It’s finally that time of year when everyone is busy choosing their festive outfits or planning the menu for their Diwali parties. But there are some folks similar to me who are far from home, trying to meet deadlines while fighting off homesickness.
Being alone during the festive season can be a little sad for a lot of us, but there is a crowd who loves and enjoys this little time of solitude. If you are a bookworm like me, whose favourite thing is to binge read a book until late at night, see the sunrise (don’t tell my mom), this is the best time to grab a comfy blanket and escape into an alternative universe where we have a green flag man pinning over a quirky lady for a year, making us go aww with every page turn.
Looking at the bookshelves in stores, we have something new released for everyone, whether you’re craving a heartwarming romance, a thrilling paranormal love story (yes, please keep scrolling), or any other genre. Here are our recommendations for you:
1. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
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In her latest novel, Sally Rooney explores grief, love, and family through the lives of two brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek. Peter, a successful lawyer in Dublin, grapples with his father’s death while managing complex relationships with his first love, Sylvia, and college student Naomi. Meanwhile, socially awkward Ivan, a competitive chess player, finds unexpected connection with Margaret, an older woman with her own struggles. As they navigate their intertwined lives, the brothers confront desire, despair, and the possibility of healing in the wake of loss.
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2. The Striker by Ana Huang
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From the author who gave us the iconic Twisted Series. Ana Huang bring us Asher Donovan, a legendary footballer, is forced to bond with his rival-turned-teammate during off-season training after a controversial transfer. Things get complicated when he meets Scarlett DuBois, a former prima ballerina and his rival’s sister. Despite their undeniable chemistry, Scarlett has sworn off footballers and is haunted by her past. As they spend the summer together, they must navigate their growing attraction while dealing with the consequences of forbidden love.
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3. Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
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P.S: This is an audiobook.
Call me cliched but I will get tired of another refrigerator-sized MMC with filthy thoughts, pining for a quirky, tiny FMC who thinks he hates her for no reason. She jumps to wild conclusions, and he can only express himself with grunts. It’s my kryptonite. In this enemies-to-lovers spicy romance from the bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, Viola Bowen has the chance to design a video game based on her favourite book series—only to find her co-lead is her arch-nemesis, Jesse F-ing Andrews. Forced to attend a winter retreat for team-building, Viola dreads being snowed in with Jesse. But as they spend time together, she uncovers a different side to him, and the heat between them ignites in unexpected ways.
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4. Little Lovely Lily by Ahmad Rizaq
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This book is not just a ghost story; it’s a love story. When Lily moves to the Netherlands for her mother’s diplomatic work, she faces teenage turmoil and a local legend about the Heartbreaker, a ghost who ensnares girls into eternal love. After a cruel prank by her bullies leads to a haunting, Lily finds herself caught in a complex relationship with the ghost, who oscillates between tormenting and protecting her. As external forces threaten their bond, Lily must confront whether their love can bridge the gap between reality and the supernatural.
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5. Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore
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In this hilarious and heartfelt rom-com book, Josephine Davis has dedicated her twenties to building her fashion brand, Revenant, in Austin. When her biggest investor insists she hire a consultant, she’s shocked to find it’s Will Grant, her ex-best friend’s twin brother. Their past includes a regrettable kiss, and they’ve never been friends—Josie sees Will as moody, while he thinks she’s shallow. As they navigate their complicated work dynamic, unexpected chemistry sparks between them. But with Will’s sister in the mix and their long-distance situation, Josie grapples with her priorities: continue her relentless grind as a CEO or slow down to embrace love.
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6. Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun
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In this enchanting bestseller from Korea, Jieun, the owner of a magical laundromat called the Marigold Mind Laundry, erases painful memories for her customers while searching for her vanished family. With the ability to transfer sadness into T-shirt stains that turn into flower petals, she helps five troubled souls: a frustrated filmmaker, a spiraling influencer, a betrayed mother, a jilted woman, and a talented photographer stuck in a mundane job. As Jieun listens to their stories, she discovers that the power to heal resides within us all, offering both wonderment and comfort in this joyous tale.
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Also, read: TBR Update: We Asked AI To Suggest Popular Romance Books Based On Your Zodiac Sign
Stars And Storylines: We Asked AI To Assign K-Drama Personalities Based On Your Zodiac Sign
