Let’s be honest—there’s nothing quite like the thrill of witnessing other people’s drama unfold from a safe distance. These books deliver all the emotional rollercoasters, shocking betrayals, and deliciously complicated relationships you crave, while allowing you to maintain your perfectly peaceful, drama-free existence. Consider this your guide to satisfying your dramatic appetites without any of the real-life consequences.

Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

When overachiever Audre’s meticulously planned vacation falls apart, she’s left sweltering in her family’s cramped Brooklyn apartment with zero inspiration for her college application. Desperate for material that will impress admissions officers, she impulsively hires charming but mysterious Bash to be her adventure guide for the summer. Their arrangement seems perfect: he’ll help her complete her bucket list of daring experiences, she’ll pay him, and they’ll maintain strict professional boundaries. But with each thrilling challenge they tackle, the chemistry between them intensifies beyond either’s control. A great escape for readers who enjoy watching fictional characters navigate deliciously complicated relationships while maintaining their own drama-free existence in real life.

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Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander

When reality TV star Margot Kitsch is arrested for her husband’s suspicious death, Sydney Parks can’t believe her luck at being selected for the jury. But her excitement quickly fades when she discovers her childhood best friend (and almost-something-more) Damon is a fellow juror. As the trial intensifies, so do Sydney’s feelings for Damon, despite court rules against fraternizing. With sexual tension and courtroom drama colliding, Sydney must navigate her unresolved past with Damon while ensuring justice is served—or risk causing the mistrial of the century. Ideal for readers who crave the delicious drama of reality TV and forbidden romance on the page rather than in their actual lives.

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No One Was Supposed to Die At This Wedding by Catherine Mack

Bestselling mystery author Eleanor Dash is used to solving murders on vacation, but her best friend Emma’s wedding might be her toughest case yet. Emma is marrying movie star Fred Winters after they co-starred in the adaptation of Eleanor’s first novel—with Fred playing her ex-boyfriend’s character. When a threatening note arrives warning “Someone is going to die at the wedding,” Eleanor must switch from reluctant bridesmaid to amateur detective. Trapped on Catalina Island by an approaching storm, Eleanor races to unmask a killer among the wedding party before the ceremony becomes a crime scene. Great for readers who love armchair sleuthing and wedding drama they can safely enjoy without having to deal with real-life murder mysteries.

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A Charming Touch Of Tarot by Melissa Holtz

Four lifelong friends face their greatest challenge when Nina arrives at Alyssa’s door with two bombshells: she’s being blackmailed over a decades-old secret and she’s developed telepathic abilities. With Nina’s marriage crumbling and threats escalating from blackmail to death threats, the fractured friend group must reunite despite their own personal dramas. As Alyssa discovers she can communicate with ghosts and Nina hones her telepathy, the women race across cities tracking an enemy willing to destroy them all. With supernatural powers and the unbreakable bond of friendship as their only weapons, these four women must confront not only an unseen adversary but also the secrets threatening to tear them apart. An enchanting tale for readers who enjoy their supernatural drama served with a side of female friendship, leaving the real-world complications at the door.

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The Quiet by Barnaby Martin

In a world transformed by the mysterious Soundfield, Hannah dedicates her existence to protecting her gifted son Isaac. As humanity struggles to survive in a nighttime existence, with scorching days and dwindling resources, Hannah guards her most precious secret—her son’s extraordinary abilities. Once devoted to understanding the Soundfield’s enigma as a brilliant scientist, she now focuses solely on keeping Isaac safe from those who would exploit him. But as threats close in, Hannah must navigate a web of deception, trusting strangers while misleading allies. The constant hum of the Field serves as a reminder that her greatest danger isn’t the harsh new world they inhabit, but the consequences of her own desperate choices. A haunting tale for readers who yearn to explore the boundaries of maternal love amid apocalyptic circumstances, all from the comfort of their undisturbed reality.

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Marguerite By The Lake by Mary Dixie Carter

At Rosecliff, gardener Phoenix cultivates the grounds showcasing lifestyle icon Marguerite Gray’s legendary taste. After saving Geoffrey Gray from a falling tree, Phoenix becomes entangled in a dangerous affair. When Marguerite plunges to her death from the same cliff where she posed for her famous portrait, Phoenix harbors a devastating secret. As Geoffrey invites her to fill the void in his life, Detective Hanna and Marguerite’s eerily similar daughter inch closer to the truth. Phoenix desperately tries to establish her rightful place at Rosecliff, but as every gardener knows, nothing stays buried forever. An enthralling escape for readers who enjoy deadly secrets blooming in manicured gardens.

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Songs Of Summer by Jane L. Rosen

Content with her vintage record shop and approaching engagement to her childhood friend, 30-year-old Maggie Mae Wheeler’s life is perfectly predictable—until she finds a letter from her 13-year-old self. Suddenly questioning everything, Maggie tracks down her birth mother to Fire Island, where she’s attending a wedding. As Maggie observes her biological family from afar, she discovers they’re far more complicated than expected. When a handsome local offers to escort her to the wedding as his fake date, Maggie must choose between diving into this new chaotic world or returning to her comfortable life. Perfect for readers who enjoy exploring identity and belonging from the safety of their reading nook.

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The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay

Assistant curator Lily finally has her dream job at the Tate, helping her mentor Diana organize a prestigious Picasso exhibition. During the glamorous opening, Lily shockingly blurts out that a masterpiece is a forgery, instantly silencing the room. Her impulsive declaration threatens Diana’s carefully cultivated reputation and throws the international art world into chaos. As evidence mounts and suspicions deepen, Lily must determine if her instinct was correct before she loses everything—including her freedom. With her career and mentor’s legacy at stake, Lily races to uncover the truth behind the Picasso. Well-suited for readers who crave high-stakes art world intrigue from a safe distance.

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The Dark Library by Mary Anna Evans

Reluctantly returning to Rockfall House after years away, Estella Ecker finds herself haunted by her domineering father’s legacy and her mother’s mysterious disappearance. Now teaching at her father’s college and living in the grand home where he once entertained the intellectual elite, Estella is drawn to his forbidden library of rare books. As whispers circulate about her family’s secrets, Estella realizes the truth she seeks might be hidden within Rockfall’s shadowed shelves. But as she delves deeper, she discovers some knowledge comes at a terrible price. Perfect for readers who relish exploring dark family mysteries.

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Eliza And The Duke by Harper St. George

Heiress Eliza Dove craves just one night of adventure before her arranged marriage of convenience. When she meets Simon Cavell—known as “the Duke” in Whitechapel’s boxing rings—her carefully ordered world unravels. Simon, fighting to secure his late sister’s legacy, can’t risk his secrets being exposed by a curious aristocrat, no matter how irresistible. He agrees to show Eliza the darker side of London in exchange for her silence, but one taste of forbidden passion isn’t enough for either of them. As Eliza proposes an even more scandalous bargain, they must decide if their growing feelings are worth risking everything they’ve fought to protect. Ideal novel for readers who prefer their scandals safely contained between book covers.

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