I’m currently obsessed with the tv show Outlander and have been reading the books. They’re engaging without being heavy reading, and I love all the tropes e.g. “touch her and die”.
I’ve looked at other historical romances but they’re really badly written. What well written ones do you know? I’m not looking for literally masterpieces, just things that are decent writing.
The autobiography of Henry VIII by M George is a literary masterpiece. This book is 100% historically accurate, while staying extremely engaging. The romance is present but not central, and might be a bit less compelling if you know history well.
On the lighter side, anything by Valerio Massimo Manfredi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerio_Massimo_Manfredi) is a good read. Lees historically accurate, more action based, some romance. The last Legion is possibly his most well known book.
I hope you appreciate these first suggestions, but I will be honest and state out right that I don’t read much that is purely romance, so they might not fit exactly what you are looking for.
Historical in the sense of having been written in the 1800s: a fully romance suggestion is The Red and the Black by Stendhal. I felt the romance was heavy handed, but see previous paragraph, and it’s another literary masterpiece. In the same category, I would put The lady of the Camelias by Dumas (son). Finally, with more action, The Count of Montecristo by Dumas (father) - this one might come closer as vibe to the series you linked.
Great ideas thanks!