Romanceis undoubtedly one of the most popular book genres, but adding the time travel element makes it slightly more niche. However, there is still no shortage ofgreat time travel romancebooks that readers will love, which deftly combine the science fiction and fantasy aspects of time travel, and in many cases other fantasy beings as well, with the great chemistry of characters in romance novels. In many cases, the time travel even allows the characters to learn something new about their partners, creating a very satisfying payoff for readers.
Likewise, time travel andromance books lend themselves very well to adaptations, meaning that there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the combined genre. Time travel romance books and movies are a great way to escape from reality and immerse oneself in another world, and each book has its own strengths, from plots full of great twists and turns to romances that span decades or even centuries.
10Time And Again
A Classic Time Travel Book With A Mystery
First released in 1970,Time and Againis still considered one of the best time travel books because of its cleverly detailed plot and interesting illustrations which are worked seamlessly into the story.Time and Again’s story follows Simon “Si” Morley, who is recruited to be part of a secret government project that allows people to travel through time by believing strongly that they actually exist in that other time. Because of a mysterious letter belonging to his girlfriend Kate,Si decides to travel back to New York City in 1882to find out the truth.
While in New York in 1882, he discovers that there is more to the story than he thought, andhe finds himself falling for a woman in the past. What makesTime and Again’s story so interesting is the use of the mystery surrounding a partially burnt letter that allows the characters to meet each other and interact with the New York City of the past. The story as a whole is richly detailed, and the love story blossoms throughout before finally leaving Si to make a choice in the stunning conclusion.Time and Againis a beloved time travel romance that will have readers unable to put the book down.
9The Winter Sea
The Winter Sea Has Multiple Great Romances Between Different Time Periods
The Winter Seais a unique time travel romance because of the author, Susanna Kearsley’s, use of a book within the book that allows its main character to experience the past in a new way.The Winter Seafollows Carrie, a writer of historical fiction who decides to use the name of one of her ancestors while writing about the Jacobite rebellion. However, as the story continues, it becomes clear thatthe inspiration might be more real than Carrie initially thought.
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While some time travel romance books are more heavy on building the theory and logistics of time travel,The Winter Sealeans into the romance genre, making it perfect for readers who do not necessarily want to get bogged down trying to understand the science behind time travel. The contrast between Carrie’s modern-day life and romance and her character, Sophia’s, life and romance in the 1700s is very intriguing and the time periods contrast perfectly. What’s more, the book is very highly rated, currently holding 4.11 out of five stars from readers onGoodreads, proving its success.
8A Witch In Time
Great For Fans Of Supernatural Romance
Constance Sayers' bookA Witch in Timeis a great romance that spans throughout the centuries and examines the concept of past lives and destiny perfectly. The book follows Helen, an executive at a magazine that is also a witch, who begins to have visions of the past after a date with a strangely familiar man.Helen slowly begins to realize that these dreams are not fake at all, but memories of past lives, and in each one, fate has doomed her to fall in love with one man before dying tragically young.
The book’s tragic love stories are sure to keep readers entertained, and it also gets readers to root for the unlikely romance between Luke and Helen as well as hoping for Helen to break the curse.
One of the best aspects ofA Witch in Timeis its exploration of Helen’s doomed romance and the love that the demon Luke, who enforces her curse, feels for her throughout time.The tragic love stories will keep readers entertained, and it also gets them to root for the unlikely romance between Luke and Helen, as well as hoping for Helen to break the curse. Although reviewers have noted that the magical aspect ofA Witch in Timeis not as prevalent as in other witchy time travel books, the novel’s characters are interesting enough.
7A Discovery Of Witches
A Supernatural Romance That Incorporates Time Travel
While the romance inA Discovery of Witchesis certainly the backbone of the story,the main character, Diane, is lovable and strong, which is likely relatable for many readers. Her stubbornness and examination of the world around her helps add detail to the book as her past slowly unfolds for readers to see. The details about the different types of magical creatures are perfectly incorporated into the world-building. For readers who love Diane and Matthew’s romance,A Discovery of Witchesis the first in a series, and the time travel element becomes even more involved later.
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Overall,A Discovery of Witchesis one of thebest witchy romance books, making it the perfect read for fans of the supernatural creature genre and the time travel genre. Even more excitingly, after reading the book,fans will also be able to check out theA Discovery of WitchesTV show. The series aired in 2018 and garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences, with the series' three seasons averaging an 87% approval rating onRotten Tomatoes. For fans of the book series, the TV show perfectly brings the characters to life.
6The Time Traveler’s Wife
A Tragic But Beloved Romance Novel
Initially published in 2003, Audrey Niffenegger’s novelThe Time Traveler’s Wifehas become one of the most well-known romance novels of the 21st century, and it has even been adapted twice, making it a necessary read for any fan of the genre. The book centers on the relationship between Henry, a time traveler with no control over his abilities, and his wife, Clare. The two main characters meet at different times throughout each of their lives due to Henry’s time traveling, andthe novel focuses on the events that bring them together along with the difficulties in their relationship.
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The novel does not shy away from the complexities that time traveling creates in the lives of Henry’s loved ones, so it is perfect for readers who enjoy difficult and tragic romances. Luckily, for fans who want more after finishing the book,The Time Traveler’s Wifewas adapted into a moviein 2009 and a television show in 2022. The two versions give readers a chance to enjoy and compare different castings and takes on the characters and events of the book.
5What The Wind Knows
Combines Historical Fiction, Time Travel, And Romance
What the Wind Knowsis a historical fiction book that is set just before and during the Irish Civil War. The book’s main character, Anne Gallagher, travels to her grandfather’s childhood home to pay her respects after his death, but, while grieving, finds herself transported to Ireland in 1921. As she begins a difficult new life there,Anne experiences the fear and tensions that eventually lead the country to a civil war, while at the same time falling for a man she meets there.
The historical fiction facet ofWhat the Wind Knowsis one of the book’s strongest assets, since it incorporates a lot of the real struggles present in Ireland in the 1920s. Author Amy Harmon’s detailed description of the characters' thoughts and feelings also helps to add to the book’s realism, despite the fiction present in the time travel aspect. Overall,What the Wind Knowsis the perfect time travel romance book for readers who are interested in learning a little more about these specific historical circumstances with the added drama of the romance and time travel.
4The Rose Garden
A Woman Must Choose Between Her Present And A Romance In The Past
Susanna Kearsley’s novelThe Rose Gardenis another popular time travel romance book which incorporates themes of loss, finding new love, and choosing one’s own path.The Rose Garden’s main character,Eva, is grieving for her sister in their childhood home in Cornwall when she discovers her unusual talent for time traveling. The idyllic Cornwall setting and the characters' acceptance of Eva in the past makes The Rose Garden a very cozy read.
As Eva finds herself becoming romantically tangled with a man named Daniel Butler who lived hundreds of years ago, she begins to reflect on her life and everything that she thought she knew.The Rose Gardendoes a beautiful job of examining Eva’s feelings and experiencesas she reflects on her memories of her sister and falls for Daniel. Ultimately, Eva must choose between her present and a potential life with Daniel in the past.
3This Is How You Lose The Time War
A Complex Science Fiction Story With A Forbidden Romance
This Is How You Lose the Time Warisa perfect blend of romance and science fictionthat is a complex and interesting take on time travel. Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone’s science fiction book is unique in its style and story, using an epistolary form from the perspective of two different enemy agents who travel through time to effect change for their respective agencies.The agents, simply called Red and Blue, leave each other notes in various timelines that create a connection, leading them from enemies to lovers.
This Is How You Lose the Time Waris great for time travel romance fans who want to be thrown right into the action from the perspectives of the main characters, and who want letters that perfectly convey each agent’s blossoming love for the other.
This Is How You Lose the Time Waris very singular in its approach, sincethe reader only learns what the letters between Red and Blue say, with no additional context. Unlike many other time travel books, there is very little world-building or character development. Instead, the letters present only what one agent wishes to tell the other. Thus,This Is How You Lose the Time Waris great for time travel romance fans who want to be thrown right into the action from the perspectives of the main characters, and who want letters that perfectly convey each agent’s blossoming love for the other.
2The Ministry Of Time
A Time Travel Government Agent Falls In Love With Her Charge From The Past
The Ministry of Timehas been one of the most popular books of 2024, and it is a great new addition to the genre.The book was even included in Barack Obama’s list of his favorite books for the summer of 2024, highlighting how successfulThe Ministry of Timewas upon release (via theObama Foundation). The book has garnered many positive reviews and has received praise for its detailed description of the Ministry of Time agency and its goals and the relationship between the main characters.
The Ministry of Timecenters on a “bridge” agent, whose job is to rescue people from the past and help them get used to living in a different time.The Bridge is tasked with saving Commander Graham Gore, a real officer in the British Navy, who died during an expedition to the Arctic. The two characters live together, unwillingly at first, and soon begin to develop deeper feelings.The Ministry of Timeexpertly blends the science fiction aspects, the real historical characters, and the romance for an enthralling novel that readers won’t want to end.
1Outlander
A Popular Historical Fantasy With Plenty Of Romance
As one of the most successful TV shows currently on, and a popular book series,Outlanderis certainly one of the best time travel romance books. Diana Gabaldon’s originalOutlanderbook, published in 1991, was the first in a series of what have become some of the most successful time travel romance books of all time.The series centers on Claire Beauchamp, a World War II nurse who time travels to 18th century Scotland, leading to her insertion in the political troubles of the time.
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Despite being married in 1946, Claire finds herself falling in love with a Scottish man she meets in the 18th century named Jamie Fraser.Diana Gabaldon creates a beautifully detailed world and romancefor the characters that fully immerses the reader in Claire’s story. Luckily, along with the nine books in theOutlanderseries,Outlanderhas also been adapted into a very popular TV series that is currently in its seventh season, meaning that there is plenty ofromancefor readers to enjoy.
