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

When you’re querying a World War II romance, choosing the choosing the right comp titles can make or break your chances of being published.

Agents and publishing house editors use comp titles as a quick way to gauge the genre of your book along with its market potential.

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

No matter if you’re writing a sweet, slow-burn World War II 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. Atomic LoveAuthor: Jennie FieldsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: World War II, adult, book club, historical, mystery
2. Chasing ShadowsAuthor: Lynn AustinYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Christian, World War II, adult, book club, historical
3. Code Name HélèneAuthor: Ariel LawhonYear published: 2020Genre and themes: France, World War II, adult, book club, historical, war
4. Far From HomeAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2025Genre and themes: Holocaust, World War II, adult, historical, war
5. Last Twilight in ParisAuthor: Pam JenoffYear published: 2025Genre and themes: France, Holocaust, World War II, adult, book club, historical, mystery
6. 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
7. Mrs. Endicott's Splendid AdventureAuthor: Rhys BowenYear published: 2025Genre and themes: British literature, France, World War II, adult, friendship, historical, war
8. Mrs. Porter CallingAuthor: A.J. PearceYear published: 2023Genre and themes: British literature, World War II, adult, historical, war
9. Nineteen StepsAuthor: Millie Bobby BrownYear published: 2023Genre and themes: World War II, adult, drama, historical, realistic fiction, young adult
10. Only the BraveAuthor: Danielle SteelYear published: 2024Genre and themes: Holocaust, World War II, adult, historical, war
11. Our Darkest NightAuthor: Jennifer RobsonYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Holocaust, Italy, World War II, adult, book club, historical, war
12. The Black Swan of ParisAuthor: Karen RobardsYear published: 2020Genre and themes: France, World War II, adult, historical, war
13. The Book of Lost NamesAuthor: Kristin HarmelYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Holocaust, World War II, adult, book club, books about books, historical, war
14. The Circus TrainAuthor: Amita ParikhYear published: 2022Genre and themes: World War II, adult, book club, fantasy, historical, magical realism
15. The Codebreaker's SecretAuthor: Sara AckermanYear published: 2022Genre and themes: World War II, adult, historical, mystery, war
16. The Diamond EyeAuthor: Kate QuinnYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Russia, World War II, adult, book club, historical, war
17. The Forest of Vanishing StarsAuthor: Kristin HarmelYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Holocaust, World War II, adult, book club, historical, war
18. The Forgotten Bookshop in ParisAuthor: Daisy WoodYear published: 2022Genre and themes: France, World War II, adult, book club, books about books, drama, historical
19. The Good Left UndoneAuthor: Adriana TrigianiYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Italy, World War II, adult, book club, family, historical
20. The Half-Life of Ruby FieldingAuthor: Lydia KangYear published: 2022Genre and themes: World War II, adult, historical, mystery, thriller, war
21. The Italian BallerinaAuthor: Kristy CambronYear published: 2022Genre and themes: Christian, Italy, World War II, adult, book club, historical
22. The Last Night in LondonAuthor: Karen WhiteYear published: 2021Genre and themes: British literature, World War II, adult, book club, historical, mystery, war
23. The Last Rose of ShanghaiAuthor: Weina Dai RandelYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Asia, China, World War II, adult, book club, historical, war
24. The Light After the WarAuthor: Anita AbrielYear published: 2020Genre and themes: Holocaust, Italy, World War II, adult, historical, war
25. The ListenersAuthor: Maggie StiefvaterYear published: 2025Genre and themes: World War II, adult, fantasy, historical, magical realism, mystery
26. The Little Wartime LibraryAuthor: Kate ThompsonYear published: 2023Genre and themes: British literature, World War II, adult, books about books, historical, war
27. The Paper Girl of ParisAuthor: Jordyn TaylorYear published: 2020Genre and themes: France, World War II, contemporary, historical, mystery, young adult
28. The Paris ApartmentAuthor: Kelly BowenYear published: 2021Genre and themes: France, World War II, adult, book club, historical, mystery, war
29. The Paris DressmakerAuthor: Kristy CambronYear published: 2021Genre and themes: Christian, France, World War II, adult, book club, historical, war
30. The Pianist's WifeAuthor: Soraya M. LaneYear published: 2025Genre and themes: World War II, adult, historical
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 Stolen Life of Colette MarceauAuthor: Kristin HarmelYear published: 2025Genre and themes: France, World War II, adult, book club, historical, mystery
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 Women of Arlington HallAuthor: Jane HealeyYear published: 2025Genre and themes: World War II, adult, book club, historical, mystery, war
40. When We Had WingsAuthor: Ariel LawhonYear published: 2022Genre and themes: World War II, adult, book club, historical, war, womens fiction
41. 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 World War II romance comp title that fits my book?

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