Books Set in Western Europe

by Chanel Cleeton

Setting: Barcelona, SPAIN

This dual-timeline novel is set in Barcelona in 1964 and 1936. In the Sixties story, Isabel Perez was exiled from Cuba after the revolution. When her sister, Beatriz, goes missing in Barcelona, Isabel travels to Spain to search for her and is thrust into the dangerous world of espionage. She also unearths a piece of family history that changes everything.

In 1936, after a difficult voyage from Cuba, Alicia Perez arrived in Barcelona with her young daughter, Isabel. Spain is on the brink of civil war and when violence breaks out, Alicia finds herself reunited with someone from her past.

The Book Girls Say… This book is the fifth in The Perez Family series, and the previous books have been popular picks on some of our other book lists. If you just want a book that will completely transport you to Barcelona, this book can be read as a standalone. But if you are interested in the complete story of the Perez family, then you’ll prefer to read these books in order.

by Lori Nelson Spielman

Setting: ITALY

Do you dream of seeing the Venetian canals, the Amalfi Coast, or wandering through gorgeous Tuscan villages? This 2020 release will transport you to all three dramatically different scenic Italian locations in vivid detail.

Two hundred years ago, Filomena Fontana cursed her sister. Ever since then, every 2nd born sister in the Fontana family has been unable to find love.

Some of the women believe in the curse, and others are skeptical, but when elderly Aunt Poppy invites two of the young second-born sisters to return to Italy with her, promising to have a plan to break the curse, they can't pass up the chance. The trio of women travel throughout Italy, learning about their family history and uncovering secrets.

If you're looking for a book to get lost in, this is a charming and light read filled with vivid atmospheric details! The narrator's Italian accent makes the audiobook especially enjoyable.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
95% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Monica Hesse

Setting: NETHERLANDS

Eighteen-year-old Hanneke was devastated by the loss of her boyfriend, who died on the Dutch front lines when the German soldiers invaded. As a small act of rebellion, and unbeknownst to her family, she begins to smuggle black market, hard-to-come-by items, such as sugar, bacon, tea, and alcohol.

During one of her deliveries, she gets pulled into much more dangerous work when one of her clients, Mrs. Janssen, asks her to help find a missing person. The Jewish teenager that Mrs. Janssen was hiding has disappeared. Hanneke is reluctant, but agrees to help and finds herself drawn into the heart of the Dutch Resistance.

The Book Girls Say... This YA historical fiction is based on the real Amsterdam Student Group (ASG), a WW2 Dutch Resistance organization that helped to rescue thousands of Jewish children.

For a classic non-fiction look at the country during WW2, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is an excellent option. The House on Endless Waters is a beautiful literary fiction option, but some readers find the non-linear timeline hard to follow.

by Lola Akinmade Åkerström

Setting: SWEDEN

This novel is told from the points of view of three different Black women who are all linked to the CEO of a Swedish marketing firm in very different ways.

Kemi is from the US and was recruited by Jonny to help fix a PR fiasco created by a racially tone-deaf campaign. Brittany-Rae is a flight attendant and former model who meets Jonny on a flight and quickly becomes the object of his obsession. And Muna is a refugee who cleans Jonny’s offices as she tries to create a new home for herself in Sweden.

The women’s intertwining stories touch on important social issues and put you into the shoes of three different Black experiences in Swedish society.

The Book Girls Say… This literary fiction was shortlisted for several awards in 2021.

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 1/18/22.

by Sofia Lundberg

Setting: SWEDEN & FRANCE

Throughout Doris's life, she's documented the people she encounters in the same address book. Now, at 96 and living alone in Sweden, she begins looking back through the address book, especially at all those who she has crossed out one by one as they died. In her bittersweet trip down memory lane, she reflects back on those who entered her life for various reasons and seasons, each making a mark on who she would become.

Doris sets out to document her life, from working as a maid in Sweden, to modeling in Paris before escaping WWII, to searching for a lost love in Manhattan. By documenting her personal and family past, she hopes to help her only living relative, a grandniece named Jenny.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
94% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Boo Walker

Setting: SPAIN

Though three years have now passed since the death of his wife, being a widowed father is becoming more difficult for Baxter. His daughter, Mia, is 8, and her escalating behavior problems may be tied to his inability to face the past.

When they receive surprising DNA results, Baxter travels with Mia to southeastern Spain to connect with family members they discovered through the test. During their time on an olive oil estate, they begin to heal just as long-buried secrets threaten the estate's future.

The Book Girls Say… While this contemporary fiction novel deals with family drama and healing, it also includes a romance storyline.

by Mandy Robotham

Setting: Berlin, GERMANY

In August of 1961, barbed wire was placed across Berlin in the middle of the night. Families were torn apart against their wishes by the new 30-mile wall. This historical fiction imagines the lives of twin sisters separated on that fateful night.

Karin is in East Berlin when the wall goes up, separating her from her twin, Jutta. They live parallel lives for years, with Karin surviving the brutal East German regime only with Otto’s help. One day, Jutta finds a hidden way to reach Karin, but the Stasi are watching. Should Jutta flee back home with her sister or follow her heart?

by Ruta Sepetys

Setting: SPAIN

This young adult historical fiction focuses on life in post-war Spain under Franco's dictatorship. In 1957, the regime needed money and opened the country to Americans hoping for investment. Eighteen-year-old Daniel travels with his oil tycoon father from Houston to Madrid.

Daniel brings his camera, eager to explore the city beyond the image that Franco is projecting to the world. Along with Ana, the young hotel maid tasked with assisting his family, Daniel discovers and documents the atrocities happening in the fascist regime.

The Book Girls Say... This 2020 release is the latest book from the New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
98% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Rhys Bowen

Setting: Venice, ITALY

In 2001, Caroline Grant was in the midst of her marriage falling apart when her beloved great-aunt Lettie passed away, leaving Caroline a sketchbook, three keys, and the request that her ashes be spread in Venice. Key by key, Caroline will learn the secrets that Lettie kept for more than 60 years - secrets of impossible love, loss, and courage.

In her younger years, Lettie traveled to Venice numerous times as an art teacher, providing a wealth of art history to her students and allowing her to visit the man she loves even though his future cannot include her.

As the story unfolds, this novel is filled with beautiful descriptions of Venice's narrow footpaths, canals, architecture, and food, both in the 1928-1944 timeline, as well as during the 21st century. Art plays an important role throughout this novel.

The Book Girls Say... If you love art history but you're looking for a grittier historical fiction suspense, consider reading The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santlofer. It is about an art history professor who travels to Florence, Italy, to read the long-lost journal of his grandfather, who he suspects may have been behind the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa. Uncovering the truth turns out to be a dangerous endeavor. Like The Venice Sketchbook, the many art references and vivid descriptions of Italy bring life to the story.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
92% Would Recommend to a Friend

The Kindle version of The Venice Sketchbook is currently free with Kindle Unlimited as on January 2023. If you prefer audiobooks, be aware that this one is exclusive to Audible.

by Beth O'Leary

Setting: ENGLAND

When Londoner Leena Cotton is forced to take a two-month sabbatical from work after a disastrous presentation, she escapes to her grandmother's house in a small village in Yorkshire, England. Her grandmother, Eileen, is about to turn 80 and hopes her next decade might include a second chance at love. Convinced that her grandmother will have better luck in the romance department if she heads to the big city, Leena convinces Eileen to swap her places and move into Leena's London apartment.

This warm and charming novel is filled with vibrant descriptions of London and English village life as the grandmother and grandaughter duo aim to reset their lives after a difficult loss. Although Eileen's search for love plays a role in this story, we wouldn't describe this book as a romance. Instead, it's a character-driven story about a wide variety of relationships.

We recommend the audio version for the full experience with accents!

The Book Girls Say... Both Angela and Melissa are huge fans of Beth O'Leary's debut novel, The Flatshare! While the settings play a more prominent role in The Switch, The Flatshare is one of our favorite Rom Coms and provides a great look at modern-day life in London, including the challenges of the London real estate market.

When night-shift worker Leon needs some extra cash to help a family member, he gets a roommate. However, he only has a one-bedroom-flat in London, with one bed. So he places an ad for someone to sleep in his bed while he's at work overnight. His wacky offer is just the solution newly-single Tiffy needs. She's leaving a problematic relationship, and that past comes back throughout the book in very real and raw ways. Leon and Tiffy slowly get to know one another through a series of laugh-out-loud post-it note conversations.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Marius Gabriel

Setting: AUSTRIA

Katya was studying medicine abroad in Glasgow when she received devastating news from her parents. They were out of money, and she had to leave school to become a governess for twelve-year-old Gretchen in Vienna. It’s painful for Katya to see her employer’s riches when the lack of money for school has stolen her dreams.

When Hitler annexes Austria, Gretchen’s father is arrested. Because Gretchen is considered “imperfect,” she’s at risk of being sent to a Nazi research lab. Suddenly, Katya’s most important job is protecting Gretchen. And if they survive, will they be able to find her father?

The Book Girls Say…For a modern look at Austria, try War & Piste by Alex Thomas. It’s a humorous, fictional diary of a ski season in the Austrian Alps. Think Bridgette Jones working as a ski rep, but without the self-doubt.

by Kristin Hannah

Setting: FRANCE

The Nightingale tells the story of French sisters Vianne and Isabelle, who have always been at odds. Vianne is a rule-follower, and Isabelle is more rebellious and willing to speak her mind. With WWII on, Isabelle intends to fight for France, while Vianne simply wants to survive the war with her family intact - even if it means allowing a German officer to live in her home.

Isabelle, who refuses to live passively under German authority, joins the French resistance guides Allied airmen out of France after their planes are shot down - work for which she adopts the codename the Nightingale. As the war wages on, both sisters learn who they are and what they can do.

The Books Girls Say... If you've already read The Nightingale and want to read other historical fiction books with strong female characters during WWII, you'll find lots of great options here: Books Like The Nightingale.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
98% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Fredrik Backman

Setting: SWEDEN

In the tiny community of Beartown, set deep in the Swedish forest, life revolves around hockey. It provides entertainment and the hope for a better future. When a shocking event occurs, the people of Beartown quickly take sides. Who will stand up for the truth and put hockey above humanity?

Once your've been introduced to the residents of Beartown, you'll want to continue the trilogy with Us Against You and The Winners.

The Book Girls Say... This was a 5-star read for both of us! Some will say you have to like hockey to like this book, but the book really isn't about hockey - it's about people. Fredrick Backman has a gift with words and melodic phrasing, along with a phenomenal insight into the motivations of people. He writes characters that are so well-rounded that even when you don't agree with their decisions, you will still understand what they were thinking.

WARNING: This story includes one scene with sexual violence.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
96% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Tembi Locke

Setting: Sicily, ITALY

It was love at first sight when Tembi and Saro met in Italy. He was a professional chef, and she was an actress from Houston. His Sicilian family did not approve of their relationship and specifically took issue with Saro marrying a Black American woman. Nonetheless, the two build a happy life together in Los Angeles and adopted a baby girl. Just when they were finally beginning to reconcile with Saro’s family back in Sicily, Saro receives a devastating cancer diagnosis.

This memoir chronicles three summers that Tembi and her young daughter spend in Sicily after the loss of her husband. Despite having once been estranged from her in-laws, she begins to discover the healing powers of food and family.

The Book Girls Say… Netflix has recently adapted this memoir into a romantic limited series, with Tembe serving as the co-creator and executive producer. The first difference that viewers will notice is that the characters' names have all been changed; Tembi is called Amy in the series and is an American law school student. Additionally, the first season of the Netflix series takes place before the events in this memoir.

by Chris Pavone

Setting: PORTUGAL

Ariel is in Lisbon with her new husband on a business trip when he disappears overnight. She knows something is wrong but isn’t getting much help from hotel security, the police, or even the embassy. Plus, she’s struggling to answer their questions about her much younger husband.

When a ransom note appears, the only place she can turn to is a powerful and dangerous person from her past.

The Book Girls Say…The author has another Western European mystery called The Expats, which is set in Luxembourg. And for an additional look at Portugal, check out A Small Death in Lisbon by Robert Wilson which has a dual timeline between WW2 & 1999.

by Marie Benedict

Setting: SWITZERLAND

Mitza Maric was the only female studying physics at a prestigious university in Zurich, Switzerland when she met her classmate and future husband - Albert Einstein.

The Other Einstein is a fictionalized story of their tumultuous relationship and places Mitza as the originator of some works credited to him. While not a biography, the book still highlights accurate depictions of life in Western Europe at the time, including rampant classism and sexism.

The Book Girls Say... With Einstein being one of the most well-known citizens of Switzerland, we thought this would be a fun pick, but it's important to keep in mind that this is a fictionalized version of events. Audiobook listeners have noted that the narrator was a bit too monotone, so this one is more enjoyable to read than to listen to.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
82% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Jordyn Taylor

Setting: Paris, FRANCE

Alice's grandmother, Adalyn, just passed away, and she left the sixteen-year-old an apartment in Paris - one that's been locked up for more than seventy years and that no one in the family knew existed.

Now Alice is spending the summer in Paris, and with the help of Paul - a Parisian student - she's determined to find out why her grandma never mentioned the family that she left behind when she left France during WWII. The more she learns about the past, the more she realizes that her family is also hiding secrets in the present.

This dual-time line YA novel also transports us back to the Paris of the 1940s. It's a city that sixteen-year-old Adalyn hardly recognizes as the Occupation brings new terrors daily. When she meets a young leader of a resistance group, she sees an opportunity to fight back, but she soon finds herself having to make more and more compromises.

The Book Girls Say... For more titles like this one, check out our list of twenty-three other historical fiction novels about the resistance during WWII.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Helen Russell

Setting: DENMARK

This non-fiction option chronicles the author's first year living in Denmark. She shares her experiences while exploring what makes Denmark consistently rated as the happiest place on earth. Despite long and cold winter nights, the people of Denmark rate their happiness higher than those from beautiful islands. Will she feel the same way by the end of her first year?

The Kindle edition has a new chapter from the author updating her thoughts in 2020, six years after the original publication.

The Book Girls Say... The humorous book provides a good overview of life in Denmark, as opposed to a how-to guide for duplicating the lifestyle.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
95% Would Recommend to a Friend

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of January 2023.

by Lucy Foley

Setting: Island off the coast of IRELAND

Imagine the picture-perfect wedding on a remote Irish island between a rising TV star and an intelligent magazine publisher. Despite the rough waves and spotty cell service, the wedding is sure to be idyllic, with every detail and moment planned in advance.

However, you can’t plan for old traditions and ongoing jealousy. The groomsmen are soon playing drinking games, someone may regret missing out on romance with the bride, and a bridesmaid ruins her dress - on purpose. So, when someone dies, who’s to blame?

The Book Girls Say... We knew we had to add this locked room mystery to the list after one of our readers recommended it by saying that the Irish setting is so atmospheric that it becomes one of the characters in the book, and that the descriptions transported her right back to her recent travel in Ireland.

If you are looking for another mystery set in Ireland, consider The Searcher by Tana French. This book will place you in rural Ireland with Cal, a former cop who searching for a missing teen and quickly discovers that the small village of --- has many dark secrets. This book is described - filled with well-developed, vulnerable characters - is full of suspense and slowly ramps up the tension.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
88% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Dulce Maria Cardosa

Setting: PORTUGAL

In 1975, the African nation of Angola was fighting for independence from Portugal, which had colonized the country. Portugal had been under the Salazar dictatorship from 1932-1968, but with the dictatorship over, many Portuguese settlers in Angola returned to Portugal to escape the War of Independence.

Fifteen-year-old Rui has lived in Angola his entire life, only hearing stories of his Portuguese homeland. He’s both excited and fearful about their necessary return. Things become even more real when his father is taken away by the rebels on his way to the airport and assumed to have been killed.

Once in Portugal, the family stays in a suburb of Libson, where returnee families are crammed into luxurious hotel rooms by the dozen. This creates a difficult contrast between their actual living conditions and all that surrounds them. But Rui and his family do their best to carry on with life despite struggles. And then, one day, Rui’s father unexpectedly returns.

The Book Girls Say…Just researching this historical fiction book taught us about an aspect of history and geography we were previously unaware of. The author is Portuguese and returned from Angola in a 1975 airlift, providing authenticity to this historical fiction novel.

by Scott Andrew Selby

Setting: BELGIUM

Antwerp, Belgium, is the diamond capital of the world, and in 2003 it became the site of the largest diamond heist in history. A group of thieves broke into an airtight vault in the diamond district, making off with $108 million worth of diamonds without tripping any alarms.

Even as police identified and closed in on the thieves, they couldn't figure out how they had pulled off the heist.

The Book Girls Say... Readers say this non-fiction book can be a bit dry at times, but that it's great for fans of Oceans Eleven and the Italian Job. Author Scott Selby, a Harvard grad and diamond expert, followed clues throughout Europe to solve the mystery of what actually happened in this true-crime story.

by Helen Simonson

Setting: ENGLAND

The small village of Edgecombe St. Mary is filled with thatched cottages set among the rolling hills of the English countryside. It's also filled with endearing and hilarious characters, including Major Ernest Pettigrew. He embodies what proper Englishmen are supposed to value - honor, duty, decorum, and a properly brewed cup of tea.

Major Pettigrew befriends a Pakistani shopkeeper from the village - Mrs. Jasmina Ali - and it begins to blossom into something more. But their relationship is complicated by the views of the other villagers who see Mrs. Ali as an outsider and an unsuitable match for the Major.

The Book Girls Say... True to its proper English protagonist, this book is a bit slow-paced and verbose, but it's perfect for PBS and Masterpiece Theater fans. Kate Quinn, author of the Alice Network, says, "There has not been so perfectly English a read in its deadpan humor in a very long time."

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
97% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Jenna Evans Welch

Setting: ITALY

This YA novel is an excellent option if you're looking for a coming-of-age story with mystery, adventure, and a sweet romance that will transport you to an Italy filled with - you guessed it - love and gelato. The descriptions of Italy in this book will have you immediately planning your next vacation, but this story also brings much more depth than you might expect at first glance.

Lina's mother had one dying wish - that her daughter gets to know the father she's never met. Lina isn't thrilled to be spending the summer in Tuscany with this man she just learned about, but when she is given the journal that her mom kept when she lived in Italy, everything begins to change. As she follows her mother's footsteps she is able to process her grief while also discovering art, hidden bakeries, and even romance.

The Book Girls Say... If you enjoy this young adult novel about Italy, you might also want to check out Love & Luck (set in Ireland) and Love & Olives (set in Santorini, Greece). All three coming-of-age stories are worth the read!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
91% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Diana Rosie

Setting: SPAIN

Alberto knows he is an old man now, but he doesn’t know how old. In fact, he doesn’t even know his birthday. He arrived at an orphanage during the Spanish civil war and remembers nothing about his childhood before that time.

Grandson Tino is surprised to learn that his grandfather has never had a birthday party, received presents, or blown out candles on a cake. But he wants this to change, so Alberto and Tino set out on an adventure to find Alberto’s birthday.

The hunt for his past takes them into the heart of Spain, transporting you back to the Spanish civil war as they work through details from Alberto’s difficult childhood.

by Jenny Colgan

Setting: ENGLAND & SCOTLAND

Note: This book is also published under the title The Little Shop of Happy Ever After.

Nina loves her life as a librarian at a small neighborhood library. She's devastated when the library is marked for closure. Nina has a big decision - should she play it safe and go for a job at the main library where she'll be dealing with computers more than books? Or is it time to do something with the thousands of books she's been hoarding in her home?

The Books Girls Say... Melissa really liked this story as a pleasant, lighter read about a fellow book lover, with a side of romance. Nina travels from England to a tiny village in Scotland, giving an excellent overview of the camaraderie that happens in isolated towns. It's also a good look at the scenic and other differences between England and Scotland, wrapped into easy-to-read fiction. Audiobook listeners will also enjoy the lovely accents.

There are two other books in this Scottish Bookshop Series: The Bookshop on the Shore and 500 Miles From You.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
90% Would Recommend to a Friend

By Maeve Binchy

Setting: IRELAND

Life-long friends Benny and Eve grew up in the village of Knockglen, Ireland. Together they head to university in Dublin, where their circle of friends expands to include beautiful Nan and handsome Jack. But heartbreak and betrayal result when their worlds of Knockglen and Dublin collide, and long-hidden lies emerge that will test the bonds of their friendship.

The Book Girls' Say... When we think of novels set in Ireland, the name Maeve Binchy immediately comes to mind. All of her books paint portraits of life in her home country vibrantly, and you can't go wrong with any of them. We selected Circle of Friends for the Book Voyage list because it captures both village and city life, and because it is a simple story of friendship that is heart-warming and beautifully told from the first page to the last.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
96% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Graeme Simsion & Anne Buist

Setting: FRANCE & SPAIN

The Camino pilgrimage takes walkers on a 500-mile trek on the centuries-old journey from France to Spain. In this contemporary romance, you’ll make the trip from your armchair alongside Zoe and Martin.

Zoe is from California and trying to recover from her husband’s sudden death. Martin is from England and recovering from a messy divorce. He’s an engineer on the pilgrimage to road test a new cart he designed. As they travel, Zoe and Martin must overcome both physical and emotional challenges, while learning to trust again.

The Book Girls Say…If you’re looking for a lighter read and enjoyed Graeme Simsion’s writing in the Rosie Project, this could be a great pick!

by Diccon Bewes

Setting: SWITZERLAND

Are you looking for non-fiction? Swiss Watching breaks down the diversity of cultures that exist within land-locked Switzerland. The author is an anthropologist and satirist, so you can expect factual information told in a relatable way and with corny humor interjected throughout.

This is the perfect guide for anyone interested in traveling to Switzerland. Throughout the book, you'll learn about everything from the Swiss political structure to cheese.

by Lucinda Riley

Setting: NORWAY

Ally and her five sisters were all adopted as babies by their beloved father. Upon his death, all the sisters gather together at their childhood home - a secluded castle on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Each woman is handed a letter with a clue about her true heritage, and Ally's clue takes her to icy Norway.

As Ally begins to unravel the mystery of her roots, she finds that her story is connected to that of a young, unknown singer named Anna, who lived there over 100 years ago. The story is told in a dual timeline between Ally's present day and Anna’s life in the late 1800s. The more Ally learns about the past, the more she questions who her father really was, and why the seventh sister is missing.

The Book Girls Say... This is book 2 in a series of 8, with each following one sister through a different location around the globe. Each book can be read as a standalone. Book 1, titled The Seven Sisters, is set in Brazil and has been a very popular pick on our South America list for the past few years, with many of our readers going on to complete the series.

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Setting: ENGLAND & THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

As London is emerging from WWII, Juliet Ashton, a writer, is looking for the subject of her next book. She begins exchanging letters with a man she's never met - a native of the island of Guernsey. Through their letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of the man and his eccentric friends. Though they range from pig farmers to phrenologists, they are all literature lovers.

As Juliet learns about their tastes in books, she also comes to understand the impact that German occupation has had on their lives.

Geography Note: Located between the UK and France, the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, are not part of the UK or the EU, but are dependent territories of the British Crown.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
95% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Stieg Larsson

Setting: SWEDEN

When the teenager from one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappears in 1966, her uncle is determined to find out what happened to her. For forty years, he wonders what really happened. Nearing the end of his life, he hires a down-on-his-luck investigative journalist and his angry and tattooed punk hacker prodigy to help him uncover the truth. The chilly Swedish backdrop sets the scene for this Nordic Noir novel that combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue.

WARNING: This novel includes some very graphic scenes, including sexual assault.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
96% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Jan Stocklassa

Setting: SWEDEN

In 1986, Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated on a Stockholm street at point-blank range. It was the first time in history that a head of state was murdered without any clues about who did it.

At the time of his death, Stiege Larsson - the author of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - had been working to piece together a real-life mystery. After his death, the research he had amassed was forgotten, until journalist Jan Stocklassa was given access to Larsson's archive.

In this true-crime book, Stocklassa follows Larsson's trail clues and sets out to solve the mystery.

The Book Girls Say... The Kindle version is currently free with Kindle Unlimited.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Clare Mackintosh

Setting: WALES

A mother's worst nightmare happens to Jenna Gray when she briefly lets go of her child's hand on a busy street. Desperate to escape the tragedy, she moves to a small Welsh village on the coast. Her grief, fears, and memories of that day follow her as she tries to make a new life in the picturesque town. This thriller continues to twist and leave you in page-turning suspense.

The Book Girls Say... Some readers - moms in particular - have expressed apprehension going into this book, fearing that the child being hit by a car would be too heavy of a focus. But those who have read it report that they enjoyed all the twists and turns throughout the story.

WARNING: In addition to the initial tragedy with the child, there are also scenes of domestic & sexual abuse.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
95% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Dolores Redondo

Setting: SPAIN

When Manuel learns the devastating news that his husband, Álvaro, has been killed in a car crash, it's just the first of many things that will shock him. It turns out that Álvaro was not on business where Manuel believed him to be - instead, he was in Galicia, in the northwestern corner of Spain.

Upon arriving in Galicia, Manuel soon learns that Álvaro hid many secrets there. As he follows the trail to piece together his husband's double life, he's led behind the walls of an unwelcoming estate and deep into one of Spain's most powerful and guarded families.

This slow-paced and beautiful book is part suspense and part family drama. Dense with atmosphere, you will feel transported to Spain as the region of Galicia becomes like a character in the novel.

The Book Girls Say... The Kindle version is currently free with Kindle Unlimited.

by Joanne Harris

Setting: FRANCE

In a tiny town in the south of France, newcomer Vianne Rocer arrives at the beginning of Lent and opens an exquisite chocolate shop on the square opposite the church. She immediately begins to wreak havoc with the Lenten vows of villagers during the traditional season of fasting and self-denial.

Each box of bonbons she sells includes the gift of Vianne's uncanny perception of its buyer's private discontents and her bewitching cure for them. She awakens the village to joy and sensuality as the parishioners abandon themselves to temptation and happiness.

The Book Girls Say... Just go ahead and buy yourself a big box of chocolates to enjoy while reading this book. You're going to need it!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Erik Larson

Setting: ENGLAND

On Winston Churchill's first day as prime minister of the UK, Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. Over the next twelve months, Hitler would wage a relentless bombing campaign against the UK that killed 45,000 Britons.

In this non-fiction book, Larson explores how Churchill was able to hold his country together and lead England's defiance during the Blitz while teaching the British people "the art of being fearless."

The Book Girls Say... If you enjoy history and non-fiction, Erik Larson's books are a wonderful choice because of his detailed research, however, keep in mind that his writing style moves slowly and deliberately. Another great Larson read for Western Europe is In the Garden of Beasts, about the family of the American Ambassador to Germany during the rise of Hitler and in the lead-up to WWII.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
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If you'd like to read a book set in Paris for Western Europe month, check out the options on this list! Many of the titles are also ideal if you're searching for a lighter read.

Many of these WWI historical fiction novels are set throughout Western Europe.

The WW2 titles on this list all feature strong leads who sacrificed their safety to help others. Most of the titles are set in Western Europe.

If The Nightingale was one of your favorite WW2 reads, try some of the books on this list!