These 5 Books About Situationships Are So Relatable It Hurts

With an average rating of 3.4, Call It What You Want is a nostalgic ode to all 'almost love' stories—the ones with no label but an undeniable intensity. Sloane Hart, a hopeless romantic, dreams of love until her world is shaken by her parents' divorce. As she swears off dating, her plans to graduate and become a writer take the forefront. However, when she meets Ethan Brady, a mysterious and guarded figure, the two enter a relationship devoid of labels. Their connection, intense yet complicated, raises pivotal questions: Will Sloane succeed in getting Ethan to take a leap of faith, or will she face the harsh reality that some things just aren’t meant to be? This tale of love and self-discovery beautifully navigates the complexities of relationships and the challenge of moving on.

Normal People, rated 3.7 on average, is a poignant love story by Sally Rooney that masterfully paints the complexities of connections, social class, and the inescapable bonds of youth. Connell Waldron, a popular high school athlete, and Marianne Sheridan, an unconventional girl from a wealthy family, embark on a secret relationship that ebbs and flows over the years. Once they arrive at Trinity College, their social standings flip, complicating their already fraught connection. The acute psychological insight and the minimalist prose bring to life the exhilarating yet tumultuous ride of first love. Readers are bound to resonate with their struggles—it’s a compelling look at how love can persist through change yet remains painfully elusive.

Tell Me Lies is brought to life with thrilling intensity, presenting a "twisted modern love story” that captures all the messy feelings of infatuation. Lucy Albright escapes her tumultuous Long Island upbringing for a fresh start at college, only to meet the charismatic yet complicated Stephen DeMarco. Their passionate and tumultuous love story unfolds against a backdrop of secrets and betrayal. With each chapter, alternating voices draw readers deeper into the gripping and addictive nature of their connection. “Readers will be enraptured” as this book delves into the complexities of young adulthood and the struggles of letting go, demonstrating that sometimes the allure of 'the wrong one' is too strong to resist.

Colleen Hoover's Ugly Love, sitting at an impressive 4.2 average rating, explores the heart-wrenching realities of an attraction that complicates rather than solves life's dilemmas. Tate Collins, a nursing student, and Miles Archer, an airline pilot, form an arrangement based purely on physical attraction, eschewing emotional connection. However, as they grow closer, the boundaries they’ve so carefully crafted begin to fray, leading to broken promises and messy entanglements. Hoover’s skilled narrative illustrates how love can infiltrate even the most carefully constructed defenses, reminding readers that relationships, especially those built on shaky foundations, often lead to unexpected consequences.

Exciting Times introduces us to Ava, an Irish expat who finds herself teaching English to wealthy children in Hong Kong. This debut novel captures the essence of modern love through Ava's entanglements with Julian, a banker, and Edith, an ambitious lawyer. The narrative is a witty exploration of love, attraction, and the financial and personal transactions that define modern relationships. Naoise Dolan's witty and observant prose delivers a slice of life in a world where financial stability is as much a factor in relationships as emotional compatibility. As Ava navigates her feelings for both Julian and Edith, readers are treated to sharp insights into the modern dating landscape.