“Sometimes you simply needed someone kind to sit with you while you dealt with things.”
If you loved Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, you’re probably the type of reader who devours stories featuring quirky protagonists, emotional depth and heartwarming journeys of personal discovery. This globally bestselling novel struck a chord with readers thanks to its unique, socially awkward main character and touching exploration of loneliness, friendship and healing. Thankfully, there are plenty of other books like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine that offer similar vibes – whether it’s an offbeat MC navigating the minefield that is human connection or an affirming story about overcoming past trauma. Join us today at What We Reading as we present these books similar to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine that capture the same charm, warmth and emotional resonance as Honeyman’s unforgettable character-driven tale.
A Man Called Over – Fredrik Backman
First up on our list of books like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, who introduces readers to Ove, a grumpy, rigid and lonely widower who believes there is a right way to do everything – and that everyone else is doing it wrong. Living in a quiet Swedish suburb, he spends his days enforcing the rules, bemoaning modern society, and visiting his late wife’s grave. Yet, beneath his cranky exterior, Ove is a deeply wounded man, wrestling with his grief and feeling that life has lost its meaning.
When a lively young family moves in next door – accidentally flattening his mailbox in the process – Ove’s world is upended. Parvaneh, the pregnant mother, refuses to allow his sour deamour to deter her and slowly pulls him into their lives. Along the way, a series of unexpected friendships and events force Ove to open his heart up again.
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The Rosie Project (Don Tillman #1) – Graeme Simsion
Don Tillman, a brilliant but socially awkward genetics professor, approaches life with logic, precision, and strict routines. He struggles with social interactions and has never bagged himself a second date. Determined to find his perfect life partner, he sets out on The Wife Project – a scientifically-backed questionnaire designed to identify the perfect match, filtering out unsuitable candidates based on habits, punctuality and lifestyle decisions.
Then he meets Rosie – chaotic, impulsive and seemingly the exact opposite of his criteria. A bartender on a quest to find her biological father, Don agrees to help her through The Father Project and quickly finds himself drawn into her unpredictable world in the process. Filled with humour, heart and an unforgettable protagonist, The Rosie Project is perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine who are looking for another story of personal growth and unlikely connections.
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Queenie – Candice Carty-Williams
Queenie Jenkins is a twenty-five-year-old Jamaican British woman living in London, navigating the messy breakup, a stressful job at a newspaper, and the pressures of family expectations. Struggling with self-worth, she makes a string of dubious decisions – seeking validation in toxic relationships and destructive behaviours – all whilst dealign with the microaggressions and racisms she experiences in everyday life.
As her life spins out of control, Queenie is forced to confront her past traumas, mental health struggles and deep-seated insecurities. With the help of her supportive (and sometimes brutally honest) friends, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she learns how to heal and reclaim her identity on her own terms. Queenie is a story about love, race, mental health and finding self-acceptance; like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, its MC is flawed but loveable and ultimately delivers an empowering message of resilience and growth.
The Cactus – Sarah Haywood
Susan Green has always lived life on her own terms – organised, independent and emotionally guarded. At forty-five, she has an accomplished career, a perfectly ordered routine and no need for any close relationships. But, when her mother dies, and she unexpectedly finds herself pregnant, Susan’s neatly-stacked life threatens to come crashing down.
To make matters worse, she becomes embroiled in a messy legal battle with her laid-back, irresponsible brother over their mother’s will. As she wrestles with these new challenges, Susan begins to question whether her rigid way of living has truly been fulfilling. Like with Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, she finds herself relying on a kindhearted acquaintance to gradually start opening up herself to vulnerability, love and human connection. The Cactus by Sarah Haywood is a delightful read about transformation, unlikely friendships, and learning to let go.
How Not To Die Alone – Richard Roper
Andrew works a lonely job searching for the next of kin for those who die alone, fitting into the role of someone who lives their own life on the sidelines. To his colleagues, he’s a seemingly normal man with a loving wife and family. Yet, in reality, it’s all a lie – one small misunderstanding that spiralled out of control, leaving him too embarrassed to ever correct it.
When Peggy, a warm and outgoing new coworker, enters his life, Andrew begins to question the walls he’s constructed around himself. As their friendship starts to blossom, he faces a crucial choice: continue living in isolation or take the risk of letting someone in. But, opening his heart means confronting old wounds, loneliness, and the truth of who he truly is. Darkly funny yet profoundly moving, Richard Roper’s How Not to Die Alone is a heartfelt homage to second chances, connections and the importance of really being seen.
Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk – Kathleen Rooney
On New Year’s Eve in 1984, eighty-five-year-old Lillian Boxfish embarks on a long evening walk through Manhattan, revisiting the city she has loved for decades. Once the highest-paid woman in advertising and lauded as a witty writer of poetry, Lillian reflects on her remarkable life – from her groundbreaking career at R.H. Macy’s in the 1930s, to the heartbreaks, personal struggles and societal changes she has witnessed over the years.
As she wanders through the city, encountering a wide array of characters along the way, Lillian’s sharp wit and independence shine through. Her journey is both a love letter to New York and a poignant meditation on ageing, resilience, and how a woman carves her own space in the world. Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk is a touching novel about reinvention and reflection. Anyone who loved Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is sure to love Lillian’s eccentric personality, deep introspection and the book’s blend of humour and heart.
Oona Out Of Order – Margarita Montimore
On the cusp of her nineteenth birthday in 1982, Oona Lockhart is excited to ring in the new year and the next chapter of her life. Yet, when the clocks strike midnight, she collapses – only to wake up decades in the future, in her fifty-one-year-old body. Quickly, she realises that she is destined to live her life out of order, jumping sporadically to different years with each New Year’s Eve.
As Oona navigates the challenges of living a non-linear life, she struggles with the joys and heartbreaks of love, friendships and self-discovery – all while keeping her secret from those around her. With each leap in time, she must figure out how to make the most of the moments she finds herself in, even when she knows exactly what the future holds.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette – Maria Semple
Another one of the best books like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine which blends sharp satire with a deeply moving take on family, identity and reinvention comes from Maria Semple in Where’d You Go, Bernadette. Bernadette Fox is a brilliant, albeit eccentric, architect who has become a recluse in Seattle, avoiding PTA mothers, social obligations and just about everything outside her home. To her fifteen-year-old daughter, Bee, she’s a loving and hilarious mother. To others, she’s a mystery – until she suddenly disappears without a trace.
Determined to find her, Bee pieces together emails, letters and documents that reveal the events leading up to Bernadette going missing. What she discovers is a woman struggling with past failures, anxiety and the constraits of motherhood – yet still full of creativity, wit and resilience. As Bee follows the clues, she embarks on a journey that takes her from Seattle to Antarctica, revealing just how much she truly understands her mother.
Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt
Tova Sullivan has spent years coping with the loss of her son, who mysteriously disappeared at sea decades ago. Now widowed and seeking purpose, she takes a night shift job at the local aquarium, where she strikes an unlikely friendship with Marcellus – a highly intelligent, curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus.
Marcellus, who has spent years observing humans from inside his tank, understands far more than he lets anyone realise. When he pieces together a long-buried secret about Tova’s past, he becomes determined to help her uncover the truth before it is too late. Told through multiple perspectives, including Marcellus’ sharp-witted observations, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a poignant novel about grief, connection and second chances. Heartfelt and filled with quiet wisdom, it’s a story about unexpected friendships and how we find healing in the most unexpected places, making it a must-read for anyone who loved Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
