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

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!”