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2026 Reading List & Book Reviews

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In 2026, my reading life became a more intentional part of how I documented stories, seasons, and everyday reflection. This page gathers every book I read and reviewed throughout the year — from literary fiction and historical novels to contemporary stories, mysteries, memoirs, and book club picks.

 

Each title is archived here as part of my long-term reading record, with links to full reviews, favorite themes, and the books that shaped my year.

 

Many of these reviews were first shared on Instagram through @erinlgorereads, but this 2026 reading list brings them together in one organized, searchable space — a thoughtful archive for readers who love atmosphere, emotion, and stories that linger.

The Complete 2026 Reading List

I’m documenting my 2026 reading year as it unfolds — not only the books I finish, but the ones that stay with me, surprise me, challenge me, or become part of a particular season of life.

 

This list will continue to grow throughout the year, with each book linked to its full review when available.

When No One Else Will

A powerful and emotionally devastating historical novel inspired by the true story of an illegal women’s clinic in 1930s Chicago. Timely, compassionate, and deeply moving.

The One Day You Were My Husband

An emotionally layered psychological thriller filled with romance, grief, obsession, secrets, and slow-burning suspense.

Chasing the Clouds Away

A comforting and emotionally grounded novel about healing, second chances, family connection, and finding hope again through everyday resilience and human connection.

The French Promise

A sweeping and emotional historical fiction novel about love, trauma, healing, and the lasting impact of war. The French Promise continues Luc and Lisette’s story with depth, tenderness, and a richly layered look at rebuilding life after World War II.

The Lavender Keeper

A beautifully written World War II historical fiction novel filled with love, sacrifice, espionage, and emotionally layered storytelling set in occupied France.

Spellbound by Murder

A cozy mystery with a magical twist, blending small-town charm, family dynamics, and a fast-paced murder investigation inside a charming bookshop setting.

More Than Enough

A reflective women’s fiction novel exploring friendship, family identity, ancestry, and the quiet complexities of long-term relationships through emotionally thoughtful storytelling.

An Ocean of Time

A sweeping and emotionally addictive time-slip romance set between modern-day Cornwall and 1755, blending gothic atmosphere, mystery, scandal, and forbidden love into an immersive historical reading experience.

Such Sheltered Lives

A gripping psychological suspense novel that explores addiction, privilege, secrecy, and the illusion of safety inside an elite luxury rehab center.

The Bookbinder’s Secret

A richly layered historical fiction novel blending literary mystery, forbidden love, and long-buried secrets into an atmospheric story centered around books, memory, and truth.

Dolly All the Time

A completely addictive contemporary romance that I devoured in a single day. Annabel Monaghan takes a familiar rich-guy-meets-small-town-girl premise and transforms it into a heartfelt, emotionally rich story filled with unforgettable characters, genuine chemistry, and a romance you'll root for from beginning to end.

Burnout Summer

An emotionally addictive summer romance filled with friends-to-lovers tension, post-grad uncertainty, emotional healing, and immersive Rhode Island beach-town escapism.

This Weekend Doesn’t End Well for Anyone

A witty and fast-paced mystery thriller set at a Bahamas resort where a writers conference turns deadly, blending humor, secrets, and layered locked-room intrigue.

Valley of the Fireflies

A beautifully layered historical fiction novel that blends love, loss, resilience, and mystery against the backdrop of wartime Italy.

Before the Mountain Falls

A deeply emotional World War II historical fiction novel about survival, identity, motherhood, and unexpected human connection in wartime Wales.

The Carnival Murders

A dark and atmospheric Victorian historical mystery blending forensic investigation, psychological tension, and chilling suspense against the eerie backdrop of a traveling carnival.

When Tomorrow Burns

A thoughtful and emotionally engaging middle grade fantasy about friendship, fate, growing up, and the frightening possibility that the future may already be written.

Once We Were Sisters

A deeply emotional World War II historical fiction novel set in Nazi-occupied Paris, blending dual timelines, family secrets, sacrifice, and mother-daughter relationships into a powerful and immersive reading experience.

Until We Meet Again

A deeply emotional World War II historical fiction novel set in Nazi-occupied Paris, exploring survival, love, moral ambiguity, and generational resilience through layered, emotionally immersive storytelling.

The Star Society

A richly layered historical fiction novel exploring survival, sisterhood, reinvention, and the emotional aftermath of World War II against the contrasting worlds of Hollywood and political Washington, D.C.

The Little Greek Guesthouse

A charming and uplifting summer romance filled with sunshine, second chances, family relationships, and Greek island escapism. Lizzie Lee delivers another warm, comforting read that perfectly balances romance, personal growth, and feel-good storytelling.

Operation Boyfriend

A chemistry-filled fake-dating romance set against a luxury tropical resort backdrop, blending emotional vulnerability, destination wedding drama, and vacation escapism into an entertaining contemporary romance read.

The Island Club

An atmospheric historical novel layered with memory, family tension, emotional inheritance, and the quiet complexities of identity and belonging.

The Book Witch

A magical and imaginative novel that blends fantasy, mystery, and a heartfelt love letter to books and storytelling.

The Irish Orphan’s Secret

A powerful dual-timeline historical fiction novel exploring family secrets, generational trauma, and Ireland’s hidden history through emotionally gripping storytelling.

The Sisters of Book Row

A thoughtful and richly layered historical novel about censorship, sisterhood, and the quiet courage of women fighting to protect books, truth, and knowledge in 1915 Manhattan.

I Will Always Love You (Maybe)

A sapphic forced-proximity romance set in a snowed-in Minnesota cabin that explores grief, vulnerability, and emotional isolation, though the unrealistic setting details ultimately made it difficult to stay immersed in the story.

The Resistance Knitting Club

A World War II historical fiction novel inspired by the true story of coded knitting patterns used during the resistance, blending espionage, sacrifice, and generational secrets through a dual-timeline narrative.

The Shark House

An atmospheric and emotionally reflective contemporary fiction novel that blends environmental mystery, grief, memory, and personal reckoning against the haunting backdrop of Hawai’i’s coastline.

The Burning Side

A deeply emotional literary fiction novel exploring grief, marriage, motherhood, family trauma, and emotional survival through layered family dynamics and intertwining perspectives.

The Parisian Chapter

A beautifully written historical fiction novel set in 1990s Paris, The Parisian Chapter blends friendship, creativity, emotional growth, and literary atmosphere into an immersive story about finding yourself far from home.

Our Extraordinary Summer

An emotionally resonant women’s fiction novel exploring family dynamics, estrangement, healing, and the long road toward reconciliation.

Murder at Cinnamon Falls

A cozy, autumn-set mystery filled with small-town charm, suspense, romance, and hidden secrets beneath a picture-perfect Fall festival town.

Wild Wager

A contemporary Western romance set on a rugged ranch, exploring emotional isolation, healing, and vulnerability through familiar cowboy romance tropes.

An Ocean of Stars

A sweeping and emotionally immersive historical romance about survival, trauma, second chances, and the courage it takes to confront both the past and the future.

I’m Looking for a Man in Finance

A witty, fast-paced Wall Street rom-com filled with sharp banter, enemies-to-lovers tension, emotional vulnerability, and a finance bro hero who falls first in the most satisfying way.

We Were Never Friends

A twist-filled psychological suspense novel set during a glamorous Palm Springs reunion weekend, exploring privilege, toxic female friendships, buried trauma, and the dangerous cost of silence.

The Future Saints

An emotionally raw and immersive contemporary fiction novel exploring grief, ambition, sisterhood, and the emotional cost of success within the high-pressure world of the music industry.

Explore the 2025 Reading Archive

Before documenting my 2026 reading life, I spent 2025 rebuilding a slower, more intentional relationship with reading. That year became the foundation for Erin Gore Reads — filled with thoughtful reviews, literary discoveries, historical fiction, contemporary stories, and books that shaped how I approached storytelling online.

 

Explore the complete 2025 reading archive, including every reviewed title, reflections, and seasonal reading favorites from the year that started it all.

Disclosure

Some links on this site may be affiliate links or part of paid partnerships.

Any sponsored content, affiliate links, or brand collaborations are clearly disclosed

in accordance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines.

 

Opinions shared reflect my personal experience and editorial perspective.

I only feature products, brands, and collaborations that align with my work

and are thoughtfully selected for everyday living.

© 2026 Erin Gore 

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