Summer Feel-Good Books
Prospero’s Books in Kansas City
It is no secret that what I most love to read are feel-good books. For a story to fit this label, it must have characters who are easy to love, a story so fun and enjoyable that I don’t even care if it’s realistic (but better if it is), and no worry anywhere in it that my heart is about to be broken–I have a general idea from the start of the coming happy ending. There is no wrong time to read a feel-good book, but I swallow them whole in the summer, when the air is bright and I feel so free. Below is a list of some of my favorite feel-good books I have read this summer.
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center–A portrait artist suffers face blindness after brain surgery and has to learn to trust herself and others who would help her, allowing her to see all the beauty in those around her.
Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood–A STEM-centered romance set in the world of academia. Elsie has spent her life trying to be who other people need, until she meets Jack, who only wants her to be herself. Warning: spicy scenes.
You Are Only Just Beginning by Morgan Harper Nichols–Poetry and beautiful art about exploring the self, the world, and our relationships with others
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams–A sweet and charming story of small-town romance. Set in the fictional town of Rome, Kentucky, this is the love story of Annie, who owns a local flower shop, and Will, the bodyguard of a pop star who has moved to Rome and is marrying Annie’s brother. It was a fun and lighthearted romance rooted in real issues.
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan–A second-chance romance set on a northeast beach between high school sweethearts. I love the way Annabel Monaghan writes, and I loved both of these characters and their return to themselves and to each other.
Jane & Edward by Melodie Edwards–A modern retelling of Jane Eyre set mostly in Toronto. Jane Eyre is one of my favorites. I could not get enough.
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams–A best-friends-to-lovers story centered on a fictional NFL team and a ballet studio. I’ve read it twice because it’s just adorable and gives me fuzzy feelings and no stress.
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh–An introvert who has been burned by the world. Isadora finds a tabloid article advertising ways to make yourself happier, and sets out to prove it wrong by trying everything on the list. What she finds are all kinds of ways to change your life, recognize your true self, and discover how to create a place for yourself in the world that you really love.
If you give one of these a try, please let me know! If you have any books in this category that should be added to this list, I’d love to hear those too.