Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, so I am sharing a huge list of historical fiction published in 2025.
It could also be called the list of historical fiction books released in 2025 that I can’t wait to read.
2025 looks like it will be an excellent year for historical fiction books. When I put this list together, I could not believe how many historical fiction books would be published this year.
This list is a little different than our typical lists. Our book lists usually contain only books we have read or are a list of books by an author we love.
Today, I am changing it up and sharing a list of historical fiction books I am excited to read that will be published this year.
This list includes authors that I love, like Julia Kelly, Susan Meissner, and Patti Callahan Henry, but it also contains some new to me authors like Brianna Lebuskes, Amy Lynn Green, and Jack Wang.
I will say that this is a list of historical fiction books I want to read, but I doubt I will get to them all in 2025. Thirty books are on this list, and it only covers through June of 2025. Since I already have a lot of historical fiction books in my to-be-read stack, I will have to pick some priority reads from this list.
That is the problem with reading. There are too many books and not enough time.
This list only goes through June 2025, but I will update it over the next few months, with books published later in the year.
I would love to hear what books on this list you are looking forward to reading.
Historical Fiction Released in January 2025.
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis was published on January 7, 2025. I pre-ordered this book after hearing an interview with Fiona Davis about the book. It is on my Kindle, and I will read it as soon as I finish my current fiction read.
This book is set in 1936, in Egypt, when Charlotte Cross was offered a spot on an archaeology dig, and in 1978, in New York, 19-year-old Annie gets a chance to work with the organizer of the Met Gala.
I have only read one other book by Fiona Davis, and I have mixed thoughts about it. However, the topic of this book sounds interesting, and I don’t think I have read any historical fiction books set in Egypt. It also fits nicely into my year of learning through books.
The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang was published on January 7, 2025. The Lotus Shoes is set in 1800s China. It follows two women on opposite sides of society.
Linjing is from a prominent Fong family, and Little Flower is sold as a maidservant.
I have not read a lot of historical fiction set in China, so this one also fits nicely into my goal to learn through reading in 2025.
Ace, Marvel, Spy by Jenni L. Walsh will be published on January 14, 2025. This book is about a tennis player during WWII who used her ability to play tennis to help her become a spy. I have read and enjoyed several books by Jenny L. Walsh, so I am excited to read this one.
I was sent a free copy of this to review and I can’t wait to read it.
The Kennedy Girl by Julia Bryan Thomas will be published on January 14, 2025. This book mixes fashion and politics in the 1960s. It follows Mia, an orphan, who gets a chance to model in Paris, but the job runs deeper, and she gets pulled into the Cold War.
I enjoyed Julia Thomas’s book For Those Who Are Lost because it made me think, so I am excited to read this one because it sounds like another great one.
When Stars Light the Sky By Elizabeth Camden will be published on January 21, 2025. Elizabeth Camden is a go to author for me when I want clean historical fiction. She writes clean historical fiction that is usually not cheesy.
When Stars Light the Sky is about Inga, who sets sail for Germany just before WWI to be the secretary of America’s ambassador, I love that this has a WWI setting.
Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel will be published on January 21, 2025. This book is described as a sweet historical romance set on an Irish Farm in 1900.
This one may be a little too sweet for me, but I love historical fiction that is a little different. I don’t think I have read anything set on an Irish Farm in the early 1900s, so it would be interesting to read about.
The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz will be published on January 21, 2025. I guess January 21 is the day to release clean historical fiction.
The Indigo Heiress is set in 1800s Colonial America and Scotland. I have not read anything by this author, but it caught my attention because of the American and Scottish setting in the 1800s.
The Girls of Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn will be published on January 28, 2025. I have not read anything by Jennifer Coburn, but I have heard great things about her book Cradles of the Reich.
The Girls of Glimmer Factory is a WWII book that is based on the real story of the Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt. I love WWII historical fiction, especially ones like this that are based on a true story.
Historical Fiction Released in February 2025
The Pianist’s Wife by Soraya M. Lane will be published on February 4, 2025. This is a WWII Romance set in Germany. I have read and loved several books by Soraya M. Lane, so I am excited about this new one.
Crossing from Shore to Shore by Jean P. Moore will be published on February 4, 2025. I have not read anything by Jean P. Moore, but this book about WWI and the Spanish flu looks like it will be a good one.
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict will be published on February 11, 2025. This book is set in 1930, when five famous crime writers come together to solve an actual murder.
This book looks interesting, but I often don’t love it when historical fiction is about well-known, real people. Two of the Queens of Crime in this book are Agatha Christie and Dorothy Slayers, so I am unsure about this book. If you read it, I would love to hear your thoughts,
The Umbrella Maker’s Son by Tod Lending will be published on February 11, 2025. This author is new to me, but this book sounds so good. It is about Poland during WWII. It is being compared to the Tattooist of Auschwitz, a book I loved.
The Riveter by Jack Wang will be released on February 11, 2025. It is set in Vancouver in 1942, where Josiah Chang wants to serve his country, but Chinese Canadians were not allowed to join the army. Josiah is determined to find a way.
I have always enjoyed the historical fiction set in Canada because I learn so much. I know nothing about this author, but this sounds like a great read.
The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly will be published on February 18, 2025. Julia Kelly’s new release is set in London during WWII. It is about estranged sisters who inherit a dress shop.
I loved Julia Kelly’s The Last Garden in England, The Last Dance of the Debutante, and her historical mystery series, so as soon I knew that she had a new book coming out, I preordered it. I can’t wait to read this one.
Historical Fiction Released in March 2025
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter will be released on March 4, 2025. Georgia Hunter is the author of We Were the Lucky Ones, one of my all-time favorite fiction reads, so this is one of my most anticipated reads for 2025.
One Good Thing follows a woman’s journey through war-torn Italy in 1940. It is described as a remarkable story of motherhood, survival, and friendship.
The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labusket will be released on March 4, 2025. Actual events about the Missoula Boxcar Library inspire this Depression-era book.
Most Depression-era books are set in Oklahoma, Texas, or California, so I love that this one is set in Montana. This one fits into my goal of learning through books in 2025.
The Tides of Time by Sarah M. Eden will be published on March 4, 2025. Sarah M. Eden is an author I love to read when I need a quick, clean romance book.
A storm in 1793 propels Lili to the future in 1873 England. This book sounds very different from Sarah M. Eden’s other books so it will be interesting.
The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry will be released on March 18, 2025. This book was inspired by a real-life literary mystery.
In 1927, Clara’s life is shattered when her author mother goes missing. It then follows Clara in 1952 when she is an illustrator raising her daughter.
I have loved Patti Callahan Henry’s previous books, so I can’t wait to read this one.
A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner will be released on March 18, 2025. I love Susan Meissner’s writing, and this book set in 1956 California sounds like a great read.
Historical Fiction Released in April 2025
The Stars and Their Light by Olivea Hawker will be published on April 1, 2025. I read and loved The Ragged Edge of Night by Olivia Hawker, so I was excited to see that she has a new book coming out. The setting of this book sounds super interesting because it is so different than what I usually read.
It is set in 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico, where sister Agnes is on a mission to open a monastery.
Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi will be released on April 15, 2025. This book is an excellent fit for my goal to learn through books in 2025. This book takes you on a journey to Bombay, Prague, Florence, Paris, and London to solve the mystery of a painter’s death.
I first discovered Alka Joshi when I heard an interview with an author about one of her earlier books. She was fascinating to listen to, and I learned so much.
Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas will be released on April 29, 2025. Haidie and her brother head out west to find their father. Once she arrives in Colorado, she discovers the truth about her father.
The wild west setting of this one sounds intriguing and like a good read.
Historical Fiction Released in May 2025
The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner will be released on May 6, 2025. This book has a dual timeline. 1938 Paris, when ballerina Annie has to hide her Jewish heritage, and 2022 New York, where Miriam has to settle her great aunt’s estate.
This author is new to me, but it caught my attention because I love WWII historical fiction.
The Star of Camp Green by Joy Callaway will be published on May 6, 2025. This book is set in 1918 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Broadway Star Calla had it all until her fiance died fighting in WWI. After her fiance’s death, she tours American training camps, where she catches the Spanish Flu.
Joy Callaway’s historical fiction writing is so descriptive and well done. This one is going on my to-be-read list.
Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe will be published on May 11, 2025. It is a dual-timeline book about one woman’s life across multiple generations. It is set in 1908 and 1988 in the Low Country of South Carolina.
I have seen this listed as literary fiction and historical fiction, so I am not sure it is historical fiction, but since one of the timelines is 1908, I added it to my list. I also added it because it sounds like a book I would enjoy.
The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris will be published on May 20, 2025. This book is set in Portland, Oregon, in 1888. It deals with the notorious Shanghai Tunnels. The tunnels under parts of Portland were used to move goods, but they were also said to be used by organized crime.
I grew up in Oregon, about an hour from Portland, so this one interests me. Kristina McMorris lives in Oregon, near Portland, so I think this is a topic she will know well. I know a little about the Shanghai Tunnels, but not a lot. This is one that I preordered because I can’t wait to read it.
Across the Crying Sands by Jane Kirkpatrick will be published on May 20, 2025. This is set on the Oregon Coast in 1888. It follows Mary Edwards, who takes an unconventional job for the time on a treacherous postal route.
This book is set in Oregon, not far from where I grew up, so I know I want to read this one. I already preordered this one too.
The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly will be published on May 27, 2025. This sounds like the perfect historical fiction book for summer.
It is a dual-timeline book. In 2016, thirty-four-year-old Mari traveled to Martha’s Vineyard. In 1942, the Smith sisters were trying to hold their family farm together during WWII.
Historical Fiction Released in June 2025
The Stolen Life of Colette by Kristin Harmel will be released on June 17, 2025. I will read about anything Kristin Harmel writes. I love how she makes history come alive. This book won’t be released for months, but I already preordered it because I want to read it.
Colette has been stealing jewels for years. She takes from the cruel and gives to those in need, but one night in 1942, it all went wrong when the Germans arrested her.
Seventy years later,r Colette’s life unravels when a diamond bracelet is found in a museum in Boston.
This sounds very different from Kristin Harmel’s other books, so I wonder how I will like it. However, if Kristian Harmel writes it, I am willing to give it a try.
The Codebreaker’s Daughter by Amy Lynn Green will be published on June 17, 2025. When Dinah worked for the Office of Strategic Services during WWII, she discovered her mother was a code breaker during WWI.
Which books from the list are you looking forward to reading?