Suggest me a book like “The Road” or “The Stand” (S. King) without supernatural stuff but character driven and intense story

Hello,

I need a few suggestions with certain conditions/features. Added spoiler tag just to be sure.

I recently read/heard (the awesome audiobook) "the stand" from Stephen King and was blown away by the characters and his writing style. It was my first king book and really liked his way with words.
Spoiler for The Stand for people who haven't read the book:

I loved the chapters with Nick and Tom Cullen. Larry's chapters, especially in the first book with Rita for example. The second book in Boulder with the intense scenes with Harold, Franny and Stu and Harold's ledger. And in The last Book the whole journey with Stu and Tom Cullen. There were really, really emotional scenes in this chapter because I loved Tom Cullen as a character so much. Those were emotional and in parts also really intense

I would like another book that has beautiful written characters with an intense story so it isn't "just" a character drama.

It shouldn't preferably be a YA Novel, I tried a bunch of these and they weren't my type anymore.

Since I already had a supernatural story and I typically am not the biggest fan of supernatural stuff it should preferably not have supernatural elements if it is possible. I would like a more… Maybe grounded approach to a story I suppose?

The story should be… I don't know how to describe it, be grand, have an overarching bigger arc so the stakes are higher and the story feels more intense and big. I guess this goes in line with the fact I don't want a purely character drama.

I don't need other Stephen King recommendations, they are all already on my wishlist and can't wait to read them in time.

So to make things more precise:

• not purely character drama but with a bigger, grand story
• intense scenes with exciting, thrilling and gripping moments and stories between characters
• emotional moments that can make you feel sad or tears of joy because of heartwarming or heartbreaking moments (again, like in the stand for me personally)
• a story that has twists and turns so you can't predict it right from the beginning and the story always feels thrilling, exciting and fresh
• i would preferably don't want supernatural elements as those -for me!- sometimes can cheapen a story because anything is possible and you can't even begin to guess what happens next sometimes

Thank you for your suggestions!