KRISTAN HIGGINS
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Wondering what to read next?
Hello there, reader! If you've finished all of my books and are wondering what to read next, check out some of my favorite reads by clicking on the buttons below. I love sharing my favorite reads with the world, and while I read and listen to some books that don’t wow me, I choose not to review those.
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xox,
Kristan
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Romance
Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
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A wartime romance leaves Olive Carter a single mom, working for the BBC and hoping to rise in the ranks. A bit of good luck has her at Sandringham Castle, and even more luck has her encountering young Queen Elizabeth, who asks for her counsel on the Christmas radio address. Meanwhile, Jack Devereaux, a recent widower mourning his lovely wife, gets a chance to work in the royal kitchens over the holiday. There, he runs into his old pal, Olive.
This utterly charming book contains three points of view—Jack, Olive and QE2 herself. The talented authors make you feel the chill of the London fog, the bright sun of Queen Elizabeth’s worldwide tour with Prince Phillip and the poignance of missed chances. I’ll be honest—I’m not a fan of Christmas books, but Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb stole my heart.
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
What a lovely book! Ali Morris, mom of three, is stuck. Her own mother died two years ago; her husband waited exactly one year before announcing he was leaving her; and she hasn’t gotten out of sweats since then. This summer, though, she hopes things will take a turn, and they do. Enter her BFF’s younger brother, so grown up and gorgeous she doesn’t recognize him at first. He has always been in love with her, so an easy, no-strings romance begins. What made this book different (and better) than so many others of the same trope was the depth of character Ms. Monaghan gives to Ali. We know this woman. We’ve been this woman, doing our best for our kids, telling ourselves we’re okay, not admitting that no, actually we’re not. I loved the way Ali’s numbness begins to wear off, not because of Ethan, but because she’s taking action, no matter how hard it is. An excellent, fast, sweetly funny read you will gobble up.
A Storybook Wedding by KJ Micciche
I love this author. Her debut, The Book Proposal, was hilarious and fun. This book is even better. Cecily Jane is a children’s librarian, the only daughter in her family of who has failed the family mission to marry and birth more girls. She decides to fulfill a lifelong dream and write a book, and so enrolls in a low-residency master’s program in creative writing. Her romance receives the typical, soul-crushing feedback from her colorful peers, but one faculty member thinks it’s not so bad. Who? Why, it’s the award-winning literary darling and one-book wonder, Nate, who’s agreed to teach in this program in the hope that it will ignite his creativity. There’s a man who wears a cloak, a teacher with an axe to grind, food poisoning and a fake engagement. A Storybook Wedding is a funny, big-hearted delight. Fans of Emily Henry will adore this author.
The Mis-Arrangement of Sana Saeed by Noreen Mughees
Who doesn’t love an arranged marriage trope? Who hasn’t watched Indian Matchmaker, Jewish Matchmaker or Love is Blind? I’m a complete sucker for this type of story, and Noreen Mughees delivers. Sana, from a traditional Indian family, is feeling the pressure as her mother tries to marry her off. There’s a slight complication…Sana will also be taking guardianship of her younger brother. As she’s introduced to nice enough guys, Sana can’t help feeling there’s a Jane Austen moment waiting for her when she’ll find true love. And it comes…but he’s the worst possible guy for her.
What makes this book special from the hundreds of similar tropes is the richness of Sana’s life and the quality of the writing. Sana has a challenging job she’s completely committed to, she adores her special needs younger brother, and she’s mourning the loss of her father. Every single character is three dimensional, and the writing is so good it’s hard to believe this is a debut novel. Perfectly done, incredibly satisfying and a great match for fans of Jane Austen, Farrah Rochon and Sarah MacLean. Yes, it’s that good.
Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne
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An absolutely pitch perfect homage to Sense and Sensibility, this book makes you laugh out loud from the first sentence onward. The Dash sisters—calm, sensible Nora, impulsive, passionate Yanne (a nickname for Marianne, of course)—find out their dad had another family…at his funeral. Dad’s legal wife informs them they’re not in the will, although they do have a rotting inn on the coast of Maine. The sisters have a year to fix it up before foreclosure. Need I say more? The inn sits on land used by the handsome, overly responsible Ennis, who runs tours for the local Abenaki tribe and takes care of just about everyonne on the reservation. The last thing Ennis (Bear, as he’s called) wants is for a soulless corporation or a competing inn owner to take over Barton Cove. The sparks between our hero and heroine are simultaneously delightful, awkward and hot. Both of them have pasts they’d rather not explain, but as they fall in love—and as Yanne wastes money and time to shape the vibe of the inn (read: isn’t helping)—they realize the mistakes pasts don’t define them, even in this digital age where nothing is forgotten. Truly among the best and most enjoyable rom-coms I’ve read, and in the top three riffs on S&S.
The Do-Over by Sharon M. Peterson
It’s been a long time since I fell right into a rom-com, but this one grabbed me immediately. Perci Mayfield is the “other” daughter…the one who doesn’t have a great job, isn’t a single-digit size, hasn’t found her soulmate and generally brings shame to her materialistic, Houston society mother. Her younger sister, on the other hand, is the pretty one with the great job and perfect hair. She’s also impossible to dislike. When Perci makes some New Year’s resolutions with her best friend, she tries to do the opposite of everything she’s been doing. I will not try to lose weight. I will not try to be a good daughter. The author’s engaging voice and talent for describing the insecurities so many of us have faced, the gradual growth of confidence and the appeal of a not-handsome hero, as well as those awkward family dinners, kept me hooked. Did I mention the saucy grandmother who favors animal prints in neon? A fantastic debut.
Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey
A small town, first love and the one who got away. What more could you want than this sweet, funny romance by Kerry Winfrey? Her dialogue is sparkling, the town is filled with believable, wonderful people, and the kid is ridiculously adorable. Sandy and Hank have spent fifteen years apart while he pursued his music dreams and she foundered, a little lost and hapless. But she finds meaning in the business she inherited and enjoys a close circle of friends. When Hank comes back, all that yearning and angst rear up again in a most delicious way. Can they reconfigure their high school love to something that works now? Of course they can, and every page of the story leads to that wonderful conclusion. Light-hearted but with emotional depth, this book is a real treat.
The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon
Here’s the thing about Farrah Rochon—she can take any romance trope and make it meaningful, believable and fun. Like a modern-day Jane Austen, Ms. Rochon is a gifted author so able to weave in so many threads into her novels. In THE DATING PLAYBOOK, the second in the runaway hit from The Boyfriend Project series, we have the delicious “let’s pretend we’re dating” trope, one of my favorites. Taylor, the scene-stealer from THE BOYFRIEND PROJECT, is a personal trainer struggling to make ends meet. She can’t help suffer from financial insecurity and a bit of an imposter syndrome—her two closest friends are brilliant, financially sound and seem set on their paths in life. Taylor, on the other hand, has had a more relatable life experience thus far…she had to put college on hold, started her own business and is living paycheck to paycheck and slowly going under, all while her family watches in disapproval. It’s such a normal person situation, and Ms. Rochon handles it beautifully without ever making Taylor seem like a victim.
Enter Jamar Dixon, a young NFL star dealing with an injury. Handling his own insecurities about his future, Jamar has been nurturing a bit of a crush on Taylor, thanks to the hilarious viral video from THE BOYFRIEND PROJECT. But Taylor needs his business more than a boyfriend, no matter how strong the chemistry is between them.
Friendship, pride in oneself, the heavy weight of expectations and a delightful, immensely satisfying love story all intertwine to make the perfect romance from the brilliant Farrah Rochon.
Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
Since her debut a few years ago, Sonali Dev's lyrical prose and gift for getting into the reader’s soul have made her a stand-out talent. Recipe for Persuasion is a brilliant homage to Jane Austen’s "Persuasion" of young love separated by family strife. In it, Ashna Raje, a grieving daughter, takes over her late father’s restaurant. It’s not a success, despite her best efforts. Enter a Food Network competition, which pairs a chef with a cooking-challenged celebrity. Ashna’s shock is that Rico Silva, the world’s best soccer (sorry…football) player is her partner on the show. Their secret love during high school and wrenching breakup has haunted them both. The brilliant pairing of the fun show with the depth of emotion makes this an absolute powerhouse.
Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan
Is there another author who can make your heart pound like Kennedy Ryan? I don’t think so. With a mellifluous voice and high-stakes plot (and high heat, nearly poetic loves scenes), Queen Move is the story of Kimba, a strong, ambitious woman and the man she’s always loved, Ezra. Childhood friends to lovers, this book is beautifully written, bold and important. Kennedy is a force to be reckoned with. If you want an emotional powerhouse of a novel, this book is for you.
Sunrise on Half Moon Bay by Robyn Carr
In this stand-alone novel, two sisters find themselves at a crossroads. For years, Addie has taken care of her parents with the guilty blessing of her much older sister, Justine. Now that their parents have passed, Addie’s new life is harder than she thought it would be. Years of caretaking have kept her out of the workforce, her graduate degree unfinished. Justine, meanwhile, comes face to face with her husband’s infidelity. She moves her two daughters back to Half Moon Bay, a beautiful coastal town in California. As with all her books, Robyn Carr makes the town come alive. Each sister is different and vibrant—and decent. It was so refreshing to read a book about good-hearted people making their way in a new reality. Uplifting and fresh, the kind of book that leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart.
Dance Away With Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Quite possibly SEP’s best book ever, and I say that as her devoted fan. But wow. She gives us the grouchy alpha male she excels at writing—Ian, a rich kid turned graffiti artist with demons aplenty, and Tess, a widow still reeling from her husband’s unexpected death. The two are linked during a traumatic delivery of a baby; Tess is a midwife. The small Tennessee mountain town is perfectly drawn with a rich cast of completely developed secondary characters. Honestly, this book was perfect as far as I was concerned—a gorgeous blend of drama, personal issues, sizzling chemistry and luscious setting. A perfect ten.
Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson
This is so much more than a romance—it’s the story of an unusual family made up of four foster brothers, all eventually adopted by one remarkable woman, brought together by her sudden death. It’s the story of community and belonging and being seen, finding your voice and making your mark. Kerry Fuller, who worked in Mama Joy’s knitting shop, has long harbored a crush on one of the Strong Brothers—Jesse, the one brother who wants to keep his mother’s shop open. A gorgeous, heartfelt friends-to-lovers story wrapped up in a neighborhood where everyone knows your business.
The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
Kennedy is a rare talent, combining beautiful, lush writing with difficult, real-life issues. In this book, Lennix, a Yavapai-Apache environmental
activist, encounters Maxim, a man born to privilege and wealth, expected to take over his father’s empire. Over the years, they encounter each other again and again, and their relationship deepens. Ms. Ryan’s ability to write a powerful novel intertwined with an incredible love story is unrivaled. (This is part one of a two-book series; the second is The Rebel King).
The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon
I can’t say enough about the work of Farrah Rochon, and this book was her best yet. Three women find out they’re all dating the same guy. A video of their confrontation with him goes viral, and the insta-fame and unwanted attention causes Samiah to reexamine her life. Farrah is one of the best contemporary romance authors out there—period. Wry humor, intelligence and relatable characters make her books a must-read.
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
A plane crash rom-com? Yes. Brave, honest, funny, heart-wrenching…all the stuff I love to read. Margaret’s life is all set until her idiot boyfriend takes her up in a small plane…and botches the landing. He’s fine…she’s not. Her family reacts with varying degrees of compassion as Margaret has to accept that life will never be the same. And Ian, her gruff and tough physical therapist, is the only one who will tell her the truth. Loved, loved, loved this book.
A Reflection of Shadows by Anne Renwick
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Steampunk fans will love Anne’s books: medical mystery/romance set in Victorian England with all the creatures and contraptions steampunk brings. This book in particular was wicked fun…a friends to lovers story involving a Queen’s agent and a cat burglar and the experimentation of bringing someone back to life. In real life, the author has a Ph.D. in microbiology, so the medical aspects of all her books are both intelligently detailed and accessible.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
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A book that perfectly walks the tightrope between women’s fiction and romance…likeable characters, beautiful setting and an interesting conundrum—when a woman plans to leave her seemingly wonderful husband, only to have him die that very day, how does she move forward? Loved every word.
How to Marry Keanu Reeves in 90 Days by K.M. Jackson
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The title leads you to believe that this is a hilarious rom-com about fandom…and it is. But it’s also a touching story about grief and friendship. Lu, our heroine, learns that Keanu Reeves, all around great guy and perpetual bachelor, is about to get married, and she jumps in the car with her best friend, True. A road trip, some truly hilarious situations and, well…Keanu, this book hit all the right notes for me.
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
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Sonali is one of the best fiction authors today, period. Her hypnotically beautiful prose, the richness of the world she creates, the depth of emotion make her books crown jewels in women’s fiction. This book does proper homage to Jane Austen. Read it in one sitting, then read it again.
Too Sweet to Be Good by K.M. Jackson
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Small towns are a favorite of mine, and K.M. Jackson understands them…the gossip, the cliques, the awkward feeling of not quite belonging while having everyone know your business. Filled with deeply emotional, eloquent writing and relatable characters, this book is pitch-perfect.
The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes (The Lillys Book 1) by Xio Axelrod
Written with an easy grace and vivid style, this story follows Toni Bennett (pun intended), an indie rock singer and guitarist. With
abandonment issues thanks to a careless mother and nearly nonexistent father, Toni is careful in both her career and her personal life, facing the innate sexism of the rock music industry and maintaining a careful distance even with her friends. When she has the chance to audition with The Lillies, a hot new all-female band, she gives it a try. Ms. Axelrod weaves in a love story between Toni and Sebastian, her first love, also a musician, with the kind of angsty conflict I love. I was fascinated with the music scene, something I know nothing about, but which was brought to bright life in this engaging, vivid page-turner.
Intercepted by Alexa Martin
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This book was so funny that I was making a scene on the airplane, laughing out loud. It felt so fresh and truly contemporary, with the heroine hashtagging her life, her overprotective and completely loveable daddy and a hero who brings some challenges to the relationship…it’s not easy dating Mr. Perfect. The pace never flagged, and the humor was razor-sharp. Romantic comedy at its very best.
All We Knew by Jamie Beck
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Jamie Beck writes with intelligence and insight about issues so many women face. Her characters are flawed and layered and completely relatable. She hasn't written a single book I haven't loved.
