35 Books like Before We Were Strangers

A Love Letter to Whiskey

by Kandi Steiner

A pact at seventeen, eleven years of wrong timing, and the only man she ever wanted.

4.15

111k+

💫 Second Chance Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers ⏳ Right Person Wrong Time 💔 Emotional Angst 🌊 Beach Town

A Love Letter to Whiskey 94%

A pact at seventeen, eleven years of wrong timing, and the only man she ever wanted.

by Kandi Steiner 2021

4.15

111k+ ratings

💫 Second Chance Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers ⏳ Right Person Wrong Time 💔 Emotional Angst 🌊 Beach Town

Love and Other Words

by Christina Lauren • 2018

Her first love is back after eleven years. Her engagement was never built to survive him.

4.21

831k+

🖤 Second Chance Romance 📖 Dual Timeline Romance 👫 Friends To Lovers 💕 First Love 📚 Bookish Romance

Love and Other Words 95%

Her first love is back after eleven years. Her engagement was never built to survive him.

by Christina Lauren 2018

4.21

831k+ ratings

🖤 Second Chance Romance 📖 Dual Timeline Romance 👫 Friends To Lovers 💕 First Love 📚 Bookish Romance

Eleanor & Grey

by Brittainy C. Cherry • 2019

His new nanny is his first love. His grief won't let her reach him.

4.32

40k+

🕰️ Second Chance Romance 💞 Friends To Lovers 👨‍👧‍👧 Single Dad Nanny 🧸 Childhood Sweethearts 🕊️ Grief And Healing

Eleanor & Grey 95%

His new nanny is his first love. His grief won't let her reach him.

by Brittainy C. Cherry 2019

4.32

40k+ ratings

🕰️ Second Chance Romance 💞 Friends To Lovers 👨‍👧‍👧 Single Dad Nanny 🧸 Childhood Sweethearts 🕊️ Grief And Healing

Te espero en el fin del mundo

by Andrea Longarela • 2021

She runs toward the world. He builds roots in Montana. Their childhood love won't let go.

4.09

25k+

🫂 Friends To Lovers 🏡 Small Town Romance 🔄 Second Chance Romance 🧸 Childhood Sweethearts ⏳ Dual Timeline

Te espero en el fin del mundo 94%

She runs toward the world. He builds roots in Montana. Their childhood love won't let go.

by Andrea Longarela 2021

4.09

25k+ ratings

🫂 Friends To Lovers 🏡 Small Town Romance 🔄 Second Chance Romance 🧸 Childhood Sweethearts ⏳ Dual Timeline

The Homemaker

by Jewel E. Ann • 2025

A two-week romance. Eight years later, she is the live-in homemaker for his future in-laws.

4.33

6k+

💔 Second Chance Romance 👶 Secret Baby 💘 Forbidden Love 🏠 Forced Proximity 🏘️ Found Family

The Homemaker 94%

A two-week romance. Eight years later, she is the live-in homemaker for his future in-laws.

by Jewel E. Ann 2025

4.33

6k+ ratings

💔 Second Chance Romance 👶 Secret Baby 💘 Forbidden Love 🏠 Forced Proximity 🏘️ Found Family

Magnolia Parks

by Jessa Hastings • 2021

A London socialite can't quit her first love, a charming cheat whose betrayals are legendary.

3.64

274k+

🖤 Toxic Love Story 🥂 Elite Social Circle 💔 First Love Obsession 🔄 On Again Off Again 💀 Best Friend Betrayal

Magnolia Parks 94%

A London socialite can't quit her first love, a charming cheat whose betrayals are legendary.

by Jessa Hastings 2021

3.64

274k+ ratings

🖤 Toxic Love Story 🥂 Elite Social Circle 💔 First Love Obsession 🔄 On Again Off Again 💀 Best Friend Betrayal

The Love We Found

by Jill Santopolo • 2025

A Rome address pulls a mother into her late love's secret life and a second chance.

3.90

14k+

💞 Second-Chance Romance 🤫 Hidden Paternity 🕊️ Love After Loss 🏠 Blended Family Ties 👵 Intergenerational Bond

The Love We Found 94%

A Rome address pulls a mother into her late love's secret life and a second chance.

by Jill Santopolo 2025

3.90

14k+ ratings

💞 Second-Chance Romance 🤫 Hidden Paternity 🕊️ Love After Loss 🏠 Blended Family Ties 👵 Intergenerational Bond

Wish You Were Here

by Renee Carlino • 2017

A painter gives a waitress one perfect night, then forgets her completely. He has a reason.

3.92

18k+

🏥 Terminal Illness Romance 😢 Tearjerker 💕 Second Chance At Love 🎨 Artist Love Interest 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

Wish You Were Here 94%

A painter gives a waitress one perfect night, then forgets her completely. He has a reason.

by Renee Carlino 2017

3.92

18k+ ratings

🏥 Terminal Illness Romance 😢 Tearjerker 💕 Second Chance At Love 🎨 Artist Love Interest 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

Blind Kiss

by Renee Carlino • 2018

One blindfolded kiss haunts a dancer and an engineer through fourteen years of bad timing.

3.88

4k+

🫂 Friends To Lovers ⏳ Right Person Wrong Time 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 💔 Mutual Pining 🔺 Love Triangle

Blind Kiss 94%

One blindfolded kiss haunts a dancer and an engineer through fourteen years of bad timing.

by Renee Carlino 2018

3.88

4k+ ratings

🫂 Friends To Lovers ⏳ Right Person Wrong Time 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 💔 Mutual Pining 🔺 Love Triangle

Between Never and Forever

by Brit Benson • 2023

Their first kiss was goodbye. She became a rockstar. He became a father. The spark never died.

4.21

10k+

🎸 Rockstar Romance 💔 Second Chance Romance 👫 Friends To Lovers 🏠 Found Family 😢 Angsty Romance

Between Never and Forever 94%

Their first kiss was goodbye. She became a rockstar. He became a father. The spark never died.

by Brit Benson 2023

4.21

10k+ ratings

🎸 Rockstar Romance 💔 Second Chance Romance 👫 Friends To Lovers 🏠 Found Family 😢 Angsty Romance

Archer's Voice

by Mia Sheridan • 2016

A grieving woman falls for a mute loner whose silence shelters a small town's darkest sin.

4.16

704k+

🏡 Small-Town Romance 🤫 Mute Hero 🩹 Hurt/Comfort 🕯️ Slow Burn 💔 Emotional Scars

Archer's Voice 94%

A grieving woman falls for a mute loner whose silence shelters a small town's darkest sin.

by Mia Sheridan 2016

4.16

704k+ ratings

🏡 Small-Town Romance 🤫 Mute Hero 🩹 Hurt/Comfort 🕯️ Slow Burn 💔 Emotional Scars

Cruel and Beautiful

by A.M. Hargrove • 2015

She promised her dying husband she'd live. Two years on, his friend makes sure she does.

4.25

5k+

🖤 Widow Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers ⏳ Dual Timeline 💌 Love Letters 😢 Tearjerker

Cruel and Beautiful 94%

She promised her dying husband she'd live. Two years on, his friend makes sure she does.

by A.M. Hargrove 2015

4.25

5k+ ratings

🖤 Widow Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers ⏳ Dual Timeline 💌 Love Letters 😢 Tearjerker

The Notebook

by Nicholas Sparks • 1996

An elderly man reads his love story to a wife who no longer remembers him.

4.16

1.9M+

📖 Dual Timeline Romance 💕 Second Chance Love 💰 Rich Girl Poor Boy 💔 Love Triangle 🥀 Bittersweet Love Story

The Notebook 94%

An elderly man reads his love story to a wife who no longer remembers him.

by Nicholas Sparks 1996

4.16

1.9M+ ratings

📖 Dual Timeline Romance 💕 Second Chance Love 💰 Rich Girl Poor Boy 💔 Love Triangle 🥀 Bittersweet Love Story

Maestro

by Auden Dar • 2022

Two teenage classical musicians fall in love; family secrets and ambition tear them apart for years.

4.36

8k+

🤝 Friends To Lovers 🔄 Second Chance Romance 🎵 Musical Romance 💔 Angsty Romance 🔎 Family Secrets

Maestro 94%

Two teenage classical musicians fall in love; family secrets and ambition tear them apart for years.

by Auden Dar 2022

4.36

8k+ ratings

🤝 Friends To Lovers 🔄 Second Chance Romance 🎵 Musical Romance 💔 Angsty Romance 🔎 Family Secrets

His Darling Freckles

by Alecsa Kayser

A missed birthday call broke their childhood friendship. Now they live on the same street.

3.83

395

🔄 Second Chance Romance ➡️ Friends To Lovers 🌱 Childhood Sweethearts 💘 He Falls First 🐌 Slow Burn

His Darling Freckles 94%

A missed birthday call broke their childhood friendship. Now they live on the same street.

by Alecsa Kayser

3.83

395 ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance ➡️ Friends To Lovers 🌱 Childhood Sweethearts 💘 He Falls First 🐌 Slow Burn

The Sweet Gum Tree

by Katherine Allred • 2005

Alix loves the town outcast, but violence exiles him and a secret traps her fifteen years.

4.25

31k+

💞 Second Chance Romance 🏘️ Small Town Romance 🌱 Childhood Friends To Lovers 🛤️ Wrong Side Of The Tracks 💍 Marriage Of Convenience

The Sweet Gum Tree 94%

Alix loves the town outcast, but violence exiles him and a secret traps her fifteen years.

by Katherine Allred 2005

4.25

31k+ ratings

💞 Second Chance Romance 🏘️ Small Town Romance 🌱 Childhood Friends To Lovers 🛤️ Wrong Side Of The Tracks 💍 Marriage Of Convenience

The Summer We Fell

by Elizabeth O'Roark • 2023

She was his teammate's girl. One forbidden summer changed everything. Now she's back.

4.00

40k+

🕰️ Second Chance Romance 💔 Forbidden Love 🏠 Found Family 🩹 Trauma Healing 🎤 Musician Heroine

The Summer We Fell 94%

She was his teammate's girl. One forbidden summer changed everything. Now she's back.

by Elizabeth O'Roark 2023

4.00

40k+ ratings

🕰️ Second Chance Romance 💔 Forbidden Love 🏠 Found Family 🩹 Trauma Healing 🎤 Musician Heroine

Call It What You Want

by Alissa DeRogatis • 2023

A college senior's no-labels romance follows her to New York, and she can't let go.

3.35

36k+

💔 Situationship 🕰️ Wrong Timing ❤️‍🩹 Commitment Issues 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🩹 Hurt-Comfort

Call It What You Want 94%

A college senior's no-labels romance follows her to New York, and she can't let go.

by Alissa DeRogatis 2023

3.35

36k+ ratings

💔 Situationship 🕰️ Wrong Timing ❤️‍🩹 Commitment Issues 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🩹 Hurt-Comfort

Just The Way You Are

by Aimee Brown • 2019

Her sister's widower returns with a girlfriend, forcing her to admit she's loved him for years.

4.22

389

👫 Friends To Lovers 💞 Second Chance Romance 🥀 Grief And Loss 🔥 Slow Burn 👥 Dual Pov

Just The Way You Are 94%

Her sister's widower returns with a girlfriend, forcing her to admit she's loved him for years.

by Aimee Brown 2019

4.22

389 ratings

👫 Friends To Lovers 💞 Second Chance Romance 🥀 Grief And Loss 🔥 Slow Burn 👥 Dual Pov

Drive

by Kate Stewart

A music journalist falls for her sister's drummer, a man whose past could destroy them both.

4.38

56k+

🔺 Love Triangle 💔 Second Chance Romance 👯 Sister's Best Friend 🎸 Rockstar Romance 🔥 Slow Burn Romance

Drive 94%

A music journalist falls for her sister's drummer, a man whose past could destroy them both.

by Kate Stewart 2017

4.38

56k+ ratings

🔺 Love Triangle 💔 Second Chance Romance 👯 Sister's Best Friend 🎸 Rockstar Romance 🔥 Slow Burn Romance

It Starts with Us, It Ends with Us Collection

by Colleen Hoover • 2022

Her first love wants a second chance, but her abusive ex still controls her life.

4.40

11k+

🔄 Second Chance Romance 💕 First Love Reunion 👩‍👧 Single Mother 🏠 Found Family 💔 Breaking The Cycle

It Starts with Us, It Ends with Us Collection Summary

It Starts with Us, It Ends with Us Collection 93%

Her first love wants a second chance, but her abusive ex still controls her life.

by Colleen Hoover 2022

4.40

11k+ ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance 💕 First Love Reunion 👩‍👧 Single Mother 🏠 Found Family 💔 Breaking The Cycle

Little Pieces of Light

by Emma Scott • 2025

They reunite at prep school, but lost promises and class divides threaten their second chance.

4.12

2k+

💞 Friends To Lovers 🔄 Second Chance Romance 🧲 Opposites Attract 🔒 Forbidden Love 😭 Tearjerker

Little Pieces of Light 93%

They reunite at prep school, but lost promises and class divides threaten their second chance.

by Emma Scott 2025

4.12

2k+ ratings

💞 Friends To Lovers 🔄 Second Chance Romance 🧲 Opposites Attract 🔒 Forbidden Love 😭 Tearjerker

Hopeless

by Colleen Hoover • 2012

Sky Davis meets Dean Holder, and the bracelet on her wrist reopens a past they share.

4.22

690k+

💞 Reunion Romance 🩹 Trauma Healing 🛡️ Protective Hero 🕵️ Dark Secrets 🌧️ Sexual Abuse Survivor

Hopeless 93%

Sky Davis meets Dean Holder, and the bracelet on her wrist reopens a past they share.

by Colleen Hoover 2012

4.22

690k+ ratings

💞 Reunion Romance 🩹 Trauma Healing 🛡️ Protective Hero 🕵️ Dark Secrets 🌧️ Sexual Abuse Survivor

Heartless

by Michelle Horst • 2017

A cruel bet makes a guarded waitress his target. Her refusal turns her into his obsession.

3.88

8k+

⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 👶 Secret Baby 🔄 Second Chance 😈 Redeemed Playboy 🏠 Found Family

Heartless 93%

A cruel bet makes a guarded waitress his target. Her refusal turns her into his obsession.

by Michelle Horst 2017

3.88

8k+ ratings

⚔️ Enemies To Lovers 👶 Secret Baby 🔄 Second Chance 😈 Redeemed Playboy 🏠 Found Family

Twice in a Blue Moon

by Christina Lauren • 2019

Her first love sold her secret to the tabloids. Now he wrote the film she is starring in.

3.62

90k+

💕 Second Chance Romance 🎬 Hollywood Romance ⏳ Dual Timeline 💔 First Love Betrayal 🔒 Forced Proximity

Twice in a Blue Moon 93%

Her first love sold her secret to the tabloids. Now he wrote the film she is starring in.

by Christina Lauren 2019

3.62

90k+ ratings

💕 Second Chance Romance 🎬 Hollywood Romance ⏳ Dual Timeline 💔 First Love Betrayal 🔒 Forced Proximity

The Wish

by Nicholas Sparks • 2021

A dying photographer revisits the island where, pregnant at sixteen, she found first love.

4.33

195k+

🖤 Terminal Illness Romance ⏳ Dual Timeline Love Story 💕 First Love 👶 Teen Pregnancy 🤝 Adoption Reunion

The Wish 93%

A dying photographer revisits the island where, pregnant at sixteen, she found first love.

by Nicholas Sparks 2021

4.33

195k+ ratings

🖤 Terminal Illness Romance ⏳ Dual Timeline Love Story 💕 First Love 👶 Teen Pregnancy 🤝 Adoption Reunion

Not a Friend

by Taylor Hannah • 2025

A vineyard wedding throws her together with the musician she never got over, boyfriend in tow.

3.99

562

✨ Second Chance Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers 💭 Situationship 🎸 Musician Hero ⏳ Dual Timeline

Not a Friend 93%

A vineyard wedding throws her together with the musician she never got over, boyfriend in tow.

by Taylor Hannah 2025

3.99

562 ratings

✨ Second Chance Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers 💭 Situationship 🎸 Musician Hero ⏳ Dual Timeline

Same Time Next Summer

by Annabel Monaghan • 2023

An engaged woman returns to her family's beach house and finds her first love next door.

3.73

149k+

🖤 Second Chance Romance 💕 Childhood Sweethearts 💔 Love Triangle 🏖️ Small Beach Town 🌊 Summer House

Same Time Next Summer 93%

An engaged woman returns to her family's beach house and finds her first love next door.

by Annabel Monaghan 2023

3.73

149k+ ratings

🖤 Second Chance Romance 💕 Childhood Sweethearts 💔 Love Triangle 🏖️ Small Beach Town 🌊 Summer House

Until You

by Catharina Maura • 2021

A tech CEO returns to his best friend's sister, not knowing she's his anonymous online vigilante.

3.86

38k+

💼 Workplace Romance 💖 Brother's Best Friend 🎭 Secret Identity 🏠 Forced Proximity 🛡️ Protective Hero

Until You 93%

A tech CEO returns to his best friend's sister, not knowing she's his anonymous online vigilante.

by Catharina Maura 2021

3.86

38k+ ratings

💼 Workplace Romance 💖 Brother's Best Friend 🎭 Secret Identity 🏠 Forced Proximity 🛡️ Protective Hero

Rewrite Our Story

by Kat Singleton • 2023

Her mother figure's funeral brings a novelist home to face the cowboy who broke her heart.

3.93

25k+

🔄 Second Chance Romance 🏘️ Small Town 🐴 Ranch Life 🌱 Childhood Friends To Lovers 💔 Shared Grief

Rewrite Our Story 93%

Her mother figure's funeral brings a novelist home to face the cowboy who broke her heart.

by Kat Singleton 2023

3.93

25k+ ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance 🏘️ Small Town 🐴 Ranch Life 🌱 Childhood Friends To Lovers 💔 Shared Grief

Swear on This Life

by Renee Carlino • 2016

Her life story is a bestseller, written by the boy she left on a dirt road.

4.13

61k+

🔄 Second Chance Romance 👧 Childhood Friends To Lovers 📖 Book Within A Book ✍️ Writer Protagonist 🩹 Trauma Healing

Swear on This Life 93%

Her life story is a bestseller, written by the boy she left on a dirt road.

by Renee Carlino 2016

4.13

61k+ ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance 👧 Childhood Friends To Lovers 📖 Book Within A Book ✍️ Writer Protagonist 🩹 Trauma Healing

Seven Days in June

by Tia Williams • 2021

A romance novelist faces her first love, now a reclusive literary star, at a Brooklyn panel.

3.98

223k+

🕰️ Second Chance Romance ✍️ Writers In Love 👩‍👧 Single Mother 💞 Childhood Sweethearts ⏳ Dual Timeline

Seven Days in June 93%

A romance novelist faces her first love, now a reclusive literary star, at a Brooklyn panel.

by Tia Williams 2021

3.98

223k+ ratings

🕰️ Second Chance Romance ✍️ Writers In Love 👩‍👧 Single Mother 💞 Childhood Sweethearts ⏳ Dual Timeline

The Bonus

by T.L. Swan • 2024

Her billionaire boss never noticed her. One night, then she fled, pregnant with his twins.

4.00

50k+

🏢 Workplace Romance 💼 Billionaire Romance 👶 Secret Baby 💔 Second Chance 🌲 Small Town

The Bonus 93%

Her billionaire boss never noticed her. One night, then she fled, pregnant with his twins.

by T.L. Swan 2024

4.00

50k+ ratings

🏢 Workplace Romance 💼 Billionaire Romance 👶 Secret Baby 💔 Second Chance 🌲 Small Town

Dreamland

by Nicholas Sparks • 2022

A farmer-musician and aspiring singer fall in love on vacation, until family duty pulls him home.

3.95

105k+

🎵 Musician Romance 🏖️ Vacation Romance ⚖️ Duty Vs Love 🧠 Mental Health 📖 Dual Narrative

Dreamland 93%

A farmer-musician and aspiring singer fall in love on vacation, until family duty pulls him home.

by Nicholas Sparks 2022

3.95

105k+ ratings

🎵 Musician Romance 🏖️ Vacation Romance ⚖️ Duty Vs Love 🧠 Mental Health 📖 Dual Narrative

Confess

by Colleen Hoover • 2017

A single mother takes a job in a studio where every painting hides a stranger's secret.

4.05

627k+

🖤 Angsty Romance 💫 Love After Loss 👶 Secret Baby 👩‍👦 Single Mother 🎨 Forced Proximity

Confess 93%

A single mother takes a job in a studio where every painting hides a stranger's secret.

by Colleen Hoover 2017

4.05

627k+ ratings

🖤 Angsty Romance 💫 Love After Loss 👶 Secret Baby 👩‍👦 Single Mother 🎨 Forced Proximity

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