23 Great Feel Good Books That Will Make You Smile

There are days when all you want is to escape into a story that feels like a deep exhale.

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Maybe it’s been a long week, or you’re craving something comforting, something that wraps around you like your favorite blanket.

And these feel good books may be just what you need.

For me, a few things bring that kind of joy quite like curling up with a feel-good book. You know, the type of story that lifts your spirits, makes you smile at the pages, even makes you laugh out loud, and reminds you how joyful, even funny, life can be.

Imagine settling into your coziest chair with a warm drink in hand. The world quiets down, the pages open, and suddenly you’re meeting characters who feel like instant friends.

Their journeys are uplifting, their mishaps are charming, and their triumphs leave your heart a little lighter.

These are the stories that brighten our days, nudge us toward gratitude, and remind us that goodness still exists—even in the smallest, sweetest moments.

If you’re ready for something heartwarming, optimistic, and joy-sparking, this list is your perfect cozy escape.

Let’s dive into some feel-good books that will bring a smile to your face and a little extra warmth to your week.

Top Feel good books that bring you joy

1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Meet Linus Baker, a quiet caseworker whose life gets a burst of magic when he’s sent to evaluate a very unusual orphanage.

The quirky kids (and their mysterious caretaker) turn his world upside down in the sweetest way.
A fun book about found family, acceptance, and stepping into your truest self.

2. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Tiffy and Leon share a one-bedroom apartment…and yes, the same bed.

But Tiffy and Leon have never met because they work opposite schedules. However, their sticky notes start a friendship that slowly turns into something more.
A heart-warming story of healing, unexpected connection, and joy after heartbreak.

3. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Nora Seed gets the rare chance to explore all the “what if” versions of her life. Every book she opens reveals a different path she could’ve taken—some magical, some messy, all meaningful.
A feel-good novel about second chances, hope, and realizing your life has more value than you think.

4. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor marches through life with tight routines and zero social filters.

But when an act of kindness nudges her out of isolation, she begins a beautifully slow journey toward healing.
This is a feel-good book about emotional recovery, connection, and learning to let life in.

5. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Grumpy Ove just wants to be left alone. His new neighbors have other plans—and their chaotic kindness cracks his stern exterior in the most heartwarming ways.

6. The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Burned-out Leena Cotton is ordered by her boss to take a sabbatical after blowing up a presentation. So decides to go rest and recuperate at her grandmother’s Eileenshouse.

And Eileen is newly single and wants another chance at love, but the little village of Yorkshore doesn’t offer much in the way of eligible bachelors. And so the house swap idea is born. Leena and Eileen decide to swap lives.

And they quickly discover new friends, new challenges, and new sparks on both ends.
A great book on reinvention, adventure, and joyful intergenerational bonds.

7. The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
Think cozy blankets, warm lighting, simple pleasures. This book breaks down the Danish art of happiness in the easiest, most charming way.
It’s all about creating comfort and finding joy in everyday moments.

8. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
A.J. Fikry is a grumpy bookstore owner whose life takes a surprising turn when an unexpected “package” arrives.

It’s tender, hopeful, and a love letter to stories themselves.
This book highlights the importance of second chances, community, and the magic of books.

9. Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Bernadette Fox is brilliant, eccentric, and, well,…gone. Her daughter, Bee, pieces together emails, letters, and clues to track her down, revealing a story full of humor and heart.
Read this if you enjoy books about creativity, identity, and the messy beauty of family.

10. The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
This gentle adventure follows Satoru and his loyal cat, Nana, on a trip to visit old friends.

It’s a sweet, tender story full of quiet emotional depth.

11. The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Alice Wright joins a horseback library in 1930s Kentucky and finds strength, purpose, and a tight-knit sisterhood she didn’t know she needed.

12. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Angel + demon + looming apocalypse = chaos, comedy, and an unexpectedly heartwarming partnership. It’s joyful, witty, and impossible not to smile through.
A sweet novel all about friendship, morality, and unlikely alliances.

13. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Rosey Project is such a fun read.
Don Tillman approaches love the only way he knows how: scientifically.

His “Wife Project” goes hilariously sideways when he meets Rosie, who doesn’t fit any of his sciency boxes, but fits him perfectly.

This book highlights themes of authenticity, unconventional romance, and embracing individuality.

14. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
Told through letters, this story follows Juliet Ashton as she discovers a quirky book club formed during World War II.

It’s charming, heartfelt, and utterly uplifting.
A heartwarming story about community, healing, and the power of storytelling.

15. The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
A single notebook filled with one man’s truth travels through the hands of strangers, inspiring them to share their own stories and open their hearts. What if we all let the world see who we really are and stop pretending that we are perfect or better than we really are?

17. Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
Bridget’s diary entries are chaotic, hilarious, and painfully relatable.

Through dating disasters and self-improvement attempts, she charms you every step of the way.

A hilarious look at one woman’s struggles to find the life she dreams of, even though he stumbles again and again.

This is a heart-warming story that shows you dont have to be perfect to find love.

18. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A classic favorite novel that has been adored and acclaimed by many.
Elizabeth Bennet navigates family expectations, social pressures, and one very brooding Mr. Darcy.

It’s witty, romantic, and endlessly comforting. This is a novel about love, self-awareness, and challenging assumptions.

19. The Correspondents by Tim Murphy

Sybil has lived many lives—mother, grandmother, wife, divorcée, celebrated lawyer. She assumes the future will keep unfolding just as it has.

But everything shifts when unexpected letters from someone tied to an old wound surface, pushing her to revisit a chapter she’d tucked away long ago.

As she reckons with that painful past, she realizes the unsent letter she’s been crafting in pieces over the years is the one that must finally be read.

And to move forward, she’ll have to find the courage to offer the forgiveness she’s held back for far too long.

20. Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

If you love stories that tug at your heart in the gentlest way, this one is such a standout. Xavier is thoughtful, steady, and still carrying emotional bruises from a past that taught him to keep his guard up.

Samantha, on the other hand, is trying to find her footing in a life that suddenly feels unfamiliar. When these two meet, the chemistry is instant—but what really pulls you in is how naturally they see each other.

At its core, this is a story about memory, healing, and choosing love even when your heart feels a little battered.

Jimenez balances humor, vulnerability, and hope in a way that feels like a warm hand on your shoulder.

It’s tender, uplifting, and deeply human—exactly the kind of feel-good read that stays with you long after the last page.

21. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Ricki escapes her family’s strict expectations and starts over in Harlem, chasing a life filled with creativity, color, and passion.

When she meets a mysterious man with an old-soul charm, her world turns magical in more ways than one.

22. Sunny Days and Sea Breezes by Carole Matthews

Carole Matthews’ books are always so fun, and this one is no different.
After her life falls apart, Jodie retreats to a houseboat on the Isle of Wight, seeking peace.

Instead, she finds unexpected friendships, healing laughter, and the spark she didn’t know she needed to begin again.

If you are looking for a sweet book about fresh starts, emotional healing, and rediscovering happiness, this one is for you.

23. The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella
Completely overwhelmed and burned out, Sasha heads to a once-beloved seaside town for a much-needed break.

Between quirky locals, gentle humor, and a surprising romantic connection, she slowly refills her cup.

Final Words

And there you have it. I hope these feel-good books will inspire you to read for fun, joy and and to be inspired- inspired to take a chance, to change, and to live your best life.

And before you go, tell me in the comments, have you read any of these books? And which ones are you most excited to read? What other feel-good books would you recommend? Happy reading!