Feel Good Fiction

New and recommended books with an uplifting message or an upbeat tone.

Updated February 8, 2024
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The language of food
Abbs, Annabel
Paper Book
'A sensual feast of a novel, written with elegance, beauty, charm and skill in a voice that is both lyrical and unique. The Language of Food is an intriguing story with characters that leap off the page and live, but what sets it apart from it's contemporaries is Abbs' outstanding prose' ...
Chef's choice : a novel
Alexander, T. J.
Paper Book
A 2024 Lambda Literary Award Finalist One of the 50 Best Romance Novels to Read Right Now by Time "Urgent and intimate." --The New York Times Book Review A fake dating arrangement turns to real love in this deliciously...
Other birds
Allen, Sarah Addison
Paper Book
The New York Times Bestseller From the acclaimed author of Garden Spells comes an enchanting tale of lost souls, lonely strangers, secrets that shape us, and how the right flock can guide you home. Down a narrow alley in the small coastal town of...
Sunset beach
Andrews, Mary Kay
Paper Book
Pull up a lounge chair and have a cocktail at Sunset Beach - it comes with a twist. Drue Campbell's life is adrift. Out of a job and down on her luck, life doesn't seem to be getting any better when her estranged father, Brice Campbell, a flamboyant personal injury...
The travelling cat chronicles
Arikawa, Hiro
Paper Book
THE PERFECT CURL-UP READ FOR CAT LOVERS *** Includes a sneak preview from the author's new bestseller, The Goodbye Cat *** 'Bewitching... as self-possessed and comforting as - well, a cat' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'A book about kindness...
Legends & lattes : a novel of high fantasy and low stakes
Baldree, Travis
Paper Book
An Instant New York Times Bestseller A Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2022 A Library Reads Pick An Indie Next Pick A Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award Nominee The much-beloved BookTok sensation, Travis Baldree's novel of high...
No two persons
Bauermeister, Erica
Paper Book
One book. Nine readers. Ten changed lives. New York Times bestselling author Erica Bauermeister's No Two Persons is "a gloriously original celebration of fiction, and the ways it deepens our lives." (--Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie...
Peg and Rose solve a murder
Berenson, Laurien
Paper Book
Rose Donovan looks for the good in everyone. With her sister-in-law, Peg, that sometimes requires a lot of searching. Even a sixty-something former nun like Rose has her limits, and gruff Peg Turnbull sure knows how to push them. But after forty years of bickering, they're attempting to start over,...
The collected regrets of Clover
Brammer, Mikki
Paper Book
What's the point of giving someone a beautiful death if you can't give yourself a beautiful life? From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit, Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying...
Mastering the Art of French Murder : A Charming New Parisian Historical Mystery
Cambridge, Colleen
Paper Book
Fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Marie Benedict, Nita Prose, and of course, Julia Child, will adore this magnifique new mystery set in Paris and starring Julia Child's (fictional) best friend, confidante, and fellow American. From the acclaimed author of Murder at Mallowan Hall, this...
A tidy ending : a novel
Cannon, Joanna (Psychiatrist)
Paper Book
"A darkly funny tale with a gloriously sinister twist." --The Observer (London) The bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep delivers a "compellingly creepy" (The Guardian, UK) novel filled with unexpected twists about mysterious murders in a...
The Paris library
Skeslien Charles, Janet
Paper Book
An instant New York Times, Washington Post, and USA TODAY bestseller--based on the true story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris during World War II--The Paris Library is a moving and unforgettable "ode to the importance of libraries, books, and...
Community Board : A Novel
Conklin, Tara
Paper Book
The New York Times bestselling author of The Last Romantics delivers a wise, timely, big-hearted novel of unplanned isolation and newly forged community. Where does one go, you might ask, when the world falls apart When the immutable facts of your life--the...
Just haven't met you yet
Cousens, Sophie
Paper Book
The stunning new love story from the bestselling author of This Time Next Year ''Impossible to put down'' CATHY BRAMLEY ''A sure-fire hit!'' LAURA JANE WILLIAMS ''Packed full of holiday sparkle'' JOSIE SILVER ______________________...
The paper palace
Cowley Heller, Miranda
Paper Book
2 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE One life changing decision: your husband or your one true love? ---------------- On a perfect August morning, Elle Bishop heads out for a swim in the pond below 'The Paper Palace' - her family's holiday...
Well matched
DeLuca, Jen
Paper Book
Single mother April is about to become an empty nester, and while she likes her quaint little town it's time to move on. She asks her friend Mitch for his help with some home improvements to get her house ready to sell. He agrees to help her, on one condition: she'll pretend to be his girlfriend at...
The setup
Dent, Lizzy
Paper Book
From the author of The Summer Job comes a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming story about one woman's impulsive fib that jump starts a summer of reinvention and learning about love, life, and what it means to accept yourself. She has a plan. Fate has other ideas.
L.A. weather
Escando?n, Mari?a Amparo
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK * 2022 INTERNATIONAL LATINO BOOK AWARD WINNER FOR FICTION FORECAST: Storm clouds are on the horizon in L.A. Weather, a fun, fast-paced novel of a Mexican American family from the author of the #1...
Curious minds : a Knight and moon novel
Evanovich, Janet
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Janet Evanovich, bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, teams up with Emmy-winning writer Phoef Sutton for a brand-new series of mysteries featuring Emerson Knight and Riley Moon, a dynamic duo with instant and undeniable chemistry.   ...
Emily Wilde's encyclopaedia of faeries
Fawcett, Heather
Paper Book
'A darkly gorgeous fantasy that sparkles with snow and magic, this book wholly enchanted me' Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches Enter the world of the hidden folk - and discover the most whimsical, enchanting and heart-warming tale...
Every summer after
Fortune, Carley
Paper Book
'A radiant debut' EMILY HENRY THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Six summers to fall in love. One moment to fall apart. A weekend to get it right. They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser that has felt too true...
Lessons in chemistry
Garmus, Bonnie
Paper Book
The perfect Christmas gift! THE MULTI-AWARD-WINNING MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER, now a major Apple TV series starring Brie Larson. ___________ 'The most charming, life-enhancing novel I've read in ages' Sunday Times 'Thought-provoking and...
The last lifeboat
Gaynor, Hazel
Paper Book
'Heart-wrenching . . . a story that needs to be remembered' FERN BRITTON 'Enthrallingly told . . . it's extraordinary how despite everything hope for the future shines out' RACHEL HORE Liverpool 1940. Alice King stands on the deck of SS Carlisle, waiting to...
Maame
George, Jessica
Paper Book
" Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman. It's fair to say that Maddie's life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie...
The making of another major motion picture masterpiece
Hanks, Tom
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER * AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * From the legendary actor and best-selling author: a novel about the making of a star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film...and the humble comic books that inspired it. Funny, touching, and wonderfully thought...
Good eggs : a novel
Hardiman, Rebecca
Ebook
'A witty, exuberant debut' People magazine 'A mix of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye and a Maeve Binchy novel [...] perfect to savor as we emerge from this particular winter.' American Booksellers Association indie pick 'A...
Cackle
Harrison, Rachel
Paper Book
A darkly funny, frightening novel about a young woman learning how to take what she wants from a witch who may be too good to be true, from the author of The Return.   All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her...
Love on the brain
Hazelwood, Ali
Paper Book
'Your world is about to be rocked.' Elena Armas, author of The Spanish Love Deception 'Hopelessly, brilliantly, wonderfully romantic. I loved it even more than The Love Hypothesis, and I didn't think that was possible' Cressida McLaughlin
Really good, actually
Heisey, Monica
Paper Book
THE NO. 2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER The Times Popular Fiction Book of the Year 'A heartbreaker of a book' THE TIMES 'Alarmingly relatable' MARIAN KEYES 'Hilarious and profound' DOLLY ALDERTON
Happy place
Henry, Emily
Paper Book
The five-star weekend
Hilderbrand, Elin
Paper Book
Flying solo a novel
Holmes, Linda
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * A woman returns to her small Maine hometown, uncovering family secrets that take her on a journey of self-discovery and new love, in this warm and charming novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over. "A...
The fortunes of jaded women
Huynh, Carolyn
Paper Book
For fans of Amy Tan and Kevin Kwan, this sharp and tender debut follows a family of estranged Vietnamese women - cursed to never know love or happiness - as they reunite when a psychic makes a startling prediction.   Everyone in Orange County's Little Saigon...
Mika in real life : a novel
Jean, Emiko
Paper Book
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA and READ WITH MARIE CLAIRE BOOK CLUB PICK! Named a best book by Glamour, Marie Claire, TIME, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, and more! From New York Times bestselling Emiko Jean, a whip-smart, laugh-out-loud funny, and utterly heartwarming novel...
The Jane Austen Society
Jenner, Natalie
Paper Book
'Hope can sometimes be just enough.'It's only a few months since the war ended but the little village of Chawton is about to be hit by another devastating blow. The heart of the community, the Chawton estate, and site of Jane Austen's cherished former home, is in danger of being sold to the...
A bad day for Sunshine
Jones, Darynda
Paper Book
New York Times bestselling author Darynda Jones is back with the first novel in the brand-new snarky, sassy, wickedly fun Sunshine Vicram series--A Bad Day for Sunshine! "Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun."--New York...
Miss Benson's beetle
Joyce, Rachel
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE WILBUR SMITH ADVENTURE WRITING PRIZE | BEST PUBLISHED NOVEL WOMAN & HOME BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR and A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'The perfect escape novel for our troubled times.' PATRICK GALE It is 1950....
The golden doves
Kelly, Martha Hall
Paper Book
Two female spies risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi in this sweeping, profound tale of bravery from the bestselling author of Lilac Girls. "A riveting story of two brave and amazing women who work in the French resistance during World War II . . . a triumph!"...
Love your life
Kinsella, Sophie
Paper Book
'As close to perfect as romantic comedies get' Jenny Colgan The irresistible new standalone novel from No. 1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella. I love you . . . but what if I can't love your life? Ava is sick of online dating....
The true love experiment
Lauren, Christina
Paper Book
Felicity "Fizzy" Chen is lost. Sure, she's got an incredible career as a beloved romance novelist with a slew of bestsellers under her belt, but when she's asked to give a commencement address, it hits her: she hasn't been practicing what she's preached.
Homicide and halo-halo
Manansala, Mia P.
Paper Book
Lila's little town of Shady Palms has resurrected the Miss Teen Shady Palms Beauty Pageant, which she won many years ago - a fact that serves as a wedge between Lila and her cousin slash rival, Bernadette. But when the head judge of the pageant is murdered and Bernadette becomes the main suspect,...
The god of good looks
Mc Ivor, Breanne
Paper Book
Sometimes you need to clash to make an impact. Bianca Bridge is like an eyeshadow palette. She's a vibrant kaleidoscope of big personality and even bigger dreams, with a tendency towards messiness and fallout. Case in point: ruining her career prospects and hopes...
Sunshine nails a novel
Nguyen, Mai
Paper Book
The mostly true story of Tanner & Louise
Oakley, Colleen
Paper Book
Twenty-one-year-old Tanner Quimby needs a place to live. Preferably one where she can continue sitting around in sweatpants and playing video games nineteen hours a day. Since she has no credit or money to speak of, her options are limited, so when an opportunity to work as a live-in caregiver for...
The Thursday Murder Club
Osman, Richard
Paper Book
THE FIRST NOVEL IN THE RECORD-BREAKING, MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING THURSDAY MURDER CLUB SERIES. ---------- 'Smart, compassionate, warm, moving and so VERY funny' Marian Keyes 'So smart and funny. Deplorably good' Ian Rankin 'Thrilling,...
The Love Wager
Painter, Lynn
Paper Book
After crawling out of a hotel room, Hallie decides it's time to become a full-on adult. But when she logs into the dating app to look for new love, she finds none other than Jack- the guy whose hotel room she'd snuck out of. Jack and Hallie realise that they're each other's perfect wing-person - and...
Killers of a certain age
Raybourn, Deanna
Paper Book
Older women often feel invisible, but sometimes that's their secret weapon. Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. But now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates their real-world...
Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl
Rosen, Renee
Paper Book
It's 1938, and a young woman selling face cream out of a New York City beauty parlor is determined to prove she can have it all. Her name is Estée Lauder, and she's about to take the world by storm, in this dazzling new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Social...
The guncle : a novel
Rowley, Steven
Paper Book
Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits. However, tragedy strikes and Patrick suddenly finds himself taking on the role of primary guardian....
West with giraffes
Rutledge, Lynda
Paper Book
"Few true friends have I known and two were giraffes . . ."
The kitchen front : a novel
Ryan, Jennifer
Paper Book
From the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir comes an unforgettable novel of a BBC-sponsored wartime cooking competition and the four women who enter for a chance to better their lives. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *...
Wishing game, the
Shaffer, Meg
Paper Book
One of the Washington Post's top ten feel-good novels of the year: a perfect gift for book lovers everywhere!During a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy Hart found solace in books, especially Jack Masterson's Clock Island series. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher's aide,...
Romantic comedy a novel
Sittenfeld, Curtis
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK * A comedy writer thinks she's sworn off love, until a dreamy pop star flips the script on all her assumptions--a "smart, sophisticated, and fun" (Oprah Daily) novel from the author of Eligible, Rodham, and Prep....
Never too late a novel
Steel, Danielle
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From Danielle Steel, a stirring novel about a woman striking out on her own after loss as her adult daughters try to find their own independent paths in life. Kezia Cooper Hobson, recently widowed, arrives in New York from San Francisco....
Dial A for aunties
Sutanto, Jesse Q.
Paper Book
"Sutanto brilliantly infuses comedy and culture into the unpredictable rom-com/murder mystery mashup as Meddy navigates familial duty, possible arrest and a groomzilla. I laughed out loud and you will too."--USA Today (four-star review) "A hilarious, heartfelt...
Remarkably bright creatures
Van Pelt, Shelby
Paper Book
**THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER** OVER 1.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK OVER 60,000 5 STAR REVIEWS GOOD HOUSEKEEPING BEST BOOKS OF 2022 GLAMOUR BEST BOOKS OF 2022 'Remarkably Bright...
The breakaway
Weiner, Jennifer
Paper Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner comes a warmhearted and empowering new novel about love, family, friendship, secrets, and a life-changing journey. Thirty-three-year-old Abby Stern has made it to a happy place. True, she still has gig jobs instead...
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop : a novel
Yagisawa, Satoshi
Paper Book
The wise and charming international bestseller and hit Japanese movie--about a young woman who loses everything but finds herself--a tale of new beginnings, romantic and family relationships, and the comfort that can be found in books.  Twenty-five-year-old Takako has enjoyed a...

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