like she put down people who wanted to settle down. Everyone has different goals. It’s okay to want to travel and not settle immediately. But it’s also okay to settle.

Amy And Roger’s Epic Detour

A few years ago, I created a list of 20 YA travel novels that I wanted to read . There were a lot of books that inspired that list. Amy And Roger’s Epic Detour was one of them. It’s the kind of book that kept me up all night, the kind of book that I wanted to read and reread, the kind of book where details layered words . I’m a fan of Morgan Matson so it wasn’t hard to fall in love with this road trip tale. But to be honest, I also fell in love with Amy And Roger’s Epic Detour because in some ways, the story reminded me of my own travels . I got a chance to reflect on the small moments, the bits I thought were trivial but might just have been the most important.

Did you enjoy this list of travel romance books? What are your favorite travel romance books? Let me know in the comments below!

Side note: Why do so many male love interests in travel romance novels have bodybuilder muscles? I mean, most of them have back abs. How many hours do they spend in the gym? Who is their personal trainer? Important life questions right here.

Editor-In-Chief

Anshula grew up with a love of stories and places. Thirty-five states and 100 bookstores later, she's made her hobbit home in Middle Tennessee. Her Tookish side still takes over and leaves her chasing window seats, literary destinations, adventure books, sunrise coffee, and indie bookshops. She's appeared as a travel source on HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and MSN.

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I’m so glad you liked Love With A Chance Of Drowning! It’s one of my favorite books of all time.

Thank you for recommending it! I absolutely loved the book! xx – Anshula

The side note as the end of the post killed me ? I never thought about that. Have you read Under The Tuscan Sun? That’s a good travel romance.

Oh, I read it a long time ago! I’ll have to reread it (I think my initial thoughts were that the movie was more romantic than the book ?) xx – Anshula

You should read The Flatshare! Not a travel romance but a light and fun read.

I’ll look into it! Always on the lookout for a good book. xx – Anshula

Read On The Island by Tracy Garvis Graves. You’ll love it.

Oh, that sounds interesting. Thank you so much for the recommendation. I’ll try it! xx – Anshula

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20 Destination Romance Novels to Get Lost In

A holiday fling is dreamy, romantic, and full of endless possibilities. It adds an element to a vacation that makes your surroundings become even more magical and new (they can be heartbreaking too, but that just might be part of the appeal). If a true, real-life travel romance isn't exactly in the cards right now , then we suggest you dive into a novel instead.

With these books, you'll travel from Tuscany to Paris and even to Maui, experiencing the tastes , smells, and sights of these cities and losing yourself in their corners and turns, while also falling in love with the protagonists. Old romances becoming new again, sparks where one least expects them, and falling in love with a spouse all over again are all narratives included in this list, intensified by a new, exciting destination. You'll want to cancel your return flight, and keep on reading these forever! Swipe through to find our top picks.

You Me Everything: A Novel by Catherine Isaac

Set in the French countryside, You Me Everything: A Novel by Catherine Isaac is a perfect summer read to enjoy with a glass of Rosé or French wine in hand. It follows the protagonist Jess and her 10-year-old son William as they set off to spend the summer on the hills of the Dordogne and reconnect with William's father, Adam. This book tells the tale of family reconnection, maternal protection, unexpected secrets, and a French romance.

The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

In the mood for a vacation romance that isn't set in either Europe or an idyllic beach? Look no further than The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler. It's an Alaskan romance between Graham, a grumpy diner owner who hates tourists, and a sunny tourist named Zoey who turns his world upside down.

A Room With a View by E.M. Forster

If you're in the mood for an early 20th century classic, but still love a travel romance, this is your best bet. A Room With a View by E.M. Forster is an Edwardian social critique set in Italy, revolving around a forbidden love. Young Englishwoman Lucy Honeychurch faints into the arms of fellow Brit, George Emerson, when she witnesses a murder in Florence. George is unsuitable for her class and her conflicting desires, and she already has an acceptable suitor back in England. Will she choose passion, or what's expected of her?

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

How about a destination romance with two people who already know each other, and maybe even hate each other? The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren is like the perfect rom-com, filled with hilarious antics, love where you least expect it, and a lot of bad luck . . . until it becomes the best luck of all. Olive Torres, the self-proclaimed "unlucky twin," is the maid of honor at her sister Ami's wedding, alongside best man Ethan (who she absolutely hates). Soon enough, he's winning a free honeymoon at the wedding and she convinces him to split the prize. They're off to Maui, and, you guessed it, their hatred for each other begins to transform into something entirely different.

That Weekend in Paris by Inglath Cooper

Music, Paris, and luxury hotels. Into it? Yeah, so are we. That Weekend in Paris by Inglath Cooper is about a recently separated songwriter named Dillon who goes to Paris to see country music star Klein Matthews perform in concert. Her reasoning isn't totally pure: she's starting her own publishing company, and her first goal is to sign Klein away from her ex, Josh. That, and she's always had a crush on Klein. Turns out, he feels the same, and so begins a story about new beginnings set in the city of lights.

The Italian Villa by Daniela Sacerdoti

While Paris might be the city of lights (and love), the Italian countryside holds a different kind of visceral, sun-kissed romance. The Italian Villa by Daniela Sacerdoti depicts a small-town waitress named Callie who recently found out she's adopted. She heads to Montevino, Italy, to search for her family and stays at a hillside villa that she has just inherited. As she begins to fall for the mysterious groundskeeper Tommaso, a parallel story unfolds through a diary of a woman named Elisa, who secretly married her childhood sweetheart and fled to join the resistance in World War II. But plans and destiny quickly changed, and those secrets begin to unfold, too.

Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory

Then this one's for all the royals fans. Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory illustrates a second chance at love. Vivian Forest accompanies her daughter, Maddie, on a work trip to England where she's been tasked with styling a member of the royal family. There, she quickly falls for a private secretary, and soon they're kissing under the mistletoe. Will it end after the quick holidays or will they make it work?

Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman

Timothée Chamalet fans may already be aware of the original book that inspired the gorgeous film Call Me by Your Name . André Aciman's 2007 novel is heartbreaking in a crushingly beautiful way and is set in Italy among the golden sun and forbidden fruit.

The Summer House by Jenny Hale

The epitome of a summer beach read, The Summer House by Jenny Hale is about island secrets, forbidden mysteries, and a possible romance with a rich playboy. Callie and her best friend Olivia buy a beach house together in North Carolina's Outer Banks, where they open a bed and breakfast. Callie meets Luke, a local heartthrob who's the heir to her father's real estate empire, but there's more to him than meets the eye. One diary full of secrets later, and the entire island is threatened by a storm of mysteries and truths.

More Than Words by Mia Sheridan

For lovers of childhood crushes that evolve into adult romances, More Than Words by Mia Sheridan confronts inner demons, innocence, and secrets. Lost souls Jessica and Callen became a safe haven for each other at a young age — until Callen suddenly disappeared from her life. As an adult, Callen becomes a famous composer, but his deep troubles cause him to hit a creative roadblock. Soon enough, Callen and Jessica stumble into each other in France, and they're suddenly wrapped up again in forbidden memories, renewed passion, and musical sparks.

Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts

An Irish romance that's as haunting as its history, Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts is a story of folklore, magic, and passion above all else. Jude Murray escapes to Faerie Hill Cottage in Ireland to learn about Irish folklore and magic, soon meeting Aidan Gallagher, a pub owner who recognizes wildness in Jude. They connect over the mystic land they reside on, and create something otherworldly of their own.

That Month in Tuscany by Inglath Cooper

That Month in Tuscany by Inglath Cooper tells the tale of rock star Ren Sawyer and his unlikely romance with Lizzy Harper, a self-proclaimed regular person whose husband ditched her on their anniversary trip. On the flight to Italy, turbulence makes Lizzy fall onto Ren's lap in classic rom-com fashion, and they feel an immediate attraction. They explore Florence and Tuscany together, discovering the countryside, each other, and themselves.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

This Scottish tale of deep passion, with the added feature of time travel, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is a must read (pro tip: watch the Outlander series on Starz once you're done). The time-traveling fantasy book series revolves around Claire Randall, a World War II nurse from 1945, who magically transports to 1743 Scotland through an ancient boulder. She soon falls in love with Scottish soldier James Fraser, who is a dichotomy between innocence and sex appeal, strength and fragility. Here, you'll find real-life historical references mixed with mysticism.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

Another story that was adapted for the screen, Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes depicts the process of renovating a torn-down Tuscan villa, and through it, finding friendship, incredible food, a different culture, and a renewed romance within a long marriage. With endless problems along the way involving language barriers, a different attitude toward time constraints, and more, this book is about finding love and joy through a leap of faith.

Summer at Firefly Beach by Jenny Hale

Another great summer beach read, Summer at Firefly Beach by Jenny Hale is about rising from the ashes. Hallie Flynn's favorite place is her great Aunt Clara's beach house in Firefly Beach, filled with the magic memories they made together — but one day, Aunt Clara unexpectedly passes away. Hallie discovers a bucket list her great aunt left behind for her, and drops everything to pursue it. As she begins to find herself through this healing journey, her childhood best friend Ben is by her side. Soon enough, she meets newcomer Gavin Wilson, a photographer who leaves her questioning everything.

The Secrets of Villa Rosso by Linn B. Halton

Ah, more Italian romances. Are we complaining? Absolutely not. In The Secrets of Villa Rosso by Linn B. Halton, Ellie Maddison heads off on a business trip to Southern Italy — the land of vineyards, sun-kissed hills, and the director of the estate Villa Rosso, Max Johnson. Suddenly, Ellie is entangled within the place's walls, sharing secrets with Max that cause her to question her entire life up to that point.

The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton

The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton tells a sweltering story set in Alabama about family, loss, and love. Sara Jenkins's last family member dies, so she goes home to The Hideaway, her grandmother's bed and breakfast in Sweet Bay. Sara learns she has inherited The Hideaway and now must renovate it, where she soon learns more about her grandmother than she ever thought could lurk beneath. Add to that a handsome contractor, and Sara's life may never be the same.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Much like Under the Tuscan Sun or You Me Everything , People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry is about finding the unexpected with someone you already know like the back of your hand. Poppy and Alex are complete opposites, and have been best friends for a decade. But two years ago, something occurred that made them stop speaking, and almost lose that friendship forever. Now, they've decided to embark on one final vacation together and fix it all: but there's a secret that may risk everything.

Mermaid Inn by Jenny Holiday

Charming and witty, Jenny Holiday's novel Mermaid Inn is set in Matchmaker Bay, a small town summer escape. Eve Abbott has just inherited her grandmother's Mermaid Inn, and now must go back to handle it. But Police Chief Sawyer Collins, a heartbreaker from Eve's past, lives right down the street, and he can't forget what they had either.

One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan

Because Paris is the glittering city of romance, wine (and bread!), One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan perfectly encapsulates the destination romance novel. It's a parallel narrative about second chances that unite American teacher Grace Porter, who recently separated from her husband David on their anniversary, and Londoner Audrey Hackett, a student and hair salon employee that faked her way into a Parisian summer job. As opposites, they inspire each other in opposing ways, as Grace offers advice to Audrey about adulthood and love with her new French boyfriend, and Audrey gives Grace the strength to take risks.

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Time travel romance novels are an enchanting genre that intertwines the wonder of adventuring through time with the exhilarating journey of falling in love across different eras. These stories often feature protagonists who find themselves transported to a different period, where they encounter love that transcends the boundaries of known physics. The genre combines historical and contemporary elements, delivering a rich tapestry of romance, adventure, and often, the quest to reconcile different worlds.

Among the most beloved time travel romance novels are the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, which follows 20th-century nurse Claire Randall, who's mysteriously swept back to 18th-century Scotland where she meets the dashing Jamie Fraser; and The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, a poignant tale of a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to uncontrollably travel through time, yet he maintains an enduring romance. 

These novels - and many others like them - have seized the hearts of readers with their imaginative plots and unforgettable characters. Which time travel romance book is (or could be) your favorite?

Outlander is an epic historical romance and time-travel adventure that follows Claire Randall, a WWII combat nurse mysteriously transported from 1945 to 18th-century Scotland after visiting a stone circle. Struggling to navigate a treacherous new world, she meets James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (AKA Jamie Fraser), a dashing and honorable Highland warrior. 

Despite her initial desire to return to her own time, Claire becomes entangled in the Jacobite uprisings and develops a profound and passionate love for Jamie. Together, they face political intrigue, warfare, and personal sacrifices, grappling with the conflicts between their desires and duties. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, and the complexities of bridging two very different worlds.

Somewhere in Time

A novel that elicits strong emotions and provides a romantic and engaging story that transcends time, Somewhere in Time 's unique storytelling method, attention to detail, and ability to draw the reader into the time period (late 19th-century California) are highlighted as strengths by reviewers. 

While some readers may find the romantic elements touching and believable, others feel they delve too deeply into obsession and possessiveness. The portrayal of time travel and the unresolved ending leave an impact on readers, sparking introspection and emotional engagement. Despite minor criticisms of certain scenes, the book is still able to immerse readers in a captivating and sentimental love story.

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden follows Eva Ward as she leaves California and returns to Cornwall, England, to scatter the ashes of her sister Katrina at their childhood home. While at Trelowarth House, Eva experiences a mysterious ability to travel through time to the 18th century, where she meets the Butler brothers and becomes entangled in historical events. The story weaves between past and present as Eva faces her feelings for Daniel Butler and grapples with decisions about where she truly belongs, ultimately culminating in a surprising twist at the book's conclusion.

The Winter Sea

In The Winter Sea , author Carrie McClelland finds inspiration for her historical novel about the Jacobite rebellion of 1708 when she stays in a cottage near Slains Castle in Scotland. As she delves deeper into her research, she begins to experience a connection to her ancestor, Sophia Paterson, whose story she is writing. The Winter Sea deftly weaves between the past and the present, creating a captivating tale of love, history, and the mysteries of ancestral memory. Kearsley has been praised for creating rich historical detail, compelling characters, and the intricate way in which the two storylines intersect.

In this installment of Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, Alexia Tarabotti (AKA Lady Maccon) is settling into her domestic life, which includes integrating werewolves into London high society and dealing with her young daughter, who has supernatural powers. When Alexia receives a summons from Alexandria, Egypt, she embarks on the journey with her family and friends. In Egypt, she discovers mysteries surrounding the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive, the God-Breaker Plague, and the sudden rise to fame of actress Ivy Tunstell.

The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife is a poignant love story that revolves around an unlikely but devoted couple. Henry DeTamble has a rare genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unexpectedly; his artist wife Clare Abshire must cope with his frequent absences. Niffenegger wrote the story as a metaphor for her failed relationships, with the central relationship between Henry and Clare serving as the novel's focal point. The Time Traveler's Wife has been praised for its unique perspective on time travel, blending elements of science fiction and romance to explore themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human connection.

Beyond the Highland Mist

The first book in the Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning, Beyond the Highland Mist focuses on Adrienne de Simone, a modern-day woman who finds herself transported to 16th-century Scotland by a vengeful fairy. Things go from bad to worse when she's coerced into an arranged marriage with Hawk, a legendary warrior and ladies' man. 

Despite Adrienne's initial resistance, the relationship evolves into a passionate love story filled with challenges, jealousy, humor, and steamy scenes. The plot blends time travel, romance, magic, and the shock of adjusting to a different time period. Overall, the novel explores themes of love, desire, and overcoming personal prejudices.

A Twist In Time

Former FBI agent Kendra Donovan finds herself stranded in London in 1815. In this installment of the series featuring her, Kendra and her allies work together to solve the murder of Lady Dover, the former mistress of Alec - who happens to be Kendra's current romantic partner. The story delves into the complexities of society, gender roles, and the challenges of adapting to life in the 19th century, all while unraveling a gripping murder mystery. A Twist in Time weaves together historical elements, mystery, and character development, setting the stage for more adventures and dilemmas in future installments.

What the Wind Knows

Set in Ireland during the 1920s, What the Wind Knows blends historical fiction, romance, and time-travel elements as it follows protagonist Anne Gallagher, who mysteriously finds herself transported back in time after spreading her grandfather's ashes. The novel weaves together the complexities of Irish history along with a heartwarming love story. 

As Anne makes her way in this new world, she's mistaken for someone she resembles, becomes entwined in the struggle for Irish independence, forms emotional connections, and faces life-altering decisions. With beautifully detailed writing and well-developed characters, Harmon's book explores themes of love, loyalty, and the impact of the past and present on shaping our futures.

The Dream Daughter

The Dream Daughter is an emotional novel set in 1970, where protagonist Caroline Sears faces the devastating news that her unborn daughter has a life-threatening heart defect. Her physicist brother-in-law Hunter suggests a solution involving time travel to the future for potential treatment. This story explores the themes of love, sacrifice, family, and strength, taking readers on a journey filled with suspense, surprises, and heartwarming moments. 

Chamberlain combines elements of science fiction with a heartfelt narrative, making this novel a unique and engaging read. The characters are well-developed, and the plot twists keep the reader invested until the very end. The book is a testament to the power of a mother's love and the courage it takes to go beyond what is believed to be possible.

Time and Again

Simon Morley is an advertising sketch artist recruited for a secret government project that involves time travel through self-hypnosis. With a personal motive to solve a mystery involving his girlfriend Kate and a letter from 1882, he successfully travels back to New York City in that year. As he navigates the past, Simon becomes entangled in blackmail, espionage, and a budding romance with Julia Charbonneau - all while trying to prevent a disastrous event and maintain balance between the past and present.

Here and Now and Then

Kin Stewart, a time-traveling secret agent from 2142, gets stranded in suburban San Francisco in the 1990s after a failed mission. Over 18 years, he builds a new life, marries, and has a daughter, Miranda, even as he struggles with memory loss. When his rescue team finally locates him, Kin is torn between the life he created in the “past” and the family awaiting him back in the future. As he works through the complex implications of his actions, he must make difficult choices to ensure the safety and happiness of his daughter. 

Here and Now and Then explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the enduring bond between a father and his child, culminating in a poignant and emotionally resonant journey through time.

The River of No Return

The River of No Return is a captivating blend of historical fiction, time-travel fantasy, romance, and mystery. Lord Nicholas Falcott finds himself waking up in 21st-century London after nearly dying on a Napoleonic battlefield. The Guild, a covert group of time travelers, tells him there's no going back. However, Nick yearns for his past life - especially for Julia Percy - who remains in 1815. Twists of fate bring Julia and Nick together again; they must then navigate the complexities of time, love, and a hidden war between the Guild and their adversaries.

Until I Die Again

Protagonist Chris Copestakes perishes in a violent accident but miraculously wakes up in the body of beautiful Hallie DiBarto. Discovering she's received a second chance at life in a new identity, Chris must navigate the complexities of Hallie's life, including her impending divorce, dangerous secrets, and manipulative acquaintances. As Chris (in Hallie's body) falls for Jamie DiBarto - her husband and a stranger to her - her new life becomes a mix of wonder and danger. Unraveling the mysteries of both her past and Hallie's, Chris faces a threat that could jeopardize everything.

The Ruby Brooch

This story follows paramedic Kit MacKlenna as she travels through time to 1852 on the Oregon Trail with a mysterious ruby brooch and a mission to find her birth parents before their killers do. Along the way, she meets lawyer Cullen Montgomery, who bears a striking resemblance to a ghost from her past, complicating her quest for secrecy and his search for the truth. As Kit braves the dangers of the journey and tries to evade Cullen's suspicions of her identity, she hopes to uncover the truth about her origins and piece together the fragments of her life.

Echo in Time

Echo in Time is a captivating story that follows archaeology grad student Alexandra "Lex" Larson as her world unravels with the revelation of her unknown parentage and newfound psychic abilities. Joining an Egyptian excavation led by enigmatic Professor Marcus Bahur, Lex delves into ancient prophecies and warring gods while discovering her true origins. 

As she wends her way through a new reality and faces dangerous challenges, Lex's strong character development and complex relationships with Marcus and other characters add depth to the story. With a blend of Egyptian mythology, suspenseful plot twists, and steamy romance, this time travel adventure promises an engaging read for fans of paranormal tales and strong-willed protagonists.

The Outlaw Viking

Dr. Rain Jordan, a modern-day doctor, goes back in time to a medieval battlefield and encounters the wild-eyed berserker Selik, a Viking with deadly skills but lacking control over Rain's modern ways and knowledge. Despite considering Rain a prisoner, Selik finds himself drawn to her medical skills and feisty personality. As they clash and bond, their relationship becomes a mix of tension, humor, and passion, with Selik struggling to resist his growing feelings for Rain. Together, they navigate a journey of redemption, love, and growth in The Outlaw Viking .

Time's Echo

Grace Trewe arrives in York,  England, to settle her deceased godmother Lucy's affairs, intending to spend as little time as possible before moving on. However, she soon discovers the past cannot be ignored when she uncovers Lucy's involvement in the occult. As Grace delves deeper into her godmother's mysteries, she finds herself haunted by Hawise, a restless spirit from more than 400 years ago. 

Drawn into Hawise's Elizabethan life, Grace she begins to see parallels with her own struggles and failures, leading her to question if she is possessed, or perhaps suffering from a personality disorder. She must come to terms with her past and confront the unquiet spirit in order to move forward.

Knight of a Trillion Stars

Following a horrendous day of being fired at work and a chaotic commute home, Deana Jones is shocked to find a captivating alien named Lorgin in her living room, claiming he's from beyond the stars and part of her celestial destiny. Despite her initial skepticism, the magnetic connection between them sparks a journey of passion and cosmic importance as they maneuver through misunderstandings, a quest in another world, and a bond that transcends space and time. The story mixes elements of romance, science fiction, and fantasy, with a strong focus on the transformative power of love and destiny.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a futuristic blend of mystery, thriller, and science fiction set in a world where a bomb destroys Pittsburgh, leaving survivor John Dominic Blaxton grieving the loss of his lost wife and unborn child. Immersed in a digital reconstruction of Pittsburgh called the Archive, he investigates deaths in hopes of closing cold cases. When he discovers a glitch in the code surrounding a murder, his journey intertwines with a web of deceit and a nightmare more horrifying than he could have imagined. The story explores themes of grief, loss, technology, and the dark side of a media-saturated future.

Across Time

Across Time is a time travel romance set in pre-WWII France, where modern-day protagonist Amelie Besson finds herself 50 years in the past. There she encounters Henri Durand, a protective and enigmatic vineyard owner, whose presence challenges her beliefs and stirs a dangerous attraction. As their bond deepens amid the looming shadow of war and personal obstacles, Amelie questions her past, her future, and the strength of her connection to Henri. The story unfolds with a mix of mystery, romance, and historical intrigue, keeping readers engaged and eager for the sequel.

Time's Mirror

Time's Mirror is a novella set in the CHRONOS Files series, focusing on the character Prudence Pierce. The story delves into her backstory - a journey from rebellious teenager to the manipulative figure known as Sister Prudence in the present time. Through time travel and unexpected events, Pru finds herself in a complicated situation where she deals with conflicting loyalties and uncertain truths. The novella provides valuable insight into her motivations, challenges, and relationships, adding depth to her character in the overall series. Walker's skillful storytelling and engaging narrative keeps readers intrigued and sets the stage for the final book in the series.

This is How You Lose the Time War

This story follows Red and Blue - two time-traveling rivals from warring futures - who begin exchanging letters and develop a romantic relationship across time and space. With enthralling elements of both romance and adventure, This is How You Lose the Time War explores the unexpected connection between the agents as they navigate through the past, falling in love despite the complexities of their missions. The novella has received critical acclaim, winning the BSFA Award, Nebula Award, and Hugo Award for Best Novella, highlighting its compelling narrative and unique storytelling approach.

Island in the Sea of Time

Island in the Sea of Time by S.M. Stirling is an alternate history novel where the island of Nantucket is transported back in time to the Bronze Age. The inhabitants must adapt to survive in this unfamiliar era, facing challenges with native peoples, political complexities, and the re-creation of modern technologies with Bronze Age resources. 

While the premise is intriguing and the logistical aspects well thought out, some readers found the characterizations lacking, with stereotypical villains and shallow portrayals. The book has elements of darkness, violence, and sexual content that may be disturbing to some, but overall it presents a mix of positive and negative aspects.

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14 Titillating Time Travel Romance Novels

Discover love stories that transcend time.

Are you the kind of reader who thinks nothing could possibly be better than a historical romance? Time travel romance combines the historic romance tropes you know and love with elements of science fiction and fantasy, daring adventure, and the steamy tension of a culture clash. 

These temporal tales deliver the ultimate escapist fantasy! Whether you love second chance fiction or a modern fish out of water heroine, these 14 time travel romances novels will leave you swooning.

A Time to Change

By Callie Langridge

As a young girl, Louisa Arnold was fascinated by Hill House and the tragic tale of its owners, the Mandeville family. When she experiences a tragedy of her own, Louisa decides to roam the ruined corridors of Hill House, and finds herself transported 100 years into the past. 

Now a houseguest of the Mandevilles, Louisa becomes friends with Captain Thomas Mandeville, the eldest son. She knows he is fated to die during World War I—but can't help falling in love with him anyway. And now, she'll do everything she can to save him.

A Stitch in Time

By Amanda James

If you’re looking for an exciting and out of the box time travel romance sprinkled with humor, A Stitch in Time is a must-read. Disillusioned divorcée Sarah Yates is working as a history teacher when the mysterious John Needler breezes into her life. The handsome stranger tells Sarah that she’s a “stitch”—someone with the power to travel back in time to guide the path of history. As Sarah bounces from World War II era England to the Old American West to help historical couples find their happily ever afters, a romance of her own begins to stir.

If you find you can’t get enough of Sarah and John’s temporal romps, check out the sequel, Cross Stitch .

RELATED: 14 Paranormal Romance Books That Give Us Chills in All the Right Places  

For All Eternity

By Linda Lael Miller

For All Eternity blends the excitement of time travel with the dark sensuality of paranormal romance. After a painful personal loss, vampire Maeve Tremayne uses her powers to travel back in time to the American Civil War. As she stalks the bloody, misery-laden battlefields freeing the suffering soldiers from the agony of war with her deadly bite, Maeve meets the kindhearted and mortal Doctor Calder Holbrook.

As a larger, darker war brews amongst the vampires, Maeve must resist as her hunger for the tempting doctor grows. Will she leave human worries behind her, or lure Calder into an eternal romance?

RELATED: 18 Vampire Romance Books with Serious Bite

The Medievalist

By Anne-Marie Lacy

According to family legend, PhD student Jayne Lyons believes she is a descendant of King Richard III—and she's determined to prove that Shakespeare unnecessarily vilified him, and wrongfully depicted him murdering the Princes.

While searching for Richard III's lost grave, she finds a silver boar pendant that magically transports her back to the 15th century. There, she finally meets Richard III for herself, and finds herself even more drawn to him than she ever could have imagined.

Christmas Moon

By Elizabeth Lane

Dramatic, gripping, and sensual, Christmas Moon follows the pregnant and unwed history teacher, Emma Carlyle. On Christmas Eve, Emma ventures out to Wyoming on a research expedition for her master’s thesis about the lawman of legend, J.D. McNulty. A snow storm swallows her car on her return trip home, and before she knows it she’s transported back in time to 1870—and going into labor.

Searching for help at a remote cabin, Emma finds the man of her research on the other side of the door. The two of them strike up a sizzling romance, but Emma knows something J.D. doesn’t—J.D. is supposed to die in a matter of weeks.

RELATED: 19 Holiday Romance Books to Light You Up This Christmas  

Anywhere You Are

By Constance O'Day-Flannery

New York Times bestselling author Constance O’Day-Flannery—the “Queen of Time Travel Romance”—strikes gold again with this romance between Mairie Callahan and Jack Delaney. In modern day Las Vegas, Mairie is getting some excitement out of her life by jumping from an airplane. However, this expedition puts other skydiving jaunts to shame when Mairie lands a hundred and twenty-two years in the past. From recent Civil War veteran Jack’s perspective, it just looks like an angel is falling out of the sky.

Jack thinks Mairie is crazy, and Jack just plain drives Mairie crazy. However, as the two navigate danger and race to find a plant that might save Mairie’s ailing brother’s life, a bond beyond friendship starts to blossom. But is it a love that can withstand the test of time travel?

RELATED: The 24 Best Historical Romance Novels That Will Steal Your Heart

The Repeat Year

By Andrea Lochen

One of the staples of time travel romance novels is the “second chance” trope , which Andrea Lochen’s The Repeat Year takes by storm. After a terrible year stuffed with a harrowing breakup, her mother’s infuriating love life, losing touch with her best friend, and the loss of patients at the hospital where she works as an intensive care nurse, Olive Watson is looking for a fresh start in the New Year. However, when she goes to sleep on New Year’s Eve expecting to wake up in 2012, she opens her eyes instead to the bedroom of her supposedly ex-boyfriend on the first day of 2011.

With the help of another more experienced “repeater,” Olive is given the chance to right all the wrongs in the past year which have led her down a path she’s not proud of. But will this opportunity give her the future she’s been dreaming of, or just cause new problems?

The Sterkarm Handshake

By Susan Price

The sci-fi romance Sterkarm trilogy starts out strong with The Sterkarm Handshake , laying the groundwork for a mega-corporation’s business plans for the resources of 16th Century Scotland. When the corporation—FUP—opens up the Time Tube to the past, anthropologist Andrea Mitchell is sent to live with the brutal Sterkarm clan to act as a translator and informant. Andrea is surprised by the warm welcome of the clansmen, and even more surprised to kindle a romance with the supposedly barbaric man, Per.

As tensions rise on both sides of the Time Tube, Andrea is stuck in the middle of the budding war. Will she remain loyal to her modern employers, or will she stay by the side of her anachronistic lover?

RELATED: Kilty Pleasures: 8 Scottish Romance Novels  

By Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon’s ongoing Outlander series is not only one of the best-selling book series of all time, but it was also adapted into a Starz television series in 2014. In the first novel, Claire Randall is a combat nurse fresh out of World War II. While on a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband Frank, the brush of an ancient stone transports Claire back in time to 1743.

Caught in a dangerous game of politics and spycraft, Claire finds herself drawn to the Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser. The undeniable passion of Claire’s life in the past is at odds with the settled life she’s built for herself in her own time. As the series weaves history, romance, adventure, mystery, and fantasy together, Claire must decide which time period holds her future.

RELATED: 10 Books like Outlander That’ll Make You Want a Scot of Your Own

Whispers in Time

By Becky Lee Weyrich

Renowned psychic Carol Marlowe has been summoned to New Orleans on police business, but winds up on a wild adventure when a boat ride through the bayou transports her to the past. She's in someone else's body—someone who has a very handsome lover—and she's quickly caught up in a life of scandal and intrigue.

By Kerstin Gier

This internationally bestselling YA romance series, the Ruby Red Trilogy, was originally written in German. Now, it has been translated into English by Anthea Bell. Gwen Shepherd is a mostly normal sixteen-year-old girl living in present day London. The other women in her family are the unusual ones—gifted with the ability to travel through time. However, Gwen’s perfectly typical life goes awry when the time travel gene that was supposed to have skipped over her starts making her take abrupt and unplanned leaps into the past.

With no training on how to handle these jarring journeys, Gwen stumbles through fashion, manners, and secret societies. Not to mention her frustrating run-ins with her fellow time traveller, Gideon, who’s annoying, arrogant, and too handsome for Gwen’s sanity.

RELATED: 10 Young Adult Romance Books Readers of All Ages Will Love

Must Love Breeches

By Angela Quarles

When Isabelle Rochon stumbles upon a mysterious artifact from the Victorian era, she’s transported back in time to 1834 London. Lord Montagu plots a dastardly scheme of vengeance, but he needs a respectable woman on his arm to pull it off. While Isabelle works overtime to protect the truth of her origins and hunt down the time traveling artifact that’s been stolen from her, Montagu convinces her to feign a romance and act as his fiancée. However, the two find themselves battling not just their foes, but their growing and irresistible attraction to one another.

For readers who enjoy Angela Quarles’s work, she has three more books in the time traveling romance Must Love series: Must Love Chainmail , Must Love Kilts , and Must Love More Kilts .

RELATED: 15 Tantalizing Victorian Romance Novels

What the Wind Knows

By Amy Harmon

Amy Harmon’s most recent Irish romance novel , What the Wind Knows , brings intricate historical knowledge to a touching and passionate romance. When Anne Gallagher’s beloved grandfather passes away, she travels to Ireland to spread his ashes in his homeland. Overwhelmed by the man she adored and the wonderful stories he told her of his past, Anne is physically pulled back in time to 1921.

The Ireland of the early twentieth century is on the brink of war, surrounding the disoriented Anne with inevitable danger. When Dr. Thomas Smith takes Anne under his care, a misunderstanding leads him to believe that she is the missing mother of the young boy he’s been acting as the guardian for. Anne slips into the role of this vanished woman, caring for the child and falling hard for the doctor. However, as the war looms closer Thomas and Anne find themselves drawn into the conflict.

RELATED: 9 Must-Read Historical Romance Authors

By Alexandra Monir

High schooler Michelle Windsor moves to her estranged grandparents’ home in New York City after the fallout of a family tragedy. In the attic, Michelle discovers a diary from 1910 full of not only secrets, but the magical ability to transport her back in time. Thrown into a decadent masquerade ball, Michelle sets eyes on a mysterious young man who has danced through her dreams for as long as she can remember.

Michelle has her hands full trying to find a balance between her normal, modern life and her wonderful jaunts to the past. Things don’t get easier when she starts to fall hard for the boy of her dreams. Worse still, Michelle discovers that his fate is in her hands.

RELATED: 12 Teen Romance Books That Will Make You Fall in Love  

Keep Reading: 

9 Stellar Sci-Fi Romance Books

The 8 Best Fantasy Romance Movies That Make Us Believe in Magic  

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15 Fantastical Time Travel Romance Books

Last Updated on November 29, 2023 by Louisa

Time travel has always been something that’s both fascinated me and intrigued me. Paired with romance, and you’re on to a winning romance trope!

Time travel love stories can be truly enthralling as love is explored between characters across different periods and places. 

As readers, we have often been whisked away to faraway moments in history beyond our imagination and knowledge, whether in the past to 17th-century Scotland or the future when Martians have conquered the earth.

And this makes time travel romance books so gripping for me; it’s not just the romance story but what I learn about history and cultures in a time beyond the one I know.

If you’re looking for a special time travel romance book that combines creative imagination, history, and love, then you’re going to love these 15 books… 

Affiliate Disclosure : This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through any of these links. 

What To Expect From Time Travel Romance Books?

Time travel romance books are known to combine elements of science fiction, adventure, and romance.

What I love about this genre is there are no limits. You can soar into a dystopian future, or back in time to a regency period.

Wherever your time travel plot takes you, you can expect to be taken on an imaginative journey where love transcends time and space.

These books often feature strong-willed characters from different eras or dimensions, who find themselves drawn to each other even though they are separated by time or circumstance.

Being from different generations and time periods, there are often cultural clashes, and different opinions on values, morals, or ways of courtship.

The character dynamics are one of the biggest reasons to read a time travel romance book, and they will be sure to have you questioning your own values and morals in today’s world.

Best Time Travel Romance Books

Now you know a little bit about the main features of the genre, it’s time to show you my favorite fantastic time travel romance books to leave you wishing time travel was real. 

1. A Highlander For Hannah – Mary Warren 

A Highlander for Hannah is a warm and easy-going, time-travel book with a slow burn romance story.

As the title suggests, the story is about the heroine Hannah and her budding relationship with Graham. Graham is a Highlander from the 1700s. 

Hannah summons Graham with a love spell purchased at a Renaissance Fair. Eventually, Hannah has to listen to her heart and decide if she wants to send Graham back to his own time at the next equinox.

Many readers describe this book as charming. Where many time travel stories can be action-packed, this story is more light-hearted and a book to cozy up with. 

View it on:

2. The River of No Return – Bee Ridgway

The River of No Return is an action-packed read. The story tells of Nick Devanant, who was set to die during the Napoleonic Wars but finds himself in London in 2003.

He eventually settles down as a farmer in Vermont. 

Nick is also a part of a time-traveling organization that is involved in intrigue and spying across different eras.

Previously a Lord, Nick navigates his new life while shadowed by The Guild (a guild of time lords), who want him on an assignment in the past. 

Nick also meets Julia, a woman from a neighboring estate.

Their romance is explored through all the action and mystery of Nick’s life as a spy and time traveler for the Guild. The mystery and romance are sure to leave you curious. 

3. The Winter Sea – Susanna Kearsley 

The Winter Sea tells the story of Scottish author Carrie, who treads the fine line between fiction and reality.

As a writer, Carrie starts recounting memories of her characters’ lives. A more imaginative way to explore time travel, this book transports you back to 17th-century Scotland. 

The time travel is done as Carrie recollects vivid memories of her book’s fictional characters. However, the reader is left curious as to what memory is, what imagination is, and what reality is.

The book also explores a secretive and tense romance between Carrie and her landlord’s son, Graham.

A more unconventional way to explore time travel, this story jumps back and forth through the visions of the heroine. A book that will spark your curiosity and leave you guessing til the end. 

4. Beautiful Wreck – Larissa Brown

Beautiful Wreck is about a girl who travels back in time and falls in love. Though it’s not anything new in terms of plot, it has been well written and the world-building is excellent.

Ginn is a virtual reality designer who surprisingly finds herself in 10th-century Iceland. Ginn’s current reality is dull as she exists in a future that is desolate and void of the romance she is craving. 

The book tells the story of how Ginn surprisingly finds herself in Viking Iceland!

She starts to enjoy the simple and homely life of the village she finds herself in and meets and falls in love with a native Icelandic Viking named Heirik. 

Although she finally finds the romance she has always wanted, she learns that love is much more complicated than expected. Henrik is reserved and tormented by what he believes is a curse. 

Penetrating his heart and also fighting against forces that try to tear them apart, this time travel romance lives up to the name of its title, a beautiful wreck.

5. A Knight in Shining Armour – Jude Devereux

A Knight in Shining Armour is a classic time travel romance book by author Jude Devereux .

It tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a real knight from the Elizabethan age in England.

The book unpacks the love between the heroine Douglass, a young teacher, and a medieval knight, Nicholas.

Douglass is in a dating relationship with a doctor who treats her poorly, and only when meeting Nicholas can she experience true love. 

Although the book is about finding true love, it also shows that love between people from different decades can be challenging. Nicholas and Douglass are tested when they are separated from each other to go back to their times. 

This book will captivate your heart as you become invested in the fight for love between the two main characters.

They fight to discover why Nicholas has come to the current day and how to save his life in the past. 

This is a must-read for fans of time travel, romance and adventure genres, as it combines all three in an unforgettable story.

6. What the Wind Knows – Amy Harmon

What the Wind Knows follows the protagonist Anne as she surprisingly finds herself in Ireland in 1921.

The context is war, and we also glimpse Anne’s inner turmoil as she struggles with hurt and navigates the past.

You are introduced to the history of The Irish Revolution in the 1920s and also to a mysterious doctor named Thomas Smith.

The book explores Anne’s struggles as she begins to fall in love with a man who becomes involved in the war.

Readers are mesmerized by Amy Harmon’s poetic writing and ability to capture the love and heartbreak between Anne and Thomas. 

What the Wind Knows brilliantly weaves history, love, and social commentary into one book.

7. In A Holidaze – Christina Lauren

In A Holidaze is a different take on time travel where the main character Maelyn (Mae) is stuck in a time loop.

She travels back in time, but again and again. She is given a chance to re-live the past as she sees fit.

The book’s romance is not too heavy as it’s about Mae’s budding crush on her friend Andrew. Reliving the past gives her the courage to express how she feels about him finally. 

Set during the Christmas season, it is also festive. This is a friends to lovers romance book with a story that is great for a casual, fun, and upbeat read.

8. Before the Coffee Gets Cold – Toshikazu Kawaguchi

This is a charming story about a coffee house in Tokyo that allows people to travel back in time.

It follows the story of four people who want to travel back in time.

Examining the reasons we love Before the Coffee Gets Cold provides insight into the motives behind love.

One story follows a wife as she travels to the past to meet her husband again and explores love with sincerity and honesty. 

Time travel in this book is not without its rules. Time travelers must return to the present in a stipulated time, and their journeys prove interesting. 

A moving and emotional read, Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s novel is for those who want to dive deeper into time travel and deeper into love. 

9. Time and Again – Jack Finney

Time and Again is not only a love story between the main character Simon and Julia but a love story about New York…

The story tells of a 1970s man Simon traveling back to 1882 to solve a mystery plaguing his heart. 

This is one of the historical time travel love stories that is also an ode to the city in which it is set. New York is the third love in this book, with the author Jack Kinney capturing the city in its early years. 

His writing is gripping and makes it feel like you have been transported back to New York.

The romance is also a tale of choosing to follow the head or the heart, as Simon is torn between the present and the past.

10. Ruby Red – Kerstin Gier 

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier is a witty and lively story of young Gwen who lives in London but soon learns that she can time travel.

A time travel gene runs through her family, although she does not expect to be someone who can time travel.

Soon she is catapulted into time travel suddenly and an unexpected romance. To tell you who the romance is with would spoil the book. You would have to find out by yourself. 

The book is fun and an excellent read for younger readers.

The heroine is 16 years old, and we see the world through her eyes. Described as a clever story, Ruby Red is the easy-going read for your next pick-me-up book.

11. In Five Years – Rebecca Serle

In Five Years is a time-travel romance that fast-forwards to the future!

The main character Dannie finds herself 5 years in the future (through a vision, or is it a reality?), living a life she did not anticipate. She is living with a random man who is not her current fiance.

The book follows Dannie as she unpacks her life 5 years in the future.

A future she is not familiar with but one with desirable possibilities. In this book, time travel is a tool that helps her to ask, what does she want?

It leaves the reader also wondering, what if I could get a picture of my future? Would I change anything?

The author’s writing style is poetic and evocative, with descriptions that transport you to different times and dimensions.

12. Somewhere in Time – Richard Matheson

Somewhere in Time is a beautiful story of love that lasts the test of time and different periods.

It explores the complications that exist for a modern man as he falls in love with a famous actress in San Francisco in 1896.

The author, Richard Matheson, writes this book intricately and can describe the love between the two characters with warmth.

We learn about love at first sight and are taken away by the chemistry between the two main characters. 

The time travel aspect is a unique and interesting vehicle that drives the plot, but at its core the story is about love, sacrifice, and second chances.

This book is also excellent for anyone who loves reading books about historical America and San Francisco. 

13. More of Us to The West – Trinity Dunn

More of Us to The West tells of heroine Alaina’s budding romance with Jack as they are both stranded on an island after their plane crashes.

The only problem is that Alaina is already married to Chris. 

She struggles to make sense of her new romance and how Jack and she ended up stranded on an island, along with 11 other strangers.

The reader is torn between the past and the future as Alaina tries to make sense of her heart as she is torn between Chris and Jack. 

The book also lures you with a mystery you will be dying to solve, making it hard to put it down.  

14. Return Once More – Trisha Leigh

Return Once More tells of 16-year-old Kaia, part of a time-traveling group known as the Historians.

Set in the future where humans live on other planets, Kaia grows up quickly as she is taught to be a Historian.

She is tasked with going back in time to witness important events. 

Young and brave, Kaia is lucky enough to be told who her “True One” is. Learning that her true one is her soulmate, she is eager to meet him. 

This story explores Kaia’s relationship with her “True One,” Caesarion. Caesarion happens to be Cleopatra and Caesar’s son from the past! 

Expect nothing less than a creative and original narrative set in the future but also an exotic past.

This book does a great job of depicting a romance across two different cultures and timelines.

15. A Thousand Pieces of You – Claudia Gray

A Thousand Pieces of You joins heroine Marguerite as she travels through time and a different universe. Marguerite is on the hunt to solve a mystery close to her heart. 

Marguerite’s parents are the inventors of the Firebird, the machine that allows her to jump from one exciting universe to another.

While focused on her mission, she finds love along the way in the most unexpected places!

This book does a great job of exploring the heart of a young girl keen on an adventure but also open to love.

Part mystery, part romance, this book is a fast-paced and action-packed book that is great for younger readers. 

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Final Word on Time Travel Romance Books

So there you have it, those are the best time travel romance books. As you can see, there are a lot of great novels to choose from!

I hope you found something on this list that sparks your interest. If you have any more suggestions, let me know in the comments.

About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

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52 Books for 52 Places

Can’t make it to all the destinations we recommend? Read about them.

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By Concepción de León

The Times’s 52 places to go in 2020 spans the globe, from Washington, D.C., to Mount Kenya to Sabah, Malaysia. Maybe you’re already buying your plane tickets, or maybe you can’t get away anytime soon — but either way, we recommend the books below, which will help you explore on the ground or from your armchair.

52 Places to Go in 2020

We picked destinations to inspire you, delight you and motivate you to explore the world.

No. 1 Washington, D.C.

‘ The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears ,’ by Dinaw Mengestu

This novel, which follows an Ethiopian immigrant, Sepha Stephanos, as he makes his way in the U.S. capital, “is about the animate presence of loss, about a man struggling to find traction in his ostensibly current life as proprietor of an ailing Logan Circle grocery store.”

No. 2 British Virgin Islands

‘ Don’t Stop the Carnival, ’ by Herman Wouk

After Norman Paperman, a Broadway press agent, suffers a heart attack, he decides to escape the rat race and move to a Caribbean island, planning to buy a hotel. Shenanigans ensue in this “compulsively and clock-racingly readable” novel “with a comic line that moves as fast as a Marx Brothers movie.”

No. 3 rurrenabaque, Bolivia

‘The Fat Man From La Paz,’ edited by Rosario Santos

The 20 stories in this book explore culture and society in Bolivia over the last 50 years, and it includes a range of authors, from the iconic Augusto Cespedes to up-and-comers published in English here for the first time.

No. 4 Greenland

‘ Smilla’s Sense of Snow, ’ by Peter Hoeg

“Any man who dares to write an entire novel from a woman’s point of view should be wary. But Mr. Hoeg succeeds,” crafting a compelling story about a woman determined to find out who murdered her 6-year-old neighbor.

No. 5 kimberley region, australia

‘ Island Home: A Landscape Memoir, ’ by Tim Winton

This book, in which “Winton gives us an aerial view of humanity’s situation and its effect on those with whom we share the planet,” is as much a memoir as it is a call to arms.

No. 6 paso robles, calif.

‘Sideways,’ by Rex Pickett

A week before Jack plans to marry, he and his friend Miles set off on a weeklong trip across the Santa Ynez wine country, where they encounter mishaps and adventure, and reflect on their lives and friendship.

No. 7 sicily

‘ The Leopard, ’ by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa

This novel, about the decline of a family of Sicilian aristocrats, is the “ key to Sicily. ”

No. 8 salzburg, austria

‘Amadeus,’ by Peter Shaffer

This play is “ a freely imagined account of the Viennese court composer Antonio Salieri’s venomous relationship with the musical prodigy of the age — namely, one Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.”

No. 9 tokyo

‘Strange Weather in Tokyo,’ by Hiromi Kawakami

A chance meeting between Tsukiko and her former high school teacher, 30 years her senior, turns romantic in this poignant portrait of modern Japan.

No. 10 caesarea, Israel

‘Limassol,’ by Yishai Sarid

An Israeli secret agent’s professional resolve is tested when an undercover mission — to befriend an Israeli writer with ties to a Palestinian terrorist leader — is complicated by newfound loyalties.

No. 11 national parks, china

‘ Tibet Wild: A Naturalist’s Journeys on the Roof of the World ,’ by George B. Schaller

In this book, a biologist with a focus on wild animals recounts his observations in the Tibetan Plateau. Schaller spent several months a year for decades observing the kiang, wild yak and chiru, following an approach based on the belief that natural history “must be learned on the ground, asking questions, observing, listening, taking notes, getting the boots muddy.”

No. 12 Lesotho

‘Chaka,’ by Thomas Mofolo

This fictionalized account of the titular character follows him from birth to his future as a Zulu warrior and king. Published in English in the 1930s, it is considered one of the earliest major works out of Africa.

No. 13 Colorado Springs

‘ The Shining ,’ by Stephen King

In Stephen King’s classic horror novel, the playwright Jack Torrance moves his family into the idyllic Overlook Hotel in Colorado, where he is hired as the caretaker and hopes to finish his play. But the hotel has a dark history, and his son, Danny — gifted with supernatural powers — seems to be the only one tuned in to the dark forces around them.

No. 14 krakow, Poland

‘ Schindler’s List ,’ by Thomas Keneally

This novel is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a factory owner who may have otherwise been forgotten if not for his heroic mission to save as many Jews as he could from the gas chambers during the Holocaust.

No. 15 jodhpur, India

‘ Raj ,’ by Gita Mehta

This novel, set in the late 1800s, follows Jaya, a princess who after spending most of her life in purdah must step into the role of Maharani when her husband dies. “Jaya is a fictional creation. But the strengths of the book all lie in the facts and details of social setting, incident and politics, which dominate the characters so that even the figures central to the story have little individuality.”

No. 16 western Sweden

‘Sun and Shadow,’ by Åke Edwardson

This book, the first in a series of five, introduces readers to Erik Winter, the youngest chief inspector in Sweden, as he tries to solve a double murder.

No. 17 Egypt

‘ Chronicle of a Last Summer ,’ by Yasmine El Rashidi

In this novel, which chronicles three summers marked by political unrest in the life of an unnamed narrator, Cairo becomes a character. “El Rashidi offers a sharply perceptive and judiciously accurate portrait of Egypt’s complex culture.”

No. 18 La Paz, Mexico

‘ The Pearl ,’ by John Steinbeck

This novella is a parable about the price of success. It follows Kino, who makes a meager living as a pearl diver but one day finds a pearl the size of a seagull’s egg — a discovery that exposes him to the greed of those around him.

No. 19 grand isle, la.

‘ The Awakening ,’ by Kate Chopin

Chopin’s “great feminist novel of identity and self-consciousness,” recently rereleased more than a century after its original publication, is the story of the protagonist Edna’s awakening to the oppressive patriarchy in which she lives.

No. 20 chow kit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

‘ Food of the Gods ,’ by Cassandra Khaw

In this “madcap, macabre and violently funny” novel by a Malaysian sci-fi writer, readers are introduced to a modern-day version of Kuala Lumpur where “the supernatural is real, hungry and attempting to unionize.” It follows Rupert Wong, a mortal who is asked to investigate a murder, placing him at the center of a brewing war between the gods.

No. 21 jevnaker, Norway

‘ Out Stealing Horses ,’ by Per Petterson

Nearing 70 and settled in an isolated rural cabin, Trond reflects on a fateful summer during his teenage years, when his friend Jon takes him on an adventure that begets a series of losses for them both.

No. 22 THE BAHAMAS

‘ Islands in the Stream ,’ by Ernest Hemingway

Published posthumously in 1970, this novel follows a summer in the life of an artist named Thomas Hudson, who has settled on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas when his estranged sons come to visit.

No. 23 Kampot, Cambodia

‘The Four Faces,’ by Han Suyin

One of Suyin’s lesser-known books, this novel takes place at a literary conference in Cambodia during the Cold War, where writers are meant to discuss the merits of neutrality in times of political turmoil. Suyin explores the forces destabilizing the country while telling the stories of a varied cast of characters.

No. 24 Christchurch, New Zealand

‘ A Killer Harvest ,’ by Paul Cleave

This thriller about a blind 16-year-old who receives the eyes of his deceased father contains “guts, gore and a little S&M,” but also follows the teen as he “explores his surroundings with a sense of anxiety and awe.”

No. 25 Asturias, Spain

‘ La Regenta ,’ by Leopoldo Alas

This classic Spanish novel “is a rich, complex study of life among the aristocrats in a small northern Spanish town. But the story — a love triangle that leads to an amateurish duel — emerges slowly.”

No. 26 Haida gwaii, British Columbia

‘During My Time: Florence Edenshaw Davidson, A Haida Woman,’ by Margaret B. Blackman

Based on more than 50 hours of interviews, this book chronicles the life of Florence Edenshaw Davidson, who came of age when the Haida way of life was in a moment of transition in the early 1900s.

No. 27 Austin, Texas

‘ The Gay Place ,’ by Billy Lee Brammer

This book, composed of three novellas that center on a character based on Lyndon B. Johnson, is “a superbly controlled work of fiction, its characters vivid, its style elegant and knowing, its political and human insights growing naturally from its characters rather than being strapped crudely upon them.”

No. 28 Sabah, Malaysia

‘ Stranger in the Forest: On Foot Across Borneo ,’ by Eric Hansen

A young writer recounts his travels through the forests of Borneo in this “gracefully written and passionate book” that is so full of “improbable adventures” that our reviewer doubted its veracity. He read some passages to a friend who had taken a similar trip around the same time as Hansen. “He did it,” said the friend, “and he did it right.”

No. 29 Churchill, Manitoba

‘ All My Puny Sorrows ,’ by Miriam Toews

When her sister, Elfrieda, attempts suicide, Yoli travels to the psychiatric unit where she is hospitalized, and much of the rest of the book concerns itself with whether Elfrieda will try to take her own life again. “Such a synopsis would not, if I hadn’t read the book, seem to me enticing,” wrote our reviewer, but she found the book “irresistible.”

No. 30 Uganda

‘ Kintu ,’ by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

This family saga about the cursed Kintu clan reimagines the country’s history from 1750 and has been described as an “ Ugandan ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude.’ ”

No. 31 Paris

‘ Walking on the Ceiling ,’ by Aysegül Savas

In this novel, a young Turkish woman, Nunu, has just moved to Paris after the death of her mother. She encounters M., an older British writer she’s long admired, and the two develop a complicated relationship that forces Nunu to reckon with her past.

No. 32 lake district, England

‘ The Shepherd’s Life ,’ by James Rebanks

In this book, Rebanks, a sheep farmer, reclaims England’s Lake District “for the local farmers who work there, wresting a difficult living from the land — quietly taming this countryside over the centuries, clearing forests and creating the hedges, walls, roads, barns and lanes that define this world.”

No. 33 Tajikistan

‘ A Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar, ’ by Suzanne Joinson

This debut novel follows two women as they embark on journeys that challenge societal restrictions and explores “notions of freedom, rootlessness” and “dislocation.”

No. 34 Antakya, turkey

‘ Revelation: A Search for Faith in a Violent Religious World ,’ by Dennis Covington

This book chronicles the writer’s trip to Antioch, the ancestral name of Antakya, hoping to follow the movements of early Christians and “write about faith as an action rather than just a set of beliefs.” But when Covington starts taking trips across the border to war-torn Syria, the story broadens to include explorations of violence, faith and history.

No. 35 Leipzig, Germany

‘ Memoirs of a Polar Bear ,’ by Yoko Tawada

Three generations of polar bears tell their stories in this novel, which is “a study of blurred lines: the line between human and animal, the line between one person’s (or creature’s) story and another’s, the line between love and exploitation.”

No. 36 Lima, Peru

‘ Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter ,’ by Mario Vargas Llosa

“This screwball fantasy — interwoven with a realistic tale of an improbable romance — is the Peruvian novelist Vargas Llosa’s homage to two people who gave shape to his artistic and personal life during his adolescence: an ascetic Bolivian who all day, every day, wrote scripts for radio soap operas, and the author’s Aunt Julia.”

No. 37 Molise, Italy

‘ Murder in Matera: A True Story of Passion, Family and Forgiveness in Southern Italy, ’ by Helene Stapinski

In a “streetwise Hemingway” style, Stapinski examines her great-great-grandmother Vita’s life, exploring a mysterious crime she committed and speculating how her “criminal genes” might have been passed down.

No. 38 Copenhagen

‘ The Torso ,’ by Helene Tursten

After an unidentifiable partial torso washes up on a Swedish beach, Detective Inspector Irene Huss must work with her Danish counterparts, who have a similar open case, to solve the mystery.

No. 39 Richmond, va.

‘Southern Cross,’ by Patricia Cornwell

A Charlotte police chief is brought to Richmond to clean up the city’s police force, and under intense public scrutiny, she attempts to bring order to the city as it struggles with corruption, scandal and murder.

No. 40 mount Kenya

‘ Brideprice ,’ by J.N. Catanach

Determined to find someone who may have witnessed her parents’ death in Mount Kenya, Stephanie Duncan returns 11 years after the tragedy to find out the truth about what happened.

No. 41 Minorca, Spain

‘ Master and Commander ,’ by Patrick O’Brian

This novel, the first in a series, starts in Minorca but spans continents, as two mismatched men, the lieutenant Jack Aubrey and the physician Stephen Maturin, hit the open sea amid the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. Writing about revisiting the book, Richard Snow said “every page shone with humor, sometimes mordant, sometimes wise, and always growing naturally out of the situations it illuminated.”

No. 42 Oberammergau, Germany

‘ The Reader, ’ by Bernhard Schlink

“This offbeat novel, by a German writer born in 1944, about a high school kid in love with a woman formerly employed at Auschwitz, leaps national boundaries and speaks straight to the heart.”

No. 43 Plymouth, England

‘ The Pillars of the Earth, ’ by Ken Follett

This epic novel “chronicles the building of a Gothic cathedral, set against the turmoil of 12th-century England, when two ineffective monarchs battled for the throne and the country collapsed into the period called the Anarchy.”

No. 44 Atlantic forest, brazil

‘ The More I Owe You ,’ by Michael Sledge

This book draws from Elizabeth Bishop’s work to deliver a fictionalized account of her time in Brazil, evoking lush naturalistic descriptions and delving into her affair with the architect Lota de Macedo Soares.

No. 45 Belle-Île, France

‘The Vicomte of Bragelonne,’ by Alexandre Dumas

This sequel to “The Three Musketeers” is so lengthy that it’s usually split into several parts, all full of adventures and displays of bravery for Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Dumas was criticized by some for hiring assistants to help with research and plotting . “But if Dumas was a hack, he was a hack with genius. His storytelling never seems the least bit mechanical: no assembly line, then or now, could ever turn out a narrative as joyful, as eccentric, as maddeningly human as ‘The Three Musketeers.’”

No. 46 val d’aran, Spain

‘ The Gray Notebook, ’ by Josep Pla

This journal begins in 1918, when Pla was a law student in Barcelona and the Spanish flu broke out, forcing him to return to his hometown. It’s filled with his young ruminations, character sketches and observations on life in the Catalonia region at the time. He returned to it in his 60s, filling out his memories, and “what survives in its pages is a vibrant testimony to the power of words to transcend time.”

No. 47 Mongolia

‘The Blue Sky,’ by Galsan Tschinag

In this novel, a young Tuvan boy witnesses the clash between his people’s nomadic way of life and the influence of the modern world.

No. 48 Juliana trail, Slovenia

‘A Day in Spring,’ by Ciril Kosmač

After the end of World War II, the narrator of this novel returns home to his countryside village in Slovenia, where he reckons with the consequences of war.

No. 49 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

‘ Cutting for Stone ,’ by Abraham Verghese

Twin brothers conjoined at the skull and separated at birth, Marion and Shiva Stone are raised separately amid political turmoil in Ethiopia by adopted parents, and this emotional novel follows them as they pursue a shared passion for medicine and are brought back together.

No. 50 Transylvanian Alps, Romania

‘ The Historian ,’ by Elizabeth Kostova

The scholarly characters in Kostova’s richly imagined book ricochet around Europe visiting libraries, monasteries, crypts and villages in search of Dracula’s tomb .

No. 51 Urbino, Italy

‘The Book of the Courtier,’ by Baldassare Castiglione

This Renaissance-era tome is “a kind of manual on how to be cool at court that for centuries afterward was required reading throughout Europe for all who aspired to a life of power and polish.”

No. 52 Glacier National Park and whitefish, Mont.

‘ A River Runs Through It ,’ by Norman Maclean

This autobiographical book, which includes two novellas and a short story, is based on Maclean’s life in early-20th-century Montana as the son of a Presbyterian minister who is also a passionate fisher. It will teach you a lot about Montana, “where drinking beer doesn’t count as drinking, where they don’t care whether the whiskey is much good if they can get strawberry pop for a chaser, and where being acquitted of killing a sheepherder isn’t the same as being innocent.”

Follow New York Times Books on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram , sign up for our newsletter or our literary calendar . And listen to us on the Book Review podcast .

Correction: March 3, 2020 An earlier version of this article misspelled the subject’s surname in the title of Margaret B. Blackman’s book. It is Davidson, not Davison.

Concepción de León is a staff writer covering news and culture for the Books section. More about Concepción de León

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Best romance books to read

Escape into a world where enemies become lovers, friends fall in love and things sometimes get spicy!

Romance transports you to idealised worlds where high-waisted Regency fashion dances with world-famous stars falling for the girl-next-door. Best of all: the happy ending is always guaranteed. Read any of these and get hooked!

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Polson

Imagine: you’re driving through pouring rain and get stuck in a small town. Plot twist: the town is the setting of your favourite romance series, which has been left unfinished due to the author’s untimely death. What do you do next? For Elsy, there’s only one answer. She heads to the local diner and meets characters - including Anders, the ultimate book boyfriend - she has fallen in love with over the course of many chapters. Ashley Polson delivers a delightful novel that doubles as a cosy commentary on why we love romance. A must-read for lovers of the genre!

Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan

Kevin Kwan is back with another story of weddings, gossip and indecent wealth. This time, we’re in Hawaii where the Gresham family is hosting the wedding of the decade at which their son is finally going to secure their financial future. But will he secure his heart? Dreamy, decadent locations are the perfect background to secrets and scandals. This is 437 pages of pure entertainment - you won’t be able to put it down!

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

Gwen, a violin prodigy, is on the brink of becoming first chair for a prestigious New York orchestra, the crescendo of all her hard work and professional dreams. This however is the position that Xander, a cellist who also plays in his own rock-and-roll cover band, has coveted since he picked up his first bow as a toddler. Julie Soto orchestrates their relationship with all the intensity and emotion of the best symphony. One to read while listening to the playlist Soto herself curated .

Big Date Energy by Bethany Rutter

Romance novels rarely start with the main character rejoicing in their singledom, so that’s just one of the details that makes Big Date Energy an entertaining and endearing read. Fran is determined to enjoy her single life in London: she’s on the apps, she’s hitting on hotties in pubs, she’s having great sex. And she is, despite herself, rekindling her relationship with her first love. A second-chance romance that dives into the fun and fraught sides of the London dating scene.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

A Love Song For Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

This is a romance with a scent - heady jasmine - and a soundtrack of 1920’s Harlem jazz. Through the story of Ricki and Ezra, Tia Williams writes beautifully about our human tendency to romanticise the past, our identities, and love itself. The budding florist and successful musician are no ordinary couple. They are separated by a century, a voodoo curse, and the mystic of leap years. Theirs might be a fated, magnetic pull, but they’ll need to fight to hang on to it. At what cost? Perfect if you loved Seven Days in June and Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics .

The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky

They’re both experiencing a low point in their lives, but that won’t stop Holden and Leon from being the cutest pretend couple - especially if it means a chance at winning the jackpot in a national game show. Even better if it gives them an excuse to explore the magnetic attraction they are experiencing. A fake-dating romance with great character backstory and a genuinely surprising twist. You might even shed a tear or two in the third act. A must-read for fans of Alexis Hall.

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

Alexis Hall’s romance formula hits every time: two cute guys who misunderstand each other at first then fall in love, supported by a hilarious cast of characters. Here, he adds Gollum, the cat, who will judge you while sitting on the laps of your worst (and annoyingly attractive) enemy. When Sam's boss Jonathan threatens to fire the team he manages, Sam is left with no choice but to fake amnesia so he can get him to change his mind in time for Christmas. I am still laughing at a particularly successful scene where the full cast of the story attempts to fit the hugest Christmas tree into a normal-size house.

Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

People-pleaser extraordinaire and theoretical physicist Elsie complements her poor academia salary by being a fake girlfriend for hire. Her plans get derailed when her favourite client’s brother turns out to be Jack, the experimental physicist who happens to be on the hiring committee for her dream job. Ali Hazelwood always knows how to write dream book boyfriends, and she delivers again with Love, Theoretically . The debate over theoretical and experimental physics has never been so hot.

Unladylike Lessons in Love by Amita Murray

Unladylike Lessons In Love by Amita Murray

Regency romance with a hint of mystery? Sign me up! I loved the witty dialogue and the strong, independent main character in Lila, the eldest daughter of an English earl and his Indian mistress, who runs an exclusive London gaming club. When her best friend reveals she’s pregnant by a man falsely accused of a crime, Lila teams up with Ivor, who once accused her of sleeping with his father, to investigate. Nothing brings out chemistry and sizzling repartee like a good mystery with personal stakes!

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

A super gossipy romance that takes you behind-the-curtain of a late-night comedy show. Sketch writer Sally is fed up with her average-looking male colleagues dating glamourous and successful guest-hosts from the show, something that never seems to happen to her female colleagues. Enters Noah, a pop superstar and therefore the person least likely to be interested in her… Or is he? From late night writing to pandemic email conversation, Romantic Comedy combines humour with poignancy and a lot of heart. Perfect for fans of The Idea of You and How to Fake it in Hollywood .

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Take Harriet and Wyn, two people reeling from a recent break-up. Place them in a dream Maine seaside cottage with their best friends, who aren’t aware of the separation. Add flashbacks to the steamy early days of their relationship. What you get is Emily Henry’s latest romance novel which intertwines masterful descriptions of the longing and grief you feel when love ends with the hope and happiness of its beginning.

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake

Iris Kelly needs to spark her creative fire to write her second romance novel. A hard task when you’re the lone single among all your coupled up friends... On a trip to a Portland bar, Iris meets Stevie and one thing leads to another – where 'another' is a fake relationship scheme. What if play-acting at love can unlock Iris’ inspiration? I loved Iris, the confident heroine who is determined to find love without losing herself and who demonstrates how you can choose your partner and yourself at the same time.

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

This is a make-or-break wedding for Bobbi: not only is she planning her BFF’s celebration, but it might also be the key to the promotion she deserves. Pity she needs to work with chef Bunty, the groom’s irritating best friend. To top it all, a mystery saboteur starts undermining the preparations. Mix enemies-to-lovers with a contemporary take on Much Ado About Nothing for a light, funny and spicy romance. Just like Bunty, I fell in love with the quick-witted and efficient Bobbi.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

It all starts with a misunderstanding between chef Josh and down-on-her-luck comedian Ari. She’s stopping passers-by to convince them to give money to charity and he just doesn’t have time. With New York for background to his failed restaurant and her failed marriage, they keep bumping into each other as they both try to figure out their lives. Kate Goldbeck describes to perfection the vulnerable/loving/anxious/horny inner monologue of both characters. This is a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance which made me shout “kiss already” quite a few times!

An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera

An Island Princess Starts A Scandal by Adriana Herrera

Off to Paris to exhibit her painting, Caribbean artist Manuela encounters an ambitious British duchess, Cora. Manuela’s one last summer of freedom before a loveless arranged marriage turns into one last fun-fuelled affair, which we get to experience with a beating heart and bated breath. Vibrant heroines, a dramatic historical setting, and a bohemian artsy world: I couldn’t get enough of the banter, the romance or the friendship between the women.

The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk

This novel tastes like mince pies fresh out of the oven, sprinkled with a dusting of magical realism. Spending Christmas at home right after a breakup, Gwen gets stuck in a time loop, cursed to forever open presents, flambé pudding, and argue with her dad and sister. Or is she? Determined to see another Boxing Day, Gwen starts reassessing the relationships in her life. A heartwarming romance about the biggest love of our lives: ourselves (and the hot, tall surgeon next door).

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8 Historical Fiction Books Like A Gentleman In Moscow

“If a man does not master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them.”

Amor Towles’ A Gentleman in Moscow is one of the most acclaimed Historical Fiction books from the past decade. The story follows a man who is forced to spend the rest of his life inside a luxury hotel room. Elegantly drawn and vivid in its descriptions, Towles whisks readers back to the heart of revolutionary Russia. Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to house arrest when he is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by the Bolsheviks, forced to live the remainder of his days in a solitary attic room in the Metropol Hotel across from the Kremlin. There, he is able to witness the next tumultuous decades of Russian history, delivering his observations with his infallible wit. 

Towles’ work provides a cast of colourful characters and a doorway into a profound understanding of purpose , connectivity and inspiration, so why not follow up a readthrough with the best books like A Gentleman in Moscow at What We Reading ? 

The Lincoln Highway – Amor Towles

From the bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and a nominee for Best Historical Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards , Amor Towles’ The Lincoln Highway follows eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson in the summer of 1954. Being driven home by the warden at the work farm where he’s just spent a year serving a sentence for involuntary manslaughter, he plans to pick up his brother and make a new life out West.

However, when two of his friends from the farm emerge from the boot of the car, a multiple-perspective tale spanning ten days takes readers on a dramatic journey spanning an array of richly imagined themes, settings and characters. 

The Remains Of The Day – Kazuo Ishiguro

An all-time classic in the Historical Fiction genre, Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day is a compelling character study of an aloof and mannered butler. The book follows Stevens, a loyal butler at Darlington Hall and one of the last remaining professionals in his industry. Set in the summer of 1956, he embarks on a motoring journey across England’s West Country.

This six-day excursion becomes an emotional journey into Stevens, his housekeeper and his country that tackles everything from the rise of Fascism across the continent to the horrors of two World Wars . An extraordinary explosion that tackles awareness and humility, Ishiguro’s distinct haiku-writing style is at its absolute best in The Remains of the Day. 

The Wall – Marlen Haushofer

One of the best books like A Gentleman in Moscow for capturing the beauty and importance of human connectivity and community, Marlen Haushofer’s The Wall remains an iconic piece of dystopian German literature.

The book follows an ordinary middle-aged woman who awakens one day to find herself as the last remaining human on the planet. Readers follow the woman as she journeys into the unknown, faced with the unimaginable physical and mental challenges that come with total isolation. A moving look meditation on humanity, Haushofer’s work explores how there can be meaning even in the most stripped-back of surroundings. 

An Honest Man – Ben Fergusson 

For another one of the best books like A Gentleman in Moscow that taps into the ideologies and extremities of the Soviet era, Ben Fergusson’s An Honest Man remains a must-read. Set in West Berlin in 1989, eighteen-year-old Ralf has just left school and is preparing for his final golden summer with his three best friends. Their days are spent smoking, swimming and daydreaming about their futures, unaware of the looming storm gathering on the other side of the Berlin Wall. 

However, an encounter with the mysterious Oz and an unsettling discovery about his family soon threaten to upend Ralf’s entire world. Old Cold War tensions then lead to him being forced to make a series of impossible choices that will have irreversible repercussions on his family, his country and his heart. 

The Long Take – Robin Robertson 

Walker is a young Canadian who has been recently demobilised following his active service in the Normandy Landings and subsequent European campaigns during the final stages of the Second World War. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from his ordeals, he’s not ready to face his family and return to civilian life in rural Nova Scotia. 

Instead, he embarks on a tour in search of freedom, change, identity and repair. Told through a series of poems, he moves through post-war New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Long Take is a 2018 historical fiction book like A Gentleman in Moscow by Robin Robertson that delivers a haunting, vivid and beautiful tale that follows a young man as he struggles to readjust to the crumbling world of the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt

A Goodreads Award nominee for both Best Debut Novel and Best Fiction is a great book like A Gentleman in Moscow on the back of its poignant message of empathy , hope and community.

Author Shelby Van Pelt introduces protagonist Tova Sullivan, a woman who picks up a late-night job in an aquarium following the deaths of her son and husband. During her rounds of mopping the floors and tidying up, she begins to strike up a connection with the grumpy Pacific Octopus, Marcellus. Though he is a captive prisoner in his tank, Marcellus works to help Tova look into her past and find peace with her future. 

Check Out The Best Books Like Remarkably Bright Creatures

Pachinko – Min Jin Lee

Like A Gentleman in Moscow, Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko is a Historical Fiction tale that follows a cast of characters across the turbulent early years of the twentieth century. Pachinko tells the story of a young woman named Sunja who falls in love with a wealthy stranger from near her home in Korea.

When she discovers she is pregnant, she refuses to be bought by the stranger and instead marries a sickly minister passing through on his way to Japan . Her decision leads to a series of profound changes that will ripple down through generations. With a rich tapestry of characters struggling to survive across all levels of imperial Japan, Pachinko stands out as one of the finest stories of sacrifice, ambition, love and loss. 

Check Out The Best Books Like Pachinko

A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

An international bestseller from Swedish author Fredrik Backman, A Man Called Ove introduces readers to a grumpy fifty-nine-year-old whose solitary life is turned upside down by his boisterous new neighbours.

The titularly named Ove is known as the bitter neighbour from hell, yet, through his new neighbours’ insistence on involving themselves in his life, he gradually begins to rediscover an appreciation for the power of togetherness, support and community. With an impressive amount of depth and detail behind its key message and themes, the character study that is Ove is sure to be a hit with anyone who loved Rostov’s scathing wit and observations. 

Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).

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Your current subscription allows you to be actively logged in on up to three (3) devices simultaneously. click on continue below to log out of other sessions and log in on this device., biography & memoir | prepub alert, february 2025 titles.

A memoir from legendary dancer and singer Josephine Baker receives its first U.S. publication, while notable authors Jennifer Finney Boylan and Geraldine Brooks share reflections on their experiences.

Amelina, Victoria. Looking at Women Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary. St. Martin’s. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9781250367686. 320p. $29. MEMOIR

Amelina, an award-winning Ukrainian author, poet, and activist, was killed by a Russian missile in 2023. This posthumous book, with a foreword by Margaret Atwood, is an account of her documentation of the war, including the photographs she took and the interviews she recorded of survivors, soldiers, and fellow activists. With a 75K-copy first printing.

Baker, Josephine. Fearless and Free: A Memoir. tr. from French by Anam Zafar & Sophie R. Lewis. Tiny Reparations. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9780593853696. 320p. $32. MEMOIR

Published in the U.S. for the first time (after being published in France in 1949), this autobiography by legendary dancer and singer Baker spans a remarkable period of time, from the Harlem Renaissance through Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington, with 1920s Paris and WWII in between.

Benjamin, Rich. Talk to Me: Lessons from a Family Forged by History. Pantheon. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9780593317396. 320p. $29. MEMOIR

Benjamin ( Searching for Whitopia ), a cultural anthropologist, writes about his hidden family history—his grandfather was the president of Haiti, until a coup powered by the Eisenhower administration removed him from office. The memoir branches from there, also exploring Benjamin’s personal life and the impact of family and history.

Boylan, Jennifer Finney. Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us. Celadon. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9781250261885. 256p. $29. MEMOIR

Boylan, whose memoir She’s Not There was the first bestselling work by a transgender American, writes about the differences and common ground between genders and how gender affects a sense of self, body image, friendship, even time.

Brooks, Geraldine. Memorial Days: A Memoir. Viking. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9780593653982. 224p. $28. MEMOIR

Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Brooks ( March ) writes about the sudden death of her partner, the bestselling author Tony Horwitz. Faced with the overwhelming demands that follow a death, she had no time to process her grief. Three years later, she finally was able to mourn and write this memoir of love and loss.

Gates, Bill. Source Code: My Beginnings. Knopf. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9780593801581. 320p. $30. MEMOIR

Gates, the technologist, philanthropist, and co-founder of Microsoft, writes about his early life through his college years, detailing his childhood, his family, the influence of his parents and grandparents, and his coming of age.

Harris, Keeonna. Mainline Mama: A Memoir. Amistad. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9780063205697. 224p. $26.99. MEMOIR

Harris, an activist, academic, and author, writes a memoir about raising a family with an incarcerated partner, a life-journey that began when she was a teen. Forced to raise their child mostly on her own, Harris discusses the trauma of the carceral system and her advocacy for others in a similar position.

Jiménez, Cristina. Dreaming of Home: A Young Latina’s Journey to Pride, Power, and Belonging. St. Martin’s Griffin. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9781250275660. 304p. $29. MEMOIR

Jiménez, a MacArthur Fellow, one of Time ’s Most Influential People in 2018, and co-founder and former executive director of United We Dream, writes about moving from Ecuador to the U.S., the fear of deportation, and becoming a powerful activist in the immigrant youth movement, helping to win DACA.

Kagge, Erling. After the North Pole: A Story of Survival, Mythmaking, and Melting Ice. tr. from Norwegian by Kari Dickson. HarperOne. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9780063421783. 304p. $27.99. MEMOIR

Adventurer and philosopher Kagge ( Silence: In the Age of Noise ) recounts his record-breaking 58-day journey to the North Pole (accomplished on skis), ponders the nature and history of exploration, and meditates on the natural world.

McGilligan, Patrick. Woody Allen: Life and Legacy; A Travesty of a Mockery of a Sham. Harper. Nov. 2024. ISBN 9780062941336. 848p. $50. BIOGRAPHY

McGilligan, the film biographer who has written about Orson Welles ( Young Orson ) and Mel Brooks ( Funny Man ), turns to Allen, tracing his filmmaking, cultural impact, personal life, and controversies.

Morrison, Susan. Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night. Random. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9780812988871. 592p. $36. BIOGRAPHY

Michaels, the famous creator of Saturday Night Live , cooperated with this biography and allowed Morrison, an editor at the New Yorker , to shadow him for a week on the show. The biography is being published to coincide with SNL ’s 50th anniversary.

O’Meara, Mallory. Daughter of Daring: The Trick-Riding, Train-Leaping, Road-Racing Life of Helen Gibson, Hollywood’s First Stuntwoman. Hanover Square. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9781335007933. 320p. $32. BIOGRAPHY

Award-winning O’Meara ( The Lady from the Black Lagoon ), cohost of the podcast Reading Glasses , tells the untold story of the United States’ first professional stuntwoman, Helen Gibson. Calling herself “the Most Daring Actress in Pictures,” Gibson worked in hundreds of silent films and starred in The Hazards of Helen .

Vaccaro, Sonny. Legends and Soles. HarperOne. Feb. 2025. ISBN 9780063423435. 256p. $29.99. MEMOIR

Vaccaro, a basketball insider who signed Michael Jordan to Nike and was portrayed in the film Air , writes about sports marketing, Jordan, the fierce competition between manufacturers, his relationships with players, and the legal case that altered the landscape of college sports. With a 100K-copy first printing and written in collaboration with bestselling Armen Keteyian.

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