Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter

By Heather Fawcett

Del Rey, 2026, 353 pages. Fantasy 

Agnes Aubert leads a meticulously organized life, and she likes it that way. As the proudly type-A manager of a cat rescue charity, she has devoted her life to finding forever homes for stray cats. Now it's the shelter that needs a new home. And the only landlord who will rent a space to a cat rescue is a mysterious man called Havelock--who also happens to be the world's most infamous magician, running an illegal magic shop out of his basement. Havelock is cantankerous and eccentric, but not not handsome, and no, Agnes absolutely does not feel anything but disdain for him. After all, rumors swirl about his shadowy past--including whispers that his dark magic once almost brought about the apocalypse. Then one day a glamorous magician comes looking for Havelock, putting the magic shop--and the cat shelter--in jeopardy. To save the shelter, Agnes will have to team up with the magician who nearly ended the world . . . and may now be trying to steal her heart ...

Magic! Cats! A charming cozy fantasy set in early-1900s Montreal from the author of the Emily Wilde series! Yes, please! I loved that the story winds through the streets of Montreal and is peppered with French-Canadian touches (both dialogue and pastries). The plot gradually increases in intensity, leading to a satisfying resolution that leaves the door open for additional stories. The characters are quirky and likable, leaving you rooting for them to succeed, and the slow-burn chemistry between the main characters is delightful. If you like Fawcett’s other books, sardonic repartee, and cats, you will enjoy this read. 

If you like Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter, you might also like: 

The Crescent Moon Tearoom 

By Stacy Sivinski 

Atria Paperback, 2024, 324 pages. Fantasy 

Ever since the untimely death of their parents, Anne, Beatrix, and Violet Quigley have made a business of threading together the stories that rest in the swirls of ginger, cloves, and cardamon that lie at the bottom of their customers' cups. Their days at the teashop are filled with talk of butterflies and good fortune intertwined with the sound of cinnamon shortbread being snapped by laced fingers. That is, until the Council of Witches comes calling with news that the city Diviner has lost her powers, and the sisters suddenly find themselves being pulled in different directions. As Anne's magic begins to develop beyond that of her sisters', Beatrix's writing attracts the attention of a publisher, and Violet is enchanted by the song of the circus--and perhaps a mischievous trapeze artist threatening to sweep her off her feet--it seems a family curse that threatens to separate the sisters is taking effect. With dwindling time to rewrite their future and help three other witches challenge their own destinies, the Quigleys set out to bargain with Fate. But in focusing so closely on saving each other, will they lose sight of themselves? 

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore 

By Emily Krempholtz 

Penguin Random House, 2025, 359 pages. Fantasy 

A powerful plant witch and a grumpy alchemist must work together in order to save their quiet little town in this debut cozy fantasy. Guy Shadowfade is dead and Violet Thistlethwaite doesn't know what to do with herself. Having spent her life as the dark sorcerer's right hand, the powerful witch is now at loose ends. But she does know one thing: she doesn't want to be evil anymore. For once, she wants to sprout peonies instead of poison. The quaint town of Dragon's Rest, she decides, will be her second chance at life--a place where she can set down roots, open a flower shop, keep her sentient (and mildly homicidal) houseplant out of trouble, and quit dark magic after a lifetime of villainy. While Violet's vibrant bouquets and feats of plant magic soon charm the welcoming townsfolk, nothing she does seems to impress the prickly yet dashingly handsome Nathaniel Marsh, an alchemist sharing her greenhouse. What Violet doesn't know is that Nathaniel is desperately seeking a second chance of his own. But just as Violet thinks she's pruned away all the thorns of her nefarious former life, a mysterious blight threatens her new home and a figure from her past comes knocking. Violet and Nathaniel must work together through their fears, their pasts, and their growing feelings for one another to save their community. But with everything she's built on the line, Violet can't help but wonder ... does a villain like her truly deserve to grow her own happily ever after? 

A Widow's Charm 

By Caitlyn Paxson 

Del Rey, 2026, 423 pages. Fantasy 

Lady Hildegarde Croft is accustomed to changes in position. After all, she rose from maidservant to lady of the manor when she married Lord Thorgoode Croft. But when he drops dead quite unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde from her malevolent brother-in-law die along with him. What's a widow to do? Fortunately, potential salvation arrives in the form of Lord Erol Elmwood, who is fleeing the consequences of using his forbidden Charm to raise the dead and save his own life. Now he's injured, destitute, and miserable, stuck hiding out at the neighboring estate. For Hilde, blackmailing Lord Elmwood to resurrect Thorgoode seems like the perfect solution. For Elmwood, beautiful Lady Croft seems like the ideal distraction from his troubles. The problem is, all she wants from him is the horrifying power he knows he can never use again.

MS

A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity

A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity 

by Rachel Linden 

Berkley, 2026. 370 pages. Romance. 

Paris trained chocolatier and single mother Emmie Wynne gave up her own dreams six years ago when she returned to her Pacific Northwest coastal tourist town to run her family's struggling candy store. Now on her thirty-fourth birthday, Emmie has only one wish, to be granted the vision that every Wynne woman is given once in her lifetime-a shimmering glimpse of her true destiny. This year, when she blows out her candles, it finally comes true. Her vision is more delectable than she could've imagined-her very own artisanal chocolate shop filled with decadent truffles and caramels, and her celebrity crush, Henry Summers, down on one knee. When Henry arrives in town for the summer, offering Emmie the opportunity of a lifetime, the future in her vision suddenly seems possible. But a rekindled connection with Jakob, her former high school best friend turned hunky, brooding tattooed baker, forces Emmie to grapple with the bittersweet realization that her destiny may not be what her heart truly wants. As the culmination of her vision draws nearer, can Emmie find the courage to create a happiness of her own making? 

This is a sweet romance that answers the question: What if your dreams come true and it’s not what you expect it to be? With charming characters, a quaint setting, and a fun premise, this book does not disappoint. It’s a cozy and feel-good read and may or may not make you crave chocolate. This book is recommended for anyone who wants to live life with a little more whimsy and romance. 

If you like A Sprinkle of Sweet Serendipity, you might also like: 

The Library of Flowers 

by L.C. Chu 

SourceBooks, 2026. 416 pages. Romance. 

For centuries, the Hua women have held sway over the courts of emperors and billionaires with their magical perfumes able to stir hearts and ensure fortunes. And in every fifth generation, an eldest daughter is born with the rarest gift of all: the ability to summon true love. As a long-awaited fifth daughter, Lucy was supposed to be the miracle her exacting mother had been waiting for. But when her magic failed, Lucy fled Vancouver, her legacy, and the expectations that had nearly broken her. Now, years later, she runs a tiny perfume shop tucked away in Toronto's Kensington Market—crafting beautiful, perfectly ordinary scents and keeping her extraordinary past firmly behind her. That is, until a death in the family brings her home...and saddles her with an unwelcome inheritance: the centuries-old Hua family register, brimming with secrets, formulas, and forgotten truths. As Lucy unravels the stories of the women who came before her—including the mother whose complicated heart she never could understand—she must confront the tangled threads of love, power, and identity...and ask herself whether her magic was ever truly gone, or simply waiting for her to decide for herself what it means to be a daughter of the House of Hua. 

Darling Daffodils Farm 

by Brittanee Nicole 

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2026. 404 pages. Romance. 

When aspiring pastry chef, Tally Darling, returns home to her family's daffodil farm, the last thing she expects to find is a hot--half-naked--farmhand living in her childhood bedroom and running her late daddy's business. Jeesse Walker might be gorgeous but he's also infuriatingly grumpy. Walker has no time for Tally and the feeling is mutual. That is, until Tally hears him moan over one of her signature salted honey cupcakes. And then discovers how good it tastes when they kiss. As dewy April days turn into warm May evenings, Walker and Tally soon realize that there is a thin line between love and hate. But will their budding connection grow into something that lasts beyond one season? 

Old Flames and New Fortunes 

by Sarah Hogle 

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2024. 362 pages. Romance. 

Fibs and squabbles and spells . . . oh my! A small, magical town tucked away in rural Ohio, Moonville is the perfect place for floral witch Romina Tempest to use the language of flowers to help the hopeful manifest love in their lives. After giving up on her own big romance eleven years ago, at least she can bask in others' happily ever afters. When the shop's potential financier shares news of his wedding, Romina jumps at the opportunity to discuss the business . . . even if it means she has to fake-date her chaotic colleague Trevor to get an invitation. But all hell breaks loose when she discovers Trevor's soon-to-be stepbrother is none other than Alex King: her high school sweetheart. Her greatest love. The boy who broke her heart. What starts as an innocent misunderstanding becomes a weeklong fake-dating scheme, as Romina quickly finds out she can't deny her connection with Alex. Caught between her livelihood and her heart, Romina must decide if taking a second chance on first love is worth the risk.

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax

By Dorothy Gilman 

Doubleday, 1966. 216 pages 

Mystery 

The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax a lighthearted spy adventure that follows Emily Pollifax, a widowed grandmother from New Jersey who feels restless and overlooked after her children are grown. Tired of ordinary routines and wanting to do something meaningful and exciting, she impulsively walks into the offices of the CIA and volunteers to become a spy. 

To everyone’s surprise — including her own — Mrs. Pollifax is accidentally recruited for a simple courier mission to Mexico City. The agency assumes that no one would suspect a cheerful older woman carrying secret information. What begins as a harmless assignment quickly spirals into genuine danger when the mission goes wrong and Mrs. Pollifax finds herself caught in an international conspiracy involving smugglers, political prisoners, and foreign agents. 

Despite having no formal training, Mrs. Pollifax proves resourceful, observant, and unexpectedly brave. Her kindness and grandmotherly appearance allow her to move through situations unnoticed, but beneath her polite exterior is a woman with sharp instincts and quiet courage. Along the way she forms unlikely friendships, survives kidnapping attempts, and discovers that adventure — and personal purpose — can arrive at any stage of life. 

The novel blends cozy mystery charm with Cold War espionage, offering suspense without becoming overly dark. Much of the appeal comes from Mrs. Pollifax herself: she is practical, witty, compassionate, and delightfully underestimated. The story balances humor, danger, and heart, making it both an entertaining spy caper and an uplifting story about reinvention and confidence later in life. 

Fans of classic mysteries, gentle humor, and character-driven adventures often enjoy the Mrs. Pollifax series for its clean content, fast pacing, and charming protagonist. 

I love Mrs. Pollifax! She decides she wants to be a spy and by golly she becomes a top-secret spy for the CIA. She's a quirky "old lady" who knows her own mind and just sees what needs to be done. Definitely channeling Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher. A fun, fast-paced read that I would recommend to anyone! 

If you like The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, you might also like: 

Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind

By Ann B. Ross

W. Morrow, 1999. 273 pages 

Fiction

Miss Julia, a recently bereaved and newly wealthy widow, is only slightly bemused when one Hazel Marie Puckett appears at her door with a youngster in tow and unceremoniously announces that the child is the illegitimate son of Miss Julia's late husband. Suddenly, this longtime church member and pillar of her small Southern community finds herself in the center of an unseemly scandal--and the guardian of a nine-year-old whose mere presence turns her life upside down. 

With razor-sharp wit and perfect "Steel Magnolia" poise, Miss Julia speaks her mind indeed--about a robbery, a kidnapping, and the other disgraceful events precipitated by her husband's death. Fast-paced and charming, with a sure sense of comic drama, a cast of crazy characters, and a strong Southern cadence, Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind will delight listeners from start to end. 

Murder on a Girls' Night Out: a Southern Sisters Mystery

By Anne George

Avon Books, 1996. 244 pages

Mystery

Patricia Anne -- "Mouse" -- is respectful, respectable, and demure, a perfect example of genteel Southern womanhood. Mary Alice -- "Sister" -- is big, brassy, flamboyant, and bold. Together they have a knack for finding themselves in the center of some of Birmingham's most unfortunate unpleasantness. 

Country Western is red hot these days, so over impulsive Mary Alice thinks it makes perfect sense to buy the Skoot 'n' Boot bar -- since that's where the many-times-divorced "Sister" and her boyfriend du jour like to hang out anyway. Sensible retired schoolteacher Patricia Anne is inclined to disagree -- especially when they find a strangled and stabbed dead body dangling in the pub's wishing well. The sheriff has some questions for Mouse and her sister Sister, who were the last people, besides the murderer, of course, to see the ill-fated victim alive. And they had better come up with some answers soon -- because a killer with unfinished business has begun sending them some mighty threatening messages...

- EJW

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley

By Courtney Walsh 

Thomas Nelson, 2023. 368 pages. Fiction 

Isadora Bentley follows the rules. Isadora Bentley likes things just so. Isadora Bentley believes that happiness is something that flat-out doesn't exist in her life--and never will. As a university researcher, Isadora keeps to herself as much as possible. She avoids the students she's supposed to befriend and mentor. She stays away from her neighbors and lives her own quiet, organized life in her own quiet, organized apartment. And she will never get involved in a romantic relationship again--especially with another academic. It will be just Isadora and her research. Forever. 

But on her thirtieth birthday, Isadora does something completely out of character. The young woman who never does anything "on a whim" makes an impulse purchase of a magazine featuring a silly article detailing "Thirty-One Ways to Be Happy"--which includes everything from smiling at strangers to exercising for endorphins to giving in to your chocolate cravings. Isadora decides to create her own secret research project--proving the writer of the ridiculous piece wrong. As Isadora gets deeper into her research--and meets a handsome professor along the way--she's stunned to discover that maybe, just maybe, she's proving herself wrong. Perhaps there's actually something to this happiness concept, and possibly there's something to be said for loosening up and letting life take you somewhere . . . happy. 

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley was a delightful read! Isadora is definitely neurodivergent, so the beginning is cringe-worthy as you watch her avoid human interactions but when she starts working on the checklist things start picking up. I love all the friendships that gravitate to her as she tries to get out of her shell and finds herself. The “happiness list” is fun to contemplate and I wanted to try some of those things myself. It’s a fun light read with a cute low-spice romance included! 

If you like The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, you might also like:

The Collected Regrets of Clover 

by Mikki Brammer 

St. Martin's Press, 2023. 314 pages. Fiction 

 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 than she has with the living. After the beloved grandfather who raised her dies alone while she is traveling, Clover becomes a death doula in New York City, dedicating her life to ushering people peacefully through their end-of-life process. Clover spends so much time with the dying that she has no life of her own, until the final wishes of a feisty old woman send Clover on a trip across the country to uncover a forgotten love story––and perhaps, her own happy ending. As she finds herself struggling to navigate the uncharted roads of romance and friendship, Clover is forced to examine what she really wants, and whether she’ll have the courage to go after it.

Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything

by Kristin Bair

Alcove Press, 2020. 352 pages, Fiction

Agatha Arch’s life shatters when she discovers her husband in their backyard shed, in flagrante delicto, giving the local dog walker some heavy petting. Suddenly, Agatha finds herself face to face with everything that frightens her . . . and that’s a loooooong list. Agatha keeps those she loves close. Everyone else, she keeps as far away as possible. So she’s a mystery to nearly everyone in her New England town. Defying her abundant assortment of anxieties, Agatha dons her “spy pants” and sets out to spy on her husband and the dog walker. Along the way, she finds another intriguing target to follow: a mysterious young woman who’s panhandling on the busiest street in town. It’s all a bit much for timorous Agatha. But with the help of her Bear Grylls bobblehead, a trio of goats, and a dog named Balderdash, Agatha may just find the courage to build a better life.

The Helpline

by Katherine Collette 

Atria Books, 2020. 320 pages. Fiction 

Germaine Johnson doesn’t need friends. She has her work and her Sudoku puzzles. Until, that is, an incident at her insurance company leaves her jobless—and it turns out that there are very few openings these days for senior mathematicians with zero people skills. Desperate, Germaine manages to secure a position at City Hall answering calls on the Senior Citizens Helpline. But it turns out that the mayor has something else in mind for Germaine: a secret project involving the troublemakers at the senior citizens center and their feud with the neighboring golf club—which happens to be run by the dashing yet disgraced national Sudoku champion, Don Thomas. Don and the mayor want the senior center closed down and at first, Germaine is dedicated to helping them out—it makes sense mathematically, after all. But when Germaine actually gets to know the group of elderly rebels at the senior center, they open her eyes to a life outside of boxes and numbers and for the first time ever, Germaine realizes she may have miscalculated.

The Dallergut Dream Department Store

The Dallergut Dream Department Store 

by Mi-Ye Lee 

Hanover Square Press, 2024. 287 pages. Sci-Fi & Fantasy. 

Penny gets a sought-after job at Dallergut Dream Department Store and begins work at the front desk, helping slumbering customers find the dreams they need. This whimsical and cozy Korean bestseller offers a well-drawn world with a cast of colorful characters. This book takes place in the world we go to when we dream. Penny gets a job at one of the top dream department stores, and gets to try out working at each floor. In addition to following Penny’s story, each section describes a character who gets a dream, and the reader gets a little glimpse into their life and how their dream affected them. 

This is such a lovely and cozy story, perfect for reading before bed. The world of dreams is whimsical and it’s fun to imagine that this is what happens when we fall asleep. The sequel to this book, The Dallergut Dream-Making District, is equally as enjoyable. This book is recommended for people who enjoy cozy fantasies, and those who would like a relaxing and whimsical break from life. 

If you like The Dallergut Dream Department Store, you might also like: 

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop 

by Bo-Reum Hwang 

Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024. 301 pages. General Fiction. 

Yeongju is burned out. She did everything she was supposed to: go to university, marry a decent man, get a respectable job. Then it all fell apart. In a leap of faith, Yeongju abandons her old life, quits her high-flying career, and follows her dream. She opens a bookshop. In a quaint neighbourhood in Seoul, surrounded by books, Yeongju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married coffee roaster, and the writer who sees something special in Yeongju - they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live. A heart-warming story about finding comfort and acceptance in your life - and the healing power of books, Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop is a gentle reminder that it's never too late to scrap the plot and start again. 

The Full-Moon Coffee Shop 

by Mai Mochizuki 

Ballantine Books, 2024. 228 pages. General Fiction. 

In Japan, cats are a symbol of good luck. As the myth goes, if you are kind to them, they'll one day return the favor. And if you are kind to the right cat, you might just find yourself invited to a mysterious coffee shop under a glittering Kyoto moon. This particular coffee shop is like no other. It has no fixed location, no fixed hours, and seemingly appears at random to adrift young people at crucial junctions in their lives. It's also run by talking cats. While customers at the Full Moon Coffee Shop partake in cakes and coffees and teas, the cats also consult them on their star charts, offer cryptic wisdom, and let them know where their lives veered off course. Because every person who visits the shop has been feeling more than a little lost. And for a down-on-her-luck screenwriter, a romantically stuck movie director, a hopeful hairstylist, and a technologically challenged website designer, the coffee shop's feline guides will set them back on their fated paths. 

If Wishes Were Retail 

by Auston Habershaw 

Tachyon Publications, 2025. 226 pages. Sci-Fi & Fantasy. 

In this hilarious debut fantasy cozy, a rebellious--but enterprising--young woman and an ancient--but clueless--genie set up shop at the local mall. Alex Delmore needs a miracle. She wants out of her dead-end suburban town, but her parents are broke and NYU seems like a distant dream. Good thing there's a genie in town--and he's hiring at the Wellspring Mall. It'd help if the Jinn-formerly-of-the-Ring-of-Khorad knew even one thing about 21st-century America. It'd help if he weren't at least as stubborn as Alex. It'd really help if her brother didn't sell her out to her conspiracy theory-loving, gnome-hating dad. When Alex and the genie set up their wishing kiosk, they face seemingly-endless setbacks. The mall is failing and management will not stop interfering on behalf of their big-box tenants. But when the wishing biz might start working, the biggest problem of all remains: People are really terrible at wishing.

A Letter to the Luminous Deep

A Letter to the Luminous Deep
By Sylvie Cathrall
Hachette Book Group, 2024. 391 pages. Fantasy

A beautiful discovery outside the window of her underwater home prompts the reclusive E. to begin a correspondence with renowned scholar Henerey Clel. The letters they share are filled with passion, at first for their mutual interests, and then, inevitably, for each other. Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.'s home, and she and Henerey vanish. A year later, E.'s sister Sophy, and Henerey's brother Vyerin, are left to solve the mystery, piecing together the letters, sketches and field notes left behind--and learn what their siblings' disappearance might mean for life as they know it.

This book is gorgeous. The vivid cover is what first drew me in, and the lush, descriptive contents of this book did not disappoint. The format is epistolary, but rather than mere letters back and forth, the reader is invited to explore snippets of diary entries, field guides, published works from within the world, poems, drawings, and even unfinished drafts of words that shy, anxious E. wishes that she could say, but ultimately never sends. I completely fell in love with the gentle, proper, scholarly manner of every letter, reminiscent of Jane Austin style regency. The author completely leaned into the romance of sitting down and formally penning a missive for a far-away acquaintance, and this romance was displayed nowhere better than in the obvious growing affection between E. and Henerey. This, alongside a truly charming friendship between Sophy and Vyerin, all took place in a backdrop of breath-taking bioluminescence of the deep ocean abyss and cheerful colors dancing in coastal coral reefs. From tone to visuals to worldbuilding and more, Cathrall offers an unmissable tour of the mysteries and magic of the Luminous Deep.

If you like Letter to the Luminous Deep, you might also like:

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
By Heather Fawcett Del Ray, 2023. 317 pages. Fantasy.

Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on dryadology, the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encylopedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hransvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the dashing and insufferably handsome Wendell Bambleby. But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries-- she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

Ella Minnow Pea : A Novel in Letters
By Mark Dunn Anchor Books, 2002. 208 pages. Fiction.

Ella Minnow Pea is a girl living happily on the fictional island of Nollop off the coast of South Carolina. Nollop was named after Nevin Nollop, author of the immortal pangram, "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Now Ella finds herself acting to save her friends, family, and fellow citizens from the encroaching totalitarianism of the island's Council, which has banned the use of certain letters of the alphabet as they fall from a memorial statue of Nevin Nollop.

MD

Lauryn Harper Falls Apart

Lauryn Harper Falls Apart 

by Shauna Robinson 

Sourcebooks, 2025. 384 pages. General Fiction.

Lauryn Harper had a plan. A high achieving, perfectly constructed, five-year plan. But after a (totally blown out of proportion) mishap at work that plan is put to the test. As punishment for her mistake she is transferred to the Ryser Charity Department, a branch of her corporation that just so happens to be located in the hometown she abandoned long ago - the same hometown that her powerful corporation is responsible for running into the ground. Horrified at the thought of returning and facing those she left behind (one in particular keeps coming to mind), Lauryn quickly comes up with a new impress her boss enough that she's briskly whisked back to her big city life. However, it soon becomes clear that sticking to plans isn't that simple, especially when her ex-best friend enters the charity department demanding they help revitalize the town by throwing the famous Greenstead Fall Festival. Confronted by her past wrongs, Lauryn immediately agrees to host the festival on Ryser's dime, but soon enough Lauryn is swept away in town hijinks, chaotic planning committees, and a second chance at a childhood friend that shows her why home isn't necessarily a place she has to run from. 

This book was a cozy autumnal read with likeable characters. The plot to bring back the fall apple festival runs parallel to the plot of Lauryn and her ex-best friend reconnecting and putting behind the past that drew them apart. It has all the elements of a contemporary romcom, but without any romance, which I found to be delightfully refreshing. This book is recommended for anyone looking for a cozy contemporary read, especially one that doesn’t include any romance. 

If you like Lauryn Harper Falls Apart, you might also like: 

The Second Chance Year 

by Melissa Wiesner 

Forever, Hachette Book Group, 2023. 327 pages. Romance. 

Sadie Thatcher's life has fallen apart in spectacular fashion. In one fell swoop, she managed to lose her job, her apartment, and her boyfriend-all thanks to her big mouth. So when a fortune teller offers her one wish, Sadie jumps at the chance to redo her awful year. Deep down, she doesn't believe magic will fix her life, but taking a leap of faith, Sadie makes her wish, opens her eyes, and . . . nothing has changed. And then, in perhaps her dumbest move yet, she kisses her brother's best friend, Jacob. When Sadie wakes up the next morning, she's in her former apartment with her former boyfriend, and her former boss is expecting her at work. Checking the date, she realizes it's January 1 . . . of last year. As Sadie navigates her second-chance year, she begins to see the red flags she missed in her relationship and in her career. Plus, she keeps running into Jacob, and she can't stop thinking about their kiss . . . the one he has no idea ever happened. Suddenly, Sadie begins to wonder if her only mistake was wishing for a second chance. 

Adult Assembly Required 

by Abbi Waxman Berkley, 2022. 374 pages. General Fiction. 

A young woman moves to Los Angeles to escape her life and discovers she doesn't have to leave all of herself behind to make a fresh start, from USA Today bestselling author Abbi Waxman. When Laura Costello moves to Los Angeles, hoping to finally get away from her overprotective family, she doesn't expect to be homeless after a week. (She's almost certain she didn't start that fire . . . right?) When she's rescued by a charming but eccentric bookseller and installed in a slightly chaotic and entirely illegal boardinghouse, she isn't sure if she's fallen on her feet or just out of the frying pan. A handsome housemate, a landlady with regrets, and the unwelcome attention of an old flame conspire to make Laura's life far more complicated than she hoped. However, a set of new friends who widen her experience--and knowledge of trivia--will do their very best to help this transplant put down roots and learn what it really means to be an adult. 

Sophie Go’s Lonely Hearts Club 

by Roselle Lim Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, 2022. 457 pages. General Fiction Large Print. 

Newly minted professional matchmaker Sophie Go has returned to Toronto, her hometown, after spending three years in Shanghai. Her job is made quite difficult, however, when she is revealed as a fraud--she never actually graduated from matchmaking school. In a competitive market like Toronto, no one wants to take a chance on an inexperienced and unaccredited matchmaker, and soon Sophie becomes an outcast. In dire search of clients, Sophie stumbles upon a secret club within her condo complex: the Old Ducks, seven septuagenarian Chinese bachelors who never found love. Somehow, she convinces them to hire her, but her matchmaking skills are put to the test as she learns the depths of loneliness, heartbreak, and love by attempting to make the hardest matches of her life.

EP

The Unwedding

The Unwedding 

by Ally Condie 

Grand Central Publishing, 2024. 337 pages. General Fiction. 

Ellery Wainwright is alone at the edge of the world. She and her husband, Luke, were supposed to spend their twentieth wedding anniversary together at the luxurious Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California. Where better to celebrate a marriage, a family, and a life together than at one of the most stunning places on earth? But now she's traveling solo. To add insult to injury, there's a wedding at Broken Point scheduled during her stay. Ellery remembers how it felt to be on the cusp of everything new and wonderful, with a loved and certain future glimmering just ahead. Now, she isn't certain of anything except for her love for her kids and her growing realization that this place, though beautiful, is unsettling. When Ellery discovers the body of one of the wedding party floating in the pool in the rain, she realizes that she is not the only one whose future is no longer guaranteed. Before the police can reach Broken Point, a mudslide takes out the road to the resort, leaving the guests trapped. When another guest dies, it's clear something horrible is brewing. 

This book got me out of a reading slump. It hooked me from the start, and kept me guessing what would happen next, all the way to the end. Not only is there intrigue for finding out the killer, but each guest seems to have a secret, including Ellery, our narrator. A fast-paced story, just enough is revealed at a time to keep the reader wanting more. It’s a suspenseful and intricately-plotted novel, perfect for a rainy fall day with a cozy blanket and a cup of tea. This book is recommended for anyone looking for a book they won’t be able to put down, and people that enjoy hearing about other people's wedding drama. 

If you like The Unwedding, you might also like: 

The Midnight Feast 

by Lucy Foley 

William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2024. 354 pages. General Fiction. 

It's the opening night of The Manor, and no expense, small or large, has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles; crystal pouches for guests' healing have been placed in the Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the "Manor Mule" cocktail (grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and a dash of CBD oil) is being poured with a heavy hand. Everyone is wearing linen. And yet, just outside the Manor's immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. The local community resents what they see as the Manor's intrusion into the local woods and attempts to privatize the beach, and small skirmishes have erupted on the edges of the property between locals and the staff. And the whispers keep coming, about an old piece of pagan folklore — it must be folklore? — the Night Birds, an avenging force that can be called upon to make right wrongs that elude the law. Though surely everything at the Manor has been done above board. On the Sunday morning of opening weekend, the local police are called. There's been a fire. A body's been discovered. Something's not right with the guests. What happened on the grounds of the Manor the past 36 hours? And who — or what — is the cause? 

This is Not a Game 

by Kelly Mullen 

Dutton, 2025. 310 pages. General Fiction. 

Widow Mimi lives on idyllic Mackinac Island where cars are not allowed and a Gibson with three onions at the witching hour is compulsory. Her granddaughter, Addie, is getting over the heartbreak of her fiance, Brian, dumping her and cutting her out of the deal for the brilliantly successful video game, Murderscape, they invented together (with Addie doing most of the heavy lifting). When Mimi gets an invitation from local socialite Jane Ireland—a seventy something narcissist who is having an affair with her son-in-law—to a charity auction, it is the perfect excuse to get Addie to join her for the weekend. What Mimi isn't telling Addie is that a blackmail threat from Jane looms over the party's invitation. In case the scene wasn't already set for a turbulent weekend, a big storm rolls in, trapping everyone in the mansion. And then, Jane's body is found. Soon Mimi and Addie are caught in a dangerous game, relying on their skills... to narrow down the suspects. When another body turns up, the sleuthing pair realize someone else is playing a deadly game, and they might not survive the night. 

The Engagement Party 

by Darby Kane 

William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2023. 354 pages. General Fiction. 

Emily Hunt went missing from her affluent liberal arts school on graduation weekend. Her body was found floating in a river, and a quiet loner who most people on campus really didn't know died by suicide. A tenuous link—one text—bound the two dead students together and was enough for law enforcement to close the case. But they got it wrong and now someone is determined to set it right. Twelve years later, college friends gather to celebrate an engagement over a long overdue getaway on a swanky private island in Maine—with only one way in and one way out. Sierra Prescott, invited as a guest and unconnected to past events, is the only person who soon senses not all is what it seems. The tension in the air is ignited when they find a dead man in the trunk of a car with a note: time to tell the truth. And things only get worse. As a torrential storm strands them together, the group’s buried stories begin to surface and secrets are bartered. To survive this deadly party, they'll need to stop a killer before they become prey.

Dragonfruit

Dragonfruit

By Makiia Lucier

Clarion Books, 2024. 356 pages. Young Adult Fantasy.

In the old tales, it is written that the egg of a seadragon, dragonfruit, holds within it the power to undo a person's greatest sorrow. But as with all things that offer hope when hope has gone, the tale comes with a warning. Every wish demands a price. Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds solace in studying the majestic seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Until, one day, an encounter with a female dragon offers her what she desires most: a chance to return home, and to right a terrible wrong. Samahtitamahenele, Sam, is the last remaining prince of Tamarind. But he can never inherit the throne, for Tamarind is a matriarchal society. With his mother ill and his grandmother nearing the end of her reign, Sam is left with two choices: to marry, or to find a cure for the sickness that has plagued his mother for ten long years. When a childhood companion returns from exile, she brings with her something he has not felt in a very long time--hope. But Hanalei and Sam are not the only ones searching for the dragonfruit. And as they battle enemies both near and far, there is another danger they cannot escape . . . that of the dragonfruit itself.

European dragons are out; Pacific dragons are in! Ocean lovers will love this new take on one of literatures favorite mythical creatures. I encourage you to judge this book by its cover because it absolutely is just as gorgeous, whimsical, and awe-inspiring as it looks. Highlighted by an incredible magic system, this story examines what it means to come home. The author handles themes of loss and belonging with amazing care. If you've ever had to grapple with the idea of returning to a place you are worried no longer has space for you, come find yourself in this book.

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And Break the Pretty Kings

By Lena Jeong

HarperTeen, 2023. 440 pages. Young Adult Fantasy.

A teen must defeat an ancient evil to protect her family and claim her birthright as queen in Jeong's Korean mythology--inspired fantasy debut, a series launch. As the crown princess of Seolla, 16-year-old Mirae has for her entire life been preparing to become queen--and, by extension, the warden of an evil magic called the Inconstant Son. But when the "generational madness" brought about by the sinister magic's influence consumes her mother sooner than expected, Mirae must prove she's ready to ascend the throne by completing the Trial of the Gods. The trial is meant to test her ability to control all four elements, create illusions, and manipulate time--basic tenets of Sacred Bone Magic. Before she can complete the trial, however, Mirae's beloved older brother Minho is kidnapped by an unknown entity. To rescue him, Mirae, along with her younger brother Hongbin, Minho's palace aid Siwon, and Captain Jia of the Wonhwa guards, must combat the Inconstant Son's growing power and reckon with long-buried family secrets.

Six Crimson Cranes

By Elizabeth Lim

Alfred A. Knopf, 2021. 456 pages. Young Adult Fantasy.

Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted. But it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother. A sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes. She warns Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die. Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to forswear--no matter what the cost.

The Ivory Key

By Akshaya Raman
Clarion Books, 2022. 375 pages. Young Adult Fantasy.

Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya may be siblings, but they've never been close or even liked each other that much. Torn apart by the different paths their lives have taken, only one thing can bring them back together: the search for the Ivory Key, a thing of legend that will lead the way to a new source of magic. Magic is Ashoka's biggest export and the only thing standing between them and war with the neighboring kingdoms--as long as their enemies don't find out that the magic mines are nearly depleted. The siblings all have something to gain from finding the Ivory Key, and even more to lose if they don't. For Vira, the Ivory Key is the only way to live up to the legacy of her mother, the beloved former maharani. Ronak plans to get out of his impending political marriage by selling the Ivory Key to the highest bidder. Kaleb has been falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani, and this is the only way to clear his name. And Riya needs to prove her loyalty to the Ravens, the group of rebels that wants to take control away from the maharani and give it to the people. With each sibling harboring secrets and conflicting agendas, figuring out a way to work together may be the most difficult task of all. And in a quest this dangerous, working together is the only way to survive.

KJ