One vital part of creating our Good Books collections is something we couldn’t do without: our incredible panel of VIP readers. They work their way through each book on our longlist and give us honest, thoughtful feedback – and the GH team always looks forward to their insightful, often moving comments.
One standout remark this time came from a reader who said: "I loved the way the main character analysed her feelings and became more honest with herself. Women were shown to be strong and empowered – a major theme in the book – and it left me feeling stronger myself."
The eight books in our Autumn Collection were all raved about by our panel. In a world of more, more, more, with millions of novels to choose from, personal recommendations are worth their weight in gold. Happy reading!
What to read next
Waterstones.com is offering GH readers 30% off all these titles* using the code GOODBOOKS30.
Meet the Good Books Autumn Collection
Meet the Good Books Autumn Collection
Good Books Autumn Collection Winner
The Stolen Child by Carmel Harrington (Headline Review)
This gripping thriller, about a little boy who disappears on board a cruise ship, had our panel completely hooked. "This is a story that grips from the beginning – not with fancy words but with a heartfelt story that many will relate to. A thoroughly enjoyable read," said one panel member.
The Stolen Child by Carmel Harrington
Good Books Summer Collection Reader Favourites
Death At The White Hart by Chris Chibnall (Michael Joseph)
This pacy murder mystery by Broadchurch creator Chibnall kept our panel glued to the page. "It’s really engaging and just one of those books I didn’t want to put down. It’s cleverly written – the eclectic cast of characters were all suspects – and it definitely kept me guessing," said one reader.
Tell It To The Bees by Zoë Richards (Fox & Ink Books)
This gorgeous novel, set at a struggling wellness retreat, was praised by our panel for being fabulously feelgood. When a businesswoman is sent to scope out the site, she finds herself reassessing her priorities. "A lovely, gentle book. It left me inspired and a little emotional," said a panellist.
Our Beautiful Mess by Adele Parks (HQ)
After a shock pregnancy announcement from her eldest daughter, Connie meets the baby’s father and finds he’s chillingly familiar. "I liked the unfolding dynamic between the mum and her daughters. The intricacies of the plot held up well throughout and the interplay between all of the characters rang true," said one reader.
The Peepshow by Kate Summerscale (Bloomsbury Publishing)
This true-crime book was a hit with our panel, who found the account of the notorious 1950s case – when multiple bodies were discovered at 10 Rillington Place, London – riveting and well-paced. "I’d never read true crime before, but it was as engaging as a thriller – and thoughtprovoking," said a reader.
Well, This Is Awkward by Esther Walker (Bedford Square Publishers)
Mairéad’s life is upended when her 11-year-old niece, Sunny, daughter of her estranged older sister, comes to stay in this warm and witty drama that panellists found absorbing and relatable. "This was a really good read, both contemporary and solid," said one.
Esther Walker Well, This Is Awkward (Hardback)
The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha (Penguin)
Our panel loved how the author expertly built tension in this mystery about a family reunion on a private Scottish island. "It’s a mix of family saga and thriller. I particularly liked the complex relationships between the characters and the buried secrets. The ending was unexpected – in a good way," said one.
‘Brilli
Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (HQ)
Set in the vineyards of California’s Napa Valley, this atmospheric thriller has twists and turns galore. Ten years after Josh drowned on honeymoon, his widow, June, starts to see him everywhere she goes… "This was such a page-turner, I stayed up all night to finish it! When I thought I had it sussed out, it changed again – the final twist is sensational," said one fan.
HarperCollins Publishers Till Death Do Us Part (Paperback)
Bookshop.org is offering 10% off all this titles with the code LOVEBOOKSHOPS
What is Good Books?
We want to make it easier for you to choose your next read. Every season, with the help of our GH VIP Member panel, we’ll pick the best new novels and non-fiction so that when you see the Good Books logo on a cover, you can trust that it’ll be a book you’ll love.
Get involved
Join our panel of VIP Members to receive free books to review and help us choose the next Collection. To sign up, visit ghmembers.co.uk.
*Discount is online only and is available from 9 September to 7 October 2025. Most recent in-print format only.
