You know what happens when the temperature drops? Our urge to snuggle up by the fire, wrapped in a blanket, book in hand, skyrockets. We’ve had our fill of lighthearted beach reads, and now it’s time to go deeper. There’s no limit to the number of books we could recommend, but here are three you need to know about right now. So, turn the kettle on and tell everyone to bugger off. Because you’re going to want to settle in with one of these—pronto.
The Tear Jerker 
Come Away With Me by Karma Brown
Book Jacket: One minute, Tegan Lawson has everything she could hope for: an adoring husband, Gabe, and a baby on the way. The next, a patch of black ice causes a devastating accident that will change her life in ways she never could have imagined. Tegan is consumed by grief, not to mention her anger toward Gabe, who was behind the wheel in that fateful moment. But just when she thinks she’s hit rock bottom, Gabe reminds her of their Jar of Spontaneity, a collection of their dream destinations and experiences—and so begins an adventure of a lifetime. From the bustling markets of Thailand to the flavors of Italy to the ocean waves in Hawaii, Tegan and Gabe embark on a journey to escape tragedy and search for forgiveness. They soon learn that grief follows you no matter how far away you run, and that acceptance comes when you least expect it.
Our Take: Karma Brown ascends in this, her freshman offering. Her magical novel—which is part travelogue and part intensely personal story of love, loss, and renewal—engages all of the feelings. She surprises with honest and approachable characters who have to overcome the most awful situations and supports her story with fresh and relatable writing. You’ll fall deeply in love with Gabe, while at the same time maintaining a protective loyalty towards Teagan. Bring tissues and brace yourself for surprises (if you haven’t already followed the breadcrumbs).
Book Crush: Gabe, who is loosely based on Brown’s husband, is now the standard to which we hold all husbands.
The Perfect Part Deux 
Book Jacket: Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started. Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future. For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. Here, Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await.
Our Take: Jojo Moyes had us falling in love most unexpectedly in her hit book Me Before You. And now, in this follow up, she’s given us exactly what we wanted: the rest of the story. It may not all be happy, but it is what happens after. We’re still enamoured with Louisa’s unique outlook on life. Her skill as a narrator is what makes us adore her more. Although we can’t help missing Will (isn’t that the point?), having a bird’s eye view as Louisa overcomes her grief is a gift that Moyes presents with warmth and charm. This novel is touching, funny, oddly encouraging, and the perfect open-ended ending we were craving.
Book Crush: Ambulance Sam. We love a man in uniform, and this one rides a motorcycle too.
The Laugh-Out-Loud Dirty One 
Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase
Book Jacket: When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. In his own words: I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand. Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will turn you on. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be. Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and arguing cases in the principal’s office. Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids. And that—that, I know how to do.
Our Take: We’re not ashamed to admit that we love ourselves a good dose of erotica. But sometimes erotic romance takes itself a little too seriously. Enter Emma Chase, one of our favourite romance authors, with the second book in her new series, The Legal Briefs. True to form, she adds a sprinkling of humour to a genre that has become largely formulaic. If you’ve ever wondered what your lawyer has got going on under that 3-piece suit, then you’ll want to dive into the untidily sexy world of Jake and Chelsea.
Book Crush: Obviously, Jake. This guy knows how to wield his sword.
