36 Books like The Wish

My Return to the Walter Boys

by Ali Novak

Grieving Jackie returns to the Walters and the boy she left behind, craving a second chance.

3.73

23k+

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 💕 Second Chance Romance 🕊️ Grief And Healing 🔺 Love Triangle 🌾 Small Town Romance

My Return to the Walter Boys 92%

Grieving Jackie returns to the Walters and the boy she left behind, craving a second chance.

by Ali Novak 2025

3.73

23k+ ratings

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 💕 Second Chance Romance 🕊️ Grief And Healing 🔺 Love Triangle 🌾 Small Town Romance

Always, in December

by Emily Stone • 2021

She dreads December until a bike crash with a London stranger opens her guarded heart.

3.72

34k+

🎄 Holiday Romance 🥀 Tragic Love Story 💫 Chance Encounter 🤍 Secret Illness 💌 Unsent Letters

Always, in December 95%

She dreads December until a bike crash with a London stranger opens her guarded heart.

by Emily Stone 2021

3.72

34k+ ratings

🎄 Holiday Romance 🥀 Tragic Love Story 💫 Chance Encounter 🤍 Secret Illness 💌 Unsent Letters

Every Breath

by Nicholas Sparks • 2018

A safari guide and a nurse: one week of love, one impossible choice, decades of silence.

4.07

122k+

🕊️ Second Chance Romance 🕯️ Terminal Illness Love Story 💫 Star-Crossed Lovers 💌 Epistolary Romance 💔 Bittersweet Ending

Every Breath 95%

A safari guide and a nurse: one week of love, one impossible choice, decades of silence.

by Nicholas Sparks 2018

4.07

122k+ ratings

🕊️ Second Chance Romance 🕯️ Terminal Illness Love Story 💫 Star-Crossed Lovers 💌 Epistolary Romance 💔 Bittersweet Ending

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 95%

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

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 94%

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

Art & Soul

by Brittainy C. Cherry • 2015

A pregnant artist and a grieving boy, paired for class, find love born of shared wounds.

4.24

9k+

🍼 Teen Pregnancy 💕 Friends To Lovers 🏠 Found Family 💔 Terminal Illness 🌱 Emotional Healing

Art & Soul 94%

A pregnant artist and a grieving boy, paired for class, find love born of shared wounds.

by Brittainy C. Cherry 2015

4.24

9k+ ratings

🍼 Teen Pregnancy 💕 Friends To Lovers 🏠 Found Family 💔 Terminal Illness 🌱 Emotional Healing

The Gift

by Danielle Steel • 1986

When death steals his sister, a pregnant stranger becomes his family's only hope.

3.99

21k+

🕰️ 1950s Setting 💔 Grieving Family 🍼 Teen Pregnancy 💕 Bittersweet Romance 🎁 Sacrificial Love

The Gift 94%

When death steals his sister, a pregnant stranger becomes his family's only hope.

by Danielle Steel 1986

3.99

21k+ ratings

🕰️ 1950s Setting 💔 Grieving Family 🍼 Teen Pregnancy 💕 Bittersweet Romance 🎁 Sacrificial Love

For You

by Jodi Ellen Malpas • 2023

Her honeymoon ends in a hospital. Years later, a stranger's love makes her question her vows.

4.61

2k+

🏥 Terminal Illness 💔 Caregiver Burden 🌅 Love After Loss 🕯️ Slow Burn Romance 🥀 Grieving Widow

For You 94%

Her honeymoon ends in a hospital. Years later, a stranger's love makes her question her vows.

by Jodi Ellen Malpas 2023

4.61

2k+ ratings

🏥 Terminal Illness 💔 Caregiver Burden 🌅 Love After Loss 🕯️ Slow Burn Romance 🥀 Grieving Widow

This Love

by Dani Atkins • 2017

Saved from fire, Sophie loves her dying rescuer. He hides a secret about her brother.

4.14

3k+

💔 Terminal Illness Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers 🪣 Bucket List Journey 🤫 Hero With A Secret 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Chosen Family

This Love 94%

Saved from fire, Sophie loves her dying rescuer. He hides a secret about her brother.

by Dani Atkins 2017

4.14

3k+ ratings

💔 Terminal Illness Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers 🪣 Bucket List Journey 🤫 Hero With A Secret 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Chosen Family

A Thousand Boy Kisses

by Tillie Cole • 2016

Childhood soulmates reunite after years apart, only to learn her days are numbered.

4.03

468k+

🍃 Childhood Sweethearts 🕊️ Terminal Illness 💕 Friends To Lovers 💔 Second Chance Romance 😢 Bittersweet Ending

A Thousand Boy Kisses 93%

Childhood soulmates reunite after years apart, only to learn her days are numbered.

by Tillie Cole 2016

4.03

468k+ ratings

🍃 Childhood Sweethearts 🕊️ Terminal Illness 💕 Friends To Lovers 💔 Second Chance Romance 😢 Bittersweet Ending

This Used to Be Us

by Renee Carlino • 2024

Still in love after divorce, two parents face her terminal diagnosis and a final shot at forever.

4.06

8k+

🖤 Second Chance Love 💔 Marriage In Crisis 👨‍👩‍👦 Divorced Co-Parents 😢 Terminal Illness ⏳ Dual Timeline Romance

This Used to Be Us 93%

Still in love after divorce, two parents face her terminal diagnosis and a final shot at forever.

by Renee Carlino 2024

4.06

8k+ ratings

🖤 Second Chance Love 💔 Marriage In Crisis 👨‍👩‍👦 Divorced Co-Parents 😢 Terminal Illness ⏳ Dual Timeline Romance

Every Silent Lie

by Jodi Ellen Malpas • 2025

Every December she hides in hotel bars. This year, a stranger named Dec finds her.

4.58

2k+

🎄 Holiday Romance 👨‍👦 Single Dad 🏠 Found Family 💔 Grieving Heroine 🔥 Slow Burn

Every Silent Lie 93%

Every December she hides in hotel bars. This year, a stranger named Dec finds her.

by Jodi Ellen Malpas 2025

4.58

2k+ ratings

🎄 Holiday Romance 👨‍👦 Single Dad 🏠 Found Family 💔 Grieving Heroine 🔥 Slow Burn

A Walk to Remember

by Nicholas Sparks • 1999

A North Carolina teenager falls for the minister's daughter, only to learn her time is short.

4.20

848k+

🖤 Terminal Illness Romance 🏡 1950s Small Town ⛪️ Minister's Daughter 🎗️ Dying Wish 🙏 Faith In Crisis

A Walk to Remember 93%

A North Carolina teenager falls for the minister's daughter, only to learn her time is short.

by Nicholas Sparks 1999

4.20

848k+ ratings

🖤 Terminal Illness Romance 🏡 1950s Small Town ⛪️ Minister's Daughter 🎗️ Dying Wish 🙏 Faith In Crisis

Before We Were Strangers

by Renee Carlino • 2015

When a divorced photographer spots his college love on the subway, he posts a missed connection.

4.03

169k+

🔄 Second Chance Romance 👫 Friends To Lovers 👶 Secret Baby 💔 Bittersweet Romance ⏰ Wrong Timing

Before We Were Strangers 93%

When a divorced photographer spots his college love on the subway, he posts a missed connection.

by Renee Carlino 2015

4.03

169k+ ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance 👫 Friends To Lovers 👶 Secret Baby 💔 Bittersweet Romance ⏰ Wrong Timing

The Memory of Us

by Dani Atkins • 2024

She hires a stranger to play her sister's imagined husband, and the staged romance turns real.

4.18

3k+

🖤 Sisterhood Drama 💔 Medical Romance 💕 Fake Dating Real Love 🏠 Found Family 🧬 Genetic Fate

The Memory of Us 93%

She hires a stranger to play her sister's imagined husband, and the staged romance turns real.

by Dani Atkins 2024

4.18

3k+ ratings

🖤 Sisterhood Drama 💔 Medical Romance 💕 Fake Dating Real Love 🏠 Found Family 🧬 Genetic Fate

Message in a Bottle

by Nicholas Sparks • 1998

His bottled love letter led her to him. Now she must compete with a ghost.

3.98

249k+

🕯️ Grieving Widower 🖤 Tragic Romance 💔 Second Chance Love 📝 Found Letters 🏘️ Coastal Small Town

Message in a Bottle 93%

His bottled love letter led her to him. Now she must compete with a ghost.

by Nicholas Sparks 1998

3.98

249k+ ratings

🕯️ Grieving Widower 🖤 Tragic Romance 💔 Second Chance Love 📝 Found Letters 🏘️ Coastal Small Town

Someone I Used to Know

by Paige Toon • 2021

A widow comes home to find the foster brother who broke her heart wants her back.

4.16

11k+

🖤 Second Chance Romance 🏡 Foster Family ⏳ Dual Timeline 💔 Widow Finds Love 🔺 Love Triangle

Someone I Used to Know 93%

A widow comes home to find the foster brother who broke her heart wants her back.

by Paige Toon 2021

4.16

11k+ ratings

🖤 Second Chance Romance 🏡 Foster Family ⏳ Dual Timeline 💔 Widow Finds Love 🔺 Love Triangle

The Assistant

by Marni Mann • 2019

A wife and mother hires an assistant, then conceals a terminal diagnosis from everyone she loves.

3.93

1k+

🩺 Terminal Illness 🎭 Hidden Illness 💔 Tearjerker 📚 Library Refuge 💞 Married Love

The Assistant 93%

A wife and mother hires an assistant, then conceals a terminal diagnosis from everyone she loves.

by Marni Mann 2019

3.93

1k+ ratings

🩺 Terminal Illness 🎭 Hidden Illness 💔 Tearjerker 📚 Library Refuge 💞 Married Love

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

by Ann Brashares • 2001

Four friends, one summer apart, and a mysterious pair of jeans that connects them all.

3.85

736k+

☀️ Summer Coming Of Age 👯 Female Friendship 💕 First Love 💔 Grief And Loss ✨ Light Magical Realism

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Summary

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 93%

Four friends, one summer apart, and a mysterious pair of jeans that connects them all.

by Ann Brashares 2001

3.85

736k+ ratings

☀️ Summer Coming Of Age 👯 Female Friendship 💕 First Love 💔 Grief And Loss ✨ Light Magical Realism

The Best of Me

by Nicholas Sparks • 2010

At a hometown funeral, he sees his first love again. She's married; he's still hers.

3.99

195k+

🔄 Second Chance Romance 🏘️ Small Town Romance 💔 Tragic Romance ↔️ Opposites Attract 🕊️ Heroic Sacrifice

The Best of Me 93%

At a hometown funeral, he sees his first love again. She's married; he's still hers.

by Nicholas Sparks 2010

3.99

195k+ ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance 🏘️ Small Town Romance 💔 Tragic Romance ↔️ Opposites Attract 🕊️ Heroic Sacrifice

Forever, Interrupted

by Taylor Jenkins Reid • 2013

Nine days after their elopement, he dies. His mother has never heard of her.

3.64

220k+

🖤 Grief Fiction 📚 Women's Fiction 💕 Whirlwind Romance 💍 Secret Marriage 🫂 Grief Bonding

Forever, Interrupted 93%

Nine days after their elopement, he dies. His mother has never heard of her.

by Taylor Jenkins Reid 2013

3.64

220k+ ratings

🖤 Grief Fiction 📚 Women's Fiction 💕 Whirlwind Romance 💍 Secret Marriage 🫂 Grief Bonding

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon

by Matthew Norman • 2025

A widow and a widower, tricked together for the holidays, discover that love deserves a sequel.

4.26

29k+

👫 Widow Romance 🎬 Holiday Movie Marathon 🖤 Grief Bonding ✨ Cozy Holiday Energy 🏠 Forced Proximity

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon Summary

Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon 93%

A widow and a widower, tricked together for the holidays, discover that love deserves a sequel.

by Matthew Norman 2025

4.26

29k+ ratings

👫 Widow Romance 🎬 Holiday Movie Marathon 🖤 Grief Bonding ✨ Cozy Holiday Energy 🏠 Forced Proximity

Always You and Me

by Dani Atkins • 2025

Her husband's dying wish: track down the first love she never got over.

4.30

32k+

🔄 Second Chance Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers 🌳 Childhood Sweethearts 🤞 Deathbed Promise 🏚️ Forced Proximity

Always You and Me 93%

Her husband's dying wish: track down the first love she never got over.

by Dani Atkins 2025

4.30

32k+ ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance 💕 Friends To Lovers 🌳 Childhood Sweethearts 🤞 Deathbed Promise 🏚️ Forced Proximity

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 93%

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

Safe Harbour

by Danielle Steel • 2003

A grieving widow learns her lonely daughter has befriended a reclusive painter on the beach.

4.09

24k+

🕯️ Grief Recovery 💘 Second Chance Love 👩‍👧 Mother-Daughter Bond 👨‍👩‍👧 Found Family 🏖️ Beach Setting

Safe Harbour 93%

A grieving widow learns her lonely daughter has befriended a reclusive painter on the beach.

by Danielle Steel 2003

4.09

24k+ ratings

🕯️ Grief Recovery 💘 Second Chance Love 👩‍👧 Mother-Daughter Bond 👨‍👩‍👧 Found Family 🏖️ Beach Setting

Bright Side

by Kim Holden • 2014

A college freshman hides a terminal diagnosis from the single father she is falling for.

4.29

63k+

💔 Terminal Illness Romance 🫂 Found Family ☀️ Grumpy Sunshine 👨‍👧 Single Father Hero 🥲 Bittersweet

Bright Side 92%

A college freshman hides a terminal diagnosis from the single father she is falling for.

by Kim Holden 2014

4.29

63k+ ratings

💔 Terminal Illness Romance 🫂 Found Family ☀️ Grumpy Sunshine 👨‍👧 Single Father Hero 🥲 Bittersweet

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 92%

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 Friend Zone

by Abby Jimenez • 2019

She's facing infertility. He wants a big family. Their no-strings arrangement was a terrible idea.

3.90

455k+

🕯️ Slow Burn Romance 🛌 Friends With Benefits 🤰 Fertility Struggles 🚒 Firefighter Hero 💬 Witty Banter

The Friend Zone 92%

She's facing infertility. He wants a big family. Their no-strings arrangement was a terrible idea.

by Abby Jimenez 2019

3.90

455k+ ratings

🕯️ Slow Burn Romance 🛌 Friends With Benefits 🤰 Fertility Struggles 🚒 Firefighter Hero 💬 Witty Banter

The Map That Leads to You

by J.P. Monninger • 2017

On a crowded train, a planner meets a wanderer, and a European summer redraws her map.

3.56

14k+

🥀 Tragic Romance 💔 Terminal Illness ⚡ Opposites Attract 🌧️ Bittersweet 🎓 Post-Graduation

The Map That Leads to You 92%

On a crowded train, a planner meets a wanderer, and a European summer redraws her map.

by J.P. Monninger 2017

3.56

14k+ ratings

🥀 Tragic Romance 💔 Terminal Illness ⚡ Opposites Attract 🌧️ Bittersweet 🎓 Post-Graduation

Our Song

by Dani Atkins • 2016

Two women loved the same man. Now both their husbands lie dying in the same hospital.

4.29

6k+

🏥 Medical Romance 💔 Love Triangle 👶 Hidden Parentage 🏠 Blended Family 🛌 Hospital Vigil

Our Song 92%

Two women loved the same man. Now both their husbands lie dying in the same hospital.

by Dani Atkins 2016

4.29

6k+ ratings

🏥 Medical Romance 💔 Love Triangle 👶 Hidden Parentage 🏠 Blended Family 🛌 Hospital Vigil

One Day in December

by Josie Silver • 2018

A glance on a bus, a year of searching. He reappears as her best friend's boyfriend.

3.82

367k+

👀 Missed Connections 💔 Best Friend's Boyfriend 🔥 Slow-Burn Romance ⏳ Right Person Wrong Time 🔺 Love Triangle

One Day in December 92%

A glance on a bus, a year of searching. He reappears as her best friend's boyfriend.

by Josie Silver 2018

3.82

367k+ ratings

👀 Missed Connections 💔 Best Friend's Boyfriend 🔥 Slow-Burn Romance ⏳ Right Person Wrong Time 🔺 Love Triangle

Into the Blue

by Emma Brodie • 2026

An aspiring writer and an acting heir ignite in summer acting, threatened by a genetic secret.

4.06

68k+

🔄 Second Chance Romance 🎭 Actor Writer Romance 🏡 Forced Proximity 💎 Class Difference 💊 Chronic Illness

Into the Blue 92%

An aspiring writer and an acting heir ignite in summer acting, threatened by a genetic secret.

by Emma Brodie 2026

4.06

68k+ ratings

🔄 Second Chance Romance 🎭 Actor Writer Romance 🏡 Forced Proximity 💎 Class Difference 💊 Chronic Illness

The Boy & His Ribbon

by Pepper Winters • 2018

At ten, he fled captivity carrying an infant. At twenty-eight, he can't escape loving her.

4.40

11k+

🖤 Dark Forbidden Romance 🛡️ Guardian Ward Romance 💔 Trauma Bonded 🥀 Mutual Pining 🏠 Found Family

The Boy & His Ribbon 92%

At ten, he fled captivity carrying an infant. At twenty-eight, he can't escape loving her.

by Pepper Winters 2018

4.40

11k+ ratings

🖤 Dark Forbidden Romance 🛡️ Guardian Ward Romance 💔 Trauma Bonded 🥀 Mutual Pining 🏠 Found Family

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 92%

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

Until the Storm Breaks

by Nate Wilder • 2025

A bartender's secret tattoo meets its author when a funeral traps them side by side.

4.07

2k+

🏘️ Small Town Romance 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 🏠 Forced Proximity 🤗 Found Family 🌊 Coastal Small Town

Until the Storm Breaks 92%

A bartender's secret tattoo meets its author when a funeral traps them side by side.

by Nate Wilder 2025

4.07

2k+ ratings

🏘️ Small Town Romance 🔥 Slow Burn Romance 🏠 Forced Proximity 🤗 Found Family 🌊 Coastal Small Town

Comfort & Joy

by Kristin Hannah • 2005

After a crash, a heartbroken woman wakes at a lodge where a boy calls her mom.

3.57

97k+

🎄 Holiday Romance 🫂 Found Family 💕 Second Chance Love 🕊️ Grief And Healing 🌫️ Dream Or Reality

Comfort & Joy 92%

After a crash, a heartbroken woman wakes at a lodge where a boy calls her mom.

by Kristin Hannah 2005

3.57

97k+ ratings

🎄 Holiday Romance 🫂 Found Family 💕 Second Chance Love 🕊️ Grief And Healing 🌫️ Dream Or Reality

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