If The Last Letter left you teary-eyed, hugging the book, and craving another story that blends deep love, aching loss, and the kind of words that linger long after they’re read, you’re in the right place. I’ve gathered twenty novels that feel like a friend whispering secrets through a letter. Some are heart-pounding romances, others are quiet historical gems, but all of them capture that same magic of love surviving distance, war, and time. Grab a cozy blanket and a box of tissues, these are the best books similar to The Last Letter, you’ll want to disappear into next.
Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole

If The Last Letter made your heart ache in the best way, you need to read this. It’s told completely through letters between a Scottish poet and an American student during WWI, and every page feels like you’re peeking into someone’s most private thoughts. There’s war, danger, and the kind of love that has to survive oceans and silence. I finished it with a lump in my throat and a smile that wouldn’t quit.
Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger

This one is a total charmer. Imagine falling for someone in high school, losing touch, and then -twenty years later- realizing you might have let “the one” slip away. The story unfolds through letters, diary entries, emails, and even lists, making it feel alive and funny while still tugging at every heartstring. It’s clever, bittersweet, and impossible not to root for.
Full Tilt by Emma Scott

Get the tissues ready for this one. It’s about a dying artist who teaches a guarded woman how to really live, and their love feels both fleeting and infinite. There aren’t actual letters, but the emotional intensity and quiet, life-changing romance hit exactly the same spot.
Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern

This is basically the ultimate “will they/won’t they” love story told through decades of letters, emails, and texts. Rosie and Alex are clearly meant to be together, but life keeps throwing curveballs. You’ll laugh, groan, and maybe yell at the book as you watch them miss each other over and over. If you love the slow build of connection in The Last Letter, this is pure magic.
Possession by A. S. Byatt

For a more literary twist, try this modern-classic romance. Two scholars discover a hidden trove of Victorian love letters and slowly piece together a secret affair while falling for each other in the process. It’s lush, smart, and full of mystery, with that delicious “love hidden in words” feeling that Yarros fans crave. Perfect if you’re looking for books similar to The Last Letter!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

This book is pure comfort even as it tackles post-WWII scars. It’s told through letters between a writer and the quirky residents of Guernsey, and it’s filled with friendship, resilience, and a gentle romance. Reading it feels like joining a warm circle of pen pals who remind you that even after great loss, love and laughter survive.
The Wild Irish Girl by Sydney Owenson

Here’s a throwback with a lot of heart. Written in the 19th century, it’s about an Englishman who travels to wild, beautiful Ireland and falls for a strong-willed Irish heroine. Their love plays out through letters that debate culture and class while brimming with secret longing. It’s surprisingly modern in its emotional pull.
Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock

This one is pure art, literally. You’ll actually open real letters and postcards between Griffin and the mysterious Sabine as their relationship deepens and becomes a little eerie. It’s romantic, mysterious, and beautifully illustrated, like a love story you can hold in your hands.
Clara Howard by Charles Brockden Brown

An oldie but a goodie, this early American epistolary novel proves love letters never go out of style. It’s full of passionate confessions, moral dilemmas, and the thrill of words carrying more weight than any spoken conversation. If you enjoy the timeless intimacy of The Last Letter, this scratches that itch.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Okay, not technically a letter-based book, but it has the same bittersweet power. Set during WWII, it follows a blind French girl and a German boy whose lives collide in the most unexpected way. It’s sweeping, heartbreaking, and full of small moments that feel as intimate as a whispered confession. Don’t forget to check the best books similar to All the Light We Cannot See!
The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros

If you loved The Last Letter, this is Yarros delivering another knockout. It weaves a WWII love story with a modern romance, complete with secret letters and impossible choices. The emotions run high, and the writing is every bit as addictive as you’d hope. That’s why you should give it a chance if you are looking for books similar to The Last Letter.
Enduring Love by Ian McEwan

If you like your love stories with a side of suspense, this psychological drama delivers. A single accident binds two strangers together in a way that spirals into obsession. Letters and shifting viewpoints slowly reveal how love can turn dangerous and it’s impossible to look away.
Broken Knight by L.J. Shen

For those who like their romance angsty and a little messy, this is pure catnip. Childhood friends turned lovers face family tragedy, fame, and painful secrets before they can finally admit what they mean to each other. It’s raw, addictive, and packed with the kind of emotional confessions you live for.
Promises We Meant to Keep by Monica Murphy

This second-chance romance is all about old promises and the kind of love that refuses to stay buried. It’s heartfelt and hopeful, with enough emotional twists to keep you glued to the page. Perfect if you loved the lingering tension and deep feelings of The Last Letter.
Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay

Part thriller, part love story, this one follows a man whose missing wife suddenly reappears years later. Secrets, letters, and revelations unfold in a way that keeps your heart pounding. It’s a great pick if you liked the mix of romance and high-stakes emotion in Yarros’s book.
Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

A warm, swoony historical romance where a shy young woman secretly writes letters to a war-weary soldier on behalf of her friend, then falls in love herself. When the soldier comes home, the truth has to come out. Think of it as The Last Letter with a Victorian twist.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

If you were drawn to the military backdrop and sacrifice in The Last Letter, this WWII story of two sisters fighting for survival will leave you breathless. It’s about courage, love, and the impossible choices war demands, and it stays with you long after the last page. Check the best books like The Nightingale!
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

This one is a heartbreaker in the best way. A young woman becomes a caregiver for a man who’s lost his will to live, and together they change each other’s lives. It’s funny, romantic, and devastating, with the same “love is worth every risk” message that made The Last Letter unforgettable. Don’t forget to check our list of the best books like Me Before You!
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Set in the wilds of Alaska, this story of survival, first love, and family resilience is as fierce as it is tender. The landscape itself becomes a test of love and courage, echoing the emotional storms Yarros writes so well.
Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan

If you loved the quiet, soul-deep connection in The Last Letter, Archer will steal your heart. He’s a silent hero with a traumatic past, and his romance with Bree unfolds with slow, breathtaking intensity. It’s about healing, trust, and the words we don’t need to speak to be understood.
What are your favorite books similar to The Last Letter? Comment below and let us update the list!
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re chasing the exact same mix of heartfelt romance, military themes, and emotional letters, The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros is the closest match. It has dual timelines, a WWII love story, and the same raw emotional pull that keeps you up all night.
Yes! In addition to The Things We Leave Unfinished, check out In the Likely Event and Full Measures. Both have military backdrops, unforgettable characters, and that perfect balance of love and loss that Yarros writes so beautifully.
For a strong historical fix, try Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. Both rely heavily on letters to tell their stories and deliver that intimate, across-time connection.
While The Last Letter hasn’t been adapted, films like P.S. I Love You, The Vow, and The Last Letter from Your Lover (based on Jojo Moyes’s novel) carry a very similar emotional tone of love surviving loss and letters carrying life-changing truths.
Most of her romances are standalones, so you can dive into whichever calls to you. If you loved The Last Letter, many readers move next to The Things We Leave Unfinished and In the Likely Event before exploring her Flight & Glory series for more military romance.
