Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Books of August 2025

Historical fiction fans are in for a fantastic lineup this season. August and September 2025 are bringing ten standout novels that promise intrigue, passion, resilience, and journeys across centuries. From gothic mysteries and colonial dramas to WWII courage and ancient legends, these books remind us why historical fiction remains such a powerful genre.

This post is based on the featured titles in our Facebook highlight—ten books that capture the imagination and deserve a spot on your TBR.

August 2025 Historical Fiction Highlights

1. The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin  
Set in Victorian London, this novel follows a clandestine society of women who risk everything to read. It’s a story of books, rebellion, and sisterhood, shining a light on voices often left unheard.

2. Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen
After discovering her husband’s betrayal, Mrs. Endicott escapes to France with her friends in pre-WWII England. What begins as heartbreak turns into a journey of rediscovery and unexpected romance in a picturesque seaside village.

3. Black Cherokee by Antonio Michael Downing
This novel explores Indigenous heritage and identity in South Carolina through the lens of a powerful family saga. With its layered storytelling, it examines culture, belonging, and resilience.

4. The Sunflower Boys by Sam Wachman  
A deeply emotional LGBTQ coming-of-age story set in war-torn Ukraine. It follows a boy struggling to balance love and survival amid violence, painting a vivid picture of identity in times of crisis.

5. The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
In 18th-century London, the emerging ice cream trade becomes the backdrop for ambition, deception, and reinvention. Shepherd-Robinson’s sharp eye for historical detail promises a gripping tale.

6. The Last Assignment by Erika Robuck  
This novel follows a female photojournalist during WWII, who accepts one final mission that tests both her courage and her convictions. A story of determination and breaking barriers.

7. The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas  
Amid a plague in Zacatecas, a woman’s mysterious symptoms spark fears of demonic possession. Cañas combines gothic atmosphere with haunting folklore to deliver one of the year’s most chilling reads.

8. Lord Guan by Charles N. Li  
An epic retelling of Guan Yu’s journey from humble origins to deified hero in early China. For fans of sprawling sagas, this promises rich detail and mythic resonance.

9. This Here Is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry
Set in 17th-century Virginia, this novel interweaves the lives of three young people—enslaved, indentured, and free. A powerful exploration of identity, survival, and resilience in colonial America.

10. The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis
Set in 18th-century England, whispers of witchcraft and dark transformations haunt the Mansfield sisters. Purvis blends gothic suspense with historical intrigue to create an unsettling atmosphere.

Why These Books Stand Out

These ten titles were chosen for a reason—they each bring something fresh to the genre. Together, they showcase:

• Empowerment and resilience in novels like The Secret Book Society and The Last Assignment.

• Gothic atmosphere and folklore in The Possession of Alba Díaz and The Hounding.

• Cultural identity and heritage in Black Cherokee and This Here Is Love.

• Epic storytelling in Lord Guan and The Art of a Lie.

• Emotional journeys of rediscovery in Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure and The Sunflower Boys.

The mix of eras and voices gives us a dynamic picture of human experience across history. These books don’t just recount the past; they breathe life into it, reminding us of the choices, struggles, and resilience that shape who we are today.

Final Thoughts

If you only pick a handful of historical fiction novels this year, these ten belong on your list. From London to Virginia, Zacatecas to Ukraine, each story immerses you in a different world while exploring timeless human themes. August and September 2025 are shaping up to be unforgettable months for readers who love history told through fiction.

Which of these ten anticipated releases will you be adding to your TBR? Let us know in the comments and join the conversation as we celebrate these powerful new stories.