Summary: In today's article, I have compiled 20 of the best books similar to Every Summer After, each offering a perfect mix of romance, nostalgia, and emotional depth. Here are my top 3:
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
- One Day in December by Josie Silver
- In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Books like Every Summer After blend nostalgia, romance, and emotional depth, exploring love, second chances, and personal growth. With themes of longing and rediscovery, they’re perfect for anyone seeking heartfelt stories about relationships and self-discovery.
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to Every Summer After
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
- One Day in December by Josie Silver
- In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
- Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
- People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
- The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
- The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
- A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare
- The Layover by Lacie Waldon
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
- After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
- Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
- The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
1. The Summer I Turned Pretty
- Author: Jenny Han
- About: A summer love triangle between Belly and two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, set against the backdrop of a beach house.
- Style of writing: Light, emotional, and reflective
- Length: ~60,000 words
- Year written: 2009
- Emotional impact: High; evokes nostalgia and the complexity of first loves
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: Perfect for a nostalgic, heartwarming beach read with relatable characters and emotional depth.
2. One Day in December
- Author: Josie Silver
- About: A love story between Laurie and Jack, spanning over a decade of missed opportunities and long-awaited connections.
- Style of writing: Romantic, heartfelt, and emotional
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: High; leaves readers reflecting on love and fate
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A beautifully written, bittersweet tale of love and timing that will stay with you long after.
3. In Five Years
- Author: Rebecca Serle
- About: A woman experiences a vision of her life five years in the future, forcing her to rethink her relationship and priorities.
- Style of writing: Introspective, reflective, and emotional
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: High; thought-provoking and full of emotional twists
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: A story of love, fate, and self-discovery that will make you reflect on your own life choices.
4. Love & Gelato
- Author: Jenna Evans Welch
- About: A young girl travels to Italy to fulfill her mother's last wish, discovering love, family secrets, and gelato along the way.
- Style of writing: Fun, whimsical, and heartfelt
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Moderate; lighthearted with moments of deep emotional connection
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A delightful, summer-inspired romance with a charming setting and feel-good vibe.
5. Beach Read
- Author: Emily Henry
- About: A romance writer and a literary author swap genres for the summer, leading to unexpected revelations and romance.
- Style of writing: Witty, humorous, and emotionally rich
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Moderate; balancing humor with heartfelt moments
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A perfect blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth with relatable characters and an unpredictable plot.
6. People We Meet on Vacation
- Author: Emily Henry
- About: Two best friends who go on vacation together each year must confront their unspoken feelings for each other.
- Style of writing: Warm, romantic, and full of depth
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate to high; focuses on friendship and romantic tension
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a summer romance full of heart, humor, and personal growth.
7. The Rosie Project
- Author: Graeme Simsion
- About: Don Tillman, a socially awkward genetics professor, embarks on a quest to find a wife, only to meet Rosie, who changes his life.
- Style of writing: Light, humorous, and heartfelt
- Length: ~80,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Moderate; leaves a lasting impression about love and acceptance
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A quirky, funny love story about self-discovery and embracing imperfection.
8. The Friend Zone
- Author: Abby Jimenez
- About: A woman grapples with a terminal illness while falling in love with a man who wants a family, creating a heartbreaking dilemma.
- Style of writing: Emotional, witty, and raw
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; deeply emotional with moments of humor
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A heartfelt story that explores love, loss, and difficult decisions.
9. The Hating Game
- Author: Sally Thorne
- About: Two coworkers with a strong rivalry find themselves unexpectedly attracted to each other, leading to a steamy, enemies-to-lovers romance.
- Style of writing: Playful, witty, and romantic
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Moderate; fun and lighthearted with emotional depth
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a fun, fast-paced romance with lots of chemistry and humor.
10. It Ends with Us
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A woman navigates a complicated relationship with her abusive father and a loving, but difficult, romantic partner.
- Style of writing: Intense, raw, and emotional
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: High; deeply moving and emotionally intense
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A gripping, heart-wrenching story about love, strength, and personal boundaries.
11. A Week to be Wicked
- Author: Tessa Dare
- About: A historical romance about a woman who convinces a charming man to accompany her on a journey, where sparks fly between them.
- Style of writing: Playful, witty, and romantic
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Moderate; fun and entertaining with some emotional moments
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a lighthearted, witty romance with historical charm and engaging characters.
12. The Layover
- Author: Lacie Waldon
- About: A flight attendant experiences a layover in a beautiful location, leading to unexpected romantic and personal growth.
- Style of writing: Charming, lighthearted, and romantic
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Moderate; an easy, feel-good romance with personal reflections
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a sweet and fun romantic escape with relatable characters.
13. Red, White & Royal Blue
- Author: Casey McQuiston
- About: The son of the U.S. president falls in love with the British prince, leading to a whirlwind romance and political drama.
- Style of writing: Witty, heartwarming, and romantic
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; joyful and emotionally fulfilling
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A fun, diverse romance that’s funny, tender, and full of heart.
14. This Time Next Year
- Author: Sophie Cousens
- About: Two people share the same birthday and an unexpected connection, leading to a year of personal and romantic growth.
- Style of writing: Heartwarming, emotional, and witty
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Moderate; uplifting and thoughtful
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: For a touching, optimistic story about fate, new beginnings, and self-discovery.
15. After I Do
- Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- About: A married couple takes a break to evaluate their relationship, leading to personal growth and emotional challenges.
- Style of writing: Reflective, emotional, and honest
- Length: ~85,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: High; deeply explores love, relationships, and personal growth
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: For an emotional, realistic look at love, marriage, and the complexities of relationships.
16. Maybe in Another Life
- Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- About: A woman contemplates the different paths her life could have taken after reuniting with an ex-boyfriend.
- Style of writing: Thoughtful, emotional, and introspective
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: High; it explores fate and the choices we make
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A fascinating exploration of life choices, love, and fate.
17. The Light We Lost
- Author: Jill Santopolo
- About: A passionate love affair is tested by time, distance, and life’s unpredictability.
- Style of writing: Emotional, poetic, and poignant
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: High; emotionally intense and heartbreaking
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: A beautifully written, emotional story about love, fate, and missed opportunities.
18. Anxious People
- Author: Fredrik Backman
- About: A failed bank robbery leads to a group of strangers being held hostage, with each person uncovering emotional secrets.
- Style of writing: Humorous, quirky, and deeply emotional
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: High; mixes humor with deep emotional moments
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A unique, touching story that blends humor with powerful emotional themes.
19. The Last Thing He Told Me
- Author: Laura Dave
- About: A woman uncovers secrets about her husband's disappearance, leading to a thrilling journey of discovery.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful, emotional, and gripping
- Length: ~90,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: High; suspenseful with emotional depth
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: A fast-paced, emotional thriller with a compelling story about love and trust.
Conclusion
If you enjoyed Every Summer After, I think you'll really love The Summer I Turned Pretty, One Day in December, and In Five Years. Each of these books beautifully captures themes of love, personal growth, and the bittersweet moments that shape our lives. Whether it's the nostalgic summer romance in The Summer I Turned Pretty, the long-awaited love story in One Day in December, or the thought-provoking journey of fate and relationships in In Five Years, I’m sure these books will leave a lasting impression.
