Weekly Book Recs 7-2025: Heart-Breaking Novels 💔✨
- Apollo Imperium
- Feb 14
- 4 min read
WEEKLY BOOK RECS: 6 book reviews and suggestions every week
Hey, my loves! If you’re in the mood for books that absolutely wreck you in the best way, you’re in for a (tear-filled) treat. Inspired by A Little Life—yes, that book everyone has an opinion about—we’ve rounded up six reads that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. These stories are raw, devastating, and packed with all the feelings. They’ll break your heart and maybe even put it back together again (emphasis on maybe). So grab some tissues, a cozy blanket, and a comfort drink because we’re diving into these unforgettable heart break book recs. 🤍✨
1. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Literary Fiction
Vibes: Found Family, Trauma, Emotional Devastation
Main Characters: Jude St. Francis, Willem, Malcolm, JB
What It’s About:Following four friends over decades, this story focuses on Jude, whose traumatic past shadows every relationship in his life. It’s an exploration of love, pain, and the bonds that carry us through.
Review:Oh. My. Gosh. A Little Life is not just a book—it’s an experience. Jude’s story is so beautifully written but also so heavy that it’ll leave you staring into the void after finishing. The friendships, the love, the heartbreak—it’s all there, and it’s SO intense. Some parts are really hard to read, so prepare yourself emotionally. If you’re ready for something that will utterly destroy you in the most beautiful way, this is the one.
2. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
Rating: 4.6/5
Genre: Literary Fiction, Adventure
Vibes: Redemption, Found Family, Chaos and Beauty
Main Characters: Lin, Prabaker, Karla
What It’s About:Escaped convict Lin builds a new life in the vibrant, chaotic world of Bombay, finding love, friendship, and redemption amidst the slums and underworld.
Review:This book is an epic in every sense of the word. Lin’s journey is messy, emotional, and completely unforgettable. Roberts’ descriptions of Bombay are so vivid that you feel like you’re right there with him, experiencing the highs, the lows, and the absolute chaos. It’s a long read, but trust me, it’s worth every single page. Perfect for anyone who wants a sweeping, emotional escape.
3. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Rating: 4.8/5
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mythology
Vibes: Tragic Love, Found Family, Poetic Feels
Main Characters: Patroclus, Achilles
What It’s About:This reimagining of the Iliad explores the love story between Patroclus and Achilles, filled with passion, sacrifice, and heartbreak.
Review:I cannot express how much this book wrecked me in the best way. Patroclus and Achilles’ relationship is so tender and beautifully written, but the heartbreak? It’s real. Miller’s prose is absolutely stunning, and the emotional depth of this story is unmatched. If you’re ready to cry over two ancient Greek boys and their doomed love story, this one’s for you.
4. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Rating: 4.7/5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Vibes: Sisterhood, Sacrifice, Emotional Punches
Main Characters: Vianne, Isabelle
What It’s About:Set during World War II, this novel follows two sisters navigating the hardships of Nazi-occupied France, balancing survival, love, and resistance.
Review:The Nightingale is one of those books that makes you ugly cry. The bond between Vianne and Isabelle is so beautifully written, and their journeys are filled with courage, sacrifice, and heartbreak. Hannah’s writing pulls you in and doesn’t let go until you’re an emotional wreck (in the best way). If you love historical fiction that leaves you gutted but also inspired, this is a must-read.
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Rating: 4.8/5
Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
Vibes: Friendship, Guilt, Redemption
Main Characters: Amir, Hassan
What It’s About:A tale of friendship, betrayal, and redemption, this novel spans decades and explores the bond between two boys from different social classes in Afghanistan.
Review:Hosseini’s writing is devastatingly beautiful. The relationship between Amir and Hassan is so complex, and the guilt and redemption arc will hit you right in the heart. This book is heavy but SO worth it. If you want something deeply emotional and thought-provoking, The Kite Runner will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
6. The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
Vibes: Star-Crossed Lovers, Emotional Whirlwind, What-Ifs
Main Characters: Lucy, Gabe
What It’s About:Spanning years, this is the story of Lucy and Gabe’s connection, love, and the life choices that keep pulling them together—and apart.
Review:This book is emotional whiplash in the best way. Lucy and Gabe’s story is filled with love, heartbreak, and so many what ifs that it leaves you thinking about your own life choices. It’s raw, beautifully written, and perfect if you’re in the mood to feel all the feels. Trust me, you’ll need a box of tissues for this one.
Which of these emotional masterpieces are you picking up first, babes? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to tag me in your #HeartbreakerReads posts @apolloimperium! 💔✨📚
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