Kristin Hannah's Beloved Historical Fiction Books Ranked, According To Reader Reviews

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

There are very few authors who can tell a historical fiction tale with as much depth as Kristin Hannah can. Whether it's a family's tale of survival in the beautifully cruel Alaskan wilderness or the struggles of two sisters trying to endure the aftermath of a traumatic war, Hannah has a gift for making readers feel like they're living the story alongside the characters she writes of. With the most vivid settings, heartbreaking narratives, and emotionally layered characters, her novels transport readers to all kinds of moments in history, and it's why she can capture the hearts of millions of readers, time and time again.

Across her wide range of work, Hannah explores a variety of settings and timelines, and many of her stories are told through the perspective of women. Those stories highlight the resilience, courage, and sacrifices women make and the extremes they'll go to protect the ones they love. It's this focus on human experience that makes her historical fiction stories so relatable and compelling for many readers.

Since the release of her first historical fiction novel, "Winter Garden" in 2010, Hannah's novels have earned critical acclaim and made multiple bestseller lists, drawing devoted readers across all demographics. And the more recognition they gain, the more readers are interested in which of Hannah's books they should start with. So, we thought it would be the perfect time to give our readers insight into her historical fiction books' rankings, according to reviews.

It should come as no surprise that "The Nightingale" is Kristin Hannah's best historical fiction book to date. It has made multiple lists of ours; one of the most notable being Reese's Book Club's highest-rated pick of all time. Not only has the book sold millions of copies, but it's also available in more than 40 languages internationally, and a film adaptation starring the Fanning sisters is currently in the works. According to millions of glowing reviews, it's not hard to see why Hannah's novel continues to earn such acclaim, standing as one of the author's greatest successes of her career. 

After reading the book, a Reddit user on the r/books subreddit wrote, "It is crushing. Absolutely heart-wrenching. This book made me realize all over again, that we can never ever comprehend historical events as massive as The Second World War in its entirety." They went on to mention that perhaps the book is so refreshing because of its focus on women's perspectives during such trying times. 

Other readers chimed in with similar sentiments. One response said, "I finished this book early this morning at 2am because I just could not stop reading it. I feel emotionally spent and I cannot stop thinking about it. Best book I've read this year — and I've read some good ones. These sisters will be on my mind for a while ..." 

The number two historical fiction book based on reviews is "The Women." The book made an extraordinary impact since its 2025 release, with more than 68% of readers giving it a 5-star rating out of nearly one and a half million ratings on Goodreads. In a Q&A on her official website, Hannah said, writing this book was "such a labor of absolute love." She added, "I adored writing about these amazing, resilient women — military and civilian — and illuminating both their service in Vietnam and the struggle they faced upon coming home."

The love she poured into these characters resonated with readers, as one Goodreads reviewer wrote, "My heart is a whirlwind of different emotions. While some characters may seem fictional initially, as you delve into their stories, you'll develop an immediate connection that makes these characters a part of you, lingering in your life indefinitely. Frankie is one such character — unforgettable, courageous, vulnerable, tarnished but not broken, poignant, and dependable." The review was liked by more than 3,000 readers, and it's this overwhelming response that highlights what sets "The Women" apart. 

A Vietnam War story told through the perspective of a female nurse, the book highlights the sacrifices women made on the frontlines and the challenges faced upon their homecoming. Some readers noted that the book is also absolutely amazing on audio, and listening to the story brings Frankie and her journey to life. It was even the 2025 Audie Award winner for Best Fiction Narrator. 

"The Great Alone" is Kristin Hannah's third-best historical fiction book based on reviews. It maintains over 4.5 stars on both Goodreads and Amazon, and reader reviews praise the book for its gripping portrayal of a family's attempt at survival in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. In an interview with Barnes & Noble, Hannah said she and her family have been visiting the state forever, and she "wanted to sort of bring her knowledge of Alaska and [her] love for this state to people who haven't been there and sort of introduce them to a wilderness that still exists in America."

Hannah does an excellent job bringing the setting to life, painting a vivid picture of the Alaskan landscape. One Goodreads reviewer even wrote, "[...] what I am grateful for, most of all, is how I was able to read about a place I have never been and fall in love with it, how I could find an undeniable softness for the harsh landscape of the Alaskan wilderness, how I could come to understand the pure beauty of a place I have never seen.

Other reviewers were equally captivated by the novel's emotional depth. One Goodreads reviewer shared, "There is such a poignancy in this book, and I'm not ashamed to say it wrecked me emotionally at times, but I kept reading and reading and just couldn't stop." They ended up finishing the book in one sitting.

Kristin Hannah's "The Four Winds" sits as the top-rated historical fiction pick from the Read with Jenna Book Club. Set during the Great Depression, the novel follows a courageous and resilient matron of the Martinelli family, Elsa, who leaves everything behind in search of a better life for her children. People described the work as "a spectacular tour de force that shines a spotlight on the indispensable but often overlooked role of Greatest Generation women."

70% of nearly 200,000 readers gave the book five stars, and many praised Hannah for her masterful storytelling. One Amazon reviewer captured the experience perfectly, writing, "Ms. Hannah has a gift that, in my opinion, VERY FEW authors possess; storytelling with off-the-chart passion, vision and heart ... I am compelled to state that readers will be transported into the story and literally become one with the environment, the people, and the adverse conditions they experience. The stellar writing makes it virtually impossible to distance oneself from the story at hand." 

However, it's worth mentioning that many readers felt that, although the story is amazing, it's a bit depressing. Book blogger, Gisselle of Gisselle Reads, described the book as "very sad and depressing," as she warned readers to "be in the right mindset before reading it." However, she added, "I think that even though there is so much sadness in this book there is a lot of love and hope. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their development throughout the story." 

Kristin Hannah's first historical fiction book was "The Nightingale" in 2015, but many of her fans consider "Winter Garden" to be a historical fiction novel that helped define her voice in the genre. The story is about two sisters who uncover secrets about their mother's past when they reconnect with one another. Set both in modern-day Alaska and the Russian front of World War II, Hannah does a remarkable job weaving together past and present. She delves into complex themes of familial love, life after loss, and the enduring impact of history and war on an individual.

This book ranked last on our list, and while that shouldn't diminish the book's impact, readers either loved it or hated it. One Goodreads reviewer gave the book one star, writing, "It is disappointingly formulaic and borrows heavily from 'Sophie's Choice,' an infinitely superior novel." On the other hand, a five-star reviewer had nothing but praise for the author, "Once again, I find myself in awe of the power and beauty of Kristin Hannah's words. She gives her readers the ability to crawl inside the story and see the world through the eyes of her characters."

There were a lot of contrasting opinions about this title, highlighting how some felt Hannah's emotionally charged writing resonated deeply with them, while others felt the story fell flat and was almost too predictable. Even with the mixed reviews, Hannah's first historical fiction book remains a memorable read to many.