If you enjoy reading books by Mary Ann Shaffer then you might also like the following authors:
Annie Barrows is a writer who co-authored “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” with Mary Ann Shaffer. If you enjoyed Shaffer’s warmth and knack for creating memorable characters, Barrows offers that same charm. One of her solo works is “The Truth According to Us.”
Set in a small Southern town during the 1930s, it follows Layla, who arrives to gather information for a public history project. She ends up uncovering family secrets that locals have tried to bury for years.
The story is filled with a sense of place, with a lively cast of characters whose lives feel full of depth and personality.
Helen Simonson is an author known for storytelling that blends warmth and wit with a focus on small English communities. Her book “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” introduces readers to Major Ernest Pettigrew, a retired widower living in a quiet English village.
His orderly life takes a turn when he begins building a friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, a Pakistani shopkeeper. Their relationship stirs gossip and prejudice in their close-knit town, offering both moments of humor and heartfelt emotion.
Through this story, Simonson explores themes like tradition, cultural differences, and unexpected connections.
Louise Walters is an author whose books often explore deep personal connections and the secrets that shape lives. In her novel “The Letter,” a young woman named Tina finds an unopened letter in the pocket of an old coat.
The letter, written decades earlier, reveals a story of love and regret that draws Tina into uncovering its mysteries. Walters writes with a gentle focus on relationships and how small discoveries can change everything.
Fans of Mary Ann Shaffer’s heartfelt storytelling may enjoy her work.
Jojo Moyes writes heartfelt stories about love, life, and relationships, often focusing on characters dealing with big changes in their lives.
One of her most popular books, “Me Before You,” tells the story of Louisa Clark, a quirky young woman who takes a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor, a man left paralyzed after an accident.
While their lives seem completely different, their time together brings unexpected connections and hard choices. Moyes weaves humor and emotion into the story, creating characters that leave a lasting impression.
Elizabeth Berg is an author known for creating stories with warmth and heartfelt emotion. In her novel “The Story of Arthur Truluv,” she introduces Arthur, an elderly man who visits his late wife’s grave every day.
During one of his visits, he forms an unexpected bond with Maddy, a lonely teenager dealing with her own struggles. The connection between them grows into a friendship that transforms their lives in quiet but meaningful ways.
Kim Fay writes stories that pull you into rich settings and vibrant characters. Her novel, “The Map of Lost Memories,” takes you to 1920s Asia, where a young woman named Irene sets out on a daring quest to uncover an ancient Khmer temple lost to time.
As Irene travels from Shanghai to the Cambodian jungle, secrets surface, and the history she digs up challenges her ideas about loyalty and ambition. It’s a book that captures the feeling of discovery and the unexpected paths people take when chasing something they believe in.
Kathleen Rooney writes with a charm that brings her characters and settings to life in a way that feels warm and engaging. Her novel “Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk” follows an elderly woman as she strolls through New York City on New Year’s Eve in 1984.
As she walks, memories of her past unfold—her career as the highest-paid woman in advertising, her love for the city, and the challenges she faced in her personal life. It’s a quiet yet vivid story that captures the heart of both the city and a life fully lived.
Fans of Mary Ann Shaffer’s ability to weave personal histories into her stories may enjoy Rooney’s work.
Hazel Gaynor writes historical fiction with heartfelt characters and emotional depth. One of her books, “The Girl Who Came Home,” tells the story of a young Irish girl, Maggie, who boards the Titanic with a group of immigrants heading to America.
The novel moves between Maggie’s journey in 1912 and the life of her great-granddaughter decades later, uncovering family secrets and the tragedy of the sinking.
The book takes you into the lives of people looking for a new beginning, while dealing with loss and courage in the face of disaster. Fans of Mary Ann Shaffer’s warmth and rich historical backdrops might enjoy Hazel Gaynor’s storytelling.
Nancy Mitford was an English author known for her witty stories and sharp observations of upper-class life. Her novel “The Pursuit of Love” follows the eccentric Radlett family, focusing on Linda, a spirited young woman chasing love through a series of romantic misadventures.
The story is full of humor and heartfelt moments, with characters that feel alive in their quirks and passions. Through Linda’s journey, the book explores themes of family, loyalty, and heartbreak in an engaging and affectionate way.
Deanna Raybourn writes historical mysteries that carry a strong sense of time and place. In her novel “The Lady Julia Grey Mystery: Silent in the Grave,” the story begins with Lady Julia’s husband collapsing during a dinner party.
At first, his death is blamed on natural causes, but a private investigator, Nicholas Brisbane, suggests otherwise. Lady Julia, who was unaware of her husband’s secrets, teams up with Brisbane to uncover the truth.
The journey brings surprising revelations about her husband’s life and her own capacity for courage. The novel mixes mystery with personal discovery in a vividly drawn Victorian setting.
Readers who enjoy thoughtful characters and layered mysteries might find this book worth exploring.
Jessica Brockmole is an author who captures the emotions of love and loss in her writing. Her book, “Letters from Skye,” is told through letters exchanged over decades. It begins with a poet living on the Isle of Skye during World War I and an American fan who writes to her.
Their letters grow into something more, shifting their lives in unexpected ways, while touching on themes of war, family, and resilience. Fans of heartfelt historical fiction, like Mary Ann Shaffer’s work, might find this book worth exploring.
Natasha Solomons writes heartfelt and character-driven novels with a strong sense of history. One of her books, “The House at Tyneford,” is about Elise, a young Jewish woman from Vienna who escapes to England during World War II.
She becomes a maid at Tyneford, a grand English manor. While working there, she finds herself caught between her old life and the unfamiliar world of the English countryside. The book captures her resilience, the beauty of the manor, and the changes brought on by war.
The story reminds me of the charm and emotional pull you might find in books like “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.”
Susan Meissner writes historical fiction with heartfelt connections between characters and their pasts. Her novel, “The Last Year of the War,” follows Elise, a young German-American girl sent to an internment camp during World War II.
There, she forms a life-changing friendship with Mariko, a Japanese-American girl in the same situation. The story explores how their bond shapes Elise’s life, long after they are separated. It’s a story about identity, survival, and the ties that shape us.
Erica Bauermeister writes stories filled with rich characters and heartfelt moments, which might appeal to fans of Mary Ann Shaffer.
Her novel, “The School of Essential Ingredients,” revolves around a cooking class led by Lillian, a chef who believes food has the power to transform lives.
Each student brings their own struggles and secrets to the class, and through their lessons, they begin to heal and connect in unexpected ways. The way food weaves into the characters’ stories creates a warm and intimate atmosphere.
Kate Morton is known for creating stories that weave together secrets, family mysteries, and the past.
Her novel, “The Forgotten Garden”, tells the story of Cassandra, who inherits a house from her grandmother and discovers clues about a little girl who was abandoned on a ship bound for Australia.
The narrative moves between decades, uncovering hidden connections and forgotten truths. Fans of Mary Ann Shaffer may enjoy Morton’s ability to bring history and personal stories to life in such an engaging way.