Some Uplifting Fall and Winter Reading
These days, I’m covering magical romance, Christmas, historical fiction during and after World War II, and the importance of healthy masculinity today.
The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore (September 16, 2025) From the publisher: “As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business; sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street.”
Mistletoe Fall Out by Larissa Hommes (October 20, 2025) From the publisher: “What do you do when the one person who made Christmas miserable also made it unforgettable?”
The Restoration Garden by Sara Blaydes (November 1, 2025) From the publisher: “A landscape architect unearths the tangled history of a once-celebrated English garden―and all its mysteries―in a captivating novel by the author of The Last Secret of Lily Adams.”
The Second Chance Cinema by Thea Weiss (October 7, 2025) From the publisher: “A magical theater atop a cobblestone path alters what a couple knows about themselves —and each other — in this scintillating debut brimming with nostalgia and life-affirming wonder.”
Glamorous Notions by Megan Chance (February 1, 2025) From the publisher: “A costume designer’s past casts a long shadow over her well-constructed lies in this intriguing story about stolen identities, friendship, and betrayal from the author of A Splendid Ruin and A Dangerous Education.”
The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose (October 1, 2024) From the publisher: “A heartwarming, magical story about the true spirit of the season, The Mistletoe Mystery reminds us that love is the greatest mystery of all.”
Last Call at the Savoy by Brisa Carleton (November 4, 2025) From the publisher: “Set amongst the glittering backdrop of London's iconic Savoy hotel, a young woman is forced to confront her troubled past as she uncovers the story of the hotel’s first female bartender who has been erased from the history books.”
Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway (November 4, 2025) From the publisher: “Bestselling author, NYU professor, and cohost of the Pivot podcast Scott Galloway offers a path forward for men and parents of boys.”