List of 15 authors like Lesley Pearse

Lesley Pearse specializes in historical fiction novels filled with emotion and memorable characters. She gained popularity with books like Belle and Remember Me, catching readers' hearts worldwide.

If you enjoy reading books by Lesley Pearse then you might also like the following authors:

  1. Josephine Cox

    Books by Josephine Cox often portray emotional family sagas set against vivid backdrops, much in the style of Lesley Pearse. Her novel The Beachcomber  introduces readers to two lonely souls, Tom Arnold and Kathy Wilson, who cross paths by chance on a quiet seaside village.

    Tom seeks solitude to heal after a traumatic event; Kathy retreats from a turbulent marriage, hoping for peace. As their stories unfold, secrets from the past arise to challenge the newfound harmony they now seek.

    Cox creates rich relationships and sympathetic characters, creating an emotional story that keeps readers invested all the way through.

  2. Catherine Cookson

    Catherine Cookson was a popular English novelist known for heartfelt stories that explore family life, hardship, and strong female protagonists. Her novel The Fifteen Streets  is a powerful drama set in early 20th century Northern England.

    It tells the story of John O’Brien, a hardworking dockworker born into poverty with siblings dependent on him. When he meets Mary Llewellyn, a young teacher from a wealthy background, their relationship faces judgments from both their families and the community.

    Cookson vividly captures the atmosphere of the working-class neighborhood and the struggles people face due to prejudice and class.

    For readers who enjoy Lesley Pearse’s emotionally charged narratives about resilience against hardship and challenges, Cookson’s The Fifteen Streets  offers a similar captivating read.

  3. Rosie Goodwin

    Rosie Goodwin is a British author known for her heartfelt family sagas set amid historical backdrops, often featuring characters who overcome hardships through strength and resilience.

    Readers who enjoy Lesley Pearse might find a new favorite in Goodwin’s rich storytelling style. One great book to start with is The Empty Cradle,  which follows Charlotte, a young midwife accused of a crime she didn’t commit.

    As Charlotte struggles to rebuild her life, she faces betrayal, love, and unexpected challenges during difficult times. This novel gives readers a strong, relatable heroine whose journey is full of twists and emotional depth.

  4. Dilly Court

    If you enjoy historical dramas by Lesley Pearse, you’ll probably appreciate novels by Dilly Court. Court is known for lively characters, emotional plots, and vividly recreated historical settings.

    Her novel The Orphan’s Dream  centers around young Mirabel Cutler who loses her family and faces poverty in Victorian London. Mirabel struggles to survive among London’s crowded streets and alleys, meeting both kindness and hardship along the way.

    As she grows up, Mirabel dreams of a different life. Court portrays her determination to overcome adversity in a way that draws readers into Mirabel’s world.

    The story mixes romance, friendship, and courage, set against the fascinating yet unforgiving backdrop of Victorian England. Readers who love stories filled with strong, resilient women will find plenty to enjoy in Court’s writing.

  5. Katie Flynn

    Katie Flynn is an author you’ll enjoy if you’re a fan of Lesley Pearse. Flynn is known for heartfelt narratives set during historical periods, especially wartime Britain.

    Her novel A Christmas Candle  follows young Meg Johnson, who faces difficult choices during World War II in Liverpool. Meg navigates love, family struggles, and the sacrifices brought about by war. Flynn skillfully captures the brightness of human spirit amid difficult times.

    If you’re drawn to emotionally rich stories filled with memorable characters, Katie Flynn provides a reading experience similar to Lesley Pearse.

  6. Maureen Lee

    Maureen Lee is a British author known for emotional family stories set in Liverpool during the wartime and post-war years. Her books often explore strong women facing adversity, relationships tested by hardship and resilience in tough times.

    In The September Girls,  Lee introduces readers to two families from very different backgrounds who are thrown together by events surrounding World War II. Cara and Sybil grow up in different worlds but find their lives unexpectedly connected.

    Family secrets, friendship, love, and courage weave through the story.

    If you enjoyed Lesley Pearse’s heartfelt novels about women overcoming difficult beginnings and discovering their inner strength (Belle  or Remember Me ), you’ll appreciate Maureen Lee’s similarly captivating tales.

  7. Anna Jacobs

    If you enjoy Lesley Pearse’s rich storytelling and vivid historical settings, you’ll likely appreciate Anna Jacobs and her captivating novel The Trader’s Wife. 

    Set in the bustling mid-19th century, the story follows Isabella Saunders, a young woman forced into a harsh marriage who bravely seeks a fresh start. Her resilient spirit carries her across oceans to Western Australia, where her courage and determination take center stage.

    Jacobs weaves together romance, adventure and emotional drama, bringing the past alive in a page-turner filled with strong, memorable characters.

  8. Maggie Hope

    Maggie Hope writes emotional stories about strong women facing tough situations against historical backdrops. Her engaging style pulls readers into the struggles and triumphs of each character.

    In A Mother’s Gift,  Hope introduces readers to Katie Benfield, a young woman whose life turns upside down when family secrets surface after her mother’s death. Katie’s journey from grief toward hope unfolds in vivid scenes of resilience, family bonds, and unexpected love.

    If you enjoy Lesley Pearse’s heartfelt narratives and relatable characters, Maggie Hope offers similar emotional depth and historical detail that will keep you turning pages late into the night.

  9. Barbara Taylor Bradford

    Readers who enjoy Lesley Pearse may also appreciate Barbara Taylor Bradford. Bradford writes emotional family sagas and strong female characters. Her novel A Woman of Substance  follows Emma Harte, a young woman determined to escape poverty and hardship.

    Through ambition, courage, and perseverance, Emma builds a vast business empire, but success comes with unexpected personal struggles.

    Bradford presents Emma’s life across decades, capturing her triumphs, challenges and sacrifices, making this book an engrossing read for those who admire resilience and compelling drama.

  10. Danielle Steel

    Readers who enjoy emotional stories by Lesley Pearse might also appreciate Danielle Steel. Her novels often explore themes of family, loss, love, and personal journeys through tough situations.

    In The Gift,  Steel introduces readers to a small town in the 1950s and follows the lives of two teenagers from drastically different backgrounds. A sudden tragedy brings them together, and their bond challenges family expectations and social norms.

    Through vivid storytelling and strong characters, Steel explores how friendship and compassion shape lives in unexpected ways.

  11. Penny Vincenzi

    Books by Penny Vincenzi often feature rich storytelling, complex family relationships and strong female characters. If you like Lesley Pearse, Penny Vincenzi’s novels may appeal to you because of the emotional depth and intriguing narratives.

    Her book No Angel  is particularly engaging. It tells the story of Celia Lytton, an ambitious and determined woman who navigates through love, betrayal, and challenges in early 20th-century London.

    Celia marries into a prestigious publishing family, and the novel explores her life as she builds both her family and career amidst war, social change, and personal upheavals.

    Penny Vincenzi weaves an absorbing family saga filled with secrets and passionate characters that capture you from the beginning.

  12. Santa Montefiore

    Books by Santa Montefiore often captivate readers who enjoy Lesley Pearse’s stories, as both authors beautifully portray complex families, secrets, and emotional journeys.

    In Montefiore’s novel The Butterfly Box,  the narrative follows Federica Campione, a young woman in Chile whose life is changed forever by a beautifully carved wooden box filled with tokens from her past.

    After moving to England, Federica discovers hidden truths about her family history, love, and betrayal.

    The story spans multiple generations and lush settings from Chile’s coastal villages to England’s countryside estates, drawing readers into a world filled with nostalgia, romance, and heartache.

    With relatable characters and unexpected twists, Montefiore crafts emotional stories that remain memorable long after turning the final page.

  13. Lucinda Riley

    Lucinda Riley was an Irish author known for her deeply emotional storytelling, vivid characters, and absorbing historical backdrops.

    Fans of Lesley Pearse, who enjoy stories about family secrets, bittersweet relationships, and richly detailed settings, might find Riley captivating.

    Her novel The Seven Sisters  follows Maia D’Aplièse, one of six adopted sisters, as she begins to uncover clues about her mysterious origins. After the unexpected death of their adoptive father, each sister receives a letter and a clue pointing toward her true heritage.

    Maia’s journey takes readers from her peaceful home in Switzerland to the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro in the 1920s. There, she learns about a passionate young woman named Izabela, whose story intertwines with Maia’s in surprising and emotional ways.

  14. Sheila O'Flanagan

    Readers who enjoy the emotional depth and hidden family secrets found in Lesley Pearse’s novels may also appreciate Sheila O’Flanagan.

    Her book The Missing Wife  explores the story of Imogen, a woman who carefully plans her disappearance from a controlling marriage to reclaim her sense of self.

    As Imogen begins her new life in a picturesque French coastal village, her past slowly catches up with her, leading to revelations and unexpected encounters.

    O’Flanagan’s narrative is rich in character dynamics and personal growth, and readers familiar with the resilient women in Pearse’s works will find Imogen’s journey equally captivating.

  15. Pamela Evans

    Pamela Evans writes heartwarming family sagas set in London’s East End, filled with emotional stories and courageous characters who overcome life’s tough challenges.

    Readers who appreciate Lesley Pearse’s blend of drama, struggle, and historical detail will find a similar warmth and depth in Evans’ novels.

    Her book The Apple of Her Eye  tells the story of Rosie, a spirited young woman living through the hardships and upheaval of wartime London. Rosie faces the threat of bombs, rationing, and personal loss, but her determination and spirit shine through, lighting up the page.

    Pamela Evans beautifully captures everyday triumphs of ordinary people, making it easy to root for her characters and immerse yourself in their world.