If You Like Colleen Hoover, Read These 10 Authors Next (2025)

As someone who has stayed up until 3 AM, ugly crying over “It Ends with Us” and immediately ordered every other Colleen Hoover book the next morning, I understand entirely the desperate search for more books that hit the same emotional buttons.

Trust me, I have been exactly where you are right now, scrolling through endless book recommendations, hoping to find authors like Colleen Hoover who can deliver that perfect blend of heartbreak and hope that keeps us coming back for more.

After devouring dozens of contemporary romance novels and wiping away countless tears, I have discovered ten incredible authors who capture that same raw emotional intensity that makes Colleen Hoover so addictive.

Each writer on my list creates books like Colleen Hoover, offering complex characters who face real struggles, relationships that feel authentic even when they break your heart, and stories that refuse to leave your mind long after you close the book.

My journey to find similar authors to Colleen Hoover began after finishing “Verity” and realizing I needed more books that could challenge my assumptions about love, trust, and human nature.

What started as a personal quest turned into an obsession with finding romance authors like Colleen Hoover who understand that the best love stories come from the messiest, most complicated parts of being human.

What Makes Colleen Hoover Special to Book Lovers

Before I share my carefully curated list of writers for Colleen Hoover fans, let me explain what makes her writing so irresistible to readers like us. Hoover has mastered the art of creating characters who feel like people we know, complete with flaws, poor decisions, and hearts that yearn for things they probably shouldn’t want.

Her ability to tackle serious subjects like domestic violence, mental health, and family trauma without losing the romantic elements keeps us invested in every page.

Romance readers gravitate toward emotional romance novels that do not shy away from complex topics, and Hoover delivers exactly that combination. Her writing style feels like having a conversation with your most honest friend, someone who will tell you hard truths wrapped in beautiful prose.

She creates love stories where happiness is earned through genuine growth and self-discovery rather than handed out easily.

Contemporary fiction similar to Colleen Hoover often features the kind of plot twists that make you gasp out loud and immediately text your book-loving friends. Authors who write like Colleen Hoover understand that readers want to feel everything deeply, from the butterflies of new love to the devastation of betrayal.

New adult romance authors who follow her model know that we crave stories where characters make mistakes, learn from them, and become better people through their relationships.

My Top 10 Authors Who Write Like Colleen Hoover

1. The Master of Complex Women – Taylor Jenkins Reid

This author excels at crafting women who are simultaneously strong and vulnerable, making choices that feel both impossible and inevitable. Her writing captures the same emotional complexity that makes Hoover so compelling.

What I love most about her work is the ability to make me care deeply about characters who are far from perfect. Books like “Malibu Rising” and “Daisy Jones & The Six” showcase her talent for weaving family secrets with passionate romance.

Her stories explore themes that resonate with anyone who has ever felt torn between what they want and what they think they should want.

Writing with a literary sensibility that never sacrifices emotional impact for pretty prose, she creates characters who face the kind of moral dilemmas that keep you up at night. Every book feels like an emotional marathon that leaves you exhausted but deeply satisfied.

Her ability to balance hope with heartbreak mirrors what makes Colleen Hoover so addictive.

2. The Perfect Balance of Heart and Humor – Christina Lauren

My second choice holds a special place in my heart because they write books for CoHo readers who occasionally need to smile through their tears. The writing duo creates contemporary romance that feels fresh and modern while maintaining the emotional depth we crave.

Their collaborative approach produces stories with perfect pacing and dialogue that feels natural and witty.

What sets their work apart is the ability to create romantic tension that builds slowly and realistically. Books like “The Unhoneymooners” blend humor with genuine emotion in ways that remind me why I fell in love with romance novels in the first place.

Their characters face real-world problems while navigating the complicated feelings that make relationships so messy and wonderful.

Their writing appeals to readers who want substance in their romance without sacrificing the fun elements that make the genre so enjoyable. Each novel delivers emotional satisfaction while proving that love stories can be both heartbreaking and hopeful.

I always recommend their books to friends who love Colleen Hoover but want something slightly lighter.

3. Raw Intensity That Hits Deep – Anna Todd

My third recommendation writes with an emotional intensity that rivals Colleen Hoover at her most powerful. Her “After” series, which began as fan fiction, captures the kind of passionate, sometimes unhealthy relationships that feel real despite their dramatic elements.

She understands how to write new adult romance that speaks directly to readers who have experienced complicated love.

What draws me to her work is the unflinching honesty about toxic relationship patterns and the hard work required to break them. Her characters make mistakes that feel authentic rather than contrived, learning and growing in ways that mirror the development of real-life relationships.

The emotional authenticity in her writing resonates with readers who appreciate complex relationship dynamics.

Her writing style is direct and emotionally charged, never pulling punches when it comes to complex subjects. Her novels explore themes of forgiveness, personal growth, and the transformative power of love with the same intensity that makes Colleen Hoover so addictive.

She creates stories that feel both escapist and deeply personal.

4. The Queen of Emotional Devastation – Brittainy C. Cherry

Books from my fourth recommendation require emotional preparation and recovery time. Her novels tackle subjects like grief, loss, and healing with a grace that reminds me why I love authors who are not afraid to break my heart completely.

Her ability to balance devastating heartbreak with genuine hope makes her stories unforgettable.

Her writing style combines beautiful, literary prose with raw emotional honesty. Her characters face real trauma and work through their pain in ways that feel authentic and hopeful.

Books like “The Air He Breathes” showcase her talent for creating wounded characters who find love and healing without minimizing their struggles.

What I appreciate most about her work is the use of dual perspectives, which allows readers to understand both characters’ emotional journeys fully. She excels at creating romantic tension that builds naturally throughout the story, leading to emotional payoffs that feel earned rather than convenient.

Her books require tissues and emotional availability.

5. Psychological Complexity That Challenges – Tarryn Fisher

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My fifth pick writes psychological romance that pushes boundaries while maintaining the emotional depth that Colleen Hoover fans crave. Her novels, such as “The Wife” and its companion “The Other Woman,” showcase her ability to create morally complex characters who challenge readers’ assumptions about love and loyalty.

Her strength lies in the unflinching examination of human nature and the darker aspects of relationships. Her stories feature unreliable narrators and plot twists that completely change your perspective on everything you thought you understood.

The psychological complexity in her work appeals to readers who love the mind-bending elements of “Verity.”

Her writing tackles complex subjects like infidelity, mental health, and toxic relationships with nuance that avoids simple answers. She creates characters who are flawed and sometimes unlikable but always human, making their journeys toward redemption compelling and believable.

Her books stay with you long after you finish reading.

6. Fresh Perspectives That Expand Hearts – Mia McKenzie

My sixth recommendation brings diversity and fresh perspectives to contemporary romance, making her essential reading for anyone expanding their Colleen Hoover reading list. Her novels feature LGBTQ+ characters and relationships while maintaining the same emotional intensity and authenticity that we love in Hoover’s work.

Her writing style is sharp and witty, with characters who feel completely authentic and relatable. Her stories explore themes of identity, family, and love with emotional honesty that rivals the best contemporary fiction.

Her work proves that intense love stories transcend traditional romance boundaries.

What I love about her novels is how they challenge assumptions about love and relationships while maintaining a hopeful outlook for her characters’ futures. She creates stories that feel both familiar and revolutionary, expanding the scope of what emotional romance can accomplish.

Her characters face realistic obstacles while maintaining their essential humanity.

7. Fantasy Romance With Real Emotions – Rebecca Ross

My seventh choice proved to me that emotional romance can thrive in fantasy settings while maintaining the character development and relationship complexity that make Colleen Hoover so compelling. Her books blend magical elements with realistic relationship dynamics, creating stories that feel both escapist and emotionally grounded.

Her writing features complex world-building that never overshadows her character-driven plots. Her protagonists face internal and external conflicts that test their relationships and personal growth in ways that mirror real-life challenges.

The romantic tension in her novels builds slowly and naturally, leading to deeply satisfying emotional conclusions.

Her work appeals to readers who love Colleen Hoover but want to explore different genres without sacrificing emotional depth. She maintains the same level of character development and relationship complexity while adding fantastical elements that enhance rather than distract from the core emotional story.

8. Dark Romance That Pushes Boundaries – Penelope Douglas

She excels at creating anti-heroes who are compelling despite their significant flaws. Her stories explore the darkest aspects of human relationships while maintaining a hopeful outlook for healing and growth.

The psychological complexity in her work rivals that of Colleen Hoover’s most intense novels, while venturing into edgier territory.

Her writing style is bold and unapologetic, tackling complex subjects with honesty that never feels exploitative. She creates relationships that are complicated and sometimes unhealthy, but ultimately transformative for her characters.

Her books require emotional maturity and openness to challenging themes.

9. Versatile Storytelling Across Genres – Jennifer L. Armentrout

My ninth choice writes across multiple genres while maintaining the emotional connections between characters that make her perfect for Colleen Hoover fans. Her stories blend humor, passion, and heart in ways that feel both familiar and fresh.

Her strength lies in character development skills and the ability to create protagonists who feel real and relatable. Her characters face challenges that test their strength and relationships while growing in authentic ways. The romantic elements in her stories develop naturally alongside personal growth and self-discovery.

Her writing proves that emotional storytelling transcends genre boundaries, creating stories that resonate with readers who enjoy both contemporary and fantasy romance. She maintains consistent emotional depth regardless of whether she writes contemporary romance or paranormal fantasy.

10. Chemistry That Leaps Off the Page – Vi Keeland

My final recommendation rounds out this list with her ability to create swoon-worthy heroes and strong heroines who have genuine chemistry that feels electric. Her novels feature the perfect blend of humor, steam, and emotion that appeals directly to Colleen Hoover fans seeking their next obsession.

She excels at creating banter and romantic tension that makes you root for her characters from the first page. Her stories often feature successful, confident protagonists who face unexpected challenges in love and life. The emotional depth in her novels creates genuinely addictive reading experiences.

Her work consistently delivers the emotional satisfaction that contemporary romance readers seek while maintaining realistic relationship development. Her ability to balance lighter moments with deeper emotional content makes her books perfect for readers who love intense emotional journeys with satisfying conclusions.

My Personal Reading Strategy for CoHo Fans

After years of searching for books like Colleen Hoover, I have developed a strategy for choosing my next emotional rollercoaster. Readers who loved the raw intensity of “It Ends with Us” should start with Brittainy C. Cherry or Anna Todd for similar emotional devastation.

Those who were fascinated by the psychological complexity of “Verity” will find Tarryn Fisher’s work equally compelling.

Consider what specific elements draw you most to Colleen Hoover’s writing. Do you crave contemporary settings, or are you open to fantasy elements?

Are you drawn to lighter romance, or do you prefer darker, more intense themes? Your honest answers will guide you toward authors whose styles will resonate most deeply with your reading preferences.

I always recommend reading reviews and sample chapters before committing to a new author. The emotional intensity levels vary significantly among new adult romance authors, and finding the right match for your current mood makes all the difference between a satisfying read and an overwhelming experience.

Building Your Emotional Reading Journey

Creating your own Colleen Hoover reading list extension requires honest self-reflection about your reading preferences and emotional capacity. I always start new readers with Taylor Jenkins Reid because her slightly more literary prose eases the transition while maintaining emotional depth.

Readers ready to explore different subgenres can branch out to Rebecca Ross for fantasy elements or Penelope Douglas for darker themes. The key is maintaining that essential emotional connection that makes Colleen Hoover’s books so compelling.

Each author on my list delivers that crucial element while bringing their unique perspective to the contemporary romance genre.

I recommend alternating between different authors and intensity levels to keep your reading experience fresh and prevent emotional burnout. Mix contemporary romance with psychological thrillers, or alternate between lighter and more intense stories.

The variety helps you discover new favorite authors while maintaining your love for emotionally rich storytelling.

Reading Recommendations

Finding Your Next Book Obsession

Contemporary fiction similar to Colleen Hoover is available in various formats to cater to different reading preferences and lifestyles. I love audiobooks for romance novels because excellent narrators bring emotional scenes to life in ways that enhance the reading experience. The authors I recommend translate particularly well to the audio format.

E-books offer convenience and often provide sample chapters, allowing you to preview an author’s writing style before committing emotionally and financially. Many libraries now offer digital lending programs, making it easier to explore new authors without spending money on books that might not match your preferences.

Book subscription services and online reading communities have become invaluable resources for discovering new releases from recommended romance writers. Social media platforms feature reader reviews and recommendations that help you make informed choices about your next emotional reading journey.

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