A lost love, an unbreakable friendship, and the quiet beauty of growing older.

Are you searching for one of the best books to read in 2025? Discover a trending contemporary women’s fiction novel set in the heart of South African wine country.

The Man with Yellow Hair is a moving story of friendship, grief, hope, and resilience—ideal for readers of book club fiction, winemaking fiction, and those who love novels about breast cancer, terminal illness, and the enduring power of second chances.

On a horse farm nestled between the Helderberg mountains and the Cape Dutch gables of Stellenbosch, Stella finds solace in the rhythms of animal care and vineyard life. But her world is upended when her oldest friend Faye refuses life-saving treatment for breast cancer, forcing Stella to confront the boundaries of love, loyalty, and regret. As Faye’s illness deepens, the story explores the emotional intricacies of grief and loss, the complexity of female friendship, and the quiet strength found in homecomings.

Through old photo albums, a lost love with yellow hair, and a mysterious girl on a distant farm, Stella is drawn into a journey that unravels the secrets of the past and the hope for healing in the present. Set against the evocative backdrop of a working vineyard, this novel will resonate with fans of Kristin Hannah, Jojo Moyes, Ann Patchett, and The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club.

If you enjoy current books on best seller lists, top 10 book club books 2025, or novels that blend wine books and friendship novel vineyard themes, you’ll be captivated by this richly atmospheric story.

The Man with Yellow Hair is a must-read for anyone drawn to grief books, breast cancer books, and contemporary women’s fiction that lingers long after the final page.

Perfect for book clubs, trending among readers of women’s fiction, and praised as one of the top best selling books 2025—discover why this novel belongs on your bookshelf.