#thehoax

Getting some of the obvious ones out of the way (that you’ve probably already read):

Beach Read and Book Lovers both have protagonists in the writing world and feature academic(ish) rivals encouraging eachother to pursue their passions, but they’re a lot more romance-focused and ik EH isn’t for everyone. (I liked Beach Read better, this is an unpopular opinion lol).

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before also deals with the fantasy vs reality of romantic relationships/idealizing romantic interests and making decisions regarding your future but again, much more romance-focused.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue has a similar focus on the arts, creative process, imposter syndrome, and having a muse + idealized romance vs real romance but is probably least similar as far as plot goes.

And as for general vibes, you might like The Scorpio Races? Vague early 20th century setting, mostly ordinary world featuring fantasy creatures and small elements of magic, beautiful scenery, protagonists that form a bond but are developed as individuals (romance is not the ultimate focus), deals with major decisions about the future. Bonus: as of last year, an animated film is in the works!

I also reached out to a few mutuals for some recs and here’s what they came up with:

The Raven Cycle: protagonist lives in a house of psychics and grapples with lacking psychic power (à la Kiki’s Delivery Service), ordinary world with fantasy/magic elements, beautiful scenery

“Uprooted and anything by Margeret Rogerson (esp Sorcery of Thorns)”: says they’re “Howl-esque”

“something by Erin Morgenstern”: “The Night Circus has such a strong sense of place i can see that being a win for some Ghibli fans”

I’ll Give You The Sun: “Very creative process focused and as far as I remember it's set in a smallish beach town so it has some sort of small-town vibe”

The Land Of Elyon: “I haven’t read them since like middle school but they may be similar [to Studio Ghibli movies]”

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West: “Very magical and fantasy world focused, can be dark at times”

Howl’s Moving Castle: obviously