12 novels featuring cats in honor of National Cat Day

Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous

by Mae Marvel

Leigh says: Katie and Wil haven’t seen each other in the thirteen years since they graduated high school. Katie is now a famous actress in LA, while Wil is an insurance adjuster and TikTok star in their hometown of Green Bay, WI. When Katie comes back home for the holidays, they reconnect and things get interesting. The time together gives them the chance to look at their history in a brand new light and then fight for a second chance. I really enjoyed watching them make their way back to one another and figure out how to bridge the gap between LA and Green Bay. Plus, these two are cat lovers. Katie uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication board with her three cats and we get to experience their personalities through the communication buttons they push. Wil’s cat Almond Butter is an elder and I appreciated how this book acknowledged the difficulty of a beloved pet aging. But not to worry: Almond Butter is doing just fine by the book’s end. Heads up: this deals with the emotional abuse Katie experienced with her famous actor ex. (Open door.)

Best Laid Plans (Garnet Run #2)

by Roan Parrish

Leigh says: Inheriting a house from the grandfather Rye never met seems like a chance for him to start over, except for the fact that it’s falling down. When Rye comes into the hardware store for tools and supplies, Charlie can’t help but offer his handyman services to him. If you told me Roan Parrish peered inside my heart and brain and then wrote this contemporary romance just for me, I’d believe you. It has characters that made me emotional, laugh out loud moments to balance out the tears, and stellar cat content. Charlie and his cat Jane have a whole morning ritual; Marmot regularly lays on Rye’s shoulders. The cats are stress relievers but also sources of joy and hilarity. Marmot and Jane quickly befriend each other. And to keep this theme going, Rye is basically a feral cat himself since he’s been fending for himself for years. If you want to see what Rye’s inherited house becomes, make sure you read the novella Shelter in Garnet Run. (Open door.)

Act Like It

by Lucy Parker

I just blew through this series (again) on vacation and it was good for my reading life. Richard and Lainie are actors in London's West End. Though talented, Richard's cranky off-stage antics are turning his fans against him, and the theater is worried they won't be able to sell tickets. Fan favorite Lanie is already stuck working with her cheating ex-boyfriend, and then it gets worse: she's asked to pose as his new girlfriend to help Richard clean up his reputation. And fans love nothing more than an on-stage/off-stage romance, so soon they're packing in the crowds. But then the lines between on-stage and off begin to blur. A fast, fun contemporary romance with a keen sense of humor.

Chirp

How You Get the Girl (Nashville Love #3)

by Anita Kelly

Leigh says: We don’t get the “dating lessons” trope nearly often enough! High school basketball coach Julie can’t believe her eyes when her long-time crush-from-afar walks into the gym. Former WNBA player Elle is a foster parent for her cousin’s daughter Vanessa, who has newly joined the team. Julie eventually ropes Elle into becoming her assistant coach. When Julie confesses she’s never dated, Elle suggests they give dating lessons a try. This romance centers the role and importance of friendship when you’re single. It delves into the ways Julie’s friendships have changed and how she’s no one’s first phone call anymore. Luckily, Julie always has her cat Snoozles for comfort or to steal her chicken. But mostly for cuddles and a sounding board, even if Snoozles can’t do more than meow or give judgy eyes. I loved the depression representation, the Nashville setting (I lived there for five years), and all the secondary characters living out their HEAs. This book is going to have a special place in my heart for a long time. (Open door.)

Fellowship Point

by Alice Elliott Dark

This sprawling saga featuring two octogenarian protagonists reads like a 19th century novel. Agnes Lee and Polly Wister have been friends their whole lives, growing up alongside each other in Philadelphia Quaker families and summering together in Maine. Agnes is beloved by the world as a bestselling children’s author, but not a living soul—including Polly—knows she also pens the popular and critically praised Franklin Square series. Polly knows Agnes sees her as a pushover, especially when it comes to her family, but Polly never lets on she’s wiser than her friend gives her credit for. When an enterprising (and nosy) young editor begins pestering Agnes to write a memoir, she sets in motion a chain of events that tests the women’s lifelong friendship, and threatens to expose the long-buried secrets each has so carefully kept from the other. If you want a big, rich, and immersive novel to sink into this summer, this 592-pager is just the ticket. For fans of Virginia Hume’s Haven Point and Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale.

Chirp

Cemetery Boys

by Aiden Thomas

In Thomas’s debut YA Fantasy, Yadriel decides he doesn’t need his family’s approval or acceptance of his gender in order to become a brujo and decides to perform the ritual himself. But instead of summoning the ghost of his recently deceased cousin, he summons the ghost of bad boy Julian who demands Yadriel find his killer. The more time they spend together, the less Yadriel wants Julian to leave. But what kind of happily ever after can you have with a ghost? This magical novel remains grounded thanks to the LA setting, Latinx culture, and fantastic cast of secondary characters.

For Never & Always

by Helena Greer

This second chance romance exceeded all expectations! Hannah and Levi had an all-consuming relationship despite having very different visions for their lives. She wanted to work at her family’s inn forever, while he couldn’t wait to escape. Things came to a head and Levi left. When he returns four years later, Hannah’s life is upended once again while they try to figure out what a healthy relationship might actually look like. Plus, their core conflict hasn't changed. Hannah loves her job at Carrigan’s and her agoraphobia makes it difficult to leave, while chef Levi still longs to be anywhere but there. Despite the ways they hurt each other in the past, Levi and Hannah have an undeniable connection and massive chemistry. Now they have to see if they can find a compromise. (Closed door.)

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat

by Syou Ishida

A mysterious clinic prescribes cats as the cure for whatever ails their patients in this interconnected short story collection. The Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul is not open to just anyone; only people who genuinely need their help. They may not expect to be prescribed a cat but these cats wind up transforming their lives in unexpected ways. A novel of healing, hope, and magical realism. Translated from the Japanese by E. Madison Shimoda. (This title was included in our 2024 Fall Book Preview.)

Sabbatical (Curriculum Vitae #2)

by Katrina Jackson

Leigh says: Another wonderful contemporary romance from Katrina Jackson! Mike has pined for fellow professor Toni for years. His crush comes to fruition right as the academic year ends and her sabbatical begins. Boy did I enjoy watching Toni finally open up her eyes and see who has been in front of her all along! This had so many things I love: home renovation, Mike bonding with Toni's cat, union organizing, and Mike learning how to do Toni's hair. An absolute treat. You don’t need to read Office Hours first but if you do, you’ll have a better sense of just how long Mike has been into Toni. (Open door.)

House Rules (Uptown #3)

by Ruby Lang

In this second chance romance, forty-four-year-old Simon and forty-two-year-old Lana haven’t seen each other since they divorced seventeen years ago until they bump into each other at an NYC open house. Both in need of a new place to live, they decide to be platonic roommates on a trial basis so they can afford to live somewhere better. Living in the same place again gives them a chance to see how each other has changed and grown, while they focus on their respective careers (chef and music teacher) and consider whether their chemistry is enough to warrant another shot at love. (Open door.)

Fool’s Errand (The Tawny Man #1)

by Robin Hobb

Leigh says: This is the first book in the Tawny Man trilogy but it’s the third series in the larger Realm of the Elderlings cycle. For the best reading experience, go back to the Farseer trilogy first. Only then will you understand why this is my favorite installment of the cycle thus far. Fifteen years have passed since we last saw Fitz and much has changed in the kingdom but he's still very haunted by the traumas of his past, and content in his isolated life with his aging wolf, Nighteyes. But he is still the Catalyst to Fool's White Prophet and when Fool finds him, he can no longer hide from his old life. There are devastating developments but there are also sweet, fun moments, like any time Fitz encounters Jinna's cat Fennel. (Content warnings apply.)

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter

by Heather Fawcett

Leigh says: I hope this fantasy novel leads to more people loving cats. It made me love them even more! Agnes needs to find a new location for her cat shelter but has no idea her new place is a front for the dreaded Witch King aka Havelock, who is not that dreadful at all. I adored everything about this! Havelock opining on magic theory. Agnes organizing his Artefacts because she can't handle what a mess his rooms are and how on earth can he ever find anything?! All the cats' personalities and the people who come to adopt them. The way this explored Agnes's grief after the death of her husband Robin. The slow burgeoning romance between Agnes and Havelock. I would read so many more stories about Agnes, Havelock, and crew.

12 novels featuring cats in honor of National Cat Day

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