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Original poster

What is the last book you read that made your heart swell?

40 replies

AnotherEmilee · 01/10/2025 21:57

I have been feeling really miserable recently and I want to read something that will fill me with a warm glow. The kind of heart swelling feeling I get when Mr Knightly is telling Emma that if he loved her less he might be able to talk about it more or Mr Darcy is telling Elizabeth how much he ardently admires and loves her.

I have already read all of Georgette Heyer's regency romances along with most books that come up when you Google what should I read if I like Jane Austen.

It doesn't have to be historical, I am happy with any time period or setting but I do prefer no or very little sex. I have read a lot of YA fantasy romance as YA books generally don't contain sex but they do all have love triangles and annoying teenage characters.

I am looking forward to reading The Hallmarked Man but I am waiting for my reservation of it to come in at the library.

What can I read in the meantime?

OP posts:
JennyChawleigh · 02/10/2025 10:40

Jude Morgan has written several novels very much in the style of Georgette Heyer. Try '"Indiscretion"

Kerrisk · 02/10/2025 10:31

RedRec · 02/10/2025 10:25

Precious Bane by Mary Webb.

I love Precious Bane! Though I also then immediately go on to read Cold Comfort Farm every time I read it.😀

Kerrisk · 02/10/2025 10:30

Kate Grenville’s The Idea of Perfection. Literary fiction, a relationship between a shy engineer come to replace an old wooden bridge with a new concrete one in a small town in rural Australia and the gruff museum curator who opposes the scheme. Beautifully written, warm-hearted and clever.

RedRec · 02/10/2025 10:25

Precious Bane by Mary Webb.

Notmymarmosets · 02/10/2025 10:24

The Secret Garden and very different, but Project Hail Mary.

ChessieFL · 02/10/2025 10:11

Frank and Red by Matt Coyne. Lovely story about the friendship between a young boy and a grumpy old man.

Original poster
AnotherEmilee · 02/10/2025 09:50

Thanks for the replies. It is always great to hear about books that other people have enjoyed even if they don't sound like books I would like😃
The library have Ordinary Time and Atmosphere so I have reserved both of those. They are available at other branches so I should be able to pick them up tomorrow or on Saturday.
I am now number 2 in the queue for The Hallmarked Man. I am very excited about reading that one but am avoiding all reviews and discussions on it until I do.

OP posts:
AliceTheBat · 02/10/2025 05:46

Little Women does this for me. It's just lovely.

MargotMoon · 02/10/2025 05:43

A bit of Maeve Binchy?

OliviaBonas · 01/10/2025 22:37

cloudjumper · 01/10/2025 22:33

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes

My favourite ❤️

SparklyCardigan · 01/10/2025 22:35

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Absolutely loved it.

cloudjumper · 01/10/2025 22:33

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes

Blackcountryexile · 01/10/2025 22:09

Perhaps try Maybe, Perhaps, Possibly by Joanna Glen

Arran2024 · 01/10/2025 22:01

I just finished Ordinary Time by Cathy Rentzenbrink. It's about a less than enthusiastic vicar's wife who meets an interesting man on a trip to London. It has excellent reviews and I loved it.

JazzyBBBG · 01/10/2025 22:00

The Man I think I know by Mike Gayle.

Different genre to the above but it's a really lovely book about friendship.