1
When He Was Wicked
Bridgerton #6 (works standalone)by Julia Quinn
02004
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a bittersweet and tender tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
10 Best Books Like The Thorn Birds
If you loved The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Thorn Birds are:
- 1When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn0#6
- 2Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall0
- 3A Distant Shore by Caryl Phillips4.2
- 4A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare4.3
- 5Hazardous to a Duke's Heart by Sabrina Jeffries4.4
- 6Tom Lake by Ann Patchett0
- 7A Gentleman's Offer by Emma Orchard4.0
- 8The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn0#2
- 9Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews4.6
- 10Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris4.5
Set against the vast Australian Outback, this sweeping saga follows the Cleary family across generations as they struggle to build a life on a remote sheep station. At the heart of the story lies a passionate but forbidden love between the beautiful Meggie Cleary and the ambitious priest Ralph de Bricassart—a love that will span decades and shape the destiny of an entire family. Their impossible romance unfolds against a backdrop of drought, fire, and the untamed wilderness of 20th-century Australia.
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by Clare Leslie Hall
02025442 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a harrowing yet tender tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
3
by Caryl Phillips
4.22004320 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a melancholy but hopeful tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
4
by Tessa Dare
4.32013
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a tender and hopeful tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
5
by Sabrina Jeffries
4.42025289 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a earnest and healing tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
6
by Ann Patchett
0
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a contemplative and tender tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
7
by Emma Orchard
4.02025320 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a light and charming tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
8
The Viscount Who Loved Me
Bridgerton #2 (works standalone)by Julia Quinn
0200634 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a witty and passionate tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
9
by Mimi Matthews
4.62025400 pages
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a intellectually charged tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
10
by Charlaine Harris
4.52001
Why you'll love it:
This romance shares a cozy yet dangerous tone that will resonate with The Thorn Birds fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Thorn Birds
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| When He Was Wicked | Julia Quinn | 0 | 2004 | — | Closest match |
| Broken Country | Clare Leslie Hall | 0 | 2025 | 442 | Similar vibes |
| A Distant Shore | Caryl Phillips | 4.2 | 2004 | 320 | Similar vibes |
| A Lady by Midnight | Tessa Dare | 4.3 | 2013 | — | Similar vibes |
| Hazardous to a Duke's Heart | Sabrina Jeffries | 4.4 | 2025 | 289 | Similar vibes |
| Tom Lake | Ann Patchett | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| A Gentleman's Offer | Emma Orchard | 4.0 | 2025 | 320 | Similar vibes |
| The Viscount Who Loved Me | Julia Quinn | 0 | 2006 | 34 | Similar vibes |
| Rules for Ruin | Mimi Matthews | 4.6 | 2025 | 400 | Similar vibes |
| Dead Until Dark📚 Series starter | Charlaine Harris | 4.5 | 2001 | — | Start a new series |
Authors Who Write Like Colleen McCullough
If you enjoy Colleen McCullough's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Thorn Birds?
The most similar books to The Thorn Birds are When He Was Wicked, Broken Country, A Distant Shore.
What should I read after The Thorn Birds?
After finishing The Thorn Birds, readers most commonly pick up When He Was Wicked next.
Who writes books like Colleen McCullough?
Authors similar to Colleen McCullough include Kristin Hannah, Diana Gabaldon.
What genre is The Thorn Birds?
The Thorn Birds is a Romance novel by Colleen McCullough, published in 2009.
How long is The Thorn Birds?
The Thorn Birds is 704 pages long.
About The Thorn Birds
“Beautiful….Compelling entertainment.”- New York Times“A heart-rending epic…truly marvelous.”- Chicago TribuneOne of the most beloved novels of all time, The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough’s sweeping family saga of dreams, titanic struggles, dark passions, and forbidden love in the Australian Outback, returns to enthrall a new generation.