After a wildly busy September and October, I know November is going to fly by, but I’ll enjoy it just the same. As we inch closer to the holiday whirlwind, I’m savoring the quiet when I can — and the comfort of good books with characters who quickly feel like friends. This month, I’m especially grateful for the stories that offer escape, laughter, and a little swoon-worthy magic when the world feels overwhelming. (Which is pretty much all the time lately, right?) Here are the books making this month a little brighter for me. I hope they do the same for you.

*****

Halloween may be over, but that doesn’t mean I’m over paranormal romance! In Ghost Business (Berkley), Jen DeLuca returns to the charming Florida town of Boneyard Key for another delightful story full of heart, humor, and just the right amount of spirited mischief.

Sophie Horvath has devoted herself to preserving the supernatural history of her hometown, leading a beloved ghost tour filled with tales from the very real spirits who still linger after a devastating hurricane a century ago. But her peaceful routine is upended when Tristan Martin —founder of the theatrical Ghoul’s Night Out tours — arrives determined to expand his business and boost his bottom line. When their rivalry goes viral, the pair strike a deal: By summer’s end, only one operation will remain standing.

What follows is an irresistible enemies-to-lovers slow burn fueled by stubborn pride, shared passion, and undeniable chemistry. Sophie is a hardworking local with deep roots and a fierce protectiveness for her town and its ghosts, while Tristan is a former theater kid with a flair for performance and a genuine desire to carve out a future that’s his own — not the corporate career his father insists on. As the competition heats up, so does their connection. And the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to deny that behind the bickering lies something much softer and sweeter.

DeLuca brings Boneyard Key to life with her vibrant worldbuilding that includes quirky townsfolk happily cohabitating with ghosts. As a follow-up to Haunted Ever After, this book expands the lore in delightful ways — and made me eager to return soon.

*****

Ellen O’Clover’s adult romance debut, The Heartbreak Hotel (Berkley), delivers a deeply emotional and hopeful story about rebuilding a life when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

After a series of personal and professional setbacks, Louisa Walsh is left heartsick, broke, and determined to hang onto the one place that finally feels like home: a charming old house nestled in the Colorado mountains. She proposes turning the property into a bed-and-breakfast for the brokenhearted in exchange for free rent. Much to her shock, her reclusive landlord, Henry Rhodes, agrees.

Lou’s childhood was defined by instability, so she’s spent years learning to take care of everyone but herself. Henry is a reserved veterinarian with his own baggage, but their attraction simmers for months as they work side by side. As Lou pours herself into hosting guests nursing their own hurts, she begins to discover the power of helping others heal and the possibility of healing herself — and finding love in the process.

The Heartbreak Hotel shines for its cozy mountain setting, cast of memorable secondary characters, and a romance that allows for real personal growth alongside swoony tension. O’Clover handles themes of trauma, family obligation, and self-worth with sensitivity and never rushes Lou’s healing journey or tries to simplify her complicated relationships. This one is a winner.

*****

Having worked in the public-library system, I knew I was going to love Overdue (Saturday Books) by Stephanie Perkins. I wasn’t wrong! Perkins crafts a thoughtful and refreshingly honest coming-of-age story that acknowledges adulthood doesn’t magically arrive right after college.

At 29, Ingrid Dahl is a cheerful, dependable librarian whose life has followed a comfortable script: same town, same job, same boyfriend since freshman year of college. But when her younger sister suddenly gets engaged, Ingrid and her longtime partner, Cory, start questioning what their future really looks like — and whether they’re choosing each other or just choosing what’s familiar. A one-month break is supposed to give them clarity but instead forces Ingrid to confront what she truly wants (and not what she’s simply settled for).

As she steps out of her comfort zone to explore the world of dating, the one person she can’t stop thinking about is her grumpy coworker, Macon Nowakowski. She’s had a crush on him for years, and now she has the opportunity to explore what that means. Their budding relationship is teasing and tender, and Macon challenges and encourages Ingrid in ways she’s never experienced.

Perkins tackles themes we don’t often see portrayed in romance fiction: aging out of those starter relationships that sustain us through our early adulthood and discovering that happily-ever-after can look different at 30 than it does at 21. Ultimately, Overdue is a deeply relatable story of finding love after you’ve figured out who you are.

Kristina Wright lives in Virginia with her husband, their two sons, two Goldendoodles, and a ginger cat. She’s a regular contributor at BookBub and a lifelong fan of romance fiction. Find her on Bluesky at @kristinawright.