Get ready for an unforgettable lineup of historical fiction novels coming in 2025 bringing a powerful mix of grit, drama, mystery, and deep exploration of both legendary figures and unsung voices from history. Whether you’re in the mood for a multi-generational epic or a page-turning mystery, these books offer fresh takes on history. Here are the top historical fiction novels you won’t want to miss!
The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang (1/7)
In 1800s China, Little Flower and Linjing’s lives are bound together by the cruelty of societal expectations. Little Flower, sold into slavery, and Linjing, poised for marriage, find their lives upended by jealousy, alliance, and shared hardship. The Lotus Shoes is a deeply moving tale of class, ambition, and friendship set against the backdrop of a rigid social hierarchy. As they navigate love and loyalty, both women confront the limits—and risks—of societal ascent.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson (1/28)
Fans of Black Cake are in for a treat with Charmaine Wilkerson’s sophomore novel, Good Dirt. Ebby Freeman’s childhood was shattered when her brother Baz was killed, leaving behind a mystery that’s haunted her family. When public scrutiny resurfaces after Ebby’s romantic life falls apart, she flees to France, hoping for an escape. Yet, she finds herself drawn back to the tragedy—and the family heirloom that vanished with Baz. Brilliantly weaving a generational saga of resilience and identity, Good Dirt delves into family legacy and its irrefutable impact on our lives.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray (2/4)
Harlem in the early 1900s is a time of jazz, art, and the powerful rise of Black culture. One visionary woman, Jessie Redmon Fauset, is the literary editor of W.E.B. DuBois’ magazine, The Crisis, and determined to find fresh young writers. Among them comes sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen. Despite her ambitions, matters of the heart threaten to undo everything Jessie has worked hard for. Readers will be enraptured with Harlem Rhapsody as it transports them to a time of transformation and triumph.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine (2/4)
Sixteen-year-old Junie has lived her entire life enslaved on the Bellereine Plantation in Alabama. By day, Junie cares for her master’s daughter, Violet, and by night, roams the forest, haunted by grief over her sister Minnie’s sudden death. Bringing elements of magical realism that will remind readers of Janelle M. Williams and Jesmyn Ward. Junie is a stunning debut novel about resilience and ancestral power that is both haunting and inspiring.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff (2/4)
Inspired by true events, Last Twilight in Paris reveals the influence of memory, survival, and the lasting impact of war. Set in London in 1953, Louise finds a necklace from a Parisian department store that transports her back to life during Nazi-occupied Europe. Convinced it’s linked to her friend Franny’s mysterious death, Louise heads to Paris, reconnecting with her former boss and love interest, Ian. Last Twilight in Paris is a riveting novel that will have readers hooked from the start and in awe of the human spirit.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict (2/11)
In 1930s London, the most famous female crime writers team up to solve a real-life mystery, putting their expertise to the ultimate test. Led by Dorothy Sayers, these pioneering women prove they’re every bit as clever as their male counterparts, facing danger and dark secrets along the way. Marie Benedict’s tale of literary sisterhood will enchant fans of Agatha Christie and The Woman in the Library. The Queens of Crime is a delightful, suspense-filled celebration of female empowerment.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly
In the heart of World War II London, two sisters, Izzie and Sylvia, must reckon with the fate of their family’s dressmaking shop. As they navigate grief, war, and changing roles, the sisters must set aside their differences to save the dress shop. Through a series of letters, old wounds and new hopes are revealed, painting a beautiful portrait of forgiveness and sisterhood.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Other March Sisters by Linda Epstein (2/25)
The Other March Sisters is a reimagining of Little Women that brings Meg, Beth, and Amy out of Jo’s shadow. From Meg’s growing passion for gardening to Beth’s quiet quest for freedom, each sister’s story unfolds in rich, intimate detail. Perfect for readers of March by Geraldine Brooks and fans of Jo’s daring spirit, this fresh perspective will surprise and delight. Readers will love diving into the untold lives of these beloved characters, uncovering new layers to the classic story they thought they knew.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
One Good Thing by Georgia Hunter (3/4)
If you read We Were The Lucky Ones or watched the Hulu adaptation, get ready to be swept away by Georgia Hunter’s latest novel, One Good Thing. An unforgettable story of friendship and resilience, set against the backdrop of WWII Italy. Best friends, Lili and Esti are inseparable and not even war can come in between them or so they thought. One Good Thing is a testament to courage, sacrifice, and unbreakable bonds. Readers will be reminded of the extraordinary power of love even in the darkest of times.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Girl From Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig (3/4)
In 1799 Manhattan, the murder of Elma Sands ignites a scandal that forces bitter rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr to collaborate in a case that could shake New York’s foundations. As they unravel the secrets surrounding Elma’s life, the story unfolds as a courtroom thriller of mystery and intrigue. Based on the true story of a famous trial, The Girl From Greenwich Street captures the grit and uncertainty of a new century and the precarious line between justice and revenge.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (4/8)
In North Carolina’s Appalachian mountains, Nikki reconnects with her grandmother, Mother Rita, who reveals a hidden history tied to their family land. Mother Rita tells the story of Queen Luella, a woman who ruled over a community founded by formerly enslaved people. As Nikki learns about this legacy and the battle to protect it, Happy Land offers a powerful narrative of ancestral pride, identity, and the fight for belonging. Inspired by real events, this novel is a moving testament to reclaiming one’s heritage and the strength passed down through generations.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi (4/15)
Alka Joshi, author of The Henna Artist, returns with Six Days in Bombay, a definite crowd-pleaser. Embarking on a journey from Bombay to the European cities, Sona searches for answers when a renowned painter dies under suspicious circumstances in her care. With its evocative descriptions and twists, Alka Joshi’s newest release perfectly blends art, identity, and the allure of travel with a thrilling mystery at its core.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Zeal by Morgan Jerkins (4/22)
In a story that spans generations, Zeal transports readers between 1865 post-Civil War Natchez to Harlem in 2019. In 2019 readers meet Ardelia and Oliver at their engagement party where he gives Ardelia a love letter that looks older than they’ve been alive. Meanwhile, Harrison and Tirzah’s love story is disrupted by war and when Harrison returns home he’s desperate to be reunited with his true love. Jerkins skillfully explores themes of race, identity, and family lineage while weaving together the past and present in a novel as rich in historical detail as it is in emotional depth.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick (4/22)
In early 1960s Virginia, suburban housewives Margaret, Viv, and Bitsy appear to have it all but feel something crucial is missing. They find a new purpose in a book club where they discover Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique, sparking questions about their roles and desires. Guided by their unconventional neighbor Charlotte, they awaken to the possibility of a different life, forging bonds that reshape their futures. This heartfelt story explores friendship, identity, and the courage to pursue change in a transformative era.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris (5/20)
Kristina McMorris crafts a captivating story of resilience that’s equal parts suspenseful and enlightening. The Girls of Good Fortunes takes readers to 1888 Portland where our main character, Celia, finds herself trapped in the shadows of the Shanghai Tunnels. With every twist and turn of her harrowing journey, secrets unravel about a past steeped in survival, prejudice, and family ties. Celia’s journey to reclaim her freedom will have you questioning what family loyalty and self-preservation truly mean.
Order the book now: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Leave A Comment