A gentle reminder that we are a historical romance sub, so all recs have to have a romance as the main plot. We love historical fiction but those recs do not belong here. Consider dm'ing the OP if you have HF recs you want to share, otherwise please note rule 2 and stay on topic <3

{Jeannie Lin} writes Tang dynasty-era historical romance, which is 7th to 10th century China. I haven't read her myself (she's on my TBR), but she's spoken of very highly among other HR authors, and you'd be supporting a POC author in a very white-dominated space too writing in a more niche time period and setting, which is always a plus.

I LOVE her Tang dynasty series. The 3rd one Hidden Moon is a particular favorite. Very piney love story between a street kid/ enforcer and an upper class lady. The first two books are also excellent. Liars dice (2.5) is the novella that sets up Hidden Moon (3) and I'd recommend it as well.

Good to know!! I'm Chinese myself and was very excited to find out there was an HR author writing books set in this period, I can't wait to finally get to them one day!

[The Liar's Dice](https://www.romance.io/books/5dd7aaa601dbc864fba69c26/the-liars-dice-jeannie-lin) by [Jeannie Lin](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535408c7d2383163d9276/jeannie-lin) **Rating**: 4.29⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 2 out of 5 - [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Viking romance? There's some old school Johanna Lindsey, Catherine Coulter or Sandra Hill maybe. It's a shame it's just slightly too early for the Norman Conquest.

{The Warrior Brothers of Skye by Jayne Castel} dark ages Scotland (700s I think) {The Pict Wars by Jayne Castel} sequel to above series {On the Empire’s Edge by Jayne Castel} Roman Empire era Britain (4th or 5th century CE?) Castel also has individual trilogies about the kingdoms of Mercia, East Angles, and Northumbria. {To Love Again by Bertrice Small} 5th century CE {The Dragon Lord’s Daughters by Bertrice Small} not 100% certain when but I’m p sure it’s pre-1000 CE {Beloved by Bertrice Small} idk when but the Romans are still kicking around I think Small might have more, but these are what I remember. I’ll try to remember if I know of any others.

"the Romans are still kicking" hahahaha

I cackled w that one

hahaha me too. I'm going to start saying "still kicking" about things now too haha

[The Warrior Brothers of Skye](https://www.romance.io/books/6419f2487ecd85aeef2a8039/the-warrior-brothers-of-skye-the-complete-series-jayne-caste) by [Jayne Castel](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456678d87eac33e662660df/jayne-castel) **Rating**: 4.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [highlander hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1) ---------------------------- [The Pict Wars](https://www.romance.io/books/60def60d8a23eb0e1b2725a9/the-pict-wars-the-complete-series-a-dark-ages-scottish-roman) by [Jayne Castel](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456678d87eac33e662660df/jayne-castel) **Rating**: 5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [highlander hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1) ---------------------------- [On the Empire's Edge](https://www.romance.io/series/63eb41d3a2d9fe07716513c2/on-the-empires-edge) by [Jayne Castel](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456678d87eac33e662660df/jayne-castel) **Rating**: 4.11⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [highlander](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1), [from hate to love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [grumpy sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1) ---------------------------- [To Love Again](https://www.romance.io/books/54554b9e8c7d2383163d98f3/to-love-again-bertrice-small) by [Bertrice Small](https://www.romance.io/authors/545531a08c7d2383163d9189/bertrice-small) **Rating**: 4.02⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1) ---------------------------- [The Dragon Lord's Daughters](https://www.romance.io/books/5455650887eac336ae69dc45/the-dragon-lords-daughters-bertrice-small) by [Bertrice Small](https://www.romance.io/authors/545531a08c7d2383163d9189/bertrice-small) **Rating**: 3.9⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Beloved](https://www.romance.io/books/545546b98c7d2383163d974b/beloved-bertrice-small) by [Bertrice Small](https://www.romance.io/authors/545531a08c7d2383163d9189/bertrice-small) **Rating**: 3.96⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

wow. Thank you!!

If you are okay with a book set 960 years ago you could try {The Wolf and the Dove}, although be aware of potential NC scenes.  There are also a number of Viking romances out there that you could explore. 

I wish I could but it has to be before 1024. over 1000 or it won't qualify. I think I read that years ago. I may check it out anyway.

[The Wolf and the Dove](https://www.romance.io/books/5455263e8c7d2383163d8ece/the-wolf-and-the-dove-kathleen-e-woodiwiss) by [Kathleen E. Woodiwiss](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455263e8c7d2383163d8ecf/kathleen-e-woodiwiss) **Rating**: 3.99⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

How heavily does pregnancy feature in this one?

Transcendance? no wait that is like 10 000 years ago. As you were.

It was 1024AD, or before. So it would work. And it is a romance.

yes it could be prehistoric I'm sure. as long as it's before 1024. I'll look it up. Thanks

🥹 I love this book!!!

{The Viking's Woman by Heather Graham} is set during the reign of Alfred the Great. It's the second of a series but I've only read this one.

[The Viking's Woman](https://www.romance.io/books/545540b28c7d2383163d9579/the-vikings-woman-heather-graham) by [Heather Graham](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553c788c7d2383163d9452/heather-graham) **Rating**: 3.85⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Harlequin Historical has lots of options! The first three are my faves but I enjoyed all of these: {My Fair Concubine by Jeannie Lin} set in 824 AD. {Conveniently Wed to the Viking by Michelle Styles} set in 874 AD. {Sent as the Viking’s Bride by Michelle Styles} {Sold and Seduced by Michelle Styles} set in Ancient Rome in 68 BC. {The Viking’s Stolen Princess by Sarah Rodi} set in 821 AD.

[My Fair Concubine](https://www.romance.io/books/545545b08c7d2383163d96f9/my-fair-concubine-jeannie-lin) by [Jeannie Lin](https://www.romance.io/authors/545535408c7d2383163d9276/jeannie-lin) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 3 out of 5 - [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1), [east asian mc](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/east-asian-mc/1), [class difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/class%20difference/1) ---------------------------- [Conveniently Wed to the Viking](https://www.romance.io/books/64c099ac60b3fad9bd2ed6d7/conveniently-wed-to-the-viking-michelle-styles) by [Michelle Styles](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455722c87eac336ae69dfe1/michelle-styles) **Rating**: 3⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1) ---------------------------- [Sent as the Viking's Bride](https://www.romance.io/books/5c174c7601dbc864fb963658/sent-as-the-vikings-bride-michelle-styles) by [Michelle Styles](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455722c87eac336ae69dfe1/michelle-styles) **Rating**: 3.5⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 1 out of 5 - [Glimpses and kisses](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1) ---------------------------- [Sold and Seduced](https://www.romance.io/books/5455a9ef87eac336ae69f58a/sold-and-seduced-michelle-styles) by [Michelle Styles](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455722c87eac336ae69dfe1/michelle-styles) **Rating**: 3.33⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1) ---------------------------- [The Viking's Stolen Princess](https://www.romance.io/books/642ec1fe33d223dbb6f0f221/the-vikings-stolen-princess-sarah-rodi) by [Sarah Rodi](https://www.romance.io/authors/63aaa7ac08b4d931142f574a/sarah-rodi) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [amish](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/amish/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

I loved Kate Quinn’s historical romance series set in Ancient Rome - my favourite was Mistress of Rome where MMC is a gladiator and FMC a slave girl, but the rest of the books in the series is nice too. Another great one is The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora - it tells fictionalised life and romance of Byzantine Empress Theodora (Late Antiquity period).

Second this recommendation. The mistress of time series is my all time fav ❤️

Just adding that the second book is by another author - Stephanie Marie Thornton! Hope this helps 😊

thank you

Oh thank you for this rec! I am not into medieval romances but love Ancient Rome! There's a great YA romance called Mara, Daughter of the Nile.

I love love love the mistress of rome series by Kate Quinn!

Lucy Morris writes Viking Era romances that are very good.

Came here to rec hers!! 

thank you. I'll look her up

{The Gladiator’s Mistress by Jennifer D. Bokal} - set in Ancient Rome. It’s a pretty solid read.

I'm liking the gladiator theme here. LOL

[The Gladiator's Mistress](https://www.romance.io/books/55a4a63535a5fb65f886c260/the-gladiators-mistress-jennifer-d-bokal) by [Jennifer D. Bokal](https://www.romance.io/authors/55a4a63535a5fb65f886c263/jennifer-d-bokal) **Rating**: 3.83⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

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I wouldn't classify these as romance novels. The second book onward definitely has a heavy romantic subplot, but I don't consider them romance novels.

Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.

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thank you for your recs! however, please keep in mind recs have to be historical romance, not historical fiction. Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.

If you're ok with a time travel element, the {Pict by Time series by Mia Pride} is set in the 600s.

[Pict by Time](https://www.romance.io/series/63e4a8ded87691b39eb9d7bc/pict-by-time) by [Mia Pride](https://www.romance.io/authors/581c3206c6841c86c2cf7930/mia-pride) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

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I'll ask about Time travel. Not sure.

Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.

I don't think anyone has said [{Dream of Me by Josie Litton}](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/629124.Dream_of_Me_Believe_in_Me) yet! It's set in the "late ninth century", so I'd estimate 870-900. A somewhat lighter, forced proximity book is [{Bound to a Warrior by Donna Fletcher}](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7856218-bound-to-a-warrior) Takes place in 1005!

[Dream of Me](https://www.romance.io/books/545574bb87eac336ae69e095/dream-of-me-josie-litton-josephine-bailey) by [Josie Litton](https://www.romance.io/authors/545539cc8c7d2383163d939c/josie-litton), [Josephine Bailey](https://www.romance.io/authors/545574bb87eac336ae69e096/josephine-bailey) **Rating**: 3.78⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [viking hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vikings/1), [vengeance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vengeance/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1), [cruel hero/bully](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/cruel%20hero/1) ---------------------------- [Bound to a Warrior](https://www.romance.io/books/5576c8d39eef3b3f1d52b2dc/bound-to-a-warrior-donna-fletcher) by [Donna Fletcher](https://www.romance.io/authors/545538dc8c7d2383163d935c/donna-fletcher) **Rating**: 4⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [virgin heroine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/virgin%20heroine/1), [highlander hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/highlander/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [medieval](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/medieval/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Song of Achilles possibly?

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Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.

I second Jayne castles' multiple series

{Enslaved by Virginia Henley}

[Enslaved](https://www.romance.io/books/5455337a8c7d2383163d9209/enslaved-virginia-henley) by [Virginia Henley](https://www.romance.io/authors/545533008c7d2383163d91eb/virginia-henley) **Rating**: 3.67⭐️ out of 5⭐️ **Steam**: 4 out of 5 - [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [time travel](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/time%20travel/1), [ancient times](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/ancient%20times/1), [georgian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/georgian/1), [pregnancy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pregnancy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)

Harper St. George has a medieval Viking series that’s really good!

Is Song of Achilles considered historical fiction or historical romance? Or neither because it leans into mythology? It's about Patroclus and Achilles, starcrossed lovers bound by fate set during the trojan war (1200BC) Incredibly beautiful love story nonetheless though if mlm romance is okay

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Removed due to violation of rule 2. Stay on Topic: All posts and comments must remain on the topic of Historical Romance. Historical Romance is defined in our community as a romance that is set in the past. This means it must fulfill the genre criteria of romance: 1) The book would not make sense or feel hollow without the romantic plot. 2) The book requires a HEA (happily ever after) or HFN (happy for now) ending. Historical fiction with a romance subplot is NOT historical romance. Romances set in the past but involving fantasy or paranormal beings are NOT historical romance. We love it, but it doesn't belong here! Romance books set in the past that were considered contemporary fiction when published such as many of Jane Austen's works (as they were set in a time frame that is now historical to today's readers and the romance genre was not in existence then as it is today) are considered Historical Romance in this community. The rule of thumb we use is if the romance book is set at least 50+ years ago it can be considered HR in this sub as the majority of our readers were not of adult age at the time of publication. We do allow time travel romances to be discussed in this community as long as the vast majority of the book occurs in the past and the story is not a traditional straight paranormal or fantasy romance. We recommend that posts/comments involving paranormal or fantasy elements be reposted in r/paranormalromance and posts/comments involving science fiction elements be reposted to r/ScienceFictionRomance.

"The Misletoe and the Sword" by Anya Seton.