5 Fall Romances To Read If You're Obsessed With Outlander: Blood Of My Blood
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September 2026 was an exciting month for devoted "Outlander" fans as the second season of the prequel to the hit show, "Outlander: Blood of My Blood," was released. Even before the second season was revealed, its trailer racked up millions of views as eager fans counted down the days before they could reunite with Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser.
This series follows the parallel love stories of Jamie Fraser's parents in the 18th-century Scottish Highlands and Claire Beauchamp's parents during the tumultuous backdrop of WWI. While some fans have expressed that there could be a more compelling, high-stakes antagonist in the show, they appreciate the sweeping devotion, heart-wrenching wartime separation, and the beautiful landscapes of the series. If you're obsessed with the passionate and historic aesthetic of this prequel and you've been in search of something to keep you occupied as you await the next episode, may we suggest a good read?
There are so many historical romance books that capture a similar sense of soul-deep devotion, familial loyalty, and a melancholy fall atmosphere that can help you fill the void between weekly episodes. From a classic Highland saga to an international pick set in a West African-inspired empire, Women has curated the perfect list of fall romances to read if you're obsessed with "Outlander: Blood of My Blood."
Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks
If the rugged 18th-century Scottish Highlands are your favorite part of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood," Maya Banks' "Highlander Most Wanted" deserves a spot on your TBR. It's the ultimate cozy fall read that tells the touching love story of Genevieve McInnes and Bowen Montgomery.
Both weighed down by their own grief and trauma, they're brought together when Bowen's clan captures Genevieve. The two might have started on the wrong foot, but Bowen's warmth and chivalry provide Genevieve with something she never thought she could have: a safe sanctuary. Not only will "Outlander: Blood of My Blood" fans appreciate the scenic landscape, but the fierce love and protective devotion of Bowen will remind them of the Fraser men.
Fans of the "Outlander" universe note that, while the book skips the time travel element, it makes up for it with incredible emotional depth and fast-paced drama that keeps you reading. As one 4-star Goodreads reviewer put it, while it focuses more on character dynamics than the actual history featured in "Outlander," readers can absolutely 'expect an emotional story with a satisfying ending.'
What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
Time travel is often one of the elements that make historical fiction so irresistible. In fact, fans of the "Outlander" universe often discuss the importance of time travel and how it elevates a classic love story into something utterly timeless. If you're one of those fans, you'll love "What the Wind Knows" by Amy Harmon. Yearning. Destiny. Grief. Harmon's book has it all.
Anne Gallagher has unintentionally traveled back in time to 1921 Ireland, where there's a war raging across the country, and she finds herself tangled in the upheaval of the chaos. She's taken in by Dr. Thomas Smith, who only wishes for his country to be free, and before she knows it, he becomes her anchor in a world she's a complete stranger to. Fans of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood" will find Thomas captivating and will be invested in the rich historical backdrop of a country fighting for freedom.
So many reviewers of Harmon's book compared it to "Outlander." Whether they gave the book 3.5 stars or a perfect 5-star rating, they all agreed that the time-bending romance and lush and vivid atmospheric setting capture a similar magic to that of the hit series. One 5-star Goodreads reviewer even claimed they were giving the book "5 'Outlander' stars" and added that they 'read it in one sitting' despite it being a very lengthy book.
The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne
Here at Women, we love introducing our readers to books with sequels and companion novels, because once you fall in love with a story, it's nice to be able to stay in it for a while. Thus, "The Highwayman" by Kerrigan Byrne — the first in a seven-book series — is the perfect choice for your TBR if you never want historical romance stories to end. This is another book that fans of the "Outlander" universe praised for being similar to Jamie and Claire's iconic romance, as well as the fierce loyalty at the heart of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood."
Just as the prequel dives into the Fraser family's roots, "The Highwayman" focuses on two childhood soulmates reunited after a brutal past. Dorian may be feared by everyone, and he likes to keep it that way. But there's one person who holds his whole heart, and it's Farah. As danger closes in, fans of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood" will love seeing how his fiercely protective devotion mirrors the same unyielding Fraser honor.
An Amazon reviewer gave the book five stars, saying, "I finished it in a day and a half and so sad it's over! Loved this book! Major 'Outlander' vibes but slightly darker with more spice. So much more than your average historical romance!!" Then, another 5-star reviewer described it as 'a cross between Outlander and The Princess Bride, in the best possible way.'
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
"The Winter Sea" by Susanna Kearsley has all the ingredients that make both "Outlander" and "Outlander: Blood of My Blood" unforgettable: time travel, Scottish history, and a love story woven so deeply through memory and time that it makes the heart ache. Many felt this book was comparable to "Outlander," but was a more introspective counterpart, swapping the spectacle for quiet, beautifully heartbreaking intimacy.
This is also the perfect romance book about writers to read if you're a fan of novels where it feels like the writer is telling a story about their own past life. Kearsley tells the story of Carrie, an author, who ends up traveling into the past through the vivid memories of her ancestor from the 18th century, Sophia. In those memories, she'll witness a tragic fight for independence and a gut-wrenching love story between two people, whose loyalty will echo the heart of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood."
The book is quite lengthy, but readers clearly don't mind, as it maintains an impressive 4.1-star average rating on Goodreads from more than 70k+ reviews, with 40% of reviewers giving the book five stars. It may be one of those books over 500 pages by a female author you add to your list of favorite reads. One reviewer wrote, "This book will be loved and appreciated by all fans of historical fiction, most especially by those readers who appreciate the unexplained, and enjoy the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon."
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
Alright, the last book on this list gives readers a change of scenery and is the perfect romance book to broaden your reading horizons. "A Song of Wraiths and Ruin" by Roseanne A. Brown is a breathtaking West African-inspired fantasy that features intense political intrigue, ancient magic, and fierce devotion that "Outlander" fans are obsessed with.
The story follows Malik, a refugee who wants nothing but to save his kidnapped sister, and Karina, a princess determined to resurrect her murdered mother no matter the cost. The two unfortunate paths will cross in an intense game of cat and mouse where Malik must assassinate the princess to save his sister, while Karina targets him for her own dark ritual. Secret motives and a deadly game of deception quickly turn into an enemies-to-lovers romance that will leave "Outlander" universe fans breathless.
This is a young adult book with little spice, but it does make the ultimate pick for readers who love the sweeping emotion, dangerous stakes, and elaborate setting of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood" without the heavy explicit content. It's a much easier read while also being fast-paced and thrilling. Many readers were pleasantly surprised by the story and the fact that it was targeted at young adults because the intricate lore, complexly layered characters, and dark thematic depth left them spellbound.
How we came up with this list
If you're so obsessed with a TV show that even the window between episodes feels like an endurance test, prioritize filling the void with the perfect book. Each selection on this list has something to offer, and we thoughtfully curated this roundup based on a few criteria, so we're sure there's something for everyone.
When searching for books for fans obsessed with "Outlander: Blood of My Blood," we honed in on several keywords. Obviously, historical romance was at the top of the list, but we also prioritized forbidden love, clan warfare, familial loyalty, and time travel — all elements that make the hit prequel series so addictive and are also essential pillars of our lineup. While we mostly stuck to stories set against a similar backdrop, we also aimed to broaden reading horizons. As always, we vetted our list through Goodreads and Amazon reviews to ensure our recommendations delivered stories that are not only creative, but well-written, developed, and critically respected.