Because not every bestseller lives up to the buzz — and your reading time is too precious to waste. Let’s be clear: women writers are powerhouses.
But sometimes, a book goes viral for the wrong reasons — a catchy title, a celeb endorsement, a TikTok trend — and suddenly it’s everywhere, whether or not it delivers.
So if you’ve ever forced your way through a book that left you thinking, “Was it just me?” — it wasn’t.
Here are 17 books by women that might not be worth the hype, and better reads to try instead — written by women who actually deliver on emotion, depth, and storytelling.
1. “The Light We Lost” by Jill Santopolo
Ever finish a book and feel like you just ate a giant bowl of marshmallows—sweet, but ultimately hollow? That’s exactly how The Light We Lost lands for so many. Every emotional twist feels engineered for tears, with a love story that never quite escapes its own melodrama.
The heroine spends more time pining than actually living her life, and the big plot turns feel like they’ve been Xeroxed from every Nicholas Sparks rejection pile. Even the setting, which should pulse with New York energy, just fades into the background.
If you’re craving romance that stings and soothes, try “One True Loves” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The characters have real dilemmas, the heartbreak cuts deeper, and by the end, you’ll believe second chances can be just as thrilling as first loves. No forced heartbreak required. Search “The Light We Lost book cover” for that now-familiar blue skyline.
2. “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover
Raise your hand if you’ve seen this one on every BookTok roundup—then felt weirdly unsettled after reading it. The story pretends to be about healing from abuse, but too often slips into romanticizing the very thing it’s warning against. You get whiplash from the mixed messages.
Instead of giving its heroine real space to grow, the plot seems more concerned with shocking twists and spicy scenes. The serious themes deserve better than a glossy Instagram filter.
If you’re looking for a novel that actually respects the weight of its subject, try “A Woman Is No Man” by Etaf Rum. It’s unflinching and beautifully written—no toxic romance tropes in sight. Google “It Ends With Us book aesthetic” and you’ll see why it’s so tempting…and why you’re better off skipping it.
3. “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles
Ever fall in love with a premise, only to discover the story is all surface? That’s The Paris Library in a nutshell—a great setup, but the heart just isn’t there. The characters barely get fleshed out, and the city of Paris never feels fully alive.
You keep waiting for the magic, but it reads more like a Wikipedia summary than a sweeping tale of wartime courage. The emotional stakes never quite take off, so the big moments fall flat.
Try “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah instead if you want historic Paris with real stakes. That novel will have you clutching tissues and staying up late. Search “The Paris Library book cover Paris 1940s” for the vintage vibes this one tries to evoke.
4. “The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood
Some books feel like fan fiction—and this one actually is. The Love Hypothesis is all quirky banter and awkward scientist charm, but the dialogue can be downright cartoonish. If you’re over twenty-two, you might find yourself cringing more than swooning.
The story’s big “science nerd” hook fizzles out, and the characters rarely step off their one-note pedestals. For all its viral fame, this romance is fluffier than a cloud of cotton candy.
If you want a love story that’s breezy but has real emotional muscle, try “Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune. You’ll get nostalgia and longing without the eye-rolling. Still curious? Search “The Love Hypothesis book art lab romance” to see the pastel covers everyone’s talking about.
5. “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
It’s almost impossible to avoid this memoir on social media—everyone’s got a highlighted copy. But Untamed often reads like a collection of Instagram captions: lots of quotable lines, but very little that feels new. The advice can be repetitive and a little too curated.
You might come for inspiration, but end up wishing for the rawness missing beneath the glossy empowerment. It’s more performative pep talk than true confession.
If you want a memoir that shakes you to your core, pick up “Heavy” by Kiese Laymon or “Know My Name” by Chanel Miller. Both are fearless, honest, and unforgettable. Want to see the swirl of neon inspiration? Search “Untamed Glennon Doyle colorful book cover.”
6. “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Everyone raves about Evelyn Hugo, but sometimes buzz drowns out substance. The glitz and drama are fun, but the interview-style chapters can feel like a gimmick that wears thin after a while. Some readers love the ride; others are left cold by the structure.
Beneath the glamour, the emotional payoff isn’t always satisfying. The ending tries to shock, but not everyone buys what it’s selling.
If you want something that truly digs into complicated women and tangled decisions, try “The Paper Palace” by Miranda Cowley Heller. It’s messier, more honest, and quietly haunting. Curious about the Hollywood look? Search “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vintage green dress.”
7. “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes
There was so much hype when this came out, but controversy followed quick. Fans argued it borrowed too much from another novel, and the story itself never quite shakes off the feeling of déjà vu. The real women behind the book’s inspiration deserved deeper treatment.
For all its beautiful descriptions of Kentucky hills, the plot stumbles over borrowed plotlines and safe resolutions. The danger and daring you expect just don’t fully arrive.
Want to read about women delivering books in the mountains with grit and feeling? Pick up “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek” by Kim Michele Richardson. It’s more original and richly told. To see what the fuss was about, search “The Giver of Stars women horseback Kentucky.”
8. “Verity” by Colleen Hoover
You know those movies you half-watch on a Saturday afternoon, fully aware they’re kind of terrible? Verity channels that exact energy. The twists are wild, but the psychology behind them is more soap opera than suspense.
It’s fun if you’re in the mood for chaos, but don’t expect much depth or logic. The characters are too busy being shocking to ever feel real.
For a dark thriller that respects your intelligence, try “Behind Her Eyes” by Sarah Pinborough. It’ll keep you guessing without rolling your eyes. Still want to see the drama? Search “Verity Colleen Hoover book cover dark thriller.”
9. “Girl, Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis
Every “you go, girl!” meme owes its existence to Girl, Wash Your Face. But real talk: this is less practical guidance, more motivational speech for people who already own the T-shirt. The advice feels disconnected from reality for most readers.
The relentless optimism tips over into toxic positivity, and the book skips over any real nuance about life’s struggles. You end up feeling more pressure than relief.
If you want actual science-backed advice that gets you, “Burnout” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski is where to turn. It’s compassionate, honest, and way more useful. For that sunkissed influencer vibe, search “Girl Wash Your Face book cover bold lettering.”
10. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han
Remember being a teenager and wanting life to be as magical as a summer movie? This book tries to bottle that feeling, but you’ll get more clichés than memories. The love triangle is more predictable than a weather forecast.
Characters meander through the same old drama, never really growing up or standing out. It’s the kind of story you forget before summer’s even over.
For a YA beach read with bite and real emotional threads, try “Yolk” by Mary H.K. Choi. The messiness is honest and the growing pains actually sting. Curious about the summer nostalgia? Search “The Summer I Turned Pretty book cover beach scene.”
11. “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig (marketed to women)
Some books promise to answer life’s big questions, but then hand you a fortune cookie instead. The Midnight Library is earnest and sweet, but its treatment of regret and sadness feels simplified. Every possible life gets tidied up far too neatly.
You might long for a story that actually sits with the tough stuff instead of tying everything up in a bow. The whole thing feels a bit like a self-help seminar hiding in a novel’s clothing.
If you want a haunting, poetic take on second chances, try “The Invisible Life” of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab. You’ll feel the ache in every chapter. Search “The Midnight Library book cover floating books” if you want a peek at its dreamy vibe.
12. “The Wife Between Us” by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
Ever been promised a twist and then spotted it from a mile away? The Wife Between Us is packed with switch-ups, but they never quite earn their shock value. It wants to be Gone Girl, but misses the mark on depth and character grit.
The plot moves fast, but you end up not caring much about the outcome—there’s little to hold onto once the secrets are out. For all its tricks, it lacks staying power.
If you want a thriller that actually leaves you gasping, Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl” still sets the standard. It’s dark, cunning, and unforgettable. If you want to see the faux-Gone Girl cover, search “The Wife Between Us thriller book cover.”
13. “Beach Read” by Emily Henry
Don’t let the sunny title fool you—this book is heavier than it looks, but not always in a good way. The main characters are writers with baggage, but their emotional journeys sometimes feel underdeveloped. The cute premise gets lost in the angsty shuffle.
It’s a vacation read that tries to get deep, but never quite lands its heart. You’ll finish it wishing the fun matched the cover.
For something warm and a bit magical, pick up “One Italian Summer” by Rebecca Serle. It’s introspective, moving, and unforgettable. Want a visual of that sun-kissed branding? Search “Beach Read Emily Henry book cover playful beach.”
14. “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
It seems everyone’s aunt and book club has read this, but for some, the slow pacing is a dealbreaker. The marsh setting is lush, but the plot drags on, and the big mystery splits readers right down the middle. Some adore the ending; others feel let down.
The story’s heart is in the right place, but it can’t always find the pulse. If you finish feeling restless, you’re not alone.
For a Southern epiphany that’s lyrical and satisfying, give “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger a chance. The atmosphere is rich and the plot keeps you hooked. For moody visuals, try “Where the Crawdads Sing book cover marsh.”
15. “Daisy Jones & The Six” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
If you’ve ever finished a book and thought, “Cool premise, but where’s the spark?”—that’s Daisy Jones & The Six. The interview format is fun, but the band’s music never quite feels real. Characters start to blur together, and it’s hard to care who’s talking.
The nostalgia hits, but the emotional payoff is thin. You’re left with a flashy scrapbook, not a living story.
For a rock ‘n’ roll story that truly hums, try “The Final Revival of Opal & Nev” by Dawnie Walton. It’s sharp, gutsy, and impossible to put down. Want that 70s aesthetic? Search “Daisy Jones & The Six book cover retro band.”
16. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Big Magic feels like the sort of pep talk you’d hear at a creative retreat—light, uplifting, but not particularly filling. There’s plenty of cheerleading, but not enough real talk about what it takes to actually make things. The advice is pleasant, but it won’t stick with you for long.
You might come away more inspired to buy a fancy notebook than to actually create. The substance just isn’t there if you’re hungry for something practical.
If you want guidance with bite, “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott is a classic. It’s witty, wise, and will nudge you past your creative roadblocks. For artsy cover inspo, search “Big Magic Elizabeth Gilbert book cover creative.”
17. “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by Ottessa Moshfegh
Here’s a book that critics gush about, but most readers finish with a shrug. The narrator’s self-imposed hibernation is intriguing at first, but quickly turns repetitive. Instead of insight, you get a slow drift through malaise and detachment.
The writing is sharp, but the plot meanders. You might find yourself rooting for a nap rather than the main character by the halfway mark.
For a quirky, heartfelt look at solitude and healing, read “Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman. You’ll laugh, sigh, and maybe even cry. To check out the moody minimalism, try “My Year of Rest and Relaxation book cover pastel.”