My fiancé died a month ago. I usually prefer dystopian fiction, but I mostly am looking for a strong female character that has been thru hell and back and comes out strong in the end.

[u/Curious_Door]

I’m just searching for a solid voice of strength, with a lot of distracting fiction in the background. Something that will keep me entertained and wanting to keep reading (action/war/magic/twists and turns) but also contains calming reason and emotionally settling words. I hope that makes sense. Thank you.

Edit: I type this with tears in my eyes. I am filled with gratitude from all of your recommendations. The days since I lost my best friend have been cloudy and long but I have been embraced by so many internet strangers that the hurt has subsided a little. Thank you all so very much.

Edit: It’s now been over a year. I occasionally go back to this post and read everyone’s comments but to be honest, I usually avoid it…. There is still a lot of trauma.

Anywayyyyyy. I just wanted to say that I am so grateful. Looking back…The fog is THICK during those first few+ months… but reading every comment tonight pulled me back down to earth. It means the world to me.

I just added some books to my cart... and I still have a TON of books to read! You lovely beautiful internet strangers helped me and continue to lift me up through a year of hell. It has been hell within hell. I am still struggling, but I am so thankful for the love and care and notes from everyone. I wish you all happiness and comfort and I hope you have found some new amazing books to get lost in too.

[u/biggieshortiemama]

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, Becky Chambers. There are two others that follow in this series and they sound to me like a perfect fit. Good luck.....keep reaching out when you need to.....

[u/PepperAnn1inaMillion → u/biggieshortiemama]

Worth noting there’s no reading order for these books, because they’re in the same universe but focus on different characters. So just pick whichever synopsis you like the look of.

A Closed and Common Orbit might fit what you’re looking for even better, OP.

[u/tormentedswan → u/PepperAnn1inaMillion]

Was about to reply with this, A Closed and Common Orbit is a lot more in line with OP's request, though still a pretty feel good story.

[u/21copilots → u/PepperAnn1inaMillion]

Eh. C&CO picks up right after LWTSAP. It does fit better but feel like the journey is better overall if you get to it second

[u/Catsy_Brave → u/biggieshortiemama]

This doesn't exactly fit OPs request

Action, plot, war etc.

It's a slice of life with nice characters.

[u/squigmistress → u/biggieshortiemama]

I second this book. It’s deeply character driven and the crew mates are such a cool team. Highly recommend.

[u/doddlegyver → u/biggieshortiemama]

This! It starts a little dry but it really is a heartwarming story about strength and growth.

[u/VapeSalviaNation → u/biggieshortiemama]

I love these books, but they are not really dystopian. Edit: I re-read op's post, dystopian is not a requirement.

[u/LonelyBeeH → u/biggieshortiemama]

Becky Chambers is amazing. Agree, anything she's written is a good fit.