12 Authors Like Mariana Zapata for Slow-Burn Romance

The following 12 authors like Mariana Zapata capture the same magic of slow-burn romance, rich character development and emotional storytelling that readers love.

If you enjoy the gradual build of trust, heart-fluttering tension and characters who feel incredibly real, these writers are sure to speak to your heart.

Each one brings their own unique voice while still delivering the kind of satisfying romances that make you want to linger on every page.

Whether you’re looking for small-town charm, emotional healing or deeply personal journeys, this list will help you discover your next favorite storyteller.

12 Authors Like Mariana Zapata

1. Devney Perry

Writing Style & Themes:
Devney Perry writes heartfelt contemporary romances often set in charming small towns. 

Her slow-burn love stories are rich in emotional depth and character growth, just like Mariana Zapata’s.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Birthday List
• The Coppersmith Farmhouse
• Indigo Ridge
• Juniper Hill
• Runaway Road

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Her slow-burn romances build genuine connections that make every happy ending feel beautifully earned.

Devney Perry’s Website: https://devneyperry.com/

2. Ali Hazelwood

Writing Style & Themes:
Ali Hazelwood crafts STEM-centric romances featuring intelligent heroines and slow-burning chemistry. 

Her stories blend academic settings with witty banter and emotional depth.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Love Hypothesis
• Love on the Brain
• Love, Theoretically
• Check & Mate
• Bride

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers slow-burn romances where intellect and heart collide in the most delightful ways.

Ali Hazelwood’s Website: https://alihazelwood.com/

3. Penny Reid

Writing Style & Themes:
Penny Reid writes character-driven romances filled with humor and heart. 

Her stories often feature intelligent protagonists navigating love and life.

Notable Books/Series:

• Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City series)
• Truth or Beard (Winston Brothers series)
• Beard Science
• Dating-ish
• Marriage of Inconvenience

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Her unique blend of wit, intellect and slow-burn romance creates stories that are both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.

Penny Reid’s Website: https://pennyreid.ninja/

4. Mia Sheridan

Writing Style & Themes:
Mia Sheridan specializes in emotional and healing-focused romances that explore deep personal growth and redemption, often through slow-building relationships.

Notable Books/Series:

• Archer’s Voice
• Kyland
• Most of All You
• Savaged
• Where the Blame Lies

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She crafts poignant love stories that delve into the complexities of healing and finding love after trauma.

Mia Sheridan’s Website: https://miasheridan.com/

5. Rachel Higginson

Writing Style & Themes:
Rachel Higginson writes character-driven romances featuring strong heroines and slow-burn relationships, emphasizing personal growth and emotional depth.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Opposite of You
• The Five Stages of Falling in Love
• Every Wrong Reason
• Bet on Us
• The Star-Crossed Series

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Her stories offer heartfelt journeys of love and self-discovery, resonating with readers who appreciate emotional authenticity.

Rachel Higginson’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4728994.Rachel_Higginson 

6. Sally Thorne

Writing Style & Themes:
Sally Thorne is known for witty enemies-to-lovers romances with slow-burning tension and richly developed characters.

Notable Books/Series:

• The Hating Game
• 99 Percent Mine
• Second First Impressions
• Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match
• Rosie and the Dreamboat

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She masterfully balances sharp humor with deep emotional connections, creating unforgettable romantic tales.

Sally Thorne’s Website: https://www.sallythorneauthor.com/

7. P. Dangelico

Writing Style & Themes:
P. Dangelico delivers slow-burn romances with a blend of humor and emotional storytelling, often featuring complex characters navigating real-life challenges.

Notable Books/Series:

• Wrecking Ball
• Sledgehammer
• Bulldozer
• You Can Have Manhattan
• Sweet Alibi

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She crafts engaging stories where humor and heartfelt moments intertwine, leading to satisfying romantic journeys.

P. Dangelico’s Website: https://www.pdangelico.com

8. J.T. Geissinger

Writing Style & Themes:
J.T. Geissinger writes romances featuring strong heroines and alpha male dynamics with a focus on slow-burn tension and emotional depth.

Notable Books/Series:

• Burn for You
• Melt for You
• Kiss Me Like This
• Beautifully Cruel
• Ruthless Creatures

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Her stories combine intense chemistry with well-developed characters, creating emotionally charged romances.

J.T. Geissinger’s Website: https://www.jtgeissinger.com

9. Lauren Asher

Writing Style & Themes:
Lauren Asher crafts steamy character-driven romances with slow-burn pacing, often set against backdrops like racing circuits or theme parks.

Notable Books/Series:

• Throttled (Dirty Air series)
• Collided
• Terms and Conditions (Dreamland Billionaires series)
• Final Offer
• My December Darling

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She weaves emotional connections and personal growth into her stories, making each romance deeply satisfying.

Lauren Asher’s Website: https://laurenasher.com

10. Elsie Silver

Writing Style & Themes:
Elsie Silver writes steamy small-town romances with slow-burn tension, featuring emotionally rich narratives and strong relatable characters.

Notable Books/Series:

• Flawless (Chestnut Springs series)
• Heartless
• Powerless
• Hopeless
• Wild Love

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Her stories offer a perfect blend of heartfelt emotion and sizzling chemistry in charming small-town settings.

Elsie Silver’s Website: https://www.elsiesilver.com

11. Liz Tomforde

Writing Style & Themes:
Liz Tomforde combines modern settings with slow-burn relationships, strong characters and themes of found family and personal growth.

Notable Books/Series:

• Mile High (Windy City series)
• The Right Move
• Caught Up
• Play Along
• Rewind It Back

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers heartfelt romances with realistic characters and emotional depth, making each story resonate.

Liz Tomforde’s Website: https://liztomforde.com

12. Hannah Bonam-Young

Writing Style & Themes:
Hannah Bonam-Young writes character-driven romances focusing on personal growth and emotional connections, often highlighting diverse and marginalized voices.

Notable Books/Series:

• Next of Kin
• Next to You
• Out on a Limb
• Out of the Woods
• People Watching

Why Readers Will Love Her:
Her stories blend heartfelt romance with authentic representation, offering readers both warmth and depth.

Hannah Bonam-Young’s Website: https://www.hannahbywrites.com

Final Word on the Authors Similar to Mariana Zapata

The above writers like Mariana Zapata offer a wonderful mix of slow-burn romance, emotional journeys and unforgettable characters.

Whether you’re drawn to the small-town charm of Devney Perry, the witty banter of Sally Thorne or the heartfelt stories from Mia Sheridan and Elsie Silver, there’s something special waiting for you.

Each of the above authors like Mariana Zapata brings their own magic while keeping that character-driven style you love.

No matter which book you pick up next, you’re sure to find the same kind of beautiful love story that makes Mariana Zapata’s novels so cherished.