Books like Me Before You

In 1960 North Carolina, Ivy Hart cares for her family after her parents pass away. When social worker Jane Forrester arrives, she is tasked with recommending which clients should be sterilized without their consent. As Jane becomes emotionally invested in her client's lives, she uncovers dark secrets on Ivy's tobacco farm. Their worlds collide as they question what is right in the face of societal norms in Necessary Lies.

A gripping and emotional read, The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes follows the story of Mia 'Rabbit' Hayes as she fights against cancer. Her family, full of humor and optimism, rallies around her as she becomes weaker by the day. But as they face the harsh reality of letting her go, they find solace in the unbreakable bond of family.

Dancing on Broken Glass is a powerful debut novel that explores an unlikely love story between Lucy and Mickey, two individuals with troubled family histories. Despite the odds stacked against them, they make their unconventional marriage work by putting everything in writing, promising honesty and patience. However, their decision not to have children is challenged when Lucy receives life-changing news on their eleventh anniversary. This unvarnished portrait of an ordinary yet extraordinary marriage is a heart-wrenching journey that will leave readers forever changed.

A family secret sends a struggling baker from Cape Cod to Paris on a quest that uncovers horrific Holocaust stories mixed with powerful testimonies of survival. As she pieces together her family's history, guided by her French grandmother's fairy tales and the sweet tastes of home, she learns that courage and the belief that God exists everywhere, even in cake, may be all she needs to reunite two lovers torn apart by terror.

This moving debut novel explores the life of Victoria Jones, a troubled young woman who struggles with connecting to others after growing up in the foster-care system. Weaving past and present, the story centers around Victoria's gift for the Victorian language of flowers, using their meanings to communicate her emotions. As she plants her own garden and unlocks the power of flowers to help others, a mysterious stranger at the flower market challenges her to confront her past and take a chance at happiness. A beautiful, mesmerizing read.

Rediscover the aspirations you once had as a child in this delightful debut. When Brett's mother dies, she inherits a challenge: complete the list of childhood dreams she made years ago. While some goals seem unattainable, a bittersweet letter accompanies each one, offering tough love, wisdom, and warmth. As Brett navigates through the list, she finds that life's greatest joys can be found in the most unexpected places.

A moving coming-of-age story of love, grief, and friendship set in 1987, the protagonist June finds solace only in the company of her uncle, renowned painter Finn Weiss. But when Finn dies, June's world is turned upside down. A surprise acquaintance, Toby, enters her life and helps her heal while revealing unknown truths about Finn and her own heart. Touching and unforgettable, this novel shows how compassion can make us whole again.

A poignant tale of love and loss, The First Last Kiss explores the complexities of holding onto a relationship that's slipping away. Follow Ryan and Molly as they navigate the uncertain future and come to terms with the fleeting nature of every kiss. This bittersweet story will leave you thinking long after the final page.

Escape into the picturesque English countryside with a newlywed couple who uncover a mysterious, cursed moondial in their garden. With each full moon, Holly sees the future, one where Tom holds their daughter Libby and mourns Holly's death in childbirth. Now faced with a weighty decision, Holly must choose between sacrificing herself for Tom and their child, or erasing the life of the daughter she's come to love.

A relatable and charming novel about a middle-aged woman, Alice Buckle, who feels unfulfilled and disconnected from her husband. When an anonymous online study called “Marriage in the 21st Century” shows up in her inbox, she takes the opportunity to open up and finds herself answering personal questions as 'Wife 22'. As her correspondence with her caseworker, 'Researcher 101', becomes more personal, Alice is forced to make a life-changing decision that could alter everything. This book explores the complexities of marriage while providing witty observations and heartwarming moments.

A family tragedy leaves two women, Evie and Nicole, and their children in upheaval as they navigate their complicated relationships with one another. Evie sees a chance to rid herself of Nicole, but unforeseen circumstances force them to share a home and their lives. As they struggle to define what makes a family, secrets and tensions come to the surface. Amy Sue Nathan's debut novel, The Glass Wives, is a heartfelt exploration of the complexities of love and family.