Love is in the air and in these great young adult romance novels! Thanks to recent strides in representation, romance has a little more splash of color these days.
This Valentine’s Day, we’ve got a list of recommendations that include a little something for everyone.
In no particular order, here are 5 YA romance novels you should definitely read:
1. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Shy Lara Jean confesses to her crushes in a letter that she stores under her bed. But one day, she finds out her secret box of letters has been mailed out, forcing her to confront the boys in the aforementioned letters. As she deals with the fallout, life takes several turns – but not necessarily for the worse.
I read To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and its sequels in high school, and it’s still one of my favorites. Lara Jean is a relatable teen who deals with the woes of adolescence. In addition to dealing with her love life, she balances her relationships with her sister, which is portrayed in a realistic and sweet manner.
This series also touches on her heritage. Lara Jean is half Korean, and we see her and her family embracing her culture. In a world dominated by white YA protagonists, it’s refreshing to see characters of color who are not only main characters, but who are also treated as three-dimensional characters.
2. Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
Straight high schooler Imogen Scott is best friends with two queer girls, Gretchen and Lili. When Lili reveals that she told her college friends that she dated Imogen, the latter plays along with the lie. But as Imogen gets to know Gretchen’s college best friend, Tessa, she starts questioning her sexuality.
Imogen, Obviously was a fun, fast read that I related to a lot even as an adult. It’s also one of the first books I’ve read with a bisexual main character. Even with more queer representation in media, there are few bi characters as leads, so this was refreshing.
Through the book, Imogen not only finds love, but she also learns about her own identity and what true friendship looks like. This is something many of us can relate to, even after high school and beyond. It’s handled in a funny, authentic fashion.
3. Flip The Script by Lyla Lee
Hana gets a starring role on a K-drama and deals with fake dating her co-star boyfriend. Things go well–until the show runners bring in a rival love interest that threatens Hana’s position as the female lead. What’s worse, the girl is someone Hana knows well — someone Hana finds herself falling for, despite the odds stacked against her.
Flip The Script pokes fun at the melodrama of K-dramas and show business itself, which makes it a fun backdrop to the sweet romance. Add that with a fake relationship for PR while two rivals fall in love off screen (and two women of color, no less!), and you have yourself a fun ride.
The book also acknowledges homophobia and Hana’s struggle to fight for herself as a bisexual girl who just happens to fall for another girl. But it handles it in a way that isn’t depressing; instead, it includes an uplifting message about embracing who you are and challenging society for its prejudices.
4. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Charlie is an over-thinker and openly gay student at a British all-boys school. When he meets Nick, a sweet rugby player at the same school, they quickly hit it off. But Charlie finds himself falling for Nick quickly, and Nick finds himself questioning his sexuality for the first time.
I’ve read several of the Heartstopper books and immediately fell in love. Charlie and Nick have the cutest relationship, one that feels realistic and emphasizes communication and trust.
They also have a diverse group of queer friends who deal with their own relationships and challenges. This makes the series as a whole feel grounded.
While the series does touch on homophobia and social issues faced by teens, it’s underscored with an overall message of positivity. If you’re looking for a cozy read where queer kids get to just live, I highly recommend checking this book (and television series) out.
5. All’s Fair In Love and Field Hockey by Kit Rosewater
Evelyn follows in her late mother’s footsteps as her school’s star hockey player. But when she plays against her rival team’s new recruit, Rosa, she loses badly. The two soon come to a stalemate, secretly helping one another on the field, and Evelyn starts wondering if there’s more to life than hockey.
I picked up All’s Fair in Love and Field Hockey on a whim at my library, but I’m glad I did. This is how I like to see the rivals-to-lovers trope played out. The characters are passionate about their sports like it’s life or death, and the inherent homoeroticism that comes with said rivalry.
Not only is the relationship between Evelyn and Rosa compelling, but Evelyn also grows as a character in a way that’s organic.
She realizes that being ultra-competitive isn’t all there is to life. So, she decides to invest in herself over her late mother’s wishes. This is a quick and fun read for anyone into rivals-to-lovers.
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Have you read any novels on this list? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
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Fairley Lloyd
Fairley Lloyd is a content editor, freelance writer, and all-around words lover. She graduated from UNC Wilmington with a BFA in creative writing and publishing certificate. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, crafting, and listening to 2000s emo music.