37 Books like How to Make Friends with the Dark

Girl in Pieces

by Kathleen Glasgow

Charlie leaves a psych ward with scars, silence, and a bus ticket to nowhere she knows.

3.93

274k+

🩹 Self-Harm Recovery 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Survival 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital 💔 Brutal And Tender

Girl in Pieces 92%

Charlie leaves a psych ward with scars, silence, and a bus ticket to nowhere she knows.

by Kathleen Glasgow 2016

3.93

274k+ ratings

🩹 Self-Harm Recovery 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Survival 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital 💔 Brutal And Tender

Ashes of Life

by Erica Lucke Dean • 2015

After her parents' sudden death, a grieving teen is trapped living with the stepmother she resents.

4.07

1k+

🪦 Parental Loss 🏠 Found Family 💔 Destructive Coping 🌱 Emotional Recovery 🔄 Alternating Pov

Ashes of Life 94%

After her parents' sudden death, a grieving teen is trapped living with the stepmother she resents.

by Erica Lucke Dean 2015

4.07

1k+ ratings

🪦 Parental Loss 🏠 Found Family 💔 Destructive Coping 🌱 Emotional Recovery 🔄 Alternating Pov

Love Letters to the Dead

by Ava Dellaira • 2014

A grieving freshman writes letters to dead icons, searching for a voice after her sister's death.

3.78

93k+

🖋️ Epistolary Novel 💔 Sister Grief ✍️ Healing Through Letters 🫂 Found Family 🌈 Queer Coming Of Age

Love Letters to the Dead 94%

A grieving freshman writes letters to dead icons, searching for a voice after her sister's death.

by Ava Dellaira 2014

3.78

93k+ ratings

🖋️ Epistolary Novel 💔 Sister Grief ✍️ Healing Through Letters 🫂 Found Family 🌈 Queer Coming Of Age

Cut

by Patricia McCormick • 2000

A 15-year-old refuses to speak at a treatment center, hiding the reason she cuts herself.

3.76

60k+

🩹 Self-Harm Recovery 🏥 Residential Treatment 👥 Girls' Group Therapy 💔 Parental Neglect 🤝 Found Family

Cut 92%

A 15-year-old refuses to speak at a treatment center, hiding the reason she cuts herself.

by Patricia McCormick 2000

3.76

60k+ ratings

🩹 Self-Harm Recovery 🏥 Residential Treatment 👥 Girls' Group Therapy 💔 Parental Neglect 🤝 Found Family

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

by Erika L. Sánchez • 2017

Her perfect sister is dead. What the closet hides could break her immigrant family.

4.00

85k+

🧬 Generational Trauma 🌎 Immigrant Family 📦 Secret Life Uncovered 🩹 Mental Health Healing 🗣️ Sharp-Tongued Heroine

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Summary

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter 92%

Her perfect sister is dead. What the closet hides could break her immigrant family.

by Erika L. Sánchez 2017

4.00

85k+ ratings

🧬 Generational Trauma 🌎 Immigrant Family 📦 Secret Life Uncovered 🩹 Mental Health Healing 🗣️ Sharp-Tongued Heroine

How Not to Disappear

by Clare Furniss • 2015

A pregnant teen drives her great-aunt across England to outrun dementia and unearth family secrets.

4.08

2k+

🏠 Generational Drama 🤰 Teen Pregnancy 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 💔 Intergenerational Trauma 🚗 Road Trip Journey

How Not to Disappear 92%

A pregnant teen drives her great-aunt across England to outrun dementia and unearth family secrets.

by Clare Furniss 2015

4.08

2k+ ratings

🏠 Generational Drama 🤰 Teen Pregnancy 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 💔 Intergenerational Trauma 🚗 Road Trip Journey

Sad Girls

by Lang Leav • 2017

Audrey told a lie. A girl died. Now she's falling for the boy who lost everything.

3.33

12k+

🖤 Grief And Guilt 💔 Forbidden Romance 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🧠 Anxiety Rep 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

Sad Girls 92%

Audrey told a lie. A girl died. Now she's falling for the boy who lost everything.

by Lang Leav 2017

3.33

12k+ ratings

🖤 Grief And Guilt 💔 Forbidden Romance 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🧠 Anxiety Rep 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

by Gennifer Choldenko • 2024

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

4.46

4k+

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman Summary

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman 92%

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

by Gennifer Choldenko 2024

4.46

4k+ ratings

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

Impulse

by Ellen Hopkins • 2007

Three suicide survivors in a wilderness program must confront the pain that drove them to the edge.

4.25

83k+

🖋️ Verse Novel 🏥 Psychiatric Facility 🖤 Suicide Survival 🤝 Found Family 💕 Friends To Lovers

Impulse 92%

Three suicide survivors in a wilderness program must confront the pain that drove them to the edge.

by Ellen Hopkins 2007

4.25

83k+ ratings

🖋️ Verse Novel 🏥 Psychiatric Facility 🖤 Suicide Survival 🤝 Found Family 💕 Friends To Lovers

You'd Be Home Now

by Kathleen Glasgow • 2021

When a fatal crash exposes her brother's addiction, she becomes the family's invisible caretaker.

4.13

82k+

💊 Sibling Addiction 🤫 Secret Relationship 📢 Slut-Shaming 💉 Opioid Crisis 🕊️ Survivor Guilt

You'd Be Home Now 93%

When a fatal crash exposes her brother's addiction, she becomes the family's invisible caretaker.

by Kathleen Glasgow 2021

4.13

82k+ ratings

💊 Sibling Addiction 🤫 Secret Relationship 📢 Slut-Shaming 💉 Opioid Crisis 🕊️ Survivor Guilt

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance

by Alison Espach • 2022

A teenager loses her older sister in a crash, then spends years confessing to her ghost.

3.81

41k+

👯 Sister Bond 🪦 Sibling Loss 😔 Survivor's Guilt 🌱 Coming-Of-Age Grief 💔 Complicated Love

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance Summary

Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance 93%

A teenager loses her older sister in a crash, then spends years confessing to her ghost.

by Alison Espach 2022

3.81

41k+ ratings

👯 Sister Bond 🪦 Sibling Loss 😔 Survivor's Guilt 🌱 Coming-Of-Age Grief 💔 Complicated Love

Seconds Away

by Harlan Coben

A Nazi photo of his father's paramedic pulls a teen athlete into a classmate's mother's murder.

4.06

20k+

🕵️ Teen Sleuth 🫂 Found Family 💔 Grief-Driven Investigation 🖤 Dark Family Secrets 🤐 Protective Lies

Seconds Away 91%

A Nazi photo of his father's paramedic pulls a teen athlete into a classmate's mother's murder.

by Harlan Coben 2012

4.06

20k+ ratings

🕵️ Teen Sleuth 🫂 Found Family 💔 Grief-Driven Investigation 🖤 Dark Family Secrets 🤐 Protective Lies

One Small Thing

by Erin Watt • 2018

After a reckless night with a stranger, seventeen-year-old Beth discovers he killed her sister.

3.80

11k+

💔 Forbidden Love 🕊️ Grief And Healing 🏚️ Family Dysfunction 🏘️ Small Town Gossip 🔒 Controlling Parents

One Small Thing 92%

After a reckless night with a stranger, seventeen-year-old Beth discovers he killed her sister.

by Erin Watt 2018

3.80

11k+ ratings

💔 Forbidden Love 🕊️ Grief And Healing 🏚️ Family Dysfunction 🏘️ Small Town Gossip 🔒 Controlling Parents

Blue Sisters

by Coco Mellors • 2024

Three sisters reunite after the fourth's overdose. Grief binds them. Secrets could break them.

3.90

336k+

🖤 Sisters In Grief 🏠 Family Drama 🩹 Addiction Recovery 💍 Lesbian Marriage 🔥 Forbidden Affair

Blue Sisters 92%

Three sisters reunite after the fourth's overdose. Grief binds them. Secrets could break them.

by Coco Mellors 2024

3.90

336k+ ratings

🖤 Sisters In Grief 🏠 Family Drama 🩹 Addiction Recovery 💍 Lesbian Marriage 🔥 Forbidden Affair

Pearl

by Siân Hughes • 2023

A mother vanishes, leaving her daughter folk songs, rituals, and an unanswerable question.

3.84

7k+

🕯️ Missing Mother 🖤 Inherited Grief 🌿 Folk Grief Rituals 💔 Fragmented Memory 🔒 Secret Sibling

Pearl 92%

A mother vanishes, leaving her daughter folk songs, rituals, and an unanswerable question.

by Siân Hughes 2023

3.84

7k+ ratings

🕯️ Missing Mother 🖤 Inherited Grief 🌿 Folk Grief Rituals 💔 Fragmented Memory 🔒 Secret Sibling

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite

by Pierre Bottero • 2002

Her brother stopped speaking when their father died. Some things even a fierce sister cannot fix.

4.06

136

🖤 Childhood Grief 💔 Trauma And Recovery 👧 Protective Older Sister 🏠 Found Family 📖 Therapeutic Stories

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite Summary

Le Garçon qui voulait courir vite 92%

Her brother stopped speaking when their father died. Some things even a fierce sister cannot fix.

by Pierre Bottero 2002

4.06

136 ratings

🖤 Childhood Grief 💔 Trauma And Recovery 👧 Protective Older Sister 🏠 Found Family 📖 Therapeutic Stories

The Glass Girl

by Kathleen Glasgow • 2024

She holds her family together and drinks herself apart, until a blackout forces her into rehab.

4.29

23k+

🍺 Teen Alcoholism 🫂 Group Therapy 🏥 Rehab 👧 Parentified Teen 📖 Nonlinear Narrative

The Glass Girl 92%

She holds her family together and drinks herself apart, until a blackout forces her into rehab.

by Kathleen Glasgow 2024

4.29

23k+ ratings

🍺 Teen Alcoholism 🫂 Group Therapy 🏥 Rehab 👧 Parentified Teen 📖 Nonlinear Narrative

An Emotion of Great Delight

by Tahereh Mafi • 2021

Numb from grief and America's scrutiny, a Muslim teen rediscovers feeling through a forbidden love.

3.66

12k+

🕌 Muslim American Life 🏙️ Post-9/11 America 💔 Forbidden Romance 😢 Sibling Grief 😔 Survivor's Guilt

An Emotion of Great Delight 92%

Numb from grief and America's scrutiny, a Muslim teen rediscovers feeling through a forbidden love.

by Tahereh Mafi 2021

3.66

12k+ ratings

🕌 Muslim American Life 🏙️ Post-9/11 America 💔 Forbidden Romance 😢 Sibling Grief 😔 Survivor's Guilt

Yo te inventé

by Francesca Zappia

Her first friend was a hallucination. Now he's her chemistry partner, and she's falling.

4.02

31k+

🧠 Mental Health Ya 💥 Enemies To Lovers 👁️ Unreliable Narrator 🫂 Found Family 🔥 Slow Burn Romance

Yo te inventé 91%

Her first friend was a hallucination. Now he's her chemistry partner, and she's falling.

by Francesca Zappia 2015

4.02

31k+ ratings

🧠 Mental Health Ya 💥 Enemies To Lovers 👁️ Unreliable Narrator 🫂 Found Family 🔥 Slow Burn Romance

I Liked My Life

by Abby Fabiaschi • 2017

A dead mother handpicks her replacement, determined to fix the family she left behind.

4.15

15k+

👻 Posthumous Narrator 💔 Grieving Teenager 🌅 Love After Loss 🤝 Found Family 🥀 Bittersweet

I Liked My Life 92%

A dead mother handpicks her replacement, determined to fix the family she left behind.

by Abby Fabiaschi 2017

4.15

15k+ ratings

👻 Posthumous Narrator 💔 Grieving Teenager 🌅 Love After Loss 🤝 Found Family 🥀 Bittersweet

Tiger Eyes

by Judy Blume • 2005

After her father's murder, a girl moves to the desert and finds healing with a stranger.

3.92

19k+

💔 Grieving A Parent 🌱 Healing From Loss 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 👫 Sibling Bond 😰 Panic Attacks

Tiger Eyes 92%

After her father's murder, a girl moves to the desert and finds healing with a stranger.

by Judy Blume 2005

3.92

19k+ ratings

💔 Grieving A Parent 🌱 Healing From Loss 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 👫 Sibling Bond 😰 Panic Attacks

Scars Like Wings

by Erin Stewart • 2019

A fire orphaned her. Her scars made her a spectacle. High school demands she be seen.

4.05

7k+

🩹 Visible Difference 🎭 School Theater 💔 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Friendship 🏠 Chosen Family

Scars Like Wings 92%

A fire orphaned her. Her scars made her a spectacle. High school demands she be seen.

by Erin Stewart 2019

4.05

7k+ ratings

🩹 Visible Difference 🎭 School Theater 💔 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Friendship 🏠 Chosen Family

We Are Okay

by Nina LaCour • 2017

Her grandfather died. She fled. Now a snowstorm traps her with the girl she left behind.

3.93

101k+

🔒 Family Secrets 🏠 Chosen Family 💞 Friends To Lovers 🖤 Processing Grief ❄️ Wintry Atmosphere

We Are Okay 91%

Her grandfather died. She fled. Now a snowstorm traps her with the girl she left behind.

by Nina LaCour 2017

3.93

101k+ ratings

🔒 Family Secrets 🏠 Chosen Family 💞 Friends To Lovers 🖤 Processing Grief ❄️ Wintry Atmosphere

My Heart and Other Black Holes

by Jasmine Warga • 2015

A suicidal girl and a guilt-ridden boy make a suicide pact and stumble into love instead.

3.95

63k+

🖤 Suicide Pact 🌐 Online Strangers To Lovers 🥀 Guilt And Grief 💕 Healing Romance 👪 Dysfunctional Family

My Heart and Other Black Holes 91%

A suicidal girl and a guilt-ridden boy make a suicide pact and stumble into love instead.

by Jasmine Warga 2015

3.95

63k+ ratings

🖤 Suicide Pact 🌐 Online Strangers To Lovers 🥀 Guilt And Grief 💕 Healing Romance 👪 Dysfunctional Family

Without Merit

by Colleen Hoover • 2017

Wanting her twin's boyfriend is just the latest disappointment in Merit's collection.

3.66

330k+

🏚️ Dysfunctional Family 🤫 Family Secrets 👯 Twin Sisters 💔 Sister's Boyfriend 🧠 Mental Health Journey

Without Merit 91%

Wanting her twin's boyfriend is just the latest disappointment in Merit's collection.

by Colleen Hoover 2017

3.66

330k+ ratings

🏚️ Dysfunctional Family 🤫 Family Secrets 👯 Twin Sisters 💔 Sister's Boyfriend 🧠 Mental Health Journey

Allegedly

by Tiffany D. Jackson • 2017

Convicted at nine of killing a baby, a pregnant teen fights the system for her child.

4.02

84k+

🧠 Psychological Thriller 🌀 Unreliable Narrator 🔒 Wrongfully Accused 🏠 Foster Care System 💔 Mother-Daughter Trauma

Allegedly 91%

Convicted at nine of killing a baby, a pregnant teen fights the system for her child.

by Tiffany D. Jackson 2017

4.02

84k+ ratings

🧠 Psychological Thriller 🌀 Unreliable Narrator 🔒 Wrongfully Accused 🏠 Foster Care System 💔 Mother-Daughter Trauma

Loved and Missed

by Susie Boyt • 2023

Her daughter lost to addiction, a teacher raises her granddaughter while facing her own mortality.

4.28

7k+

🫂 Found Family 💔 Mother-Daughter Rift 🏚️ Family Addiction 🕳️ Intergenerational Trauma 🍂 Bittersweet

Loved and Missed 91%

Her daughter lost to addiction, a teacher raises her granddaughter while facing her own mortality.

by Susie Boyt 2023

4.28

7k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 💔 Mother-Daughter Rift 🏚️ Family Addiction 🕳️ Intergenerational Trauma 🍂 Bittersweet

A pesar de ti

by Colleen Hoover • 2019

The same crash kills her husband and sister, exposing their affair. Now her daughter is spiraling.

4.10

964k+

🎭 Mother-Daughter Drama 🔍 Family Secrets 💘 Forbidden Romance 🎸 Teenage Rebellion 🏠 Found Family

A pesar de ti 92%

The same crash kills her husband and sister, exposing their affair. Now her daughter is spiraling.

by Colleen Hoover 2019

4.10

964k+ ratings

🎭 Mother-Daughter Drama 🔍 Family Secrets 💘 Forbidden Romance 🎸 Teenage Rebellion 🏠 Found Family

Lock and Key

by Sarah Dessen • 2008

When her mother disappears, a guarded teen must start over with the sister she barely knows.

3.99

153k+

👩‍👩‍👧 Estranged Sisters 🏡 Found Family 💊 Parent Addiction ⚠️ Domestic Abuse 🏠 Boy Next Door

Lock and Key 92%

When her mother disappears, a guarded teen must start over with the sister she barely knows.

by Sarah Dessen 2008

3.99

153k+ ratings

👩‍👩‍👧 Estranged Sisters 🏡 Found Family 💊 Parent Addiction ⚠️ Domestic Abuse 🏠 Boy Next Door

Hate Follow

by Erin Quinn-Kong

Her mom's an influencer. Her grief is content. At fifteen, she sues for her life back.

3.37

1k+

📱 Social Media Fiction 👧 Growing Up Online 👩‍👧 Parentified Child 🧬 Intergenerational Trauma 🏠 Found Family

Hate Follow 91%

Her mom's an influencer. Her grief is content. At fifteen, she sues for her life back.

by Erin Quinn-Kong 2024

3.37

1k+ ratings

📱 Social Media Fiction 👧 Growing Up Online 👩‍👧 Parentified Child 🧬 Intergenerational Trauma 🏠 Found Family

All the Bright Places

by Jennifer Niven • 2015

A grieving girl meets a troubled boy on a ledge. Wandering Indiana, they fall in love.

4.11

633k+

🖤 Tragic Teen Love 💔 Mental Health Romance 🧠 Bipolar Representation 💧 Grief And Guilt 🏘️ Midwest Small Town

All the Bright Places 91%

A grieving girl meets a troubled boy on a ledge. Wandering Indiana, they fall in love.

by Jennifer Niven 2015

4.11

633k+ ratings

🖤 Tragic Teen Love 💔 Mental Health Romance 🧠 Bipolar Representation 💧 Grief And Guilt 🏘️ Midwest Small Town

6 Times We Almost Kissed [and One Time We Did]

by Tess Sharpe • 2023

Six near-kisses and one liver transplant later, Penny and Tate are out of room to run.

4.15

13k+

🔥 Slow Burn Romance 🏠 Forced Proximity 💕 Mutual Pining 🩹 Hurt/Comfort 🌧️ Grief And Healing

6 Times We Almost Kissed [and One Time We Did] Summary

6 Times We Almost Kissed [and One Time We Did] 91%

Six near-kisses and one liver transplant later, Penny and Tate are out of room to run.

by Tess Sharpe 2023

4.15

13k+ ratings

🔥 Slow Burn Romance 🏠 Forced Proximity 💕 Mutual Pining 🩹 Hurt/Comfort 🌧️ Grief And Healing

Playlist for the Dead

by Michelle Falkoff • 2015

A grieving teen follows a suicide playlist into a web of bullying, secret identities, and revenge.

3.28

15k+

💔 Suicide Aftermath 🎵 Music As Solace 💌 Online Secret Crush ⚔️ Avenging A Friend 🛋️ Grief Counseling

Playlist for the Dead 91%

A grieving teen follows a suicide playlist into a web of bullying, secret identities, and revenge.

by Michelle Falkoff 2015

3.28

15k+ ratings

💔 Suicide Aftermath 🎵 Music As Solace 💌 Online Secret Crush ⚔️ Avenging A Friend 🛋️ Grief Counseling

Before I Forget

by Tory Henwood Hoen • 2025

A wayward daughter returns to care for her father, whose dementia brings unsettling prophecy.

4.18

27k+

🫂 Parental Caregiving 👯 Sisterhood ✨ Quiet Magical Realism 🏘️ Small Town Revival 🌱 Late Coming Of Age

Before I Forget 91%

A wayward daughter returns to care for her father, whose dementia brings unsettling prophecy.

by Tory Henwood Hoen 2025

4.18

27k+ ratings

🫂 Parental Caregiving 👯 Sisterhood ✨ Quiet Magical Realism 🏘️ Small Town Revival 🌱 Late Coming Of Age

The Way I Used to Be

by Amber Smith • 2016

After her brother's best friend assaults her, a freshman buries the secret and loses herself.

4.14

237k+

🎗️ Rape Survivor 🩹 Trauma Recovery 👯 Female Friendship 🤐 Hidden Trauma 👫 Sibling Conflict

The Way I Used to Be 91%

After her brother's best friend assaults her, a freshman buries the secret and loses herself.

by Amber Smith 2016

4.14

237k+ ratings

🎗️ Rape Survivor 🩹 Trauma Recovery 👯 Female Friendship 🤐 Hidden Trauma 👫 Sibling Conflict

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls

by Anissa Gray • 2019

Their sister's imprisonment forces two women to raise her daughters and face their unspoken wounds.

3.62

21k+

🖤 Black Family Drama 🔒 Incarcerated Parent 👯 Sisterly Bonds 🍽️ Eating Disorder 🏘️ Small Town Scandal

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls Summary

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls 91%

Their sister's imprisonment forces two women to raise her daughters and face their unspoken wounds.

by Anissa Gray 2019

3.62

21k+ ratings

🖤 Black Family Drama 🔒 Incarcerated Parent 👯 Sisterly Bonds 🍽️ Eating Disorder 🏘️ Small Town Scandal

Notes from the Midnight Driver

by Jordan Sonnenblick • 2006

A sixteen-year-old's drunken crash earns him a hundred hours with a hostile, jazz-obsessed old man.

4.05

10k+

🫂 Intergenerational Bond ⚖️ Community Service 🏥 Nursing Home 🎶 Music Heals 💕 Friends To Lovers

Notes from the Midnight Driver 91%

A sixteen-year-old's drunken crash earns him a hundred hours with a hostile, jazz-obsessed old man.

by Jordan Sonnenblick 2006

4.05

10k+ ratings

🫂 Intergenerational Bond ⚖️ Community Service 🏥 Nursing Home 🎶 Music Heals 💕 Friends To Lovers

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