12 Authors Similar to Sarah Addison Allen to Read Next

The following 12 authors similar to Sarah Addison Allen offer readers stories where everyday life is dusted with a little bit of magic, a touch of mystery and a whole lot of heart.

If you’ve ever found comfort in Allen’s warm enchanting worlds where love, healing and wonder bloom unexpectedly, you’ll feel right at home exploring these writers.

Each brings their own flavor to magical realism, whether through rich family sagas, folklore-laced tales or poetic explorations of the extraordinary hiding in plain sight.

So if you’re looking for more books that feel like a gentle spell, this list was made for you.

12 Authors Similar to Sarah Addison Allen

1. Alice Hoffman

Writing Style & Themes: Hoffman masterfully blends magical realism with themes of love, family and loss. 

Her stories often feature supernatural elements seamlessly woven into everyday life, creating an enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of Allen’s Southern settings.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Practical Magic​
• The Rules of Magic​
• The Dovekeepers​
• The Museum of Extraordinary Things​
• The Book of Magic​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Hoffman’s novels offer a rich tapestry of emotion and enchantment, appealing to those who cherish stories where magic enhances the complexities of human relationships.​

Alice Hoffman’s Website: https://alicehoffman.com 

2. Joanne Harris

Writing Style & Themes: Harris crafts stories rich in sensory detail, blending magical realism with themes of identity, transformation and the complexities of small-town life.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Chocolat​
• The Lollipop Shoes (also known as The Girl With No Shadow)​
• Peaches for Monsieur le Curé​
• Five Quarters of the Orange
• Vianne (upcoming prequel to Chocolat)​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Harris’s evocative prose and enchanting narratives invite readers into worlds where magic subtly influences everyday life, just like Allen’s storytelling.​

Joanne Harris’s Website: https://www.joanne-harris.co.uk 

3. Heather Webber

Writing Style & Themes: Webber’s novels intertwine magical elements with heartfelt stories set in charming small towns focusing on community, love and a touch of mystery.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Midnight at the Blackbird Café​
• South of the Buttonwood Tree​
• The Lights of Sugarberry Cove​
• The Lucy Valentine Series​
• The Nina Quinn Mystery Series​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Webber’s stories offer a comforting blend of magic and heart, creating a cozy atmosphere that fans of Allen’s work will find familiar and delightful.​

Heather Webber’s Website: https://www.heatherwebber.com 

4. Menna van Praag

Writing Style & Themes: Van Praag’s narratives are infused with whimsical magic exploring themes of self-discovery, destiny and the power of female relationships within real-world settings.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The House at the End of Hope Street​
• The Dress Shop of Dreams​
• The Witches of Cambridge​
• The Sisters Grimm​
• The Lost Book of the White​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Van Praag’s enchanting tales celebrate the magic in everyday life, resonating with readers who appreciate Allen’s blend of realism and fantasy.​

Menna van Praag’s Website: https://www.mennavanpraag.com 

5. Karen Hawkins

Writing Style & Themes: Hawkins combines Southern charm with magical realism, crafting stories that highlight the importance of community, healing and the mystical bonds between people.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Book Charmer​
• A Cup of Silver Linings​
• The Dove Pond Series​
• How to Abduct a Highland Lord​
• To Catch a Highlander​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Hawkins’s heartwarming narratives offer a comforting escape reminiscent of Allen’s storytelling style.​

Karen Hawkins’s Website: https://www.karenhawkins.com 

6. Karen White

Writing Style & Themes: White’s novels often delve into the complexities of family and the past, weaving in supernatural elements that add depth to her Southern-set stories.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The House on Tradd Street​
• The Girl on Legare Street​
• The Beach Trees​
• The Sound of Glass​
• The Tradd Street Series​

Why Readers Will Love Her: White’s blend of mystery, history and a touch of the paranormal creates a rich storyline that fans of Allen’s magical realism will enjoy.​

Karen White’s Website: https://www.karen-white.com 

7. Brunonia Barry

Writing Style & Themes: Barry’s novels blend magical realism with mystery set against the backdrop of Salem, Massachusetts. 

Her stories often explore themes of identity, family secrets and the supernatural.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Lace Reader​
• The Fifth Petal​
• The Map of True Places​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Barry’s atmospheric storytelling and intricate plots offer a captivating experience for readers who enjoy a mix of magic and mystery.​

Brunonia Barry’s Website: https://www.brunoniabarry.com 

8. Susanna Kearsley

Writing Style & Themes: Kearsley combines historical fiction with elements of the paranormal, weaving together past and present narratives that delve into romance, adventure and the mysteries of time.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Winter Sea​
• The Firebird​
• The Rose Garden​
• A Desperate Fortune​
• Bellewether​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Kearsley’s rich historical settings and gentle supernatural touches create immersive stories that resonate with fans of magical realism.​

Susanna Kearsley’s Website: https://susannakearsley.com 

9. Erin Morgenstern

Writing Style & Themes: Morgenstern’s writing is characterized by imaginative prose that brings to life fantastical worlds where magic and reality intertwine seamlessly.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Night Circus​
• The Starless Sea​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Morgenstern’s enchanting narratives and vivid imagery offer a dreamlike reading experience that appeals to lovers of whimsical storytelling.​

Erin Morgenstern’s Website: https://erinmorgenstern.com 

10. Katherine Arden

Writing Style & Themes: Arden’s works are steeped in folklore and fairy tales, blending historical settings with magical elements to create rich narratives.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Bear and the Nightingale​
• The Girl in the Tower​
• The Winter of the Witch​
• Small Spaces (Middle-grade series)​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Arden’s lyrical storytelling and incorporation of myth make her novels a captivating choice for fans of magical realism.​

Katherine Arden’s Website: https://katherineardenbooks.com 

11. Aimee Bender

Writing Style & Themes: Bender’s stories often explore the surreal aspects of everyday life, using magical realism to delve into human emotions and relationships.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake​
• An Invisible Sign of My Own​
• The Color Master​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Bender’s unique blend of whimsy and emotional depth offers a fresh perspective on the magical realism genre.​

Aimee Bender’s Website: https://aimeebender.com 

12. Karen Russell

Writing Style & Themes: Russell’s narratives are known for their inventive plots and imaginative settings, often incorporating elements of the fantastical to explore complex themes.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Swamplandia!​
• Vampires in the Lemon Grove​
• Orange World and Other Stories​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Russell’s creative storytelling and rich otherworldly environments provide a unique and engaging reading experience for fans of magical realism.​

Karen Russell’s Website: https://www.karenrussellauthor.com 

Last Word on the Authors Like Sarah Addison Allen

The above 12 authors like Sarah Addison Allen each offer a unique way to revisit the magic, heart and charm that fans of Allen adore.

Whether it’s the cozy mystery and supernatural threads woven by Brunonia Barry, the historical-paranormal blend of Susanna Kearsley or the imaginative prose of Erin Morgenstern, these writers carry forward that same sense of wonder.

From the folkloric beauty of Katherine Arden to the surreal elegance of Aimee Bender and the emotional depth of Karen Russell, each of the above authors similar to Sarah Addison Allen brings something special to the table.