There is nothing better than getting lost in a romance novel. What better way to escape reality than with a romance novel with a time travel theme? If you are looking for the perfect book to indulge in, check out our recommendations for 15 incredible time travel romance novels.
1. Outlander – Diana Gabaldon
Diana Gabaldon is a fantastic storyteller and she captures the passion and romance perfectly in this novel. It follows Claire who is transported back in time from 1945 to 1743. She befriends a Scottish soldier and develops feelings for him – but she has a husband waiting for her back at home.
Will she ever be able to return to the life she left behind? This novel was a huge hit and has been turned into a television series which has been equally popular.
2. The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger
This is an original take on time travel as an obstacle to love. Henry can time travel, but he can’t control it. Claire is his wife, but which version of Henry she is with can vary greatly. He disappears and reappears throughout her life at different ages, but they always seem to find each other.
This book is poignant and moving. Audrey captures the strength of the love between Henry and Claire, and how their bond is maintained against all odds. It has now been turned into a major motion picture and a television series.
3. A Stitch In Time – Kelley Armstrong
This intriguing book follows Bronwyn, a girl who is able to slip through time and visit William two centuries into the past. When Brownyn re-visits William as an adult she finds him much changed, and is drawn into his scandalous life. But as their friendship strengthens she begins to see how William’s secrets have an impact on her future.
The premise of this story is exciting and provides lots of opportunity for unraveling mystery and shocking reveals. The characters are well developed and you will definitely get sucked into the romance.
4. Before Time Runs Out – Amy Matayo
Before time runs out is about a college student named Bree who is transported back in time from the present day to Dickensian England. She finds Theo, who was transported from the 1940s only a few months earlier. They work together to search for a book that can take them back home, but as the bond between them strengthens they are less inclined to return to their separate lives.
This romance is a slow builder, which makes it all the more satisfying when it reaches a crescendo. The story is gripping and is set in a much loved time period. This is definitely a book that you can easily get lost in.
5. How To Stop Time – Matt Haig
This international bestseller from renowned author Matt Haig is a must-read for anyone who loves time travel romance novels. Tom Hazard is a time traveler who has lived for centuries, exploring different countries and eras. All he needs to do to maintain his lifestyle is frequently change his identity, and not fall in love. But one of those things proves to be very difficult.
This romantic comedy is smattered with witty social commentary and poignant philosophical observations which makes it a funny yet deeply emotive story. It has a different take on time travel which is refreshing and enjoyable.
6. More Of Us To The West
This is book 1 of 4 in the Adrift series. It is the perfect place to start if you want to get stuck into a time traveling series with plenty of romance and suspense. The main character is Alaina Grace.
When a mysterious storm brings her plane out of the sky and onto a deserted island, she must find comfort in her fellow survivors as they try to figure out what happened. But as time passes, they realize that the storm was not all that it seemed.
7. Highlander’s Captive – Mariah Stone
This is book 1 of 11 in this Highlander series. If you loved Outlander, then you should definitely give this series a try. High school student Amy MacDougall is on a trip to the Highlands when she accidentally touches a magical stone. This takes her back in time to the 1300s where she is taken prisoner.
She desperately tries to find a way to get back home, but the longer she stays there the deeper her feelings grow for her captor. Can she find a way home, or has she found a new home in the past? This whimsical and passionate story will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you wanting more – but don’t worry, there are 10 more books to indulge in once you have finished this one!
8. The Surviving Trace – Calia Read
The Surviving Trace is book 1 of 3 in the Surviving Time series. The main character is trapped in time, in a life she doesn’t recognise. There is one person who can help her – her husband – but she doesn’t know him and he doesn’t seem to like her. Can they work together to find out what happened and get her back to the life she left behind? Or will she decide to stay in her new life?
9. A Dance Through Time – Lynn Kurland
When aspiring writer Elizabeth dozes off on a New York park bench in 1996 she never imagines she would wake up in 1311 Scotland. She also never expected to come across James Mcleod, the man she has been dreaming about. But he is much harsher in reality, with an arrogant attitude and a stubborn streak.
Can she help him manage his kingdom and eventually win her way into his heart? And if she does, will she be able to stay in the past with James, or will she be pulled back into the future?
10. Transcendence – Shay Savage
When a modern day woman is somehow transported back in time and captured by a caveman, she doesn’t know what to do. He seems interested in one thing – making her his mate – and she can’t get him to understand what has happened. Ehd, a lonely caveman, thinks he has struck lucky when a strangely clothed woman falls into his pit trap.
He intends to protect her to provide for her, but she seems to have other ideas. With limited means of communication, this unusual couple must learn to trust each other if they are going to survive in the harsh wilderness.
11. Persistence Of Memory – Winona Kent
This is book 1 of 3 in the Memory Books series. It follows Charlie who has a keen interest in researching her ancestors. When a stroke of lightning sends her back in time to 1825 she meets one of them in person, but is distressed to learn that he has no intentions of marrying his future wife.
Charlie must play matchmaker to ensure that her family line is upheld, or the future might be totally unrecognizable when she returns home. This is a fun and charming story with a touching romantic storyline and plenty of history.
12. The Rose Garden – Susanna Kearsley
Award winning author Susanna Kearsley is back with another fantastic story. Eva Walker is suddenly thrown back in time to the 1700s, but maybe 3 centuries into the past is just where she belongs? Her new life is filled with love, passion, intrigue and treason. This book follows Eva as she tries to navigate her new life and her new love.
13. Timebound – Rysa Walker
Timebound is book one of the Chronos Files and won the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award when it was released in 2013. Since then it has received thousands of positive reviews from readers who fell in love with the story. When Kate is given a strange medallion from her Grandmother she dismisses the advice about time traveling as crazy ramblings.
She soon changes her mind when a murder in the past threatens Kate’s entire future. She must use her genetic ability to time travel and fix the past, but in the process she uncovers a much larger, sinister plot.
14. The Discovery Of Chocolate – James Runcie
The Discovery Of Chocolate is a charming and entertaining journey through history. One man must track down his lost love, a search that takes him to various countries and across centuries of time. The story also follows the history of chocolate, and the two themes are tied together perfectly.
15. One More Valentine – Anne Stuarts
This story is about James Rafferty. When he is killed in a Massacre on Valentine’s Day his life should have ended. Instead, he is cursed to live every Valentine’s Day for 90 years. He must fall in love to break the curse. He begins to lose all hope of breaking the curse, until he meets Helen.
Summary
All of these novels are fantastic choices if you love romantic stories with a time travel element that the main characters must overcome.