People read for many different reasons. To escape daily life, to learn new things, to become completely immersed in another universe or even to get your adrenaline pumping from start to finish. We will crave different types of books at different times of life, and I myself have a varied book taste. However, one thing I think we can all never have enough of is some positive vibes and happiness. Therefore, I wanted to recommend some books that will make you happy when reading them. No complexities, no tough subject matter, just positive vibes.
Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
Out on a Limb is a problem free romance between two characters who hook up at their best friends’ halloween party and find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy. As they figure out co-parenting and forge a deeper connection, they focus on healthy relationships and clear communication. This is the most problem-free romance I have ever read, and it is a beautiful story that will make you feel warm and happy.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
This story follows Anna and West, who get married without knowing each other while studying at UCLA to get access to subsidised family housing. Three years and a divorce later, Annie is working as an artist, living from paycheque to paycheque, when her not so ex-husband reluctantly contacts her again. Set to inherit one-hundred-million dollars, he has to first prove to his grandfather that he has been happily married for at least five years. There shouldn’t be a problem, since West has told his family he married years ago. It also shouldn’t be a problem that his family finally wants to meet his mystery wife. The problem is that there is no wife. Enter, Anna. Accompanying him on a family wedding trip, the two have to convince everyone they have been in love for years already, when in reality they hardly know the first thing about each other. If the tropical, sunny, bridal setting does not make you happy, maybe the eternal optimistic Anna will, or the way a true love starts to grow out of a lie.
Welcome to the Hynam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
As I just wrote an in depth review of this book that will come out later this month, I don’t want to write about it in length yet hear. What I will say, is that this follows the main character Yeongju as she starts a bookshop. We meet characters who become involved and slowly but surely form a community together out of unlikely connections. People from different ways of life come together, offering support and advice when society can feel pressuring. It is a slow moving story, offering more comfort than plot, but making you feel reassured and happy with life as it is.
Now that it’s officially spring, it is time to recommend some spring books to read, and today those are specifically romance books. As summer, far and winter (particularly the holidays) are more popular for books tailored to that season, I did my best to find books that really embody spring. To me, that means happy, lighthearted vibes, growth and new things. But most of all, to me spring is the season of hope and feelings that bloom. Here are my recommendations for romance books that perfectly encapsulate those exact feelings.
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
Unlike most romance novels, the love interests in Out of the Woods are already a couple at the start of the book. Bonam-Young introduces Sarah and Caleb in her first instalment of this interconnected standalone duo logy, Out on a Limb. The high school sweethearts have been married for quite a while and still love each other strongly. However, getting together at such a young age is a challenge to their own identities: where do their individualities end and where does their relationship begin? Who are they without each other? To find their way back to each other and themselves, Sarah and Caleb partake in a week-long hiking retreat to help struggling relationships. Will they find their way back, or will their love get lost in the wilderness? Spring is all about growth and hopeful new beginnings, sentiments that Out of the Woods perfectly embodies. This novel explores themes like identity, love in longer relationships and independency versus trust. Since a large part of the book also involves hiking and camping out in nature, the setting is also perfect for spring.
First Time Caller by B.K. Borison
Not only does First Time Caller take place in the spring, but Borison has given readers a very original romance plot with this book. Radio host of Baltimore’s romance hotline, Aiden Valentine, has lost his love for love, and his job is starting to suffer from it. That is until one night, the radio receives a call from a young girl, asking for dating advice on her mother’s behalf. Listeners go wild for the ensuing conversation between Aiden and Lucie Stone, who eventually agrees to be set up on dates for the program. But when romance starts to stir, it might not be between her and the gentlemen taking her out, but rather with the charismatic radio host who starts to dislike his own new segment more and more with each passing date. First Time Caller is often associated with Valentine’s Day, however, I think it is filled with hopeful new beginnings, and fits the spring season perfectly.
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
As you may know, I cannot recommend any type of romance book without including anything by Beth O’Leary. She has some very unique concepts for her novels, and her debut, The Flatshare, is no exception. When Tiffy needs to find a new apartment to get away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, she ends up sharing a flat with Leon. The catch? The apartment only has one bedroom. The solution? Tiffy takes the flat from the evening until the morning, while Leon, who works the night shift, uses the fact during the day. The new roommates get to know each other through a series of notes, and despite never meeting each other, their connection starts to grown. The Flatshare is a lighthearted, sweet romance, that literally feels like a sunny, bright spring day.
Swear On This Life by Renee Carlino
Emiline works as an adjunct writing instructor in stead of having the flourishing writing career she’s always dreamed of. When a young new author suddenly gains popularity with a debut novel, she is reluctant to read it, but when she finally starts the novel, she is taken aback. Reading about the story of two childhood best friends falling in love and dreaming of a better life together sounds a little bit too familiar to be coincidental. Realising that the author has used a penname and is actually Jackson, a person from her past, she is furious that he has used that painful past to write his novel. The only way to move forward is to confront her beginnings, but is she ready to face the boy she once knew, or will the ending of their real story be an unhappy ever after? Carlino utilises flashbacks to tell both timelines, so it is not just set in one specific season or year. It is a story of second chances, staring anew and hoping for connection.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This novel is a classic, so many people will already know it, but it is so perfectly fitted to the spring season that I had to recommend it. Set in nineteenth century England, a mother with five daughters’ main goal is to ensure they are all married to a rich and respectable husband. When a wealthy gentleman moves into the estate near them, Mrs. BEnnet is confident one of her girls will marry him. While Jane, the eldest, forms an early attachment to the newcomer, Lizzie is less impressed with his stern and unsociable friend, Mr. Darcy. The two find themselves in each others company more often than expected, and are not amiable to say the least. But, when feelings start to stir, will Mr. Darcy’s pride stand in the way of true love? Or will it be Lizzie’s prejudice that proves too strong to overcome a genuine connection? This literary masterpiece covers a budding, growing attachment between the two main characters that is parallel to the feeling spring often brings out.
Once upon a broken heart by Stephanie Garber
Although this is not technically a romance, Garber has written a fantasy novel where romance is an important part of the plot. Evangeline Fox is heartbroken when the love of her life is suddenly marrying her sister. To fix her devastating situation, she decides to do the one thing all the fairytales have advised against: making a deal with a Fate. She quickly realises the warnings were not unfounded when she gets increasingly tangled up in the web of plans and schemes that is Jacks, the Prince of Hearts. This whimsical romantic fantasy is filled with magic, fairytales and love, perfect for the spring season and letting your imagination run wild.
With the rise of attention on books in social media, some titles have gone viral with thousands or even millions of recommendations. While tastes can differ, these are books that the majority of people (online) agree upon as being worth your time. It is either a blessing or a trap, to find a book you love just as much as anyone else, or to feel like you have been lied to. I myself have read a good amount of books that are very popular online, and have experienced both of these emotions. Some books that I read because I saw them highly recommended I heartily enjoyed, but some I did not like reading at all. Since I like to keep things positive here, I will recommend you some titles that are highly popular online, that I think deserve the praise.
Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas is one of the biggest names in the online book community, and has been for a while. With three series out, that I have all three read and can recommend to the fullest, she has recently taken the internet by storm again by announcing her two next releases. While ACOTAR is probably her most popular series, Throne of Glass is very close behind and my personal favourite. A theme with some of the book in this article is that I have read them before the got so popular, which means I read them because I liked their contents, and not just because a bunch of people online could not stop talking about them. Throne of Glass is a fantasy series about a girl who has to compete in trials to escape slavery and in stead become the king’s champion. What follows in a story that goes beyond your wildest imagination, where the stakes are high, the characters fleshed out, wonderful and brave, and where every rolling pebble eventually becomes a landslide. If there is ever a book or series where the hype is totally justified, it is this one.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
This is one of the books that got popular in the beginning of books gaining a space online, which coincided with (and was probably a consequence of) the pandemic. The House Across the Lake is a thriller about a woman moving to a lake house to gain some peace and quiet in her life. Across the lake, her neighbours Tom and Katherine make for a good pastime, as Casey watches them with her binoculars. After saving Katherine from drowning, the two start up a friendship, but it quickly becomes clear that her neighbours don’t have the perfect marriage they want to let the world believe they have. The novel is full of twists and turns, with thrilling moments and secrets all around. It is the girls Riley Sager book I ever read, and now I read everything he publishes.
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
Julie Olivia’s book is a more recent online hit, but deserves every praise it gets. It is a small town romance that is full of depth, development and nostalgia. Set in the 1990s, Michelle moves to Vermont to temporarily take over her late mom’s bed and breakfast before her younger sister has graduated, ready to run it fulltime. Her new next-door neighbour and his two daughters are extremely helpful in finding her way around everything and make the place feel more like home. Since she is leaving in three months, friendship is all she can offer the three of them, but as that date looms closer, she has to decide if friendship is truly all she wants.
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
I have to preface this by saying it is definitely not a book for everyone, and I had my doubts after reading the first one, but the second book had me hooked to the series. The storyline follows a group of high society friends, with Magnolia and BJ as the main characters as they go through what I like to call ‘rich people drama’. The first book had a bit too much of just that for me, but from the second book on there was more plot added which kept me interested. There is a lot of drama and toxicity involved, but for the people who want to escape reality and get sucked into a different and entertaining world reminiscent of Gossip Girl, Magnolia Parks is the way to go.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanigahara
I actually read this book about ten years ago, before it got popular online and before there even was such a big online book community as there is now. At first I was surprised to see it recommended this much online, because it is so unlike other books I saw discussed on social media, but it is a beautiful book so I have to agree with the praise. The cover perfectly portrays the devastating heartbreak that is this story about the life of four friends living in New York City and trying to find their way through life. Jude is the main focus of the story, as he is not only finding his way like his friends, but also struggling with a traumatic past that still haunts him everyday and has left him scarred. It is a tough read, as it is over 600 pages and filled with all of the emotions a human can feel, so if that does not sound like something you would enjoy, I would not recommend it. But, for people who want an emotional book filled with friendship, love, growth and heartache, it is definitely worth the hype.
The Nightingale Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah is another author I got to know via social media recommendations, and The Nightingale is the first book I read by her because I saw people talking about it online. As you might know from previous articles, I have read nine of her books in total so far, two of which I have read twice, so I would encourage you to read any of her books. The Nightingale is set in WWII France and follows two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, as they take two completely different paths dealing with the German intruder. This powerful story shows how bravery can have different faces, how far we will go to protect the people we love and how each sister takes a different path fighting for freedom.
The Secret History by Donna Tart
With over a million ratings on Goodreads, it is a highly popular book and has many opinions brought out. It follows a group of pretentious friends at an elite New England college. When a new student starts and slowly befriends the group, he discovers their eccentric way of thinking and living and follows along with them. When a chain of events leads to the death of a classmate, the novel deals with the consequences of pushing the boundaries of normal morality. While the story has a slower pace and is therefore not the easiest to fly through, it is filled with characters and a plot that makes you sit with your thoughts after finishing. There are layers and themes that can be analysed and discussed, so it lends itself perfectly to read as a bookclub book. I have also seen people say they think this will be a classic in years’ time, since there is much to be discussed about it.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab.
This book I s a bit similar to the Secret History, not in the plot but in the pacing. There are slower parts where the storyline does not move along at a high speed, but that is because it is a book largely driven by characters and emotions. Addie Larue makes a deal with the devil to live forever, but because of this she is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. An indefinite life of loneliness, spanning decades, countries and cultures, spent in countless ways trying to leave her mark on the world. But then everything changes, when in a hidden bookstore, there is a young man who remembers her name. This story is so much more than meets the eye and makes you think about life in a new way. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a character driven book with magical realism and a lot of emotion.
In the digital age, there are more than one ways to read a book. Besides a physical copy, there are also ebooks and audiobooks. While I prefer reading a physical book, there are many advantages to its digital counterparts. An ebook is smaller, easier to bring along wherever you go, especially when you need multiple books. They are light and easy to hold, and many editions have built in light which makes it easy to read at night. I got into audiobooks a bit later than ebooks, because I sometimes find it hard to keep my focus on the story. I usually listen to audiobooks when I am doing something else, so it is easy to let my thoughts drift off and go on autopilot. The more books I have listened to though, the more I have started to enjoy them. It is wonderful to be able to listen to a book when you are doing something else like commuting, cleaning up, cooking, exercising, etc. I have found that some books lend themselves better to be read as a physical copy, ebook or audiobook, so in this article I will recommend some books that I found perfect in audiobook form.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
I have mentioned before how I enjoy listening to memoirs, and I think this is the genre I like the most for audiobooks. Especially when it is narrated by the author themselves, which is the case for McCurdy’s book. Hearing her tell her own story makes Jennette’s voice even more prominent than if I were to read the book and added a layer of emotion and depth that I really enjoyed. It is not an easy story, and it felt even more real by hearing it said out loud. In case you want to read more about my thoughts, you can read my article on my favourite memoirs.
The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
Similar to McCurdy’s book, this is also a memoir narrated by the author herself. Not only is Bishop telling her own life story in this book, but she is also a fabulous actor, with a voice that perfectly fits the topic of broadway and her rise to fame. I won’t elaborate on my thought too much, because it is also featured in my article on memoirs, but I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did if I had read it physically, rather than listened to the audiobook
Promise me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
I listened to this audiobook very recently, and it actually inspired me to write this article. It was the first book I had read by Bastone, and she did not disappoint. The book follows Lenny after she has just lost her best friend and has to figure out how to live again without her. When she meets Miles during a nannying gig, she does not realise he is her saviour just yet. As he helps her find the surface and breathe again after drowning for so long, she starts to realise he might be more than just a friend. Not only is this a wonderful book exploring grief in a heartbreaking and simultaneously beautiful way, but I think the voice actress did a terrific job. She portrayed all of the emotions in such a striking way, that I was never bored or distracted while listening to this book. Every character had a different voice register and inflection, which made the whole experience immersive, and made them feel like real people. Alex Fink has narrated all of Cara Bastone’s books, so I plan on listening to those very soon, because I truly enjoyed the ride.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
While I have tried and failed to read some fantasy books as an audiobook, Fourth Wing was so compelling that I got lost in this world immediately. The book gets thrilling almost right from the beginning and is not too complex in its world building that it is difficult to understand without being able to leaf back to pages with important information. I listened to the regular audio, but I think the dramatised version would be even more immersive and make it feel as if you are actually there, experiencing things alongside with the characters. They also used different voice actors for the point of view of the two main characters, which I always enjoy immensely. I still have to listen to part three of the series, but I will be sure to do it in audio version.
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
Although I don’t always enjoy listening to a romance book, the voice actors for the Paradise Problem were such a great fit that I flew through this one in a couple of days. Both the female and male main characters were voiced by different actors, which is a recurring theme in whether I really enjoy an audiobook or not. It always adds a layer of reality, although some actors are talented enough to create many different characters and make each of them as realistic as the other. Patti Murin’s voice was the embodiment of the bubbly, positive main character and Jon Root the perfect counterpart. This audiobook made me feel like I was on a tropical island with them, and made my commute to work feel like a preview to the summer holidays. The execution of this audiobook was absolutely wonderful, so I would strongly recommend it for romance lovers.
The highest compliment you can give to a book, is that you want to read it again. Not only does it show you enjoyed it, but that you liked it so much you want to read it again, even though you already know everything that happens. This year, I have already read some of my favourite books again, for instance The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and the entire Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, and they are some of the best books I have ever read. So, in stead of giving you recommendations of great books to read, I will list books that I have already read, but plan to read again sometime, because actions speak louder than words.
The Favourites by Layne Fargo
If the fact that I want to read this book again, less than a year after reading it the first time, does not convey how much I enjoyed this book, maybe the fact that I finished it in just over a day will. I was completely invested in the story of Kat and Heath and almost read it in one sitting. After the recent Olympic Games, Fargo’s book is extra relevant, especially for those who enjoyed watching the skating. She transports the classic story of Wuthering Heights to the modern setting of figure skating, where it is mostly the passion and toxicity between the protagonists that is taken from the original. Kat and Heath have been partners on the ice for years, and are skating their way to the Olympics. Their chemistry on the rink continues on into real life, but the way to the top is ruthless. After a dramatic turn at the Games themselves, their years-long partnership falls apart while the whole world is watching.
Fargo tells this story in a documentary-style, which makes it even more captivating. Each character tells their version of the events so the reader can figure out what actually happened ten years earlier, one piece at a time. Picking up this book means getting swept away in a whirlwind of pirouettes, medals, passion and rivalry, and finding out what lies between ambition and love.
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
After reading Days at the Torunka Café, I was reminded of Bo-Reum’s book . The two have a similar atmosphere, in that they are both comforting, and promote feeling happiness in the little things of life in stead of striving after constant success, forward movement and speed. While reading this novel, it actually feels like you are in the bookstore, surrounded by the other characters, which made me feel incredibly peaceful. I have another book in this genre of healing fiction on my radar, but in the future I will re-read Welcome to the Huynam-Dong Bookshop to get that warm feeling again.
Anxious People by Frederik Backman
I recently wrote about Anxious People in my post on 6 books with the most original plot, and this made me realise how much I enjoyed reading this and what a wonderful book this was. Generally, I really appreciate books where the characters are truly developed and feel like real people, and this is definitely true for Anxious People. Not only is the plot unique and well-developed, filled with both fiction and thriller elements, the execution of the storyline is woven into the characters and the human connections they form with each other. The story is a beautiful reminder that we never know what other people are going through, and that we are never truly alone, even though it sometimes feels that way.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
As I mentioned earlier, I find it hard to rank Emily Henry’s books in terms of which one is my favourite. I have read most of her books by now, and enjoyed all of them. The reason I specifically want to read Beach Read again, is because the first time was a busy period for me, and I don’t feel like I got to enjoy it to the best of its abilities. Exactly because Henry’s books always make me fall in love with reading, I want to read Beach Read to its full potential. I Particularly enjoyed the setting by the lake and the meta-aspect of the protagonists both being writers. It gives an actual insight into what writing must be like for Henry herself, since I assumed authors often put little pieces of themselves into the subject matter they write about. Plus, I truly enjoyed all of the cameo’s of the books of both January and Gus in Henry’s other books. This was coincidentally the book I read right after The Favourites, so it was a great week of reading for me then.
Frank & Red by Matt Coyne
This will come as no surprise if you have read my review on Frank & Red. It was my first favourite of 2026 and really tugged at my heartstrings. The characters truly feel like friends at the end of the novel, which I why I want to read about them again. Since I have already gushed about this book quite a lot on my blog, I won’t write too much about it here, other than that I knew right when I turned over the last page that I would one day read this book again.
Firefly Lane Kristin Hannah
It could also come as no surprise that Kristin Hannah features on this list, since I have written many a positive word about her, and as mentioned in the intro I have re-read the Great Alone by her at the beginning of the year. Choosing which book of hers I wanted to re-read next was the most challenging part, and it was a toss-up between Firefly Lane and The Nightingale. I might pick the latter up again in the future as well, but since it is being made into a movie coming out in 2027, I will be more surprised watching it if the contents have moved to the back of my mind a bit more. I vividly remember how I felt while reading Firefly Lane, and it was full of many emotions. Though I have cried with almost each of her books, Firefly Lane really hit me hard, and that is because it is so relatable for many of us. The book shows the power of female friendship, and because I have been blessed by wonderful friends myself, it felt special reading about it. While I am convinced it is not the last Kristin Hannah book I will read once again, it is the next one on my list.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Because of my Literary studies and interest in literature I have read many classics and Austen’s books have always been among my favourites. While I have read a few and have read her most famous work Pride and Prejudice multiple times already, I want to read Sense and Sensibility again soon. The first time I read it is already a few years ago, but I love the lyrical writing, reading about a different time, and the characters. It is a love story set in a different time, but still moves me as a reader in the 21th century. And, since the edition I have is incredibly beautiful, I have to honour it by reading it again.
Readers are often chasing the high of finding a book they love. Nothing beats loving a book, and then finding similar ones that you equally enjoy. To make this easier, I have compiled a list of some similar books, so that if you read and enjoyed one of them, you can find some new ones to try and hopefully love. Some of these recommendations are similar in plot, while other duo’s are more similar in characters, setting or atmosphere.
If you like Misery by Stephen King, read The Crash by Freida McFadden
If you enjoyed Misery particularly for the plot, I’d recommend McFadden’s book. The writing styles and pacing of both authors are quite different, but the plots are similar. In both books, the main character has a car crash that leaves them stranded and wounded in a snowstorm. They are rescued and brought to shelter by someone who will care for them until they are healed enough to go home or continue their journey. And then both situations turn sinister the longer they stay put. The details differ per book, but the main plot is similar.
If you like A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, read Frank & Red by Matt Coyne
I have talked about both of these before in my Favourite Book of January post, and mentioned how they have some things in common. Backman writes about a lonely grumpy old man who warms up to the family that moves in next door, and Coyne writes about a lonely grumpy old man who warms up to the six year old boy and his mom who move in next door. While the premise of both novels is quite similar indeed, the execution and endings are different, which makes each book unique. Although the characters are one of a kind, I do believe Ove and Frank would get along. Both novels are heartwarming stories about human connections and the way of life, so if you like books like that, you will enjoy both of these.
If you like And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, read Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
Agatha Christie’s books have been used as inspiration for many different media, including And Then There were none. The story involves ten strangers who are invited to an island and then get killed one by one. Daisy Darker is about a family going to the home of their grandmother, getting cut off from the rest of the world by a storm, and then, you guessed it, getting killed one by one. A well-used formula for a thriller book, but one that always works at keeping readers’ attention and interest.
If you like Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, read With a Vengeance by Riley Sager
As I said, Agatha Christie’s work is a source of inspiration for many, and her arguably most famous novel has once again inspired another. In both of these books, a group of people find themselves on a train with a select group of people, when suddenly one of them is found dead. With no way out and a killer amongst them, will anyone reach their destination alive?
If you like Tangled the Disney Movie, read Tangled Up in You by Christina Lauren
This one is quite obvious because Christina Lauren’s novel is based on the movie, but I find they did the adaptation to a modern context really well. They retain both the key elements of the story and the original essence of the characters while transporting the story to a modern context. Ren is Rapunzel brought to paper and I could not find a single element of the movie that does not make an appearance in the book, and I say that as a true fan of the Disney movie.
If you like Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë or Magnolia Parks by Jessica Hastings, readThe Favourites by Layne Fargo
If you have read Wuthering Heights and Magnolia Parks, you might be confused as to why I am recommending one book for the both of those. The Favourites is loosely based on Wuthering Heights in a modern day setting of competitive ice skating. If you like Wuthering Heights and also enjoy reading romantic fiction, I think you will enjoy the hints to Brontë’s classic, but Fargo didn’t write a novel set in 19th century Britain. The real inspiration is the passionate but toxic love between the two protagonists, which brings me to Magnolia Parks. Hastings’ series of the London socialites is filled with dramatic relationships, gossip and toxicity, which also features in Fargo’s novel about competition, drama and fire.
If you like Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, read Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
This comparison is more about the atmosphere and setting than about the actual plot. Both of these novels take place in 1970s America, and popular culture of that period is prevalent in both of them. It was the time of love, drugs, rock ’n roll and discovering a new sense of freedom. Daisy Jones & the Six is about the rise and fall of a music group and Mary Jane is about a young girl from a ‘proper’ family, who goes to work for another family to help out with their little girl during the summer. She then discovers there is more than the small world she grew up in and falls in love with the family and their way of life.
Sometimes we read to have something familiar, to find comfort. When we know what we like, it is easy to look for similar books, because those (probably) won’t let us down. Sometimes, however, we want something new, something unique, something we have never read before. Some formulas are tried and true, but when a unique plot comes along it can peak your interest like no other and draw you in from page one. If you are looking for a book exactly like that, this post is for you as I will share six books I have read with an original plot.
1 (and 2) Swept Away and the No-Show by Beth O’Leary
O’Leary truly is the queen of original plots, no one does them like her. It was difficult to choose only one of her books, so I chose two.
Swept Away is O’Leary’s latest release and I enjoyed it as much as her other books. When Lexi and Zeke meet at the pub, chemistry draws them to each other, and a passionate kiss leads to a night spent together of a home boat. Though Zeke was looking for true love and Lexi’s only interest was a no-strings-attached situation, they quickly find their difference in expectations the last of their problems. Going to the deck the next morning shows they are surrounded by water, more water, and then even more water. Lost at sea with a boat that is not equipped to sail and low on supplies, Zeke and Lexi will have to find a way to survive; both their adventure and developing feelings for each other…
The No-Show is a story of three women with a date on Valentine’s Day. Siobhan is waiting for her breakfast date with Joseph, Miranda is at the restaurant for a lunch date with Carter, and Jane is at her co-worker’s engagement party, waiting for her fake date of the evening: Joseph Carter. One Valentine’s Day, three women, and no Joseph Carter to be found. O’Leary not only creates a unique concept with The No-Show, but her execution is equally captivating. This story is not what it seems, and the characters will take you along on a journey of waiting, heartbreak, and love.
Another honourable mention is The Flat Share, O’Leary’s debut novel with an equally interesting premise. To learn more about this book, read my post about romancebooks without a third act breakup.
3 How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent
The title of Brent’s debut speaks volumes, and the book delivers on it. When Kitty Collins notices a man following her after a night out, what starts out as defending herself ends in a murder. No one is around, and it was surprisingly easy. When the body is discovered, days pass and Kitty finds herself completely off police’s radar. Could it really be that easy? Does that mean she should do it again?
Brent writes a compelling story about a strong female character taking matters into her own hands. It is dark, twisted, hilarious and extremely entertaining.
4 Anxious People by Frederik Backman
Have you ever gone to an apartment viewing when suddenly a completely incompetent bank robber runs in and politely takes you hostage? Or, have you ever robbed a bank and have things escalate to you running into an apartment building to hide from the police, where you accidentally take a group of people viewing that apartment hostage? Probably not. But, if you want to read about this exact situation, you should pick up Anxious People. If you know Frederik Backman, you will know that he is not a thriller author, so this novel is a portrayal of different characters, their situations and how they all end up in their current situation. While the strangers in the apartment are anxiously huddled together, the story unfolds into a beautiful study of people in different stages of life who come together in this difficult situation and find their way of it. It is full of twists, turns, revelations and heartwarming people.
This is my personal favourite Backman novel (out of the ones I have read), and I truly think it is one of those books almost everyone can enjoy.
5 The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincebergs
Three wives have had enough of their terrible husbands and their terrible marriages. When an investment went wrong a few years ago, Hank, Larry, Andres and Dave have cleared their savings and have nothing to show for it. After a tragic event, the women find out their husbands have taken out high life insurance policies. This discovery on top of the sufferings of their marriages has the women come up with a retirement plan of their own. One that will make them rich, husbandless and set for the future. One that involves… murder. What they don’t realise, is that their husbands have a plan of their own. When both situations start to collide, the future doesn’t look so rosy anymore.
This lighthearted book with twists and turns is filled with humour, tension, and characters who don’t have the faintest idea about what they are doing.
6 The Wedding People by Alison Espinach
One hotel, one wedding, and one person who is at the wrong place at the wrong time. Or maybe she is exactly where she is supposed to be? When Phoebe Stone arrives at the hotel, she finds herself the occupant of the only room that is not rented out for a big wedding. Undisturbed, she plans to go ahead with her scheduled weekend, but that is without taking the bride into account. Lila has been planning her wedding for months and is not about to let a divorced, depressed stranger ruin it with her dark plans. One elevator conversation introduces the two women to each other, and will derail all of their best-laid plans.
This novel is filled with friendship, love, tough decisions and finding our way in life.
Memoir as a genre of books is one I have come to enjoy and appreciate over the last year. During my commute to work, I wanted to listen to audiobooks and though I prefer reading fiction, when listening to a book I actually prefer non-fiction. Consequently, I have discovered a number of memoirs that I really enjoyed. In this article, I will list my four favourites.
1 The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bisschop
While the title is a little misleading, (I went into this thinking it would mostly be about her time on Gilmore Girls), I was pleasantly surprised. Bisschop talks about her entire career in the showbusiness and her personal life, as the two have always been closely intertwined. When listening to a memoir, it is always so much better when it is narrated by the author themselves, and Kelly Bisschop did a wonderful job doing so. I have only one word to describe both the book and Kelly Bisschop herself: Fabulous.
2 Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
The subtitle is a clear indication of what her memoir is about: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!). The most important takeaway for me is that you can never truly judge a situation as an outsider if you have never been through it yourself. People, myself included, often think people who join a cult are really naive to be manipulated as such and fall into the trap. Reading from the perspective of a person who went through it, shows exactly how it can happen, and that it is never as black and white as it seems. Lenz opens up and places herself in a vulnerable position, both in the book itself and by writing it. Not only does she share how she got into a cult, but also how she got out, which shows her strength.
3 The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
Everyone knows Britney Spears as a true pop icon of the 2000s and her life was led in the spotlight. Articles and photographs show a woman going crazy after the pressure of fame got too much, but in The Woman in Me, Spears finally gets to tell her own story. It is a heartbreaking one, and while I hope the media and paparazzi have changed since then, it is still important for these stories to come out. Not only so Spears can move forward, change the narrative about herself and her family and regain control over her life, but also to make a difference for the next generations.
4 I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
With this title, McCurdy instantly drew the attention of thousands of people, and it sets the scene for how extreme the relationship with her mother was. This book is about more than that relationship, but also about growing up as a child actress on famous Nickelodeon shows and the struggles she endured because of her controlling mother and problematic director. Despite what the title might imply, McCurdy manages to convey her story in a respectful way, displaying a level of maturity and strength that I really admire. Similar to The Woman in Me, this book is important for exposing the toxic circumstances many actors and singers had/have to work in, and ensuring improvement.
One of the things I enjoy about reading is that it allows me to continually learn new things. The genre that lends itself the most to this, aside from non-fiction, is historical fiction. This article will take you around the world and through history via some of my favourite books. From 1860s Japan, through World War II in Europe to America in the late nineteenth century. Buckle up, grab a camera and get ready to travel through time.
1 The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer
This book takes place in 1860s Japan and follows eleven year old Sachi. When princess Kazu travels through a farmer’s village on her way to the palace to marry the Shogun, she notices Sachi. Kazu decides to bring the girl along as her servant, confidante and to eventually offer her as a concubine to her husband. The Last Concubine is a beautiful story, intertwined with Japanese history from the Edo time period. The novel largely takes place at the palace, portraying customs that are wildly different from western culture. Set against the backdrop of a changing country, you are emerged in a world where tradition has to make way for modernity.
Downer is a historic, has lived in Japan for over fifteen years and is fluent in the language. The novel is rooted in historical facts and taught me a lot about a time and place I hardly knew anything about.
2 The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
While Hannah has written multiple novels that take place in the past and feature specific time period and events, I chose The Four Winds. It centers around an important event in 1930s-1940s America and Canada that I previously knew nothing about: The Dust Bowl. In typical Kristin Hannah fashion, she weaves a heartbreaking story about adversity and resilience within the backdrop of this agricultural and environmental disaster that many people suffered from. The protagonist, Elsa Martinelli, has not had an easy start, but she has finally built the life she has dreamed about. Working on the farm of her in-laws is hard work, but finding a family and place to belong to makes it worth it. When tragedy strikes and a drought holds the Great Plains in an iron grip, Elsa is suddenly faced with making the hardest decision of her life. Does she stay at the land she loves but might prove unsalvageable, or fight for a better future for her children in California, a place described as paradise.
Reading this novel has given me so much awe and respect for the strong people who lived through this, a hardship I can not even imagine.
3 Sea of Memories by Fiona Valpy
World War II is one of the most popular historical fiction topics and therefore features twice in this list. Sea of Memories is a love story, set in both Scotland and France. It starts in 1938, when seventeen year old Ella is sent to a Île de Ré, A French Island. She meets and falls in love with Christophe, and as many of us do when we are young and in love, she feels incredibly free. The feeling is short lived however, as times are grim. With a war on the doorstep, Ella is called back to Scotland. Desperate to oppose, she stays and joins the French resistance. With hardship and war surrounding her, the summer with Christophe on Île de Ré only floats farther away.
Sea of Memories is a story that shows the incredible bravery of many people, when they had every reason to be scared.
4 The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin.
The story starts in 1939 and also centers around WW II, but this time it takes place in England. When Grace arrives in London, it isn’t at all what she had envisioned. War is on the doorstep and the only employment she can find is in a dusty bookstore, with a patron who is not keen to have her there. But when Grace discovers the beauty of reading and storytelling, she finds the strength to fight back.
The Last Bookshop in London is a story about coming together and building a strong community, even in the hardest of times. Portraying the power and endurance of literature, this book is perfect for all readers.
5 Stars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo
This story is told in a dual timeline, partly taking place in 2017 New York, and partly in 1946 Genoa, Italy. When Vincenzo and Giovanna fall in love, they believe their differences in descent is the greatest obstacle. He is the son of a count and she is the daughter of a tailor, but their connection is so strong that they do everything to make it work. When political tensions rise in their country, the young lovers realise that their differences are even greater, and betrayal from both sides shatter their love, and future with it. Dozens of years later, an engaged couple in New York bring their grandparents together to pose for a painting. When past and present come together, secrets come to light once more and everything changes.
While Stars in an Italian Sky is more on romance than some other historical fiction books, I still enjoyed learning about the time period and events that formed the backdrop to this novel. The period after WWII was still a difficult one, with political unrest throughout Europe. While some choices seen easy from an outsider’s perspective, this story shows that every decision has consequences. When in a different position, we might also choose differently.
6 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
In 1952, Kya is six years old. Her mother and her older siblings leave their home to get away from an abusive and alcoholic husband and father, but they don’t take her with them. Living isolated in the North Carolina Marshes, Kya’s father teachers her to survive, but when he too eventually leaves, she is left to fend for herself. Growing up away from society, as an outsider, Kya faces prejudice and harassment from the community. The older she gets, the more she has to battle her own desires to both be free from societal norms, and to belong and be loved. When a young man is discovered dead, locals immediately suspect the wild naturalistic girl, who will have to fight the prejudice to clear her name.
While this coming of age story does not feature any particular historical events, the period it is set in frames the story and draws a clear picture of what that time was like.
7. Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand
True to the title, this story takes place during the summer months of 1969. The novel follows the different members of the Levin family on Nantucket, as they go through changes fit with their age, while also adjusting to a tumultuous time in the world. Blair is going through a twin pregnancy, while her sister Kirby is swept up in the civil rights protests, their brother Tiger gets drafted and deployment to Vietnam and thirteen year old Jessie feels lost without her siblings. The effects of a changing nation are visible throughout this novel, while the Levin siblings go through their own dramatic changes.
Reading Summer of ’69 was like travelling back in time through a photograph and living in that year for 448 pages long. Enchanting and immersive, Elin Hilderbrand has captured one of the most turbulent summers in American history in a gripping novel.
8 Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
Similar to the previous two recommendations, Mary Jane does not so much feature one specific historical event as it portrays the culture and the way of life of a broader time period in the West. Set in 1970s Baltimore, the novel follow fourteen year old Mary Jane as she discovers the world outside of her community, through her first summer job. Her mother is as glad as her daughter when she lands the respectable job of nanny for the daughter of a local doctor. Respectable as they might look from the outside though, the Cone could not be more different from Mary Jane’s own family. While she introduces the Cone’s to home cooked meals, crisp and clean laundry and milk that does not spoil, they introduce her to the world of sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. The more time she spends with them, the more she falls in love with their family and way of life, and starts to develop her own identity. As the summer goes on, it gets harder to keep her parents in the dark about what goes on in the Cone household. When summer comes to an end, will she be able to go back to her life before?
Mary Jane is a coming of age story of a young girl, growing up in changing polar times, and deciding who she wants to be.
It might be the most dreaded moment in a romance novel, and one that has readers groaning aloud upon reading: the dreaded third act breakup. Like everything in literature, taste differs and while some people might enjoy the tension and disruption in the story line that it might bring, it’s not for everyone. This post is specifically catered to those readers who enjoy a romance that proves the characters can have a healthy and strong relationship that overcomes hardships without having to break up over them.
Specific tropes or writing devices are always used for a reason, and in this case, advocates often describe the third act breakup as a way to ensure character growth. By challenging the protagonist with the breakup, they can show how they have evolved and overcome the flaw or trouble they have been dealing with for the entirety of the storyline by making up and ending with their loved one. While I have enjoyed romance novels with this narrative device, I prefer a story that shows the couple can resolve their issues, individual or joined, before getting together. I don’t think showing breaking up at the first issue that shows up after the protagonists getting together promotes a healthy relationship, because in my eyes, things can usually be resolved without them breaking up. That being said, even a romance novel needs some kind of conflict or obstacle, sometimes very small. I think there is a big difference between a third act breakup and a third act conflict. The first usually arises from miscommunication or the characters handling something in an obviously bad way, while the latter can be an external or internal conflict that the characters either resolve before getting together, or tackle together in a mature way. So, here are my recommendations that either have a third act conflict that is resolved in a well thought-out way, or does not have a third act conflict altogether.
Out on a Limb by Hannah Bond-Young
When Win has a one-night stand at her best friend’s costume party, the last thing she expects is to see those two pink lines on a pregnancy test. Surprised but confident in her decision, she decides to keep the baby, and Bo, the father, steps up to the plate. Together, Win and Bo get to know each other, so they can be the best platonic parents for their child on the way, but along the way they find that maybe they can have it all.
This heartwarming story portrays one of the healthiest relationships I have read about and does not need a third act break-up to ensure character growth or to keep readers engaged.
2. If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
This book caught readers’ attention last year for being a nostalgic autumn romance set in the late nineties and reminiscent of Gilmore Girls. Michelle, after losing her mother and divorcing her husband, moves from Seattle to Vermont, to temporarily run her late mother’s bed-and-breakfast, until her sister graduates and can take over. Her new neighbour is a single dad and runs a bakery, but he still finds the time to help her get settled in the bed-and-breakfast and offer companionship. They quickly develop a strong friendship, but as the end of Michelle’s three months in Vermont nears, they wonder if their relationship can blossom into something more than friends.
Despite outside factors complicating their situation, there is no third act breakup in this cosy romance, portraying a healthy adult relationship.
3. The Flatshare by Beth O’ Leary
Beth O’ Leary has some unique concepts for her novels, and her debut, The Flatshare, is no exception. When Tiffy needs to find a new apartment to get away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, she ends up sharing a flat with Leon. The catch? The apartment only has one bedroom. The solution? Tiffy takes the flat from the evening until the morning, while Leon, who works the night shift, uses the flat during the day. The new roommates get to know each other through a series of notes, and despite never meeting each other something starts to grow.
This romance was very unique, sweet, and completely third act breakup free!
4. Tangled Up In You by Christina Lauren
As Tangled was my favorite princess movie growing up, this book was an easy hit for me. Tangled Up In You is a modern day retelling of the fairy tale, following Ren and Fitz. Growing up on a homestead, Ren has never partaken in regular teenage activities, never been to school or even held an iPhone before. She is twenty-two years old, she finally convinces her parents to let her go off to college so she can learn about new farming techniques to bring home. It is there she meets Fitz: smooth talker, teacher’s pet, and does not do charity work. When Ren finds out something shocking in their shared immunology class, the two find themselves embarking on a road trip that will change the course of both of their lives. Ren discovers more about the world she has never seen before, and Fitz discovers that the girl sitting next to him can show him new things too.
Perfect for fans of Disney and real life fairy tales.
5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
A sure way to make sure your romance book does not have a third act breakup is to pick up a classic, because in that time, separation was not a possibility. Pride and Prejudice was a romance book in its own time, and while there are obstacles keeping the protagonists apart, there is no third act breakup. Set in nineteenth century England, a mother with five daughters’ main goal is to ensure they are all married to a rich and respectable husband. When a rich gentleman moves into the estate near them, Mrs. Bennet is confident one of her girls will marry him. While Jane, the eldest, forms an early attachment to the newcomer, Mr Bingley and makes a great impression, but Lizzie is less impressed with his stern and unsociable friend, Mr. Darcy. The two find themselves in each others company more often than expected, and feelings start to stir, but will Mr. Darcy’s pride and Lizzie’s prejudice prove to strong to be overcome by true love?
For those who like romantic books and want to get into classics, Pride and Prejudice is a perfect place to start. It is popular for a reason and, as a bonus, will spare you from modern day third act breakups.
Toni's Book Corner 