Books Like The Fault in Our Stars: 12 Reads You'll Love
If you want more of The Fault in Our Stars's first love, start with Five Feet Apart.
Updated July 2026
Books like The Fault in Our Stars: 12 picks. Hand-picked reads with the same mood and themes, from Five Feet Apart to Me Before You.
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12 books like The Fault in Our Stars
A ranked list of books similar to The Fault in Our Stars — if you liked it, start at the top and work down. Each pick includes why it works and who it's for.
Five Feet Apart
If you loved the forbidden romance and high emotional stakes in The Fault in Our Stars, you'll definitely connect with Stella and Will. They both battle cystic fibrosis and must stay a life-threatening five feet apart, creating a similar heartbreaking tension as Hazel and Gus navigated their illnesses. What's different is the direct physical barrier to their love, adding a unique layer of urgency. This one's perfect if you're looking for another intense, poignant love story against impossible odds.
Me Before You
by Jojo Moyes
Just like The Fault in Our Stars, this book explores profound questions about life, quality of life, and finding joy amidst life-altering illness. Louisa takes a job caring for Will, a wealthy quadriplegic, leading to a deep connection that challenges both their perspectives. While it's a bit more adult contemporary than YA, the emotional depth and focus on choosing how to live are very resonant. Pick this up if you're ready for another story that will make you laugh, cry, and think deeply about difficult choices.
All the Bright Places
The profound connection between Violet Markey and Theodore Finch, both struggling with their own demons, is very reminiscent of Hazel and Gus's bond. They find solace and understanding in each other, exploring themes of mental health, first love, and the impact one person can have on another. This story is raw and beautifully written, delving into the complexities of human emotion with honesty. It's a must-read if you appreciate intense emotional connections and stories that tackle mental health with sensitivity.
A Walk to Remember
This classic Sparks novel delivers that raw, heartfelt romance and ultimate sorrow you found in The Fault In Our Stars. Landon, a popular boy, falls for Jamie, the quiet, religious daughter of a minister, and their love is tested when tragedy strikes. It captures that intense, pure first love against a backdrop of illness and self-discovery. If you're looking for a foundational story that embodies tragic romance and unwavering devotion, this is a solid choice.
Eleanor & Park
While not centered on illness, Eleanor & Park perfectly captures the intense, all-consuming feeling of first love and finding your soulmate, much like Hazel and Gus. Set in the 80s, two misfits find deep connection and acceptance on the school bus, navigating their complicated lives together. What’s unique is its nostalgic, almost lyrical quality, focusing on emotional intimacy and belonging. You'll love this if you're chasing that sweet, powerful, and utterly unique first-love story.
If I Stay
by Gayle Forman
Mia Hall, a talented cellist, finds herself in a coma after a devastating car accident, observing her loved ones and reliving her life, especially her intense love with Adam. This echoes the profound questions about life, death, and the power of love that thread through The Fault In Our Stars. It explores the choice to live, or let go, in a deeply emotional way. This pick is perfect if you’re drawn to stories of resilience, grief, and the enduring strength of human bonds.
Every Day
A wakes up in a different body every single day, never knowing where or as whom they'll be. When A falls in love with Rhiannon, their relationship becomes a beautiful, challenging exploration of what true love really means beyond physical form, similar to the profound connection Hazel and Gus shared. It's unique in its philosophical take on identity and connection. Read this if you want a creatively imagined love story that makes you ponder the very nature of love itself.
Looking for Alaska
by John Green
It's another John Green, so you're getting that signature witty banter, philosophical musings, and deeply felt emotional journey you adored in The Fault In Our Stars. Miles 'Pudge' Halter falls in love with the enigmatic Alaska Young at boarding school, and their intense connection leads to both joy and tragedy. While the theme isn't illness, it explores profound loss and the search for meaning in a similar vein. If you crave John Green's distinctive voice and insightful character dynamics, you can't go wrong here.
The Sun Is Also a Star
by Nicola Yoon
This novel offers an intense, whirlwind romance that blooms over a single day, much like the concentrated emotional punch of Hazel and Gus's journey. Natasha, an undocumented immigrant, is facing deportation, while Daniel is on his way to an interview for Yale. Their immediate, electric connection in unlikely circumstances makes for a powerful love story. It uniquely interweaves fate, immigration, and family stories into the romance. Pick this if you love a heartfelt, character-driven romance with big stakes.
I'll Give You the Sun
by Jandy Nelson
This book delves into intense sibling love, loss, and the complexities of finding your way after tragedy, echoing the deep emotional resonance of The Fault In Our Stars. Jude and Noah are inseparable twins whose bond is fractured by family secrets and misunderstandings. The narrative beautifully weaves past and present, exploring art, grief, and unconventional love. It's more about intricate family dynamics, but the emotional depth is truly captivating. Read this for a powerful, beautifully written story about healing and rediscovery.
They Both Die at the End
by Adam Silvera
If you appreciated the frank discussion of mortality and making the most of a limited time in The Fault In Our Stars, this book takes it to an intense new level. Mateo and Rufus learn they have less than 24 hours to live and find each other through an app designed for 'End Day' friends. It's a powerful and profoundly moving story about living a lifetime in a single day. What's distinct is the known endpoint, creating amazing emotional urgency. This is for you if you want a book that really makes you think about how you live and love.
Love & Gelato
While lighter in tone than The Fault In Our Stars, this book shares that wonderful blend of young love, self-discovery, and finding connection in unexpected places. Lina travels to Tuscany for the summer after her mother's death, uncovering her mother's past and falling for the charming Ren. It celebrates the journey of healing and new beginnings through a heartwarming romance. If you're looking for a story with less overt tragedy but still plenty of heart and a dash of adventure, this is a delightful choice.
Why readers loved The Fault in Our Stars
Remember that feeling when you closed [The Fault in Our Stars](/book/the-fault-in-our-stars)? That bittersweet ache, the echo of Hazel and Gus's witty banter, the quiet understanding of their impossible love? You're not alone. That book just *gets* you, doesn't it? It’s a story that hugs your heart tight and then punches you in the gut, leaving you a bit breathless but ultimately grateful for the ride. If you're chasing that unique blend of profound emotion, sharp dialogue, and characters who face tremendous challenges with incredible grace, then consider this your literary comfort zone. You're here for the real stuff, and we've got it.
Across thousands of reviews, readers keep coming back to the same notes: first love, romance, grief. Every book on this list was chosen because it delivers on at least two of those threads.
Shared themes & tropes
The threads that connect these recommendations to The Fault in Our Stars.
Who this list is for
Age group
Genre fit
Perfect for readers who want…
- first love — without losing what made The Fault in Our Stars special.
- romance — without losing what made The Fault in Our Stars special.
- grief — without losing what made The Fault in Our Stars special.
- illness — without losing what made The Fault in Our Stars special.
- tragedy — without losing what made The Fault in Our Stars special.
- coming of age — without losing what made The Fault in Our Stars special.
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