Lisa Jewell is a mind-blowing author with a broad collection of page-turning novels. The first book of hers that I read, Then She Was Gone, is a completely unputdownable novel. In fact, I was about 20 pages in when I realized I was going too fast and maybe, like the missing girl Ellie, I was overlooking important clues, so I went back and read from the beginning again.
I had to know what happened to Ellie, and then, bit by bit, new mysteries began to emerge. New horrors. The more I learned about Ellie and Noelle, the worse things became. The whole story became very... weird. Scary.
Find your next great read by exploring my reviews of these authors and books you’ll devour if you liked Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. It’s a broad compilation. Some authors here may be names you’ve heard before, but there are others you may have not discovered yet. Some are adult, and some are YA. With such a varied collection, something here is guaranteed rouse your curiosity.
If you’re looking for authors similar to Lisa Jewell, you’ve come to the right place. Happy reading!
Khristina Chess
If you’re looking for an author whose books will keep you hooked from page one, look no further—Khristina Chess is pure binge-reading gold.
With twelve gripping novels, Chess dives into tough, unfiltered topics—anorexia, self-harm, mental illness—yet always balances them with hope, wit, and often a touch of romance. Some of her books are raw, emotional journeys; others are pulse-pounding thrillers that will leave you breathless.
Take Junior Missing, a tense, steamy thriller about a runaway teen who gets caught in an abusive relationship with an older man—and soon realizes escape isn’t an option. Or The Delinquent Hero, a gut-wrenching mystery about sisterhood, eating disorders, and profound loss. And don’t forget Coywood Creek—part dystopian, part anxiety-driven psychological exploration—proof that Chess doesn’t fit neatly into any box.
It’s impossible to pick a favorite because every story is so unique, so immersive. But don’t just take my word for it—hundreds of Goodreads and Amazon reviewers rave about her binge-worthy books.
If you love YA fiction that grips your emotions, keeps you turning pages, and leaves you thinking long after the last chapter, Khristina Chess belongs on your list of authors like Lisa Jewell that you’ll want to binge.
Kate Alice Marshall
If you’re looking for dark and creepy YA novels, read Kate Alice Marshall. I loved, loved, loved Rules for Vanishing and Our Last Echoes, which are deliciously eerie. After reading these two novels, I immediately put this author on my Amazon Follow list. Her wilderness survival novel, I Am Still Alive, is one of my personal favorites. From the beginning, this book grabbed me and didn’t let go!
Although I prefer her earlier books more than her more recent ones, all of her books are pretty amazing.If you are looking for authors like Lisa Jewell to binge, check out Kate Alice Marshall.
Mindy McGinnis
Mindy McGinnis writes tough topics with a twist. The Female of the Species, for example, is about rape but also a traumatized teen girl who turned into a killer because of what happened. Her novel Heroine is a deeply compelling look at opioid addiction. What drew me into Heroine was the main character’s slow-motion slide into addiction and her denial about her situation. She justified every step of the way.
If you pick up The Female of the Species, be sure to check out Be Not Far From Me while you’re at it. There’s a reason they’re frequently bought together.
Honestly, I have loved every one of her books. She has a rich and diverse library of YA novels to choose from (too many to show on this page). They’re unique and thrilling! If you love authors like Lisa Jewell, I’m confident that Mindy McGinnis has something you will enjoy.
Kathleen Glasgow
Kathleen Glasgow writes heart and soul like nobody I know. She makes me cry every time! Her characters really dig deep. In How to Make Friends with the Dark, I felt Tiger’s grief over her mom’s death in a way I never have in a novel before. It was real and honest. And so, so sad. You can see my full review in Which YA Books about Mother-Daughter Relationships Depict This Loving But Painful Dynamic.
In her highly popular novel, Girl in Pieces, which you can see my review in Which YA Books about Self-Harm and Cutting Should You Read Next, she introduces a character named Charlie that I genuinely worried about.
If you like thrilling authors like Lisa Jewell, you might check out Kathleen Glasgow for your next read.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
"Some families are lucky enough to never experience a single tragedy. But then there are those families that see to have tragedies waiting on the back burner. What can go wrong, goes wrong. And then gets worse."—Colleen Hoover, quote from Verity
Colleen Hoover is a mega bestselling author of both adult and young adult fiction. Verity is my personal favorite. The hot (hot, hot) romance was definitely a big part of the appeal, but the spicy sex wasn’t the only part. This is more than a romance novel. I loved the twisty, dark, and disorienting plot that kept me guessing until the very end. In this novel, the characters aren’t who they seem to be, and that multi-dimensional layer was the aspect that made Verity so wonderful for me.
If you’re looking for authors like Lisa Jewell that you’ll want to binge, pick this one up.In fact, check out my other reviews of Colleen Hoover books here.
E. Lockhart
If you like twisty, thrilling novels with secrets and unreliable narrators, E. Lockhart’s books might be for you. I discovered her first with We Were Liars, which was completely unexpected and surprising, and its prequel, Family of Liars, is just as amazing. You won’t be able to put either of them down! Genuine Fraud is a modern-day take on The Talented Mr. Ripley. E. Lockart is a must-have author to add to your list of authors like Lisa Jewell that you’ll want to binge.
Other Authors Like Lisa Jewell That You’ll Want to Binge
If you’re looking for other authors like Lisa Jewell, check out Readers Who Enjoyed Then She Was Gone. You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which has a comprehensive list of book reviews.
Do you have any recommendations? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.