When it comes to matters of the heart, there’s no one-size-fits-all form of advice — but the right book, at the right time, can make the deepest difference in your life.
Whether you’re newly single, in a grounded relationship, happily exploring your options, or navigating a disorienting heartbreak, the right collection of words can offer an empathetic and tender kind of guidance that is tailored to your unique situation. Books truly do have the power to help us understand ourselves, our connections, and the complexities of human relationships in ways that even our closest friends and family members sometimes can’t.
Maybe you’re single and looking for a way back home to yourself. Maybe you’re in a long-term relationship and you’re craving a deeper emotional connection. Maybe you’re going through a breakup, and looking for the right book that can act as a source of healing and empowerment when you need it the most. Wherever you sit on the spectrum of partnership — there’s a book out there that speaks directly to what you are weathering right now.
In this article we’ll match you up with some of the collections that carried us through our own relationships. We understand the power of words, and we hope these books will hold your heart in the ways they held ours.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Being single often comes with an endless spiral of questions — “Am I doing something wrong?” “Should I be trying harder?” “What if I never meet the right person?”
In You’re Overthinking It, Sabrina Bendory does a beautiful job of reminding you that love isn’t a puzzle to be solved, but rather, an experience to be enjoyed. Her book is a refreshing take on embracing your single years without allowing yourself to get wrapped up in the unnecessary stress and self-doubt that often comes with them.
Through humor, relatable advice and personal storytelling, Sabrina encourages and empowers you to stop obsessing over every dating app match, overanalyzing text messages, and second-guessing your desire. Instead, she has this beautiful way of shifting your focus to fostering confidence, strengthening your self-worth, and learning how to trust the process.
If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of overthinking your love life — this book is your permission to relax, enjoy the journey, and have faith in the fact that everything will fall into place.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Being in a relationship isn’t just about love — it’s also about self-awareness, emotional growth, and breaking the patterns that hold us back or keep us from truly opening up to those we care about.
The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest is a powerful book for anyone looking to deepen their connection, not just with their partner but with themselves. Relationships often reflect our inner struggles, and Brianna helps you to recognize your self-sabotaging behaviors and work through them with a strong degree of introspection and self-compassion.
This book is especially impactful for those in relationships because it emphasizes personal growth as the key to building a healthy, fulfilling partnership. Rather than focusing solely on external dynamics, it challenges you to look inward, identifying the emotional barriers that may be preventing true intimacy and connection in your life.
If you’re ready to strengthen your relationship by first strengthening yourself — this book is an essential read.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Heartbreak can often feel like an all-consuming storm that you don’t have the capacity to navigate at times, but A Gentle Reminder by Bianca Sparacino is the kind of book that feels like a warm hug on your darkest days. With poetic essays and the kind of reflections that act as a soft landing when the world feels too heavy to face, Bianca offers gentle, compassionate words for you when you’re struggling to move forward after losing the human beings you thought would be by your side forever.
This book isn’t about rushing the healing process — it’s about allowing yourself to feel, to grieve, and to rediscover the strength that exists inside of you at your own pace, and in your own way. A Gentle Reminder truly serves as a source of comfort, reminding you that you are still whole, still worthy, and still capable of love, even after having your heart broken by someone you deeply cared for.
If you need reassurance that you will be okay, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now — this book will hold all of your broken pieces back together.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Divorce is more than just the end of a marriage — it’s a profound shift in one’s identity, routine, expectations and faith in relationships. In And Yet — Here You Are, Eileen Lamb writes with raw honesty about the pain, the loss, and ultimately, the resilience that comes with having to start over and rebuild a life you never thought would break apart in the first place.
This book is for anyone who has felt the weight of an ending but is still standing, still breathing, and still moving forward. Eileen’s words remind you that while divorce can feel like a failure, it’s often the beginning of something new — something filled with unexpected strength, newfound growth, and even joy at times, even if you can’t trust in that right now. Whether you’re navigating co-parenting, reconnecting with who you are, or simply just trying to heal, this book will remind you that you are more than your past, and that there is still so much life ahead of you just waiting to be discovered.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Losing the person you thought you would build a future with is a pain that only few truly understand, and in If You’re Grieving, Jacqueline Whitney offers the most tender words to those navigating the depths of loss.
This book is a gentle, understanding companion for anyone struggling with the weight of grief, offering the kind of words that acknowledge the sorrow you are dealing with while also providing hope for healing. Jacqueline does a beautiful job at reminding you that there is life beyond loss, even if you feel like a part of you died alongside the person you miss with your whole heart.
Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and this book doesn’t try to rush the process. Instead, it offers empathy, compassion, and small poems that help to crack light into the days that feel the most dark. Whether you need to sit with your pain or find the strength to take another step forward, Jacqueline’s words will remind you that you’re not alone — and that your love, even in loss, still matters.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Situationships can be one of the most confusing and emotionally exhausting experiences when it comes to dating in this generation. You feel deeply connected to someone, and yet you exist somewhere between together and apart, oscillating between commitment and uncertainty.
In This Is Me Letting You Go, Heidi Priebe speaks directly to those caught in this frustrating in-between, offering reflections on love, loss, and the difficult art of moving on.
This book is an honest, sometimes painful, but ultimately empowering look at why we hold on to relationships that don’t fully serve us. If you’ve ever struggled with mixed signals, unfulfilled expectations, or the hope that things might change — Heidi’s words will give you the clarity and courage to finally let go, and to make room for the love you truly deserve.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Dating casually can be one of the most exciting, eye-opening experiences that has the ability to create a lot of possibilities in your life, but it can also be uncertain and fleeting at times. Moments To Hold Close by Molly Burford is a collection of reflections on embracing the present, savoring meaningful glimmers of light, and appreciating connections for what they are.
This book is perfect for those who are enjoying putting themselves out there when it comes to matters of the heart, and it’s written in a way that inspires you to stay mindful and intentional while you do so. It encourages you to focus on personal happiness, authentic relationships, and the beauty of experiences, rather than obsessing over labels or long-term outcomes.
If you’re in a season of exploration and openness, Moments To Hold Close will remind you to cherish the small pockets of genuine beauty that find you along your journey. It will truly open your eyes to what matters the most.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Long-distance relationships require a deeply foundational level of patience, trust, and a strong sense of individual groundedness. The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest is a book about transformation, resilience, and embracing change — qualities that are essential when you’re navigating love from a distance.
This book serves as a reminder that growth doesn’t just happen together, it also happens when you are apart, as well. Brianna’s words will encourage you to use the time you have on your own as an opportunity for self-development and reflection, rather than simply longing for the future — especially if you’re stuck in a cycle of only feeling whole when you’re with your person.
Her daily meditations on life will not only help you to pass the time between your long awaited reconnections, but they will inspire you to figure out what your own definition of happiness is, helping you to lean further into creating a life that feels good, even in your own company.
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Taking a break from a relationship is one of the most disorienting decisions one has to make when it comes to matters of the heart, and it is never an easy journey. It’s a time filled with uncertainty, self-reflection, and questions that all stem from wondering what comes next.
Everything You’ll Ever Need, You Can Find Within Yourself by Charlotte Freeman is a book that will gently guide you back to your own inner strength, and it will help you to reconnect with your own self-worth.
This book is a beautiful reminder that no matter what happens — whether your period of separation leads to reconciliation or a new beginning — you are already whole, and deserving, on your own. Charlotte’s words encourage healing, self-discovery, and the understanding that love, first and foremost, starts within.
If you’re searching for clarity during this confusing time, this book will help you reconnect with yourself in the most beautifully healing way.
Whether you’re newly single, in a grounded relationship, happily exploring your options, or navigating a disorienting heartbreak, the right collection of words can offer an empathetic and tender kind of guidance that is tailored to your unique situation. Books truly do have the power to help us understand ourselves, our connections, and the complexities of human relationships in ways that even our closest friends and family members sometimes can’t.
Maybe you’re single and looking for a way back home to yourself. Maybe you’re in a long-term relationship and you’re craving a deeper emotional connection. Maybe you’re going through a breakup, and looking for the right book that can act as a source of healing and empowerment when you need it the most. Wherever you sit on the spectrum of partnership — there’s a book out there that speaks directly to what you are weathering right now.
In this article we’ll match you up with some of the collections that carried us through our own relationships. We understand the power of words, and we hope these books will hold your heart in the ways they held ours.
Single — You’re Overthinking It, Sabrina Bendory
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Being single often comes with an endless spiral of questions — “Am I doing something wrong?” “Should I be trying harder?” “What if I never meet the right person?”
In You’re Overthinking It, Sabrina Bendory does a beautiful job of reminding you that love isn’t a puzzle to be solved, but rather, an experience to be enjoyed. Her book is a refreshing take on embracing your single years without allowing yourself to get wrapped up in the unnecessary stress and self-doubt that often comes with them.
Through humor, relatable advice and personal storytelling, Sabrina encourages and empowers you to stop obsessing over every dating app match, overanalyzing text messages, and second-guessing your desire. Instead, she has this beautiful way of shifting your focus to fostering confidence, strengthening your self-worth, and learning how to trust the process.
If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of overthinking your love life — this book is your permission to relax, enjoy the journey, and have faith in the fact that everything will fall into place.
In A Relationship — The Mountain Is You, Brianna Wiest
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Being in a relationship isn’t just about love — it’s also about self-awareness, emotional growth, and breaking the patterns that hold us back or keep us from truly opening up to those we care about.
The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest is a powerful book for anyone looking to deepen their connection, not just with their partner but with themselves. Relationships often reflect our inner struggles, and Brianna helps you to recognize your self-sabotaging behaviors and work through them with a strong degree of introspection and self-compassion.
This book is especially impactful for those in relationships because it emphasizes personal growth as the key to building a healthy, fulfilling partnership. Rather than focusing solely on external dynamics, it challenges you to look inward, identifying the emotional barriers that may be preventing true intimacy and connection in your life.
If you’re ready to strengthen your relationship by first strengthening yourself — this book is an essential read.
Heartbroken — A Gentle Reminder, Bianca Sparacino
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Heartbreak can often feel like an all-consuming storm that you don’t have the capacity to navigate at times, but A Gentle Reminder by Bianca Sparacino is the kind of book that feels like a warm hug on your darkest days. With poetic essays and the kind of reflections that act as a soft landing when the world feels too heavy to face, Bianca offers gentle, compassionate words for you when you’re struggling to move forward after losing the human beings you thought would be by your side forever.
This book isn’t about rushing the healing process — it’s about allowing yourself to feel, to grieve, and to rediscover the strength that exists inside of you at your own pace, and in your own way. A Gentle Reminder truly serves as a source of comfort, reminding you that you are still whole, still worthy, and still capable of love, even after having your heart broken by someone you deeply cared for.
If you need reassurance that you will be okay, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now — this book will hold all of your broken pieces back together.
Divorced — And Yet — Here You Are, Eileen Lamb
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Divorce is more than just the end of a marriage — it’s a profound shift in one’s identity, routine, expectations and faith in relationships. In And Yet — Here You Are, Eileen Lamb writes with raw honesty about the pain, the loss, and ultimately, the resilience that comes with having to start over and rebuild a life you never thought would break apart in the first place.
This book is for anyone who has felt the weight of an ending but is still standing, still breathing, and still moving forward. Eileen’s words remind you that while divorce can feel like a failure, it’s often the beginning of something new — something filled with unexpected strength, newfound growth, and even joy at times, even if you can’t trust in that right now. Whether you’re navigating co-parenting, reconnecting with who you are, or simply just trying to heal, this book will remind you that you are more than your past, and that there is still so much life ahead of you just waiting to be discovered.
Widowed — If You’re Grieving, Jacqueline Whitney
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Losing the person you thought you would build a future with is a pain that only few truly understand, and in If You’re Grieving, Jacqueline Whitney offers the most tender words to those navigating the depths of loss.
This book is a gentle, understanding companion for anyone struggling with the weight of grief, offering the kind of words that acknowledge the sorrow you are dealing with while also providing hope for healing. Jacqueline does a beautiful job at reminding you that there is life beyond loss, even if you feel like a part of you died alongside the person you miss with your whole heart.
Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and this book doesn’t try to rush the process. Instead, it offers empathy, compassion, and small poems that help to crack light into the days that feel the most dark. Whether you need to sit with your pain or find the strength to take another step forward, Jacqueline’s words will remind you that you’re not alone — and that your love, even in loss, still matters.
Situationship — This Is Me Letting You Go, Heidi Priebe
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Situationships can be one of the most confusing and emotionally exhausting experiences when it comes to dating in this generation. You feel deeply connected to someone, and yet you exist somewhere between together and apart, oscillating between commitment and uncertainty.
In This Is Me Letting You Go, Heidi Priebe speaks directly to those caught in this frustrating in-between, offering reflections on love, loss, and the difficult art of moving on.
This book is an honest, sometimes painful, but ultimately empowering look at why we hold on to relationships that don’t fully serve us. If you’ve ever struggled with mixed signals, unfulfilled expectations, or the hope that things might change — Heidi’s words will give you the clarity and courage to finally let go, and to make room for the love you truly deserve.
Casually Dating — Moments To Hold Close, Molly Burford
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Dating casually can be one of the most exciting, eye-opening experiences that has the ability to create a lot of possibilities in your life, but it can also be uncertain and fleeting at times. Moments To Hold Close by Molly Burford is a collection of reflections on embracing the present, savoring meaningful glimmers of light, and appreciating connections for what they are.
This book is perfect for those who are enjoying putting themselves out there when it comes to matters of the heart, and it’s written in a way that inspires you to stay mindful and intentional while you do so. It encourages you to focus on personal happiness, authentic relationships, and the beauty of experiences, rather than obsessing over labels or long-term outcomes.
If you’re in a season of exploration and openness, Moments To Hold Close will remind you to cherish the small pockets of genuine beauty that find you along your journey. It will truly open your eyes to what matters the most.
Long Distance Relationship — The Pivot Year, Brianna Wiest
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Long-distance relationships require a deeply foundational level of patience, trust, and a strong sense of individual groundedness. The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest is a book about transformation, resilience, and embracing change — qualities that are essential when you’re navigating love from a distance.
This book serves as a reminder that growth doesn’t just happen together, it also happens when you are apart, as well. Brianna’s words will encourage you to use the time you have on your own as an opportunity for self-development and reflection, rather than simply longing for the future — especially if you’re stuck in a cycle of only feeling whole when you’re with your person.
Her daily meditations on life will not only help you to pass the time between your long awaited reconnections, but they will inspire you to figure out what your own definition of happiness is, helping you to lean further into creating a life that feels good, even in your own company.
On A Break — Everything You’ll Ever Need, You Can Find Within Yourself, Charlotte Freeman
Thought Catalog Books
Buy From Shop Catalog
Taking a break from a relationship is one of the most disorienting decisions one has to make when it comes to matters of the heart, and it is never an easy journey. It’s a time filled with uncertainty, self-reflection, and questions that all stem from wondering what comes next.
Everything You’ll Ever Need, You Can Find Within Yourself by Charlotte Freeman is a book that will gently guide you back to your own inner strength, and it will help you to reconnect with your own self-worth.
This book is a beautiful reminder that no matter what happens — whether your period of separation leads to reconciliation or a new beginning — you are already whole, and deserving, on your own. Charlotte’s words encourage healing, self-discovery, and the understanding that love, first and foremost, starts within.
If you’re searching for clarity during this confusing time, this book will help you reconnect with yourself in the most beautifully healing way.