12 Charming Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine to Love
We were so excited to put together this list of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine because she is a character that you grow to love. When the book begins, her actions and behavior are confusing and unconventional but as the book continues, she becomes the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover.
There are so many fantastic books with fun characters that remind me of Elanor. There are
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Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
The Book That Inspired the List
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Author: Gail Honeyman
Year: 2017
Genre: Fiction
More info: June 2107 Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this contemporary fiction book initially. Initially, Eleanor’s behavior and responses to people and situations upset me. I had the outside perspective of a reader to understand how Eleanor is misinterpreting situations. She is not supposed to be likable initially which is why I persevered and ended up loving the book and Eleanor.
Eleanor has difficulty with social skills and is used to being alone until one day, she saves an elderly man who has fallen with the help of Raymond from her work. The three develop a friendship that helps Eleanor heal.
Trigger Warnings
Loneliness
Why Jackie loves it
As we get to know Eleanor and understand her profound loneliness, it made me think about what initial judgments I make in other areas. Eleanor is able to find herself and understand herself in this wonderful, feel-good book.
Why Kirsten loves it
If you love a character-driven novel, this is the book for you. Eleanor changes so much from the beginning of the story to the end, I loved taking the journey with her.
Find this book in: Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine / Books Like A Man Called Ove/ Books About Scotland / British Books / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Best Books Like Lessons in Chemistry / Books Like Where the Crawdads Sing / Ultimate List of Feel-Good Books
Romances with Characters Like Eleanor Oliphant
Rules for Second Chances by Maggie North
Liz is trying to change her life and stop sitting in the wings, bending herself to fit what she thinks society wants from her. That includes working on getting her dream job and attempting a radical form of therapy to find her inner strength – improv!
Through an improv comedy class she needs to take for work, Liz makes friends and learns to champion her own ideas. When her improv teacher writes a self-help book for couples, she attempts to take the same tools and apply them to her romance with Tobin.
Why I Liked It: Improv as therapy was a new concept for me but ended up being a clever hook. The scenarios Liz and Tobin acted out were quite comical, and Liz’s overall growth and self-assurance seemed to blossom with her newfound improv skills.
Find this book in Books like Eleanor Oliphant
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Author: Graeme Simsion
Year: 2013
Genre: Fiction
More info: International Sensation
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 14+
Plot
You know how this book is going to end even before you start reading it. However, that does not make the journey any less enjoyable. I found it to be cute and endearing.
Don Tillman is the autistic narrator. We listen to every unfiltered thought in his quest to find a wife. His scientific approach to this endeavor was simultaneously endearing and unromantic, but right on par with the way Don thinks.
At the beginning of the book, I wasn’t sure if Don actually cared but soon discovered that he cared deeply, he just expresses that in a different way
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the first books I read with an autistic character and I think it opened up the possibility of writing about neurodivergent people as main characters in the story as opposed to supporting characters.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved watching Don as he continued along his journey to find love and find a wife.
Find this book in: Books Like The Love Hypothesis / Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
I was not prepared for this book! Reader beware that it is the Rosie Project with a sprinkle of Pretty Woman and a whole lot of 50 Shades.Â
It is not offensive in the least but, I listened to this one, and let me say that I am very glad that my kids were not in the car. I did not realize that some of the scenes would be graphic.
It is a great romance with a neurodiverse main character named Stella who hires an escort to teach her about relationships and I loved it. This contemporary romance is definitely on its way to classic status and has a well-earned place on our list of books like The Love Hypothesis.
The Love of My Afterlife
Author: Kirsty Greenwood
Year: 2024
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: July 2024 GMA Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Delphie has just died and is in her pj’s in the afterlife when she meets the man of her dreams. Her hilarious afterlife therapist, Merit, is obsessed with all things romance so she gives her the chance to return to her life with the caveat that she has ten days to find this mysterious man and get him to kiss her.
That would be easy except for the fact that she does not know his last name and cannot seem to find him anywhere. Even worse, her therapist seems to be hindering her progress rather than helping. Delphie reluctantly asks her grumpy downstairs neighbor to help her. Soon, Delphie is making friends, loving life, and regretting shutting everyone out her whole life.
Why Jackie loves it
Delphie reminds me of a more loveable Eleanor Oliphant. Thanks to the love-obsessed afterlife therapist, this book is one part love triangle mixed with a little bit of forced proximity, and a whole lot of laugh-out-loud rom-com!
Find this book in: Books Like Eleanor Oliphant / Romantic Comedy Books / Best Romance Books of 2024 / Adult Fantasy Romance Books / Best Adult Fantasy Novels / Giftable Books
Books With Characters Like Eleanor Oliphant
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata and Ginny Tapley Takemori (Translator)
The quirky character in this novel reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant so it was an easy pick for a list of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I loved being inside Keiko’s unique mind.
Keiko has been working at the same convenience store for 18 years. Listening to her inner monologue as she tries to conform to society is at times humorous and at other times sad. I would gladly have spent another 100 pages with Keiko.
The Helpline by Katherine Collette
I started reading this book and found that I had a really hard time putting it down. It is one of those books where the main character is completely imperfect and often infuriating but, will grow on you!
This book is perfect for a list of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. If you loved Eleanor, then you will love this book.
Germaine has lost her job at an insurance company and begins working at a helpline for senior citizens. The mayor has a side project for Germaine. She wants Germaine to help her in the feud between the golf club and the senior citizen center. Sometimes, as Germaine will find out, things are not always what they seem.
This pick from feel-good novels was an unexpected joy! And as books for book clubs go, this is such a great choice. Her quirky personality also makes this book perfect for books like Lessons in Chemistry.
The Very Nice Box
Author: Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance/ Thriller
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The quirky personality of Ava, the protagonist in The Very Nice Box, is reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant. Being inside Ava’s unique brain was a real treat.
Ava works as an engineer at a furniture company similar to Ikea. She has the same routine every day and is rather isolated socially until Mat Putnam bursts into her life.
As her backstory unfolds, this book goes from romance to thriller in the most delightful way. One of the most original vacation books of 2021. It’s a must-read for laughs and suspense and is a perfect pick for books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is one of the most original vacation books of 2021. It’s a must-read for laughs and suspense and is a perfect pick for anyone who loves Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
Find this book in: Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
A Man Called Ove
Author: Fredrik Backman
Year: 2014
Genre: Fiction
More info: A recent Motion Picture Called A Man Called Otto Starring Tom Hanks
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Ove is mourning the loss of his wife and is consumed with grief. He decided to end his life. His attempts are foiled by mishaps and interruptions from his new neighbors. While this sounds like a depressing book, I laughed out loud while reading it.
Mr. Backman has a beautiful way of capturing the reader’s interest with wonderful characters who find themselves in hilarious situations. But, this story is so much more than that. As it progresses, Ove is able to have a profound impact on the life of everyone he meets, and at its heart, it is a book about friendship.
But don’t let the description throw you off. At its heart, this is one of the best feel-good books and one of my all-time favorite books! If you have not read it, you should consider it for your book club.
Trigger Warnings
Attempted Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
The love and friendships that develop in this book are almost unmatched, in my opinion. Backman is a master story teller.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a book that allowed me to laugh and cry equally. I loved Ove and his second chance at living life.
Find this book in: Ultimate List of Contemporary Fiction / Books Like A Man Called Ove / Books About Friendship / Jackie’s Top 10 All-Time Favorite Books
Books Like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine: Celebrity Books Club Picks
Lessons in Chemistry
Author: Bonnie Garmus
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: April 2022 GMA Book Club Pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I don’t even know where to begin with this unique contemporary fiction story. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 50s when women were expected to know their place in society- the kitchen and the home. I did not know what to expect when the book started and I never could have guessed where the story would take me.
Elizabeth struggles to be taken seriously in her field and as a single mother, in this amazing book. So when an offer to host a cooking show for women is put in her path, she reluctantly takes it.
She uses her no-nonsense attitude and chemistry principles to teach the women in America how to cook and follow their dreams outside of the home.
Zott is a quirky character like Eleanor Oliphant with a charming daughter and a dog whose inner monologue is as quirky as hers. This is also an absolutely wonderful book about motherhood!
Trigger Warnings
Sexism
Why Jackie loves it
Elizabeth Zott is never characterized as neurodivergent. However, the way that she relates to the other characters leads me to believe that she is. I love the character growth and I was cheering for her success throughout the entire book. Can I also tell you how much I LOVE Six-Thirty?
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved seeing a woman before her time being a powerful strong role-model. She thrived and set a great example for her daughter. That is not even to mention the narration of this book! She is so great and so is six-thirty.
Find this book in: Books Like The Love Hypothesis / Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Guide / 15 Books Like Lessons in Chemistry/ Books About Mothers and Motherhood / Books Like Eleanor Oliphant / Books About Women in the Workplace / Books About Food / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
The Maid by Nita Prose
January 2022 Good Morning America Pick
Molly works as a maid in a grand hotel and gets joy from leaving things orderly and pristine. Molly struggles with reading social cues and has had even more trouble since her gran can no longer help.
When Molly finds a dead body in a room at the hotel, she becomes a prime suspect and will need all her friends to help her.
I loved the description of this book and I hoped it would live up to my expectations. I did that and more. I loved every minute of this book and closed the last page smiling. If love Eleanor, you will love Molly and this pick from books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Where the Crawdads Sing Deluxe Edition by Dehlia Owens
September 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
I will admit when I saw the description of this book, I was not sold. A trusted individual, who has never steered me wrong in the past, gave me an advanced copy so, I took the leap. And wow, am I glad I did.
I read this book and then recommended it to everyone I knew. This book has that spark, that special something that makes it extra. It is no surprise that we chose this as our favorite of 2018.
We have an entire post dedicated to this book and how to host a book club around it and we even have a list of 13 books like Where the Crawdads Sing! You can find this book on our List of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
The Cactus by Sarah Haywood
June 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
A pick for Reese’s Sunshine Bookclub, I enjoyed this story about Susan Green’s unlikely quest for love. When her mother dies and leaves her home to Susan’s brother, Susan decides to hire a lawyer and get what she thinks is owed to her.
Susan also finds out that she is pregnant and she starts to lose control of her meticulously controlled life. Meet Rob, her brother’s best friend,
