Be sure to tune into this week’s Book Gang podcast to hear more behind Rachel Hochhauser’s incredible writing journey.

This hypnotic debut offers readers a fresh slant on the Cinderella story, reframing the evil stepmother with unseen challenges and motivations on the infamous night of the ball, flipping the well-known fairytale on its head.

Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley has lost two husbands and is now left to maintain a run-down manor and secure futures for her daughters. When a royal ball promises a way out of poverty, she gambles everything—only to discover hope in the most unanticipated alliance.

Hochhauser's writing feels as timeless as the story itself, shining in details that could only be captured by a mother, the ultimate observer and protector of her children. As the narrative escalates into a soapy crescendo, we glimpse behind palace walls where nothing is as it seems.

Contemplating what truly makes a happily-ever-after anyway, Lady Tremaine gazes at her daughters as they observe the natural world, ever ready to protect them from any threat. "I want to reach for them. Pull them close. But I do not have enough hands to hold them all. So, instead, I watch them. Absorb each detail. Twin sable braids and blond curls. Freckles and scars and mud."

This distinctive catalog is one any mother will know well, and it feels as if someone took a scalpel to my heart and peered inside to see how I observe and love my own children. This story is pure magic and establishes Rachel as a talent to watch.

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Ward delivers a harrowing tale in this new Peter Pan retelling.

Set deep in the unforgiving Colorado Rockies, the story begins when Riley, a resourceful young teen, awakens in the dead of night and flees with her little brother, Oliver, from their abusive home.

They’re chasing whispers of Nowhere,  an abandoned ranch once owned by a reclusive movie star now whispered about as a refuge for runaways.

What Riley discovers is that Nowhere isn’t just a hideout, but a place with ghosts in the ashes, guarded by fiercely territorial children and steeped in secrets.

Told through multiple interwoven perspectives — including the siblings and documentary filmmakers — you can chase the legend of Nowhere together.

Though not a direct retelling of a single classic tale, The Swan's Daughter earns its fairy-tale adjacency through its swan-maiden mythology, cursed royalty, enchanted competitions for marriage, and the kind of lyrical, fate-driven romance that feels pulled from the oldest storybooks.

Prince Arris fears marriage because a wish to a sea witch dooms every ruler of Malys to die and turn into a tree the day after their wedding. In this kingdom where love and death mix, the tournament of brides offers both hope and danger.

Then there’s Demelza, a veritas swan whose song reveals hidden truths. Forced into hiding but full of sharp wit and courage, she makes a deal with Arris—her truth-telling for his protection.

Their journey leads through sparkling caves, risky courts, and dances where love and danger blur.

This dark, twisted retelling of The Goose Girl mixes eerie magic with sharp humor and real danger.

Fourteen-year-old Cordelia has never had a normal life. Under her mysterious sorceress mother’s strict rule, she’s been trained to be silent and “obedient,” with only her horse Falada for comfort.

When her mother’s plans bring them to a wealthy squire’s grand manor and his watchful sister Hester, Cordelia finds a rare chance for freedom—and a frightening way out of the only home she’s known. As secrets come to light and threats grow, Cordelia must face what it costs to escape her mother’s magic and what it means to protect those she cares about.

Marissa Meyer takes the chilling Bluebeard legend and turns it into a captivating mix of romance, mystery, and ghostly suspense.

Mallory Fontaine is a con artist who uses her ghost-sight and a family story she doesn’t really deserve. She and her sister sell fake charms and lead tours of the infamous House Saphir, where Count Bastien Saphir committed grisly murders.

When Armand Saphir—the count’s handsome heir—hires them to clear his ancestral home of restless spirits, Mallory jumps at the chance for easy money and maybe some respect. But old and new murders, clever ghosts, and hidden monsters turn the job into a deadly game.

Between teasing ghosts and a growing attraction to Armand, Mallory must decide if her heart is worth risking—even if the house might never let her go.

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Described as a reimagined Beauty and the Beast, Ivey spins a dark yarn in her mesmerizing third novel, which left me in a puddle of tears after I finished the final page.

Single mother Birdie struggles to get by in a rough Alaskan town while waiting tables, often with her young daughter, Emaleen, by her side at a local inn.

When Arthur Neilsen—a reclusive stranger with a haunting backstory—rescues Emaleen from the woods, Birdie is drawn to both him and the untamed world he inhabits.

Against all warnings from wary locals, she and Emaleen follow him deep into the remote mountains, where life begins in his dusty, neglected, moss-covered home, which the girls immediately fill with great care and love.

But the dream unravels when Emaleen spots Arthur through a pair of binoculars roaming the woods wearing only a bear skin.

This eerie detail shifts the novel's trajectory, leading to a haunting exploration of Arthur's chilling origin story as a child—crafted with the same depth and wonder that defined Ivey's magical realism debut, The Snow Child.

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Adelmann's page-turning plot depicts an unusual support group meeting in a New York City basement with women who have been victims of fairy tales. Some women are true fairy tale characters, like Little Red Riding Hood. Others are modern-day fairy tale characters, like Ashlee E. on a Bachelor reality dating show series.

Each victim gets the floor (and a chapter) on what has happened to them. When viewed through a modern lens, we have a more sympathetic and layered account that makes us even more uncomfortable than the original tale.

For example, think about Gretel's sugar addiction and dental problems after her traumatizing capture. How would this change their eating habits? What if the story wasn't even true, and there was a completely different version of this commonly told fable?

Thanks to the chapter setup, it reads like a short story series. It was as addictive as any reality TV show, but be mindful of the warnings about the fairy tale crimes and the graphic repercussions of each fictional victim.

If Pinocchio met Wall-E with a side of Swiss Family Robinson, you'd get something like this quirky, heartwarming sci-fi fairy tale.

In a world where machines rule and humans are all but extinct, Victor and his misfit family of robots live a peaceful, hidden existence—until their past catches up with them.

TJ Klune brings his signature blend of humor and found-family warmth to this story, making it both a whimsical adventure and a quietly profound meditation on love, identity, and what it means to be human.

FUN FACT: Klune spent six months interviewing individuals on the autism spectrum to authentically portray Victor, aiming to contrast human complexity with the robots surrounding him.

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A dark and mesmerizing reimagining of Baba Yaga, this story follows estranged siblings Bellatine and Isaac Yaga, who inherit a house with chicken legs—yes, actual chicken legs.

As they embark on a cross-country puppet show tour, a sinister force known as the Longshadow Man pursues them, unraveling long-buried family secrets.

Thistlefoot combines Eastern European folklore, Jewish myth, and real history into a compelling family saga.

This lush retelling of The Goose Girl follows Princess Alyrra, who welcomes an arranged marriage to escape her cruel family—until she's betrayed and magically stripped of her identity.

Forced to survive as a lowly goose girl while an imposter takes her place, Alyrra must decide whether to fight for the throne or choose the quiet life she's come to love.

In a note to readers, Initsar shared, "If you are looking for a kick-butt heroine who takes names, Thorn is not the book for you. I wrote this story for myself, because I am not a kick-butt heroine, and if it came down to that, I would most certainly not save the day. But I truly believe that regular girls can save the day--girls who have seen the worst of humanity, who have faced sorrow and fear and hopelessness and were pretty sure they didn't have what it would take, and yet kept on going."

Intisar is the author of the Dauntless Path books (beginning with Thorn) and The Sunbolt Chronicles.

Marissa Meyer's Heartless is a standalone novel that serves as a prequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, focusing on the backstory of the Queen of Hearts.

Meyer's gives us context to Wonderland's most fearsome ruler, following Cath as she navigates court politics, a forbidden love with a charming joker, and the crushing weight of royal expectations.

Meyer's is an expert at breathing new life into classic tales, and this Alice in Wonderland retelling is no exception—equal parts whimsical and heartbreaking. This origin story proves that even the most infamous villains were once just hopeful girls with hungry hearts.

This One Thousand and One Nights retelling is the kind of sweeping, romantasy that you'll want to devour in one sitting.

When Shahrzad volunteers to marry the monstrous boy-king who murders his brides each dawn, she plans to take her revenge—until she realizes there's more to him than the rumors suggest.

Lush prose, slow-burning romance, and a heroine who wields stories as both weapon and shield make this a must-read for anyone who loves fairy tales with a bite.

FUN FACT: The Wrath & the Dawn is the first book in a duology, followed by The Rose & the Dagger. The series has been praised for its rich Middle Eastern cultural context and intricate world-building, earning a spot on the New York Times bestseller list!

The second installment in Alix E. Harrow's Fractured Fables series throws us back into the multiverse of fairy tales, this time with a twist on Snow White that questions what happens after the happily ever after.

Zinnia Gray has made a career out of fixing fairy tales, but when she gets pulled into a mirror and face-to-face with an aging Evil Queen who refuses to go quietly, she starts to wonder if villains deserve a second chance, too.

Harrow's writing is as sharp and enchanting as ever, giving us a meta, feminist, and another wildly fun take on fractured fairy tales.

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Maas has shared that the A Court of Thorn and Roses romantasy series was inspired by three of her all-time favorite fairy tales: Beauty and the Beast, East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and Tam Lin.

Feyre, a young huntress, is taken captive by the fae after killing a wolf and must navigate the dangers of the fae realm. As she grows closer to the mysterious Tamlin, she learns that there is much more at stake than her own freedom.

Maas's world-building is rich, and the romance and intrigue will captivate readers, making this an essential read for fans of magical retellings.

This popular book series includes five novels. Her books have sold more than twelve million copies and have been published in thirty-seven languages!

Gregory Maguire is the master of fairy tale subversion, peeling back the layers of familiar stories to reveal something darker, richer, and undeniably human.

Wicked flips The Wizard of Oz on its head, giving us a deeply imagined backstory for Elphaba, the so-called Wicked Witch of the West. In Maguire's Oz, politics, prejudice, and power struggles shape a world far more complex than the one Dorothy saw.

This novel explores what it means to be labeled a villain when you're just trying to survive. But it is important to know that the stage adaptation is very different from this novel, which focuses more heavily on the politics of Oz.

Inspired by The Wild Swans, Princess Shiori'anma harbors a forbidden secret: magic courses through her veins.

On the day of her betrothal ceremony, an accidental display of her powers catches the attention of her stepmother, Raikama, who curses Shiori and her six brothers.

Transformed into cranes, her brothers can only regain their human forms at night, while Shiori is rendered voiceless; each word she utters will result in one of her brothers' deaths.

Banished from her kingdom, Shiori embarks on a perilous quest to break the curse, relying on her resilience, a sentient paper crane named Kiki, a shapeshifting dragon, and the very boy she was betrothed to marry.

Lim weaves a tale with stunning world-building, an irresistible slow-burn romance, and a heroine who refuses to break. This is a must-read.

What if Cinderella's happily ever after became a nightmare for every girl who came after her? In this fiercely feminist retelling, girls in the Kingdom of Lille are forced to attend an annual ball where men select their wives—or else they disappear.

Unwilling to accept this fate, Sophia flees and discovers the truth about Cinderella's legend, igniting a revolution that could change everything.

With queer romance, sharp social commentary, and a heroine who refuses to be silenced, this is a Cinderella story like you've never seen before.

FUN FACT: Kalynn Bayron, the author of Cinderella Is Dead is also a classically trained vocalist!

Red Riding Hood meets the apocalypse in this brutal, gripping retelling.

In a world ravaged by disease and violence, Red is determined to survive and reach the safety of her grandmother's house—but the journey is treacherous, and the biggest threat isn't the virus but the predators who roam the woods.

Along the way, she confronts the dangers of the wild and the darker side of humanity, challenging those traditional notions of vulnerability and strength.

FUN FACT: Christina Henry is renowned for her dark retellings of classic fairy tales, including Alice and Lost Boy, which reimagine the stories of Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan, respectively.

West African mythology meets The Little Mermaid in this lush and lyrical fantasy. Simi is a Mami Wata, a mermaid tasked with guiding souls lost at sea to the afterlife—until she saves a drowning boy and defies the gods in the process.

With its rich mythology, breathtaking world-building, and a story that blends adventure with deep emotional stakes, this is a must-read for Children of Blood and Bone fans.

FUN FACT: Natasha Bowen, of Nigerian and Welsh descent, drew inspiration from her heritage and African folklore to craft this compelling narrative. Her dedication to authenticity led her to consult with an Ifá priest to deepen her understanding of Yoruba culture and the Orísha deities, enriching the novel's cultural depth.

This haunting historical retelling sets Hansel and Gretel against the horrors of WWII.

As the war draws to a close, a Jewish father and stepmother make the heart-wrenching decision to abandon their two children in a dense forest, hoping to increase their chances of survival.

Renaming themselves "Hansel" and "Gretel" to conceal their Jewish identities, the siblings wander through the woods until they encounter Magda, an elderly woman labeled a "witch" by local villagers. Magda takes them in, and together they navigate the perils of a land ravaged by war, confronting both human cruelty and the enduring spirit of hope.

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Cinder kicks off the Lunar Chronicles with a futuristic, action-packed twist on the classic tale, featuring a heroine who's as much mechanic as a princess.

Set in a futuristic world plagued by a deadly disease, the story follows Linh Cinder, a skilled mechanic who is also a cyborg—a status that makes her a second-class citizen.

When Prince Kai brings his broken android to her for repair, Cinder becomes entangled in a web of secrets and conflict. As she uncovers truths about her past, she faces choices that could shape the future of Earth and its colonies.

FUN FACT: Marissa Meyer began developing the concept for Cinder during the 2008 National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) contest, where she initially wrote a story focusing on a futuristic version of Puss in Boots. This early work laid the foundation for her later decision to create a series of fairy tale retellings set in the future.

What happens when the girl who once flew to Neverland grows up? In Wendy, Darling, A.C. Wise gives us a feminist, psychological take on Peter Pan, in which Wendy—now an adult and a mother—must return to Neverland to save her kidnapped daughter.

But this time, she sees through the magic to the dark truths hidden beneath. If you've ever wondered what happens after the fairy tale ends, this haunting and beautifully written novel will stay with you.

Arden's memorable debut novel retells a Russian fairy tale about Frost, a blue-eyed winter demon.

Vasilisa, a young girl who can see the ancient spirits of the forest, finds herself caught between the old ways and the new.

After her mother dies, her father brings home a bride who forbids the family from honoring the household spirits. This refusal leads to a series of unfortunate events, and Vasilisa must defy everyone she loves and use the gifts she has long concealed as her village falls under the grip of an oppressive winter.

FUN FACT: The novel is the first in Arden's Winternight Trilogy, with the subsequent books being The Girl in the Tower and The Winter of the Witch. The trilogy was a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Series.

This Beauty and the Beast retelling gives us a fierce, no-nonsense heroine and a cursed prince trapped in a brutal time loop.

Harper, a young woman from Washington, D.C., living with cerebral palsy, is unexpectedly transported to the magical land of Emberfall. There, she encounters Prince Rhen, who is bound by a curse that repeatedly forces him to relive the same season, each cycle ending with his transformation into a monstrous form.

Harper becomes entwined in Rhen's quest to break the curse, facing challenges that test her resilience and perceptions of heroism.

With action, romance, and a fresh take on familiar tropes, this is perfect for readers who love their fairy tales with a side of high-stakes fantasy.

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In this Rumpelstiltskin retelling, Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders. Her dad has been far too kind to those he has loaned money to, and Miryem decides to step up on his behalf. Due to her ability to bring in the riches, she soon becomes known as the girl who spins silver into gold.

When her boasting attracts the attention of the king of the Staryk—grim fey creatures who seem more ice than flesh—she unwittingly spins a web that draws in a peasant girl whose father plans to wed her to the Tsar.

But the Tsar isn't who he seems, and his secret threatens to consume them all. Torn between these choices, Miryem, along with two unlikely allies, embarks on a quest to save the world.

FUN FACT: Naomi Novik expanded Spinning Silver from a short story she originally published in 2016, transforming it into a novel that garnered several prestigious awards, including the 2019 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

This Peter Pan reimagining asks: What if Wendy's granddaughter had a daughter of her own—one who's gone missing—and Peter Pan is the reason why?

Holly has established herself as a successful skincare entrepreneur, cherishing her son, Jack, while keeping the tragic events of her past at bay. However, her life takes a wild turn when she learns that her daughter, Eden—who has been in a coma for nearly a decade—has mysteriously vanished.

Suspecting the involvement of the real and perilous Peter Pan, Holly launches a daring quest to rescue Eden, confronting the haunting legacy of her family's history

Be sure to check the content warnings on this novel before reading.

FUN FACT: The inspiration for Darling Girl was drawn from the life of the Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, particularly the profound impact of his brother David's tragic death on his perspective of love and eternal youth.

Elle Wittimer, a devoted fan of the cult-classic sci-fi series Starfield, finds solace in her late father's cherished show while navigating the challenges posed by her unsupportive stepmother and stepsisters.

When Elle discovers a cosplay contest at ExcelsiCon—a convention founded by her father—she seizes the opportunity to honor his memory and connect with her beloved fandom. The contest offers a chance to meet the actor playing Prince Carmindor in the upcoming Starfield reboot.

Teen heartthrob Darien Freeman, selected to play Prince Carmindor, struggles with the pressures of fame and fears of not meeting the expectations of die-hard fans. But, through a series of anonymous text messages, Elle and Darien find a bond unlike any other.

In this Beauty and the Beast retelling, Beauty is no conventional heroine, but when she takes her father's place in the Beast's castle, she finds herself unraveling the mysteries of his curse and discovering love where she least expects it.

Published in 1978, this novel marked McKinley's debut and has since become a beloved classic in the realm of fairy tale retellings.

Interestingly, some readers have noted similarities between McKinley's portrayal and Disney's 1991 animated adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, particularly in Beauty's love for books and the enchanted household items, sparking discussions about possible influences.

Cinderella meets reality TV in this body-positive, charming romance.

Cindy, a plus-size aspiring designer, joins a Bachelor-style dating show—only to realize that the prince might actually be falling for her. With Julie Murphy's signature humor and heart, this is a delightful, empowering take on happily ever afters.

If you are on the hunt for more books like this, Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone shared their favorite plus-size characters on the Book Gang podcast to celebrate their latest romance collaboration adventures.

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What happens when fairy tale princesses are programmed to serve—and what happens when one of them starts to want something more?

The Kingdom is a Disney-meets-Westworld fever dream set in a futuristic theme park where android princesses exist to make guests' dreams come true.

But when one of them is accused of murder, we're thrown into a gripping mystery that questions autonomy, humanity, and the cost of happily ever after.

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Revisiting this novel for book club was such a treat this past year. I forgot how beautifully Frankel weaves a fairy tale into her gorgeous family drama.

While I hesitate to frame the acceptance that is showered upon this child as they explore their gender identity feels like a fairy tale, I hope one day it is a story that feels more grounded in everyone's reality as the years go by.

In This Is How It Always Is, Penn's bedtime fairy tales also serve as a profound parallel to the family's real-life experiences. These stories, woven throughout the novel, mirror the journey of their youngest child, Claude, who identifies as Poppy.

As the family navigates the journey of gender identity, the evolving fairy tale reflects their challenges and growth, pulling the story together in the best little happily ever after.

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This novel offers a spellbinding audiobook experience, making it an unforgettable fairy tale adventure.

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent their lives on the run, constantly dodging the streak of bad luck that seems to haunt them.

Alice's mother is kidnapped by a figure from the Hinterland, a cruel supernatural realm inspired by her grandmother's stories, leaving behind a chilling warning for Alice to stay away from the Hazel Wood.

Ignoring her mother's advice, she launches a perilous quest to find the magical Hazel Wood, accompanied by a classmate and die-hard fan of her grandmother's work. As you may guess, secrets are uncovered and truths revealed.

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Fans of Erasure will find much to love in this gorgeous debut that we are celebrating this week on the Book Gang podcast.

Layla and her husband, Eli, are struggling after eight years together when Layla accepts a choreographer job in a mostly white community, leaving Eli behind. The position, meant to provide stability for a hoped-for family, quickly becomes complicated when Layla is pushed by her boss, Margot, to infuse her work with political meaning.

Growing uncomfortable with her direction, she is tasked with directing an all-Black dance troupe where a comedy of manners and microaggressions ensue.

Meanwhile, the distance between her and Eli grows, and Layla learns she is finally pregnant after past heartbreak. As she confronts challenges at work and in her marriage, she learns to stand up for herself and to embrace an important role in her own Black identity.

In a satisfying and slim 256 pages, Morrow brings the story together with a revelatory flourish in this grown-up “coming of age” narrative in which our main character finds her voice and, ultimately, discovers that choosing yourself is far more rewarding than choosing the visions of someone else, even the well-intentioned people in our lives.

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Guillory makes a joyful leap into young adult fiction with a contemporary story that twirls ballet into a summer of self‑discovery and first love.

Senior‑year hopeful Kat “Kitty” planned on a quiet summer of college prep and freedom before she was sent to a California desert camp where she can’t escape the memory of the ballet she once loved and reluctantly left behind.

When she stumbles upon a staff party filled with spontaneous dancing that stirs something in her she thought she’d quit, she's drawn back to movement... and to Jordan, the magnetic hip‑hop instructor who challenges her to let go and just feel the music.

Balancing her past devotion to ballet with new rhythms and a budding romance, she must ask what she’s really willing to risk to reclaim the joy of dance and define her own path forward.

Release Date- 26 October 2026

Ballard's spicy, dance‑filled romance introduces readers to Allegra Hart, a devoted ballerina with her eye on the principal role at Ballet New York who’s determined to prove she has what it takes to lead the next big production.

When her director suggests she lacks the sex appeal for the part she’s dreamed of since childhood, she enlists the help of Cord Donovan, a stunningly talented former dancer turned leader of an all‑male revue, to teach her confidence and stage presence that go beyond classical technique.

As they swap lessons, rehearsals, and late nights, their connection begins to shift offstage as well as onstage. As we have many Fallon Ballard fans, I am sure this is an anticipated read for many of our readers!

Release Date- 10 March 2026

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Rym Kechacha conjures a haunting, one-day-long fantasy where a traveling ballet company performs an ancient, otherworldly show for faerie princes, imps, and sprites who might just snatch performers into the Otherworld at any moment.

As dawn breaks on All Souls’ Day, the troupe aboard the mysterious steam train, the Pearl, prepares for their ballet that binds them to their art and to each other.

Atmospheric, surreal, and rich with folklore-tinged tension, this novel turns the discipline of dance into a spellbinding exploration of art and sacrifice.

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If the book Tell the Wolves I'm Home was your favorite coming-of-age story, this is your next best bet.

In this slim story, Howrey turns the world of ballet into a haunting novel of ambition and forgiveness as a choreographer returns to the dance-filled past she once ran from.

Born to ballet parents and raised on summers in a Greenwich Village apartment steeped in art and the devastation of the AIDS crisis, Carlisle’s early drive to follow in her mother’s Balanchine-trained footsteps shaped the artist she became — and the daughter she couldn’t fully be.

When a phone call announces her estranged father’s impending death, she confronts the long-buried choices that fractured her family and her dreams of dance and belonging. Howrey is a former dancer herself, bringing beauty and authenticity to every page. I ate this book up.

If you have a dancer lurking inside you, you'll love these imagined choreographed dances and behind-the-scenes dance dramas. I know that I did!

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Kim's fierce, gorgeous world of Russian ballet is brought to life through the eyes of a once-renowned prima ballerina, which came highly recommended by my co-host on our Patreon show, FULLY BOOKED.

Natalia returns to St. Petersburg two years after a career-ending accident she can’t yet let go of. Haunted by her meteoric rise from a working-class kid accepted into a prestigious ballet academy, she faces a new crossroad.

When a former rival offers her the chance to dance her signature role at the Mariinsky, she must confront the ghosts of lovers, competitors, and the pain that first drove her to achieve greatness.

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Tammy Greenwood was a past book club book author (Rust & Stardust) who described this book as very different from her earlier work, offering readers a soapy Dance Moms-inspired drama perfect for escaping real life.

Greenwood drops readers into the fiercely competitive, beautifully grueling world of pre‑professional ballet where three devoted moms and their daughters vie for a life‑changing opportunity.

A celebrated but controversial French ballet master arrives at a Southern California conservatory with a documentary crew in tow and promises one student a full scholarship to the Académie de la Ballet de Paris.

As auditions, rehearsals, and biting jealousy spin like a perfect pirouette gone awry, the girls and their mothers grapple with the sacrifices, ambitions, and heartbreaks that come with raising a child in a world defined by pointe shoes, rehearsals, and relentless pursuit of perfection.

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Esmé Foster, a former ballerina whose promising professional career was cut short by injury, returns to her Massachusetts hometown to care for her ailing father and reckons with ghosts she thought she’d left behind.

What should be a quiet homecoming instead greets her with the shocking discovery of her childhood friend’s body in the woods behind her family’s house, setting off a tense, atmospheric mystery that blurs past dreams with present danger.

This novel is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone police procedural that unfolds as a slow-burning mystery.

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Marra’s interwoven stories trace decades of Russian history, where the echoes of a prima ballerina’s grace ripple through generations of lovers, soldiers, artists, and dreamers.

It begins in Stalinist Leningrad, where a government censor tasked with erasing dissent becomes captivated (and haunted) by the image of a disgraced ballerina, her presence defying the regime’s efforts to obliterate art and identity.  

As disparate characters intersect across time and place, Marra’s lyrical prose celebrates how art offers an anchor and a testament to what refuses to be forgotten despite our government.

Doesn't that sound timely?

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Seventeen‑year‑old Laure has spent years mastering her technique at the Ballet Academy of Paris, only to be repeatedly overlooked because of her background and skin color, and she’ll do anything to convince the world she belongs center stage.

When rumors of eldritch power lurking in the Catacombs beneath the city reach her, she makes a pact with forces that promise influence and adoration beyond her wildest dreams — but at a cost that twists her body, her rivals, and even her dreams into something quite monstrous.

As she claws her way toward stardom, the story’s haunting horror edges become an unflinching metaphor for the brutal sacrifices ballet demands.

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This is one of my favorite Maggie Shipstead novels, and I loved it so much that I reached out to interview the author after I finished it.  

Early in her career in Paris, Joan helps charismatic Soviet ballet star Arslan Rusakov defect to the West (even driving the getaway car), but when his fame eclipses hers, she retreats from the spotlight and settles into suburban life as a wife and mother.

Ballet never fully releases her, though, and when her son Harry shows extraordinary promise as a dancer, she's pulled back into the exacting world she once tried to leave behind.

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Kiester delivers a heartfelt, page‑turning experience that I rated 5-stars the year it came out.

Once a rising ballet talent who gave up the lead role in a major production to start a family, June’s disappearance forces her husband Ben to confront not just the mystery of where she went, but the deeper questions about who she always wanted to be and the sacrifices she made along the way.

Told in alternating perspectives, the novel reveals June’s internal struggle as the reader journeys to understand her motives, exploring a rarely examined topic in literature. To tell you what this is, though, would rob you of the beauty in this read.

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Three women whose lives were shaped and scarred by their shared years at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School are brought to light in this slow-burning story.

Thirteen years after leaving Paris for a new life in St. Petersburg, former soloist‑turned‑choreographer Delphine returns to the legendary Palais Garnier with a new production and a hope that reuniting with her old friends Lindsay and Margaux will finally heal old wounds.

But as rehearsals unfold and memories resurface, long‑buried secrets threaten to upend everything they’ve built.

I loved the commentary on how women fight the aging process, the contrast between men's and women's expectations in the dance world. I gave this 5-stars when I read it, and I still think about this story’s themes often.

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Bestselling author and neuroscientist Lisa Genova tells the powerful story of a Boston family confronting the devastating diagnosis of Huntington’s disease and the ripple effects it sends through their tightly knit lives.

Patriarch Joe O’Brien, a devoted police officer, watches with heartbreak and fear as his symptoms emerge and his sense of control dissolves, while his children — including Meghan, a dedicated ballet dancer with the Boston Ballet whose movement once defined her identity — grapple with the possibility that they too may inherit the cruel illness.

By inviting readers into both the ritual of performance and the intimate moments behind closed doors, Inside the O’Briens shows that even when the body betrays us, courage remains.

I thought this was a beautiful read that should be depressing but ends with a lot of hope & positivity for the reader.

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I fell in love with Milena McKay’s sapphic romances a few years ago, and highly recommend giving this indie author a spin in your stack. This novel offers a passionate, ’80s-set tale where the glittering world of Paris ballet becomes the stage for rivalry and desire between two extraordinary dancers.

Juliette Lucian-Sorel, the celebrated “Princess of Paris” and reigning star of the Palais Garnier, lives a life that seems as polished and secure as her pointe work.  When Katarina Vyatka, a defector from the legendary Bolshoi Ballet, steps into her world with fierce ambition and secrets of her own, she finds her world turned upside down.

As the two formidable ballerinas twirl from competition to intimacy, their fiery chemistry ignites a dangerous choreography set against the backdrop of Cold War intrigue.

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It is impossible to talk about ballet without addressing disordered eating to maintain those perfect lines.

This lyrical novel shares the story of Anna Roux, who once lived through her body. A dancer in Paris, she’s trained to pursue grace, discipline, and flawlessness at any cost.

When an injury ends her career, that same devotion to control curdles into anorexia, and she finds herself in a residential treatment house with other women fighting to survive their own battles.

As she navigates recovery, dance lingers like a ghost: in her memories of movement, in the rigid standards she internalized, and in her fear of inhabiting her body again.

Set almost entirely within the walls of 17 Swann Street, the novel traces the slow, painful choreography of healing. It’s a gorgeous, haunting read!

Best friends Marine and Kate navigate their final, make‑or‑break year at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School.

Trained side by side since childhood and bonded by shared family tragedies and a fierce devotion to dance, they now compete not just for The Prize — a coveted spot in the Opera’s corps de ballet — but for the attention of their dazzling classmate known only as “the Demigod,” whose talent can make or break a partner’s chance at success.

When a body is discovered in the dorms just before the year begins, paranoia and pressure seep into every rehearsal, forcing the girls to confront how far they’ll go for the life they’ve dreamed of since they first laced up their pointe shoes.

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I am such a sucker for a sister story, and I gave this novel 5 glowing stars the year that I read it, way back in 2012.

Buchanan's atmospheric novel follows the van Goethem sisters in 1878 Paris as they struggle to rise above poverty by entering the rigorous, unforgiving world of the Paris Opéra Ballet.

While Marie’s persistence wins her a place in the ballet and the attention of Edgar Degas (who immortalizes her as the model for Little Dancer Aged Fourteen), Antoinette’s choices pull her toward dangerous liaisons that threaten her future on and off the stage.

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Kelly Bishop invites readers behind the curtain, tracing her path from classical ballet training to Broadway and beloved roles on screen.

Raised in Colorado with informal ballet lessons that sparked a lifelong love of performance, she moved to New York at 18 to pursue dance, eventually joining the Radio City Music Hall corps de ballet before becoming a Tony-winning performer in A Chorus Line.

As Bishop pivoted from dancing to acting, her memoir reflects on the ways ballet taught her resilience, grace under pressure, and the courage to continually reinvent herself in a notoriously demanding industry.

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Vlaby excavates a hidden chapter of American ballet history by telling the powerful story of five pioneering Black ballerinas whose artistry helped shape the Dance Theatre of Harlem at the height of the Civil Rights era.

Weaving together vivid portraits of Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton, we discover the women who defied a segregated dance world and earned international acclaim on stage, from the White House to European tours.

Far more than a dry chronicle, this deeply researched narrative celebrates the elegance, grit, and sisterhood that sustained these dancers through both dazzling performances and the marginalization that nearly erased their legacy from ballet’s story.

To fully appreciate the stunning images of their performances and better understand the plot, I suggest obtaining a physical copy of the book. The story comprises a large cast of characters, and having a hard copy would help you keep track of all these incredible women. I loved this book immensely.

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We can't have a list of ballet books without honoring Misty Copeland.

In this riveting memoir, the trailblazing ballet star whose unlikely rise from a chaotic childhood to becoming one of American Ballet Theatre’s most celebrated dancers defied every expectation in the classical dance world.

Copeland recounts discovering ballet at thirteen, mastering complex roles in record time. As one of the first African‑American women to break barriers at ABT and dance iconic ballets with grace and power, readers go on a journey through the early years of her career.

I highly recommend reading The Swans of Harlem first, where Copeland makes a surprising cameo that really comes full circle.

I am so proud to champion Nancy Johnson as a MomAdvice Book Club author. Johnson offers a beautifully researched story that pulls readers into 1959 Nashville and 1992 Chicago, following a mother and daughter as they confront the social justice movements that shaped modern America.

In the earlier timeline, Freda grows up sheltered within her affluent Black family until her arrival at Fisk University exposes her to the harsh realities of segregation and the rising tide of activism that challenges everything she's been taught.

Her daughter Tulip's 1990s storyline echoes those same questions of privilege and responsibility as she witnesses the Rodney King trial and steps into the work of justice through her PR expertise, even when it costs her personally.

Johnson masterfully harmonizes the music of mothers and daughters, weaving an intimate yet sweeping story that offers readers a soul-stirring portrait of the powerful ties that bind across time.

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When Margot Cooper uncovers the tangled web of her famous husband’s betrayals, she doesn’t just leave Los Angeles—she escapes, teenage daughter in tow, seeking sanctuary in the creaking halls of her childhood home.

There, while rummaging through the dust and ghosts of her past, Margot stumbles on a battered box in the attic filled with cryptic clues about the infamous vigilante Lady X and a photograph that suggests her own mother’s secret life.

The narrative leaps between the neon-lit shadows of 1970s New York and the sun-soaked, restless streets of modern Los Angeles, weaving a fast-paced, feminist thriller brimming with intrigue and generational secrets.

This is the kind of story that makes summer reading unforgettable. I devoured every twist and revelation, and I can’t wait for you to meet Lady X and unravel Molly’s inspiration behind this electrifying novel.

Release Date- 5 May 2026

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Keeper of Lost Children weaves together the lives of three unforgettable characters across decades and continents in this ambitious new story from Sadeqa Johnson.

In 1950s Germany, Ethel Gathers is determined to help the abandoned mixed-race children of Black American GIs and local women. A few years earlier, a  newly enlisted soldier in the desegregated army finds a love that changes the course of his life. Finally, in 1965,a woman living in Maryland uncovers a hidden family secret that sends her searching for her true identity.

As these three stories merge, Johnson explores the power of hope, the search for belonging, and the many forms of love that bind us across generations.

Release Date- 10 February 2026

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Muenter’s taut psychological novel alternates between the idyllic yet unsettling past of a young woman raised on a commune and her present-day efforts to hide that life from a curious journalist.

Catharine West’s gradual reconnection with her buried history reveals dark truths about control, ambition, and the lengths we go to be “good.”

Told in dual timelines that twist like a slow-burning mystery, Little One is a fierce exploration of identity and belonging. I haven’t been able to put this book down this week.

While you wait for your library holds for this one, try Such a Bad Influence and tune into my interview with Olivia on Book Gang.

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The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton tells the story of historian Alison Sage, who uncovers a long-lost manuscript written by Elizabeth Barton, a real 16th-century nun whose bold prophecies against King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn once led to her execution and the destruction of her writings—until now.

Alison’s discovery brings her fame and an invitation to the Codex Consortium, an elite week-long gathering of scholars at a crumbling old manor in the English countryside beside the ruins of Barton’s priory.

But what starts as a dream academic opportunity quickly turns sinister when murder strikes at the manor in this dual-timeline mystery.

Release Date- 14 April 2026

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This well-researched dual-timeline story explores present-day and 1950s Ireland, where a young woman becomes the midwife at a home for "fallen girls" and must risk everything to protect them as she uncovers more.

Later, as a granddaughter discovers a tattered birth certificate on an unknown baby born in Ireland, she embarks on a trip to discover her heritage and more about where her “true home” lies.

Laura Anthony writes emotionally rich women’s fiction that explores the courage of women as they navigate personal and historical challenges. While you wait for this one, pick up The Women on Platform Two.

Release Date- 12 May 2026

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In this mind-bending psychological debut, tradwife influencer Natalie Heller Mills has crafted the perfect online life complete with a rustic farmhouse, a charming family, and millions of followers.

But when she wakes one morning in the brutal reality of 1805, stripped of all the modern conveniences that helped her achieve her success, she must unravel whether this nightmare is a hoax, a test, or a journey through time itself.

Burke crafts a strong, unlikable narrator and unabashedly explores the lives of these influencers who have embraced this trend in this political moment. Certainly mesmerizing, prepare for a fresh dual-timeline perspective that will get your book clubs talking.

Release Date- 7 April 2026

A rich, layered story of friendship, music, and rediscovery that moves from Boston in 2003 to New York two decades later, The Encore follows gifted pianist and composer whose bond is forged at a prestigious conservatory, but fractured by a single night that changes everything.

Twenty years on, a teenage piano prodigy discovers a startling truth about her identity that reunites her with her birth parents and sends them on an unforgettable cross-country journey.

Izon’s promising debut is a resonant tale of art and destiny, where reconciliation and reverberations of the past meet the very human melodies of love, ambition, and family.

Release Date- 3 March 2026

In this sweeping generational epic, seven women of the Dupree family carry secrets, resilience, and love from 1917 to the late twentieth century and beyond.

As a fourteen-year-old in 1995, Tati seeks the truth about her father, uncovering hidden chapters of her mother’s life and her grandmother's and foremothers' — from the Great Migration to the legacy of a mysterious matrilineal bond that only daughters inherit.

This compelling debut masterfully weaves together stories of identity and endurance across time, revealing how the past shapes the present in voices that echo with courage and grace.

Told in alternating timelines between teenage first love and adult heartbreak, this deeply emotional novel traces the relationship between Macy and Elliot whose quiet, book-filled friendship as adolescents escalates to the devastating rift that tears them apart years later.

In the present, a chance reunion forces Macy to confront the choices she made after loss reshaped her life. As past and present slowly braid together, the full truth of what happened—and what was lost—comes into sharp focus.

Christina Lauren delivers a tender, aching love story that remains my favorite from this writing duo.

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In this haunting Me Too story, readers follow Margaret, a woman whose childhood trauma resurfaces as she navigates motherhood and co-parenting. At ten, she experienced unsettling violations by someone in her family, a secret she kept hidden from her emotionally distant mother.

Now, twenty-five years later, Margaret returns to her childhood home with her daughters, confronting the echoes of her past, as she simultaneously navigates being a reporter during the Weinstein trials in this quiet reckoning.

Jones's lyrical prose captures the haunting nuances of memory, shame, and the struggle to find words for long-held secrets. I read this novel in one day.

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This dual-timeline historical novel alternates between the 1980s Serengeti and earlier decades to illuminate the remarkable life of paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey and the young woman who crosses her path.

Seventeen-year-old Grace Clark, grieving her mother, is drawn into Mary’s world of fossil discoveries. In flashbacks, Mary’s own ambitious journey from London to East Africa unfolds, revealing courage, forbidden love, and a relentless commitment to her scientific discoveries.

Haw blends rich historical detail with emotional resonance as these two women, connected by intellect and heart, confront their deepest truths.

Spanning three hundred years, this slow and sweeping dual-timeline fantasy follows Addie LaRue, a young woman in 18th-century France who makes a desperate bargain to live forever—only to be cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

In the present day, Addie drifts through modern New York, leaving no mark on the world, until she meets a man who remembers her name.

As her immortal past unfolds alongside her fragile present,  Schwab weaves a haunting meditation on what it truly means to be seen.

Although I devoured this in a few short days, my husband found it moved more slowly, but we both agree it was worth the journey (no matter the pace).

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When legendary actress Kitty Karr Tate dies, she leaves a surprising inheritance to the three St. John sisters, sending shockwaves through the press and the lives of those who thought they knew her.

Alternating between Kitty’s glamorous yet secretive past in Hollywood and the present-day unraveling of her estate and hidden truths, the novel explores identity and the enduring power of family secrets.

As Elise St. John pieces together Kitty’s journals, letters, and memories, she discovers connections that challenge everything she believed about legacy and the stories we inherit.

Crystal Smith Paul weaves a rich, multi-layered narrative, and it was a joy to celebrate her debut on Book Gang together.

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Craving a dazzling blend of midlife wisdom and the bittersweet ache of coming-of-age? This book is your invitation to nostalgia and transformation.

Once upon a scandalously glamorous time, a Playboy resort sparkled in the heart of small-town Wisconsin—and nineteen-year-old Sherri Taylor donned the iconic ears with bold dreams. She chased freedom and allure, but decades later, it’s the mirror of memory that reveals her true story: a journey told with the raw, unvarnished honesty that only the passage of years can grant.

This historical fiction novel is a shimmering ode to reinvention. I could not put it down. Don't be surprised if this emerges as a book club pick next year.

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In this beautifully layered dual‑timeline historical novel, Letts brings to life the untold story behind The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its beloved film adaptation.

In 1938 Hollywood, seventy‑seven‑year‑old Maud Gage Baum arrives on the MGM set of The Wizard of Oz, determined to protect the spirit of her late husband’s masterpiece and nurture young Judy Garland as Dorothy.

Simultaneously, the narrative journeys back to Maud’s early years in the late 1800s, from her spirited upbringing as a suffragist’s daughter to her marriage to L. Frank Baum and the hardscrabble life that inspired a story “over the rainbow.”

This meticulously researched dual-timeline novel takes you behind the scenes, offering fascinating insights into one of Hollywood's most iconic films.

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This is my all-time favorite romance novel.

Told in alternating timelines between past and present, this radiant love story follows bestselling author Eva Mercy and reclusive literary star Shane Hall, who happen to be two writers bound by a teenage romance that ended in heartbreak.

Reunited unexpectedly in Brooklyn years later, they spend one electric week confronting the choices, trauma, and passion that have shaped who they have become.

As their shared past unfolds alongside the intensity of the present, Seven Days in June becomes a deeply intimate exploration of Black love and the bravery it takes to try again.

If you want to see these fictional authors on tour, take advantage of their cameo in The Love Song of Ricki Wilde.

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The Great Believers is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever read about the AIDS crisis and its ripple effects on those left behind.

Makkai’s layered, dual-timeline story moves between 1980s Chicago and 2015 Paris, tracing the lives of a tight-knit group of friends caught in the throes of the AIDS crisis and its legacy.

In the past, Yale Tishman navigates friendship and loss amid a community under siege, while in the present, he searches for Nico, a friend lost to both time and tragedy.  

Makkai’s masterful dual-timeline storytelling illuminates the resilience of the human heart and the bonds of chosen family during this time in history.

This young adult book achingly explores the complexity of first loves. Told in alternating chapters by a twin sister and brother—one narrating the events as they unfold and the other reflecting three years later- this offers readers a unique dual-timeline perspective.

Nelson's writing evokes vivid imagery that feels like watching a painting come to life, especially through the eyes of the artistic Noah, whose descriptions are incredibly visual.

I laughed and cried through the pages of this book, which surprised me in so many ways. I've never encountered a writer quite like Nelson before, and I became a forever fan after reading this story.

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Hassouri's debut pulls readers into the daily lives of children growing up after the Islamic Revolution and through the Iran–Iraq War. Just as we settle into the intimacy of their days, a family tragedy strikes, and Farah carries the weight of her involvement deep within her heart for years to come.

Now, forty years later in America, Farrah is in the thick of midlife changes while navigating the ridiculous insurance bureaucracies as a physician that pull her away from the heart of her work.

As she begins to find her footing in unforeseen ways through new passion projects and career moves, she is finally forced to confront the tragedy she left behind, beginning her healing process. I couldn't put this beautiful book down!

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In this dual-timeline story, Alina has known she would marry her best friend, Tomaz, since the tender age of nine. At fifteen, she is engaged as planned and unconcerned about the reports of Nazi soldiers at the Polish border, believing that they are her neighbors and not a threat.

She could never know, though, how the Nazi occupation would take over her rural village and how it had the power to destroy her relationship with her one true love.

Presently, Alice is navigating the daily challenges of parenting with an Autistic child, a husband who doesn't get the work that goes into keeping their family floating, and a grandmother in the hospital.

When her grandmother begs her to return to her childhood hometown, Alice begins to realize there is more to her grandmother's story than meets the eye.  

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Artie Anderson, a gay writer in New York City, experiences a life-altering encounter in the '90s that changes his path.

Thirty years later, as he faces new challenges, he finds himself drawn to a queer senior center, where a group of elders becomes his unexpected support system.

Told in alternating timelines, Finger's novel is a tender, funny, and fresh exploration of community and the enduring impact of our relationships.

This novel was a huge hit with my co-host on FULLY BOOKED, our Patreon buzzy book show!

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This soapy story takes readers from the revolutionary fervor of 1950s Cairo to the serene beaches of New England in 2022, where the lives of two women, separated by decades, intertwine through a treasured family heirloom.

Mallory’s life centers on her son, Sam, who needs a kidney transplant after ingesting a poisonous mushroom at summer camp. But, as she searches for a donor match, she uncovers painful family secrets, including her mother's mysterious adoption and a surprising reunion with a childhood sweetheart who has deeper ties to her family.

With a dual timeline shift to midcentury Egypt, readers follow a Hungarian refugee as she navigates her love and loyalty to a city on the brink of revolution.

The way these stories emerge delighted book club members who appreciated the rich history embedded in this surprising, steamy love story.

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In this slow-burning suspense novel, wedding bells approach for Eliza Bennett, who seems to have it all. Checking the social boxes for a perfect fiancé, a glittering career, and a place in Manhattan’s elite circles seems inevitable for her future.

But when flashbacks to her college years begin to surface alongside the present, buried secrets from her past threaten everything she’s built.

Pellegrino delivers a suspenseful narrative that falls into place like chess pieces as the story comes to a close.

At the heart of this spellbinding novel, the wild, unbreakable spirit of three generations of women pulses as they each forge their own path through the brambles of patriarchy, unearthing hidden magic and reclaiming strength long buried by history.

In 2019, Kate flees the suffocating grip of an abusive relationship in London, seeking sanctuary in the windswept wilds of Weyward Cottage. Wrapped in the arms of nature, she uncovers secrets stitched into the very stones: whispers of witch hunts, a lineage of fierce women, and the echo of her great-aunt’s forbidden legacy.

Hart conjures gothic atmospheres that shiver with mystery. It’s an incredible audiobook experience thanks to its immersive full-cast audio.

This richly layered historical novel alternates between 1959 New York and Maria von Trapp’s earlier life in Austria, inviting readers behind the familiar songs of The Sound of Music to discover the woman whose real story was far more complicated  (and compelling).

When Maria sees a Broadway script that purports to tell her life, she travels to confront lyricist Oscar Hammerstein and, instead, begins to reveal her true journey to his young secretary, Fran.

Through their varied exchanges, the novel shifts seamlessly into Maria’s own memories—from her days as a novice nun to her transformation into the matriarch of a family on the run from war — in this illuminating historical fiction.

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In this delightfully quirky dual‑timeline rom‑com, Millie sets out with three tablespoons of her dear friend Mrs. Nash’s ashes, determined to reunite them with the woman her friend loved nearly eighty years ago — before it’s truly too late.

But when a nationwide flight meltdown strands her in an airport, she is reluctantly joined on the road from D.C. to Key West by a cynical writer, Hollis Hollenbeck.

Interwoven with their present‑day journey are vivid flashbacks to Mrs. Nash and Elsie’s forbidden World War II romance filled with warmth, wit, and hope. It was a joy to share Sarah’s writing journey with this debut.

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This dreamy, disjointed young adult story moves between the present aftermath of a mysterious accident and the summers that preceded it.

Cadence belongs to a wealthy, beautiful, and deeply damaged family—and once, she was part of a tight-knit group known as the Liars.

Now, with her memory shattered and questions circling like sharks, she must reconstruct the past to understand what really happened during the summer that changed everything.

As truth slowly replaces nostalgia, We Were Liars becomes a devastating exploration of the lies we tell ourselves to survive, culminating in a stunning story twist.

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In this utterly charming dual‑timeline novel, nearly eighty‑year‑old pharmacist Augusta has spent her life dedicated to healing — first in her family’s Brooklyn pharmacy in the 1920s, and later as a respected hospital pharmacist.

When she relocates to a Floridian retirement community, she never expects to encounter Irving— the delivery boy from her father’s store and the young man who broke her heart sixty years earlier.

As the story alternates between youthful Brooklyn and Augusta’s present‑day quest for clarity, Loigman masterfully weaves together love, family lore, and a touch of old‑world magic.  It was a massive hit with my book club!

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