Romance Authors to Read If You Like Dawson’s Creek

Let’s rewind to the late 90s. Before I was writing blog posts and filming YouTube videos about romance books, I was a teenager running a fansite called Chesky’s Dawson’s Creek Heaven.

If you’re an OG you may remember Dawson’s Desktop, the official online portal hosted by Sony TV, then you’ll appreciate this: my little corner of the internet was featured more than once as Fan Site of the Week.

I lived and breathed Capeside. I shipped Pacey and Joey like it was my full-time job. I was definitely more than a little in love with Pacey Witter. I hand-coded Geocities/Angelfire layouts in their honor. That show wasn’t just entertainment, it shaped the way I experienced storytelling, love, and all things angst.

So when Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson were spotted filming together again recently for a new movie, the elder millennial in me screamed. And of course, I immediately started thinking about romance books that give off the same vibes as Dawson’s Creek.

This list is for anyone who loves slow burns that simmer with emotional tension, second chances wrapped in messy timing, and characters who are creative, introspective, and just a little bit lost. If you crave angsty moments that build toward deeply satisfying endings, the kind that leave you quietly devastated in the best way, these authors deliver all of that and more.

Here are five romance authors you need to read if you like Dawson’s Creek, especially if you still think about that “I remember everything” scene.

This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.

Renée Carlino

Renée Carlino writes stories that feel like remembering your first love years later and realizing it still lives under your skin. Her books are steeped in longing, nostalgia, and creative characters who quietly unravel your heart.

Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino

Two NYU art students fall in love, drift apart, and reconnect years later through a missed connection ad. It’s soft, haunting, and emotionally resonant. Read if you like Dawson’s Creek for its second chances, artistic characters, and want the NYC setting.

Grab Before We Were Strangers on Amazon

Swear on This Life by Renee Carlino

A woman discovers her ex wrote a bestselling novel based on their shared childhood and painful breakup. It’s a powerful exploration of love, grief, and unfinished business.

Grab Swear on This Life on Amazon

L.H. Cosway

L.H. Cosway brings quiet intensity and offbeat charm to her romances. Her characters often work in music, art, or performance, and her books always carry emotional undercurrents that hit hard.

Still Life with Strings by L.H. Cosway

A violinist and a mysterious street performer form an unexpected connection in Dublin. Introspective, artistic, and a little melancholy.

Grab Still Life with Strings on Amazon or read our Still Life with Strings by L.H. Cosway book review

The Nature of Cruelty By L.H. Cosway

An enemies-to-lovers story with complex emotional layers. He’s emotionally unavailable and cruel on the surface. She pushes back. What follows is vulnerability, tension, and one of Cosway’s most angsty stories.

Grab The Nature of Cruelty on Amazon or read out The Nature of Cruelty by L.H. Cosway book review

Brittainy C. Cherry

Brittainy C. Cherry is all about poetry, music, and emotion. Her books feel like watching Pacey finally admit his feelings or Jen learning to open her heart again. If you like Dawson’s Creek’s emotional highs and lows, Cherry is a must.

Behind the Bars by Brittainy C. Cherry

A musician and a grieving young woman connect through pain and rhythm. Set in New Orleans, it’s atmospheric, angsty, and healing.

Grab Behind the Bars on Amazon

The Gravity of Us by Brittainy C. Cherry

An emotionally closed-off woman finds herself drawn to a single dad who shows her what true connection looks like. This is slow, warm, and beautifully written.

Grab The Gravity of Us on Amazon

Mia Sheridan

Mia Sheridan’s romances are about people who’ve been through deep trauma and are still learning how to love. Her small-town settings and emotionally quiet heroes make her books feel intimate and layered.

Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan

A reclusive, mute man and a woman trying to escape her own past find something extraordinary in each other. A modern classic of the genre.

Grab Archer’s Voice on Amazon

Most of All You by Mia Sheridan

A former dancer and a gentle sculptor form a cautious, deeply emotional connection. It’s about learning to trust again.

Grab Most of All You on Amazon

Mariana Zapata

Mariana Zapata is the queen of the slowest of slow burns, and if you spent seasons yelling at Pacey and Joey to just kiss already, you’ll love her books.

Wait for It by Mariana Zapata

A single woman raising her nephews finds love with her grumpy, emotionally closed-off neighbor. It’s tender, funny, and full of quiet intensity.

Grab Wait for It on Amazon

From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

Two competitive figure skaters go from enemies to partners to something more. Banter, frustration, and eventually, real feelings.

Grab From Lukov with Love on Amazon

More Books to Read If You Like Dawson’s Creek

Looking for more? Check out this companion post books like Dawson’s Creek if you love Pacey & Joey.

Pin It for Later