Secondhand Fiction Bargain Book Box DSH1025

Secondhand Fiction Bargain Book Box

Dive into a curated collection of engaging fiction featuring some of the biggest names in storytelling, from sweeping historical sagas and intimate wartime dramas to witty contemporary tales of love and ambition. This box brings together twenty captivating narratives by beloved authors like Maeve Binchy, Philippa Gregory, Dilly Court, and Nora Roberts, offering hours of immersive reading that spans generations and continents. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Strange Fits of Passion by Anita Shreve
   A young widow seeks refuge in a remote New Hampshire cottage after the death of her husband, only to become entangled with a charismatic, isolated hermit. The connection quickly spirals into a dangerous obsession that threatens her fragile recovery and her perception of reality. Shreve masterfully explores the psychology of dependence and the desperate need for escape.

2. Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon
   Lord John Grey, soldier and aristocrat, is drawn into a delicate political mystery in 18th-century London when a superior officer is blackmailed. His investigation requires him to navigate the treacherous world of military secrets, illicit passions, and court intrigue. This historical mystery provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the Outlander series' most beloved secondary characters.

3. The Marble Collector by Cecelia Ahern
   Fergus Boggs finds a mysterious collection of glass marbles hidden in the pocket of his recently deceased father’s coat, leading him to question everything he knew about the man. Driven by curiosity, Fergus begins piecing together the true story of his father's secretive past and the passionate love affair that shaped his life long ago. This heartwarming journey of discovery proves that even the smallest objects can hold the biggest secrets.

4. Falling: A Love Story by Jane Green
   Emma Montague leaves her high-pressure job in New York for a fresh start in coastal Connecticut, renting a charming cottage from the handsome, rugged carpenter Dominic. As she settles into the idyllic seaside life, she finds herself falling for the unexpected charm of her landlord and the slower pace of the community. This novel beautifully explores themes of finding happiness after burnout and daring to build a new life rooted in love.

5. Heart and Soul by Maeve Binchy
   This novel centers on the dedicated staff and vibrant patients of a Dublin heart clinic, a place where professional lines often blur with personal crises and unexpected moments of connection. The narrative weaves together the lives of the overworked doctors, the compassionate nurses, and the many visitors who all find solace and community within the hospital walls. Binchy delivers a heartwarming ensemble tale about facing mortality and the resilience of the human spirit.

6. Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy
   Set in 1950s Ireland, this story follows three young women—Bennie, Eve, and Nan—as they navigate the transition from a sheltered village life to university in Dublin. They face the challenges of new independence, class differences, and the complexities of first loves and betrayals in the confusing new world. This classic Binchy novel is a sweeping exploration of lifelong friendship and coming of age in changing times.

7. The Blue Bedroom by Rosamunde Pilcher
   A collection of elegant and insightful short stories showcasing Pilcher’s characteristic warmth and keen observation of human relationships and hidden truths. The tales explore moments of quiet revelation, sudden romance, and the enduring connections between family and friends often set against the backdrop of the charming English countryside. Each story offers a perfect, contained narrative that resonates long after the final page.

8. Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy
   In the small Irish town of Mountfern, the arrival of a Hollywood film crew disrupts the quiet rhythm of local life, bringing glamour and chaos in its wake. The story centers on 14-year-old Kate, who observes the dramatic impact the outsiders have on her family and neighbours’ relationships and aspirations. This narrative captures the bittersweet nature of change and the enduring, essential pull of home.

9. Dilly Court Bletton Boys by Dilly Court
   This saga focuses on the struggles of the Bletton family, faced with acute poverty and difficult decisions during challenging historical times in Victorian London. The story delves deep into the resilience of the working class and the desperate measures mothers and siblings take to protect their own. A powerful and emotional tale of survival, loyalty, and hope against overwhelming odds.

10. Claiming Love by Nora Roberts
    A blend of contemporary romance and high-stakes suspense, this novel follows a woman fighting to hold onto her heritage and her ranch against overwhelming odds and immediate danger. When a mysterious and protective man enters her life, sparks fly, but she must decide if she can trust him with her heart and her future safety. A thrilling read combining high-stakes tension with undeniable passion and loyalty.

11. One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell
    Set in a prestigious Manhattan apartment building, this novel tracks the intertwined lives and secrets of its wealthy and ambitious residents and staff. From the aging socialite trying desperately to hold onto her status to the young woman desperate to break into the elite circle, gossip and ambition fuel the high-rise drama. Bushnell captures the intoxicating glamour and intense, often hilarious rivalries of New York society.

12. The Water Diviner by Andrew Anastasios and Meaghan Wilson Anastasios
    Based on the true story that inspired the major motion picture, this novel follows Joshua Connor, an Australian farmer who travels to Turkey four years after the devastating battle of Gallipoli. He is determined to find the bodies of his three sons who fought and died there, defying military protocol to do so. A profound and emotional tale exploring the depths of grief, the search for closure, and unexpected compassion across cultural divides.

13. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
    Mary Boleyn is brought to the court of Henry VIII, briefly captivating the King, only to become a pawn in her ambitious family's ruthless quest for power and title. When Henry’s gaze shifts violently to her sister Anne, Mary must navigate the perilous political waters and the volatile passions of the Tudor court. This acclaimed historical drama offers a gripping, intimate view of the rivalry between the infamous sisters.

14. The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory
    Jacquetta of Luxembourg, a woman gifted with second sight and born into ancient nobility, is pulled into the heart of the Wars of the Roses in medieval England. She becomes a key player in shaping the destinies of powerful royal houses, first as the mother of the future Queen Elizabeth Woodville. This richly detailed prequel explores the enduring strength and often-hidden influence of powerful women.

15. Soul by Tobsha Learner
    A sensual and mystical story set in Renaissance Venice, following the life of a gifted courtesan who uses her body, her intellect, and her art to influence the world around her. She finds herself caught between powerful men—a brilliant artist and a dangerous politician—who both seek to control her fate. This narrative is a lush exploration of female power, artistry, and forbidden love in a city defined by intrigue.

16. The Land Girls by Victoria Purman
    This WWII novel focuses on three very different young women—a city girl, a socialite, and a country local—who join the Women's Land Army in rural South Australia. They must overcome personal rivalries and the harsh realities of farm work while dealing with wartime hardship and the absence of the men they love. A moving story of female friendship, sacrifice, and finding collective strength during wartime.

17. Bedlam: The Further Adventures of Charlotte Bronte by Laura Joh Rowland
    In 1840s London, aspiring author Charlotte Brontë begins investigating the mysterious death of a fellow governess at a notorious asylum, Bedlam, under murky circumstances. Forced to confront institutional corruption and the dark secrets of the mentally ill, Charlotte uses her keen intellect to uncover a dangerous conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of society. This historical mystery expertly blends real-life literary figures with thrilling suspense.

18. The Girl in Times Square by Paullina Simons
    After moving to New York City to start a new life and escape a troubled past, a young Russian woman finds herself struggling with loneliness and the pressures of poverty. When she witnesses a disturbing event, she is inadvertently drawn into a dangerous mystery involving organized crime, betrayal, and dark underworld figures. A compelling tale of survival, self-discovery, and unexpected love in the heart of the city.

19. You Are My Sunshine by Katie Flynn
    Set during the darkest days of WWII, this saga follows a young woman whose life is shattered by the London Blitz, forcing her to rely solely on her own courage and resilience to survive. She faces hardship, separation from loved ones, and constant fear while maintaining hope for a better future and a family reunion. A poignant narrative celebrating the unbreakable spirit of the people enduring life on the home front.

20. A Mother's Wish by Dilly Court
    Set in the poverty-stricken slums of Victorian London, this deeply emotional saga tells the story of a determined single mother struggling fiercely to protect her children from exploitation and the brutality of their circumstances. She must make impossible sacrifices and face difficult moral choices to ensure they have a chance at a brighter future. Court delivers a powerful and heartbreaking look at maternal love and fierce perseverance in a brutal era.