In a Book Rut? The 17 Best Page Turners for You
The 17 Best Page Turners to Get You Out of Your Book Rut
Have you ever been in a book rut? Me too! I got you because I’m about to share with you the best page turners that I know will help you get out of that book rut pronto! These books will be page turners that you will tear through but also fun, light books to give you the reset you need.
I don’t know about you, but besides suspense books, I find that light, easy-to-read books are perfect for getting me back in reading mode. It also helps if they are also page turners.
Are you ready for it? Buckle up because I’m about to take you on a fun ride to learn about all my favorite page turners. Bye bye, book rut! Peace out!
*Books with an asterick were given to me in exchange for a honest and fair review.
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1. *The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
Pippa and Gabe live that #marriagegoals life. They have the perfect kids while living in a perfect little cottage beside a beautiful but dangerous cliff. The cliff is an infamous spot where people sadly go to end their lives.
Gabe has become the town hero who gets these desperate souls to back away from the ledge to safety. Then, one tragic day, he fails, and unfortunately, someone falls to their death.
The cops question Gabe and Pippa, and Pippa starts to question everything. Slowly but surely, things start to unravel in their perfect little bubble.
Does Pippa know the man she married?
Sally Hepworth knows how to write excellent page turners that leave you riveted and on the edge of your seat. I love books with lots of secrets and complex dynamics to figure out.
I can’t tell you how much I loved this book. If you are currently struggling to find a book that hooks you, look no further; this book is it.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
2. The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark
The twists in this book had me all in! Lies I Tell is about Meg who is a con artist and has many aliases. She constantly changes her name, towns, and jobs. Meg is always looking for her next victim to take him for everything he’s worth.
And then we have Kat, who has been waiting ten years to meet the woman who destroyed her life. Kat finally has her chance and befriends Meg to hopefully expose her.
As they grow closer, Kat realizes she could be wrong about Meg. But what is going on, and who exactly is Meg targeting now?
If you’re in a book rut, I highly recommend this book because it’s one of the best page turners out there. This book is especially for women. Ladies, you need to read it now!
TW: Sexual assault
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
3. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
This is not a thriller, but it had me turning the pages all the same. Ann Napolitano weaves together a beautiful story.
This story is about the complicated intricacies of family and the deep love that binds them but can, just as easily, break them apart.
William Waters grew up without love due to a family tragedy. When he meets Julia and is embraced by her family, it’s the first time he’s been accepted.
The Padavano sisters are as close as can be; each sister is a slightly different version of the other. Julia and her three sisters function as one strong unit.
However, one day, the bond is harshly tested, and a big rift is formed with William in the center of it all.
Can they come back together when it matters most?
This is a beautifully written story told from all the main characters’ points of view. Hello Beautiful is one of my favorite reads. To me it’s written in a style that captures real, authentic life. The rhythm, the way it ebbs and flows. There are many sad themes and heavy topics, but stay with it, and it will stay with you.
*Trigger warnings for death, abandonment, suicide, and depression
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
4. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Geniusly written, The Silent Patient is one of the best page turners out there. Alicia Berenson and her husband, Gabriel, seem to have the ideal marriage: a perfect home, talented artists, and a deep love for each other.
Then why is Gabriel found shot to death with the gun right at Alicia’s feet? Alicia will never tell because she stopped talking after the crime and was put into a psychiatric institution, where she has remained silent.
This mystery has psychotherapist Theo Faber transfixed. He is also sure he can help Alicia regain her voice. He pursues a position at the institution she is in just so he can have the opportunity to treat her.
Theo ultimately gets the position, which takes the reader through a series of twists and turns.
In this story, we get dual perspectives from Theo and Alicia. We learn Theo’s background with his own mental health struggles, see his life with his wife, and feel his fierce drive to get through to Alicia.
Then, we have Alicia’s perspective on her life before she went silent, her life as an artist, and her deep love for her husband.
This psychological thriller will have you hooked, and the BIG twist will blow your mind! This is one of those page turners you’ll want to run out and buy.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
5. *The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
This is the perfect palate cleanser romcom to read. It’s a quick & easy, fun read and I’d put it in the “page turners” category.
It’ll have you believing in love again, just as main character Emma tries to convince screenwriter Charlie Yates to believe.
Emma has the talent to be an excellent screenwriter but due to family circumstances, she was unable to take opportunities to help her excel. Tragedy befell her family when her father was severely injured which landed Emma the role of caretaker to her dad.
Then the universe comes knocking to make it up to her. Emma’s younger sister is home after graduating and ready to trade places with her so Emma can seize an amazing opportunity.
Emma will work with her screenwriter hero, Charlie Yates, to help him fix his awful romcom screenplay. The only hitch is that Charlie never agreed to this. He never works with cowriters, especially a nobody screenwriter like Emma.
Did Emma fly to LA for nothing? Don’t worry. They will work together, Emma’s talents will shine through, and maybe she’ll help Charlie believe in love.
It’s the old opposites attract and forced proximity tropes, and I’m here for it! The sexual tension builds nicely, both characters’ backstories are compelling, and ultimately, it’s a heartwarming, funny story.
If you are in a book rut, this will surely be that crowd-pleasing read to get your heart into reading again.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
6. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
This dark, twisted tale will keep you awake at night as you breeze through the pages. The story is compelling from the start when podcaster Alix, by chance, meets Josie on a night out. It turns out they are birthday twins. Josie thinks it’s Kismet.
At home, Josie listens to Alix’s podcast and becomes enamored with her. Josie, ready for change in her life, believes getting her story out there via Alix’s podcast is the way to do it.
Josie arranges to “bump” into Alix and intrigues Alix enough to agree to her podcast idea.
Alix doesn’t get a good feeling around Josie but she’s drawn in by her story. And hello, she’s a podcaster. She wants that content!
However, the more Alix learns about Josie, the more disturbing it all seems. And as a reader, you don’t know what to believe. Then things get turned upside down, and Alix and her family seem stuck with this very questionable woman.
Could they be in danger?
Yikes! This is one of the best page turners out there.
Oh boy, you are in for a wild ride with this one! It’ll creep and freak you out. After reading, you might need a cold shower, a shot of whiskey, and a cat to hug. Please don’t squeeze the kitty too tight.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
7. The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden
This is one of those page turners that everyone is talking about, and for good reason.
This psychological thriller has twists and turns that will give you whiplash!
Millie is finally out on parole and desperate for a job. She’ll take whatever she can get.
Millie finally lands the job of a live-in housemaid. She thanks her lucky stars that she doesn’t have to live out of her car anymore.
However, things don’t seem so peachy with Nina, the one who hired Millie. Nina might seem like she’s got the perfect life with a handsome, rich husband, a fabulous house, and a cute kid.
But Nina’s particular ways have Millie walking on eggshells around her. Nina lies and manipulates.
Millie soon imagines taking Nina’s place and how great that would be.
Or would it?
Things aren’t quite as they seem, and you will stay up late trying to figure out what is going on!
Can’t go wrong with Frieda McFadden. You look up “page turners” in the dictionary and there will be a long list of her books.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
8. Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
This is one of the most addictive page turners. The twists, turns, cliffs, and valleys will have you flying through the pages.
Daisy Darker and her family gather in Nana’s secluded gothic house on a small island to celebrate her 80th birthday. Once the tide comes in, they will be stuck in the house for eight hours.
Inspired by Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, a family member dies one by one throughout the night. Secrets and lies will be unearthed. Who the heck is killing them?
The story alternates between the present and the past to give the backstory of Daisy and her complicated family. When I read it, sometimes, the backstory chapters would make me yearn for the more exciting present-day.
However, pay attention to the backstory. All will be revealed. It is all important! I actually gasped while reading, and the surprise ending is wild. It’s a bit out there, but oh, I enjoyed the ride!
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
9. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
The Flatshare is a perfect reset to get you out of your book rut. It’s a great, light read that is cleverly written.
After a breakup, Tiffy needs a new apartment, but in London, it’s tough to find an affordable option.
Most people would choose a roommate in these situations, but Tiffy finds quite an unorthodox route to finding an affordable place. She’s sharing a place with a man named Leon, but they aren’t sharing it at the same time.
Luckily for Tiffy, Leon works nights as a nurse, so Tiffy can have the place on nights and weekends while Leon has it during the day. They don’t meet and instead start leaving notes for each other.
You guessed it, through these notes a bond soon forms, and will have you wondering, will they or won’t they? Read this adorable rom-com to find out. You won’t be disappointed.
I also loved The No-Show by the same author, I highly recommend it! Two great page-turners for you to enjoy.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
10. Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins
Another book inspired by Agatha Christie involves a group of young, beautiful twenty-year-olds. They go on a quest to discover the most exclusive vacation experience by visiting a remote island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Six people find themselves on this island, and as we learn about their backstories, we realize there’s much more at stake than just enjoying some beer in the sunshine.
It’s a slow-build tension until the twisted grand finale, and it completely hooked me! It is such a pretty cover, too! This is one of the page turners you need in your life, trust.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
11. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
I know this is a television show on Apple TV with mixed reviews. Don’t let that deter you from reading the book, this was one of my favorite page turners.
Hannah has been married to Owen for one year. Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey, hasn’t quite warmed to her. Then when Owen inexplicably disappears, Hannah and Bailey will depend on each other to figure out what happened.
Owen’s one message to Hannah before he vanished was “protect her.“
As Hannah and Bailey embark on the journey to figure out what’s going on, Hannah soon realizes Owen might not be who she thought he was. Bailey might also be the key to discovering the truth.
Grab this book, and you will fly through the pages!
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
12. The Maid by Nita Prose
If you like your page turners with a quirky ingenue lead, this book is for you.
I actually think Molly Gray could be neurodivergent, she struggles with social skills and doesn’t know how to read situations correctly. Her grandmother used to help her navigate life, but after she died, Molly was left to figure things out on her own.
Thankfully, she loves her job as a hotel maid and takes pride in her work and in having proper etiquette at all times.
All is a “state of perfection,” like the rooms she cleans, until one day, she finds Mr. Black, an infamous and wealthy man, dead in his bed.
Molly’s unusual way about her soon makes her the lead suspect in the case. How will she get herself out of this jam? Luckily, she ends up having friends she can rely on.
They must unite to unlock all the clues and find the real killer.
This book is awesome. I loved Molly! She had so many great sayings. You will fall in love with this heartwarming heroine. It’s one of the best page turners I read this year!
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
13. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
While I didn’t love this author’s other popular book, The Paris Apartment, this book had me hooked.
The Guest List gives us another remote location, a lavish wedding, a rising television star groom, an ambitious bride, a bride’s forlorn sister, and a whole slew of other wedding guests with stories to tell.
We have the story told from multiple POVs, including the event planner who owns the mysterious island.
Everything has to be perfect for the bride, but when a dead body turns up, we know a twisted, sinister tale is about to unfold.
Hold on tight; it’s going to be a bumpy ride. This book is a complicated web of deception. There’s a lot of shady, mind-f*ck-twisted crazies to unravel.
Might need a shot of brandy, neat for this one.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
14. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Dual timelines, this book will bring us to eighteenth-century London to a secret apothecary shop run by Nella, who mixes up poisons for women hurt by the evil men in their lives.
In the present day, Caroline escapes to London, which should have been her anniversary trip with her husband, but instead, she’s left his cheating behind—well, behind.
Caroline, an aspiring historian, finds a vial that could be a clue to the infamous apothecary murders from 200 years ago that are still unsolved.
This book is one of the page turners that will keep you up at night. I couldn’t wait to find out how it all connected. I also love the discussion this book can bring up. Are these murders justified? Also, the connection between Caroline and Nella doesn’t go unnoticed.
If your book club loves page turners, this is the book to read.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
15. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Shaker Heights is a progressive and wealthy suburb in Cleveland, Ohio. What makes it unique is that it was completely planned out down the the last detail including the color of the houses.
Elena Richardson grew up here and fully embraces its founding values. She prides herself on being progressive while living the idealistic life with her gaggle of kids and perfect husband.
Elena always gives back by renting out the condo her family owns to people who otherwise would not be able to afford the neighborhood.
Elena’s most recent tenants include Mia and her teen daughter, Pearl. Although Mia and Pearl have always moved around, Pearl finally feels at home in Shaker Heights. They have made close connections with Elena’s family.
Pearl soon becomes a permanent fixture at Elena’s home, bonding with her kids. Soon, however, a complex issue rocks Shaker Heights, and divided lines are formed.
This is a complicated family drama that tackles mother/daughter issues and race issues head-on.
It also all starts off with a burned-down house, so right from the start, you are pulled into this story. What is going on in this oh-so-perfect town? Definitely one of those page turners you will be thinking about way after you’ve put down the book.
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
16. *Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Sally Hepworth knows how to churn out the page turners. Darling Girls is no exception.
We get dual timelines following a group of foster kids turned sisters under the thumb of Miss Fairchild and her twisted rules. Then, we see them all grown up after escaping their abusive foster mother.
When bones are found underneath their childhood home, they are brought back to face their tumultuous childhood and Miss Fairchild.
The story is also told from the POVs of each of the sisters. It’s a multilayered story that gripped me throughout the book. I loved the bond between the sisters.
It was tough reading what happened in their childhood, but it made me care about these characters and turn those pages.
Also has a sinister twist. Who doesn’t love a sinister twist?
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
17. *Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering
I flew through these pages faster than my cat could run to me when I shake his treat bag. I loved it more than my cat loves catnip. And my cat really loves catnip.
Have you ever had a friend who gave you the shaft, and you just couldn’t let it go? Billie and Cassie have been best friends since childhood. However, Cassie always had big dreams of having BIG money.
Once she achieved that, she put memories from her childhood and Billie on the back burner. Billie continues to reach out and try to keep the friendship alive.
One day, while in an apartment building, Billie hears Cassie’s baby screaming during a party she was throwing. Then she hears Cassie’s screams when she realizes her baby is gone. It’s a big problem for Billie because the baby is in her arms.
WHAT!?
Yes, and this is why I tore through these pages. It’s definitely one of the best page turners I’ve read. It won’t disappoint!
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
I hope this list of page-turners will help you get out of your book rut. Other ideas to get you out of the funk are to try reading short stories by authors like Neil Gaiman or revisiting an author you love but haven’t read in a while.
Some say to try reading outside your typical genre while others just say to take a break. Don’t feel bad about it. Pick up that TV series everyone is talking about, a bottle of wine, and enjoy!
Please share in the comments other page turners you think could help people get out of their book rut.
Happy Reading!
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