Whether you’re in the throes of a fresh breakup wound or reflecting on relationships gone by, books can be a welcomed distraction to explore, connect and heal. Some might offer comfort, others validation. Or they may just give you a few laughs while you’re down.
From thoughtful memoirs to hopeful fiction, here are 10 books to keep you company through the ache – because sometimes, the right story is the best kind of healing.
Notes on Heartbreak by Annie Lord
Lord’s honest memoir tracks her own experience of the breakup of a long term relationship. It embraces every emotion – grief, nostalgia, hope – while reminding us that friendship can be a powerful balm for heartbreak.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
If you need a break from doom-scrolling and social media stalking, Open Water offers a different kind of escape – one that’s immersive and deeply felt. Through the story of two young Black artists in London, Nelson explores love, vulnerability and identity, capturing both the beauty and heartbreak of human connection.
Good Material, Dolly Alderton
Beloved for her insights on love and relationships, Alderton flips the script and offers a breakup story from a male perspective. Witty and full of emotional depth, it perfectly captures the complexities of modern dating. With her signature warmth and humour, she once again proves why she’s a defining voice of our generation.
Conversations on Love, Natasha Lunn
A heartfelt exploration of love in all its forms, Conversations on Love brings together essays from a range of writers – including Philippa Perry, Candice Carty-Williams and Esther Perel – offering wisdom and comfort even amidst heartbreak. From embracing solitude to navigating change, this collection reminds us what it truly means to connect – with others and ourselves.
Heartburn, Nora Ephron
A witty novel based on Ephron’s high-profile divorce. She effortlessly blends heartbreak and humour as her protagonist, Rachel Samstat, navigates betrayal, pregnancy and loss. Packed with Ephron’s signature playfulness and even a few recipes, it’s a cathartic, darkly funny take on heartbreak and resilience
High Fidelity, Nick Hornby
Hornby delivers a brilliantly flawed yet oddly endearing protagonist in Rob, a music-obsessed record store owner reeling from a breakup. Revisiting his past relationships in search of where it all went wrong, High Fidelity offers an unfiltered look at male heartbreak. Perfect for music lovers and fans of self – absorbed narrators – just remember, it’s a product of the 90s.
Modern Love, Daniel Jones
A collection of essays from the popular New York Times column curated by editor Daniel Jones features personal stories about love in all its forms. Exploring the complexities of human connection with warmth, honesty and emotional depth. A moving reminder of love’s ever-evolving nature.
All About Love, Bell Hooks
If you’re looking for a deeper, more thought-provoking take on love, this is essential reading. Blending philosophy, memoir and cultural critique, Hooks offers a powerful redefinition of what it truly means to love and be loved.
Arrangements in Blue, Amy Key
Rarely discussed but deeply felt, the ache of unfulfilled desire takes centre stage in Arrangements in Blue. Inspired by Joni Mitchell’s Blue, Key weaves a lyrical memoir that explores the complexities of solitude. She celebrates the richness of a life lived outside traditional relationships, offering a powerful reminder that fulfilment comes in many forms.
Really Good, Actually, Monica Heisey
Need a good belly laugh? This delivers all the chaos and sharp wit you’d expect from Monica Heisey. Following one woman’s messy search for joy after an unexpected breakup, this novel perfectly captures the absurdity of heartbreak – and the surprising, often ridiculous ways we piece ourselves back together.