The genre of historical fiction is one of the most captivating ones. Historical fiction transports us to a different era and location, much as fantasy or science fiction. But historical fiction distinguishes itself by portraying actual occasions and everyday life. It's intriguing to learn about living in a different era. Historical fiction may take us somewhere new, much as people like traveling to different countries to experience other cultures.

The following historical fiction books will be available in November 2023:

1. The Liberators by E.J. Koh

EJ Koh's deftly rendered portraits and symphonic testimony from guards, prisoners, perpetrators, and liberators span continents and four generations of two Korean families forever changed by fateful past choices made in love and war, from the Gwangju Massacre to the 1988 Olympics, flashbacks to Korean repatriation after the Japanese surrender, and the Sewol ferry accident. The Liberators is an exquisitely crafted family narrative of memory, trauma, and empathy that is incredibly beautiful, extraordinarily poignant, and a striking monument to the outcomes and fortunes of inheritance. This book is scheduled to be released by Tin House Books on November 7, 2023.

2. Above the Salt by Katherine Vaz

A captivating and epic love story that centers on two Portuguese immigrants who rekindle their burgeoning affection in Civil War America after fleeing religious strife. Above the Salt by Katherine Vaz is a compelling and lovely ode to the strength of real love and the sacrifices we make to harness it. It is written in poetic and heartbreaking prose. This book is anticipated to be released on November 7, 2023, by Flatiron Books. 

3. Same Bed Different Dreams by Ed Park

With assassins and crazy poets, RPGs and horror movies, K-pop bands and the dangers of social media, this wild and expansive novel imagines an alternate secret history of Korea and the marks it leaves on the present. Same Bed Different Dreams is an exciting work of fiction and a development for an award-winning author. It starts as a comic book and eventually draws readers into a parallel universe where paradise is conceivable. This book is anticipated to be released by Random House on November 7, 2023.

4. The General and Julia by Jon Clinch

In this epic and personal book from the author of the exemplary novel Marley, Ulysses Grant considers the pivotal periods of his life as a spouse, a parent, a commander, and a president while writing his memoirs and confronting his complex legacy. The book investigates how Grant's own opinions on race and Reconstruction evolved over time, moving from bloody battlefields to Gilded Age New York. An American classic receives new life in this evocatively written book. This book is anticipated to be released by Atria Books on November 14, 2023.

5. The Temple of Fortuna (Wolf Den Trilogy #3) by Elodie Harper

The last volume of Elodie Harper's Wolf Den Trilogy, which was published in the Sunday Times. A captivating book that breathes new life into Pompeii. Harper's portrayal of this historical era never ceases to excite, grip readers with its vivid imagination. This book is anticipated to be released by Apollo on November 23, 2023.

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Reading a suspenseful book may be a terrific way to pique our interest and get our blood pumping. It gives us a cerebral exercise by activating several different parts of our brain. Our brain is actively engaged by the encounter. Thrillers and mysteries give us tasks to solve, like a mental obstacle course. 

These suspenseful novels will be published in November 2023:

1. The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan

The horrific tale of what may happen after all your dreams come true is presented by the New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny and What She Knew. This book is anticipated to be released on November 7, 2023, by William Morrow.

2. The Edge by David Baldacci

Can Travis Devine discover the truth before his time runs out? The 6:20 Man is back, and his handlers have dumped him in a tiny coastal Maine village to solve the murder of a CIA operative who knew some of America's worst secrets.  This book is scheduled to be released by Grand Central Publishing on November 14, 2023.

3. The Helsinki Affair by Anna Pitoniak

A multinational plot involving high-profile murders and Russian extortion is thrown upon CIA operative Amanda Cole. It's the case of her lifetime, but in order to solve it, she might have to turn a spy—who also happens to be her father—into the enemy.  This explosive book will not only present Pitoniak as a unique new talent in the field of female-centric espionage fiction, but it is also for aficionados of the genre's masters, John Le Carre and Alan Furst. Simon & Schuster anticipates releasing this book on November 14, 2023.

4. The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor

The Fiction Writer is a page-turner that investigates the limits of creative freedom and whose stories we have the right to tell. It has as many twists and turns as the California coast.  This book is anticipated to be released by Park Row on November 28, 2023.

5. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

In a stand-alone book starring Molly Gray from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid, a Good Morning America Book Club Pick, when a renowned novelist passes away at the Regency Grand Hotel, it's up to a meticulous maid to find the truth, no matter how filthy. This book is anticipated to be released by Ballantine Books on November 28, 2023.

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Fiction is a particularly effective technique to comprehend people, unleash our creativity, and challenge our brains. It stimulates the imagination and requires focus in the here and now. We may examine concepts of change, difficult emotions, and unpredictability through reading fiction. 

Here are a few fiction books that will be published this November 2023:

1. The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez

A narrative about contemporary existence and connection is brought to life by the distinctive voice of The Friend and What Are You Going Through author, a New York Times and National Book Award winner, presents a contemplation on the present as a lone female narrator ponders what it means to be alive at this difficult time in history and how our current reality impacts how a person views her past. The Vulnerables shows what occurs when total strangers are willing to share their emotions with one another and how even seemingly insignificant acts of kindness may significantly lessen someone else's suffering. a quest for knowledge on some of the most important issues of our day. On November 7, 2023, Riverhead Books is anticipated to release this book.

2. A Grandmother Begins the Story by Michelle Porter

With this captivating and unique tale of the unquenchable need for healing and the strength of familial ties across five generations of Métis women and the land and bison that surround them, award-winning author Michelle Porter makes her fiction debut. This amazing book introduces a startling new voice in literary fiction. It is recounted by a chorus of wonderfully realized, humorous, smart, confused, and striving characters, including decedents of the wild bison that formerly roamed the region. On November 7, 2023, Algonquin Books is anticipated to release this book.

3. Day by Michael Cunningham

Day is a heartbreaking, finely constructed meditation on love and grief as well as the challenges and restrictions of family life—how to live together and apart—from the great intellect of Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cunningham. A family navigates the challenges of maturing, getting older, falling in and out of love, losing the things that are most important, and learning to move on as the world changes around them. This book is anticipated to be released by Random House on November 14, 2023.

4. So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan

A collection of tales on prejudice, love, desire, treachery, and the fascinating interactions between men and women. Claire Keegan, who is renowned for her compelling short fiction, has given us three wonderful pieces that have been completely updated and enlarged. Together, these stories create a fascinating analysis of gender relations and a progression from Keegan's earliest to most current works. This book is anticipated to be released by Grove Press on November 14, 2023.

5. The New Naturals by Gabriel Bump

A moving, timely novel about an attempt to found an underground utopia and the interwoven stories of those drawn to it comes from the Ernest J. Gaines Award-winning author of Everywhere You Don't Belong. It has been hailed as a "tour de force" by Kaitlyn Greenidge (Libertie) and called "wry and astonishing" by Publishers Weekly. Bump teaches us via this amazing act of creativity that in the end, it is our love for and connection to one another that will rescue us. On November 14, 2023, Algonquin Books is anticipated to release this book.

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Love is a wonderful feeling. Science confirms this. You've got to give credit where credit is due: the endorphins that make us feel wonderful and flood our brains when we fall in love with someone. The same applies to reading romance. The characters in romance novels come in different forms, sizes, talents, jobs, and orientations, and you may read about them discovering true love.

Here are a few romance-themed books that will be published in November 2023:

1. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Rival chess players are brought together in a game of love in this witty and swoon-worthy YA debut by the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis. This engaging story will please both young readers and Hazelwood's adult readers. It is full of the author's trademark humor, well-developed characters, realistic tensions, and the completely realized environment of professional chess. This book is anticipated to be released by GP Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on November 7, 2023. 

2. Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher

Two former family friends who are now competitors in childhood star in the hot small town romance Love Redesigned. It has a happy ending and is the first novel in the stand-alone Lakefront Billionaires series. This book is anticipated to be released by Bloom Books on November 7, 2023.

3. Fancy Meeting You Here by Julie Tieu

In this swoony romantic comedy in the spirit of 27 Dresses from Julie Tieu, author of The Donut Trap and Circling Back to You, opposites attract when an always the bridesmaid florist and a grouchy caterer blend work with pleasure. Circling Back to You is a charming romance combined with a melancholy analysis of what we as adult children leave unsaid. It will please readers who enjoyed Tieu's first novel and bring her additional devoted readers as her skill develops. With her second book, Tieu is recognized as one of the freshest voices in modern romance. This book is anticipated to be released by Avon on November 7, 2023.

4. The Good Part by Sophie Cousens

A dejected 26-year-old wakes up to the life she's always wanted by the New York Times bestselling author of Just Haven't Met You Yet, but is it truly a dream come true? The ideal book for everyone who has ever felt a bit adrift in their own life is delightfully wacky and full of heart. On November 7, 2023, GP Putnam's Sons is anticipated to release this book.

5. Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin

In this hot new romantic comedy from Alexa Martin, two opposing candidates for a homeowner's association presidency are going to learn how filthy suburbanites fight. A passionate and entertaining rollercoaster of laughter. Collins and Nathaniel share a scorching relationship and elevate neighborhood conflict to ridiculously enjoyable levels. On November 14, 2023, Berkley is anticipated to release this book.

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“How fast the time goes. That’s what people were always telling us, at least; the strangers’ hands on our bellies, saying how careful we must be to enjoy the time. How it’ll all be over in a blink of an eye. How before we know it, they’ll be walking, talking, leaving us.”

― Aimee Molloy, The Perfect Mother 

A group of women's lives suddenly become entangled in this gripping psychological thriller when one of their infants goes missing.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

They call themselves the May Mothers—a collection of new moms who gave birth in the same month. Twice a week, with strollers in tow, they get together in Prospect Park, seeking refuge from the isolation of new motherhood; sharing the fears, joys, and anxieties of their new child-centered lives.

When the group’s members agree to meet for drinks at a hip local bar, they have in mind a casual evening of fun, a brief break from their daily routine. But on this sultry Fourth of July night during the hottest summer in Brooklyn’s history, something goes terrifyingly wrong: one of the babies is abducted from his crib. Winnie, a single mom, was reluctant to leave six-week-old Midas with a babysitter, but the May Mothers insisted that everything would be fine. Now Midas is missing, the police are asking disturbing questions, and Winnie’s very private life has become fodder for a ravenous media.

Though none of the other members in the group are close to the reserved Winnie, three of them will go to increasingly risky lengths to help her find her son. And as the police bungle the investigation and the media begin to scrutinize the mothers in the days that follow, damaging secrets are exposed, marriages are tested, and friendships are formed and fractured.

My reaction to this novel...

I've had this book for a very long time, but I'm just now able to read it. Despite not knowing the author, I chose to purchase it because of the book's attractive cover. The fact that it discusses moms piqued my curiosity because that is one of my favorite reading subjects. The narrative is set in New York during a regular gathering of moms in a park. As all of their babies are anticipated to be born in May, they refer to themselves as the May Mothers. This get-together's concept appeals to me much because I believe that pregnant women, especially those expecting their first child, should feel supported. This notion in the novel, I believe, should be implemented in every town in real life because it is rather challenging to be a first-time parent because of the numerous unknown problems one might experience.

Every time I read the introduction to a chapter in the book as I was reading it, I was impressed since the author included some advice on how to take care of newborns before moving on to the tale. It seemed similar to getting parenting advice via email. That bit is great. The story's conclusion was also rather exciting, so I was anxious to complete it right away since I was anticipating the outcome. Despite the women's numbers and disparities, I was able to get to know them. However, there are also moments when it is unclear who is speaking or whose perspective is being described.

Halfway through the narrative, I started to get quite bored and perplexed. There are chapters that are told from someone's point of view, but I couldn't tell if it was Winnie's. The tale grew hazy to me at that moment. Additionally, the author included several elements that I feel are unnecessary or would be better off being left out because they don't make sense. Because the plot began to make little to no sense to me and the story I was anticipating was totally different from what was happening, I was eager to end it as soon as possible. Since the story began off nicely before getting muddled and repetitive, I must admit that it did frustrate me. It's difficult to distinguish between the characters, and the ending felt abrupt and entirely illogical. Putting in so much reading time just to be so perplexed is difficult. There is not enough character delineation and there is too much going on. I also didn't appreciate the author's use of the name of Jesus in profanity either; it is outright blasphemy. 

After reading positive reviews of this book, I was ultimately really disappointed since I was very certain that I did not share their sentiments. It simply made me frustrated and baffled, and it made me feel like I should read other novels instead of this one. However, I've already done it, and even if it didn't come out well, it was still an enjoyable experience. Simply said, it isn't that fantastic in my opinion, thus I'm not sure whether I will suggest it. Perhaps it would be best not to raise expectations if someone were to read this and begin to inquire so as to prevent them from being overly frustrated.

My Overall Rating: ⭐✨(1.5/5)

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“Just because I'd spent so many years coloring inside the lines, it wasn't fair for me to expect perfection. People make mistakes. Life isn't fair. People change.”

― Sarah Dunn, The Big Love

Dunn's most recent book will be the passing recommended book of the summer because it is both funny and devastating, mixing the psychological incisiveness of Jane Austen with the current frankness of "Sex and the City."

Synopsis from Penguin...

When Alison sends her boyfriend Tom out in the middle of a dinner party to buy Dijon mustard, the last thing she expects is his phone call telling her that he isn't coming back. Not now. Not ever.

While Alison tries to figure out where she went wrong with Tom, she realises she has some serious catching up to do and that when freedom beckons, you'd be mad not to follow. After all, of the two men she's slept with, one was gay and one was Tom. She's got a handsome new boss, decades of evangelical guilt to offload and an urge to have undefined-yet-presumably-meaningless sex with the aforementioned boss.

But is this enough? And if Tom isn't the Big Love, who on earth is?

My reaction to this novel...

I found this book while seeking for a quick read. I didn't have any problems reading it at first because it's only a few pages long. The book's engaging start made me want to read it more. Despite the fact that I don't know Sarah Dunn and this is my first book by her, I continue reading despite my lack of familiarity with her work. In this instance, I merely want to remark that she did a fantastic job since she didn't use any difficult-to-understand phrases. Instead, she used straightforward language. Usually, when a writer uses lofty language, it pulls me out of the tale because I have to look up the meaning before I can relate. I kept reading because I liked the manner she told the story, which is very lively. I felt the uniqueness of the author's way of writing, so I enjoyed her narrative for a while.

Everything went well until she brought up Christians after having an affair with her boss. Everything I read seemed off, and the story's flow became nasty. I don't understand why so many people who suffer in this world as a result of their decisions blame it on us Christians and what we firmly hold to be true. Why put the blame on God and Christians when she decides on everything in this book that makes her happy, although knowing it's wrong? Since you made those decisions, I believe you are to blame, especially if you were a Christian previously and abandoned your faith for the same reason the character did: to satiate the desires of the flesh. I don't want to keep reading, but I'm not that sort of reader, so I gave her a chance, hoping for a shift in the narrative.

Nearly every character featured in this book was unlikeable, especially the main character. The purpose of the digressions she makes is to elucidate her personality and range of emotions, yet they fall short of endearing her. The main character must be liked or, if not from the beginning, possess redeeming traits enabling the reader to empathize with her. However, in this novel, the character's journey is spoon-fed to readers, making it less pleasurable to engage with Alison as she grows in her character. You don't get the same sense of accomplishment from getting alongside Alison as you would if the author had just let you know what she discovered and how her view of things has shifted. It is just not effective in this situation to breach the mystery rule. I was utterly let down, and I did not like reading this book at all.

Given that she heavily lambasted Christians in this book and I am a Christian, many of you may assume that I gave the book a bad review. However, I can assure you that it is absolutely upfront and wholeheartedly correct, YES I gave her a bad review because of that as well as her not-so-good story. I will not put up with a narrative in which a woman accuses Christians of being to fault for her own mistakes and decisions. I'm simply being sincere and forthright with regard to how I felt about this book and expressing that I won't suggest it to anyone, particularly Christians, since there are critics of our faith and some profanity that uses the name of our God, which is quite grating. I'm not sure if the author was formerly a Christian, but I pray God shows mercy on her for the story she penned.

My Overall Rating: ⭐(1/5)

“Love, it never dies. It never goes away, it never fades, so long as you hang on to it. Love can make you immortal”

― Gayle Forman, If I Stay

Gayle Forman wrote the young adult book If I Stay, which was released in 2009. Summit Entertainment optioned the book in December 2010 for a 2014 film adaptation after it got favorable reviews from the young adult market.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

In the blink of an eye everything changes. Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make. Heartwrenchingly beautiful, this will change the way you look at life, love, and family. Now a major motion picture starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Mia's story will stay with you for a long, long time.

My reaction to this novel...

The book If I Stay was written by Gayle Forman. A young woman's life is abruptly flipped upside down in this incredibly touching novel. The story revolves around Mia's struggle to decide on that crucial course of action. The story is told in flashbacks between the past, present, and future. The scenes with Mia and her family in the hospital and her recollections of crucial individuals from her daily life are intercut. Through Mia's memories while she rests in a trance-like state in the intensive care unit, on the verge of death, we get to know all those involved. It's heartbreaking to see as each loved one approaches her and expresses their support, love, and compassion for her. They battle to keep her while knowing why it's so difficult. Every chapter is emotionally intense, and every memory makes me cry.

I found it difficult to put this book down. The writing was fantastic, and there is a ton of thought-provoking stuff, some of it is partially covered through flashbacks and the stories themselves say a lot. Despite the fact that it doesn't hold back on the emotions, despite the hefty subject matter, it also has a breezy aspect. This was one of those rare novels that simply really channels you. You may picture flashes of happiness, joy, misery, and pleasure while reading this novel. It's a novel whose narrative just sticks with you. I adore the structure of "If I Stay"'s story. Although it is recounted from Mia's point of view, it is not only her version of the present. When everything is taken into account, it revolves around her experiences and those of her loved ones. This lends the entire work a certain amount of self-contradictory quality.

On the other hand, I found it difficult to accept how the characters were portrayed. Everyone is calm and considerate. It didn't appear like real people were there. Anyhow, this is a novel about family, hardship, and impossible choices, but it is also a story of perfection. It discusses the bonds between the people we love. Really, the book was so good that I didn't figure out what was going to happen in the final chapter until the book was over.

Although I was aware that this book was written many years ago and that a movie based on it was produced—which I haven't seen—this book strikes me as being quite innocent yet having a powerful and engaging story that everyone should be familiar with. You'll be moved to tears and wish you could save Mia by going back in time. I can't even begin to imagine how distressing it would be for someone to see themself in a coma. sometimes all you can do is lie there and hear your loved ones' happy and sad news. It hurts a great deal.

I would strongly suggest it to everyone who like dramatic literature. This book has the ability to both cheer up readers and tear their hearts at the same time.

“She’s the sort of person who puts a brave face on even when she feels like crying.”

― Anne-Marie Conway, Forbidden Friends

A new relationship, a horrific tragedy, and a long-buried deceit are the subjects of this remarkable tale from the author of Butterfly Summer.

Synopsis from Goodreads

When Lizzie and Bee meet on holiday, it feels as if they were always meant to be friends. Escaping their parents and exploring, everything seems perfect in the hot summer sun. As the two girls grow closer however, strange questions rise to the surface… Is Lizzie an only child? Why has Bee’s dad disappeared? And why, as the holiday comes to an end, are the two girls forbidden from seeing each other again? Could one dark secret from the past hold the answer? Could one fateful night keep Lizzie and Bee apart…for ever?

My reaction to this novel...

Since it isn't too long, I merely chose to read this after seeing it on my shelf. I just finished reading it a little over a week ago, and I'm not sure how to feel about it. A pair of girls' perspectives are used to write the book. It wasn't horrible, but I didn't particularly appreciate it because it was intended for adolescents as the target audience was 13 years old. Additionally, perhaps because it was written with teenagers in mind, it was rather lighthearted and gave the impression that individuals can change and recover fast, which struck me as odd considering the nature of the tale and occurrence described in the book.

The author's tone sounds positive, and she utilized simple language. Her storytelling style is one that I truly appreciate. The teen in me could genuinely appreciate it and take pleasure in every aspect of it, but there are many instances when it is so grating that I can't tolerate it. In the story's flow, for instance, the author maintained the secret until around halfway through the narrative, which was excessively sluggish. It seems like the author is unsure on whether or which chapter to include the big reveal, and as a result, every page becomes monotonous. In order to explain what's occurring, I firmly believed that the secret had to be shocking. Yet it isn't. It was surprising, but not in the way I expected, but because of how she presented the twist, as if it were no big issue, which is why it failed to capture my attention and was highly ineffectual. I truly hope she made that turn of events surprising enough to save the narrative.

The treatment Lizzie received from her father following the tragedy is another element of the novel that I considered to be so superficial. Because of how the father responded, I honestly believed she was involved or at fault. It wasn't overprotective, but I think he needs to consult a psychiatrist, and after that big disclosure and of how effortlessly he turned for the better, it was unbelievable. And, with just a simple confrontation, he was able to let go of all his drama after ten years. Who exactly is he kidding here?

The turmoil surrounding Bee's mother is another thing that bothers me. It was an exaggeration. Why was it the only time she reacted that way after ten years had passed? How about the last nine years? Was it only after the tenth year after the tragedy that she became like that? How irrational and overbearing! That pink letter should not have been included either; it was inappropriate for the plot. It happens in a very uncomfortable and annoying way. It seems to imply that Bee is the one who is responsible for the tragedy, which makes me wonder why Bee and her mother need to travel to Spain. The plot of the narrative is so absurd that I find it impossible to imagine it in any other way.

Overall, I find the tale to be tedious; I'm not sure if young adults would find it appealing, but for me, the plot shifts abruptly, as if the author first takes her time with it before suddenly wanting to get to the end because she doesn't want the story either. She must strike a balance in order to give the narrative a satisfying beginning and conclusion since there is no reasonableness in it. I regret to say that I will not suggest it to other adult bookreaders like me.

My Overall Rating: ⭐✨(1.5/5)

Where to buy this book...

The continuously changing field of young adult literature is where some of the greatest and most original stories on the shelves can be found. Here are a few of the trendiest and most well-liked new book releases from this month that should appeal to you if you enjoy the young adult genre.

1. The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker

An impoverished multicultural girl with the power to revive corpses is drawn into the risky political intrigues of the monarchy in the new YA fantasy duology from the author of The Keeper of Night. A wonderfully captivating account of one girl's quest for identity and belonging. Kylie Lee Baker has written a story that is a must-read because of its extensive worldbuilding, serious themes, and well-drawn characters. 

2. Beholder by Ryan La Sala

A terrifying new present-day story regarding art, visual obsession, and the icy gaze that peers back at us from behind our reflections is presented by Ryan La Sala, author of the enticingly twisted The Honeys and riotously imaginative Reverie. This tale features a gleaming monster of authority, tricks, wealth, and vicious interior design.

3. Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

This stunning dark academic fiction, which follows a juvenile magician who must discover the truth behind the hidden organization that may be responsible for her classmates' murders, combines elements of Ninth House and A Deadly Education. From the first page, Curious Tides draws you in with a fully developed environment that both seems genuine and fantastical. It's tough to avoid being transported since the lore in the novel is so vivid.

4. Love in Winter Wonderland by Abiola Bello

This YA Christmas love story is set in a London Black-owned bookstore and combines elements of The Sun Is Also a Star and You've Got Mail. Owing to beautiful writing, clever banter, a wonderful location, and two characters you'll fall head over heels for as they fall for each other, it sparkles and shines right off the page.

5. Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros

In this remarkable work of Jewish historical horror from The City Beautiful's award-winning author, Frankenstein and Inglourious Basterds collide. It combines horror and traditional battle stories with historical fiction. It is a rare book that dissects the concept of personhood, our duties to the people who helped shape who we are, and our obligations to both the living and the dead. It is exhilarating and visionary. 

6. Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall

Four sisters with remarkable powers look into a strange disappearance in their remote Appalachian village in this gorgeously dark and captivating YA novel. For followers of Wilder Girls and House of Hollow. A compelling debut that combines an immediate sense of place, emotional enchantment, and the depths of sibling love to produce a mixture that is even more alluring than the Harvest Moon's renowned tomato pie. In this remote mountain village, Pearsall is a master at fusing the lethal and otherworldly with regular life, producing a captivating tale full of family and history.

7. Flower and Thorn by Rati Mehrotra

In Rati Mehrotra's Flower and Thorn, a teenage flower hunter who must collect the rarest and most potent magical flower after handing it to the wrong hands becomes involved in the Sultanate's succession intrigues.

8. A Curse for True Love (Once Upon a Broken Heart #3) by Stephanie Garber

The third and final book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart trilogy, A Curse for True Love, brings the epic narrative of Evangeline Fox and her increasingly complex troubles to a close. Blood will be spilt, hearts will be stolen, and true love will be put to the test. The conclusion of the fantasy romance trilogy by author Stephanie Garber begins with the conventional "happy-ever-after" conclusion before taking a number of sharp turns.

9. What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

In her evocative historical adventure written in the manner of the 19th century, Bolivian-American novelist Isabel Ibaez pays homage to her South American heritage. This gorgeous, engrossing historical tale set in Egypt has adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a perilous race. The Mummy meets Death on the Nile. Fans of high-stakes romance and international adventure should read this.

Where to buy these books...