Susan Meissner is an author many readers enjoy, especially if you are interested in historical fiction. Her books often move between different timelines. She is known for stories about women, and she explores themes of memory, secrets, and family.
If you are looking for authors with a similar style, this list might be for you.
If you enjoy the thoughtful storytelling and historical depth of Susan Meissner’s novels, Kristin Harmel is an author worth exploring. Her book, “The Book of Lost Names,” tells the story of Eva Traube, a young Jewish woman who flees Nazi-occupied Paris in World War II.
Eva finds herself in a small mountain town where she becomes involved in forging identity documents to help Jewish children escape persecution. She meticulously records their original identities in a hidden code within an old religious text she calls the “Book of Lost Names.”
Decades later, an elderly Eva spots an article about the same book, now housed in a library thousands of miles away. This discovery pulls her reluctantly back to her past, confronting memories of bravery, love, and sacrifice that she thought she’d left behind.
Harmel’s vivid narrative smoothly blends past and present, offering readers a powerful and moving experience.
If you enjoy the thoughtful storytelling and rich historical settings of Susan Meissner’s novels, Hazel Gaynor might be a perfect fit. Gaynor excels at creating authentic characters whose emotional journeys unfold beautifully against historic backdrops.
In her novel “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter,” she moves between two timelines to connect the lives of two resilient women across generations. In 1838 England, Grace Darling courageously rescues shipwreck survivors amidst a brutal storm, becoming an unwilling national hero.
Over a century later, Matilda Emmerson finds herself pregnant and sent away to America, staying with a distant relative who works as a lighthouse keeper.
Both women’s stories intertwine in ways that blend mystery, tragedy, and hope, making Gaynor’s novel an ideal choice for readers who appreciate heartfelt tales set in vivid historical contexts.
Readers who enjoy the heartfelt historical themes explored by Susan Meissner may find Lisa Wingate equally captivating. Wingate weaves powerful historical stories that connect the past and present with emotional depth.
Her novel “Before We Were Yours” tells the story of siblings Rill Foss and her brothers and sisters, who become tragically separated and placed into an orphanage in Memphis in the late 1930s.
Decades later, Avery Stafford, a successful politician’s daughter, uncovers unsettling truths that link her family to the scandal of that orphanage.
Wingate skillfully reveals overlooked parts of history and creates sympathetic characters who linger in readers’ minds long after the story ends.
Readers who enjoy Susan Meissner’s emotional depth and dual-timeline storytelling will appreciate Kate Morton’s novels. Morton skillfully combines historical mystery with heartfelt family stories, capturing readers through vividly detailed settings and well-developed characters.
In her novel “The Lake House,” a family tragedy from the 1930s remains unsolved for decades. Alice Edevane, once a young girl whose baby brother mysteriously vanished, later becomes a successful author, never forgetting that haunting loss.
Many years afterward, a detective named Sadie Sparrow stumbles upon the Edevane family’s abandoned, atmospheric estate, setting her on a path toward unraveling secrets surrounding the cold case.
Through Sadie’s pursuit and Alice’s long-held memories, Morton weaves a tale of hidden truths and poignant connections between past and present.
Camille Di Maio writes vivid stories centered around well-drawn characters and rich historical details, similar to Susan Meissner’s style. Her novel “The Memory of Us” follows Julianne Westcott, a young woman from a prosperous Liverpool family during the late 1930s.
Julianne meets Kyle McCarthy, a working-class Irishman studying to become a priest, and soon her orderly world becomes uncertain. As World War II looms, the characters face impossible choices about love, family responsibility, and personal dreams.
Di Maio thoughtfully portrays the emotional struggles of Julianne and Kyle against the backdrop of a turbulent time, making the reader eager to learn their fate.
If you enjoy Susan Meissner’s novels filled with emotional depth and historical charm, you’ll probably appreciate Beatriz Williams as well.
Williams excels at weaving together personal stories and historical settings, creating novels that stick with you long after finishing them. Her book “The Secret Life of Violet Grant” explores two interconnected timelines.
In 1964, Vivian Schuyler receives a mysterious suitcase addressed to her long-lost aunt, Violet Grant. As Vivian digs into her aunt’s past, she uncovers a hidden family story that goes back to pre-World War I Europe.
Violet’s life was full of scandal, love, and secrets, all of which ripple forward to impact Vivian herself. Williams brings history alive through vivid settings, authentic characters, and plots that balance suspense with emotional insight.
Kristin Hannah writes emotional novels about relationships, family dramas, and challenging periods of history, similar in tone and depth to Susan Meissner’s books. Her novel “The Nightingale” focuses on two sisters living in France during World War II.
It explores the strength, bravery, and sacrifices of ordinary women in a dangerous time. Each sister faces the war in a different way, one taking greater risks in resistance efforts, while the other must quietly protect her family and home.
Hannah paints a vivid picture of France under German occupation and shows the powerful connections that hold families together even in times of war.
If you enjoy Susan Meissner’s thoughtful narratives and emotionally layered characters, you might appreciate novels by Jodi Picoult. Picoult skillfully explores family dynamics and moral dilemmas in her book “My Sister’s Keeper.”
In this story, Anna Fitzgerald was born specifically to save her sister Kate, who is battling leukemia. After years spent undergoing medical procedures to help Kate, Anna decides to make a choice that challenges her family’s bonds as well as their beliefs.
Picoult carefully examines each family member’s perspective, showing the complexities of love, sacrifice, and individual rights. This novel offers similar emotional depth and ethical questions often found in Meissner’s works.
Books by Jenna Blum often appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction by authors like Susan Meissner. Her novel “Those Who Save Us” explores the difficult choices made by ordinary people during World War II.
The story follows Anna, a young German woman caught between survival and morality in Nazi Germany, and her daughter Trudy, who struggles decades later to understand her mother’s silent past.
The narrative shifts between timelines and perspectives, revealing deep family secrets and the impact of historical events on personal lives. Jenna Blum offers readers vivid characters and emotionally charged storytelling that linger long after the last page.
If you enjoy Susan Meissner’s heartfelt blend of historical depth and emotional storytelling, Chanel Cleeton might become another favorite. Cleeton’s novel “Next Year in Havana” takes readers through Havana’s vibrant yet turbulent past alongside present-day Miami.
Elisa Perez is a privileged young woman in 1958 Cuba, where political upheaval and revolution reshape her family’s comfortable life and challenge her heart’s desires.
Decades later, her granddaughter Marisol travels to Cuba, uncovering secrets and discovering an unexpected connection to her grandmother’s past. Cleeton efficiently transports readers across time, bringing together history, love, family ties, and the quest for identity.
If you enjoy historical fiction by Susan Meissner, Melanie Benjamin is another author you might appreciate. Benjamin brings history to life through deep and emotional storytelling, often highlighting forgotten voices and moments.
Her novel “The Aviator’s Wife” tells the story of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of Charles Lindbergh. Anne navigates the highs and lows of a life defined by her husband’s fame, her own adventurous spirit, personal tragedy, public scrutiny and quiet strength.
Benjamin explores the complexities of a famous marriage, showing readers a captivating view of an extraordinary woman and the memories behind a famous name.
Fiona Davis is a historical fiction author who skillfully weaves engaging characters into iconic New York City settings, similar to the storytelling style of Susan Meissner.
In her novel “The Lions of Fifth Avenue,” Davis tells the story of two women tied together through time by the famous New York Public Library.
In 1913, Laura, whose family lives in an apartment inside the library itself, struggles between her domestic duties and a desire for personal fulfillment.
In 1993, Sadie, a curator at the library, uncovers mysteries of rare book thefts that draw her back to her own family’s hidden past. Davis uses both timelines to explore family secrets, ambitions, and the fascinating backdrop of a beloved historical landmark.
Readers who enjoy Susan Meissner’s heartfelt stories will likely appreciate the novels of Karen White. White specializes in blending historical depth, family mystery, and emotional storylines.
In her captivating book, “The House on Tradd Street,” Melanie Middleton, a practical real estate agent who dislikes old houses, suddenly inherits a historic home in Charleston.
Melanie soon learns that the house is haunted by family secrets, mysteries, and perhaps a spirit or two. White’s novel beautifully combines past and present, unraveling family ties while exploring Charleston’s atmosphere and history.
Sarah McCoy is a talented storyteller who weaves history and emotional depth into novels readers of Susan Meissner will enjoy. Her novel “The Baker’s Daughter” skillfully connects two timelines, one set during World War II in Germany and the other in present-day Texas.
The story focuses on Elsie, a baker’s daughter, who must make a brave choice when faced with a desperate Jewish boy seeking refuge at her door. Decades later, Reba, a reporter in Texas, discovers Elsie’s past, which sheds new light on Reba’s own personal struggles.
McCoy’s style brings historical periods vividly to life in a heartfelt and meaningful way.
Rachel Hauck is an author whose heartfelt novels explore emotional journeys, relationships, and the connections between past and present.
Readers who enjoy Susan Meissner’s rich blend of contemporary stories and historical themes will appreciate Hauck’s novel, “The Wedding Dress.” In this story, we meet Charlotte Malone, a bridal shop owner who discovers the perfect vintage wedding gown hidden in a trunk.
Charlotte’s quest to uncover the gown’s history reveals the lives of three women from different eras, each connected through this timeless dress.
Their stories effortlessly weave hope, love, and choices, showing how decisions made in one generation often ripple through to others. Hauck shares authentic characters and moving narratives that stay memorable long after the book closes.