No matter how many flaws you might find with her books, you can’t deny that Colleen Hoover has got what it takes to make you feel emotions with their writing. If you are looking for more books like Colleen Hoover and heart-breaking touching books (to cry for). So here are our ten favorite contemporary novels that you need to add to your TBR list.
Be prepared for the stories, and the characters will get confirmed.
All the books in the list are fantastic in their way and are arranged in alphabetical order without ranking.
#1 A Flicker In the Dark by Stacy Willingham
About the Book
Title: A Flicker in the Dark
Author: Stacy Willingham
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Adult
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Type: Standalone
Pages: 357
Goodreads Rating: 4/5
Chloe’s life turned upside down when she was ten. Six girls from her town went missing, and her father got arrested as a serial killer. After twenty years, she is still struggling to deal with the incident’s aftermath, unable to move on. She has worked hard to attain a semblance of normalcy, but it’s not easy to maintain a facade. First, her seemingly ordinary life is disturbed when a teenage girl goes missing from her locality. Then, another girl disappears. Chloe starts wondering whether it’s her paranoia getting to her or her past is coming to haunt her. She needs to figure out the truth fast before this hard-earned life gets destroyed.
Why do we recommend this book?
While this is a mystery, at its center is a broken, traumatized, and confused girl who hasn’t been able to grow up because of what happened when she was ten. Chloe is an unreliable narrator, and like her, you don’t know what’s real and what’s not, which makes this a fascinating and suspenseful read following the radar of books like Colleen Hoover.
If you want to buy/gift A Flicker in the Dark by Stacey Willingham, click on the link below: 👇
#2 Girl Made Of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake
About the Book
Title: Girl Made Of Stars
Author: Ashley Herring Blake
Genre: Young Adult, LGBT
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Type: Standalone
Pages: 304
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Mara and Owen have always been close. As twins, they have been there for each other through everything. Mara considers their bonds robust until her friend accuses Owen of rape. Mara believes her brother can’t do something like that, but she also believes Hannah isn’t someone who would lie about that. However, she is torn between her family and friends, between the brother she loves and trusts, and her sense of what is right and wrong. Her problems with her childhood friend and ex-girlfriend, Charlie, aren’t helping either. Mara, Hannah, and Charlie struggle through their situations. Mara relives her past secrets and undoubtedly chooses which side she should stand on. While discovering the romance path, the book is comparable to the books like Colleen Hoover.
Why do we recommend this book?
This book masterfully deals with sensitive issues such as sexual assault, consent, victim-blaming, and male and female privileges. In addition, the three girls were amazingly complex characters. This book is a must-read for the trying-to-find-yourself trope, not the family and friendship dynamics.
If you want to buy/gift Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake, click on the link below: 👇
#3 I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson
About the Book
Title: I’ll Give You The Sun
Author: Jandy Nelson
Genre: Young Adult, LGBT, Romance
Publisher: Dial Books
Type: Standalone
Pages: 371
Goodreads rating: 4.1/5
Jude and her twin brother Noah were inseparable as kids, even though they were very different. Now years later, the two barely talk to each other after an incident and ultimately change. Told from alternating perspectives of Noah at age 13 and Jude from when she’s 16, I’ll Give You the Sun is a beautiful ride, from start to finish, telling a story about love, family, compassion, forgiveness, and regrets.
Why do we recommend this book?
You all need to get on with this book fast. It’s such a perfect book, with so many imperfect characters that you should technically hate, but the way Nelson writes them, you cannot help but fall in love. Love is one of the primary elements which makes it a book like Colleen Hoover. Moreover, the family dynamics are fantastic, and the character growth is incredible.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, you can read this book for free.
If you want to buy/gift, I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, click on the link below: 👇
#4 Impossible to Forget by Imogen Clark
About the Book
Title: Impossible to Forget
Author: Imogen Clark
Genre: Women’s fiction, Adult
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Type: Standalone
Pages: 384
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5
Romany has just taken her first steps into adulthood when her mother’s death leaves her alone in the world. Angie was Romany’s only parent, and without her, she does not know how to move on. But as it turns out, her mother left her four best friends in charge of guiding Romany through her last year of high school. At the same time, each of the four friends has a unique outlook on life which Angie wishes her daughter to learn. So as the five start spending time together, collectively and individually, dealing with the loss of Angie, they slowly take steps to understand their lives and pasts much better.
P.S.: This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, you can read this book for free.
Why do we recommend this book?
Though this book is a more recent, 2022 release and is a heart-touching tale about grief and regrets, family, and friends, this makes it familiar with the books like Colleen Hoover. The characters are enigmatic and wonderfully developed throughout the story. The bonds the four friends shared with Angie and the one they created with Romany were so interesting to read. Finally, the writing is hugely reminiscent of Hoover’s writing style, with each sentence being packed full of emotions.
If you want to buy/a gift Impossible to Forget by Imogen Clark, click on the link below: 👇
#5 Letting Go Of Gravity by Meg Leder
About the Book
Title: Letting Go Of Gravity
Author: Meg Leder
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Mental Health
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Type: Standalone
Pages: 432
Goodreads rating: 4.3/5
In this case, Parker and Charlie are opposites. Parker is outgoing and confident, while Charlie is shy and reserved. But they are still happy together until Charlie gets leukemia. Now, she is in remission, and Parker’s life begins to look up. However, there’s a feeling at the back of her mind. An anxious feeling, as though she is slowly sinking. Then she meets Finn, who helps her breathe. In the meantime, she starts to confront her fears, whereas Parker realizes that maybe her brother isn’t the one who needs saving; it’s herself.
Why do we recommend this book?
Okay, this is another twin story, but come on! Parker and Charlie have the best dynamics and the most exciting complexities as characters. Parker was a layered character, and her relationship with her family, especially her twin, the new boy she met, and even herself, was portrayed beautifully. Summing up, you should read this gem of a novel ASAP! In case you are searching for books like Colleen Hoover.
If you want to buy/, gift Impossible to Letting Go of Gravity by Meg Leder, click on the link below: 👇
#6 Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson
About the Book
Title: Monday’s Not Coming
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Type: Standalone
Pages: 448
Goodreads rating: 4.2/5
Claudia and Monday have always been close, especially considering the bullying they suffer. It has created a bond between them that is as strong as a bond between siblings, if not stronger. So, when Monday doesn’t come to school, Claudia notices. And when she continues to stay absent for many days, Claudia worries. Claudia knows something is wrong, but Monday’s mother refuses to answer appropriately, and her sister April is even less helpful. In this situation, the more she tries to find out what happened, the more sure she is that something big is going on with her best friend. But how is it that a girl has disappeared and no one noticed? [Trigger warnings: Bullying, Racism, Abuse, Homophobia]
Why do we recommend this book?
This book is a dark and heavy tale, but the writing and plot twists are honestly out of this world. It’s brilliantly written, but we needed a few dozen boxes of tissues while finishing this. Moreover, the issues dealt with are actual, making this a hard-hitting read. The mysterious events are so comparable to the books like Colleen Hoover.
If you want to buy/, gift Impossible to Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson, click on the link below: 👇
#7 Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter
About the Book
Title: Not If I Save You First
Author: Ally Carter
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Adventure
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Type: Standalone
Pages: 297
Goodreads rating: 3.9/5
Maddie is the daughter of a secret service agent, and Logan is the son of the President. They are best friends, but a kidnapping attempt tears them apart. Years later, Maddie lives with her father in Alaska, is home-schooled, and is learning survival skills. Unfortunately, her life disrupts when Logan arrives to live with them. She doesn’t want anything to do with him even after this time has passed. But then their outpost is attacked, and Logan gets kidnapped. Now, it’s upon Maddie to save him and bring herself to safety, which is easier said than done, especially with the bad blood.
Why do we recommend this book?
Moreover, Not if I Save You First is a fun contemporary filled with adventure and humor and is a cute and romantic read. It’s not a deep story, but the characters are sweet and natural, and the story is so easy to follow. Therefore, it’s the perfect read to take with you on a short train journey and totally a contemporary romance upholding books like Colleen Hoover.
If you want to buy/, gift Impossible to Not if I Save You First by Ally Carter, click on the link below: 👇
#8 The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young
About the Book
Title: The Fragile Ordinary
Author: Samantha Young
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Type: Standalone
Pages: 376
Goodreads rating: 3.8/5
Comet Caldwell is a shy, artsy student who used to be unnoticed by others as can be seen. However, Tobias King is the new kid in her class, a handsome, charismatic city boy with who everyone becomes enamored. Tobias had his whole life uprooted when his father died in a car crash, along with his girlfriend, who no one knows where she is. Even as he bonds with Comet, he can’t stop his life from spiraling out of control when he falls with a troubled crowd in school. Afterward, when Comet sees Tobias self-destructing, she decides that she must do something to help him. The factor of saving someone for love is so comparable to the books like Colleen Hoover. But how will she save someone who doesn’t wish to protect?
Why do we recommend this book?
Lastly, Comet and her poetry notebook are some of the best parts of this novel. This book has great life lessons, especially the title – the true beauty of life lies in the fragile ordinary, making it a book like Colleen Hoover. Moreover, the characters are wonderfully written, and the writing is simple and easy to follow.
If you want to buy/gift Impossible to The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young, click on the link below: 👇
#9 The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young
About the Book
Title: The Impossible Vastness of Us
Author: Samantha Young
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Type: Standalone
Pages: 364
Goodreads rating: 4/5
India’s life gets turned upside down when her mother engages with someone in the social elite and moves them across the country. First, however, her work (rising to the top of the popularity ladder) plummets overnight. Secondly, it doesn’t help that her stepsister, Eloise, and her group of friends make her feel alienated every second of the day. Moreover, the fact she feels a growing attraction to Eloise’s boyfriend makes things worse for her as she tries to adjust. The secrets behind love relationships make it a book like Colleen Hoover. But the more she spends time with Eloise and her boyfriend, the more she understands that they aren’t the golden couple everyone thinks they are. And similarly, like her, they are hiding secrets, all for their loved ones.
Why do we recommend this book?
Samantha Young is a genius at writing YA contemporary. India honestly is one of her best-written protagonists. She is honest and flawed. The romance is subtle and gradual. However, the best relationship in the book is between India and Eloise. These two and Finn (Eloise’s boyfriend) made a great team. And if nothing, just read this book for their dynamics. [A tiny spoiler: it’s not a love triangle].
If you want to buy/gift Impossible to The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young, click on the link below: 👇
#10 Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
About the Book
Title: Wish You Were Here
Author: Jodi Picoult
Genre: Romance, Adult, Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Type: Standalone
Pages: 310
Goodreads Rating: 4/5
Diana O’Toole’s perfect life plans get derailed by the sudden virus outbreak in the city. Her boyfriend, a surgical resident, is stuck in the hospital, dealing with the growing number of cases, forcing their romantic trip to be on halt. Without delay, her boyfriend asks her to leave. Diana reluctantly agrees, thinking it could not get any worse. Still, it does. The whole island goes into quarantine, and she is stranded there till the borders open again. As she slowly makes connections on the island and gradually starts to leave her comfort zone, Diana revaluates her life plans and choices. Finally, she is left wondering about the changes in her life until she decides to return home.
Why do we recommend this book?
Wish You Were Here is a book with a lot of depth, giving us a very human outlook on pain, loss, loneliness, and isolation, making it a book like Colleen Hoover. Moreover, the story would resonate with many people, especially during the pandemic! All those suffering from losses or who have been negatively affected by the quarantine can find solace in this story.
If you want to buy/gift Impossible to Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult, click on the link below: 👇
That’s all for the recommendations for books like Colleen Hoover for now. However, if you are thinking about when you will read these books, maybe don’t forget to keep a box of tissues by your side? Just to be safe.
P.S: Some books recommended here are available on Kindle Unlimited. If you have subscribed to it, you can read these books. Check out this article: Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It?
To conclude, here are the 10 Best Contemporary Novels Must For your TBR If You Love Colleen Hoover:
| 1. | A Flicker In the Dark by Stacy Willingham | Buy Now |
| 2. | Girl Made Of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake | Buy Now |
| 3. | I’ll give you the sun by Jandy nelson | Buy Now |
| 4. | Impossible to forget by Imogen Clark | Buy Now |
| 5. | Letting Go Of Gravity by Meg Leder | Buy Now |
| 6. | Monday’s not coming by Tiffany d. Jackson | Buy Now |
| 7. | Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter | Buy Now |
| 8. | The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young | Buy Now |
| 9. | The Impossible Vastness of Us by Samantha Young | Buy Now |
| 10. | Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult | Buy Now |
Read every book on this list. I am sure it won’t disappoint you.
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Disclosure: All our recommendations are honest. Most importantly, some links in this post are affiliate links (i.e.) we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommend.
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