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A flexed hand, an open field, a duke on horseback, a flirty fan. These are elements that novels in the present day romance genre are just… lacking, if you ask me.
But historical romance? From the glamor of the Gilded Age to the untamed mystery of the Highlands, historical romance offers a certain magic that I simply crave. And audiobooks truly bring the alluring accents and forbidden chemistry to life.
Here are 16 historical romance audiobooks for lovelorn listeners.
Much Ado About Highlanders
Highland warrior Alexander Macpherson has lost his wife. When he agreed to take Kenna Mackay as his bride to advance his clan’s power in the north, he expected a bit of an adjustment. He didn’t expect the sharp-tongued beauty to run away on their wedding night. Still, Alexander wants his runaway bride… and he has the sneaking suspicion that she wants him, too.
View the audiobookSee the whole Scottish Relic Trilogy!
Wuthering Heights
Lockwood, the new tenant of Thrushcross Grange on the bleak Yorkshire moors, is forced to seek shelter one night at Wuthering Heights, the home of his landlord. There he discovers the history of the tempestuous events that took place years before: of the intense passion between the foundling Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, and her betrayal of him. As Heathcliff’s bitterness and vengeance is visited upon the next generation, their innocent heirs must struggle to escape the legacy of the past.
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Miss Thornfield’s Daring Bargain
As the daughter of an old wealthy merchant family, Ada was looking forward to this London season with her friends, but all her plans grind to a halt when her beloved older brother, Richard goes missing. Basil Thompson is the only thing standing between herself, what remains of her family and a life of isolated humiliation. Surrounded by enemies and with her list of allies growing thinner by the day, she strikes a daring bargain with him. They will marry long enough to find and secure her brother, then Basil can seek an annulment and leave her behind.
View the audiobookExplore The Troublemakers Trilogy!
Rules for Ruin
“Euphemia Flite is well-acquainted with the rules of Victorian society that constrain her, but the Crinoline Academy has helped make her into a weapon against the patriarchy. A prominent politician is threatening to set women’s rights back even further and Effie knows she must bring him down. If only an alluring criminal with dreams of legitimacy didn’t stand in her way. Rules for Ruin is witty, compelling, and one of the best historical romps l’ve read in some time.”
— Ivy • Bookshop Santa Cruz
View the audiobookLove this audiobook? Check out the newly released sequel in the Crinoline Academy series!
Last Night at the Telegraph Club
“This coming of age story about a young woman growing up queer in 1950s Chinatown, San Francisco, was brilliant. I loved the rich historical detail, believable characters, exploration of intersectional identities, romance, and sense of place, made even stronger by the excellent narration. Best book I’ve read in quite some time and highly recommended for adults or teens!”
— Tracey • Turning the Tide Bookstore
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To Catch a Raven
Lying and cheating may be sins to some people, but for Raven Moreaux, it is a way of life. Until she’s forced to help the government. A former Confederate official is suspected of stealing the Declaration of Independence, and Raven, posing as his housekeeper, is tasked with getting it back. Her partner is the too-handsome Braxton Steel. Masquerading as a valet/driver, Brax is also supposed to be her “husband.” He has his own reasons for doing this job, but when their pretend marriage ignites into fiery passion, they’ll have to put everything—including their hearts—on the line.
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Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend
“What a vibrant beginning to a new historical romance series! Full of intrigue, stolen kisses, and London drama, this sweet queer love story follows two women who dare to hope in a world not built for them.”
— Vaughn Lachenauer • Main Point Books
View the audiobookSee the rest of the Mischief & Matchmaking Series!
Ana María and The Fox
“I really enjoyed this slow burn romance turned marriage of convenience between a Mexican woman and a member of Parliament. Ana María, a Mexican heiress, and her two sisters have to flee Mexico during the French Occupation and Gideon is determined to abolish slavery in the British empire. And because Gideon is determined to do so, the growing attraction is sacrificed. What was a colonization in Mexico that isn’t really discussed and the consequences it wreaked. What was especially gratifying was seeing Ana María and her sisters grow close and their support for each other.”
— Audrey • Belmont Books
View the audiobookLove this audiobook? Check out the rest of the The Luna Sisters series.
Pride and Prejudice
The classic novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice captures the affectations and rivalries of class-conscious English families in an age when status and security for women hung entirely on matrimonial ambitions.
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Where There’s Room for Us
“Such a great read, with history reimagined in a way that allows this queer romance to thrive despite obstacles. I loved the narration and the added sounds and music throughout!”
— Amy • Book Ends
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A Showgirl’s Rules for Falling in Love
It’s 1897, and a new fashion for thin threatens to end the career of proudly fat vaudeville performer Evelyn Cross. Enter Thomas Gallier, the man behind the new palace of entertainment promising to be the apex of New York City’s theatrical scene. He’s in search of a star for his vaudeville spectacular, and when he hears Evelyn sing, he knows exactly who he needs to grace his stage.
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The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay
“The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay by Ryan Douglass is a queer YA reimagining of The Great Gatsby set in Greenwood and Harlem. It is fire and fear and hope. It’s vivid and heart-wrenching. Definitely add this one to your TBR.”
— Anna • Katy Budget Books
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Ne’er Duke Well
“Alexandra Vasti officially has me living in my hist-rom era after finishing Ne’er Duke Well. If you love witty banter, a comedy of errors, found family, and a deliciously spicy love story set against the backdrop of Regency-era London, this book is for you. As the owner of a romance bookstore, I found incredible delight in rooting for Selina and her secret erotic library, and enjoyed seeing her find and own her feminine power. I also found myself perpetually swooning over Peter, not just for his charm but also for the way he’s always empowering the women in his life. 10/10, no notes. I genuinely cannot wait to dive into Earl Crush!“
— Jonlyn • A Novel Romance
View the audiobookSee more of the series from Alexandra Vasti!
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
Luz Alana set sail from Santo Domingo armed with three hundred casks of rum, her two best friends and one simple rule: under no circumstances is she to fall in love. Enter James Evanston Sinclair, Earl of Darnick, who has spent a decade looking for purpose outside of his father’s dirty money and dirtier dealings. Ignoring his title, he’s built a whisky brand that’s his biggest—and only—passion. That is, until he’s confronted with a Spanish-speaking force of nature who turns his life upside down.
View the audiobookLove this audiobook? See the whole Las Leonas series!
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde
“I loved the gorgeous writing with many a lush garden scene and floral puns galore interwoven with blasts to 1920s Harlem. A great read for fans of historical fiction, fated mates, found family, dual POVs and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. FUNNY. MAGICAL. ROMANTIC!”
— Zinna • A Great Good Place for Books
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The Duke and I
“As an avid romance reader, l’ve been hyper-aware that I lack experience in one sub-genre in particular: historical fiction romance. Right once I picked up The Duke and I, I knew I found the perfect introduction to the genre. Not only was I enamored with Daphne and Simon’s love story, but I was impressed by the novels feminist themes. The women in this series are outspoken, passionate, and easy to root for. The novel left me smiling from ear to ear.”
— Gennifer • Flyleaf Books
View the audiobookBrowse the whole Bridgerton collection.
We hope you find something to fall in love with on this list!
Audiobooks that give back
With credit bundles, you choose the number of credits and your recipient picks their audiobooks — all in support of local bookshops!
A Berkeley, CA local, Olivia joined Libro.fm this summer as a Digital Marketing intern. With a background in visual arts and journalism, Olivia believes in the magic of multimedia to tell accessible and emotionally resonant stories. Passionate about elevating unheard voices, she spends her week days typing ferociously in the name of blog posts and book reviews. On the weekends, you can find her nose deep in a novel or the racks of a thrift store. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2023 with a BS in journalism and minors in Studio and Media Arts.
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