Summary: In this article, I have compiled 20 of the best books similar to Outlander, perfect for fans who love historical fiction with epic love stories. Here are my top 3 favorites:
- The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
- What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
- A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
If you love Outlander, you'll enjoy books that blend historical romance, adventure, and time travel. Stories like The Winter Sea and What the Wind Knows transport you to the past with immersive love stories, while A Knight in Shining Armor adds a romantic time-travel twist. These books offer rich history, epic romance, and the same captivating charm.
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to Outlander
- The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
- What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
- A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
- The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley
- Lady of the Glen by Jennifer Roberson
- Highland Warrior by Hannah Howell
- The Night Mark by Tiffany Reisz
- Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole
- The River of No Return by Bee Ridgway
- At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen
- The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A. Flynn
- The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
- Outlander Kitchen: The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook by Theresa Carle-Sanders
- The Outlandish Companion by Diana Gabaldon
- The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon & Hoang Nguyen
- The Lord John Series by Diana Gabaldon
- The 1632 Series by Eric Flint
- The Sterkarm Handshake by Susan Price
- A Dance Through Time by Lynn Kurland
- Son of the Sword by J. Ardian Lee
1. The Winter Sea
- Author: Susanna Kearsley
- About: An author researching the 1708 Jacobite invasion of Scotland begins to experience ancestral memories that blur the lines between past and present.
- Style of Writing: Lyrical and evocative, with dual timelines intertwining seamlessly.
- Length: Approximately 130,000 words.
- Year Written: 2008.
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving; leaves a lasting impression with its haunting love story.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; accessible language with rich historical detail.
- Why Read It: For its compelling blend of history, romance, and a touch of the supernatural.
2. What the Wind Knows
- Author: Amy Harmon
- About: A woman travels to her ancestral homeland in Ireland and finds herself transported back to 1921, amidst the Irish War of Independence.
- Style of Writing: Poetic and immersive, capturing the essence of early 20th-century Ireland.
- Length: Approximately 104,000 words.
- Year Written: 2019.
- Emotional Impact: Profoundly touching; explores themes of love, loss, and identity.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; engaging narrative with historical context.
- Why Read It: For its heartfelt romance intertwined with significant historical events.
3. A Knight in Shining Armor
- Author: Jude Deveraux
- About: A heartbroken woman in 1988 is swept back to 16th-century England, where she meets a captivating knight.
- Style of Writing: Engaging and romantic, with humorous and adventurous elements.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 1989.
- Emotional Impact: Enchanting and uplifting; a timeless love story that resonates.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; straightforward and enjoyable prose.
- Why Read It: For its delightful blend of romance and time-travel adventure.
4. The Rose Garden
- Author: Susanna Kearsley
- About: After the death of her sister, a woman returns to Cornwall and finds herself slipping between the present and the 18th century.
- Style of Writing: Atmospheric and descriptive, with a seamless blend of past and present narratives.
- Length: Approximately 105,000 words.
- Year Written: 2011.
- Emotional Impact: Haunting and reflective; explores themes of grief and love across time.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; richly detailed with a contemplative pace.
- Why Read It: For its evocative storytelling and emotional depth.
5. Lady of the Glen
- Author: Jennifer Roberson
- About: A tale of forbidden love set against the backdrop of the Glencoe Massacre in 17th-century Scotland.
- Style of Writing: Richly detailed and historically immersive, with a focus on character development.
- Length: Approximately 150,000 words.
- Year Written: 1996.
- Emotional Impact: Powerful and tragic; leaves a lasting impression with its portrayal of love and betrayal.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; detailed historical context enhances the narrative.
- Why Read It: For its compelling characters and vivid depiction of a pivotal historical event.
6. Highland Warrior
- Author: Hannah Howell
- About: A healer on the run finds refuge in the arms of a fierce Scottish warrior.
- Style of Writing: Fast-paced and passionate, with engaging dialogue and action.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year Written: 2006.
- Emotional Impact: Exciting and romantic; delivers a satisfying love story with elements of danger.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; straightforward narrative with dynamic characters.
- Why Read It: For its blend of romance and adventure in the Scottish Highlands.
7. The Night Mark
- Author: Tiffany Reisz
- About: A grieving woman discovers a lighthouse that transports her to 1921, where she meets a man eerily reminiscent of her late husband.
- Style of Writing: Evocative and atmospheric, blending romance with elements of mystery.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 2017.
- Emotional Impact: Poignant and reflective; explores themes of loss and second chances.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; engaging narrative with rich descriptions.
- Why Read It: For its unique time-travel premise and touching love story.
8. Letters from Skye
- Author: Jessica Brockmole
- About: An epistolary novel that unfolds a love story between a Scottish poet and an American fan during World War I.
- Style of Writing: Intimate and heartfelt, presented through letters.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words.
- Year Written: 2013.
- Emotional Impact: Deeply moving; captures the longing and connection between distant lovers.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; accessible and engaging prose.
- Why Read It: For its charming correspondence and exploration of love across distances.
9. The River of No Return
- Author: Bee Ridgway
- About: A time-traveling romance where a modern man is sent back to 1815 and becomes entangled in a secretive guild.
- Style of Writing: Intricate and adventurous, blending historical fiction with science fiction elements.
- Length: Approximately 160,000 words.
- Year Written: 2013.
- Emotional Impact: Thought-provoking and thrilling; delves into the complexities of time and love.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; complex plot with rich historical context.
- Why Read It: For its imaginative take on time travel and engaging romantic storyline.
10. At the Water's Edge
- Author: Sara Gruen
- About: During World War II, a woman travels to Scotland in search of the Loch Ness Monster and discovers much more.
- Style of Writing: Descriptive and immersive, with a focus on character development.
- Length: Approximately 100,000 words.
- Year Written: 2015.
- Emotional Impact: Evocative and introspective; explores themes of self-discovery and transformation.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; engaging prose with vivid descriptions.
- Why Read It: For its rich storytelling and exploration of personal growth amidst historical events.
11. The Jane Austen Project
- Author: Kathleen A. Flynn
- About: Two researchers from the future are sent back to 1815 to recover a lost Jane Austen manuscript.
- Style of Writing: Clever and engaging, blending historical fiction with speculative elements.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words.
- Year Written: 2017.
- Emotional Impact: Intriguing and reflective; examines the ethics of time travel and literary history.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; thoughtful narrative with historical nuances.
- Why Read It: For its inventive plot and homage to Jane Austen's legacy.
12. The Time Traveler's Wife
- Author: Audrey Niffenegger
- About: A love story about a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel unpredictably and the woman who loves him.
- Style of Writing: Poignant and non-linear, with alternating perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 155,000 words.
- Year Written: 2003.
- Emotional Impact: Heart-wrenching and profound; explores the challenges of a love stretched across time.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; complex structure with emotional depth.
- Why Read It: For its unique narrative and exploration of love's endurance against temporal obstacles.
13. Outlander Kitchen: The Official Outlander Companion Cookbook
- Author: Theresa Carle-Sanders
- About: A collection of historical and character-inspired recipes from the Outlander series, allowing fans to experience the flavors of the 18th century.
- Style of Writing: Informative and engaging, with detailed recipes and anecdotes linking dishes to the series.
- Length: Approximately 352 pages.
- Year Written: 2016.
- Emotional Impact: Nostalgic and delightful; enhances the Outlander experience through culinary exploration.
- Difficulty Level: Varies by recipe; suitable for both novice and experienced cooks.
- Why Read It: To immerse oneself in the culinary world of Outlander and recreate the series' iconic dishes.
14. The Outlandish Companion
- Author: Diana Gabaldon
- About: A comprehensive guide to the first four books of the Outlander series, including synopses, character analyses, and insights into the historical context.
- Style of Writing: Informative and conversational, offering behind-the-scenes insights and detailed explanations.
- Length: Approximately 608 pages.
- Year Written: 1999 (revised edition in 2015).
- Emotional Impact: Enlightening and enriching; deepens appreciation for the series.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; contains detailed information and analysis.
- Why Read It: To gain a deeper understanding of the Outlander universe and its creation.
15. The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel
- Author: Diana Gabaldon & Hoang Nguyen (Illustrator)
- About: A graphic novel adaptation of the first third of Outlander, presented from Jamie Fraser's perspective.
- Style of Writing: Visual storytelling with dialogue; combines Gabaldon's narrative with Nguyen's illustrations.
- Length: Approximately 224 pages.
- Year Written: 2010.
- Emotional Impact: Visually engaging; offers a fresh perspective on familiar events.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; accessible to both graphic novel enthusiasts and newcomers.
- Why Read It: To experience the Outlander story in a new, visual format.
16. The Lord John Series
- Author: Diana Gabaldon
- About: A spin-off series focusing on Lord John Grey, a beloved character from the Outlander books, delving into his personal adventures and mysteries.
- Style of Writing: Intricate and character-driven, blending historical fiction with mystery elements.
- Length: Varies by book; novels average around 100,000 words.
- Year Written: 2003–2011.
- Emotional Impact: Engaging and insightful; deepens understanding of a complex character.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; rich in historical detail and character development.
- Why Read It: To explore the life and adventures of Lord John Grey beyond the main series.
17. The 1632 Series
- Author: Eric Flint
- About: An entire modern American town is transported back to 17th-century Europe, leading to a blend of historical events and futuristic ideas.
- Style of Writing: Expansive and imaginative, combining alternate history with science fiction.
- Length: Varies by book; the first novel is approximately 160,000 words.
- Year Written: 2000–present.
- Emotional Impact: Thought-provoking and adventurous; explores cultural clashes and adaptation.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; complex scenarios with detailed world-building.
- Why Read It: For its unique premise and exploration of historical what-ifs.
18. The Sterkarm Handshake
- Author: Susan Price
- About: A time-traveling corporation interacts with a 16th-century Scottish clan, leading to cultural clashes and unexpected relationships.
- Style of Writing: Gritty and immersive, highlighting the contrasts between modern and historical societies.
- Length: Approximately 120,000 words.
- Year Written: 1998.
- Emotional Impact: Intense and reflective; examines ethical dilemmas and human nature.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; explores complex themes and moral questions.
- Why Read It: For its compelling exploration of time travel and cultural interaction.
19. A Dance Through Time
- Author: Lynn Kurland
- About: Elizabeth Smith, a modern-day writer from New York City, finds herself transported back to 14th-century Scotland, where she meets James MacLeod, a laird who has forbidden women from his keep. Their unexpected encounter leads to a romance that transcends time.
- Style of Writing: Lighthearted and romantic, with humorous elements and rich historical details.
- Length: Approximately 356 pages.
- Year Written: 1996.
- Emotional Impact: Charming and uplifting; offers a feel-good romance that delights readers.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; accessible language with an engaging narrative.
- Why Read It: For its delightful blend of time travel, humor, and romance set against a vividly depicted medieval Scotland.
20. Son of the Sword
- Author: J. Ardian Lee
- About: Dylan Matheson, a modern martial arts instructor, is transported back to 1713 Scotland after handling an enchanted broadsword at a Medieval Faire. He becomes embroiled in the Jacobite rebellion, discovering love and a sense of purpose in the past.
- Style of Writing: Action-packed and immersive, combining historical adventure with elements of fantasy.
- Length: Approximately 336 pages.
- Year Written: 2001.
- Emotional Impact: Engaging and thought-provoking; explores themes of destiny and belonging.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate; detailed historical context with dynamic storytelling.
- Why Read It: For its unique take on time travel, blending martial arts with 18th-century Scottish history and rebellion.
