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Books that end on a high note
From romance and sci-fi to family sagas, happy endings abound in these novels.
Published on August 7, 2023
Curated ByLanie Pemberton
Lanie is a San Diego-based freelance writer who loves reading crime thrillers and nonfiction about animals and the natural world. When not writing and reading (or writing about what to read), Lanie spends as much time as possible at the beach with her husband and pampered pittie, Peach.
Queenie
Candice Carty-Williams“Bridget Jones” meets “Americanah” in Carty-Williams’ book about a young Black woman facing the uncertainty of her mid-twenties, a breakup with her white boyfriend, and the stress of comparing herself to her white, middle-class colleagues. Queenie is self-destructive at first, but she comes through the fire stronger and more self-assured.
A Man Called Ove: A Novel
Fredrik BackmanSmall-town curmudgeon Ove is a man of staunch principles, strict routines, and terrible anger. But beneath his rough exterior lies a story of true sorrow and loss. The book explores the evolving relationship between Ove and the new neighbors who slowly thaw his icy heart. It’s a heartwarming exploration of found family and vulnerability, and if you’re eager for another happy ending, watch the film adaptation (“A Man Called Otto”) starring Tom Hanks.
Mornings with Rosemary
Libby PageOriginally published as “The Lido,” Page’s moving debut follows an octogenarian widow and a lonely young journalist as they work together to save the public pool in their rapidly gentrifying London neighborhood. It’s an uplifting and hopeful story about finding friendship in surprising places and what tight-knit communities can accomplish together.
The Bookshop on the Corner: A Novel
Jenny ColganLibrarian Nina has a knack for helping people find the perfect book to read. But when the library system pivots into other types of media and asks if she can assume a social media role, Nina decides to operate her own bookmobile instead. This is a cute tale of friendships formed and love found through books (obviously right up our alley).
Tomb of Sand: A Novel
Geetanjali ShreeIt’s never too late to find yourself. Spurred on by the loss of her husband and a cane with mystical properties, the elderly matriarch of a contemporary Indian family embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. An International Booker Prize winner, this novel pushes the boundaries of a traditional family saga as Shree (“Mai”) dissects expectations, feminism, and identity through magical realism.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mark HaddonThe title of this gem comes from a Sherlock Holmes quote, so it’s a fitting name for a highly acclaimed mystery. When Christopher, a 15-year-old math genius with autism, discovers his neighbor’s dog has been killed, he starts investigating who committed the murder. The narration is inventive and subtly funny, and the conclusion is an empowering take on embracing our strengths and weaknesses.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
TJ KluneThere’s nothing quite like “The House in the Cerulean Sea” — wonderfully weird, quietly romantic, and full of magic and queerness. Caseworker Linus Baker doesn’t push boundaries; he meticulously audits orphanages taking care of children with supernatural powers. But his worldview is taken for a spin when he’s assigned to work at Marsyas Island Orphanage, where the children are particularly monstrous and the caretaker extremely mysterious. This is one of the finest found family stories around (with a beautiful ending).
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Benjamin Alire SáenzSáenz’s stunning novel is a delicate and beautifully written portrayal of first love. Despite being complete opposites, teens Aristotle and Dante strike up an instant friendship. As the story unfolds, they confront the challenges of family, culture, and sexuality, eventually refusing to let society tell them who — and who not — to love. If you prefer to listen, the audiobook version is narrated by “Hamilton” star Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose irresistible voice perfectly enhances this book’s joyful ending.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Jenny HanThis sweet and funny fan-favorite novel by Han (“The Summer I Turned Pretty”) highlights sisterly bonds and young love. Teenager Lara Jean writes letters to the crushes she’s trying to get over, never intending to mail them. So when the letters accidentally wind up in each recipient’s hands, Lara Jean enters a fake dating scheme to cover her feelings for one boy in particular.
You Should See Me in a Crown
Leah JohnsonLose yourself in the sweet loveliness that is “You Should See Me In a Crown.” This YA novel is a perfectly executed rom-com starring a queer, Black teen running for prom queen. Wallflower Liz Lighty is determined to win the crown and take home the $10,000 scholarship prize so she can afford to go to college. The biggest problem? Liz is in love with one of her competitors.
The American Roommate Experiment: A Novel
Elena ArmasArmas (“The Spanish Love Deception”) pens yet another fun-filled and heartwarming romance. After a maintenance disaster leaves her apartment uninhabitable, aspiring novelist Rosie Graham crashes at her friend Lina’s place. But she’s not alone: Lina’s cute cousin Lucas is also couch surfing, and he offers to help Rosie overcome writer’s block by wining and dining her around New York City — for inspirational purposes, of course.
The Rosie Project: A Novel
Graeme Simsion“The Rosie Project” is a charming tale about Don, an awkward professor on a quest to find a life partner. He uses a hyper-analytical questionnaire to screen potential mates, but then he meets Rosie — who happens to fail virtually all of Don’s criteria. What follows is a touching, hilarious story about people looking for love and love finding them instead.
Confess: A Novel
Colleen HooverAuburn is still grieving an old loss when she steps into an art gallery and meets Owen. Their instant attraction sends Auburn reeling, but Owen’s dark past, and a jealous friend of Auburn’s, may stand in the way of love. Hoover (“It Ends With Us”) doesn’t tie up all of her novels in a tidy bow, but “Confess” has the resolution we all hope for after a complicated love story filled with weighty secrets and tough choices.
Sense and Sensibility
Jane AustenThe Dashwood sisters lose their father, their home, and their stability. When the glimmering hope of new love emerges, followed by devastating heartbreak, Elinor and Marianne navigate their emotions in dramatically different ways. Austen’s classic (and its film adaptation starring Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, and Hugh Grant) tests our emotional resolve before delivering the ending the Dashwoods undoubtedly deserve.
This Is How You Lose the Time War
Amal El-MohtarThis Hugo Award-winning novella contains the chaos of all of time and space within its beautifully short, never-ending love story. Two women, named Red and Blue, fight for opposite factions in the ceaseless time war, flowing from the past to the future, from timeline to timeline. Through a series of letters sent via tea and lava and other delightful delivery systems, Red and Blue fall for each other — and give readers the ending we all crave.