7 Gripping New WWII Historical Fiction Books That Will Take You Back in Time—History, Mystery and Romance Await!

Woman’s World
February 7, 2026

These powerful 1930s to 1940s war novels bring stories of heroism, passion and resilience to life

Historical fiction remains one of the most cherished genres among book lovers. In recent years, according to NPD BookScan (now Circana), the genre saw a double-digit percentage increase in sales, significantly outpacing general fiction. But there’s one historical fiction subgenre that consistently dominates the New York Times bestseller lists: WWII novels. These stories—typically set between 1939 and 1945—are beloved by readers for their high-stakes drama and action set amid breathtaking portrayals of humanity, bravery and sacrifice. Not only do WWII tales serve as a fascinating portal to the past, but they also remind readers of the resilience of the human spirit—so really, in many instances, these novels represent hope in dark times. If you’re looking for the best new WWII historical fiction books for 2026, you’re in the right place. Here, we combed through dozens of new releases and selected the 7 most captivating new reads to pick up in 2026. 

Keep scrolling for all of our must-read recommendations!

‘The Last Woman of Warsaw’ by Judy Batalion

Acclaimed author Judy Batalian’s bestselling nonfiction book, The Light of Days, chronicled the untold story of brave Jewish women who fought Nazis through espionage and beyond during WWII. And her debut novel, The Last Woman of Warsaw, is a sparkling tale of courage. In 1938, the story centers on Fanny Zelshinsky, the artist daughter of an elite Jewish family who can’t decide whether to go through with her upcoming wedding or not. Meanwhile, Zosia Dror has fled her home and religious family in the wake of violence. She vows to advocate for social equality and is part of a new youth movement. But when famous artist Wanda Petrovsky— a member of Zosia’s movement and Fanny’s professor—goes missing, these two young women’s worlds collide. As danger looms, this very unlikely duo works together to find Wanda before it’s too late. (Out April 7, 2026)