Summary: In this article, I have compiled 20 books similar to It Ends With Us that dive deep into complex relationships and the challenges of love. Here are my top 3 picks:
- Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
- All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
- Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
If you loved It Ends With Us, you’ll likely enjoy books that explore similar themes of love, personal growth, and overcoming difficult situations. These stories dive into complicated relationships, emotional struggles, and the journey to self-discovery. They’re not just captivating—they also make you reflect on love, identity, and the strength it takes to move forward. With a mix of heartache and hope, these books stay with you long after you finish reading.
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to It Ends With Us
- Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
- All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
- Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
- It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover
- Confess by Colleen Hoover
- November 9 by Colleen Hoover
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
- They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
- The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
- Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
- One Day by David Nicholls
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
1. Ugly Love
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: A passionate, complicated love story about Tate and Miles, who share a physical connection, but Miles is emotionally unavailable due to a painful past.
- Style of writing: Dual perspective, alternating between present-day Tate and flashbacks of Miles’ past.
- Length: Approximately 87,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s emotional, with heavy themes of grief, love, and healing.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It's a story about how love can heal deep wounds, with strong emotional depth and character development.
2. All Your Perfects
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: Follows Quinn and Graham as they navigate a troubled marriage and secrets that could tear them apart.
- Style of writing: Alternates between past and present timelines.
- Length: Approximately 84,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Yes, deeply moving with themes of infertility, loss, and hope.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A raw look at the complexities of marriage and how love can withstand hardship.
3. Regretting You
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: This story follows Morgan and her daughter Clara as they cope with loss, betrayal, and new love after a family tragedy.
- Style of writing: Dual point of view, primarily from Morgan and Clara’s perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 97,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Yes, it tackles themes of grief, forgiveness, and growth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It's a powerful story about family, love, and navigating difficult emotions.
4. It Starts with Us
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: The sequel to It Ends with Us, it focuses on Lily and Atlas as they rebuild their relationship after a traumatic past.
- Style of writing: First-person, alternating between Lily and Atlas’ perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words
- Year written: 2022
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s an emotional continuation of Lily and Atlas’s journey.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
- Why read it: For fans of It Ends with Us, this is a heartwarming follow-up to their story of love and recovery.
5. Confess
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: Auburn meets artist Owen, who paints confessions on canvases, and they bond over their shared painful experiences.
- Style of writing: First-person dual perspectives, alternating between Auburn and Owen.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Yes, it explores themes of love, trust, and healing.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: If you enjoy stories about art and secrets, this is a unique and emotional journey.
6. November 9
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: Fallon and Ben meet each year on November 9, creating a bond that grows over time despite personal struggles.
- Style of writing: First-person dual perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s emotional, with themes of personal growth and forgiveness.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A sweet yet heart-wrenching story of love that evolves over time.
7. Verity
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- About: Lowen, a struggling writer, is hired to complete the books of an incapacitated author, Verity, and uncovers dark secrets.
- Style of writing: First-person, suspenseful thriller with romance elements.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s intense, with thrilling twists and dark emotions.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: If you enjoy a mix of romance and suspense with shocking revelations, this one is for you.
8. Thirteen Reasons Why
- Author: Jay Asher
- About: The story of Hannah Baker, who leaves behind 13 tapes explaining why she chose to end her life, and the impact it has on those who listen.
- Style of writing: Alternates between Clay’s present and Hannah’s recorded messages.
- Length: Approximately 70,000 words
- Year written: 2007
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s haunting and thought-provoking about suicide, bullying, and regret.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It’s an important, eye-opening story that deals with tough subjects like bullying and mental health.
9. Looking for Alaska
- Author: John Green
- About: Miles “Pudge” Halter’s life changes when he goes to boarding school and befriends Alaska Young, whose tragic fate forces him to reflect on life and loss.
- Style of writing: First-person narrative with a focus on philosophical themes.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words
- Year written: 2005
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s poignant, exploring themes of friendship, grief, and self-discovery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It’s a thoughtful coming-of-age story that captures the intensity of youth and loss.
10. All the Bright Places
- Author: Jennifer Niven
- About: Violet and Finch, two troubled teens, form an unlikely bond and help each other confront their personal demons.
- Style of writing: Dual perspectives between Violet and Finch.
- Length: Approximately 85,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s deeply moving and explores mental health, loss, and recovery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautifully written story about love, mental health, and finding hope.
11. They Both Die at the End
- Author: Adam Silvera
- About: Two boys, Mateo and Rufus, receive a call informing them they will die within 24 hours, and they live their last day to the fullest.
- Style of writing: Third-person, alternating between Mateo and Rufus’s perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 80,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s poignant and thought-provoking about life, love, and loss.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: It’s an emotional exploration of how we choose to live when we know our time is running out.
12. The People We Keep
- Author: Allison Larkin
- About: A young woman, April, sets out to build her own family after years of feeling abandoned by her biological family.
- Style of writing: Third-person with a focus on April’s personal journey.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Yes, it explores themes of family, self-discovery, and healing.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A heartwarming story about finding connection and family in unexpected places.
13. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- About: The life story of actress Evelyn Hugo, told through her seven marriages and the secrets she’s kept, explored in a tell-all interview with journalist Monique.
- Style of writing: First-person from Evelyn’s perspective, mixed with Monique’s narrative.
- Length: Approximately 105,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s a compelling tale of love, sacrifice, and fame.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A gripping, multi-layered story about identity, love, and the cost of fame.
14. Red, White & Royal Blue
- Author: Casey McQuiston
- About: The son of the U.S. president and a British prince fall in love, navigating politics, public opinion, and their own hearts.
- Style of writing: First-person, alternating between Alex and Henry’s perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 110,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s fun, emotional, and inspiring with themes of acceptance and love.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A lighthearted yet meaningful romance that deals with politics, identity, and coming out.
15. The Hating Game
- Author: Sally Thorne
- About: Lucy and Joshua, two coworkers, despise each other at first but eventually fall in love after a series of tense workplace interactions.
- Style of writing: First-person from Lucy’s perspective, with witty and sarcastic dialogue.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s fun, sweet, and full of tension that leads to a satisfying romance.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A quirky and entertaining enemies-to-lovers romance with a workplace setting.
16. Anxious People
- Author: Fredrik Backman
- About: A group of strangers is held hostage by a failed bank robber, leading them to confront their personal lives and fears.
- Style of writing: Third-person with multiple perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 95,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s heartwarming and explores themes of human connection and understanding.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Why read it: A funny yet touching exploration of people’s lives and what they’re struggling with, reminding readers of the power of empathy.
17. The Nightingale
- Author: Kristin Hannah
- About: Two sisters, separated by war, navigate the hardships of living in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.
- Style of writing: Third-person, alternating between the sisters' perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 140,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s powerful, heart-wrenching, and emotionally intense.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A deeply moving story about survival, sacrifice, and sisterhood during a tragic time in history.
18. The Song of Achilles
- Author: Madeline Miller
- About: A retelling of the Iliad, focusing on the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and poetic first-person narrative from Patroclus’ perspective.
- Length: Approximately 90,000 words
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s poignant and explores love, loss, and destiny.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A beautifully written and emotional take on an ancient story, filled with passion, tragedy, and the complexities of love.
19. One Day
- Author: David Nicholls
- About: Emma and Dexter meet on the night of their graduation and spend the next 20 years revisiting their relationship on the same day each year.
- Style of writing: Third-person, focusing on each character’s perspective.
- Length: Approximately 140,000 words
- Year written: 2009
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s bittersweet, with an ending that leaves a lasting emotional impact.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: A unique take on the passage of time and love, with a surprising and poignant ending.
20. Me Before You
- Author: Jojo Moyes
- About: The story of Louisa, who becomes a caregiver to Will, a man paralyzed from the neck down, and the unlikely love that develops between them.
- Style of writing: First-person, alternating between Louisa and Will’s perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 130,000 words
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: Yes, it’s deeply emotional, dealing with themes of love, sacrifice, and euthanasia.
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Why read it: It’s a heartbreaking and thought-provoking exploration of love, choice, and personal agency.
Conclusion
If you loved It Ends with Us, I think Ugly Love, All Your Perfects, and Regretting You are perfect picks for your next read. Each of these books by Colleen Hoover dives into complicated relationships, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth. In my opinion, Ugly Love captures the raw intensity of a messy romance, All Your Perfects does an incredible job of exploring the ups and downs of marriage, and Regretting You is a powerful story of healing and moving on after loss. These books definitely left a lasting emotional impact on me, and I think they'll do the same for anyone who enjoys heartfelt, transformative love stories.
