7 Authors Like Nicholas Sparks to Make You Cry

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Nicholas Sparks is known for spinning heartbreaking tales that can make almost anyone cry. His fame is further fueled by the many film adaptations of his romance novels, ranging from the first, Message in a Bottle in starring Kevin Costner, to the latest offering, The Choice, which came out in September 2016. 

If you love the detailed love stories he writes, you may find that other romance novels pale in comparison. The good news is, we’ve found a few authors whose works share similarities with Nicholas Sparks’ best novels, so you can read on long after you’ve finished his bibliography.

7 Authors Like Nicholas Sparks 

Check out some of these talented authors whose storytelling skills will undoubtedly keep you up all night reading. Oh, and don’t forget to keep some tissues handy!  

1. Kristen Ashley 

Ashley’s romance stories, often set in idyllic mountains and picturesque outdoor spots, typically feature protagonists with tortured pasts and who are desperate to be rescued and healed by love. That sure sounds like many of the characters that Sparks writes about, doesn’t it? 

What to Read First: The Gamble 

The Gamble, the first book in Ashley’s Colorado Mountain Series, follows Nina Sheridan, who desperately needs time away from her fiance. She flies all the way from England to Colorado, where she meets a gorgeous stranger at the cabin she’s renting. 

2. Inglath Cooper 

Awarded the RITA Award for Best Long Contemporary Romance Novel, Inglath Cooper is becoming synonymous with angst-filled stories of romance and redemption, but still free of sex scenes. Similar to Sparks’ settings, Cooper’s stories are set in scenic locations and focus a lot on emotional reunions and chance encounters. 

What to Read First: That Month in Tuscany 

That Month in Tuscany tells the story of rock star Ren Sawyer and the married Lizzy Harper, who meet on a plane and explore Florence and Tuscany together. They need to remember their pasts before choosing the life they want to have together. 

3. Jenny Colgan 

Jenny Colgan shares a strength for wholesome romance with Nicholas Sparks. Like Sparks, Colgan’s stories are set in small towns or coastal communities populated by quirky people. Most of her female protagonists tend to be looking for a breather or a fresh start in life. 

What to Read First: Little Beach Street Bakery 

In Little Beach Street Bakery, Polly Waterford runs away from a broken relationship to a small town on the Cornish coast. She hopes to distract herself by baking bread, but it soon becomes an all-consuming passion—well, alongside a growing attraction to the handsome beekeeper who supplies her with honey! 

4. Helen Hoang 

Helen Hoang has a strong grasp of how modern love works, with all its awkwardness, confusion, and joy, which makes her romance novels very relatable. She’s known for her quirky style, so consider adding her to your list of contemporary romance authors like Nicholas Sparks. 

What to Read First: The Kiss Quotient 

The Kiss Quotient follows math addict Stella Lane, who can solve every algorithm but has zero experience in dating. To solve this problem, she hires a professional escort, Vietnamese-Swedish Michael Phan. 

5. Colleen Hoover 

If you love Nicholas Sparks for his ability to turn on the tears, expect the same from Colleen Hoover, whose romance novels can spiral fom soaring high swoons to heart-wrenching lows. Her books are mainly new adult romances, similar to some of Sparks’ books about relationships between younger characters. 

What to Read First: It Ends With Us 

In It Ends With Us, Lily has worked hard and established herself as a business owner. She starts to like Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon who is attracted to her but seems to shy away from commitment and relationships. What happens when Lily’s first love, Atlas, suddenly comes onto the scene? 

6. Jasmine Guillory 

Jasmine Guillory is an expert at weaving classic love stories into the lives of millennials, making her characters utterly relatable. Like Sparks, she is a genius at portraying how intense young love can be, as well as painting a palpable picture of the chemistry between the leading characters. 

What to Read First: The Wedding Date 

The Wedding Date is a fun romantic comedy featuring Drew Nichols, whose ex is getting married, but he’s still dateless, until he finds Alexa Monroe in an elevator stuck during a power outage.

7. Jojo Moyes 

Like Nicholas Sparks, Jojo Moyes is an expert at creating a slow-burning, but thoroughly engaging romance, featuring characters that tend to be a little older. This makes her a good pick if you prefer Sparks’ stories about single parents or lead characters with tons of baggage.

What to Read First: Me Before You 

This is the book that established Jojo Moyes as a contender in the contemporary women’s fiction department. This first book in a trilogy introduces us to Louisa Clark, an ordinary girl who starts working for wheelchair-bound Will Traynor, Master of the Universe used to the big life. Despite his moods and bossy attitude, why does Lou end up being concerned about his happiness? 

Writers Like Nicholas Sparks 

Clearly, if you enjoy reading Nicholas Sparks, romance is right up your alley. These can be feel-good novels, but most of the time, you will learn so much about human nature by diving into the lives of the main characters. 

If you want to expand your reading selection, feel free to try some of the books in this list, or also check out the other books that these authors have written. You just may be pleasantly surprised! 

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