10 Sweeping Historical Fiction Books Set in Spain—Passion, Intrigue and Mystery Await!
From Madrid to Seville, these novels deliver dazzling stories filled with adventure!
Whenever you do an online search for the world’s most beautiful countries, there’s one place that always makes the list: Spain. With its vibrant history, rich culture and dramatic landscapes, this stunning setting is also a perfect backdrop for historical fiction books. Whether you’re intrigued by the real-life struggles of the Spanish Civil War or the drama of bygone royal courts, Spain offers a world of captivating stories where history comes to life.
Here, we gathered up 10 historical fiction books set in Spain that deliver compelling storylines (many based on real-life events or people), high-stakes danger, political espionage and war-torn romance.
Does traveling from Spain to a lush cocoa estate in Ecuador sound fascinating? Pick up The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes. Chanel Cleeton, bestselling author of Next Year in Havana, described Hughes’ novel as “an engrossing, suspenseful family saga filled with unpredictable twists and turns.” If you’re more in the mood to travel from a Spanish vineyard to the dance halls of Seville where flamenco reigns during the Spanish Civil War, dive into Bird With the Heart of a Mountain by Barbara Mariconda.
Continue scrolling for all of our compelling, must-read book recommendations.
‘A Long Petal of the Sea’ by Isabel Allende
Bestselling author Isabel Allende, who has penned more than 20 novels, is known for her enthralling, whimsical tales. In this compelling saga, readers are transported back to the 1930s, as civil war grips Spain. Roser, a pregnant widow, must marry her husband’s brother, Victor Dalmau, in order to survive. Soon, the unlikely pair embark on a journey toward new beginnings. It’s a masterful story about hope and freedom.
What readers are saying: “To steer clear of the negative news cycles, I reach for stories set deep in the past because looking back gives me perspective,” says Kristina Mastrocola, Woman’s World Senior Editor. “And this novel set in Spain shows how much we can overcome!”
‘Conquistadora’ by Esmeralda Santiago
In this epic saga about love, discovery and adventure, bestselling author Esmeralda Santiago transports readers to 19th century Spain. As a girl growing up in Spain, Ana Larragoity Cubillas is called to Puerto Rico by the diaries of a family member who traveled there with Ponce de León. And thanks to handsome twin brothers Ramón and Inocente—who are both in love with Ana—she finds a way to get there. She marries Ramón, and in 1844, at 18 years old, she travels across the ocean to a remote sugar plantation in Puerto Rico. What follows is a sensual, riveting story about forbidden love and sacrifice.
What readers are saying: “When I heard this book was like a Puerto Rican version of Gone With the Wind—my all-time favorite—I had to read it,” says Patty Bontekoe, Woman’s World Executive Editor. “This book has it all—adventure, tragedy and spicy love scenes. I was so eager to see how it unfolded.”
‘The Fountains of Silence’ by Ruta Sepetys
From the bestselling author of Salt to the Sea comes an enchanting story about love, life and secrets under a Spanish dictatorship. In 1957, Spain is under the fascist rule of General Francisco Franco and the country is hiding the dark truth. Meanwhile, tourists and businessmen alike flock to Spain in droves seeking sunshine and good times—and one of them is 18-year-old Daniel Matheson. Daniel is the son of an oil tycoon but he’s in Madrid with his parents simply hoping to capture his mother’s birth country through his camera. Soon, he meets Ana, whose family’s challenges reveal the truth of the lingering Spanish Civil War. When Daniel’s photographs leave him questioning everything and facing danger, he has no choice but to protect his loved ones. Inspired by true postwar events in Spain, Sepetys weaves a masterfully unforgettable tale.
What readers are saying: “The Fountains of Silence is a very well-written, very engaging book with interesting characters and a fascinating background of Franco’s Spain and beyond. It was a real eye-opener and a wonderful book.”
‘Love & Ruin’ by Paula McLain
Heart-tugging drama, beautiful prose, fearless characters…Paula McClain’s Love and Ruin features all this and more. In 1937, 28-year-old Martha Gellhorn travels alone to Madrid to report on the Spanish Civil War and soon is pulled into stories of real people impacted by the harrowing conflict. She also finds herself falling in love with a writer named Ernest Hemingway—a passionate man on his way to becoming a legend. On the eve of WWII, set against the backdrops of Madrid and Cuba, Martha and Ernest’s relationship and rivalry ignite. But when Ernest publishes For Whom the Bell Tolls and he skyrockets to success, Martha must move forward and forge her own path as a woman and a writer.
What readers are saying: “I’m always intrigued by whatever Paula McLain writes because she selects such fascinating historical figures and brings them to life. Here is the story of Martha Gellhorn, a war-time correspondent, writer of several novels and Ernest Hemingway’s third wife. The war is central to the story, as is the story of their marriage. I learned a lot reading about both. Her writing is so vivid!”
‘The Time In Between’ by María Dueñas
With more than 2 million copies sold this international bestseller was adapted into a hit Spanish TV series by the same name that’s often referred to as “The Spanish Downton Abbey.” The gripping tale of resilience, courage and transformationfollows Sira Quiroga, who begins working in a seamstress shop at 12 years old and is aengaged to a modest clerk by the time she reaches her 20s. But her life changes when two men burst into it: a charming salesman and the father she never knew. With the Spanish Civil War brewing, she leaves her fiancé and her mother and follows her love to Morocco—only to be abandoned. Here, she reinvents herself as a talented designer, later becoming the top couturier for Nazi officers’ wives in Madrid. Amid the tensions of war, Sira is slowly drawn into the dangerous world of espionage and political conspiracy.
What readers are saying:
‘The Spanish Daughter’ by Lorena Hughes
In this richly captivating novel, readers are transported to a coastal town in Ecuador in the early 20th century. After her father’s death, Puri finds out that she’s inherited his cocoa plantation in Ecuador. She and her husband, Cristóbal, board a ship from Spain to claim her birthright. But when a mercenary sent to murder her aboard the ship kills Cristóbal instead, Puri must dodge danger and search for answers about her new fortune.
What readers are saying: “If I’m in a bit of funk, I reach for chocolate—and when I’m in an extreme funk, I reach for chocolate and books set in another time,” says Mastrocola. “This riveting novel about a woman who inherits a cocoa plantation was the best of both worlds and lifted my spirits immediately. Filled with rich imagery (and rich chocolate!), this story about a woman who never gives up on her dreams had me hooked from the start.”
‘The Familiar’ by Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo is the author of bestsellers like Six of Crows and Shadow and Bone—and she is a master at crafting spellbinding tales! Her latest follows Luzia Cotado, who gets through her long days as a servant by using scraps of magic. When her secret powers are discovered, Antonio Peréz, the disgraced secretary to Spain’s king, takes notice. Then, Luzia is plunged into a riveting world of danger, fraud and magic.
What readers are saying: “I have a few must-read authors, and Leigh Bardugo is at the top of my list,” says Courtney Shapiro, Woman’s World Digital Associate Editor. “I couldn’t wait to devour her newest novel, which melded her classic macabre style with a touch of romance, magical realism and a dive into history! I was captivated by this novel and its lyrical writing.
‘Bird With the Heart of a Mountain’ by Barbara Mariconda
The Spanish Civil War serves as the backdrop for this sweeping historical fiction tale written by bestselling author Barbara Mariconda. All 16-year-old Drina wants to do is dance flamenco, but her mother forbids it. Desperate to know why, Drina begins to investigate who her mother was before she was born. Soon she stumbles upon something that changes the way she views herself and her family. A thrilling blend of mystery, self-acceptance and family drama.
What readers are saying: “This story, set during the “I found the premise unique and enjoyed watching Drina’s story unfold across a stunning Spanish backdrop.”
‘The Queen’s Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile’ by C.W. Gortner
Drama, power, mystery, royals…this novel has it all. After being forced to become a pawn in a plot to dethrone her half-brother, King Enrique, Isabella finds herself in jail for a year due to her treason charge. Then, at age 17, she suddenly learns she has become the heir to Castile, Spain’s largest kingdom, and must wed her forbidden love, Fernando, prince of Aragón, to help secure her place in the royal court and destroy all of their enemies on the outside—or risk losing everything and everyone they love.
What readers are saying: “This well-written historical fiction novel brings Spain’s history forward to relatable relevancy. Isabella becomes a credible young woman striving for truth and justice and providing leadership well before women were ever considered capable of doing so.”
‘Winter in Madrid’ by C.J. Sansom
Unforgettable characters and inspirings storylines abound in this bestselling novel by C.J. Sansom. Set after the Spanish Civil War, this tale takes place in Madrid and follows three schoolboys who all go their separate ways but are forced to reconnect as Hilter and his troops threaten to destroy everything they love. Perfect for fans of historical thrillers.
What readers are saying: “This is an amazing, intriguing story about relationships. It follows schoolboy friendships and controversies during this period of history that is as controversial as the concentration camps in Germany. Horrifying, mesmerizing … historical fiction that brings to life a period of utter chaos in Madrid. A great read!”
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