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PBR's Favorites |
 Mad Mabel By Sally Hepworth
Psychological Thriller: Mad Mabel is dark, clever, and just a little unhinged-in the best possible way. Sally Hepworth gives us a wonderfully unpredictable woman at the center of a story filled with secrets, sharp humor, ...
and plenty of "what is really going on here?" moments. It's fast, entertaining, and incredibly easy to keep turning the pages. Readers who enjoy twisty psychological suspense, quirky characters, and stories where you're never quite sure whom-or what-to believe. Macmillan / St. Martin's Press | April 21, 2026 | 352 pages | ISBN:9781250284549 | Psychological Thriller
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 Keeper of Lost Children By Sadeqa Johnson
Historical Fiction: Keeper of Lost Children is historical fiction with plenty for a book club to discuss. The story raises questions about family, identity, who gets to decide what's best for a child, and the consequences ...
of those choices. It's emotional and there are enough complicated decisions and moral gray areas to keep the conversation going long after everyone has finished reading. Readers who love historical fiction based on little-known history, emotional family stories, and a mystery woven through the past will especially enjoy Keeper of Lost Children. It's also a great fit for readers who like morally complicated characters, secrets that slowly come to light, and books that leave you thinking about what you would have done in the same situation. Simon & Schuster /37 Ink | February 10, 2026 | 464 pages | 9781668069912 | Historical Fiction
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 The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol 1 By Beth Brower
Women's Fiction: This is a witty and clever book about Emma M. Lion building a new life in 1880s London. She is charming and feisty, but constrained by the social rules of the time. ...
Readers who enjoy period pieces about strong women, friendship, and community will love it. This book draws you into Emma's delightful world. Rhysdon Press | November 2, 2019 | 119 pages | 978-0998063669 | Women's Fiction
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 Strangers By Belle Burden
Nonfiction: Out of the blue, Belle receives a phone call from a man telling her his wife is having an affair with her husband. She is shocked, but it's true,and her husband leaves her and his family for the other woman.
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This is a candid look at a long-term marriage unraveling. For readers who enjoy an emotional reads that touch upon topics of betrayal, motherhood, and rebuilding your life The Dial Press | January 13, 2026 | 256 pages | ISBN:978-0593733318 | Nonfiction
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 One Golden Summer By Carley Fortune
Contemporary Romance: Alice comes back to the lake where she spent one wonderful summer on Barry's Bay. She returns to help her grandmother recover from a broken hip ... and reconnects with the handsome Charlie she's long admired from afar.
If you enjoy summer romances, lakeside settings, and characters with emotional baggage, this one's for you. Berkley | May 6, 2025 | 400 pages | ISBN: 978-0593638910 | Contemporary Romance
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Twice By Mitch Albom
Contemporary Fiction: A gently unfolding story about second chances, where a person's life-and the choices they make-gets the rare opportunity for a second chance. It's emotional, reflective, and filled with that ... "what would you do differently?" feeling that stays with you.
This will appeal to readers who enjoy emotional, thought-provoking fiction with a touch of magical realism, as well as fans of character-driven stories. This touching love story is about life, loss, and redemption. For book clubs, it's a strong pick because it naturally opens discussion around regret, fate vs. choice, and whether we'd really change things if given another chance. Harper| Oct 7, 2025 | 320 pages | 978-0062406682 |Contemporary Fiction/ Magical Realism
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 The Bright Years By Sarah Damoff
Literary Fiction: A warm, reflective story about family, love, and the moments that shape a life over time. It's emotional without being heavy, focusing on relationships, growth, and the beauty of everyday life. ...
This will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven, heartfelt fiction about family and relationships. For book clubs, it's a great pick because it opens up discussion around life choices, connection, forgiveness, and how people change over time-the kind of story everyone can relate to in their own way. Simon & Schuster | Apr 22, 2025 | 288 pages | ISBN:978-1668061442 | Literary Fiction/Women's Fiction
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 Wild Dark Shore By Charlotte McConaghy
Women's Fiction: A young woman must survive alone after being cast out. This story is quiet, emotional, and very human. It looks at resilience, identity, and finding strength when... everything is taken away.
This will appeal to readers who love character-driven historical fiction, especially stories about women facing impossible situations and finding strength in quiet ways. If you enjoy emotional, reflective reads -like The Frozen River or The Nightingale- this is a perfect addition to your bookshelf. For book clubs, it's a strong pick because it opens up discussion around survival, identity, isolation, and resilience, along with questions about choice, fate, and how far someone can be pushed before they change. It's not plot-heavy, but it gives you a lot to talk about—which usually leads to a great discussion. Flatiron Books | Mar 4, 2025 | 320 pages | ISBN:978-1250827951 | Women's Fiction
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 Culpability By Bruce Holsinger
Psychological Thriller: A tense story focused on characters - explores guilt, privilege, and consequences. While on a family trip, their young son is involved in an accident with an autonomous vehicle. This one moment changes ... everything, forcing each family member to confront what they are truly responsible for.
This will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction with moral gray areas-the kind of story where you keep questioning each person's choices. or book clubs, it's a great pick because it naturally sparks discussion around accountability, truth, perspective, and how responsibility is shared (or avoided). Spiegel & Grau | Jul 8, 2025 | 380 pages | 978-1954118966 | Psychological Thriller
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 What Happened to Nina By Dervla McTiernan
Psychological Thriller: This fast-paced story pulls you in from the start. It takes a deep look at family and the ripple effects of tragedy, all while maintaining high tension. You're not ... just trying to figure out what happened-you're seeing how it impacts everyone involved, which makes it feel more real and more unsettling.
This book is perfect for those who like psychological suspense and character-driven mysteries, or for those who enjoy stories with emotional depth. It's also a great choice for book clubs, as it raises important questions about truth, perception, and justice. William Morrow | Mar 26, 2024 | 336 pages | ISBN:978-0063042254 | Psychological Thriller
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Theo of Golden By Allen Levi
Contemporary Fiction: This is a thought-provoking read that shows the impact one ordinary person can have on a community. It highlights the importance of kindness in everyday life and encourages ... self-reflection on a meaningful life. Once you're finished reading, it stays with you.
This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys quiet stories with strong character development. It beautifully explores the relationships and weaves in themes of faith and introspection.
It's also an excellent pick for book clubs! The story opens up opportunities for discussions about community, kindness, purpose, and the impact of our decisions on others. Atria Books | Nov 11, 2025 | 400 pages | ISBN:978-1668236567 | Contemporary Fiction
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The Correspondent By Virginia Evans
Women's Fiction: Sara Marsala barely knows who she is anymore after the failure of her business and marriage. On top of that, her beloved great-aunt Rosie passes away, leaving Sara ... Written in letter form, this is a story of redemption, second chances, and complex relationships. It's character-driven, allowing you to feel truly connected with the story. This is an emotional read you won't soon forget.
For readers who like character-driven stories and in-depth conversations. Crown | April 29, 2025 | 304 pages | ISBN-13:978-0593798430 | Women's Fiction
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Finding Grace By Loretta Rothschild
Contemporary Fiction: This is an emotional read that opens with a shocking plot twist. It centers on forgiveness, the choices we make, and the consequences that follow. This story compels you to ask yourself what you would do....
For readers who like character driven emotional stories.
St. Martin's Press | July 8, 2025 | 336 pages | ISBN-13:978-1250381828 |Contemporary Fiction
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 Broken Country By Clare Leslie Hall
Women's Fiction: This is a reflective, emotional story that draws you in with an atmospheric pull. It's a family drama with complicated relationships and characters driving the narrative. ...
Readers who enjoy a slow-burning, tension-building story will enjoy this book. Simon & Schuster | Mar 4, 2025 | 320 pages | ISBN-13:978-1668078181 | Women's Fiction
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 Workhorse By Caroline Palmer
Women's Fiction: Welcome to the world of a NYC Fashion Magazine. Some may say Vogue. It's about ambition, the pressure to succeed, and where you draw the line to attain it....
Readers who enjoy sharp wit, funny stories with a little edge will love this book.
Flatiron Books | October 14, 2025 | 560 pages | ISBN-13:978-1250360083 | Women's Fiction
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Explore 4+ years of curated picks that actually spark a conversation.
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 Daughters of the Sun and Moon By Lisa See
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 The Book Witch By Meg Shaffer She can hop into any novel, she just can't stay there. Come along with the book witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading from the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game ... More
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 Keeper of Lost Children By Sadeqa Johnson
In this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve, one American woman's vision in post WWII Germany will tie together three people in an unexpected way....More
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