Best Literary Fiction Books April 2025

The House We Grew Up In

Nestled in the Cotswolds, the Picture-Perfect House holds secrets that span generations. As the Bird family gathers for Easter, long-buried tensions resurface, threatening to shatter their idyllic facade. Through laughter and tears, we witness the unraveling of carefully constructed lies and the strength of familial bonds. Jewell’s masterful storytelling weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and redemption, leaving readers questioning the true meaning of home and the power of forgiveness. A poignant exploration of family dynamics that will linger in your thoughts long after the final page.

Then She Was Gone

Ellie Mack vanished without a trace at fifteen, leaving her family shattered. A decade later, her mother Laurel still grapples with the loss. When she meets charming Floyd and his precocious daughter Poppy, Laurel is struck by the girl’s resemblance to Ellie. As she’s drawn into their world, long-buried secrets resurface, forcing Laurel to confront the past she thought she’d left behind. Jewell’s gripping narrative weaves mystery and heartbreak, keeping readers on edge until the final, shocking revelation.

The Night Watch

In the shadowy streets of wartime London, four lives intertwine in unexpected ways. Sarah Waters weaves a haunting tale of love, loss, and resilience as her characters navigate the perils of blackouts and air raids. With her signature attention to historical detail, Waters paints a vivid portrait of a city under siege, where passion blooms in unlikely places and secrets lurk behind every door. A masterful exploration of human connection amidst chaos, “The Night Watch” will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

The Lovely War

In “The Lovely War,” Julie Berry weaves a spellbinding tale of love and loss against the backdrop of World War I. Through the eyes of Greek gods, we follow four young lives intertwined by fate and conflict. Hazel, a shy pianist, and James, an architect-turned-soldier, find a tender romance amidst chaos. Meanwhile, Aubrey, a talented Black musician, and Colette, a Belgian refugee, navigate prejudice and trauma. Berry’s lyrical prose and meticulous research bring the era to vivid life, exploring the power of music, the brutality of war, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

The Art of Fielding

Henry Skrimshander, a gifted shortstop, arrives at Westish College with dreams of baseball stardom. As he hones his skills under the watchful eye of team captain Mike Schwartz, Henry’s talent captivates the campus. But when a routine throw goes awry, it sets off a chain reaction that affects the lives of five people. Harbach’s debut novel is a poignant exploration of ambition, friendship, and the pressure to succeed, set against the backdrop of America’s favorite pastime. It’s a story that’ll make you laugh, cry, and ponder life’s curveballs.

In the Woods

In Tana French’s haunting debut, a chilling murder case intertwines with a detective’s own mysterious past. Twenty years after escaping a childhood tragedy that claimed his two best friends, Rob Ryan finds himself investigating a eerily similar crime. As he delves deeper, long-buried memories resurface, blurring the lines between past and present. French’s lyrical prose and intricate plotting create a atmospheric thriller that lingers long after the final page, exploring the shadowy recesses of memory and the lasting impact of trauma.

The Orphan Master’s Son

In this haunting tale of survival and identity, Jun Do navigates the brutal landscape of North Korea. From his humble beginnings in an orphanage to his rise as a government operative, Jun Do’s journey is a gripping exploration of love, loyalty, and the human spirit. Johnson’s vivid prose brings to life a world shrouded in secrecy, where truth is malleable and freedom comes at a devastating cost. A masterful blend of dark humor and heartbreaking reality, this novel will leave you questioning the nature of self in a society where individuality is forbidden.

The Lincoln Highway

Emmett Watson, freshly released from juvenile detention, returns to his Nebraska farm in June 1954, only to find his world turned upside down. With his father gone and the bank foreclosing, Emmett plans a fresh start in California with his little brother. But fate intervenes when two escaped inmates from his past show up, setting in motion an unexpected journey along the Lincoln Highway. Amor Towles weaves a captivating tale of friendship, redemption, and the unpredictable twists of life, reminding us that sometimes the most extraordinary adventures begin with a simple change of plans.

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Doerr’s masterful storytelling weaves together five seemingly disparate lives across centuries, bound by a single ancient text. From 15th-century Constantinople to a future spaceship, each character’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of stories. With lyrical prose and intricate plotting, Doerr explores humanity’s resilience in the face of adversity. This ambitious novel left me pondering our connection to the past and the timeless nature of human dreams. A truly unforgettable read that lingers long after the final page.

The Lincoln Highway

Emmett Watson, freshly released from juvenile detention, returns to his Nebraska farm in 1954 to find his world turned upside down. With his father gone and the family land foreclosed, Emmett plans a fresh start in California with his young brother. But fate intervenes when two escaped inmates from his past show up, setting in motion an unexpected journey along the Lincoln Highway. Towles weaves a captivating tale of friendship, redemption, and the unpredictable twists of life, as four young men embark on a cross-country adventure that will change them forever.