Why is it that writers love writing about other writers? From R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface to Colleen Hoover’s Verity, it can sometimes feel like #BookTok’s most dominant reads are all about authors. Maybe it stems from a sense of familiarity, a character for the real-life author to project onto as they deal with writer’s block, late nights staring at screens and the complexity of the publishing industry. Maybe it’s because readers often have a romanticized idea of what it’s like to be an author and want to live vicariously through the protagonist. Whatever the reason, readers have been eating it up — and when it comes to the romance genre in particular, there’s one author who has cornered the market on love stories about writers.
First coming onto the publishing scene in 2016 as a YA author, Emily Henry is now the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to contemporary romance. Her sharp, evocative writing has earned her acclaim, with now five (yes, five) upcoming adaptations of her work. And her brand-new book, Great Big Beautiful Life, is garner to have the same attention. Publishing April 22nd, it follows two rival writers as they compete for the chance to pen the memoir of an enigmatic former celebrity-slash-heiress. Readers are sure to tear through the novel as soon as it hits the shelves — but after that, what’s next?
If you’re desperate for more writer-centric love stories to add to your TBR, look no further. These seven novels are sure to satiate that craving once you’ve finished Emily Henry’s latest, while we wait for whatever release she has in store for us next.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Is it weird to recommend an Emily Henry book in a listicle about a different Emily Henry book? No, because if you are anticipating GBBL but somehow have not read Beach Read, you’re missing out! Released in May of 2020, this was the book that first skyrocketed Emily Henry to romance-novel fame, and for good reason: her tale of polar-opposites-attract and healing through complex grief is the perfect blend of romance and adult fiction that its title would suggest.
Back in the days of their college creative writing course, January Andrews and Augustus Everett butted heads over their wildly different genres (gloomy lit fic for him, shimmering romances for her). But now, both are stuck in neighboring beach houses, stumped by writer’s block and ignoring calls from their editors. That’s when they come up with an unconventional solution: for the length of that summer, they’ll switch genres and force each other to finish that manuscript. But there’s no way all that close contact and collaborative working will build any tension, right?
Also, not to brag, but we got the chance to chat to Emily Henry all about Beach Read when it first released back in 2020! Check out the interview with her and author Laura Hankin here.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
In this bestselling novel, main character Florence Day has just been through a soul-shattering breakup and has come to the conclusion that she no longer believes in love. Small problem: she’s the ghostwriter for one of the biggest-name romance authors in the industry, and the whole “love is dead” thing is kind of a problem for her line of work.
Things only get worse when Florence’s new, inflexible, infuriating (and also handsome) editor refuses to give her an extension on her book deadline. And then even worse, when Florence gets a dreaded phone call — the one that calls her back to the town she’s been avoiding for a decade, to bury her father. Only, when she returns to that stagnant town, there’s a familiar, infuriating face there to meet her in the family funeral home — with a shocking twist that you’re just going to have to read, because I don’t want to ruin it for you. Just know that this book manages to navigate its sobering synopsis to become what the New York Times calls “an antidote to despair.”
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Shane Hall is the type of reclusive lit fic writer that would give Gus Everett a run for his money. Eva Mercy writes bestselling vampire erotica. When they’re panelists together at a literary event, the chemistry is palpable throughout the whole room. What the other attendees don’t realize, though, is that Shane and Eva have already spent a week in love when they were teenagers. But back then, those seven summer days were tangled with turmoil and complex emotions — emotions that both Shane and Eva have been running from ever since. Yet they can’t help but be pulled back together now that their paths have crossed again; after all, this whole time that they’ve been apart, the two of them have been weaving little pieces of each other throughout their novels.
This dual-timeline story pulls at the roots of trauma, seamlessly incorporating more serious themes of abuse, addiction and anti-Blackness while still maintaining a hopeful tone for the story. Tia Williams has penned a second-chance romance like no other: a healing balm of a book that encourages us to look back at our lives with compassion for every stage of our being.
Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey
With cozy bookstore vibes, a family business in trouble and even a secret identity, this swoony sapphic romance has a plot straight out of a Hallmark movie (in the best way). Rosie Taft has taken over her mother’s Manhattan bookstore and it’s become the love of her life — which is good, because her real-world love life doesn’t have much going for it. Online, though, is another story, because she’s been keeping up a flirtatious chat with her favorite lesbian romance author.
Jane Breslin, meanwhile, works for her family’s property development business by day, and is only a romance author by night, when she lets her bolder self show. So when her family business terminates the lease on Rosie’s bookstore, neither of them have the slightest idea who they’re dealing with. What follows is a series of misadventures to save the bookstore, unmask who Brie truly is, and for Rosie and Jane to work through their differences and come out the other side on each other’s side.
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
The second book in the Meant To Be series, which retells beloved fairy tales, By the Book puts the classic story of Beauty and the Beast in an unexpected setting: the publishing industry. Once a bright-eyed junior editorial assistant, 25-year-old Isabelle is now underpaid, burnt out and sick of being the token Black employee at Tale as Old as Time Publishing. Then, she overhears her boss mention the perfect opportunity to get a raise: get the long-overdue manuscript from an infamously grouchy author and prove that she’s a vital member of the team.
Upon coming face-to-face with Beau Towers, though, Izzy realizes she’s bitten off a lot more than she can chew. Beau isn’t some forgetful celeb memoirist or perfectionist publishing diva — he’s a cranky guy who, deep down, is struggling to find inspiration the same way Izzy is. Determined to see this challenge through, Izzy helps Beau find the words he’s been looking for … only for the two of them to realize that they might be creating more than just a manuscript together. Refreshing, grounded and gorgeously heartfelt, By the Book is a tale that encourages us to keep ourselves open to the possibility of fairytale endings.
Any Trope but You by Victoria Lavine
This brand-new release is turning heads with its hilarious and heartfelt premise, jam-packed with a trope for every reader. Romance author Margot Bradley has a very un-romantic secret: she doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters, in fiction or reality. In fact, she keeps a private document where she ignores the canonical endings of her books in favor of bitter divorces and misery. Well, the document is private … until it’s leaked to her horrified fans.
Now dropped by her publisher, Margot finds herself on a six-week stay in Alaska with the desperate hope of kickstarting her next foray into the writing world — this time, as a murder mystery author. But plans immediately go haywire when she’s chased by a moose (yes, a literal moose) right into the novel’s romantic hero. Comical misadventures unfold from this point on, as Margot and Forrest find themselves drawn closer and closer together, thanks to the long, snowy nights and every tried-and-true romance trope. The question hangs in the air, though — when the writing is done, will Margot return to her normal life, leaving Forrest out in the Alaskan cold? Or will she try to craft a happily-ever-after for herself?
The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Co-authors Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen were an unstoppable force. Just 3 years ago, they were topping bestselling charts and dominating the talk of the literary world — until suddenly, they weren’t on speaking terms. Clearly, their days of partnership are over.
That is, until their old publisher comes calling about the last book on contract. With both their now-separate careers struggling, Katrina and Nathan have no option but to reunite in the little Florida town that used to be their writing haven, hoping to get this final book done as quickly and painlessly as possible. Easier said than done, though, as they’re forced to navigate the rift that’s grown between them — and the fight that set it all off. Oh, and that one last book? It just so happens to be a love story.
Sticky with Florida heat and sizzling with tension, The Roughest Draft is the perfect selection for readers who are looking for more of that immersive setting that Emily Henry does so well. Whether you’re waiting for your pre-ordered copy of Great Big Beautiful Life to come in the mail, or if you’ve finished it and are hungry for more, real-life co-authors Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka are here to fill that void.
