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Quick answer: If you love Kennedy Ryan, read Before I Let Go and The Kingmaker, then Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones & The Six, Talia Hibbert's Get a Life, Chloe Brown, Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us and Beverly Jenkins's Indigo. All are emotional romances with strong characters and real stakes.
Kennedy Ryan writes contemporary romances with depth, including the Skyland series, The Kingmaker and Before I Let Go, which tackle race, ambition, trauma and love. The books below offer similar emotional romance and women's fiction.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before I Let Go | Kennedy Ryan | Adult | second-chance love |
| The Kingmaker | Kennedy Ryan | Adult | political romance |
| Long Shot | Kennedy Ryan | Adult | sports romance |
| Daisy Jones & The Six | Taylor Jenkins Reid | Adult | rock band |
| Malibu Rising | Taylor Jenkins Reid | Adult | siblings and a party |
| Carrie Soto Is Back | Taylor Jenkins Reid | Adult | sports drama |
| Get a Life, Chloe Brown | Talia Hibbert | Adult | readers who like spicy romance |
| Indigo | Beverly Jenkins | Adult | historical with depth |
| It Ends with Us | Colleen Hoover | Adult | emotional contemporary |
| Reminders of Him | Colleen Hoover | Adult | readers who like second chances |
| Ugly Love | Colleen Hoover | Adult | readers who like angst |
| Hopeless | Colleen Hoover | Adult | readers who like twists |
| Layla | Colleen Hoover | Adult | readers who like paranormal romance |
| Maybe Someday | Colleen Hoover | Adult | readers who like music |
| Love on the Brain | Ali Hazelwood | Adult | readers who like STEM romance |
1. Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
A couple navigates co-parenting and the music industry. Deep and emotional.
Best for: second-chance love.
2. The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan
A man with a powerful family and a woman with her own mission collide. Intense and glossy.
Best for: political romance.
3. Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
A basketball star and a woman with a hidden past fight for each other. Gripping and sensitive.
Best for: sports romance.
4. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A fictional 1970s band told in interview form. Addictive and bittersweet.
Best for: rock band.
5. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Four siblings throw a legendary party in 1983. Breezy and emotional.
Best for: siblings and a party.
6. Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A retired tennis champion returns to the court. Fierce and moving.
Best for: sports drama.
7. Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Chloe, who has a chronic illness, makes a list to live more boldly and enlists her building super. Funny and steamy.
Best for: readers who like spicy romance.
8. Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
A woman in the Underground Railroad era meets a man and a mission. Heartfelt and well researched.
Best for: historical with depth.
9. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
A woman faces a difficult relationship. Heavy, widely read and discussed.
Best for: emotional contemporary.
10. Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
Kenna returns home after prison and tries to see her daughter. Emotional and hopeful.
Best for: readers who like second chances.
11. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
Tate and Miles agree to a no-strings arrangement that is not as simple as it seems. Emotional and steamy.
Best for: readers who like angst.
12. Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
Sky has a sheltered life, until she meets Dean Holder and her past unravels. Emotional with big twists.
Best for: readers who like twists.
13. Layla by Colleen Hoover
Leeds and Layla's love is tested by a violent attack and a supernatural twist. Dark and emotional.
Best for: readers who like paranormal romance.
14. Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
Sydney and Ridge connect through music and a hard choice. Romantic and musical.
Best for: readers who like music.
15. Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
A neuroscientist works with her old rival at NASA. Funny and fast.
Best for: readers who like STEM romance.
How to Choose
For more Ryan begin with Before I Let Go or The Kingmaker. For fame and ambition choose Taylor Jenkins Reid. For Black romance pick Talia Hibbert or Beverly Jenkins. For emotional drama read Colleen Hoover. Ryan's novels deal with serious topics, so these picks suit readers who want depth. Ryan's books are known for lyrical prose and for addressing racism, abuse and ambition within love stories. Her work has attracted many fans on book social media.
Related: Elle Kennedy Printable Book List · 15 Best Books on the Kennedy Family: Biographies, Memoirs and History
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kennedy Ryan?
An American author of contemporary romance.
Where should I start?
With Before I Let Go or The Kingmaker.
Are her books steamy?
Yes, with mature content.
Are they standalone?
Several are series, though many can stand alone.
Are they emotional?
Very.
Do they cover heavy topics?
Yes, including race and trauma.
Is she popular?
Yes, a bestselling romance author.
What should I read next?
Try Daisy Jones & The Six or Get a Life, Chloe Brown.
Which book here is best for rock band?
Try Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which suits readers looking for rock band.
Which book here is best for readers who like spicy romance?
Try Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert, which suits readers looking for readers who like spicy romance.
Which book here is best for readers who like second chances?
Try Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, which suits readers looking for readers who like second chances.
Which book here is best for readers who like paranormal romance?
Try Layla by Colleen Hoover, which suits readers looking for readers who like paranormal romance.