Here are 4 books that A Daughter of Fair Verona fans have personally recommended if you like A Daughter of Fair Verona. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of A Curious Beginning

Ava January Author Of The Mayfair Dagger

From my list on unconventional heroines in historical mysteries.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always been drawn to stories where women defy expectations and carve out power in a world that seeks to silence them. As a writer of historical mysteries, I love exploring unconventional heroines—women who take risks, uncover secrets, and refuse to conform. The best mysteries blend atmosphere, intelligence, and a touch of rebellion, and I seek out books that do just that. Whether it’s a detective disguising her true identity or a woman outwitting society’s constraints, these stories inspire me. My book was born from this passion, and I hope readers who love fiercely independent heroines and richly layered mysteries will enjoy this list as much as I do.

Ava's book list on unconventional heroines in historical mysteries

Ava January Why Ava loves this book

From the first page, I was obsessed with Veronica Speedwell. She’s sharp and fearless and refuses to let Victorian society define her. I love a heroine who takes control of her own fate, and Veronica does so with wit and intelligence.

This book pulled me in so completely that I stayed up way too late reading, completely enthralled by the chemistry between Veronica and Stoker, the twists in the mystery, and the world Raybourn creates. It reminded me why I love historical mysteries—smart, complex women pushing against the limits of their time.

By Deanna Raybourn ,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked A Curious Beginning as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica Speedwell intends to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry-and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a sharpened hatpin with equal aplomb.But fate has other plans, as Veronica discovers when she thwarts her own abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron with ties to her mysterious past. The baron offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker-a reclusive natural historian as intriguing as he is bad-tempered. But before the baron can…


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Book cover of The High House

The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

Book cover of Legends & Lattes

jeff3

From Jeff's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Unknown Author Why Jeff loves this book

Seeing the "other side" of adventurers, when the main characters have grown weary of battling monsters, fetch quests and escort missions, the sleeping on the cold hard ground and just want a change of pace in their life. What is an adventurer to do when they retire the adventuring life? They open up a business of course!
The trials and tribulations of starting a business, especially one no one has heard of in a new town and seeing the world from the eyes of a shop keeper who has hung her sword up (quite literally) over the bar, instead of from the battlefield.

By Travis Baldree ,

Why should I read it?

28 authors picked Legends & Lattes as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

High fantasy, low stakes - with a double-shot of coffee.

After decades of adventuring, Viv the orc barbarian is finally hanging up her sword for good. Now she sets her sights on a new dream - for she plans to open the first coffee shop in the city of Thune. Even though no one there knows what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the past behind her, she can't go it alone. And help might arrive from unexpected quarters. Yet old rivals and new stand in the way of success. And Thune's shady underbelly could make it all…


Book cover of Fourth Wing

Nika Rhone Author Of Just the Way You Are

From Nika's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Nika's 3 favorite reads in 2025

Nika Rhone Why Nika loves this book

I wasn't sure what to expect after all the hype this book received, but I totally get it now. The underdog MC is immediately someone to root for, and there were enough twists to keep me turning the pages late into the night, then jump online to order the next book in the series before I even finished the first.

By Rebecca Yarros ,

Why should I read it?

43 authors picked Fourth Wing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

An Instant New York Times Bestseller
A Goodreads Most Anticipated Book

"Suspenseful, sexy, and with incredibly entertaining storytelling, the first in Yarros' Empyrean series will delight fans of romantic, adventure-filled fantasy." --Booklist, starred review

"Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you've never read before." #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history.…


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Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Book cover of The Road of Bones

Aj Geick

From Aj's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Unknown Author Why Aj loves this book

This Nordic fantasy hooked me from start to finish. The twist at the ending made the first book incredible and I couldn’t wait for book two.

By Demi Winters ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Road of Bones as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A woman on the run. A crew of Viking mercenaries. A forbidden romance. And the secret which threatens them all...

Silla Nordvig is running for her life. The queen of Iseldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavik, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous quest: travel the treacherous Road of Bones - a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer - and go to Kopa, where a shield-house awaits her.

After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into…


Book cover of A Curious Beginning
Book cover of Legends & Lattes
Book cover of Fourth Wing

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