Katelyn's Book'd Lists

Romance Books I Loved When I Was a Teenager (and Still Related to Other Teenagers)

Created by Katelyn - Updated on March 27^th 2023

Fun little story: I volunteered as a page in my high school's library and I re-shelved the books in the AAA-DOG section. This was how I was introduced to Sarah Dessen's YA romance books, and I was hooked from then on. If you enjoy YA romances that center around teenagers in high school, here is a list for you!

Tell Me Three Things

Buxbaum, Julie.

From the Publisher

What if the person you need the most is someone you've never met? Funny and romantic, this tug-at-your-heartstrings contemporary YA debut is perfect for readers of Rainbow Rowell, Jennifer Niven, and E. Lockhart. Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that's what it feels like during her first week as a junior at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. It's been barely two years since her mother's death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has...

My Thoughts

For those who like dating a mystery person on the Internet! (I know that sounds sketchy, but it's actually a great book)

The improbable theory of Ana and Zak

Katcher, Brian, author.

From the Publisher

Ana is an honor student obsessed with being successful at everything academic, Clayton is her thirteen-year-old genius brother, the youngest student in their high school and Zak is gamer who is forced to join the quiz team by his teacher--but when Clayton sneaks off to a science fiction convention in Seattle while they are all there for a quiz bowl tournament, Ana is forced to rely on the unreliable Zak to find him.

My Thoughts

For those who like Comic Con!

Always never yours

Wibberley, Emily, author.

From the Publisher

Between rehearsals for the school play and managing her divided family, seventeen-year-old Megan meets aspiring playwright Owen Okita, who agrees to help her attract the attention of a cute stagehand in exchange for help writing his new script.

My Thoughts

For those who like theatre and Shakespeare plays!

The chaos of standing still

Brody, Jessica, author.

From the Publisher

Ryn, eighteen, trapped by a massive blizzard in the Denver airport, meets some unique characters who help her cope with survivor's guilt on the first anniversary of her best friend's death.

My Thoughts

For those who like 24-hour romances and airports! (This is my all-time favorite YA romance!)

Once and for all : a novel

Dessen, Sarah, author.

From the Publisher

Louna's years working at her mother's wedding planning business--as well as the tragic end of her first love--have shaped her cynical views on romance, but the arrival of serial-dater Ambrose may start to change Louna's mind and give her a second chance at love.

My Thoughts

For those who liked "The Wedding Planner"!

Saint Anything : a novel

Dessen, Sarah, author.

From the Publisher

Sydney's charismatic older brother Peyton has always been the center of attention in the family, but when he's sent to jail, Sydney struggles to find her place at home and the world until she meets the Chathams, including gentle, protective Mac, who makes her feel seen for the first time.

My Thoughts

For those who enjoy quiet and protective romances!

Along for the ride : a novel

Dessen, Sarah.

From the Publisher

When Auden impulsively goes to stay with her father, stepmother, and new baby sister the summer before she starts college, all the trauma of her parents' divorce is revived, even as she is making new friends and having new experiences such as learning to ride a bike and dating.

My Thoughts

For those who like nocturnal romances! And insomnia! (Again, doesn't sound promising, but it's still great)

Emmy & Oliver

Benway, Robin, author.

From the Publisher

"Sheltered seventeen-year-old Emmy's childhood best friend Oliver reappears after disappearing with his father ten years ago"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

For those who like best friends to lovers!

My life next door

Fitzpatrick, Huntley.

From the Publisher

One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom...

My Thoughts

For those who like the boy next door trope!

The fault in our stars

Green, John, 1977-

From the Publisher

Sixteen-year-old Hazel, a stage IV thyroid cancer patient, has accepted her terminal diagnosis until a chance meeting with a boy at cancer support group forces her to reexamine her perspective on love, loss, and life.

My Thoughts

For those who like to cry!

Love and other foreign words

McCahan, Erin.

From the Publisher

Brilliant fifteen-year-old Josie has a knack for languages, but her sister's engagement has Josie grappling with the nature of true love, her feelings for her best friend Stu, and how anyone can be truly herself, or truly in love, in a social language that is not her own.

My Thoughts

For those who like sweet endings!

By the book : a novel of prose and cons

Sellet, Amanda, author.

From the Publisher

"A teen obsessed with 19th century literature tries to cull advice on life and love from her favorite classic heroines to disastrous results--especially when she falls for the school's resident Lothario"-- Provided by publisher.

My Thoughts

For those who like a high school bad boy and quiet book nerd pair!

Excuse me while I ugly cry

Goffney, Joya, author.

From the Publisher

"Quinn keeps lists of everything--from the days she's ugly cried, to 'Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud' and all the boys she'd like to kiss. Her lists keep her sane. By writing her fears on paper, she never has to face them in real life. That is, until her journal goes missing ... Then an anonymous account posts one of her lists on Instagram for the whole school to see and blackmails her into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public. Quinn doesn't...

My Thoughts

For those who like blackmail, lists, and romance!

Better than the movies

Painter, Lynn, author.

From the Publisher

Michael, to whom Liz Buxbaum gave her heart long ago, has returned but to get his attention and, perhaps, a prom date she must scheme with her nemesis Wes, her next-door neighbor.

My Thoughts

For those who like enemies-to-lovers who grew up next to each other!