Monday Moods is a weekly bookish meme created and hosted by Unwrapping Words (aka, me!). The premise is simple: every week, there’s a new ‘mood’, ranging from tropes to genres or actual moods (happy, sad, etc). On a Monday, feel free to post about books on your TBR, books you’d recommend, or a mix – whatever you like – that fits the ‘mood’ prompt. And of course, you can use your own if you’re not fussed on a particular one!
I quite like tales involving found family. I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to have found family in a Monday Moods! It’s great that it’s a trope that can be found across genres, too, and the genre definitely impacts the way its used and how the family comes about. What are some of your favourite found family narratives? Are there any in books, TV or maybe film that instantly jump to mind when you think about the trope?
This Week, I’m in the Mood For…
Found Family
Homegrown Magic
Jamie Pacton & Rebecca Podos
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 11th March, 2025
I Want to Read This Because this one keeps appearing on Monday Moods because it’s right towards the top of my TBR! I’m really excited for this one – found family, queer fantasy romance, garden magic…it sounds delightful! I’m just hoping this one holds up.
Bound by Fate and Blood
Jenna O’Malley
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 14th February, 2021
I Want to Read This Because historical paranormal romance with vampires about a merchant-for-hire who returns home to find his family dead, and ends up being offered help by a vampire. Yes, I am intrigued! Why wouldn’t I be?
Drawn Together
Juliana Smith
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 27th September, 2025
I Want to Read This Because it sounds so cute!!! Rivals to friends to lovers, a children’s book author and a children’s book illustrator, grumpy x sunshine and inspired by You’ve Got Mail and has found family…what more could a girl possibly ask for?
Golden Ruin
Emma Kennedy
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 4th October, 2024
I Want to Read This Because a dystopian sci-fi/western lesbian romance featuring a small town, found family, forced proximity…okay, maybe a girl could ask for me, and still have it delivered!
Indecent
Gwin Savage
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Age: Adult
Format: ebook
Published: 18th February, 2025
I Want to Read This Because last but by no means least…a messy FMC, a sapphic romance, a 1930s inspired patriarchal world and it’s sapphic why choose, which I don’t see nearly as often enough. Plus it has vampires, and they’re one of my favourite things!
Let me know your favourite found family books or the books on your TBR with found families. And don’t forget to drop your link in a comment if you’ve taken part in Monday Moods!
Unwrapping Words 