Books like Since You've Been Gone

A sun-drenched, playlist-fueled summer of stepping out of your comfort zone and finding out who you are when nobody else is looking. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Since You've Been Gone.

sun-drenched
bittersweet
adventurous
breezy

01
Second Chance Summer
Morgan Matson
A bittersweet, sun-drenched summer of rekindled love and inevitable goodbyes.
Shares:
- sun-drenched
- bittersweet
- earnest
- nostalgic
02
The unexpected everything
Morgan Matson
A breezy, big-hearted contemporary read about the messy, beautiful chaos that ensues when perfectly laid plans fall apart.
Shares:
- breezy
- earnest
03
Goodbye stranger
Rebecca Stead
A tender, deeply observant exploration of the exact moment when childhood friendships begin to stretch, fray, and reshape themselves.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- earnest
- nostalgic
04
By Your Side
Kasie West
A cozy, snowed-in romance that wraps you in the warmth of unexpected connection and the relief of finally being seen.
Shares:
- earnest
- hopeful
05
The fill-in boyfriend
Kasie West
A sweet, trope-driven high school romance where a desperate prom-night lie blossoms into a genuine, swoon-worthy connection.
Shares:
- earnest
- hopeful
- nostalgic
06
Where She Went
Gayle Forman
A raw, nocturnal journey through the streets of New York and the jagged edges of a broken heart, searching for closure and a second chance.
Shares:
- earnest
07
Letters to the lost
Brigid Kemmerer
An intimate, emotionally charged exploration of how two broken people can help piece each other back together through the safety of shared words.
Shares:
- earnest
- hopeful
08
Someone Like You
Sarah Dessen · 1998
A tender, bittersweet exploration of how the fierce loyalty of best friends can anchor you when the world suddenly tilts on its axis.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- earnest
09
Girl Online
Zoe Sugg
A warm, diary-style journey of healing a broken heart through new friendships and creative passions.
Shares:
- earnest
- hopeful
10
You've Reached Sam
Dustin Thao
A tender, tear-soaked exploration of first love and the agonizing, beautiful difficulty of saying a final goodbye.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- earnest
11
The truth about forever
Sarah Dessen
A sun-soaked summer of chaotic catering gigs, found family, and learning to let go of the need to be perfect.
Shares:
- sun-drenched
- bittersweet
- earnest
- hopeful
12
Audrey, wait!
Robin Benway
A frenetic, sun-drenched joyride through the chaos of accidental fame and teenage romance.
Shares:
- sun-drenched

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