Nicholas Evans wrote stories that often placed you right in the heart of nature. His books explored human emotions with a backdrop of wild landscapes, think of *The Horse Whisperer* and the Montana setting.
If you are drawn to authors who create books with a similar spirit, here are some you might want to discover.
Books by Jodi Picoult often explore heartfelt stories set against complex family situations and moral dilemmas.
In her novel “My Sister’s Keeper,” Picoult introduces readers to Anna Fitzgerald, a girl conceived specifically to be a genetic match for her sister Kate, who suffers from leukemia.
When Anna sues her parents for medical emancipation, startling questions arise about family obligations, love, and personal freedom.
Readers who appreciate Nicholas Evans’s emotional storytelling and deep exploration of relationships will likely be drawn to Picoult’s thoughtful narrative and vividly drawn characters.
Kristin Hannah is a master storyteller known for evocative narratives that capture deep human relationships and emotional journeys, similar in style to Nicholas Evans. Her novel “The Great Alone” is set in the harsh wilderness of 1970s Alaska.
It follows the story of the Allbrights, a family looking for a fresh start away from a complicated past.
With vivid descriptions of Alaska’s unforgiving landscape, Hannah explores the resilience and strength of a teenage girl named Leni as she confronts both the harsh environment and turmoil within her family.
The novel portrays courage, survival, and the powerful bonds of family in the face of isolation and adversity. Readers who appreciate Evans’ vivid settings, complex characters, and heartfelt themes will likely find a favorite in Kristin Hannah’s storytelling.
Books by Barbara Kingsolver often explore human connections to nature, emotional challenges, and personal journeys—qualities readers of Nicholas Evans would appreciate. Her novel “Prodigal Summer” weaves together three separate yet connected stories set in rural Appalachia.
This book explores relationships, wildlife, and the balance between human lives and the natural world. Kingsolver’s writing brings the lush Appalachian mountains vividly to life, highlighting the beauty and struggle found at the intersection of people and their environment.
Readers will follow characters through a thoughtful narrative that mingles love, loss, hope, and the quiet forces that bind us together.
Kent Haruf was an American novelist known for stories set in the fictional, small-town community of Holt, Colorado. His characters often face personal struggles and emotional crossroads set against an understated Western backdrop.
In his novel “Plainsong,” Haruf weaves together the lives of several plainspoken, ordinary residents whose paths gently intersect in unexpected ways.
The story follows a pregnant teenager taken in by two elderly bachelor ranchers, teenagers coping with family breakdown, and teachers who quietly impact the community.
The simplicity of daily life, the sincerity of Haruf’s characters, and his clear-eyed view of rural America may appeal strongly to readers who enjoyed Nicholas Evans’ emotional storytelling and tightly knit communities.
Readers who enjoy Nicholas Evans might also appreciate the novels of Anita Shreve. She explores human relationships against dramatic and often challenging backgrounds.
In her book “The Pilot’s Wife,” Shreve introduces Kathryn Lyons, whose life turns upside down after she learns her husband died in a plane crash. As details emerge, Kathryn faces startling secrets that make her question how well she truly knew him.
Shreve keeps the narrative emotionally charged and deeply personal, making her books hard to put down.
If you enjoy the heartfelt storytelling found in Nicholas Evans’ novels, you might find Nicholas Sparks equally captivating. Sparks creates emotional plots around ordinary characters who experience powerful events that change their lives.
In “The Notebook,” Sparks introduces readers to Noah and Allie, two teenagers who fall deeply in love during a passionate and unforgettable summer. Life soon separates them, yet their feelings remain.
Years later, they meet once more, confronted with decisions that shape their future and test the lasting power of first love.
Nicholas Sparks, known for his ability to capture human emotions and timeless romance, offers stories filled with both tenderness and depth that fans of Evans often appreciate.
Rosamunde Pilcher is a wonderful storyteller known for novels full of warmth, family drama, and vividly drawn characters.
Her book “The Shell Seekers” follows Penelope Keeling, a resilient and strong-spirited woman whose past is closely tied to a painting inherited from her father.
As Penelope revisits earlier chapters of her life, readers see how love, loss, and family secrets have shaped both her relationships and decisions over the years.
Set against the beauty of Cornwall, this story explores family ties and personal history with emotional depth and authenticity.
Fans of Nicholas Evans who appreciate tales set in beautiful landscapes, centered around complex family dynamics and emotional journeys, will find Pilcher’s storytelling inviting and rewarding.
Readers who enjoyed Nicholas Evans might find Leif Enger’s storytelling equally captivating. Enger’s novel “Peace Like a River” takes us into the life of young Reuben Land, a boy whose father performs remarkable miracles throughout their journey.
Set in the American Midwest during the early 1960s, the story follows the Land family’s search for Reuben’s older brother, Davy, who flees after a troubling encounter.
Enger crafts characters who feel authentic and relatable, and the beautifully described landscapes become an essential part of their adventure.
If you appreciated Evans’ vivid settings and heartfelt narratives, you’ll likely connect with Enger’s moving tale of family, faith, and redemption.
Delia Owens is a gifted storyteller and naturalist who seamlessly combines vivid descriptions of nature with heartfelt human drama. Fans of Nicholas Evans’ emotional connection to landscape and animals will find Owens’ work deeply satisfying.
Her novel “Where the Crawdads Sing” tells the story of Kya, a girl who grows up isolated in the marshes of North Carolina. As Kya struggles to survive alone, nature becomes her closest companion.
Eventually, she becomes involved in the mysterious death of a popular local young man, drawing suspicion and prejudice from the small-town community. Owens weaves mystery, romance, and the beauty of wildlife into a story that keeps readers captivated from start to finish.
Readers who appreciate Nicholas Evans may also enjoy novels by W. Bruce Cameron. Cameron is particularly known for his novel “A Dog’s Purpose,” a heartwarming tale told through the eyes of a faithful dog named Bailey.
The story follows Bailey across several lifetimes as he seeks the true purpose behind his existence, forming deep, meaningful bonds with different people along the way.
From carefree puppy days to heroic acts of loyalty and devotion, Bailey’s journey reveals insights about love, friendship, and what truly matters.
If you enjoyed the emotional depth and character-driven storytelling in Evans’s novels, Cameron’s blend of warmth and humanity is likely to resonate as well.
Readers who appreciate the emotional depth and strong sense of place found in Nicholas Evans’ books may also enjoy novels by Robert James Waller.
Waller’s “The Bridges of Madison County” tells the story of Francesca Johnson, a married woman leading a peaceful but uneventful life on an Iowa farm.
Her life takes an unexpected turn when photographer Robert Kincaid arrives to capture images of the county’s historic covered bridges. Their brief yet profound connection reveals how life’s unexpected encounters can deeply impact the human heart.
The novel thoughtfully explores personal choice, passion, and longing in a setting that vividly captures the beauty and quiet complexity of rural America.
Melinda Leigh is an author worth exploring for readers who enjoy Nicholas Evans’ blend of suspense and emotional storytelling.
Her novel “Say You’re Sorry” follows former prosecutor Morgan Dane, whose quiet life shatters when a local teenager is murdered and her neighbor’s son is accused. Morgan risks everything, from her career to her family’s safety, as she searches for the truth.
Leigh delivers suspenseful storytelling mixed with powerful characters and emotional depth, making “Say You’re Sorry” an excellent choice for fans of Evans.
Readers who enjoy Nicholas Evans might find Cormac McCarthy equally captivating. McCarthy brings a vivid and intense style to storytelling in novels set against rugged American landscapes, exploring complex human emotions and deep moral questions.
His novel “All the Pretty Horses” tells the story of young John Grady Cole, who leaves Texas with a friend for the ranchlands of Mexico seeking adventure and connection. The journey tests their friendship, courage, and ideals as they face harsh realities far from home.
McCarthy captures the beauty and brutal truths of the frontier, making the novel a memorable exploration of youth, loss, and identity.
Readers who enjoy Nicholas Evans may also appreciate Jane Smiley, an author well known for her deep exploration of complicated characters and family dynamics. In her novel “A Thousand Acres,” Smiley offers a powerful portrait of a family transformed by secrets and conflict.
Set on an expansive Iowa farm, the book follows the Cook sisters after their aging father unexpectedly divides his property among them. Beneath the surface of this generous gift is a hidden past filled with resentment and pain.
With compassion and insight, Smiley shows how old wounds and buried grievances can fracture even the strongest family bonds when finally brought to light.
Readers who appreciate Nicholas Evans may also enjoy Fredrik Backman’s thoughtful storytelling and memorable characters.
Backman, a Swedish author known for his compassionate narratives and dry humor, creates stories centered around heartfelt connections and life’s ordinary moments.
In his book “A Man Called Ove,” Backman introduces stubborn, cranky Ove, whose rigid routines and solitary nature hide his loneliness. But when a lively young family moves next door and disrupts his orderly ways, unexpected friendships begin to form.
Through gentle humor and emotional depth, the story explores how community and friendship can bloom in life’s unexpected turns.