Books Like...

Maybell Parrish, a dreamer and romantic at heart, inherits her Great Aunt Violet's mansion, Falling Stars, along with Wesley Koehler, the former groundskeeper. Despite their initial clashes and differing visions for the property, they must work together to fulfill Violet's wishes and renovate the house. As Maybell and Wesley navigate their shy and introverted personalities, they slowly build a relationship that goes beyond just being shy, evolving into a lovely and charming story. The novel explores themes of overcoming social anxiety, building healthy relationships, and finding the courage to pursue one's dreams, all set in a whimsical and heartwarming atmosphere.

The story is a light-hearted romance with quirky characters, humorous moments, and a unique twist on the trope of renovating a shared property to find true love. Through Maybell's daydreams and Wesley's struggles with anxiety, the author, Sarah Hogle, beautifully depicts their growth and transformation as they navigate their past traumas and insecurities to create a new future together at Falling Stars.

'Yes & I Love You' by Roni Loren is a contemporary romance novel that follows the story of Hollyn Tate, a woman with Tourette's syndrome and severe social anxiety. She crosses paths with Jasper, an aspiring actor working as a barista and improv teacher. The book explores their unique connection, as Jasper helps Hollyn overcome her fears through improv lessons, pushing them both out of their comfort zones. Despite the challenges they face individually, their budding relationship is filled with humor, steamy moments, and personal growth.

The writing style of 'Yes & I Love You' by Roni Loren is praised for its light-hearted and humorous approach, tackling serious topics such as Tourette's syndrome and social anxiety with sensitivity and authenticity. The dual perspective narrative allows readers to delve into the minds of the main characters, Hollyn and Jasper, as they navigate their personal struggles and budding romance in a realistic and relatable manner.

"Darcy and her twin brother Jamie share Tom, their childhood friend, for a renovation project on their late grandmother's cottage. The trio navigates complex relationships and unspoken emotions, leading to personal growth and eventual romance. The book explores themes of competitiveness, love, and family dynamics."

'Sheltered' by Charlotte Stein revolves around the story of a virgin girl from an abusive conservative family who meets a punk guy, and they slowly build a relationship filled with intense emotions. The plot focuses on their unique connection, characterized by sharing playlists and emotional intimacy rather than just physical intimacy. portrays the struggles of the girl in her repressive household and her blossoming romance with the punk guy, creating a realistic and down-to-earth narrative that is emotionally intense.

The writing style of 'Sheltered' is described as raw and intense, with a focus on the characters' inner thoughts and emotions. The author, Charlotte Stein, brings a feverish intensity to the story, making it feel like an erotic romance despite the vanilla nature of the sex scenes. is praised for its realistic portrayal of relationships and the emotional depth of the characters, making it a highly recommended read for those looking for a story about the beginning of a first relationship.

Poppy and Alex, two best friends with contrasting personalities, have been taking annual vacations together for years until a falling out causes a two-year silence in their friendship. When Poppy suggests one final summer trip to mend their relationship, they head to Palm Springs to confront their feelings for each other. The story alternates between past trips and their current vacation, exploring their deep connection and the challenges they face in transitioning from friends to potentially something more. Emily Henry's writing style weaves humor, romance, and realism, creating an engaging narrative that delves into themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery.

Stella owns a struggling Christmas tree farm that she enters into a social media competition, lying about having a boyfriend to help her win. Her best friend Luka steps in as the fake boyfriend, leading to a journey of fake dating, friends to lovers, and shared history. The book is described as heartwarming, mood-enhancing, and a story of dreams coming true, both personally and professionally, with a cozy setting and lovable characters.

'Love at First' by Kate Clayborn is a heartwarming contemporary romance set in Chicago, focusing on the lives of Nora and Will who inherit apartments in the same building. The story follows their journey from a chance encounter as teenagers to reconnecting as adults, surrounded by a cast of quirky neighbors who form a close-knit community. The writing style is described as insightful and tender, with dual POVs allowing readers to delve into the characters' emotions and vulnerabilities, while themes of love, grief, and personal growth are subtly woven into the narrative.

Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey is a festive holiday romance that follows the story of Stella, an ex-convict trying to rebuild her life, and Aiden, the manager of a Manhattan department store. Their unlikely romance blossoms during the Christmas season, filled with themes of trust, communication, personal growth, and second chances. The book is described as a short, cozy Christmassy read with a mix of charming, heartwarming, and steamy moments. The writing style is praised for its delightful, comical, and romantic elements that keep the reader engaged.

'The Cheat Sheet' by Sarah Adams is a contemporary romance novel that follows the story of Bree and Nathan, best friends who find themselves in a fake relationship that leads to real feelings. The book explores themes of friendship, love, mental health struggles, and self-discovery. The plot revolves around Bree's past as a ballerina, Nathan's career as a pro baller, and their journey towards overcoming their fears and insecurities to explore a romantic relationship. The writing style is described as heartwarming, funny, clean, and filled with cute moments, banter, and emotional depth.

Naomi and Nicholas are engaged but have fallen out of love. Instead of calling off the wedding, they engage in a war of sabotage and pranks to make the other break up. As they navigate this battle, they discover new sides to each other, leading to growth and a rekindling of their relationship. The book explores themes of love, communication, and self-discovery, with a writing style that includes humor, sarcasm, and vivid character descriptions.