13 of the Best Steamy Historical Romance Novels to Blast You to the Past

First, let’s take it WAY back in history to the times of ancient Greek gods. This leans more heavily on fantasy romance than historical, but for those looking for ancient times, this steamy novel will scratch that itch. In terms of steaminess, I chose the second book in this trilogy. All three books follow the same couple as their romance kindles and progresses: “Cat” Catalia Fisa is running from a destructive destiny, and she fears her newfound love Griffin will be caught in the crosshairs. Ice labyrinth! Makeup sex!

This is the fourth book in Callihan’s Darkest London series, which are paranormal historical romances. Evernight (the fifth book) seems to be the fan favorite of the series, and it is very good, but my heart belongs to Shadowdance. It’s a raw enemies-to-lovers tale where both the hero, Jack Talent, and heroine, Mary Chase, are overcoming intense past trauma. There is pining, growing trust, and a tender yet so steamy culminating love scene. That, and it’s set in a world full of elementals, Fae, werewolves, vampires, demons, and the like.

Spies in the Civil War! Elle Burns, who was previously enslaved, returns to the South to spy for the Union Army. There, she meets Malcolm McCall, a detective for the Pinkerton Secret Service. The two join forces (in more ways than one) to help turn the tide of the war. Fiery, forbidden love!

One should handle any Elizabeth Hoyt romance with oven mitts because they are so hot. The Maiden Lane series is an absolutely blast to read through. All of them are steamy as hell, yet I think Duke of Sin takes the cake for steamiest. For those who love romances where the villain of past books gets his shot at love and redemption, this one is for you. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the villain of London. He kills and manipulates to get what he wants. Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb, tries to save her mother from extortion by going undercover in Valentine’s household. Both find pleasure and something more in each other’s arms.

One cannot have a romance list without including the queen of romances, Beverly Jenkins. Forbidden is as steamy as it is beautifully written. It’s the first book in Jenkins’s Old West series. Rhine Fontaine is building a good life for himself in the West and is able to pass for white. Then he rescues Eddy Carmichael in the desert, and needless to say: sparks indeed fly!

It’s so hard to choose just one steamy historical romance novel by Lisa Kleypas. Many might pick Dreaming of You or Marrying Winterbourne over Devil in Winter, but come ON, you cannot beat Sebastian Lord St. Vincent and Evie’s chemistry. Also, sex deal! “Evie” Evangeline Jenner is desperate to escape her abusive aunt and uncle, so she approaches Sebastian Lord St. Vincent with a proposal of marriage, and surprisingly, he accepts. Sebastian is a well-known rake, but he is drawn to Evie, and she constantly surprises him, including when she says he cannot have sex — at all — for three months if he wants to have her.

The first in Lin’s Tang Dynasty series, this story follows a Princess who flees her wedding, and the warrior who wants to protect her. Princess Ai Li runs before her wedding, having only her butterfly swords to protect herself. She enlists the help of Ryam. Ryam is honorable yet stubborn, and he can’t help but fall for the woman he’s sworn to protect. I love a good bodyguard-type story, and when Ai Li and Ryam come together after such longing, it is glorious.

All of Sarah MacLean’s historical romance novels are steamy, and her newest novel Bombshell is no exception. It follows Lady Sesily Talbot as she works with a secret group of women to protect those in need and bring down terrible men in power. Caleb Calhoun has tried for years to avoid his best friend’s sister, but the two just can’t stay apart! This is such a steamy yet empowering novel, and I can’t wait to read the next one in this kickass series.

For those looking for steamy scenes in an epic tale of historical fantasy, then A Marvellous Light is a most excellent choice. Marske writes a tale of two men bound together by circumstance to investigate a murder in an alternate Edwardian England filled with magic and secrets. Robin Blyth didn’t know magic existed until an administrative mixup partnered him with Edwin Courcey, a representative of the magical bureaucracy. Despite each feeling like they’re not enough in their families’ eyes, they find acceptance and sizzling passion with each other.

This cover really says it all when it comes to this novel’s steam (the hand enmeshed in the corset strings, hel-lo!). Talk about falling for the enemy: Lady Margaret disguises herself as a nurse to spy on the new duke — the man who stole her legacy and father’s fortune. Ash wants revenge at all costs, taking his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom. Do they stick to old loyalties, or fall into steaming hot passion?

Queer Harlem Renaissance romance! NEED I SAY MORE? In 1925 Harlem, New York, masquerade drag balls are all the rage, and loose prohibition laws bring people together from all walks of life. Dinah Hampton works in Harlem as a nightclub chorus girl. There, she meets Celine Montre, who has fled New Orleans after a family scandal. The two come together amidst a city of nightclubs, balls, and notorious gangsters, and it is hot, hot, hot!

This is the second book in Shupe’s Uptown Girls series, taking place during the Gilded Age in New York, and it has a steamy scene that still has me fanning myself and blushing. It follows Clayton Madden, owner of New York City’s most prominent casino, and his interest in Florence Greene, who hopes to open her own casino in the future that caters exclusively to women. Both have reasons to use the other, but neither can help the growing passion and intimacy between them. There is a scene where they are holed up in a dark room together and ohhhh my goodness, ya’ll.

Do you like pining for more than half the novel, followed by steamy scene after steamy scene once that pining is reciprocated and released to the MAX? Then may I introduce you to this fabulous romance by Olivia Waite. Agatha Griffin has bees in her warehouse, and when she calls in a beekeeper to get rid of them, she meets Penelope Flood. Both are torn between their growing love for each other and the changing world around them.