Romance Books Like the Netflix Movie “Voicemails for Isabelle”
Every once in a while, a romance movie comes along and captures my heart completely. I had high hopes when I saw the trailer for Voicemails for Isabelle, and I’m happy to report that the movie does not disappoint! This is probably my favorite romance movie I’ve seen in a while (and I do have a list of top 10 go-to romance and romcom films, FYI). From the writing to to the acting to the chemistry, it was all a 10 out of 10.
This is an emotional romance film that will have you crying, laughing, and completely invested in Jill and Wes’s journey from the very start. So if you’re looking for a Voicemails for Isabelle book that has similar vibes—including all the tears, swoons, and a happy ending—then add these books to your TBR.
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What is Voicemails for Isabelle About?
Voicemails for Isabelle follows Jill, an aspiring chef whose sister passes away suddenly. As Jill is left to grieve the loss of the person who was not just her sister but also her best friend, she leaves voicemails for her—unaware that someone else has been assigned her late sister’s phone number. Wes, a real estate salesman, got a new work phone and starts to fall for Jill through the voicemails. So when the two meet, is their connection only because Wes has been listening to these private voicemails or because the two of them are meant to be? And when Jill finally learns the truth about how they really met, will their connection survive?
Why People Have Fallen in Love with the Romcom Voicemails for Isabelle
It’s not simply the actors (who were all incredible, especially Zoey Deutch as Jill), the script, the filmmaking, or the Voicemails for Isabelle music that makes this film so wonderful (although they are all amazing). People are loving this movie because it delivers on all the hallmarks we want to see in romance but still manages to put its own twist on the story to make it feel fresh and new.
There are certain things that any good romcom will have. The two main characters have undeniable chemistry. There are laugh-out-loud moments and characters you can’t help but feel for. There’s also a ticking clock of when their time together will come to an end (in this case, Wes has two weeks in San Francisco, so we know they have two weeks to fall in love…even though he’s already gone for her from the second he lands in SF). And, as many Voicemails for Isabelle reviews have noted, it has a dreamy Male Main Character (MMC) played by Nick Robinson who you will absolutely fall for.
But this story also feels fresh in many ways. It focuses on sisterly love, first and foremost. It is not afraid of incredibly sad moments that will rip your heart out and have you reaching for the tissues. The Voicemails for Isabelle soundtrack is expertly done, giving us some well-suited pop culture faves. It also gives our main characters enough time apart and as individuals so we can see their growth and root for them to be together.
Romance Tropes in Voicemails for Isabelle
Grief representation - Jill loses her sister pretty early on in the film, and we watch her grieve and heal from this loss in her own way.
Sworn off men - Jill doesn’t have the best luck in love and casually dates some men with whom it just doesn’t work out. When she meets Wes she is officially on a D-tox. 😉
Wedding - Wes’s cousin is one of his closest friends, and it’s mentioned pretty early on that he will have to give a speech at said wedding. Romance books with weddings as a plot point are so much fun. Not only do we know Wes has this important event coming up, but a love-filled wedding is a stark contrast to his love life, which is one where he feels detached and unlovable.
He falls first - Wes is a classic he falls first, he falls harder romance book MMC. He is head over heels for Jill from before the moment he even meets her, and I personally love an MMC who’s down bad.
Audio epistolary (aka voicemails) - Sort of like how some books use letter writing as the main form of communication for the main characters (called the “epistolary trope”), Wes is listening to the voicemails from Jill and getting to know her this way. As a result, he feels intensely close to her before they even meet IRL.
Romance Books to Read if You Loved Voicemails for Isabelle on Netflix
If you liked the sister relationship of the film…
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn - The film Voicemails for Isabelle puts the special bond between two sisters front and center. The Other Side of Disappearing explores all kinds of complicated family relationships and how someone moves forward after someone they love leaves a hole in their life. In this book, Jess is the legal guardian for her younger sister ever since her mom disappeared. The relationship she has with her sister—not only as a sister, but as her main guardian and as her friend—is so beautiful.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone - One of the things I loved most about Voicemails for Isabelle was how we saw the devastating impact of losing someone who was also your best friend. In Promise Me Sunshine, Lenny, the FMC, loses her closest friend, and the book has a similar blend of grief, hope, and learning how to live and move on after losing your person.The romance is so lovely—the MMC is patient and understanding—but this story is ultimately about finding joy again. This is one of the Voicemails for Isabelle similar books that I think really captures the heartache along with the humor.
If you liked the grief aspect…
Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane - This book absolutely tore my heart out and put it back together. Part of why Voicemails for Isabelle is such a great film is because it makes us feel a wide range of emotions. In this book, Eve experiences a life-altering loss and must learn how to move forward with her friends…and when a secret comes to light, it changes her perspective of everything in her life yet again. It’s devastating in the best ways.
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez - Two years later, Sloan is still grieving the death of her fiancé when an unexpected dog drops into her life (literally) and changes everything. Through texts, vulnerable phone calls, and a charming long-distance connection, she slowly learns how to open herself up to love again. Much like Jill in the movie, Sloan goes on a journey to learn how to honor her grief while giving herself room for happiness, too. Abby Jimenez is a master of heartfelt romances, as this is possibly my favorite from her!
In a Desert Daze by Theresa Christine - If you loved the emotional depth in Voicemails for Isabelle and how it balanced with a swoon-worthy romance, In a Desert Daze deserves a spot on your TBR. After a career-ending scandal sends Max back to his California hometown, he reunites with Daisy, his childhood best friend and the woman he’s never been able to forget. Their years apart were filled with secret voicemails and unresolved feelings, and with only one summer to save the struggling hotel of her late mother and for him to rebuild his life, the two have to first face what drove them apart in the first place. Daisy has a lot of grief she has to work through, and like Wes, Max is hopelessly devoted from the start, so this is a perfect pick if you love emotional romances with down-bad heroes. This is a friends to lovers romance on KU!
If you liked the audio epistolary/voicemail part of the film…
The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas - This book has a very phone-number-being-inherited-by-someone-new to the Voicemails for Isabelle movie that book lovers will adore. After her husband’s death, Anna’s heart is still shattered, so one New Year’s Eve she decides to call up his number just to hear his voicemail again. To her surprise, someone answers, and he has had his own experience with loss and grief. Seeing these two characters open up and find love again had a smile on my face the whole time.
The Accidental Text by Becky Monson - Wrong numbers and unexpected connections are such fun romance book setups. Maggie continues texting her mother details of her life even though her mom passed away recently. When someone responds, Maggie is initially horrified, but she starts to wonder if this unsuspecting stranger might be just what she needs in her life. Like Jill and Wes, the characters form a connection through conversations before truly knowing each other, meaning the emotional intimacy is built first.
If you fell for Wes as hard as he fell for Jill (aka, you want an absolute simp of an MMC)
Savor It by Tarah DeWitt - Wes is the poster boy for “he falls first, he falls harder,” and Savor It delivers the exact same energy. Fisher is a little grumpy at first, but once Sage gets past his defenses, he is completely gone for her. I just love the way he treats her—he is prime book boyfriend material! If your favorite part of the movie was watching Wes look longingly at Jill, then you’ll love this one.
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center - Jake is simply impossible not to fall in love with in this book. He’s the kind of MMC who is quietly devoted, and watching him support Helen throughout her journey post-divorce had me swooning over him from the start. Katherine Center always balances humor and emotion perfectly, and this has the same kind of hopeful and heartfelt combo of emotions that made Voicemails for Isabelle so memorable.
What should I read after watching Voicemails for Isabelle on Netflix - FAQ
Does Voicemails for Isabelle have a happy ending?
The main couple ends up together at the end, so yes! And so do all of the books in this list. There may be sad moments, of course, considering the film focuses on grief, but the romance ends in a Happy Ever After (HEA).
Are these books spicy?
The books on this list range from closed-door and low-spice romances to steamy, open-door love stories. Because every reader has different preferences, I recommend checking the individual content notes and reviews if you're looking for a specific spice level.
Who plays Wes and Jill in Voicemails for Isabelle?
Zoey Deutch plays Jill and Nick Robinson plays Wes in the movie. They’re both very talented and have great chemistry in this film.
What are the most emotional romance books similar to Voicemails for Isabelle?
I’ve got a whole long list of options if you’re looking for a romance book that will make you cry! However, with the books listed above, I’ve highlighted certain aspects of the movie that might interest you the most in book form. I think that Promise Me Sunshine, The Last Goodbye, The Happy Ever After Playlist, and In a Desert Daze are great places to start.
What are other movies and TV shows like Voicemails for Isabelle?
If you’re looking for some other emotional romance movies and tv shows, you’ll probably enjoy Love, Rosie, Love at First Sight, and Nobody Wants This. Normal People, One Day, and Past Lives don’t feature a traditional HEA—but have that romantic, emotional experience.
If you’re anything like me, Voicemails for Isabelle had you feeling all the feels. I only watched the film this weekend and already want to put it on again so I can laugh, cry, and spend some more time with Jill (so endearing!) and Wes (so dreamy!). The best love stories aren’t simply about romance—they’re about finding hope again in more than just one aspect of our lives. So hopefully these romance books are just what you’re looking for to keep the vibes going. Whether you loved the themes of grief and healing, the special voicemail connection these two have, or how hard and fast Wes fell, this list has a little something so you can chase that magical feeling.