Lisa Wingate is a bestselling American author celebrated for historical fiction that blends emotional depth, family bonds, and forgotten chapters of the past. Novels like Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends draw readers in with heart, history, and unforgettable characters.
If you love Lisa Wingate’s moving storytelling, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Kristin Hannah is known for emotionally rich novels about family, friendship, and the resilience of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her stories are immersive, heartfelt, and often set against sweeping historical backdrops.
In her novel The Nightingale, Hannah follows two sisters in Nazi-occupied France as they make impossible choices in order to survive and protect those they love.
Kate Quinn writes gripping historical fiction filled with vivid characters, layered suspense, and fascinating period detail. Her novels frequently spotlight brave women navigating danger, secrecy, and moral complexity during times of upheaval.
In The Alice Network, Quinn connects the lives of a World War I spy and a young American woman in the aftermath of World War II as they search for answers and uncover buried truths.
Ruta Sepetys crafts powerful historical fiction that brings overlooked events into sharp focus. Her books are moving and memorable, often exploring identity, courage, and survival through the eyes of young protagonists.
In her notable book Between Shades of Gray, Sepetys tells the harrowing story of a Lithuanian teenage girl deported to Siberia by Soviet forces during World War II.
Fiona Davis combines richly drawn historical settings with compelling mystery, often centering her novels on iconic New York City landmarks. Her fiction excels at atmosphere, weaving secrets, ambition, and strong female perspectives across time.
In The Lions of Fifth Avenue, Davis unfolds a dual-timeline mystery set around the New York Public Library, where long-hidden secrets begin to resurface.
Ariel Lawhon writes engrossing historical novels inspired by real people and events, often revisiting famous mysteries with a fresh and intimate lens. Her books balance suspense with emotional insight, making the past feel immediate and human.
Her novel I Was Anastasia uses a clever dual narrative to explore the enduring mystery of Anastasia Romanov and the woman who claimed to be her.
Pam Jenoff writes absorbing historical fiction that highlights the personal cost of war. Her novels are driven by strong characters, emotional stakes, and stories of courage, sacrifice, and endurance.
One of her best-known books, The Orphan's Tale, is a moving story of friendship and survival set within a traveling circus during World War II.
Beatriz Williams creates stylish historical dramas filled with vivid settings, emotional tension, and sharply drawn relationships. She often links different eras to explore love, betrayal, and the secrets families carry over time.
Her novel A Hundred Summers is a striking tale of friendship, romance, class, and heartbreak set on the East Coast during the 1930s.
Chanel Cleeton blends historical events with family drama in a way that feels both intimate and sweeping. Her novels frequently explore Cuban and Cuban-American identity, heritage, exile, and resilience.
A great place to start is Next Year in Havana, an emotional dual-timeline story about love, family history, and national identity spanning revolutionary Cuba and modern America.
Sarah Jio writes warm, emotionally driven fiction that often blends contemporary narratives with historical mystery. Her books tend to feature dual timelines, family secrets, and characters searching for healing and clarity.
Her novel The Violets of March weaves past and present into a story of lost love, hidden truths, and self-discovery set on scenic Bainbridge Island.
Susan Meissner writes thoughtful historical fiction centered on moral dilemmas, emotional connections, and the lasting impact of the past. Her novels often use dual timelines to deepen themes of grief, love, and courage.
One especially beloved title is As Bright as Heaven, a poignant portrait of a family enduring the 1918 influenza pandemic with strength, sorrow, and hope.
Diane Chamberlain writes emotionally engaging fiction about family ties, hidden truths, and life-altering decisions. Her stories are character-driven and often place relatable people in deeply complicated situations.
In The Silent Sister, a woman returns home after her father's death and begins uncovering unsettling secrets about her family’s past.
Hazel Gaynor writes vivid historical fiction marked by emotional depth, resilience, and strong connections between family and friendship. She has a gift for telling the stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary moments.
Her novel The Girl Who Came Home offers a touching account inspired by the experiences of Irish emigrants aboard the Titanic.
Martha Hall Kelly writes moving historical fiction inspired by true events, often focusing on courageous women confronting immense hardship. Her novels emphasize compassion, endurance, and the bonds that form in the darkest times.
In Lilac Girls, she traces the intersecting lives of three women across multiple countries during World War II.
Jojo Moyes often centers her fiction on ordinary people whose lives are changed by unexpected relationships and difficult choices. Her writing blends tenderness, wit, and emotional honesty.
Her novel Me Before You tells the poignant story of an unlikely connection between two very different people who leave a lasting mark on each other’s lives.
Kristin Harmel writes emotional historical fiction shaped by family secrets, resilience, and acts of personal bravery during turbulent times. Her novels pair compelling characters with stories of love, loss, and survival.
Her novel The Book of Lost Names follows a woman who helps save Jewish children during World War II, highlighting sacrifice, courage, and the hope of redemption.
