Best most addicting page-turner for someone who’s never read a novel?

On the phone with a friend yesterday I was discussing how I intended to get back into reading as I feel a need to interact with more meaningful art in my life. Then it came up that he has never read a proper novel. Maybe he was omitting something, but he had no memories of reading a novel for pleasure, and wasn’t entirely sure what a novel was. He said he learned to read late as a kid and I suspect there’s some lingering confidence issues there, but I also believe a good story will get people to read to see what happens next.

I decided I’d like to get him a book to read. I thought the most page turning delight of a book that hooks the reader from the get-go and never lets up would be the call.

I was a voracious reader as a child but upon turning 12 or so discovered the internet and video games and fell out of it. However a recent book in the last 5 years that fit the description of this post was Project Hail Mary. A delightful book that I finished in a day or two, unable to put it down. Not particularly challenging.

This friend likes positive meaningful things, spirituality, morals, outdoorsy things, combat sports, and moving around the country/world. Not sure if those things matter for selecting a book but as long as it’s easy to read and absolutely gripping from start to finish, and fairly lighthearted or heartwarming it’ll do. Id love for him to experience the absolute joy of reading a good book, because he’s a good guy who I care a lot about.