Experience 8 Emotional Historical Novels About Forbidden Love
Book RaiderAh forbidden love, the Little Debbie's Honey Buns of storytelling. It's a forbidden temptation in its own right - a narrative treat we're told we should, yet we yearfully lean toward. It could be the allure of the risqué, the thrill of the clandestine, or simply a bad case of romantic schadenfreude. But let's face it; there's something about the struggle of star-crossed lovers that gets us every time.
Embroidered into the very tapestry of human history, these tales often serve as the emotional heartbeats the cold, factual ribs of the past. They allow us to remember that beneath every empire built and war waged, there were people - people who desired, ached, and yes, loved. From the smouldering papyrus of Ancient Rome to the scandal-soaked Regency era, dive with me into these pages brimming with illicit love stories that make even a frappuccino look lukewarm.
The Underground River
by Martha Conway
Why The Underground River is on this list: Forbidden love and tense historical drama are at the core of 'The Underground River'. The barriers thrown up by society and some unpleasant circumstances lead to one of those forbidden romances that will keep you engaged throughout the book.
Set in 1838, our heroine May Bedloe finds work on a floating theatre on the Ohio River, a pivotal route for the Underground Railroad. Alongside her cousin Comfort, May gets roped in to help ferry slaves to freedom, turning their lives into a stew of secrets, lies and danger. Meanwhile, an unanticipated and forbidden love for a fugitive slave puts her loyalties to the test.
What readers like: Readers have been swept away by the depth of characters in 'The Underground River'. Its compelling narrative, rich historical background and the subtle, slow-burn romance that beats at the heart of it all make it a must-read. Not to mention, the book's depiction of the theatrical world and the secretive world of Underground Railroad are absolutely intriguing. So, if you like your historical novels to transport you to a different time with a good love story at its heart, this book is your perfect match.
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Next Year in Havana
by Chanel Cleeton
Why Next Year in Havana is on this list: This isn't just a book—it's a journey through time filled with illicit passion. The story dives deep into the murky waters of forbidden love amidst the historical backdrop of revolutionary Cuba.
In Next Year in Havana, you'll be drawn into the lives of Elisa Perez, a wealthy sugar heiress, and Pablo, a revolutionary. They're sucked into a love that's as intense as it is risky, set against the storm of Cuba's revolution in 1958. Fast-forward to 2017, we meet Marisol, Elisa's granddaughter, who returns to Cuba only to find herself drawn towards a somewhat similar path of love that her grandma once journeyed.
What readers like: People who've gobbled up this book like a box of late-night pizza can't get enough of the forbidden romance that threatens to set pages on fire. Beyond that, they've been hooked by the vivid portrayal of Cuba's rich history and culture. The shifting timelines offer a unique narrative style, letting readers experience the raw emotion of love across generations.
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The Alice Network
by Kate Quinn
Why The Alice Network is on this list: The Alice Network is a rollercoaster of a novel where the stakes of forbidden love are intertwined with the turbulence of historical trepidations. This engrossing tale hits all the right notes for a historical tale about love that dares cross the lines.
This intense and evocative novel stitches together two different timelines - one set in the tumult World War I era and the other amid the ashes of World War II. We follow the stories of Eve Gardiner, a fiery spy tangled in a web of lies and Charlie St. Clair, a disgraced young woman in search of her lost cousin and harboring an illicit secret. Their paths cross in a narrative that interweaves forbidden love, risking everything, devastating betrayals, and the redemption in confronting the past.
What readers like: Readers can't get enough of the strong, captivating, and inherently flawed characters. Kate Quinn beautifully captures the brutality of war, but at the same time weaves in a powerful and intricate love story that defies societal norms. The scapegoat narrative aspect will make your heart twitch, and the twists and turns will keep you flipping those pages. Oh, and if you have a thing for gritty female protagonists and cliffhanger chapters, this one's totally up your alley.
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A Long Petal of the Sea
by Isabel Allende
Why A Long Petal of the Sea is on this list: A Long Petal of the Sea is the perfect historical novel for this list. It perfectly captures the bittersweet nature of forbidden love and showcases it against the backdrop of some of the most significant historical events of the 20th century.
This novel tells the story of Victor and Roser, who find themselves on the SS Winnipeg, a ship commissioned by Pablo Neruda that helped 2,000 Spanish Civil War refugees escape to Chile. Although they are married out of necessity back in Spain, they soon discover that their feelings are more complex than they initially thought - especially since Roser was previously engaged to Victor's brother.
What readers like: Readers of this book often praise the beautiful way in which Allende weaves together historical events and the love story between Victor and Roser. They relish the way Allende perfectly executes a slow burn romance and the emotional depth in the circumstances and their characters. The reader is taken on a rollercoaster of reactions - heartbreak, joy, and a massive emotional hangover when you flip the last page. A big thumbs up from readers looking for a heartfelt historical novel.
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The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
Why The Book Thief is on this list: Umm, forbidden love? Check! Historical setting? Oh, yes. Plenty of emotions? You’d better believe it. The Book Thief will touch your heart in ways you didn't think a book could.
This is a tale about Liesel, a girl living in Nazi Germany, who steals to survive. It’s also about her complex relationship with the young Jewish man hidden in her basement - provocative secret in itself. Have we mentioned her love for books and how they help her escape the grim reality that’s yapping at her heels? Well, the title 'The Book Thief' kinda gives it away. All these elements combine to provide a refreshingly unique perspective on a painful chapter of world history.
What readers like: People who swear by this book make note of its unique narration (it's narrated by Death, spooky right?), how it brilliantly humanizes characters, and its ability to transform what might seem like simple storylines into deeply moving narratives. Plus, everyone raves about the tears they shed. So, you know, grab a tissue box before you dive in.
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Birdsong
by Sebastian Faulks
Why Birdsong is on this list: Birdsong unfolds a heart-rending tale of impossible love in the backdrop of the First World War. It's theessential read for anyone who enjoys nuanced historical fiction about clandestine love affairs.
Set amidst the trenches of the Great War, 'Birdsong' tells the story of Stephen Wraysford a young British soldier, who falls in dangerously forbidden love with a married French woman, Isabelle Azaire. As the war intensifies, so does their intricate dance of love, loss, and longing, delivering an emotional roller-coaster that's approximately 89% likely to make you weep into your pillow.
What readers like: Readers are drawn to the raw emotional intensity in Birdsong. Its compelling depiction of the war's brutal impact, combined with the beautifully scripted love story, makes it a hit among readers. They especially appreciate Faulks' ability to weave an intimate tale of forbidden romance in the middle of one of history's most devastating wars - it's like an emotional whack-a-mole. Bonus points for his artful prose that manages to stab you right in the feels.
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The Tiger's Wife
by Téa Obreht
Why The Tiger's Wife is on this list:
The book revolves around a young physician, her grandfather, and their shared fascination for 'the deathless man' and 'the tiger's wife'. Narrated against the backdrop of war-torn Balkans, this captivating novel weaves tales of family, myth, and the lines between the natural and supernatural. And amidst it all lies a poignant tale of forbidden love that cuts across boundaries.
What readers like: Readers adore this book for its seamless blend of reality and folklore, its raw and poetic prose, and its richly drawn characters. The way Téa Obreht plays with time, bobbing and weaving between present reality and generations-old legends, keeps you hooked. Plus, readers have praised the nuanced depiction of forbidden love and how it delicately unfolds within the chaos of war.
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The Tattooist of Auschwitz
by Heather Morris
Why The Tattooist of Auschwitz is on this list: If you are seeking a poignant story of forbidden love set against the gruesome backdrop of the Holocaust, look no further. This book will not disappoint.
Based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, this novel follows our hero as he uses his position as the camp's tattooist to help keep his fellow prisoners alive.ale's world turns upside down when he tattoos a young woman, Gita - and promptly falls head-over-heels in with her. Can love triumph in such a bleak place? No spoilers here, folks, you'll have to read it to find out.
What readers like: Readers rave about the resilience and courage of the characters highlights the capacity of the human spirit to find love and hope even in darkest times. They also appreciate the delicate handling of such a complex and tragic part of history. Heather Morris paints a vivid picture of WWII horrors while also showing us a love story that transcends despair. Readers alike have mentioned their fondness for the historical accuracy of the story.
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