Books Like...

Maybell Parrish, a dreamer and romantic at heart, inherits her Great Aunt Violet's mansion, Falling Stars, along with Wesley Koehler, the former groundskeeper. Despite their initial clashes and differing visions for the property, they must work together to fulfill Violet's wishes and renovate the house. As Maybell and Wesley navigate their shy and introverted personalities, they slowly build a relationship that goes beyond just being shy, evolving into a lovely and charming story. The novel explores themes of overcoming social anxiety, building healthy relationships, and finding the courage to pursue one's dreams, all set in a whimsical and heartwarming atmosphere.

The story is a light-hearted romance with quirky characters, humorous moments, and a unique twist on the trope of renovating a shared property to find true love. Through Maybell's daydreams and Wesley's struggles with anxiety, the author, Sarah Hogle, beautifully depicts their growth and transformation as they navigate their past traumas and insecurities to create a new future together at Falling Stars.

'Beach Read' by Emily Henry follows the story of romance writer January Andrews who finds herself in a neighboring lake house to Gus Everett, a serious literary author and her college nemesis. Despite their initial dislike for each other, they challenge each other to write a book in the style of the other person, leading to a slow burn romance. delves into themes of grief, pain, and complicated relationships, presenting a blend of romance, literary fiction, and insightful storytelling. The characters, their dynamics, and the emotional depth of the plot make this book a compelling read that goes beyond the typical romance genre.

The writing style of 'Beach Read' is engaging and captivating, seamlessly blending humor, emotional moments, and character development. The author, Emily Henry, skillfully weaves together multiple storylines, creating a narrative that keeps readers invested from start to finish. offers a mix of light-hearted moments and deeper themes, making it a well-rounded and enjoyable read for those looking for a beach read with substance.

'The Flatshare' by Beth O'Leary follows the story of Tiffy and Leon, who share a flat without ever meeting in person, communicating only through post-it notes left for each other. The book explores their unique living arrangement, their individual struggles, and the development of their relationship in a quirky and heartwarming way. The writing style is engaging, with alternating first-person narratives that capture the intimacy of their communication and the distinct personalities of the lead characters.

The plot of 'The Flatshare' delves into themes of emotional abuse, relationships, personal growth, and friendship, all while maintaining a light and charming tone. The book is praised for its depth, character development, and the way it handles serious topics like abuse and gaslighting with sensitivity and respect, making it a feel-good and compelling read.

Beginner's Luck is the first novel in the 'Chance of a Lifetime' series by Kate Clayborn. The story follows Ekaterina 'Kit' Averin, a research scientist who wins the lottery with her friends Zoe and Greer. Keeping her windfall a secret, Kit buys a fixer-upper house and continues working as a scientist. However, her predictable life takes a turn when she meets Ben Tucker, a charming corporate recruiter. As Kit and Ben navigate their growing attraction and conflicting career paths, they also deal with personal histories, family dynamics, and the complexities of building a relationship amidst life's challenges. The book is praised for its detailed characterizations, realistic portrayal of relationships, and the slow-burn romance between Kit and Ben.

'Love at First' by Kate Clayborn is a heartwarming contemporary romance set in Chicago, focusing on the lives of Nora and Will who inherit apartments in the same building. The story follows their journey from a chance encounter as teenagers to reconnecting as adults, surrounded by a cast of quirky neighbors who form a close-knit community. The writing style is described as insightful and tender, with dual POVs allowing readers to delve into the characters' emotions and vulnerabilities, while themes of love, grief, and personal growth are subtly woven into the narrative.

'Well Met' by Jen DeLuca is a contemporary romance novel set in a small town called Willow Creek, Maryland during the annual Renaissance Faire. The story follows Emily, who moves to Willow Creek to help her sister and niece after a car accident. Emily gets roped into volunteering at the Renaissance Faire alongside her teenage niece, where she meets Simon, one of the organizers. Despite their initial animosity, Emily and Simon slowly develop feelings for each other over the summer, leading to a light enemies-to-lovers romance. The book features a fun and spirited plot with Shakespeare references, strong character development, and a relatable protagonist dealing with self-esteem issues.

The writing style of 'Well Met' is described as engaging, humorous, and romantic, with a creative and unique setting of the Renaissance Faire. The story unfolds with a slow-building romance between Emily and Simon, incorporating elements of humor, Shakespearean themes, and a charming small-town atmosphere. Readers praise the accurate portrayal of the Ren Faire setting, the well-developed characters, and the enjoyable plot that combines romance, comedy, and a touch of angst.

'Get a Life, Chloe Brown' by Talia Hibbert follows the story of Chloe Brown, a quirky web designer living with chronic health issues, who embarks on a journey to break out from her boring life. She creates a list of new experiences to try and enlists the help of Redford Morgan, the building superintendent, to guide her. Despite starting out as adversaries, Chloe and Red's relationship progresses believably, leading to a cute and steamy romance. The book skillfully weaves in themes of chronic pain, abusive relationships, and disability, all while maintaining a balance between humor and meaningful discussions.

The writing style in 'Get a Life, Chloe Brown' is described as charming, funny, and heartwarming. The characters, especially Chloe and Red, are portrayed as real, funny, and troubled individuals rather than perfect romance stereotypes. The novel delves into important topics like chronic pain and abusive relationships with care and emotional intelligence, making it a refreshing and engaging contemporary romance read.

Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese is a contemporary romance novel that follows the story of Willa and Ryder, who start off as frenemies but secretly want more. The book explores their journey from enemies to friends as they navigate personal struggles, competitive spirits, and a deep emotional connection. The writing style is described as honest, deep, original, sweet, and sexy, with a perfect blend of humor, heartbreak, and romance.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne revolves around the workplace rivalry between Lucy and Josh, who despise each other but find themselves sharing an office after a merger. As they compete for the same promotion, their interactions are filled with witty banter, mind games, and emotional vulnerability. The story is a mix of romance, comedy, and tension, with a slow burn enemies-to-lovers plot that keeps readers engaged. Thorne's writing style is described as cute, light-hearted, and funny, making it an entertaining and enjoyable read for fans of contemporary romance and chick lit.

Poppy and Alex, two best friends with contrasting personalities, have been taking annual vacations together for years until a falling out causes a two-year silence in their friendship. When Poppy suggests one final summer trip to mend their relationship, they head to Palm Springs to confront their feelings for each other. The story alternates between past trips and their current vacation, exploring their deep connection and the challenges they face in transitioning from friends to potentially something more. Emily Henry's writing style weaves humor, romance, and realism, creating an engaging narrative that delves into themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery.