War romance comp titles for your query letter (updated 2026)

Choosing the right comp titles for your war romance’s query letter can make or break your changes of being published.

If you’re wondering what the purpose of a comp title is, it’s to allow agents and publishing house editors to quickly gauge the genre and market potential of your book.

I regularly update this list of war romance comp titles to make sure you’re always working with relevant books.

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn war romance or something fast and spicy, you’ll find titles below to help you write a killer query letter!

If you’re looking for something a bit more specific, check out my romance comp database.

1. A Mind of Her OwnAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, historical, romance, series counter, war
2. All the Glimmering StarsAuthor: Mark T. SullivanYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, africa, book club, family, historical, romance, series counter, war
3. An Italian Girl in BrooklynAuthor: Santa MontefioreYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Drama, adult, historical, italy, roman, romance, series counter, war
4. As Long as the Lemon Trees GrowAuthor: Zoulfa KatouhYear published: 2022Genre and themes: book club, contemporary, fantasy, historical, romance, romantasy, series counter, war, young adult
5. Code Name HélèneAuthor: Ariel LawhonYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, book club, france, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
6. Far From HomeAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, historical, holocaust, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
7. I Must Betray YouAuthor: Ruta SepetysYear published: 2022Genre and themes: book club, historical, romance, series counter, war, young adult
8. In MemoriamAuthor: Alice WinnYear published: 2023Genre and themes: LGBT, adult, book club, historical, literary fiction, queer, romance, series counter, war
9. Little SoulsAuthor: Sandra DallasYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, war, world war i
10. Long Way Home: A Poignant Novel of Courage and Compassion in the Shadow of WWIIAuthor: Lynn AustinYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Christian, adult, book club, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
11. Mrs. Endicott's Splendid AdventureAuthor: Rhys BowenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: British literature, Friendship, adult, france, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
12. Mrs. Porter CallingAuthor: A.J. PearceYear published: 2023Genre and themes: British literature, adult, historical, romance, war, world war ii
13. Only the BraveAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, historical, holocaust, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
14. Our Darkest NightAuthor: Jennifer RobsonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, holocaust, italy, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
15. The Black Swan of ParisAuthor: Karen RobardsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, france, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
16. The Book of Lost NamesAuthor: Kristin HarmelYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Books about books, adult, book club, historical, holocaust, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
17. The BookbinderAuthor: Pip WilliamsYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Books about books, British literature, adult, book club, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war i
18. The Codebreaker's SecretAuthor: Sara AckermanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
19. The Diamond EyeAuthor: Kate QuinnYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, romance, russia, series counter, war, world war ii
20. The Forest of Vanishing StarsAuthor: Kristin HarmelYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, holocaust, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
21. The Half-Life of Ruby FieldingAuthor: Lydia KangYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, thriller, war, world war ii
22. The Jackal's MistressAuthor: Chris BohjalianYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, romance, series counter, war
23. The Last Night in LondonAuthor: Karen WhiteYear published: 2021Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
24. The Last Rose of ShanghaiAuthor: Weina Dai RandelYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, asia, book club, china, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
25. The Light After the WarAuthor: Anita AbrielYear published: 2020Genre and themes: adult, historical, holocaust, italy, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
26. The Little Wartime LibraryAuthor: Kate ThompsonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: Books about books, British literature, adult, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
27. The Memory Keeper of KyivAuthor: Erin LittekenYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, romance, russia, series counter, war
28. The Most Beautiful Girl in CubaAuthor: Chanel CleetonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, romance, series counter, war
29. The Paris ApartmentAuthor: Kelly BowenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, france, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
30. The Paris DressmakerAuthor: Kristy CambronYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Christian, adult, book club, france, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
31. The Restoration GardenAuthor: Sara BlaydesYear published: 2025Genre and themes: British literature, adult, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
32. The Riviera HouseAuthor: Natasha LesterYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Art, adult, france, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
33. The Secret War of Julia ChildAuthor: Diana R. ChambersYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Adventure, adult, book club, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
34. The Shattered KingAuthor: Charlie N. HolmbergYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Magic, Slow burn, adult, fantasy, romance, romantasy, series counter, war
35. The Three Lives of Alix St PierreAuthor: Natasha LesterYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Fashion, adult, book club, france, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
36. The Venice SketchbookAuthor: Rhys BowenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Art, adult, book club, historical, italy, mystery, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
37. The Ways We HideAuthor: Kristina McMorrisYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Magic, adult, book club, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
38. The Wedding Dress Sewing CircleAuthor: Jennifer RyanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: British literature, adult, book club, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
39. The WomenAuthor: Kristin HannahYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, feminism, historical, romance, series counter, war
40. The Women of Arlington HallAuthor: Jane HealeyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, mystery, romance, series counter, war, world war ii
41. Victor's BlessingAuthor: Barbara SontheimerYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Drama, adult, book club, contemporary, historical, romance, series counter, war
42. When the World Fell SilentAuthor: Donna Jones AlwardYear published: 2024Genre and themes: adult, book club, canada, historical, romance, series counter, war, world war i
43. When We Had WingsAuthor: Ariel LawhonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: adult, book club, historical, romance, series counter, war, womens fiction, world war ii
44. While Paris SleptAuthor: Ruth DruartYear published: 2021Genre and themes: adult, book club, france, historical, holocaust, romance, series counter, war, world war ii

Other resources to assist with your querying journey

Comp titles are only a small piece of the querying puzzle! Here are other resources I offer to help writers achieve their dreams of publishing their novels:

• Developmental editing services
• Pre-querying package
• Publishers accepting manuscript submissions this month
• Romance tropes list
• Random romance trope generator

Frequently asked questions

How recent do comp titles need to be?

Comp titles should be published within the past five to seven years so it is representative of the current market potential of your manuscript.

Can I use bestselling books as a comp title?

Yes, you can! However, the bestselling books aren’t always the most suitable options. While it’s integral that a comp title has sold well, it’s better to choose a comp title that’s sold less well but closer represents the tone and overall vibe of your own book.

How many comp titles should I include in my query letter?

You should aim for two comp titles in your query letter. You can include three, but agents would expect more than one.

Can I use a series as a comp title?

You can, but it’s best to pick a specific book within that series that best represents your manuscript.

What if I can’t find a war romance comp title that fits my book?

You can broaden your horizons to also include other subgenres of romance!”