Most months, I read a lot, and this month was no exception. So, this week, I’ve pulled together a mix of books that stood out to me lately – love stories, family stories, a few twisty ones that kept me up later than planned. It’s July, so I’ve included a few quintessential summer reads. But since I love psychological thrillers and historical fiction, I’ve included a few of them too. So basically, there’s something here, whether you want a quick escape or a book that sits with you for a while. Below you’ll find books I’ve been recommending to friends. Hope you find your next read on this list
Books are mirrors: You only see in them what you already have inside you.
~ Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind
Stories of Family, Fate, and the Paths We Choose
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
This story moves a bit away from the typical romantic comedy, following two rival journalists competing to write the biography of an elusive, aging heiress. It is a look at different kinds of love, including deep family bonds and relationships that span generations.
If you love witty contemporary romance, enemies-to-lovers banter, and big multi-generational secrets – you should read this book. And for book clubs looking for something lighter, there is a great balance between light romantic tension and deeper, more emotional themes to discuss.
Berkley | April 22, 2025 | 432 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-0593441299 | Women’s Fiction
Book Review + Book Summary + Book Club Questions
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
This novel tells a beautiful, moving story about Samantha and Xavier, who share a perfect first date only to realize Samantha must move across the country the very next day. It balances playful, witty humor with the very real, tender challenges of caring for a family member with early-onset dementia.
It is a great match for readers who love contemporary romance that does not shy away from real-world struggles. There is a lot of heart in this story to discuss. Book Club members will have plenty of space to talk about the weight of family duty, the timing of love, and how we handle major life changes when they come out of nowhere.
Forever | Feb 3, 2026 | 384 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-1538759189 | Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Kin By Tayari Jones
This novel follows the lives of two motherless girls in Louisiana, tracing their growth from childhood in the 1950s into adulthood. The story is incredibly moving and honors the quiet ways women have supported each other throughout history.
Readers who love emotional historical fiction with complex characters will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is perfect for fans of her previous bestseller, An American Marriage, as well as anyone drawn to powerful stories about life in the Jim Crow South. For book clubs, the themes of sisterhood, race, and survival in this era will spark meaningful conversations.
Knopf | February 24, 2026 | 368 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-0525659181 | Historical Fiction
Book Review + Book Summary + Book Club Questions
The Names by Florence Knapp
It starts with a simple choice: a mother hesitating over what to name her newborn baby. The story then splits into three alternate paths over thirty-five years, showing how that single decision alters the lives of everyone in the family.
Fans of family dramas will enjoy this one, as it explores generational trauma and healing from domestic abuse. For book clubs, everyone will want to discuss how small choices change our destinies and share what their own life might have looked like with a different name.
Penguin Books | April 28, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-0593833926 | Literary Fiction
Book Review + Book Summary + Book Club Questions
Perfect Summer Reads & Relationship Dramas
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
Our Perfect Storm focuses on two best friends who have just one week in a beautiful paradise to either fix their fractured relationship or let it fall apart for good. The writing captures that bittersweet feeling of growing up and figuring out if the people from your past still belong in your future.
Those who like slow-burn romances and childhood friends-to-lovers themes with a lot of tension and longing will enjoy this one. For book clubs, the friends-to-lovers theme always gets people talking. And, members can discuss the boundaries of long-term friendships, the fear of change, and the choices we make to protect the people we love.
Berkley | May 5, 2026 | 432 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-0593953242 | Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction
Book Review + Book Summary + Book Club Questions
The Shippers by Katherine Center
This is a fun, lighthearted story set on a cruise ship during a destination wedding. The witty banter and emotional pull, combined with the characters’ humorous antics, will keep you turning the pages.
It’s a great summer read where everyone wants to talk about family dynamics and travel mishaps. If you like characters that sometimes make frustrating & polarizing choices, this book is for you.
St. Martin’s Press | May 19, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-1250408051 | Rom-com
Thrillers That Will Keep You Guessing
Perfect Life by Meredith Lavender, Kendall Shores
Set in a sunny, wealthy Florida neighborhood, the story follows a woman running from her past. When a sudden murder investigation disrupts her peaceful life, she is forced to figure out who she can actually trust.
This book will highly appeal to fans of domestic psychological thrillers and women’s fiction. It is especially good for readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries set in affluent, secretive communities. For book clubs, it will spark lively chats about keeping up appearances, the pressure to look perfect, and how far people will go to protect secrets. One of My Favorite Reads of the Year!
Bantam | July 7, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-0593974407 | Psychological Thriller
Book Review + Book Summary + Book Club Questions
Three Reasons for Revenge by Dervla McTiernan
This is a sharp, suspenseful novel about a high-stakes quest for justice. The pacing is incredibly tight, and the author does a wonderful job of building tension.
This book will appeal to fans of fast-paced, twisty psychological thrillers. Readers who appreciate complex female protagonists will love following the sharp, gritty Detective Sergeant Judith Lee as she unravels a web of dark family secrets. It is especially perfect for anyone captivated by stories with morally gray characters. A must read.
William Morrow | July 21, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-0063042292 | Psychological Thriller
Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
A mother wakes up to find her daughter missing and a strange phone left on her bed. She is thrust into a series of tense demands to save her child, making for a truly gripping read.
This book will primarily appeal to fans of high-stakes domestic thrillers and “what would you do” moral dilemmas -specifically, readers who love tense, emotional stories centering on impossible choices. It will also appeal to those who enjoy reading about the extreme lengths a parent will go to for their children.
William Morrow | May 5, 2026 | 352 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-0063338470 | Psychological Thriller
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Happy reading
Linda
