📖 Overview
Susan Wiggs is a bestselling American author known primarily for writing contemporary and historical romance novels. She has published over 50 books since beginning her career in the late 1980s.
Her works frequently incorporate themes of family relationships, second chances, and finding love amid challenging circumstances. The Lakeshore Chronicles series, one of her most popular, is set in the fictional town of Avalon, New York, and spans multiple books exploring interconnected characters and storylines.
Wiggs has received multiple RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America and her books have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a math teacher and earned a graduate degree from Harvard University.
Her writing career spans multiple publishing houses including Mira Books, HarperCollins, and William Morrow. Wiggs regularly alternates between standalone novels and series work, with many of her books incorporating elements of both contemporary women's fiction and historical romance.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently cite Wiggs's character development and emotional depth in reviews. Many note her ability to blend romance with complex family dynamics and historical details.
What readers liked:
- Well-researched historical elements and settings
- Strong female protagonists who overcome challenges
- Balanced handling of serious topics within romance frameworks
- Descriptive writing that brings locations to life
What readers disliked:
- Some recent books seen as formulaic
- Pacing issues, particularly in middle sections
- Predictable plot resolutions
- Too many subplots in some novels
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: Average 4.0/5 across all titles
- Amazon: 4.5/5 average rating
- BookBub: 4.3/5 average
One reader on Goodreads notes: "Her characters feel like real people dealing with authentic problems." An Amazon reviewer criticizes: "The last few books follow the same pattern - you can guess the ending by chapter three."
Most popular series among readers: The Lakeshore Chronicles and Bella Vista Chronicles.
📚 Books by Susan Wiggs
The Apple Orchard - A woman discovers she has family ties to a California apple farm while investigating her father's past during WWII.
Summer at Willow Lake - A camp counselor returns to her childhood summer camp to renovate it while confronting memories and an old flame.
Table for Five - A widowed father and a teacher form connections while dealing with family dynamics and past tragedies.
The Charm School - A cooking instructor helps a Navy SEAL learn culinary skills while uncovering details about his missing sister.
Just Breathe - A pregnant cartoonist leaves her unfaithful husband and starts over in her coastal hometown.
The Oysterville Sewing Circle - A fashion designer returns to her hometown and starts a domestic violence support group while rebuilding her life.
Map of the Heart - A photographer travels to France with her daughter to uncover family secrets from WWII.
The Lost and Found Bookshop - A woman takes over her family's bookstore after a tragedy while discovering old mysteries within its walls.
Sugar and Salt - A barbecue restaurant owner and a baker become neighbors in San Francisco while confronting their difficult pasts.
Family Tree - A cooking show producer awakens from a year-long coma to find her life completely changed.
Summer at Willow Lake - A camp counselor returns to her childhood summer camp to renovate it while confronting memories and an old flame.
Table for Five - A widowed father and a teacher form connections while dealing with family dynamics and past tragedies.
The Charm School - A cooking instructor helps a Navy SEAL learn culinary skills while uncovering details about his missing sister.
Just Breathe - A pregnant cartoonist leaves her unfaithful husband and starts over in her coastal hometown.
The Oysterville Sewing Circle - A fashion designer returns to her hometown and starts a domestic violence support group while rebuilding her life.
Map of the Heart - A photographer travels to France with her daughter to uncover family secrets from WWII.
The Lost and Found Bookshop - A woman takes over her family's bookstore after a tragedy while discovering old mysteries within its walls.
Sugar and Salt - A barbecue restaurant owner and a baker become neighbors in San Francisco while confronting their difficult pasts.
Family Tree - A cooking show producer awakens from a year-long coma to find her life completely changed.
👥 Similar authors
Kristin Hannah writes contemporary and historical fiction focused on women's relationships and family dynamics. Her novels like "The Nightingale" and "Firefly Lane" deal with themes of love, loss, and female friendship similar to Wiggs's work.
Barbara Delinsky centers her stories on family secrets, romance, and small-town New England settings. Her writing style and emotional depth match the tone Wiggs establishes in her contemporary fiction.
Debbie Macomber creates series fiction set in small communities with interconnected characters and relationships. Her Cedar Cove and Blossom Street series feature the same blend of romance and family drama found in Wiggs's Lakeshore Chronicles.
Robyn Carr specializes in small-town romance series with recurring characters and community connections. Her Virgin River and Thunder Point series mirror the warm community feel of Wiggs's fiction.
Mary Alice Monroe writes stories set in coastal locations that combine romance with environmental themes and family relationships. Her Beach House series and standalone novels feature the same focus on healing and second chances present in Wiggs's work.
Barbara Delinsky centers her stories on family secrets, romance, and small-town New England settings. Her writing style and emotional depth match the tone Wiggs establishes in her contemporary fiction.
Debbie Macomber creates series fiction set in small communities with interconnected characters and relationships. Her Cedar Cove and Blossom Street series feature the same blend of romance and family drama found in Wiggs's Lakeshore Chronicles.
Robyn Carr specializes in small-town romance series with recurring characters and community connections. Her Virgin River and Thunder Point series mirror the warm community feel of Wiggs's fiction.
Mary Alice Monroe writes stories set in coastal locations that combine romance with environmental themes and family relationships. Her Beach House series and standalone novels feature the same focus on healing and second chances present in Wiggs's work.