Best Domestic Fiction Books April 2025

Big Little Lies

Beneath the glossy veneer of Pirriwee Public School lies a web of secrets and lies. As three mothers navigate the treacherous waters of parenthood, their seemingly perfect lives begin to unravel. Madeline, fierce and funny, grapples with an ex-husband’s new wife. Celeste, beautiful and haunted, hides a dark truth. And Jane, young and mysterious, harbors doubts about her son. When a tragic incident occurs at the school’s trivia night, their worlds collide in unexpected ways. Moriarty’s razor-sharp wit and keen observations of human nature make this a gripping, thought-provoking exploration of friendship, marriage, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves.

Madame Bovary

Flaubert’s masterpiece paints a vivid portrait of Emma Bovary, a passionate woman trapped in a stifling provincial life. Through exquisite prose, we follow her desperate pursuit of romance and excitement, leading to a spiral of infidelity and debt. The novel’s unflinching exploration of desire and disillusionment shocked 19th-century readers, but its psychological depth and social commentary continue to resonate. A timeless tale of yearning and consequences that still feels startlingly modern.

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre, a timeless tale of love and self-discovery, captivated me from the first page. Brontë’s masterful prose paints a vivid portrait of the spirited orphan girl who refuses to be broken by life’s cruelties. I found myself cheering for Jane as she navigates the treacherous waters of Thornfield Hall, her heart torn between duty and passion. The gothic atmosphere sent shivers down my spine, while the complex characters left me pondering long after I’d turned the final page. A truly unforgettable read that still resonates today.

Room

Jack lives in Room with Ma. It’s all he’s ever known—eleven square feet of space, with only a skylight to glimpse the outside world. Ma says it’s to keep them safe, but Jack doesn’t understand from what. As he turns five, his curiosity grows, and Ma realizes they can’t stay forever. A heart-wrenching tale of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between mother and child, “Room” explores the power of imagination and the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

The Remains of theDay

In this poignant masterpiece, Ishiguro delves into the mind of Stevens, a devoted English butler reflecting on his life of service. Through his meticulous recollections, we glimpse a world of rigid class structures and unspoken emotions. Stevens’ journey of self-discovery is both heartbreaking and illuminating, as he grapples with missed opportunities and the true meaning of dignity. Ishiguro’s prose is exquisite, capturing the essence of a bygone era with subtle brilliance.

The Wedding

Wilson Lewis, a successful estate attorney, realizes his marriage has lost its spark after forgetting his anniversary. Determined to rekindle the romance, he turns to his father-in-law for advice. As he reflects on his past and the love story of his in-laws, Wilson embarks on a journey to win back his wife’s heart. With tender moments and unexpected twists, this poignant tale explores the enduring power of love and the importance of nurturing relationships through life’s ups and downs.

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter

In a moment of crisis, Dr. David Henry makes a decision that will haunt his family for decades. Delivering his own twins during a snowstorm, he discovers his daughter has Down syndrome. Fearing the impact on his wife, he hands the baby to his nurse, telling her to take the child to an institution. But the nurse, unable to abandon the infant, disappears into another city to raise the girl as her own. As the years unfold, the consequences of this fateful choice ripple through the lives of both families, exploring the power of secrets, the nature of love, and the intricate bonds of family.

Ramona and her Father

The Rise of Silas Lapham

Howells’ masterpiece paints a vivid portrait of Gilded Age Boston through the eyes of Silas Lapham, a self-made millionaire struggling to find his place in high society. As I followed Silas’ journey, I was struck by the timeless themes of ambition, class, and moral integrity. The novel’s exploration of social climbing and financial ruin felt eerily relevant, even over a century later. Howells’ keen observations and wry humor make this a thoroughly engaging read that left me pondering the true meaning of success.