What to read next
10 books like Love by the Book
Remy's stalled second novel and Simone's family rupture create distinct forms of isolation, allowing work, sex, ambition, and friendship to collide without one tidy solution.
Read my review of Love by the Book by Jessica George.
Best matches
Three strong places to start
If you only want three picks, start here.
Best overall
Fastest read
Best alternative
Choose by reading mood
Where to start
For the fastest pace
Yellowface
BriskFor the darkest read
Someone You Can Build a Nest In
DarkFor the strongest romance
Love on the Brain
CentralFor the easiest entry
Funny Story
AccessibleThe full shortlist
Why each book belongs here
See what each pick shares with Love by the Book, and where it goes in a different direction.
1
Funny Story
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Different because
- Funny Story places romantic rebuilding and new community in the foreground; Love by the Book gives friendship the structural importance of the central love story.
2
Yellowface
- Pace
- Brisk
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Similar because
- Yellowface keeps the blocked writers, envy, and literary ambition, but turns them into a much harsher story about theft and self-justification.
- Different because
- Yellowface turns authorship into corrosive ambition and satire, while George is warmer about creative blockage, success, and the relationships a writer uses as material.
3
Promise Me Sunshine
- Pace
- Measured
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Different because
- Promise Me Sunshine is a quieter romance shaped by bereavement; Love by the Book follows two women's loneliness through friendship, family, and work.
4
People We Meet on Vacation
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
5
Loathe to Love You
- Pace
- Brisk
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
6
Love on the Brain
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
7
Pride and Prejudice
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Moderate
8
Someone You Can Build a Nest In
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Dark
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
9
Check & Mate
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
10
Jane Eyre
- Pace
- Measured
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Side-by-side
Pace, darkness, romance, and difficulty
| Book | Pace | Darkness | Romance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Love by the Book | Brisk | Gentle | Central | Accessible |
| Funny Story | Balanced | Gentle | Central | Accessible |
| Yellowface | Brisk | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| Promise Me Sunshine | Measured | Moderate | Central | Accessible |
| People We Meet on Vacation | Balanced | Gentle | Central | Accessible |
| Loathe to Love You | Brisk | Gentle | Central | Accessible |
| Love on the Brain | Balanced | Gentle | Central | Accessible |
| Pride and Prejudice | Balanced | Gentle | Central | Moderate |
| Someone You Can Build a Nest In | Balanced | Dark | Central | Accessible |
| Check & Mate | Balanced | Gentle | Central | Accessible |
| Jane Eyre | Measured | Gentle | Central | Moderate |
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