7 Books About Jealousy Representation

Welcome to a literary journey that ventures into the heart of one of our most compelling and universal emotions: jealousy. This green-eyed monster, as Shakespeare aptly named it, has been a source of inspiration for storytellers and writers throughout the ages. From the silent whispers of envy to the loud roars of rivalry, jealousy shapes characters and narratives in ways that are profound, devastating, and sometimes surprisingly redemptive.

If you’re fascinated by the exploration of human emotions and the intricate dynamics they create in our relationships, then this post is tailor-made for you. We’re about to dive into a carefully curated list of books that not only represent jealousy in its many forms but also offer insight into the human condition. These stories will take us on a journey through the shadows of envy, the complexities of desire, and the transformative power of understanding. So, prepare to go into the depths of jealousy with an open mind and a keen eye for the lessons it can teach us about love, loss, and the path to forgiveness.

7 Books About Jealousy

Jealousy is a universal emotion that everyone experiences to some degree, yet its manifestations and impacts can vary widely. It arises in the context of interpersonal relationships, whether romantic, familial, or platonic. Books about jealousy representation cover the psychology behind jealousy, exploring its root causes, triggers, and effects on individuals and relationships. By understanding jealousy more deeply, you gain insight into the intricacies of human emotions and interpersonal dynamics. Here are seven books on jealousy trope. Let’s go!

1. Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior

Some people refer to this book as the OCD Bible. It will be particularly valuable if you have been prone to obsessive thinking. Suppose you’re truly dealing with obsessive-compulsive thinking or jealousy around your partner’s past or interested in looking at OCD from a scientific standpoint. In that case, it is the best book on the market.

The book doesn’t acknowledge or deal with retroactive jealousy specifically. Brain Lock is a great place to start if you want to find an escape route from obsessive thinking.

Author: Jeffrey M. Schwartz
Publisher: Harper Perennial, Anniversary Edition
Average Rating: 4.6/5
Tropes: Mood Disorders, OCD, Psychiatry
Number Of Pages: 272
Item Weight: 7.2 ounces
Dimensions: 5.31 x 0.61 x 8 inches
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD

2. Scarred Queen (The Queens)

This book will work for you if you like the mafia, dark, alcohol, jealousy, and possess. But there is a huge content warning for domestic abuse. Specifically, our main character is married to a different mafia boss, and he is abusive to her actively. It’s clear that this has been happening for a very long time. Then you get this mafia boss-like rival, making for an exciting story.

Also, you get full-out mafia war and domestic abuse. Hero’s storyline is completely ridiculous, and the heroine’s inner dialogue is annoying to me. Overall, I enjoyed the romance and suspense. If you like dark romance with a jealous hero, you must try it first. Look into the content warning before you read it.

Author: Nikita Slater
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Tropes: Erotica, Dark, Suspense, Crime, Abuse
Number Of Pages: 307
Available: Paperback | Kindle

3. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

I believe that some primary mindfulness meditation practice is essential for anyone who struggles with the rhetoric of jealousy. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is an excellent introduction to meditation, mindfulness practices, etc. It’s a very Westerner-friendly introduction to these practices. He’s a good writer, and the book sold a bajillion copies.

It’s a very well-regarded book and goes into changing the way you feel. The author mainly aims at people suffering from depression, jealousy, and even if you’re not struggling with clinical depression. If you find it difficult to snap yourself out of these dark moods due to retroactive jealousy, you’ll discover feeling good to be a perfect read.

Author: Eckhart Tolle
Publisher: New World Library
Average Rating: 4.7/5
Tropes: Meditation, Spiritual Self-Help, Philosophy, Psychology
Number Of Pages: 236
Item Weight: 12 ounces
Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle

4. Dragon Bound (Elder Races)

This is one of my favorite urban fantasy romances with a dragon shifter. Dragos is the only dragon in the world that is old and mighty, and he displays many attributes that are often associated with dragons, including possessiveness over his horde. So, he is jealous and arrogant about his power. Our heroine, Pia, steals something from his horde and leaves a note.

Pia was forced to steal something from his hoard, and she felt bad about it, but he couldn’t believe she had done it. Dragos can’t believe that she left him a note. So she gets on his radar, and he will find her. Once he finds her, he wants to make her his mate.

You’ll love this because you get the found family aspect with all of his sentinels. The people who work for him are also very powerful paranormal, almost in their own right. Also, you get this very jealous, all-powerful male who will do anything for his mate.

Author: Thea Harrison
Publisher: Berkley, 1st Edition
Award nominee: Goodreads Choice
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Tropes: Ghost Romance, Adventure, Dragons, Shapeshifters, Fae, Crime
Number Of Pages: 338
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Mass Market Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD

5. Maybe Next Time (Vegas Nights)

The book doesn’t have as many jealous, possessive scenes, but they exist. The story is about a marriage in crisis and how to deal with a miscarriage. So there is a big content warning for that. How a couple (Kensa & Denver) dealt with their grief wasn’t the healthiest. Instead of it bringing them together, it did drive them apart. So, their marriage is over, and Kensa’s filing for divorce.

So, Denver kidnaps her on vacation. Then she comes to her senses and realizes that they were meant to be together, that he loves her. It is not the way their story ends. I feel like it can throw up red flags for a stalker, marital rape, abuse, etc. But it’s not because they truly are still in love. So the fictional story, both characters are still in love. But they’re having trouble, and it’s going to get fixed.

Author: Christina C. Jones
Publisher: Warm Hues Creative
Average Rating: 4.7/5
Tropes: Marriage-in-trouble, Second-chance
Number Of Pages: 85
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD

6. Bared to You (Crossfire)

Crossfire is the six-book series following the same couple. They are so toxic, and I love them. I reread the first book, and I found jealousy and toxicity. Gideon Cross is a billionaire with dark hair, blue eyes, six-pack abs, animal magnetism, and cliches. Then we have Eva, who is not a socialite, but her mom is a trophy wife. She is wealthy in her own right, but she works at an advertising agency, and she has a traumatic past and is hiding from that past.

So one thing I liked was their romance and relationship being nontraditional. They both had severe insecurities, jealousy, and certain lines that were very difficult for them because of their past issues. The main problem with this book is the weak character presentation, but the story is good. So, if you continue reading, you will get many jealous, possessive displays from both characters about each other, which I enjoy.

Author: Sylvia Day
Publisher: Berkley
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Tropes: Psychological Fiction, BDSM, Alpha-male
Number Of Pages: 362
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle | Audio CD

7. Rushed (Adventures in Love)

Our protagonist, Cybil, gets left not at the altar, and she has been dating a boy since high school. The thing I didn’t necessarily love about a conflict is that her fiancee is gay and is in love with a man who he was roommates with in college. He has gone to visit him and has been cheating on her this whole time, but she wasn’t out and had a challenging time coming out.

But I didn’t love that he was the story’s villain and his jealousy. It does get addressed that she understands, but she wishes he would have trusted her with it instead of marrying her to be used as his cover. Cybil has a romance with the ex-military guide, a survivalist, and is very rugged. He is willing to pick up his entire life and go with her. So the book represents many tropes that make it colorful. The hardcover durability and font quality is poor, but the paperback is fantastic to pick.

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds
Publisher: Montlake
Average Rating: 4.4/5
Tropes: Romantic Comedy, War, Protective-alpha, Friends-to-lovers, Insta-love
Number Of Pages: 223
Available: Audiobook | Paperback | Kindle | Audio CD

Bonus books

The Wisdom of Insecurity: The best book on presenting Mindfulness, gaining a greater perspective on our place in the cosmos and our little problems. Alan Watts is one of the greatest public speakers of all time.

If you search Alan Watts on YouTube, you can find hours of incredible stuff. He was a remarkable speaker, and he was an equally talented writer. So this book is a great read for any retroactive jealousy suffering. When I struggled with retroactive jealousy, it helped me greatly.

Mating in Captivity: It’s an essential read for anyone in a long-term relationship. Esther Perel is a longtime couples counselor, therapist, great author, and good writer. This book is based on decades of working in couples counseling. So it gets into how to keep the fire alive, the passion, and the long-term relationship.

Also, it will be beneficial and relevant to anyone suffering from retroactive jealousy. Reading this book is a significant step you can take toward repairing some of the damage that jealousy is causing your relationship.

5 Romance Books About Jealousy Representation

1. “Something in the Way” by Jessica Hawkins

Series: Something in the Way

This series opener introduces readers to an epic saga of forbidden love. When Manning and Lake meet, an undeniable connection forms, but circumstances and societal norms keep them apart. Lake’s older sister, Tiffany, becomes a source of tension and jealousy as Manning tries to do the right thing by staying away from Lake. The series beautifully explores the painful longing and jealousy that arise from unfulfilled love and societal pressures.

2. “Thoughtless” by S.C. Stephens

Series: Thoughtless

Kiera’s relationship with her devoted boyfriend, Denny, is tested when she develops feelings for Denny’s best friend, Kellan, a local rock star. The ensuing love triangle is a tumultuous exploration of desire, betrayal, and jealousy. As Kiera faces her conflicting emotions, the characters are forced to confront the consequences of their actions and the jealousy that threatens to tear them apart.

3. “The Deal” by Elle Kennedy

Series: Off-Campus

Although “The Deal” starts as a light-hearted new adult romance, it skillfully incorporates themes of jealousy, especially as the relationship between Hannah and Garrett develops. Both protagonists face their insecurities and past traumas, which are compounded by the jealous tensions that arise with the introduction of other romantic interests, testing their burgeoning relationship.

4. “Bully” by Penelope Douglas

Series: Fall Away

Tate and Jared were once best friends, but after Jared turns on Tate, she becomes the target of his aggression. Upon her return after a year away, Tate finds that the dynamics have shifted, and the line between love and hate becomes blurred. The novel explores the jealousy and misunderstandings that fuel their conflict, leading to a complex and intense relationship.

5. “Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan

While not centered around jealousy, “Archer’s Voice” touches on the theme through the external challenges and misunderstandings that arise between Bree and Archer as they build their relationship. The small-town setting and the characters’ past traumas contribute to the tensions and jealousies from external parties that test the strength of their connection. The story is a poignant exploration of overcoming barriers to finding love and understanding.

5 Fiction books about jealousy representation

1. “Othello” by William Shakespeare

One of Shakespeare’s most intense tragedies, “Othello” delves deep into the destructive power of jealousy. The story revolves around Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and his manipulative ensign, Iago, who, out of jealousy and spite, sets in motion a plot to destroy Othello’s life and marriage to Desdemona. The play is a timeless exploration of jealousy, love, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked emotions.

2. “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult

This novel explores the complex dynamics within a family dealing with a child’s illness. Anna is genetically engineered to be a donor for her sister Kate, who suffers from leukemia. The story covers medical ethics, family obligations, and the jealousy and guilt that arise from Anna’s role within the family. Picoult masterfully weaves a narrative that questions morality, love, and the jealousies that can emerge from the most well-intentioned decisions.

3. “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison’s powerful novel examines issues of race, beauty, and identity through the eyes of Pecola Breedlove, a young African-American girl who dreams of having blue eyes to conform to conventional standards of beauty. The novel explores the jealousy Pecola feels towards girls with lighter skin and blue eyes, delving into the destructive impact of societal and racial prejudices on individual self-esteem and community relationships.

4. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn

In this thriller, Flynn explores the dark side of marriage and the media’s obsession with sensationalized crime. The disappearance of Amy Dunne unveils the deep-seated jealousy and manipulation within her marriage to Nick Dunne. Through its twisty narrative, “Gone Girl” reveals the complexities of identity, perception, and the lengths to which jealousy and revenge can drive individuals.

5. “Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier

This classic novel tells the story of a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, Maxim de Winter, and moves to his large estate, Manderley. There, she finds herself living in the shadow of Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, whose presence is felt everywhere. The novel explores the unnamed protagonist’s jealousy and insecurity as she confronts the legacy of Rebecca and the mysteries surrounding her death. Du Maurier crafts a haunting tale of love, jealousy, and the search for identity.

Last Words

Through the stories we’ve shared, jealousy has revealed itself not just as a catalyst for conflict but as a mirror to our souls, challenging us to confront the often uncomfortable truths about ourselves and our relationships. These books have offered us a spectrum of perspectives on jealousy, from its destructive force to its potential to lead us toward personal growth and deeper understanding.

Whether you’ve found yourself nodding in recognition, pondering the complexities of human nature, or simply enjoying the drama that jealousy unfurls, we hope this journey has enriched your appreciation for the diverse ways in which literature can capture and illuminate the human experience. Here’s to the next book that will captivate your heart and mind, offering new insights into the emotions that unite and divide us. Happy reading, and may you find both reflection and resolution in the stories you choose to explore next.

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