Romance Novels Set in The 1900s

Romance Novels Set in The 1900s

Although historical romance novels that are set in the Victorian, Tudor, and Regency eras are extremely popular, it is important not to overlook more modern fare. The 1900s is a period that saw the beginning and end of two world wars, the cold war, the Great Depression, the rise of the civil rights movement, the swinging sixties and a lot more. This has given authors a diverse set of cultural and historical events to use as backdrops for their novels. For readers who want a break from historical romances that are set in the distant past or contemporary romances that are set in the present time, here are some of the most popular romance novels that are set in the 1900s.

The Price of Paradise

by Susanna Lopez Rubio

The Price of Paradise by Susanna Lopez Rubio

The Price of Paradise is set against the backdrop of Havana, Cuba in 1947. The protagonist is a young man named Patricio who leaves his life of poverty in Spain behind in the hopes of a new start in Havana. Thanks to his looks and charm, he manages to find employment at one of the most luxurious department stores in the world, El Encanto. Unfortunately for Patricio, out of all the Hollywood stars, famous people and politicians that frequent El Encanto, he falls in love with the wife of a notorious mobster. Although the feeling is mutual, the two young lovers put their lives at risk to be with each other. The Price of Paradise is not just a riveting romance that spans a whopping 50 years, but it is also filled with vivid descriptions of Havana and plenty of twists in the plot.

What The Wind Knows

by Amy Harmon

What The Wind Knows by Amy Harmon

It is Ireland of 1921 that serves as the backdrop for What The Wind Knows by Amy Harmon. The Protagonist, Anne Gallagher, finds her pulled into this time period after mourning the loss of her beloved grandfather. It is a dangerous place to be as the country is on the brink of war, but Anne finds herself in the care of a doctor, named Thomas Smith, after awakening hurt and disoriented. She also takes on the identity of the long-missing mother of a young boy who Thomas is looking after. What The Wind Knows makes use of historical people and events, but it is the poignant love story that steals the shows.

From Sand and Ash

by Amy Harmon

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

From Sand and Ash takes place in 1943, Italy, which is a period when Germany occupied most of the country during World War II. Naturally, this makes it a dangerous place for people like Eva Rosselli, the Jewish protagonist of the tale. She finds herself being sheltered by Angelo Bianco, a man who she loved deeply since the days when they were raised like family, but who chose his calling as a priest over her. Eva is not the only Jew that Angelo is sheltering in his convent, but by doing so he is placing his own life on the line. From Sand and Ash features an epic love story, but thanks to its setting, it also doesn't pull any of its emotional punches.

The Glass Ocean

by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White

The Glass Ocean by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White

Although half of The Glass Ocean is set 2013 and features a bestselling author named Sarah Blake, it is also the tale of two women in 1915. Their names are Caroline Telfair Hochstetter and Tessa Fairweather, and while they are from two very different social classes, they both end up on board a ship named the RMS Lusitania. This is the same boat on which Sarah's great-grandfather perished when it was sunk by a German U-Boat. The lives of the three women in this tale are more intertwined than what any of them could ever have expected. It's not easy for multiple authors to collaborate on a seamless tale, but Williams, Willig, and White pulled it off with style in this book to create a story that mixes historical mystery with plenty of romance.

The Beautiful Strangers

by Camille Di Maio

The Beautiful Strangers by Camille Di Maio

The Beautiful Strangers makes use of the Southern California coast of 1958 as its backdrop and, more specifically, the Hotel del Coronado. This landmark is where the movie Some Like It Hot, featuring Marilyn Monroe was being filmed at the time and it is also where the protagonist of this tale, Kate Morgan, finds herself. It is a journey that began at here family's failing restaurant in San Francisco, which she left behind to "find the beautiful stranger" as instructed by her grandfather. It seems like her dreams will become true after finding employment at the Hotel, but in addition to finding love, she also discovers that the hotel is hiding a few secrets in its past.

When We Left Cuba 

by Chanel Cleeton

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton


When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton is set in the 1960s and features a young Cuban exile named Beatriz Perez, who had to flee to Florida due to the revolution. Although the rest of her family seems to be satisfied with their new life, Beatriz longs to not only return to Cuba, but to also help return the country to what it could have been. This is why Beatriz jumps at the opportunity when the CIA offers her employment and a chance to take back her country. The only catch is that she will have to enter the very dangerous world of espionage and infiltrate Fidel Castro's inner circle. However, things become a lot more complicated for Beatriz when she also falls in love with a man that could jeopardize everything.