“When you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for somebody else.”
If you’re a fan of Katherine Center, you already know that her books are the perfect blend of heartfelt emotions, relatable characters and uplifting storytelling. Her stories, often centred around family, love and personal growth, leave readers feeling warm and inspired. But, what happens when you binge through all of her best works and are looking for more? Thankfully, plenty of authors write books like Katherine Center, offering the same emotional depth and feel-good charm. From contemporary romance to women’s fiction, join us today at What We Reading as we introduce you to the best authors similar to Katherine Center. Whether you’re searching for more heartwarming stories, relatable characters or tales about resilience and love, these writers have you covered!
Emily Henry
Emily Henry is known for her witty, heartwarming contemporary romance novels that dive deep into love, self-discovery, and complex relationships. Like Katherine Center, Henry crafts stories with relatable characters, emotional depth and the perfect blend of humour and sincerity. Her books often explore personal growth alongside romantic connections, leaving readers feeling uplifted and fulfilled.
Recommended Books:
- Beach Read: Two rival authors with writer’s block challenge each other to swap genres, leading to unexpected revelations and a touching romance.
- People We Meet on Vacation: A tale of two best friends who grapple with years of complicated friendship, travel and the possibility of love.
- Book Lovers: A delightful romance about a cutthroat literary agent who discovers love and personal growth within a quaint small town.
Why She’s Similar:
Fans of Katherine Center are sure to appreciate Emily Henry’s ability to mix humour, emotion and heartwarming moments. Both authors excel at creating characters you root for, stories that feel deeply personal and endings that leave you feeling hopeful. Much like Katherine Center, Henry’s novels are the perfect feel-good reads for anyone who loves modern-day romance with emotional depth.
Annabel Monaghan
Annabel Monaghan is rightly revered for her charming, witty contemporary fiction that explores love, family and the complexities of relationships. Like Katherine Center, she weaves heartfelt stories with relatable characters who experience personal growth and navigate life’s many highs and lows. Monaghan’s writing is full of warmth, humour and an uplifting perspective that keeps readers hooked.
Recommended Books:
- Nora Goes Off Script: A delightful rom-com about a screenwriter whose takes take a strange turn when a Hollywood actor stays in her guesthouse, blending humour, romance and heartwarming moments.
- Same Time Next Summer: A touching story about love and second chances, set against the backdrop of a nostalgic summer beach town.
Why She’s Similar:
Fans of Katherine Center will love Annabel Monaghan’s knack for crafting feel-good stories crammed full of humour, depth and relatable journeys of growth. Both authors excel at crafting characters you’ll root for and romances that are as heartwarming as they are entertaining.
Beth O’Leary
Beth O’Leary is a master of feel-good contemporary fiction, pulling together humour, heart and characters who feel like real people. Like Katherine Center, she is a dab hand at exploring themes of love, growth and the complexities that come from relationships. O’Leary’s books are both charming and thought-provoking, often tackling heavier subjects with warmth and sensitivity.
Recommended Books:
- The Flatshare: A quirky romance about two strangers sharing an apartment – but never meeting one another – until their notes left for each other evolve into something deeper.
- The Switch: A heartwarming story about a grandmother and granddaughter who switch lives for two months, rediscovering themselves along the way.
- The No-Show: A surprising and emotional story about three women stood up by the same man – and the unexpected connections that follow.
Why She’s Similar:
Readers who love Katherine Center’s uplifting and resonant novels will love Beth O’Leary’s ability to create heartwarming stories featuring relatable characters and meaningful themes. Both authors balance humour and sincerity, making their books perfect for readers looking for women’s fiction with depth and charm.
Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez is known for her heartfelt and humorous stories that beautifully balance laugh-out-loud moments with emotional depth. Like Katherine Center, Jimenez writes about love, personal growth and life’s many challenges, all while crafting characters that feel like old friends. Her stories are touching and uplifting in equal parts, making them irresistible for fans of feel-good fiction.
Recommended Books:
- The Friend Zone: A witty yet emotional story about love, friendship and overcoming life’s obstacles, featuring a heroine grappling with a life-altering decision.
- The Happy Ever After Playlist: A delightful tale about an unexpected romance sparked by a lost dog and the bond that grows between its owner and the heroine.
- Part of Your World: A poignant and swoon-worthy story of two people from different worlds, finding love and the courage to embrace change.
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Why She’s Similar:
Abby Jimenez and Katherine Center share a talent for creating relatable and resonant stories filled with warmth and humour. Both authors focus on themes of love, self-discovery and resilience, offering readers characters to root for and endings that leave them smiling. Jimenez’s books are perfect for fans of contemporary romance with heart and substance.
Sarah Adams
Sarah Adams is beloved for her lighthearted and sweet contemporary romances that prioritise humour, heart and swoon-worthy moments. Like Katherine Center, Adams writes stories that explore love, growth and the healing power of relationships. Her books are clean romances that feel like a warm hug and leave readers with a big smile.
Recommended Books:
- The Cheat Sheet: A charming, laugh-out-loud friends-to-lovers romance featuring a secretly pining best friend and a series of comical escapades.
- When in Rome: A sweet and quirky romance about a burned-out pop star who escapes to a small town and falls for the grumpy local baker who takes her in.
Why She’s Similar:
Fans of Katherine Center will love Sarah Adams’ ability to mix humour, heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters who are navigating love and life’s challenges. Both authors craft uplifting stories that balance emotional depth with feel-good charm, making Adams a perfect pick for anyone looking for a heartwarming romance read.
Elin Hilderbrand
Elin Hilderbrand is a master of escapist fiction, known for her captivating stories set in the picturesque Nantucket Island. Like Katherine Center, Hilderbrand writes about family, love and the complexities of life, all wrapped in warm, emotionally charged narratives. Her books often delve into themes of self-discovery and personal growth, with a focus on relationships that evolve through both joy and hardship.
Recommended Books:
- The Summer of ‘69: A multi-generational family saga set during a transformative summer, where familial bonds are tested and rekindled amidst love, loss and change.
- The Five-Star Weekend: A heartwarming tale of a woman navigating grief and friendship, with a group of close-knit friends gathering for a weekend of reflection and healing.
- 28 Summers: A sweeping love story that spans several decades, exploring the complexities of relationships and the impact of decisions made over time.
Why She’s Similar:
Fans of Katherine Center are sure to find plenty to love in Elin Hilderbrand’s emotionally rich stories about love, family and personal transformations. Both authors excel at creating relatable characters who experience profound emotional growth; their novels are brimming with heartwarming moments and touching resolutions. Hilderbrand’s evocative settings and deeply human stories make her books perfect for anyone looking for engaging feel-good fiction.
Rebecca Serle
Rebecca Serle is well-known for her emotionally powerful stories that blend romance and personal growth with a touch of magical realism. Like Katherine Center, Serle’s books explore themes of love, family and second chances, often honing in on the transformative power of relationships. Her writing combines heart and depth, drawing readers into poignant and memorable narratives that reflect life’s twists and turns.
Recommended Books:
- In Five Years: A thought-provoking and emotional novel about destiny, love and the unexpected paths life can lead us down as one woman experiences a glimpse into her future that changes everything.
- One Italian Summer: A heartwarming story of a woman’s journey of self-discovery, grief and healing while spending the summer in Italy with her late mother’s spirit guiding her.
- The Dinner List: A beautifully introspective novel about a woman who finds herself at a dinner party with five people from her past, confronting unresolved emotions and the choices that defined her life.
Why She’s Similar:
Anyone who loves Katherine Center’s ability to weave emotional depth with heartfelt storytelling is sure to find something they equally appreciate in Rebecca Serle’s books. Both authors focus on themes of love, personal growth and the way relationships shape our lives, offering readers rich, relatable characters and uplifting resolutions. Serle’s unique blend of emotional exploration and tender romance makes her a perfect fit for those who enjoy Katherine Center’s balance of heart and complexity.
Wrap Up
If you’re a fan of Katherine Center’s heartwarming, emotionally rich stories that explore love, resilience and personal growth, then these authors are sure to resonate with you. From the witty and heartfelt romances of Emily Henry to the charming escapism of Elin Hilderbrand, each of these authors brings their own unique voice to the themes we love – life’s ups and downs, complicated relationships and moments of transformation.
Whether you’re looking for emotional depth, laugh-out-loud moments or profound love stories, these authors offer something for every reader who is craving a book that leaves a lasting impression. So, dive into their worlds, and let their characters’ journeys inspire and uplift you in the same way Katherine Center’s novels do. With every page, you’ll discover new characters to root for and stories that remind us all of the beauty of human connection and the power of second chances.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
