Secondhand Fiction Bargain Book Box SP2231

Secondhand Fiction Bargain Book Box

Immerse yourself in this superb collection of historical epics, heartwarming contemporary novels, and compelling family sagas featuring some of the biggest names in women's fiction. From the passionate courts of Tudor England with Philippa Gregory and Jean Plaidy to the modern, intricate relationships explored by Jodi Picoult, Nora Roberts, and Maeve Binchy, this box offers dozens of hours of deep character studies and absorbing storytelling. Whether you crave the romance of a sprawling historical timeline or the comfort of a charming Irish novel, this curated selection provides the perfect escape into rich, unforgettable worlds crafted by master storytellers.

These books are secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. The Thistle and the Rose by Jean Plaidy
   This novel focuses on the turbulent life of Margaret Tudor, the strong-willed sister of Henry VIII, who was married off to James IV of Scotland. Her life north of the border is filled with political intrigue, royal rivalries, and the heartbreaking sacrifices demanded by the union of two volatile kingdoms. Plaidy masterfully captures the dangerous game of court politics and the fierce personal resilience required of a Tudor queen.
2. The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory
   Gregory explores the gripping story of Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of the terrifying King Henry VIII, tasked with the near-impossible job of unifying his fractured family. Knowing that her predecessors met grisly fates, Katherine must suppress her true religious reformist leanings while desperately trying to survive her marriage. This is a story of quiet intelligence and cunning used to survive the most perilous court in history.
3. Deception Creek by Fleur McDonald
   Set against the backdrop of the rugged Australian outback, this rural crime thriller follows Detective Dave who returns to his hometown to investigate a cold case involving a disappeared farmer. He soon uncovers layers of secrets and deceit within the tight-knit community, where the stunning landscape hides dark, dangerous loyalties. McDonald crafts a compelling mystery rooted in the harsh realities and quiet dramas of remote life.
4. The Honest Queen by Cathy Kelly
   This charming novel centers on a group of women in a small Irish town whose lives intersect through family drama, career changes, and the search for authentic happiness. When a local family faces a crisis, old secrets emerge, testing the bonds of friendship and community loyalty. Kelly delivers a warm, relatable story about finding strength in vulnerability and the true meaning of home.
5. Less than Perfect by Fiona Walker
   A witty and heartfelt story about a high-powered London woman whose seemingly flawless life begins to unravel when she inherits a chaotic country home and a very persistent ex-boyfriend. Forced to slow down and reassess her priorities, she discovers that perfection is overrated, and messy reality can be far more rewarding. Walker provides a sharp, funny look at modern pressures and the lure of a simpler, muddier life.
6. The Sixth Wife by Jean Plaidy
   Plaidy returns to the tumultuous court of Henry VIII to tell the tale of Catherine Parr, the intelligent, compassionate woman who managed to survive the king’s notoriously brutal reign. This novel captures Catherine's precarious existence, her struggle to mother Henry's children, and the political maneuvering she employed to save her own life. A classic historical perspective on survival within royal terror.
7. Tara Road by Maeve Binchy
   Two women, one from Ireland and one from America, impulsively decide to swap houses for the summer, trading their complicated lives across the Atlantic. What begins as a temporary escape turns into a profound journey of self-discovery, heartbreak, and unexpected healing as they experience each other's worlds. Binchy delivers a moving, gentle novel about finding community and resilience far from home.
8. The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
   This is the vivid and passionate story of Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife, detailing her journey from a young Spanish princess to the Queen of England. Gregory focuses on Katherine's fierce belief in her destiny and her unwavering, heartbreaking struggle to maintain her position and legitimacy against the forces of time and ambition. A powerful portrait of a woman defined by her faith and determination.
9. Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
   A deeply emotional and challenging novel exploring themes of marriage, divorce, reproductive rights, and faith through the lens of a devastating personal loss. When Zoe is left heartbroken after a miscarriage, she attempts to use her frozen embryos to have a child, leading to a searing courtroom battle with her conservative ex-husband. Picoult tackles complex moral and legal dilemmas with characteristic intensity and sensitivity.
10. Evening Class by Maeve Binchy
    A diverse group of adults in Dublin enroll in an Italian language night class, each hoping to find something different—be it romance, intellectual stimulation, or simply escape from their lonely lives. As they stumble through grammar and pronunciation, they form unexpected bonds and find their lives intertwining in surprising ways. A warm, character-driven story celebrating second chances and the power of shared learning.
11. Come Sundown by Nora Roberts
    Deep in the Montana wilderness, a family ranch is rocked by the disappearance of a young woman years ago, a mystery that haunts the tight-knit extended family. When her daughter returns, haunted by strange memories, a modern murder brings the terrifying past roaring back to life. Roberts expertly weaves together romantic suspense and family secrets against a stunning, rugged landscape.
12. The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough
    This literary continuation of Pride and Prejudice focuses on the often-overlooked middle Bennet sister, Mary, who finally steps out of her family's shadow to pursue a life of intellectual curiosity and independence. Travelling to London, she grapples with new challenges, societal expectations, and the unexpected stirrings of romance. McCullough offers a sharp, engaging glimpse into the life of a Victorian bluestocking.
13. Mixed Blessings by Danielle Steel
    Three successful California couples, all close friends, decide at a party that they should all try to have a baby simultaneously, believing the experience will be a "mixed blessing." The ensuing journeys—involving unexpected infertility, late-life pregnancy, and adoption—test their marriages and friendships in profound and sometimes painful ways. Steel delivers a sweeping, emotional look at the modern pressures of parenthood.
14. Best of Friends by Cathy Kelly
    Focusing on the lifelong friendship between two women living in a bustling Irish seaside town, this story explores how shared history can both strengthen and complicate their adult lives. Through career changes, family crises, and romantic upheavals, they learn that true friendship requires honesty, forgiveness, and sometimes letting go of the past. A comforting novel about female resilience and the power of connection.
15. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton
    A young London book editor receives a mysterious letter that leads her to the crumbling, isolated Milderhurst Castle and the three reclusive elderly sisters who inhabit it. Drawn into their unsettling lives, she begins to uncover a decades-old family secret connected to a long-forgotten, dark wartime betrayal. Morton delivers a classic atmospheric mystery steeped in gothic history and hidden narratives.
16. Kate Hannigan's Girl by Catherine Cookson
    This gritty saga continues the story of Kate Hannigan and her daughter, Annie, set against the poverty and resilience of working-class Tyneside in the mid-20th century. Annie faces her own struggles with love, class distinction, and finding success, determined to forge a better future than the one her mother endured. Cookson offers a moving, realistic portrait of Geordie life and enduring hope.
17. Morgan's Run by Colleen McCullough
    A grand historical epic detailing the life of Richard Morgan, an ordinary man unjustly convicted of a petty crime in 18th-century England and sentenced to transportation to the brutal penal colonies of Australia. Morgan’s journey from prisoner to pioneer is one of relentless hardship, love, and the determination to forge a new life in a harsh, untamed land. A sweeping, impeccably researched saga of survival.
18. The Apartment by Danielle Steel
    Four young, ambitious strangers move into a charming Parisian apartment, each pursuing their dreams in the City of Lights, forming a unique, temporary family unit. As they navigate their careers, romantic relationships, and cultural adjustments, they discover that sometimes the family you choose is the strongest bond of all. A lighthearted, emotional story about starting over and finding courage abroad.