14 Books like 'Everything I Know About Love' That Will Speak to Your Heart

Have you ever questioned whether relationships, love, and self-discovery will always be this difficult? If Dolly Alderton's humorous and poignant journey through 'Everything I Know About Love' made you nod, then fasten your seatbelt! You're going to read 14 books like 'Everything I Know About Love' that will make you reflect, laugh, and possibly cry.

Alderton's must-read is an honest and humorous memoir that follows her from adolescence to early adulthood. She mixes humor and vulnerability to provide insights into the highs and lows of growing up through stories of romantic relationships, memorable female friendships, and the process of self-discovery.

Anyone attempting to make sense of their own life journey will find her storytelling to be the ideal companion due to its warmth and brutal honesty. Are you looking for more stories that touch your heart and highlight the beauty of self-discovery? 

Get key takeaways and conclusions from transformative books on Headway in just a few minutes. Our daily growth app makes it simple to stay motivated and continue learning — our library includes over 2,000 book summaries of nonfiction titles.

Download Headway and deepen your knowledge about love and relationships!

Quick answer: Six books like 'Everything I Know About Love'

1. 'Ghosts' by Dolly Alderton — Alderton's debut tells a humorous and poignant tale about love, modern adulthood, and negotiating the difficulties of female friendships.

2. 'Adults' by Emma Jane Unsworth — This book examines relationships, self-doubt, and the confusion of adulthood in a darkly humorous dive into the challenges of growing up.

3. 'Conversations with Friends' by Sally Rooney — An incisive and perceptive examination of love, treachery, and the complex realm of relationships, particularly in the context of young adults.

4. 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' by Ottessa Moshfegh — A satirical and occasionally eerie tale of a young woman who attempts to escape her emotional burdens by checking out of life.

5. 'Eat Pray Love: One Woman's Search For Everything' by Elizabeth Gilbert — A woman's quest for self-discovery while traveling the world to recover from a traumatic divorce is chronicled in this memoir.

6. 'In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss' by Amy Bloom — This memoir examines the unvarnished experience of caring for a partner who is near death, offering a profoundly poignant story of love and loss.

Long after you've finished reading these six books, you'll still be thinking about how they vividly depict themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery. However, you shouldn't stop here — here's the complete list to check out!

Top 14 unforgettable books like 'Everything I Know About Love'

You're in for a treat if you enjoy reading about the complexities of relationships, personal development, and life's unexpected turns.

1. 'Ghosts' by Dolly Alderton

Dolly Alderton, already a Sunday Times bestselling author, delivers once again with her debut novel, 'Ghosts.' In the book, Nina Dean, a woman in her 30s, is trying to figure out love while dealing with family issues, financial stress, and the constant pressure from social media.

It's a messy but real look at the challenges of modern life. Nina deals with waning friendships and career struggles. Her journey is incredibly captivating and relatable, particularly for people in their twenties and thirties.

Similarities between the books:

• In both novels, the messiness of relationships and their difficulties are portrayed. 

• Both stories include female friendships and how influential they can be. 

• They capture the highs and lows of daily life, and they feel authentic and relatable.

2. 'Dear Dolly: Collected Wisdom' by Dolly Alderton

Alderton wrote this collection of advice columns in short story format. She offers thoughtful and relatable answers to a lot of reader questions, covering everything from breakups and friendship problems to personal issues. She gives practical, caring advice with her trademark humor, drawing on her own life experiences.

Dealing with family drama? Going through a tough breakup? If so, then you should definitely read this collection of wisdom. In it, you'll find reassuring advice and insights that will help you with your real-life issues.

Similarities between the books:

• Both stories address the intricacies of relationships, demonstrating how they test and develop us.

• They include the depiction of female friendships, their importance, and examples of how connections like these impact us.

• Both books examine the true hardships of love, breakups, and navigating life's curveballs.

3. 'Adults' by Emma Jane Unsworth

'Adults' is a funny but heartfelt look at a woman's emotional problems as she deals with the messiness of being an adult in today's world. Jenny is in her 30s and lives in London. She has money problems and family drama. 

The story uses humor and sharp satire to explore the pressures of growing up in the age of Instagram, while also questioning the unrealistic expectations placed on women.

Similarities between the books:

• Both books include modern relationships and the difficulties couples face, especially the ones that challenge their personal development and growth.

• Both share the narrative of female friendships, their importance, and how they influence our lives.

• These stories are highly relatable and capture the highs and lows of romantic relationships and personal development.

4. 'Conversations with Friends' by Sally Rooney

'Conversations with Friends' chronicles the complicated lives of Frances and Bobbi, two college students, who become entangled in the lives of Melissa and Nick, an older married couple. Frances faces a variety of personal and professional obstacles as she struggles with her feelings for Nick and her changing friendship with Bobbi. 

The narrative delves deeply into the characters' emotional and psychological complexity while providing a perceptive examination of contemporary relationships. Readers are drawn into the characters' inner lives by Rooney's engrossing and reflective prose. This gripping read's themes of love, jealousy, and self-discovery will stay with you.

Similarities between the books:

• The two novels are about young women who are in messy, often unequal relationships with older men.

• They both look at emotions that can be difficult to explain, including unrequited love, cheating, and complicated desires. 

• The main characters are individuals traversing their own self-discovery, reckoning with who they are, and all the works and challenges that come with relationships.

5. 'How to Fail: Everything I've Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong' by Elizabeth Day

In her memoir and self-help book, Elizabeth Day discusses how she faced failure and the important lessons she learned from it. Day shares her experiences with relationships, her career, and personal development in a series of frank essays, demonstrating how her setbacks have molded her into the person she is today.

The book offers a relatable and uplifting read with the ideal balance of humor, vulnerability, and perceptive reflections. Day's writing is a touching story with an actionable set of advice, which inspires readers to take action and accept failures as motivators that will channel their self-improvement.

Similarities between the books:

• Both texts take you through the wonderful, yet messy work of personal growth and how challenging times become opportunities for learning. 

• They emphasize the tenacity and self-acceptance that create a sense of strength when you face failures and challenges. 

• The narratives model an authentic and realistic way of overcoming life's challenges and figuring out how to be your best self.

6. 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation' by Ottessa Moshfegh

A woman who chooses to take a year off to concentrate only on sleep and self-care is the subject of Ottessa Moshfegh's 'My Year of Rest and Relaxation.' Throughout the year, the main character, an unidentified art history graduate of Columbia University, uses prescription medications to aid in her sleep. 

The book, the plot of which is set in New York City in 2000 and 2001, examines mental health and personal healing in a candid and introspective manner. Moshfegh's writing captivates and provokes readers by drawing them into the protagonist's emotional and psychological journey.

Similarities between the books:

• Both novels examine how life and relationships shape our identities, outlining how social pressures and personal relationships shape the characters' sense of self.

• The narrative follows the chaotic, uncertain process of self-discovery, displaying both the failures and the enlightening lessons that characters learn.

• The books combine comedy with brutal honesty that grounds the characters' challenges in reality, while still feeling relevant and identifiable.

7. 'So Lucky' by Dawn O'Porter

Dawn O'Porter's novel, 'So Lucky,' follows the lives of three women, including Beth, a wedding planner. She is very successful in her career, but suffers in her personal life — even in the area of intimacy. Lauren, an Instagram model, shares her version of life on social media but keeps the reality of her experiences, which can be a disaster, hidden.

Ruby, a single mother, is grappling with a physical issue that impacts her day-to-day experience of life and her relationship with her daughter. The story is engaging, emotional, and thought-provoking, as it also explores the balance of personal insecurities and social expectations.

Similarities between the books:

• The main themes of both novels represent how women feel pressured to present a perfect image while revealing the complicated realities they conceal behind that image.

• Both texts explore women's insecurities concerning love, body image, or health, and how such issues can shake a woman's sense of self.

• Both texts provide a perspective on what it is like for a woman to contend with vulnerability, expectation, and connection.

8. 'Three Women' by Lisa Taddeo

This book provides a compelling and personal look into the emotional and sexual lives of three American women. It examines their desires and relationships with family, community, and other women, all of which are based on true stories. 

Taddeo devoted more than 10 years to exposing the intricacies of their sexual lives and the obstacles they encounter when trying to fulfill their actual desires. 'Three Women' also clarifies the power struggles, social pressures, and injustices that influence their relationships. 

In this compelling and thought-provoking read, Taddeo creates a genuine, emotional portrait of these women through lyrical writing and immersive storytelling.

Similarities between the books:

• Both novels explore intimacy, identity, and vulnerability as they delve into frequently unsaid challenges that women encounter in their relationships.

• They highlight how cultural norms and societal expectations influence women's decisions about love and personal development.

• Each story portrays women pushing social boundaries, recounting their journeys to being self-determined, and the emotional burdens of creating their own voices.

9. 'Eat Pray Love: One Woman's Search For Everything' by Elizabeth Gilbert

'Eat Pray Love' chronicles a year-long trip through Italy, India, and Indonesia, which was spurred by the fallout from a traumatic divorce. Gilbert rediscovers pleasure and happiness in Italy by embracing the delight of delectable cuisine and the allure of Rome. She goes to an ashram in India to confront her inner demons and seek spiritual serenity.

Finally, she strikes a balance between enjoyment and spirituality in Indonesia, which results in a profound personal metamorphosis. Gilbert's memoir offers serious thoughts on finding balance in life, along with a sincere and inspiring journey of healing and self-discovery.

Similarities between the books:

• In both novels, the female protagonists use self-exploration and new experiences to heal and learn about their authentic selves.

• They examine the difficulty of pursuing personal fulfillment, demonstrating how women attempt to strike a balance between their relationships and independence.

• Each book investigates the power of vulnerability, showing that being brave in facing fears and accepting flaws can lead to self-exploration and a deeper understanding of life and love.

10. 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney

The New York Times bestseller written by Sally Rooney explores two main themes: interpersonal relationships and personal development. The narrative tracks two young people, Connell and Marianne, from a small Irish town as they deal with friendship, love, and everything in between. 

Their lives intersect and diverge from high school to college, influenced by their disparate social and economic backgrounds as well as their feelings for one another. Rooney's thorough examination of their emotional journeys makes this book particularly interesting.

'Normal People' is memorable because of the way Rooney addresses topics like class and personal development, which gives the characters genuine depth.

Similarities between the books:

• In each book, the characters are seeking equilibrium between their own desires and the burden of their backstory, examining the impact of social and class differences on their social relationships. 

• They also show how emotions shift and develop as the characters experience different stages of their lives, and really capture the messy, ever-changing cycle of love and friendship.

• One of the biggest themes in each story is the emotional back-and-forth of figuring out who you are while still maintaining a connection to someone else.

11. 'Good Material' by Dolly Alderton

'Good Material' follows Andy, a stand-up comedian whose career and personal life are both stuck in a rut. The book digs into the aftermath of a painful breakup, exploring Andy's struggles with identity, heartbreak, and the messy realities of adulthood. 

Through his stand-up routines and moments with friends and family, Alderton touches on themes of love, loss, and finding meaning in an unpredictable world. With her trademark wit and sharp observations of modern relationships, 'Good Material' offers a deeply relatable read.

Similarities between the books:

• Both novels examine recovering from a significant emotional setback, showing how self-awareness is shaped by struggles in both love and the workplace.

• They give a candid look at the highs and lows of adult life by concentrating on the conflict between the desire to succeed in one's career and romance.

• Each of the books confronts revealing truths about love and being vulnerable.

12. 'In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss' by Amy Bloom

Amy Bloom's memoir movingly chronicles her husband's battle with Alzheimer's disease, and their decision to help him end his life in Switzerland. The memoir addresses love, loss, and the consequences of such a monumental decision.

With unvarnished beauty and honesty, Bloom writes about her experience providing care, her strong relationship with her husband, Brian, and the agonizing reality of dying. The story offers readers a poignant look at the enduring power of love and the tough decisions we occasionally have to make.

Similarities between the books:

• Both books offer an open and heartfelt look at the complexities of love and how relationships change when faced with difficult circumstances.

• In both novels, love and loss are detailed positively through how events change characters' personalities and shape their view of the world.

• These books feel personal and relatable as each story reflects the strength and vulnerability that are much needed when difficulties happen.

13. 'Grown Ups' by Marian Keyes

'Grown Ups' by Marian Keyes is humorous and perceptive, as it examines the themes of secrets, family, and adulthood. The Casey family, a large, rowdy Irish clan, is the focus of the narrative as they navigate the highs and lows of their relationships. The family's carefully concealed conflicts surface over the course of a year, particularly at a significant family get-together. 

While maintaining the appearance of having everything together, each character faces their own challenges, such as financial difficulties or old grudges. 'Grown Ups' is a relatable and enjoyable read about the messy realities of family life because of Keyes's incisive, kind, and humorous writing.

Similarities between the books: 

• These novels explore the disconnect between the external world and people's inner struggles, illustrating the characters' attempts to maintain appearances while juggling emotional and financial problems.

• They emphasize the importance of family and intimate relationships in forming our identities.

• The humor and observations from each book offer a candid look at adulthood and the difficulties of maturing.

14. 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones

The compelling tale of Celestial and Roy, a married couple whose lives are ripped apart when Roy is wrongfully imprisoned, is the theme of Tayari Jones' New York Times bestseller. 

The book provides a candid and nuanced look at love, loyalty, and the difficulties that accompany it by examining the profound emotional and psychological effects this incident has on their relationship. 'An American Marriage' is a memorable book that engages readers on a personal level through its deep, character-driven story.

Similarities between the books: 

• Both stories examine how interpersonal relationships are put to the test by outside forces, such as societal pressures or wrongful imprisonment

• They both highlight the contrast between romanticized love and its messy reality.

• Both stories center on the effects of personal development on relationships, illustrating how each character must change to deal with emotional complexity.

Lost in love and self-discovery? Embrace Headway as your growth companion

Are you having trouble finding the time to finish a book? That happens with readers worldwide more often than you think. You can enjoy the main ideas of books like 'Everything I Know About Love' without having to invest a lot of time, thanks to Headway's book summaries.

Our daily growth app speeds up your learning, regardless of your preference for reading a few pages at a time or completing a summary all at once. Additionally, progress tracking and daily streaks will inspire you to keep going. Join the millions of people who are incorporating reading into their daily lives.

Download the Headway app and begin microlearning now!