9 books featuring found family dynamics

There’s something inherently magical about the idea of found families—those unexpected connections formed through shared experiences, adversity, and deep mutual care. These aren’t the families we’re born into, but rather the ones we build through choice, loyalty, and love. The characters in these 9 books discover that family is not just about blood but about the bonds that are forged when we open ourselves to others. Whether through friendship, comradeship, or a shared mission, these stories showcase the transformative power of found family, where even the most unlikely relationships can become the most meaningful.

1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

In The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune offers a heartwarming tale of a government worker, Linus Baker, who is sent to a mysterious orphanage to investigate six magical children. What begins as a job assignment becomes a life-changing journey as Linus bonds with the children and their unconventional guardian, Arthur Parnassus. The magic of this novel lies in its depiction of a found family—an eclectic group of individuals who support each other in a world that doesn’t understand them. The story is a beautiful reminder that love and acceptance can form the strongest family ties.

2. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo introduces readers to a ragtag group of criminals who, despite their darker inclinations, become a family bound by loyalty and necessity. Kaz Brekker, the cunning leader, assembles a team of misfits—each with a tragic past—on a dangerous heist. Through their shared struggles and victories, they create a bond stronger than blood, proving that even the most broken people can find solace in each other. Bardugo’s vivid portrayal of found family in the gritty world of Ketterdam is one of the most powerful elements of this thrilling fantasy series.

3. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

In The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern paints a mesmerizing picture of a magical circus that only operates at night, where a unique found family forms among the performers. Celia and Marco, two young illusionists bound in a mysterious competition, find themselves surrounded by an eccentric group of characters who come to care for them like family. This book invites readers into a world where bonds are formed not by circumstance but by shared purpose, loyalty, and magic. The circus itself becomes a metaphor for a found family—a place where anyone can belong, no matter their past.

4. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

In The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, Becky Chambers crafts a space opera that’s as much about the human (and alien) connections between the crew of the spaceship Wayfarer as it is about interstellar travel. As they journey through space, the crew members—each from a vastly different background—form a family of sorts, learning to care for and trust each other despite their differences. Chambers’ exploration of found family in a cosmic setting shows how even in the vastness of the universe, the bonds we form with others are what truly define us.

5. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale is a haunting and emotional story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who are forced to survive the brutalities of World War II in Nazi-occupied France. While their blood ties are the foundation of their story, they also find themselves forging deep relationships with others along the way, creating a found family of their own. The novel beautifully illustrates how, in times of hardship, the people who become our family aren’t always the ones we’re born with—but the ones we choose to fight alongside, love, and protect.

6. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

In The Priory of the Orange Tree, Samantha Shannon delivers an epic fantasy where a diverse and dynamic found family forms as a group of unlikely allies comes together to defend their world from an ancient threat. Whether it’s the dragon-riders of the East or the warrior women of the West, Shannon’s characters are united by shared ideals and the bonds they forge across borders. This is a powerful reminder that family isn’t defined by bloodlines—it’s about what you fight for and who you fight alongside.

7. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a classic tale of sisterhood, but it’s also a beautiful exploration of the found family dynamic. The March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—are bound by love, loss, and the common experience of growing up together. As they navigate the highs and lows of their personal lives, they also build a found family with friends like Laurie, who feels as much a part of the March family as any of the sisters. Alcott’s timeless tale reminds us that family can be found in those who love and support you unconditionally, no matter what.

8. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

In The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Taylor Jenkins Reid delves into the life of the reclusive, glamorous actress, Evelyn Hugo, who recounts her story to an unknown journalist. At the heart of the book lies a found family dynamic between Evelyn and the people she chooses to surround herself with throughout her tumultuous career. From her loyal friends to her unexpected relationships, Evelyn’s life is a testament to the power of building a family that isn’t defined by blood but by shared love, loyalty, and understanding.

9. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

In Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell introduces us to Cath, a shy and introverted college freshman who is initially consumed by her online fandom of a fictional series. As she navigates the challenges of growing up, she gradually builds a new family in the form of her roommate, Reagan, and Reagan’s ex-boyfriend, Levi. Their connection, built on support and understanding, helps Cath grow into herself and realize that family doesn’t always look like what we expect. Rowell’s charming, heartwarming story is an exploration of how the bonds we create in new chapters of our lives can feel just as strong—if not stronger—than the ones we were born into.

Final Thoughts

The idea of a found family—whether formed through adversity, shared experiences, or simple love—resonates deeply in these books. Through diverse characters, captivating narratives, and often unforgettable moments of connection, these stories remind us that family is about more than just the people we’re born to. It’s about the people we choose to surround ourselves with, the ones who see us for who we truly are, and the ones we build our lives with, no matter the odds.

These 9 books showcase the rich, transformative power of found families, inviting us to explore how love, trust, and shared experience can create unbreakable bonds. Whether in fantastical settings or historical moments, each of these novels reveals that, sometimes, the family we need is the one we choose for ourselves.