The Life Impossible by Matt Haig. The author of The Midnight Library returns with an unusual and life-affirming story about taking chances. Grace is a retired math teacher who receives word that a friend from long ago has passed away in Ibiza, and has left Grace her home. In a move that stirs Grace out of a period of inertia, she moves to Ibiza to claim her home. The people she meets, the strange and bewildering events that occur, and the connections Grace makes with some very unlikely new friends make this novel unforgettable.
Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson. Ernest Cunningham, erstwhile mystery novelist and amateur sleuth, finds himself solving two deaths just in time for Christmas. A famous magician and Ernest’s ex-wife’s partner are both dead. It’s complicated, as all murders are, and Ernest must use his mystery-crafting skills—and his unusually sharp eye for deception—to find the killer.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty. In what might be Moriarty’s best novel yet, an ordinary-looking woman, during a domestic Australian flight, makes her way through the cabin predicting the age and cause of every passenger’s death. The novel follows several characters, all of whom were on board, through the next months. For each person, the prediction affects their life profoundly, even if they simply try to forget it happened. As news spreads about the incident and social media does its work, a far-reaching series of connections is formed, also impacting the woman who made the predictions.
Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter. Set at a resort in the mountains of New Hampshire, this is a charming novel about rediscovering who you are and who you love. Lauren loves her job managing a family-owned resort. Falling in love with Jonah, the owners’ son, is just icing on the cake. But when Lauren is badly injured in a fall, she loses her memory of the last four months. She can remember Jonah, but not as her love—as her nemesis. And why did she take this job in the mountains when she could have had her dream job back in the city? Past-and-present narration, a gentle love story, and beautiful scenery combine to make this a compelling read.
These four novels explore themes of unexpected life changes, complex relationships, and self-discovery. From Grace’s transformative move to Ibiza in The Life Impossible to Lauren’s journey of love and memory in Before We Were Us, each story presents characters facing profound challenges, while Here One Moment and Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret weave in elements of mystery and fate, shaping the lives of those involved.
