Thanks to the popularity of the Bridgerton TV show adaptation, more readers are discovering the historical romance genre. Steamy love stories with dukes, waistcoats, and forbidden romance, plus a happily ever after guaranteed... What's not to love?
Well, as you dig through those HistRom recs, very soon you realize that they only feature one type of love. The white cis-heterosexual love. Traditional romance publishers lag behind in terms of diversity, but indie queer authors have picked up the slack.
So here's a list of queer historical romance recs... because everyone deserves a happily ever after.
NOTE: These novels are all ADULT. Most have explicit sexual content.
1. KJ CHARLES
KJ Charles is the queen of m/m historical romance. Her books are my go-to recommendation if you need historical accuracy. But her genres are actually pretty varied; while the setting stays the same, she's got everything from paranormal Victorian romances, to spy thrillers, to old-fashioned novels of manners.
In case you're intimidated by her vast backlist, here are my top recs:
IF YOU'RE IN THE MOOD FOR SERIES
The Will Darling Adventures trilogy is my favorite of her work. It's a 1920s m/m romance inspired by Golden Age pulp fiction but... you know... gay. It's a political thriller that features spies, war veterans, conspiracies, and a romance between two emotionally constipated men whose relationship blooms beautifully. Highly recommended if you prefer your romance novels to have a strong non-romance plot included. It's fast-paced, action-packed, and incredibly fun!
Bonus: central m/m romance, side f/f romance
IF YOU WANT A STANDALONE
I recommend you start with Think of England. This is an m/m romance set in a remote country estate in the Edwardian era. Our two MCs — a disabled ex-soldier and a flamboyantly gay poet — must work together to unravel a political plot... while pretending to be guests at a house party. I loved what this book said about queerness; Archie, our WASPy ex-soldier, has never acknowledged his sexuality, so he's a bit put off when he meets Daniel, our foreign and openly queer love interest. In a lot of ways, it's about breaking stereotypes and coming to terms with your sexuality in a homophobic society.
Proper English is an f/f romance also set in another country estate in the Edwardian era. Pat is England's top woman shooter and perfectly fine with being single, thank you. While she's more comfortable being treated as one of the boys, she encounters another houseguest who initially irritates her: the hyper-feminine Fen, who is beautiful and vapid and is notorious for breaking off every single engagement. But as the two women get to know each other, feelings grow between them... and when someone is murdered, it all goes to shit.
2. SEBASTIAN NOTHWELL
Another queer historical romance writer who always does his research! Sebastian Nothwell has three main historical romance books: Mr. Warren's Profession and Hold Fast are both m/m rich-poor, opposites attract romances; and The Haunting of Heatherhurst Hall is an f/f gothic romance between a heartbroken heiress and the sister of her husband (don't worry; it's not really cheating since the married couple aren't actually romantically involved).
I love Nothwell's books because they're long, immersive, historically-sound, fun, and soap-opera dramatic. There are tons of loveable side characters, epic family feuds, hilarious dialogue, and a focus on working-class or middle-class heroes (when most books just feature nobility).
My favorite so far is Hold Fast but all are good and highly recommended.
3. CAT SEBASTIAN
You've probably already heard of Cat Sebastian considering she's one of the few traditionally published authors on this list.
4. ASTER GLENN GRAY
The Larks Still Bravely Singing sets itself apart by featuring two disabled war veteran leads. This short but sweet WWI-era novel features an m/m second chance romance, references more obscure classic literature, and has the most romantic gesture of all time... Gifting your significant other gay fanfiction for Christmas! The subject matter is angsty (I cried near the end), but the disabled characters have so much strength, sympathy, and love for each other... I liked the historical accuracy in regards to the MC's preference for traditional relationship dynamics and the fact that this book states that a queer relationship does NOT have to be "pure" and sexless to be morally correct. Very tender and lovely.
5. ALEXIS HALL
Alexis Hall has two historical romances out right now: Something Fabulous (m/m) and A Lady for a Duke.
A Lady for a Duke features an m/f romance between a trans woman MC and her broody, traumatized childhood friend. While Alexis Hall is most known for his romcoms, this one is a tender love story that explores identity and grief.
Viola can finally live as a free woman after she was presumed dead at the battle of Waterloo. Gracewood, her best friend, is utterly wrecked by her "death" and the war and loses himself in alcohol and drugs... Years later, they meet again, and while their connection is undeniable, Gracewood doesn't recognize her at all. Both protagonists must deal with their traumatic pasts, but luckily they're surrounded by a loving and supportive cast of friends and family.
6. OLIVIA WAITE
7. ASTRID AMARA
This one is a historical fantasy, but in my opinion, the historical aspect is much stronger (and takes up more page-space) than its fantasy, so I'm adding it here.
The Devil Lancer is an m/m romance between an English captain and a half-English, half-Russian soldier during the Crimean War. Given the setting, this one is a lot bleaker than the other titles on this list, though it does have a happily ever after. If you love reading about military warfare, daily life in the trenches, and the harrowing reality of the Crimean War, then you'll enjoy this. I liked how our two MCs, though vastly different, found some love and hope in each other while in the middle of such senseless violence.
8. ARDEN POWELL
The Bachelor's Valet is technically a fantasy but the magic is so negligible that I would still call it a pure historical romance. This m/m romance novella features a loveable rich himbo and his cool-headed valet. It's short, sappy, and laugh-out-loud hilarious... perfect for cheering you up. Dumb characters usually annoy me but the hero was just so endearing that I didn't mind. Plus, it's got a lavender marriage between a gay man and a lesbian, so both parties are free to live their lives happily. My only complaint is that it's too short, but hey, better than nothing. And yes, you'll be fondly reminded of Jeeves and Wooster with these two.
9. LIANYU TAN
First off, this really is a dark romance with toxic relationships, manipulation, blood, and gore so please keep that in mind. This gorgeously edgy sapphic love story is more of a horror than a category romance... though it does have all the landmarks of a romance! What makes this interesting is that technically there's a love triangle between our heroine Gean Choo, her cruel and possessive mistress Verity, and her gruff but kind-hearted right hand woman butch lesbian Po Lam... But the author wrote three separate endings so you can choose which one you prefer.
10. BONNIE DEE
But Frankie, you cry, I don't actually care about historical accuracy or long series or complicated action plots or violence! I just want to read an author who writes a lot of sappy gay romance so I can binge read their entire backlist!
Okay then. May I offer Bonnie Dee (who sometimes collaborates with fellow author Summer Devon). I like her reliability in terms of: a) short, straight-to-the-point plots; b) no frills, no last-minute break-up or plot twist that extends the book for an unnecessary 100 pages; c) light tone so it's never truly dark or depressing; d) focus on romance and smut.
My favorite of hers is The Tutor. This m/m standalone is a gothic ghost story between a (fake) tutor and his grieving single dad client.
Romance is a genre that's comforting given its predictability. And I like that I can go into a Bonnie Dee book and know what I'll get out of it.
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