If you are drawn to David Nicholls’ books, it’s probably because of the way he writes about relationships, his witty dialogue, and how he captures everyday life with humor and heart.
His stories often feature characters you can really root for, navigating the ups and downs of love and life.
If you enjoy this type of storytelling and are looking for authors who create a similar reading experience, you might be interested in exploring writers who also excel at writing about modern relationships with a mix of comedy and poignant moments.
This article will introduce you to some authors with a similar style to David Nicholls.
Readers who enjoy David Nicholls will find Jojo Moyes equally appealing for her authentic characters and heartfelt storytelling. Moyes’ novel “Me Before You” centers around Louisa Clark, who unexpectedly becomes caretaker for Will Traynor, a man paralyzed after an accident.
Louisa is quirky and cheerful, while Will struggles with the loss of his active, adventurous lifestyle. Their interactions spark humor, frustration, and emotional depth as they challenge and change each other.
Moyes explores difficult questions about love, disability, and personal choices, blending warmth with sincerity in Louisa and Will’s journey.
Nick Hornby is a British writer known for his witty and heartfelt novels about relationships, life struggles, and ordinary people. If you enjoy the humor and warmth of David Nicholls, you’ll probably appreciate Hornby’s style too.
His book “High Fidelity” follows Rob Fleming, a record-store owner whose life revolves around music, lists, and his failed relationships. After losing another girlfriend, Rob revisits his past breakups, trying to figure out what keeps going wrong in his love life.
The story mixes music references, sharp dialogue, and relatable insights into love, heartbreak, and adulthood struggles.
Readers who enjoy David Nicholls might appreciate Marian Keyes, an Irish author celebrated for warm humor and relatable characters. Her novel “Rachel’s Holiday” introduces Rachel Walsh, a young woman convinced she’s going on a glamorous retreat by the beach.
She soon finds the “holiday” is actually rehab, where she’s confronted with truths about her life and relationships. Keyes skillfully balances emotional depth with wit, creating a character readers root for throughout her journey.
Rachel’s honest reflections and humorous take on tough moments give this story a charm similar to Nicholls’ style.
Readers who enjoy David Nicholls’ blend of humor, warmth, and insightful storytelling will appreciate Mike Gayle’s novels. Gayle is a British author known for his authentic characters and relatable life situations.
His book “Half a World Away” follows Kerry, a single mother struggling to provide a stable life for her son, and Noah, a successful barrister living comfortably in London. Though they share a deep connection, their lives could not be more different.
When their paths finally cross after years apart, old emotions resurface, and secrets slowly come to light. Gayle’s writing combines heartwarming moments with realistic portrayals of complicated relationships, family, and hope.
Jonathan Tropper is an author whose novels explore life’s bittersweet moments with humor and warmth, appealing to readers who enjoy David Nicholls.
In “This Is Where I Leave You,” Tropper introduces readers to Judd Foxman, a man whose life falls apart when his marriage collapses and his father unexpectedly passes away.
Forced back to his childhood home to sit shiva for seven days with his quirky, dysfunctional family, Judd navigates old grievances, unresolved emotions, and surprising humor. Tropper captures this family drama with honesty that is both funny and heartfelt.
Readers who appreciate Nicholls’s blend of comedy, relatable characters, and sincere storytelling will likely enjoy Tropper’s narratives as well.
Tessa Hadley crafts novels with emotional insights and relatable characters, qualities David Nicholls readers often appreciate. In her book “Late in the Day,” Hadley explores the dynamics of two close-knit couples whose lives are suddenly unsettled by an unexpected loss.
This event forces them to reconsider their friendships, marriages, and past decisions in fresh and surprising ways. Hadley writes about love, friendship, and family with subtle humor, warmth, and realism that reveal layers beneath everyday situations.
If you enjoyed the emotional depth and thoughtful reflection in Nicholls’ “One Day,” Hadley’s writing is likely to capture your interest.
Rachel Joyce is a British novelist known for her warm and thoughtful approach to storytelling, often blending gentle humor with emotional depth—qualities readers of David Nicholls readily appreciate.
Her acclaimed book, “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” introduces us to Harold, a retired pensioner living a quiet life in southwestern England.
One morning he receives a letter that sparks him to walk a remarkable journey to visit an old friend, Queenie, who is gravely ill. Harold steps out in his ordinary boat shoes and without any preparation sets off.
His sudden decision leads to unexpected encounters, deep reflections about the past, and quiet yet powerful moments of human connection that linger long after the story ends.
Jenny Colgan writes relatable characters and heartfelt stories. Her novels blend humor, romance, and everyday challenges that fans of David Nicholls often appreciate.
In her book “The Bookshop on the Corner,” we meet Nina Redmond—a shy librarian who loses her job and takes a chance on her lifelong dream.
She moves to Scotland, transforms an old van into a traveling bookstore, and introduces townspeople to novels perfectly suited to their own stories. Along the way, she tackles self-doubt, finds unexpected friendships, and learns to embrace adventure and connection.
Readers who enjoy charming narratives with emotional depth will find plenty to love in Jenny Colgan’s work.
Readers who enjoy David Nicholls might also connect with Tony Parsons. Parsons writes relatable stories about everyday struggles, personal connections and family ties.
His book “Man and Boy” follows Harry Silver, a man about to turn thirty who suddenly finds himself navigating single fatherhood after his marriage falls apart.
Harry faces real challenges raising his son alone, and readers witness his growth and vulnerability as he stumbles through responsibilities, career decisions and relationships.
Parsons skillfully mixes humor and heartfelt moments, creating a story that feels honest, warm and genuine.
Readers who enjoyed David Nicholls’ books might also appreciate Graeme Simsion, an Australian author known for warm-hearted, funny novels. His novel “The Rosie Project” follows Don Tillman, a socially awkward professor who decides it’s time to find a wife.
But Don struggles in social situations and decides to create a detailed questionnaire to find the perfect partner. Then he meets Rosie, who doesn’t match his strict criteria at all.
The unexpected connection between these two complete opposites leads to humorous, charming, and sometimes awkward situations. It’s a witty look at love, relationships, and the things we can’t possibly predict about ourselves.
Books by David Levithan often explore teenage relationships and personal identity in fresh, authentic ways. If you enjoyed David Nicholls’ “One Day”, you might appreciate Levithan’s novel “Every Day”.
This book tells the story of A, a unique character who wakes each morning in the body of a new person with a different life. The situation gets complicated when A falls in love with Rhiannon, forcing A to find ways to reconnect with her each day.
Levithan mixes romance, youthful struggles, and thoughtful reflections on identity into a story that’s easy to read yet hard to forget.
Books by Sadie Jones offer thoughtful character portrayals and realistic emotion that fans of David Nicholls will appreciate. In “The Outcast,” her debut novel, Jones introduces readers to Lewis Aldridge, a young man scarred by tragedy in post-war Britain.
Following his journey through grief, isolation, family tension, and small-town judgment, the story vividly captures Lewis’ struggle to find acceptance and understanding.
Readers who enjoy Nicholls’ careful exploration of human relationships and personal challenges will find plenty to connect with in Sadie Jones’ storytelling.
If you enjoy David Nicholls’ heartfelt storytelling and engaging characters, Matt Haig might be another author to explore. Haig writes novels filled with warmth, wit, and emotional depth.
His book “The Midnight Library” tells the story of Nora Seed, a woman stuck in deep regrets who finds herself in a library that exists between life and death.
Each book in this mysterious place offers Nora a chance to explore different lives she could have lived, re-examining her choices and their consequences.
Haig’s gentle humor and insightful character portrayal create a moving, thought-provoking story about second chances and the search for a meaningful life.
If you enjoy David Nicholls’ insightful portrayal of relationships and authentic characters, you might appreciate Elizabeth Strout’s thoughtful storytelling.
Her novel “Olive Kitteridge” introduces Olive, a blunt yet deeply human retired schoolteacher from a small coastal town in Maine.
Through interconnected stories, Strout captures Olive’s candid interactions with townspeople, her strained family ties, and her quiet inner struggles. Strout’s careful attention to emotional detail and
her genuine characters provide a narrative that’s reflective, honest, and quietly powerful.
If you enjoy David Nicholls’ novels for their humor, heart, and vivid characters, Emma Straub might be another favorite author to discover. Her novel “The Vacationers” follows the Post family on a two-week trip to Mallorca, meant as a chance to escape their problems back home.
But family tension and hidden secrets travel with them, too. Straub brings out the quirks and truths of family relationships in a funny, authentic, and relatable way.
The island setting gives the story warmth, sunlit afternoons, and lingering dinners filled with sharp, witty dialogue. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in close and makes you feel like you’re part of the family—warts and all.