1
by Susanna Kearsley
4.52025384 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a tense but romantic tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
10 Best Books Like The Pretender
If you loved The Pretender by Jo Harkin, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Pretender are:
- 1The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley4.5
- 2Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel by David Baldacci4.4
- 3Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier0
- 41984 by George Orwell0
- 5The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood0
- 6A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner4.0
- 7The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead4.4
- 8The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry4.4
- 9The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian4.5
- 10Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica4.2
In 1480, as England teeters on the brink of dynastic upheaval with Richard III's reign crumbling and Henry VII poised to seize power, twelve-year-old John Collan lives quietly in a remote village with his widowed father, believing himself safe from the chaos of royal politics. But when history comes calling, John discovers that even the most ordinary lives can be swept up in the deadly games of kings and pretenders.
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by David Baldacci
4.42025608 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholic but hopeful tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
3
by Daphne du Maurier
02012448 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a brooding and atmospheric tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
4
by George Orwell
01949
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a bleak and claustrophobic tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
5
by Margaret Atwood
01985
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a haunting and claustrophobic tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
6
by Susan Meissner
4.02025352 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a atmospheric and tense tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
7
by Colson Whitehead
4.42016306 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a harrowing yet dignified tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
8
by Patti Callahan Henry
4.42025352 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholy but redemptive tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
9
by Chris Bohjalian
4.52025336 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a somber and contemplative tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
10
by Agustina Bazterrica
4.22020240 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating and haunting tone that will resonate with The Pretender fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Pretender
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The King's Messenger | Susanna Kearsley | 4.5 | 2025 | 384 | Closest match |
| Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel | David Baldacci | 4.4 | 2025 | 608 | Similar vibes |
| Rebecca | Daphne du Maurier | 0 | 2012 | 448 | Similar vibes |
| 1984 | George Orwell | 0 | 1949 | — | Similar vibes |
| The Handmaid's Tale | Margaret Atwood | 0 | 1985 | — | Similar vibes |
| A Map to Paradise | Susan Meissner | 4.0 | 2025 | 352 | Similar vibes |
| The Underground Railroad | Colson Whitehead | 4.4 | 2016 | 306 | Similar vibes |
| The Story She Left Behind | Patti Callahan Henry | 4.4 | 2025 | 352 | Similar vibes |
| The Jackal's Mistress | Chris Bohjalian | 4.5 | 2025 | 336 | Similar vibes |
| Tender Is the Flesh | Agustina Bazterrica | 4.2 | 2020 | 240 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Jo Harkin
If you enjoy Jo Harkin's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Pretender?
The most similar books to The Pretender are The King's Messenger, Strangers in Time: A World War II Novel, Rebecca.
What should I read after The Pretender?
After finishing The Pretender, readers most commonly pick up The King's Messenger next.
Who writes books like Jo Harkin?
Authors similar to Jo Harkin include Madeline Miller, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Brit Bennett, Patti Callahan Henry, Colson Whitehead.
What genre is The Pretender?
The Pretender is a Literary Fiction novel by Jo Harkin, published in 2025.
How long is The Pretender?
The Pretender is 449 pages long.
About The Pretender
The year is 1480 and England is in peril. The much-despised Richard III is not long for the throne, and the man who will become Henry VII stands poised to snatch the crown for himself. But for twelve-year-old John Collan, living in a remote village with his widowed father, these matters seem far away. But history has other plans for John.