I was just about to recommend 'A little life' by Hanya Yanagihara but you said less than 350 pages. Hmm. Have you read 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini? It's an oldie but goodie. When Breath Becomes Air made me cry too. Neither are romance!
You should probably try Midnight Library by Matt Haig!!! It gives and keeps giving.
I was just about to recommend 'A little life' by Hanya Yanagihara but you said less than 350 pages. Hmm. Have you read 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini? It's an oldie but goodie. When Breath Becomes Air made me cry too. Neither are romance!