9 Books Like Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes

Love This Post? Share It!

Purple Pinterest pin featuring six book covers, including Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank, Carrots, Whiskey Rebellion, Real Murders, and Finlay Donovan Is Killing It. White text reads “Loved This Book?” and “9 Books Like Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes.” Fictional Retreats website appears at the bottom.

I first came across Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank during a pretty hard time in my life. I’ve always loved reading, but during that time, I spent even more time escaping into books.

That’s when I found the Rose Gardner Mystery series, and I was hooked! I loved the characters, the small-town drama, and all the twists and turns. There were times I laughed so hard, and I REALLY needed those laughs back then.

One of my favorite things about this series is how real the characters feel. They have everyday problems, messy relationships, and plenty of drama.

Denise has a way of making you feel like you’re right there in the story. The characters feel like real friends, and I never wanted to put the book down!

If you loved Rose Gardner as much as I did, you might be looking for another series to get hooked on. I’ve put together nine books like Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes with mystery, romance, humor, and characters you’ll want to know.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Fictional Retreats!

About Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes

“It all started when I saw myself dead.”

Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes — Denise Grover Swank

(Rose Gardner Mystery, Book 1)

Rose Gardner is twenty-four, works at the DMV, and lives with her overbearing mother. She’s also had psychic visions her entire life, but they’re usually about ordinary things.

Then one day, she has a vision of her own death.

When her mother is murdered instead, Rose becomes the prime suspect. She decides it’s time to start living and makes a list of twenty-eight things she wants to do.

With help from her mysterious new neighbor, Joe, Rose starts checking things off her list. But someone is after her, and Joe has secrets of his own.

Now Rose must figure out who killed her mother before she becomes the next victim.

Books like Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes

Finding another series like Rose Gardner isn’t easy, but these nine books have some of the same things I loved. You’ll find mystery, romance, humor, and characters who always seem to find themselves in trouble.

Some of these books are included with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.. If you’re new to Kindle Unlimited, you can start a free 30-day trial here.

The Dead Guy Next Door

by Lucy Score

If you loved Rose Gardner’s psychic visions and complicated love life, meet Riley Thorn. She’s a psychic who gets caught up in a murder investigation. With humor, romance, and plenty of trouble, this series has a similar vibe.

One for the Money

by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum takes a job as a bounty hunter with absolutely no experience. Like Rose, she finds herself in dangerous situations while dealing with family drama, romance, and plenty of hilarious mishaps.

Portraits of a Dead Guy

by Larissa Reinhart

Southern artist Cherry Tucker agrees to paint a dead man’s portrait and ends up investigating his murder. If you loved Rose Gardner’s small-town drama, complicated relationships, and humor, this series is worth checking out.

Truly, Madly

by Heather Webber

Lucy Valentine has a psychic gift for finding lost objects, but it soon leads her into a mystery. Like Rose, she’s navigating romance, family complications, and unexpected danger.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

by Elle Cosimano

Struggling novelist Finlay Donovan gets mistaken for a contract killer and ends up in serious trouble. Like Rose, she’s an ordinary woman caught in a dangerous situation, with plenty of humor and romantic complications.

Whiskey Rebellion

by Liliana Hart

Georgia schoolteacher Addison Holmes finds herself caught up in a murder investigation and starts working for a detective agency. If you enjoyed Rose Gardner’s Southern humor, romantic complications, and knack for finding trouble, this series is worth checking out.

Find Your Next Read

If you’re missing Rose Gardner and all the drama that comes with her, I hope you found another series to try.

I also have more post below if you want to check them out too.

Fictional Retreats