If You Liked That, Try This: Our Top Book Recommendations
Only a few pages left of your current favorite read! But it’s so good, you’re not ready for it to end. What now?
Once you've gotten sucked into a riveting book, it can be hard to leave that world behind after you’ve read the last page. While we can't promise your favorite author will release a sequel, we can help you find recommendations to satisfy your literary needs!
Shop at Indie Bookstores for Personalized Book Recommendations
When it comes to buying books, we understand how convenient it is to shop at those big-brand businesses—really, we do. But the extra personal experience of shopping at a small business can't be beat!
Unlike the CEOs of massive corporations, indie booksellers dedicate time to reading a wide range of genres and the latest releases. When you come in with the "What should I read next if I loved this book?" question, indie bookshop staff members will actually be able to help! Plus, at our Rochester shop, you can pair your new find with a delicious artisan sandwich.
What We Consider When We Make a Book Recommendation
At our Rochester, Michigan, bookstore, we take book recommendations very seriously—how could you not? When we're pairing books on our shelves, we consider a variety of essential elements, such as:
- Theme
- Characters
- Genre
- Author
- Plot twists
- Tropes
- Spice levels
Check Out Novel’s "If You Liked This, Try That" Shelf
The next time you're grabbing a bite to eat from our sandwich menu or stopping by for Silent Book Club, be sure to check out our curated "If You Liked This, Try That" shelf for a few of our expert recommendations. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us!
If You Liked None of This Is True, Try First Lie Wins
If you couldn't put down Lisa Jewell's modern thriller masterpiece, None of This Is True, you're not alone! Who could resist uncovering the strange mysteries between podcaster Alix and her missing subject, Josie Fair? When you finally put the pieces together and the book down, we suggest picking up First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston.
Evie Porter has everything a Southern girl can dream of: a loving boyfriend, a white picket fence, and a tight-knit group of friends. There's just one problem—Evie Porter doesn't exist. After getting her next assignment and mark from her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, she knows she can't afford to make any mistakes. But when stakes get higher and a rousing cat-and-mouse game ensues, Evie must stay one step ahead of her past to make it to the future.
If You Liked Break to You, Try Sunrise Nights
It's challenging to find something that strikes the same chord as Break to You by Neal Shusterman, Debra Young, and Michelle Knowlden—but not impossible! The compelling story of two teens journalling back and forth across the gender divide of a juvenile detention center is a real tear-jerker. Instead of getting bogged down by a bookish hangover, head to the bookstore and grab Sunrise Nights by Brittany Cavallaro and Jeff Zentner.
Jude, a photographer dealing with his parents’ divorce and his own anxiety, is only calm when he's behind the camera. Florence, a dancer confronting the premature end of her career due to a degenerative eye disease, is having difficulty letting go. When the two meet at Sunrise Night, their sleepaway art camp’s dusk-to-dawn closing celebration, they take a chance on each other with one rule: no contact for a year once the sun has risen.
If You Liked Lessons in Chemistry, Try Remarkably Bright Creatures
If the laugh-out-loud humor, shrewd social commentary, and dazzling cast of characters in Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry had you on the hook—join the club! Scientist, cooking show star, and single mother Elizabeth Zott is an all-time favorite feminist leading lady. If you enjoyed that original tale, you’ll love Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
When Tova Sullivan's husband died, she took a night shift job at the Sowell Bay Aquarium to cope—a tactic that's worked for her ever since her eighteen-year-old son Erik disappeared on a boat over 30 years ago. Marcellus, a grumpy giant Pacific octopus, knows more than any human could ever guess. When they form a remarkable friendship, Marcellus decides to help her uncover the truth about Erik before it's too late. Set from the perspective of an octopus (yes, you heard us right!), this one-of-a-kind story is soon to be a Netflix movie!
If You Liked Daydream, Try The Game Changer
Daydream answers the question, what do you get when you put the struggling captain of the hockey team with a book-loving academic superstar? It was impossible not to fall in love with Halle Jacobs and Henry Turner's tutor-trope love story in Hannah Grace’s third installation of the Maple Hills Series. Avoid the reality check that follows the end of a book by jumping right into The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson.
After facing a public breakup turned PR nightmare, hockey player Ian Chase finds an unlikely solution through his best friend and teammate's (not-so) little sister, Delilah Baker, whose local cable baking show is in danger of being canceled. Their teams (and viewers) think it's a win-win scenario: Delilah's numbers are back up, and Ian finds himself back in the good graces of fans. But as the lines begin to blur between the on-screen chemistry and off-show connection, this PR stunt could turn into a disaster.
If You Liked A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Try One of Us Is Lying
We loved following every twist and turn that came with Pip’s senior-year investigation into the suspicious murder of Andie Bell. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is one of the most talked about YA mysteries in recent history! Once you've read the sequel and watched the Netflix show, you can continue your thriller obsession with One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus.
On a Monday afternoon, five Bayview High students walk into detention. Bronwyn, the Yale-bound student who never breaks a rule; Addy, the picture-perfect homecoming princess; Nate, the bad boy who’s currently on probation for dealing; Cooper, the all-star pitcher; and Simon, the creator of their high school's infamous gossip app. Before the end of detention, Simon is dead, and it wasn't an accident. The other four are quickly made suspects—especially when it's revealed that Tuesday was the day he planned to post their juicy secrets for all to see. Did they do it? Or are they scapegoats for a killer still on the loose?
If You Liked Killers of a Certain Age, Try The Excitements
There's no doubt about it—Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn is a one-of-a-kind tale. Who wouldn't love reading about 60-year-old assassins turning against their old organization when retirement turns out to be a termination order? If you loved this kooky thriller, you'll adore The Excitements by CJ Wray.
Josephine and Penny Williamson, Britain's most treasured World War II veterans, may be in their late nineties, but they're certainly not slowing down! They're always being invited to history festivals, meet-and-greets, events, and, most recently, to receive the Légion d'honneur in Paris to celebrate their part in liberating France. Accompanied by their great nephew Archie, a keen historian, these secret-riddled and decorated veterans have a mission in mind: to pull off one last heist before their careers are over once and for all.
If You Liked The God of The Woods, Try All the Colors of the Dark
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore was one of our most anticipated books for July 2024. A captivating camp thriller mystery surrounding a missing Van Laar child? Sign us up! We found it easy to fly through, but once it’s over, where do you go next? We recommend picking up All The Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker.
With a serial killer on the loose, a mystery about a missing person underway, and an epic love story, this tale is impossible to put down. It's 1975, and in the small town of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing without a trace. When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, a local boy named Patch saves the girl. But as he and his loved ones tread the line between triumph and tragedy, their search for the truth could mean losing one another for good. It's also in the talks of being adapted for film!
If You Liked The Nightingale, Try The Book of Lost Names
If you enjoyed Kristin Hannah's unforgettable World War II epic, The Nightingale, join the club! A story about two sisters separated by the trials and tribulations that come with surviving a German-occupied, war-torn France—what's not to love? Follow this beautiful novel with The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel.
Eva Traube Abrams is a semi-retired librarian in Florida, but when she finds a New York Times article while stocking the shelves, everything from her past comes rushing back. The article covers the infamous Nazi library lootings across Europe in World War II and describes the search to reunite people with their stolen texts—particularly one she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names. It contains a sort of code that even the best researchers can't figure out. Eva holds the answers—but is she strong enough to revisit those old memories? Inspired by a true story, this book is sure to tug on your heartstrings.
If You Liked The Wedding People, Try Say You'll Remember Me
Alison Espach is an expert at writing funny, tender, and nuanced stories about the winding paths of life—and The Wedding People is one of her best! If you enjoyed reading about Phoebe’s rock bottom, Lila’s classic bridal behaviors, and the devastatingly tender connection formed between the two, you'll love Abby Jimenez's Say You'll Remember Me.
After one incredible and seemingly endless date, Samantha and Xavier are hooked. But when Samantha is forced to face the fact that her family is in crisis, she makes a spur-of-the-moment decision to appreciate their night together as a one-off perfect moment and moves 2,000 miles away the very next day. But with a connection that strong, no amount of distance or time can make them forget the special feeling between them. Will they make the leap and turn that one night into a lifetime of memories? Bring it to your book club and share this sweet story!
Other Popular Abby Jimenez Reads:
- Part of Your World
- Yours Truly
- Just for the Summer
- The Situationship
- The Friend Zone
- The Happy Ever After Playlist
- Life's Too Short
If You Liked Bright Young Women, Try Listen for the Lie
Jessica Knoll's Bright Young Women had us in a choke-hold. Reading about serial killer survivor Pamela Schumacher and Tina Cannon, the best friend of a recently missing woman, as they join forces in this victim-focused thriller had us on the edge of our seats. If you're looking to fill the hole in your heart from Knoll's best title yet, try Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera.
Pretty, smart, and joined at the hip, Savvy and Lucy were the golden girls of their tiny Texas town. But when Lucy is found wandering around covered in her best friend’s blood, everyone assumes she murdered Savvy. She has no memories of that horrible night, and years later, she is living in LA and enjoying her chance at a new life. But when a huge true crime podcast, "Listen for the Lie," and its handsome host, Ben Owens, decide to investigate the murder, Lucy is forced to return to the scene of the crime to solve the case—even if she's the one who did it.
If You Liked Broken Country, Try Wild Dark Shore
Beth and her husband, Frank, are happily married, but when her teenage sweetheart, Gabriel Wolfe, moves back to town with his young son Leo, everything goes south. With a hidden past, tense twists, and undeniable chemistry, Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall has everything you could wish for in a second-chance romance book. If you enjoyed the sweeping love story, we recommend Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy.
Isolated on an island off the coast of Antarctica, Dominic Salt and his three children are in charge of caring for Shearwater, home of the largest seed bank in the world. One night, during a raging storm, a woman named Rowan mysteriously washes ashore. As they nurse her back to health, it soon becomes clear she may be keeping the real reason for her journey hidden. But when she discovers sabotaged radios and a fresh grave site, she realizes Dominic may be keeping just as many secrets. As storms gather force, they'll all have to decide if they can trust one another enough to protect the seeds in their care before it's too late.
If You Liked The Berry Pickers, Try Black Cake
When the youngest daughter of a Mi’kmaq family goes missing from the blueberry fields of Maine, no one could have guessed that the secrets to follow would unravel family ties and remain unsolved for nearly 50 years—that is, until Norma. If The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters had you in its grip, you'd love Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.
In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett's death leaves behind a puzzling and unique inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny. A black cake made from a family recipe and a voice recording detailing a tumultuous story about a young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. As her heartbreaking tale unfolds, secrets come out, and the mystery of a long-lost child is pieced together; the siblings are forced to face their relationship, lineage, and, most importantly, themselves. Once you finish the book, head to Hulu to watch the new series!
If You Liked Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Try Yellowface
Spanning 30 years and lands both real and virtual, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is the perfect platonic love story. Thanks to their collaborative blockbuster game, Ichigo, 20-somethings Sam Masur and Sadie Green are unimaginably brilliant, successful, and rich—but there's more to life than that! If you adored Gabrielle Zevin's take on identity, disability, and redemptive relationships, pick up Yellowface by R.F. Kuang.
Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were destined to be twin rising stars, but while Athena prospers, June feels like a nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls anyway? When June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she steals her recently finished masterpiece—an experimental novel about Chinese laborers during WWI. She doesn't think twice about claiming her work as her own, letting her publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song, or choosing an ethnically ambiguous author photo—especially when it makes the New York Times bestseller list! But as emerging evidence of her thievery comes out to haunt her, June will discover exactly how far she'll go to keep the fame she thinks she deserves.
Try R.F. Kuang's Other Titles:
- Katabasis (coming August 26th, 2025)
- Babel
- The Poppy War (book 1)
- The Dragon Republic (book 2)
- The Burning God (book 3)
If You Like The Silent Patient, Try Verity
If you were as obsessed with the shocking story of one woman’s act of out-of-the-blue violence against her husband and the therapist hellbent on uncovering her motive, you aren’t alone! The gripping tale of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is difficult to move on from. We suggest Colleen Hoover's Verity to get you out of your post-book slump.
Struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh is on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of famous author Verity Crawford, has hired her to complete the remaining books in his now-injured wife's popular series. When she arrives at the home ready to sort through notes and outlines, she uncovers a secret, unfinished autobiography filled with chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of her family's tragic past. Lowen decides to keep the manuscript a secret, but as her feelings for Jeremy begin to grow, she begins to see that the horrifying truths may need to come out after all. Once you've finished the twisted bestseller, you can look forward to watching Anne Hathaway in the Verity movie next May!
If You Liked All the Light We Cannot See, Try The Alice Network
What happens when a blind French girl and a young German boy cross paths in occupied France during the devastation of World War II? Anthony Doerr answered the question flawlessly in All the Light We Cannot See. If you fell in love with Marie-Laure and Werner’s complex relationship, you’re bound to enjoy The Alice Network by Kate Quinn.
It's 1947, and in the chaotic aftermath of WWII, American college student and socialite Charlie St. Clair finds herself pregnant, unmarried, and on the outs with her traditional family. Banished to Europe to get rid of her "problem" and desperate to find her beloved cousin Rose, who hasn't been seen since the Nazis occupied France, Charlie is determined to find out what happened once and for all.
It's 1915, and one year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner finally gets her chance to join the fight against Germany when she's recruited as a spy. Sent into France, she is trained by Lil, known as the "Queen of Spies," who manages a network of agents right under the enemy's nose.
Thirty years later, still reeling in the aftermath of the betrayal that broke the agents apart, Eve spends her days drunk and disillusioned in London. That is, until a young American woman appears, repeating a name Eve hasn't heard in decades. A powerful story of war-time glory, sacrifice, and the power of courageous women, this bestseller is impossible to put down!
If You Liked Hello Beautiful, Try Tom Lake
We adore a twist on a classic novel, and this Little Women-esque story scratches that itch perfectly. When William Waters’ dark history threatens to tear the loyal Padavano sisters apart, an important question arises: Will they be able to reconvene when it matters most? Almost nothing can fill the void of Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. But Tom Lake by Ann Patchett comes mighty close!
It's 2020, and Lara's three daughters have returned to the family's orchard in Northern Michigan. During an afternoon of cherry picking, they beg their mother to recount her professional and romantic history of sharing a stage with famous actor Peter Duke during her time at Tom Lake, the local theater company. As Lara shares the story, her daughters are forced to examine their own relationship with their mother, face their own lives, and reconsider everything they thought they knew. Hopeful, happy, and compelling, this luminous story is a must-read—but you can also listen to Meryl Streep bring it to life with the audiobook!
Explore Ann Patchett's Other Books
If you enjoy Patchett's writing as much as we do, you'll want to add a few of her popular titles to your TBR list and audiobook selection:
If You Liked The Frozen River, Try The Women
It’s hard not to root for the headstrong heroine, Martha Ballard, in Ariel Lawhon's popular historical mystery, The Frozen River, as she investigates the shocking murder of the man entombed in the icy Kennebec River—especially when the locals start undermining her conclusion and secrets build. Once you’re done with this scandalous story, we recommend reading The Women by Kristin Hannah.
When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances "Frankie" McGrath's brother ships out in 1965 to serve in Vietnam, she decides to follow, leaving her sheltered life behind to join the Army Nurse Corps. As young, inexperienced men are sent off to their deaths to fight the war, she finds herself overwhelmed with grief, chaos, and destruction. Every day is a gamble, but she, along with her new veteran friends, are among the few that make it out alive. War is just the beginning for Frankie—the real battle is coming home to a changed America, angry protesters, and a country that just wants to forget Vietnam ever happened.
If You Liked Fourth Wing, Try These Fantasy Titles
If you've ever searched "what romantasy book should I read next," you've no doubt seen Rebecca Yarros' novel, Fourth Wing, pop up—and with good reason! Every chapter is filled with dragon riding, war plotting, and high-spice romance. There are currently three Empyrean series books out, with plans for two more on the way. But what do you read in the meantime?
Since it's one of the most popular titles in the genre, we thought we'd help you satisfy your literary cravings and give you a few options to help you through the unavoidable Xaden Riorson hangover. Cozy up in your favorite reading space with these titles:
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
In the kingdom of Ilya, if you aren't an all-powerful Elite, you're an Ordinary—and you aren't welcome. When the king decrees that all Ordinaries be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lacking any special powers becomes a crime, making Paedyn Gray a felon and thief. But with careful training from her father, she manages to pose as a Psychic in the city and stay alive and out of trouble. That is until she unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya's princes and finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. If you like YA books, Powerless has it all--forbidden romance, a powerful prince, and an ordinary girl making it against all odds.
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about her strange powers or the fact that she's been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen her entire life. But when Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she accidentally opens a gateway between realms, finding herself transported to a land of ice and snow where the supposedly imaginary Fae are real and a centuries-long conflict is raging. After accidentally binding herself to Kingfisher, a handsome warrior with secrets of his own, she must go along with his agenda in order to make it home alive. With blistering chemistry, razor-sharp banter, and an addicting enemies-to-lovers plotline, we can't recommend Quicksilver enough!
The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
The first in the popular Nightborn Duet, The Serpent & the Wings of Night, has everything you could want in a series: hot vampires, action-packed fighting, and bloodthirsty intrigue. When Oraya, the adopted human daughter of the Nightborn king, enters the Kejari, a legendary tournament, she must ally with a mysterious and dangerous rival to make it through and win her wish. Raihn is a ruthless killer, an enemy to her father's crown, and her biggest competition—but she can only deny her attraction for so long. As war brews and the trials escalate, they'll have to decide to trust each other to the very end or die trying.
Don't Miss the Other Novels in the Crowns of Nyaxia Universe
- The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King (book two in the Nightborn Duet)
- The Songbird & the Heart of Stone (book one of the Shadowborn Duet)
- The Fallen & The Kiss of Dusk (book two in the Shadowborn Duet)
- Slaying the Vampire Conqueror
- Six Scorched Roses
If You Liked This Author, Try That Author
Just about every avid reader has a favorite author! Once you've read through their catalog, try these recommendations on for size and get out of that reading slump:
- If you like the beach-read vibes of Emily Henry, try Sally Thorne
- If you like the dark and twisty titles of Gillian Flynn, try Freida McFadden
- If you like YA historical fiction of Jennifer A. Nielsen, try Alan Gratz
Finding a favorite book is nothing short of wonderful—it's putting it down at the end that can hurt. With our helpful list of "if you liked that, try this" recommendations, moving on to the next compelling story is easy, whether you’re reading the latest romance before it hits the big screen or a similar author. Shop online or stop by Novel and see the shelf for yourself!