You’re not going to believe all the amazing books by women heading your way in 2020. From family drama, romance and murder to talking cats, transgender discrimination and couples who swing, we’ve got some great picks to get your year started in the right reading direction. Check out our most anticipated women’s fiction books of 2020.

The Moonshiner’s Daughter by Donna Everhart

Jessie Sasser and her father have never quite gotten along as Jessie blames her mother’s death on the family’s moonshining business. Seeking comfort in food and desperate to learn more about the day her mom died, Jessie devises a plan to destroy the moonshine stills and blame the neighbors for the incident. But when her plan backfires, it brings to light the complicated relationships in her town and teaches her things about herself and her family that she never knew before.

The Herd by Andrea Bartz

The HERD is a coworking space for women to work and receive mentoring and encouragement from other women. It’s an exclusive membership-only space and Katie Bradley has a way in, via her sister Hana, who is a member and best friend to Eleanor, the HERD founder. When Eleanor vanishes just before some big news is to be revealed, everyone is suspected of foul play and the perfect veneer of the HERD starts to crumble.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

When ambitious 15-year-old Vanessa has an affair with her much-older English teacher, Jacob Strane, she believes they have a true connection. But years later, she’s forced to confront their relationship head-on when another woman claims the same man sexually abused her and asks for Vanessa’s help to get justice for his wrongdoings.

Hello, Summer by Mary Kay Andrews

When Conley learns that she’s not getting the new position at a New York City paper, her dreams of a future in the big city go south. She returns to her family’s small-town newspaper, run by her brother, who she continuously butts heads with. She doesn’t want to cover church news and the obituaries for the small beach town but has no choice. When Conley witnesses a fatal car accident she will uncover the secret history of a local politician.

Tiny Imperfections by Alli Frank and Asha Youmans

Single mom Josie is working as an admissions director at an exclusive private school while trying to make sure Etta, her 17-year-old daughter, stays on track so she doesn’t make the same mistakes she did. Her best friend is trying to get her back in the dating game, but there aren’t any prospects. As admissions season starts up, Josie will find that those closest to her – Etta, her best friend and her Aunt Viv – might be full of lifechanging surprises and what truly matters most is something different than what Josie considered.

You Again by Debra Jo Immergut

Abigail is shocked when she spots a young woman who looks exactly like she did at 22. But Abby is 46 now, married and with children. She can’t shake the girl from her mind, who was even wearing the same raspberry-colored coat she used to wear. After seeing this look-a-like several times in the next weeks, Abby starts following her, wondering who she is and why she feels like such an important part of Abby’s life, which is now starting to fall apart.

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Dannie has just nailed an interview and accepted a marriage proposal. She’s on track for her five-year plan. When she wakes the next day though, things have changed. She’s not in her apartment, she has a different ring on her finger and a different man in bed beside her. She discovers that five years have passed. When she wakes again, she knows it was just a dream, but four-and-a-half years later, she comes face-to-face with the man from her dream and she starts to wonder if she had received a sign she can’t ignore. In Five Years is a love story about destiny, loyalty and friendship that’s heartbreaking and joyful.

Mimi Lee Gets a Clue by Jennifer Chow

When Mimi Lee opens her L.A. pet grooming store, Hollywoof, she never expected that a cat she says hello to would talk back to her. But Marshmallow does talk, and needs Mimi’s help in solving the murder of a local breeder. Unfortunately, Mimi is a suspect, so she and Marshmallow – along with Josh, a cute lawyer neighbor – must work together to find the murderer so she can get back to her business.

The Swap by Robyn Harding

When teen Low Morrison finds a friend in Freya after taking her pottery class, she finally feels a sense of belonging, and the two share secrets and desires. When Jamie moves to town and enters into Freya’s life, Low is once again left out, and a fit of slow jealousy begins. When Freya and Jamie, along with their husbands, have a consensual fling after a drunken night, it will be the perfect opportunity for Low to take advantage of the situation and seek revenge for being displaced.

The Antidote for Everything by Kimmery Martin

Georgia and Jonah are two doctors who have become close friends while working in the same hospital. When Georgia is away at a conference, Jonah is fired for not agreeing to a new hospital rule. Jonah is gay and the hospital is now mandating that they will not care for transgender patients. Jonah refuses to abandon his patients and is the first to be fired. Georgia wants to stand by her friend but is fearful she may too lose her job, or much more than just her career.

The Jetsetters Amanda Eyre Ward

Seventy-year-old Charlotte is thrilled when she wins the “Become a Jetsetter” contest, sure now that the 10-day cruise will reconnect her estranged children and bring her family back together. But the adventure does more than she expected and forces the family to reveal past secrets and evaluate what drove everyone apart in the first place.

Wonderland by Zoje Stage

When the Bennett family moves to a secluded place in the woods, it’s Shaw’s turn to focus on his passion for painting. But there’s something sinister in the woods, and the family must stop the threat that’s coming for them; a threat that may also overtake their minds.

With or Without You by Caroline Leavitt

Rock musician Simon has been holding onto his music dreams for years and just when he gets an opportunity for success, his wife Stella goes into a coma. He must choose whether to pursue his dream or stay beside his wife. When Stella wakes, she’s a completely different person and they’ll both need to consider what they really want for themselves.

You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Shay is lonely, looking for love and wanting a better job. When she meets the Moore sisters, she feels like something good might be happening. The sisters are glamorous and perfect, and always get what they want. While Shay wants what they have, the Moore sisters might actually want her life.

The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin

It is spring 2001 and Cecily has broken up with her longtime boyfriend Matt when she makes a connection with Grant, a guy in a dive bar. Not wanting a rebound relationship, but also feeling something for Grant, she decides to follow her heart for once. Yet in the aftermath of 9/11, Grant disappears. During her search for him, she discovers someone else is looking for him too. Was Grant not who he said he was? And did he ever really care about Cecily? Emily Giffin writes an emotional exploration of love and truth in this next sure-to-be bestseller.

This Won’t End Well by Camille Pagán

Annie’s fiancé Jon needs space, her boss has sabotaged her and her best friend thinks the answer to all problems is crystals. Annie decides she needs to distance herself from everyone when Harper moves in next door. Harper is frail and glamorous, and Annie and Mo, an amateur detective, do what they can to keep her safe. So now, Annie has two new people in her life when her fiancé comes back asking her to go to France with him. She knew that letting anyone new into her life would not end well, and now she’s got to decide whether or not she wants another try with Jon.

Recipe for a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown

When Alice finds a mysterious cookbook, complete with secrets and a story of its own, she will cook her way through the pages to find a way to protect herself and take back her life.

Followers by Megan Angelo

A budding novelist and a wanna-be A-lister devise a plan to launch them into the success they both crave. Thirty-five years later, another woman tries to unravel their secrets in this thrilling new novel from Megan Angelo.

This Terrible Beauty by Katrin Schumann

Bettina must pick up the pieces and build a new life after surviving WWII. A marriage to a dangerous man and an illicit affair will cost her more than she could have ever expected, including being separated from her daughter. After a move to America and a decade of turmoil, the arrival of an unexpected stranger will help her to return home and take back what rightfully belongs to her.

Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing by Allison Winn Scotch

Presidential hopeful Cleo McDougal must do what she can to repair her reputation after an old friend writes an op-ed that goes viral. For damage control, she creates a “regrets list” and a media blitz to make amends. But some of the top 10 regrets may just be too big to admit to, affecting not only her career in Washington but also the most personal aspects of her life. Tackling one regret at a time, Cleo plans to make peace with her past, confront those against her and open her heart to what really matters most.

(Feature image courtesy of @savbeebooks)

(Article sponsored by Kensington Book Corp.)

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