In the mood for something that will leave you sobbing, swooning, and begging for more? Sounds like a job for Kristin Hannah. With over 25 books under the lawyer-turned-novelist’s belt (many of which were instant bestsellers), I took the liberty of breaking down some of the best Kristin Hannah books.
It’s an understatement to say that Hannah has mastered the art of ripping out readers’ hearts and then stitching them back together. She’s not afraid to put her characters (mainly women) through the wringer, but fosters such a sense of empowerment in them you can’t help but forgive her. Night Road was the first Hannah novel I ever read and, even years later, I can still vividly recall Lexi’s heartbreaking tale of loss and redemption.
Thought-provoking and emotionally evocative, here are our favorite Kristin Hannah books ranked, starting with the best.
1. Firefly Lane
At the top of our ranking of the best Kristin Hannah books is her most well-known novel, Firefly Lane. The coming-of-age tale, which led to a hit Netflix adaptation starring Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke, exemplifies Hannah’s ability to craft truly compelling characters and relationships.
Best friends Kate and Tully are as different as two women can be, but their loyalty knows no bounds. This story is an equally heartwarming and heartbreaking look at the enduring power of friendships.
Part of Hannah’s talent is being able to write historical fiction just as beautifully as her contemporary novels. Winter Garden takes the bittersweet complexities of relationships, womanhood, and family and turns them into a fairy tale dating back to pre-WWI.
This story, which moves from one chilly landscape to the next, follows two estranged sisters who reconnect after learning their mother’s history — a harrowing tale of loss and resilience rooted in real historical events.
3. Night Road
Buckle up for an emotional roller coaster of a story that puts one family’s love to the ultimate test. Jude’s teenage twins, Mia and Zach, develop close friendships with Lexi, a former foster child with a traumatic past. In turn, Jude grows to love her as one of their own and Lexi quickly becomes part of the family.
Tragically, a car accident changes everything in the blink of an eye and Jude must grapple with her worst fears, her desire for justice, and a shattered heart.
4. Home Front
Hannah shines a spotlight on the sacrifices military families make every day. Jolene, a mother of two and a National Guard pilot, is facing two battles: a crumbling marriage and her call to serve in the Iraq War. Once she’s deployed, her husband, Michael, must raise their two daughters alone.
Hannah explores themes of patriotism, duty, loss, and love in the face of tragedy in an emotionally haunting tale that will stick with you long after you finish it.
5. True Colors
Like Winter Garden, True Colors deftly portrays the complex dynamics of sisterhood. Winona, Aurora, and Vivi Ann became especially close after their mother passed away. While each of them struggle to gain approval from their cold and distant father, the women always have each other — that is, until jealousy and rivalry threaten to tear them apart.
Between Sisters showcases Hannah’s talent from early in her career for writing complex, relatable characters and portraying the highs and lows of sisterhood.
Estranged sisters Meghann and Claire seek to put old resentments aside as Claire’s wedding day approaches. Although they have little in common, the two sisters seek to find redemption from their past and reunite as a family.
Betrayed by her husband of 20 years, Annie seeks a change of scenery by moving into her childhood home with her father. As she reconnects with her first love and slowly begins to heal, she starts to rediscover the woman she used to be.
Annie’s story will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever had to start over in the face of adversity and will inspire you to learn to love yourself.
Ruby arrives to care for her injured mother Nora, but she has ulterior motives: She plans to write a book exposing Nora’s failures as a mother. As the estranged women begin to reconnect, Ruby realizes there’s more to their family story than she realized.
Hannah digs into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships in an affecting story of forgiveness and legacy.
9. Angel Falls
Beloved mother and wife Mikaela ends up in a coma following a tragic accident. Her husband, Liam, does everything he can to wake her up but she fails to respond to any of his attempts. The only thing she responds to is mention of her first husband, Julian.
Unputdownable and almost poetic in its writing, Angel Falls is full of surprising twists and will leave you reaching for a tissue box time and time again.
10. Distant Shores
Elizabeth has always prioritized her family’s needs above her own. After putting her dreams on hold, she raised two daughters and supported her husband’s career. However, over the years she and her husband have drifted apart and Elizabeth has lost sight of who she is.
Through Elizabeth’s journey, Hannah proves it’s never too late to find the courage to start a new journey and to become the person you want to be.
11. Home Again
Home Again, published in 1996, holds a special place in Hannah fans’ hearts, as it’s one of her earliest works.
While Dr. Madelaine Hillyard’s career as a famous heart surgeon skyrockets, her relationship with her daughter flounders. Her ex’s sudden reappearance throws Madeleine's life into disarray — especially since he’s back as a patient.
Faith and forgiveness run central in a novel about the second chances we can sometimes be lucky enough to score in life, romance, and parenthood.
