Readworthy by BookBub This Month’s Best New Historical Fiction Are you in the know about the year’s buzziest new historical novels? Keep reading to discover the 10 titles historical fiction fans shouldn’t miss in 2025. ---------------------------------- Strangers in Time by David Baldacci An unforgettable story of found family set in a World War II bookshop - #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author David Baldacci is “one of the best authors alive, and every page of <i>Strangers in Time</i> shows why” (Lisa Scottoline) - In London, a grieving bookstore owner finds his life transformed by two struggling teenagers — but his secrets could put all their lives in danger - Kate Quinn and Jodi Picoult are praising this transportive, heart-wrenching read Media Praise: The Times, New York Post, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4668?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/strangers-in-time-by-david-baldacci... The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue ‘Historical fiction you can feel in your bones’ (<i>Los Angeles Times</i>) - In 1895 Paris, a train ride ends in shocking disaster in the highly anticipated latest from the <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Room</i> - Illuminating the glamour and chaos of the era, this is “a nail-biter — and you’ll learn some history, too” (<i>People</i>) - Train passengers from all walks of life are forever bound together in this sweeping novel inspired by a true story Media Praise: NPR, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Oprah Daily, People, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The Times, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4662?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-paris-express-by-emma-donoghue?... My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende A sweeping wartime tale from ‘one of our most revered storytellers’ (Kate Morton) - During the 19th century, Emilia defies societal norms to become a writer. When she’s assigned to cover a brewing civil war in Chile, she sets out to find her elusive father - Kristin Hannah gushes, “Isabel Allende is a literary treasure… A beautifully written portrait of a woman coming of age and finding her voice” - “All of Allende’s books, <i>My Name Is Emilia del Valle</i> included, have the epic feel of a major Hollywood film” (Associated Press) Media Praise: The New Yorker, NPR, TODAY Show, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Associated Press, Slate, Harper's Bazaar, Indie Next List, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookPage Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4660?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/my-name-is-emilia-del-valle-by-isab... The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly Could a book club started by two sisters turn the tide of war? - Kate Quinn, Lisa Wingate, Kristin Harmel, and many more are gushing about this sparkling novel inspired by true events - As Cadence and Briar find their lives upended by World War II, they turn to the power of storytelling. Decades later, Mari travels to Martha’s Vineyard after her mother’s death — and unravels old secrets - From the author of <i>Lilac Girls</i>, who’s hailed as “one of the best historical fiction writers around” (Fiona Davis) Media Praise: People, The Boston Globe, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4658?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-martha-s-vineyard-beach-and-boo... The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis A suspenseful <i>New York Times</i> bestseller from ‘a reigning queen of historical fiction’ (Allison Pataki) - When a valuable Egyptian artifact goes missing, an unlikely duo must travel from New York City to Cairo to track it down - From the wildly popular author of <i>The Magnolia Palace</i> and <i>The Lions of Fifth Avenue</i> - Dual timelines transport readers to 1936 Egypt and 1970s Manhattan Media Praise: Book of the Month, People, Town & Country, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Booklist Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4656?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-stolen-queen-by-fiona-davis?gra... Isola by Allegra Goodman A shocking true story inspired this ‘extraordinary book’ (<i>Vogue</i>) - This highly anticipated Reese’s Book Club pick captivated Jodi Picoult, Ann Napolitano, and many more - When noblewoman Marguerite is exiled to a small island in 1542, she must find a way to survive - “A work of tremendous imagination that draws on harrowing historical records to spin a story of self-determination, courage, and faith” (<i>The New York Times Book Review</i>) Media Praise: Reese's Book Club, Time Magazine, The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, People, The Washington Post, Vogue, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4663?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/isola-by-allegra-goodman?granted_at... The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater ‘This luxurious novel is set to take the world by storm’ (<i>Kirkus Reviews</i>) - In the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Avallon Hotel in West Virginia is transformed into a detention center for enemy diplomats — and hotel manager June faces a moral dilemma - Based on a little-known true story from World War II - “Perfect for fans of complex emotional narratives like works by Kate Morton and Amor Towles” (<i>Reader’s Digest</i>) Media Praise: The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Oprah Daily, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Harper's Bazaar, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist, BookPage, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4659?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-listeners-by-maggie-stiefvater?... Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine Don’t miss this ‘stunning’ <i>Good Morning America</i> Book Club pick (<i>Booklist</i>) - In a moment of desperation, Junie, a young enslaved woman, awakens her sister’s ghost — sparking a journey that leads her to uncover the horrifying secrets of Bellereine Plantation - A must-read for fans of Percival Everett’s <i>James</i> - “Eckstine is a talented writer to watch. Featuring a spirited protagonist, this compelling mix of the historical and the supernatural will resonate” (<i>Kirkus Reviews</i>) Media Praise: Good Morning America Book Club, People, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4664?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/junie-by-erin-crosby-eckstine?grant... The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry This <i>New York Times</i> bestseller transports you from the South Carolina coast to London - Decades after a writer’s disappearance, her daughter Clara unravels the mysteries of her life - “Brilliant, riveting, so beautifully written, impossible to put down” (Louise Penny) - The beloved author of <i>The Secret Book of Flora Lea</i> delivers a dazzling dual-timeline read Media Praise: Good Morning America, People, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Literary Hub Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4701?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/the-story-she-left-behind-by-patti-... Don’t Forget Me, Little Bessie by James Lee Burke Family drama, danger, and mystery collide in World War I–era Texas - From a <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author hailed as “one of the finest novelists in North America” (<i>The Globe and Mail</i>) - As 14-year-old Bessie comes of age at the start of the 20th century, she accidentally kills an unarmed man to protect her father — and is forced to escape to New York - “Vivid, atmospheric prose enhances Burke’s wrenching portrayal of Bessie’s hope for a better life… [A] winner” (<i>Publishers Weekly</i> starred review) Media Praise: Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal Buy Now: Amazon https://r.bookbub.com/et_active_check/4768?affiliate_variant=readworthy-emai... Learn More: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/books/don-t-forget-me-little-bessie-by-ja... ---------------------------------- Discover more Readworthy recommendations: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/collections/best-new-fiction-books?grante... ---------------------------------- You are receiving this Historical Fiction email because [email protected] is signed up for updates highlighting the best new releases in your categories. If you'd like to change the Readworthy emails you receive, you can update your categories here: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/settings/categories?granted_at=2025-09-01.... Purchases through our links may earn us a commission. If you'd like to update the retailer links included in Readworthy emails, you can update your format and retailer preferences here: https://www.bookbub.com/readworthy/settings/reading-preferences?granted_at=2.... 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