Best Historical Romance Novels 2022

She returned to bury her father. Instead, she was forced to marry his enemy’s son. - Rosalind Marlow returns to New York to settle her father’s affairs, once one of the city’s most feared mafia bosses, only to find he died beside his greatest rival… and left behind a contract binding her to the rival’s son. Viktor Marino is cold, calculating, and infuriatingly magnetic. Rosa has no intention of becoming anyone’s pawn, not in grief, not in business, and definitely not in bed. But Viktor plays a long game, and with every stare, every challenge, he pulls her deeper into a world of secrets, power, and heat. She was raised to be untouchable. He was born to conquer. And in the space between vengeance and desire, who is going to lose control first? (Contains mature and dark content) ***** EXCERPT ‘Why would you want to leave this behind?’ he growled in my ear, his chest rumbling against my back. Because I can’t trust you. Because I don’t know what I want. ‘Because it’s cruel,’ I whispered. And then he pulled away, leaving me trembling, desperate, and furious.” ❦

Zeno Silver: If I had to describe Rogue Alpha, I'd say a surly, temperamental pain in my ass, and if possible, everywhere else. Never would I dare assume a deal my father made would drive me right into the arms of the monster himself. I had become Alpha a few months ago, and all I wanted was to protect my people. I brought peace, well, sort of, yet the consequences came in the form of an unwanted husband. Alpha Hades: I never labelled myself, especially regarding my sexuality. Not that I had enough time to experiment when my life was a vicious cycle of grief and pain, but these days, I found myself becoming the leader, the Alpha of an unstoppable army. I knew what I wanted when I took the deal: easy access to my enemies' pack. Exchanging false vows with an Alpha leading the pack that would become the perfect pawn in my plan sounded like a no-brainer. Except my stomach flipped every time he looked my way, and my body reacted when he brushed by me. He had an effect on me that I'd never wish on anyone. With this connection between us, this pull, this need... I'm not sure either of us is still playing the game.

"I'm not yours, Alexander," she whispered but her voice trembled as his lips nearly touched her lips, the gap between them filled with tension. "You say that," he whispered softly, his breath fanning her lips, "but your body begs to differ." "Say that you don't want this," he whispered in a low growl right before he pressed his lips against hers. 'If you tell me I will stop.' Scarlett Blackwood has always been the one who was left in the shade- the Omega who didn't complete her change, who was overshadowed by her powerful twin sister and elder brother. But now after two years in New York she is not the weak girl that she used to be. Scarlett is a confident woman, a beauty, and in charge of her life with her wolf now awakened and her modeling career taking off. That is, until a family emergency brings her back to Mexico and back into the life she left behind. Alexander Emerson, the cold-hearted leader of the Shadow Pack, has devoted his entire existence to one goal – revenge. His family was killed by Scarlett's mother and he promised to make the Blackwoods suffer for it. But when he sees Scarlett again, he undergoes a change of heart. She has changed and is not the shy girl he once met and on top of that, she is his destined mate. What will happen when she knows that her mate is worse than enemy? Will she forgive him when he begs for another chance or she will kill him?

“We shouldn’t be doing this, Andrew. I’m over a decade older than you.” “If not right, then why does it feel so good? I want you Ada, I desire you!” There is nothing more intoxicating than the alluring scent of a woman you love, not even the pleasure at the bottom of a bottle can compare. 21 years old Andrew is faced with criticism when he falls in love with his sister’s best friend, an older lady and a divorcee. But Andrew is willing to go against the world for her. His obsession soon grows into addiction, but for how long can this forbidden affair continue? Is he really willing to face the challenges that come with loving an older woman? And is she ready to do the same for him? What happens when her ex-husband returns to win her back? Now she must chose between the one who returned her smile and the one who always held it.

Noah’s a rising hockey star with a mouth that gets him in trouble and a body built to break rules. Sterling is the team's billionaire owner—older, untouchable, and dangerously in control. They were never supposed to cross that line. But one reckless moment changes everything. Now, Noah can’t stop thinking about the man who sees right through him. And Sterling? He’s losing control in ways he swore he never would. It was supposed to be a mistake. It’s starting to feel like an obsession.

Amelia Montgomery is one of Rosewood High's cheerleaders along with her best friend Stella Hayes. Her and Stella have been friends ever since kindergarten when Amelia fell off the monkey bars and Stella helped her up afterwards. Stella has a brother named Easton Hayes and he has always teased Amelia since she was seven. They both agreed that they thought he was a heartless prick who treats girls like rubbish. One Friday night Amelia decided to go to a party. At the party Amelia ends up slipping and falling into her worst enemies lap, but what makes the situation worse is the fact that some drunk dude accidentally stumbles into her causing her to slide forward and lock lips with none other than Easton Hayes. Oh how Amelia's life couldn't be anymore ruined. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I lean in so that our noses are touching which causes us to close our eyes as our breaths become more harsher. "I can't stand being friends with you. Everytime I see you all I want to do is push you against a wall and kiss you" he whispers out which makes me smile a little "So, what are you going to do about it?" I ask him teasingly with a breathless voice "This" he says before he connects our lips which makes me reach up and place my hands on his cheeks.

"Sometimes, secrets are the heaviest burdens" Blaire was known for her radiant smile and her vivacious personality, but she had a secret—one that she had carried in her heart for years. Blaire was in love, and the object of her affection was not just anyone but her best friend's older brother, Logan. As the years passed, Blaire's feelings for Logan deepened, but she kept them hidden. But what happens when secrets long buried finally come to light, and the boundary between friendship and something more begins to blur?

He’s broken, brutal, and untouchable—until I touch him. Everyone at Willow Crest High fears Jake Blaze. He fights like he’s got nothing to lose—because he doesn’t. Except maybe me. I was the quiet girl with too many secrets, fresh out of a custody battle between parents, and desperate for peace. He was the school’s tattooed nightmare, bleeding rage and violence. We were never meant to cross paths. But one cruel bet. One twisted kiss. One accidental confession— And now I’m the only one who sees the boy beneath the monster. He’s dangerous. I know that. He hurts people. I’ve seen it. But when he looks at me like I’m his last chance at salvation… I forget that I’m supposed to be afraid. He wants to protect me. But what if I’m the one who ends up saving him? Did I mention he’s my best friend's brother.

My brother crossed the wrong man—and now I have to pay the price. He was an idiot who actually believed he could steal four million dollars from a dangerous man that sold intelligence for a living. Instead of losing a hand or an eye, I was drugged and taken from my bed in the dead of night. When I open my eyes, I’m in a cell, and my captor is a beautiful man that doesn’t need to take a woman to get laid. I try to escape—many times—but I quickly realize there’s no escape. Even if my brother comes up with the four million dollars, this man still won’t let me go. He intends to take his revenge in a far more sinister way. With no other choice, I submit to his demands…and enjoy them. I continue to search for an escape plan, but my captor is always one step ahead of me. He implanted a device in my body when I arrived, and all he has to do it hit a button and I’m dead. If I try to escape one more time, he won’t hesitate to use it. So now I’m left with one option—to make him want to let me go. And there’s only one way to do that—by making him fall in love with me.

One reckless night. One unexpected baby. Two men who might be the father.Darcy never saw it coming..literally. A cryptic pregnancy leaves her blindsided when she wakes up in a hospital bed with a newborn in her arms. But the real shock? Her daughter's father could be one of two men. Cassian Dempsey; the cocky, troublemaking bad boy from the wrong side of town. Elias Mercer; the ruthless, untouchable golden boy with a fortune to his name. Both are her brother's best friends. Both were never supposed to touch her. And when they find out the truth, neither is willing to let go. But the biggest scandal of all? The DNA test comes back with an impossible result... They're both the father. Now, caught between secrets, temptation, and two men who refuse to back down, Darcy is in deeper than she ever imagined. Because some betrayals can't be undone. And some men won't take no for an answer.