What to Read After Outlander: 8 Books for Fans of Historical Romance, Time Travel, and Epic Love Stories

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So you’ve finished Outlander.

Maybe you’ve read all the books. Maybe you’ve watched the television series. Maybe you’re still emotionally recovering from Jamie Fraser.

I get it.

There are some books that are incredibly difficult to follow, and for me, Outlander is one of those stories.

Because it’s not just the romance between Jamie and Claire that makes Diana Gabaldon’s books so special. It’s the history, the Scottish setting, the time travel, the adventure, and the feeling that you’ve been completely transported into another world.

And let’s be real, Jamie Fraser is a pretty tough act to follow.

But if you’re looking for what to read after Outlander, I have some suggestions!

I’ve been reading and reviewing historical fiction, historical romance, and time-travel novels for years, and there are several books that have given me a similar feeling to Outlander.

Some have Scottish settings and sweeping romances. Others feature heroines who find themselves unexpectedly transported through time. And a few lean more toward historical mystery while still capturing that sense of adventure I love so much.

I’ve personally read and enjoyed all eight books on this list, and I’ve linked to my original reviews if you want to know more.

I’ve also included two additional books at the end that I haven’t read yet but keep seeing recommended to Outlander fans.

Let’s get into it!

1. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

Best for Outlander fans who love Scotland, historical romance, and dual timelines.

If I had to choose one author to recommend to someone who loves Outlander, Susanna Kearsley would absolutely be near the top of my list.

I LOVE her books.

And The Winter Sea is an especially good place to start.

This novel combines a beautiful Scottish setting with historical intrigue, romance, and a story that moves between the present and the past.

The dual timelines are one of the things that really stood out to me when I read it.

I love books that connect different periods of history, especially when the past feels just as vivid and important as the present.

And Kearsley has such a wonderful way of bringing historical settings to life.

If one of your favorite things about Outlander is feeling like you’ve actually traveled to Scotland, I think you’ll appreciate this book.

It’s atmospheric, romantic, and beautifully told.

And if you enjoy it, you’re in luck, because Kearsley has plenty of other wonderful books to explore.

Why Outlander fans might love it: Scottish history, romance, atmospheric storytelling, and interconnected past-and-present narratives.

📖 Read my full review of The Winter Sea

2. The Lost Queen by Signe Pike

Best for Outlander fans who love Scottish history, strong heroines, and epic romance.

Oh, I LOVED this book.

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike is another novel that immediately comes to mind when someone asks me what to read after Outlander.

For me, it’s the combination of the historical setting and romance that makes this such a good recommendation.

The story takes readers into early medieval Scotland and the world of a young woman whose life becomes entangled with political struggles, family obligations, and matters of the heart.

It’s a very different period of Scottish history from Outlander, but it has that same sense of being immersed in a world where history, loyalty, and love are all deeply connected.

And that’s something I really enjoy in historical fiction.

I want to feel like I’ve stepped into another time, not just read a story with a few historical details sprinkled throughout.

The Lost Queen absolutely gave me that feeling.

If you’re looking for another sweeping Scottish historical novel with romance and a strong sense of place, this is one I would definitely recommend.

Why Outlander fans might love it: Scotland, historical atmosphere, romance, political intrigue, and a sweeping story.

📖 Read my full review of The Lost Queen

3. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Best for Outlander fans who love time travel, intelligent heroines, and unforgettable romance.

Okay, this one is a little different because we’re moving into fantasy and the supernatural.

But hear me out.

If you love Outlander for the romance, historical elements, and time travel, I think you should absolutely consider A Discovery of Witches.

I LOVED this series.

In fact, when I originally reviewed the first book, I admitted that I was both happy and sad I’d waited so long to read it.

Happy because I could binge the series.

Sad because HOW had I waited so long to discover something this good?!

I was completely hooked.

I’m talking staying up until midnight reading and then waking up at 4 a.m. because I couldn’t stop thinking about the story.

Diana Bishop is an intelligent historian studying alchemy at Oxford when she encounters a mysterious manuscript that draws the attention of witches, vampires, and other supernatural creatures.

Enter Matthew Clairmont.

And let me just say…SWOON.

I loved the relationship between Diana and Matthew, particularly because Diana is such a strong, educated, mature heroine.

As someone with a master’s degree in history, I especially appreciated having a heroine whose academic background was such an important part of the story.

The historical research, romance, supernatural elements, and time travel throughout the series make this a wonderful option for readers who want something with the same epic feeling as Outlander, but with a fantasy twist.

And the romance?

SO GOOD.

Why Outlander fans might love it: Time travel, historical research, a strong central romance, and an intelligent heroine.

📖 Read my full review of A Discovery of Witches

4. Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole

Best for Outlander fans who love Scotland, emotional romance, and beautiful historical settings.

There are some books that make you want to pack your bags and immediately visit the place where they’re set.

Letters from Skye was one of those books for me.

I absolutely loved this novel.

The setting and romance were both wonderful, and I remember finishing it with an overwhelming desire to visit the Isle of Skye.

That’s how transported I felt while reading it.

The story unfolds through letters, following relationships and family connections across the years surrounding the two world wars.

And while it’s not a time-travel novel like Outlander, it captures something I think many Outlander readers will appreciate: an emotional love story unfolding against a beautifully realized historical backdrop.

I love historical fiction that makes the setting feel like another character in the book.

And Scotland has a way of doing that, doesn’t it?

If you loved the Scottish atmosphere in Outlander and you’re looking for a romantic historical novel that will completely transport you, I would definitely add this one to your list.

Why Outlander fans might love it: Scottish setting, heartfelt romance, historical atmosphere, and emotional storytelling.

📖 Read my full review of Letters from Skye

5. A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain

Best for Outlander fans who love time travel but also enjoy a good historical mystery.

Now, if you’re an Outlander fan who especially enjoys the time-travel element, I have a really fun recommendation for you.

A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain.

I have read this series, and I LOVED it.

Seriously, it’s such a fun read.

The story follows Kendra Donovan, a modern-day FBI agent who unexpectedly finds herself in nineteenth-century England.

And naturally, things get complicated.

Because having modern investigative skills is one thing.

Trying to use them in a world without modern forensic science, technology, or the freedoms we’re accustomed to?

That’s something else entirely.

One of the things I love about this series is the combination of time travel, historical mystery, and romance.

It’s not quite the same kind of sweeping romantic saga as Outlander, but it absolutely captures that fish-out-of-water feeling of a modern woman trying to navigate the past.

And the mysteries are so much fun.

If you love the idea of Claire Fraser suddenly finding herself in another century, but wish there were a few more murder investigations involved, this might be your next series.

Why Outlander fans might love it: A modern heroine in the past, time travel, historical detail, mystery, and romance.

📖 Read my full review of A Murder in Time

6. The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston

Best for Outlander fans who love time travel, historical atmosphere, and a touch of magic.

I am a big Paula Brackston fan.

I think she’s a wonderful writer, and The Little Shop of Found Things is another book that immediately came to mind when I started thinking about recommendations for Outlander readers.

This novel follows Xanthe, a young woman with an unusual connection to antique objects.

When she discovers an object with a particularly powerful history, she finds herself drawn into the past.

And of course, once you start messing around with time travel, things are rarely simple.

What I enjoy about Brackston’s writing is the way she blends historical settings with magical and mysterious elements.

There’s something so appealing about an ordinary object becoming a connection to another time.

And if you love the idea of a modern woman finding herself in a historical world, this book definitely delivers that experience.

It’s also the beginning of a series, which is always a bonus when you’re looking for something new to get lost in.

Because sometimes one book just isn’t enough.

Why Outlander fans might love it: Time travel, historical settings, mystery, romance, and magical elements.

📖 Read my full review of The Little Shop of Found Things

7. The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley

Best for Outlander fans who love epic historical storytelling without an enormous page count.

Yes, I’m recommending another Susanna Kearsley book.

And no, I’m not sorry.

I LOVE HER BOOKS.

One of the things I particularly appreciate about Kearsley’s writing is that her novels feel epic without necessarily being overly long.

Does that make sense?

You get these beautifully developed historical settings, compelling characters, and romantic storylines that feel expansive and immersive.

But you don’t always need to commit to a thousand-page novel to experience them.

And The Firebird is such a good example of that.

The story blends a present-day narrative with a journey into the past, following historical connections and a mystery that unfolds across time.

I loved the way the historical elements were woven into the story.

And as with The Winter Sea, Kearsley has a gift for making the past feel incredibly vivid.

If you love Outlander because of the history, romance, and connections between different periods, I think this is another wonderful choice.

Honestly, if you haven’t read Susanna Kearsley yet, I would strongly encourage you to give her books a try.

She’s one of my favorite authors to recommend to historical fiction readers.

Why Outlander fans might love it: Historical romance, connections across time, atmospheric storytelling, and an epic feel.

📖 Read my full review of The Firebird

8. A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong

Best for Outlander fans who love time travel and historical mysteries.

And finally, I have another recommendation for readers who enjoy time travel but don’t necessarily need the romance to be the main focus.

A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong.

This one leans more toward historical mystery, but I still think it’s an excellent choice for Outlander readers.

The story follows a modern-day homicide detective who finds herself transported to Victorian Scotland.

Which, as you can imagine, presents a few problems.

Especially when you’re accustomed to solving crimes with modern investigative techniques.

I really enjoyed this book.

It’s such an entertaining combination of historical fiction, time travel, and mystery.

And I loved the idea of a modern investigator trying to navigate a completely different era while also dealing with a murder investigation.

It’s a different kind of time-travel story from Outlander, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.

If you love historical mysteries and you’re looking for something with a fun time-travel twist, definitely give this one a try.

Why Outlander fans might love it: Time travel, Victorian Scotland, historical mystery, and a modern heroine navigating the past.

📖 Read my full review of A Rip Through Time

Two More Books for Outlander Fans That Are on My TBR

Okay, so I’ve personally read and enjoyed all eight books above.

But there are two more novels that keep coming up whenever I see recommendations for Outlander fans.

And I wanted to include them here because they’re both on my radar.

I haven’t read either one yet, so I can’t give you my personal opinion, but they sound like they could be excellent choices.

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati

This is probably one of the books I see recommended most often to Outlander fans.

Set in late eighteenth-century New York, the story follows Elizabeth Middleton, an Englishwoman who arrives in a remote American settlement and becomes involved with Nathaniel Bonner.

The novel combines historical adventure, romance, family relationships, and the challenges of life on the American frontier.

And here’s something particularly interesting.

Diana Gabaldon herself has praised this book!

If that’s not a compelling reason for an Outlander fan to take a closer look, I don’t know what is.

I haven’t read it yet, but between the historical setting, romance, and enthusiastic recommendations, it’s definitely on my list.

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

I know.

ANOTHER Susanna Kearsley book.

What can I say? I really love her writing.

This is actually one of her books I haven’t gotten around to reading yet, but it sounds absolutely perfect for readers who enjoy the time-travel and romance elements of Outlander.

The story follows Eva, a woman who returns to Cornwall after the death of her sister and discovers that she can slip between the present and the eighteenth century.

And while she’s exploring the past, she develops feelings for a man who belongs to another time.

Sound familiar?

The combination of time travel, historical romance, and a beautiful setting sounds exactly like the kind of story I would enjoy.

And considering how much I’ve loved Kearsley’s other books, I have pretty high hopes for this one.

What Should You Read First After Outlander?

If you’re still not sure where to begin, here’s how I would narrow things down.

If you loved Scotland and the historical atmosphere: Start with The Winter Sea or The Lost Queen.

If you loved Jamie and Claire’s epic romance: Try A Discovery of Witches or Letters from Skye.

If time travel was your favorite part: Pick up The Little Shop of Found Things or A Murder in Time.

If you enjoy historical mysteries: Try A Rip Through Time.

If you want another immersive historical story: Give The Firebird a try.

Personally, I think The Winter Sea is a particularly wonderful place to start if you’re looking for something that captures the Scottish atmosphere and historical storytelling that make Outlander so memorable.

But I also wouldn’t overlook A Discovery of Witches, especially if you enjoy a big, romantic series that you can completely lose yourself in.

Final Thoughts

I don’t know that any book will ever completely replace Outlander.

And honestly, I’m not sure I want one to.

There’s something special about Jamie and Claire’s story, and I think that’s why so many readers continue searching for books that capture even a little bit of the same magic.

But the good news is that there are so many wonderful historical romances, time-travel novels, and historical mysteries waiting to be discovered.

And while none of these books is exactly like Outlander, each offers something I think fans of the series will appreciate.

For me, that’s what makes finding a new favorite book so exciting.

Sometimes you aren’t looking for an exact replacement.

You’re just looking for another story that makes you feel the same way.

And if it happens to include a gorgeous historical setting, an unforgettable romance, or a little time travel?

Even better.

Have you read any of these books? And what would YOU recommend to someone looking for their next read after Outlander? I’d love to hear your suggestions!