Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series is more than just a story; it's an immersive experience. It's the thrill of stumbling through the standing stones with Claire Randall, the sweep of an epic romance with Jamie Fraser, and the rich, tangible grit of Scottish history.
The magic of Outlander lies in its unique blend of sweeping historical drama, a high-stakes love story, a resilient and intelligent heroine, thrilling adventure, and a touch of the supernatural.
While waiting for the next installment can feel like a "Droughtlander" of its own, the literary world is filled with novels that capture elements of that same magic. Whether you crave the meticulously researched history, the all-consuming romance, or the heart-pounding adventure, this curated list offers your next great escape.
Each book shares a piece of the Outlander spirit, ready to transport you to another time and place.
For readers captivated by the heart-wrenching emotional stakes of a love story set against the backdrop of war, The Bronze Horseman is an essential read. Set during the brutal siege of Leningrad in World War II, the novel follows the harrowing love affair between Tatiana and Alexander.
Simons masterfully portrays not only the horrors of war but also the quiet moments of sacrifice and impossible choices that define their relationship. The intensity of their devotion and the constant threat of loss will feel deeply familiar to fans of Claire and Jamie’s epic journey.
Often recommended as the "American Outlander," this novel is a perfect match for those drawn to frontier settings and the clash of cultures.
Set in remote upstate New York in 1792, it follows Elizabeth Middleton, a headstrong Englishwoman who finds her world turned upside down by the rugged wilderness and its inhabitants, including the compelling frontiersman Nathaniel Bonner. The novel shares Outlander's theme of a fiercely independent woman adapting to a new, dangerous world.
As a delightful bonus for fans, the series includes a direct crossover, featuring the appearance of Claire Fraser's nephew, Ian Murray.
Susanna Kearsley is a master of the time-slip novel, and The Winter Sea is arguably her finest. The story follows modern-day author Carrie McClelland as she writes a novel about the 1708 Jacobite rising.
Renting a cottage on the Scottish coast, she finds the story flowing from her in uncanny ways, blurring the line between her research and the life of her ancestor, Sophia. Kearsley expertly weaves a dual timeline, creating a haunting and atmospheric tale of love, loyalty, and history’s echoes.
Its rich Scottish setting and poignant romance will resonate deeply with the Outlander faithful.
While it lacks a supernatural element, the Poldark series delivers the historical drama, class conflict, and sweeping romance that make Outlander so compelling. Ross Poldark returns to his native Cornwall after the American Revolutionary War to find his estate in ruins and the woman he loves engaged to his cousin.
Graham excels at creating a visceral sense of place, from the rugged coastline to the claustrophobic tin mines. Ross’s struggle to restore his family’s fortune while championing the common folk mirrors Jamie Fraser's role as a laird responsible for his people, making this a deeply satisfying historical saga.
Leaning into the supernatural and scholarly aspects of Outlander, this novel introduces Diana Bishop, a historian and reluctant witch who discovers a powerful, long-lost manuscript in Oxford's Bodleian Library.
Her discovery throws her into the path of Matthew Clairmont, a brilliant vampire geneticist, and into the heart of a supernatural conflict centuries in the making. Like Claire, Diana is a sharp, academic woman forced to reconcile her rational world with one of magic and destiny.
The blend of history, romance, and supernatural lore makes this a modern fantasy epic with classic appeal.
A timeless classic of historical fiction, Katherine chronicles the legendary, decades-long love affair between Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in fourteenth-century England. Seton's meticulous research brings the medieval court to life with stunning authenticity, from its political machinations to its social customs.
The novel is celebrated for its powerful characterization and its depiction of a love that defied convention and altered the course of English history. For those who appreciate the way Outlander grounds its romance in real historical figures and events, this is an unmissable masterpiece.
If the epic scope and detailed world-building of Outlander are what you love, Ken Follett’s magnum opus is a worthy successor. Set in twelfth-century England, the story revolves around the construction of a magnificent cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge.
Over decades, the lives of priors, builders, nobles, and peasants intertwine in a sweeping narrative of ambition, faith, political intrigue, and romance. Follett’s devotion to historical accuracy and his ability to weave multiple complex storylines into a cohesive whole will give Outlander fans the rich, immersive experience they crave.
For a tale of epic love against the backdrop of a legendary war, look no further than The Song of Achilles. This breathtaking reimagining of Homer’s Iliad is told from the perspective of Patroclus, an exiled prince who forms an unbreakable bond with the beautiful, god-like Achilles.
Miller transforms ancient myth into a profoundly human and heart-shattering love story. The novel captures the same sense of all-consuming devotion and tragic destiny that defines the central romance in Outlander, proving that epic love stories are truly timeless.
This prehistoric epic shares Outlander's focus on a powerful, resourceful heroine who is an outsider in a foreign culture. After an earthquake orphans her, a young Cro-Magnon girl named Ayla is adopted by a tribe of Neanderthals. Auel’s world-building is extraordinary, grounding the reader in the harsh realities and unique customs of the Ice Age.
Ayla’s intelligence, resilience, and struggle to find her place in a world that fears her differences will strongly appeal to readers who admire Claire Fraser's strength and adaptability.
Journey to a Scotland far more ancient than Jamie Fraser's in this captivating novel set in the sixth century. The story brings to life the forgotten historical figure Languoreth, a powerful queen and the twin sister of the man who would become the real-life Merlin.
Pike expertly blends meticulous research with Celtic myth to create a vivid portrait of a woman caught between the rising tide of Christianity and the old ways of her people. Fans who love the Scottish history and mystical undertones of Outlander will be enchanted by this tale of a strong woman shaping her own destiny.
A foundational classic of the time-travel romance genre, this novel tells the story of Dougless Montgomery, a modern woman abandoned by her boyfriend in an English church. Heartbroken, she weeps upon a tomb and summons its occupant: Nicholas Stafford, an earl from the sixteenth century.
What follows is a charming, funny, and deeply emotional story about love transcending time. The novel explores the "fish-out-of-water" dynamic with humor and heart, capturing the core romantic fantasy that makes time-slip stories so irresistible.
This sweeping saga plunges readers into the lavish and treacherous courts of eighteenth-century France and England. The story follows Barbara Alderley, a young noblewoman married off to a much older man to save her family's fortune.
Like Claire, Barbara must navigate a complex world of political intrigue, shifting allegiances, and social expectations, all while trying to find love and agency. With its intricate plot, rich historical detail, and a cast of morally complex characters, this novel delivers the kind of immersive historical drama that Outlander fans adore.
Published in the 1940s and famously scandalous for its time, Forever Amber tells the story of the ambitious and beautiful Amber St. Clare, who rises from country girl to the favorite mistress of King Charles II.
Amber is a survivor—a spirited, resourceful, and morally ambiguous heroine who uses her wits and charm to navigate the decadent and dangerous world of Restoration England. Her journey shares the same epic scale and rich historical atmosphere as Outlander, centered on a woman who refuses to be a victim of her circumstances.
This groundbreaking fantasy classic retells the Arthurian legend from the perspective of its powerful female characters, particularly Morgaine, the high priestess of Avalon. It reimagines the iconic story as a conflict between the rising patriarchal Christian religion and the waning goddess-centric paganism of Britain.
Readers who are drawn to Claire’s unique position as a healer and "wise woman" and who appreciate Gabaldon’s focus on strong female perspectives will find The Mists of Avalon to be a profound and richly imagined epic.
For those who enjoy the blend of history, romance, and adventure in Outlander but with a lighter, more humorous touch, this series is a perfect delight. It follows modern-day Harvard grad student Eloise Kelly as she researches a mysterious Napoleonic-era spy known as the Pink Carnation.
Each book pairs Eloise's present-day discoveries with a new historical romance featuring a different member of the Pink Carnation's spy ring. The result is a witty, charming, and utterly addictive blend of espionage, romance, and history.
While no book can ever be a perfect replacement for Outlander, the novels on this list share its adventurous heart and historical soul. From the battlefields of Russia to the mythical shores of Avalon, your next great literary journey awaits. Happy reading