These contemporary YA romance books are full of cozy romance, charming chemistry, and happy endings for teen readers.
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The best contemporary young adult novels have realistic characters that teens find relatable. They portray healthy relationship skills, often for characters who are experiencing firsts. New love is sweet and sometimes scary, but reading a romance that you knows has a happy ending will give you all the feels.
I put together this list of some of my favorites that I have read fairly recently (I think the oldest on this list was published in 2018). Most of them are standalone novels, with the exception of the Heartstopper series. They have age-appropriate romance that’s balanced with all the other things that are often going on in high school––worrying about grades, complicated families, friendships, and the question about what comes next.
Find your next YA contemporary romance in this list, whether you’re a teen or an adult reader.
Teen romance reading list
Come As You Are
Come As You Are is by Dahlia Adler.
Age of main characters: 16, high school juniors
Tropes:
- grumpy/sunshine
- forced proximity
Summary
When Everett “Evie” Riley arrives at her new boarding school, she’s accidentally put in the all-boys dorm. Fortunately they’re able to get her a single room, but living in a building full of boys is not the escape from family/friend drama she hoped for. She befriends grumpy goth boy Salem and they make a pact to help each other achieve their goals. She’ll teach him to be ‘good’ if he shows her how to be ‘bad.’
Why you’ll like it
Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler has all the 90s teen movie vibes and a sweet protagonist who you just wanted to wrap in a hug. This is a cozy rom-com about redefining yourself when everything is going wrong.
At the heart of this story is a message of acceptance, not just of the things and people you can’t control, but also of your messy self exactly as you are. Adler has a heartfelt message and she tells it in a unique voice that’s engaging and encouraging.
It is equal parts nostalgic and fresh. I found myself kicking my feet at the romance, laughing out loud at the antics, and occasionally gasping at the drama.
I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher, Wednesday Books.
Order this book: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
Imogen, Obviously
Imogen, Obviously is by Becky Albertalli.
Age of main characters: 17/18, high school seniors and college first-years
Tropes:
- queer stereotypes
- coming of age/identity
- fake dating
Summary
High school senior Imogen is the best ally for all her queer friends. When she visits her friend Lilli at college, Lilli reveals that she told her new friends they used to date. Imogen is happy to go along with it and these new college friends are making her even more excited about attending the school next year. In fact, she likes her new friend Tessa so much that Imogen starts to question whether she’s really just an ally.
Why you’ll like it
Imogen, Obviously is a sweet sapphic romance that’s the perfect read for questioning teens and allies.
Although there is some (realistic) gatekeeping and discourse, this is a cozy read and I loved following Imogen on her rollercoaster of feelings. The author has been bullied online a lot and was pressured into coming out, and you can tell that she put a lot of her own anxious experiences into this story.
I purchased this book from a local bookstore.
Order this book: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
Chaos Theory
Chaos Theory is by Nic Blake.
Age of main characters: 18, end of year/graduation
Tropes:
- wrong number connection
- good girl / bad boy
Summary
Shelbi and Andy are graduating from the same high school, but don’t really know each other. One night Shelbi gets a text from a wrong number; it’s Andy and he’s about to make the wrong decision about driving drunk. But that conversation means a lot to both of them and they quickly become friends. Shelbi makes Andy sign a friendship contract, promising not to fall in love… but as they grow closer, both are worried they might break that rule.
Why you’ll like it
This book takes an honest look at a number of real world issues that teens face and handles them gently. Shelbi and Andy talk to each other honestly (until of course, the moment when they don’t and it all goes wrong) and it really creates a conversation about mental health that feel genuine. And as heavy as the topics of mental health, grief, and addiction are, there is a lot of cute friends-to-lovers banter and fun too. Although their families have things in common, they’re also quite different and that creates some great moments.
I purchased this book at a local book festival.
Order this book: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
If We Were a Movie
If We Were a Movie is by Zakiya N Jamal.
Age of main characters: 16/17, summer before senior year
Tropes:
- rivals to lovers
- forced proximity
- save the small business
Summary
Rochelle is a perfectionist who is focused on good grades, college applications, and making everything just right. The summer before her senior year, she gets a job at a movie theater so she has another activity for her college application. Unfortunately, it happens to be the place where her nemesis Amira—the girl who used to be her friend but might be competition for valedictorian—also works. The girls put their rivalry aside because someone is sabotaging the historic Black movie theater. They’ll have to solve the mystery before the theater closes for good.
Why you’ll like it
If We Were a Movie is a sweet sapphic romance and an intriguing mystery that will have you cheering for all the tropes.
I love drama. It’s one of my favorite things about reading YA. There’s so much going on and everything feels high stakes. Rochelle is such a [relatable] serious girl who studies all the time and never parties. When things go sideways at the theater, she makes it her job to fix that too. I enjoyed watching her come out of her shell and the romance is just adorable.
This was a realistic snapshot of the stress of the summer before senior year and a reminder that some of that pressure comes from parents, even if unintentionally. The secondary characters were really fun too and the vibes of hanging out with friends at a summer job were like a teen movie. Overall this was a fun debut novel.
I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher, Harper Collins.
Order this book: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love
Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love is by Jessica Lewis.
Age of main characters: 17, summer before senior year
Tropes:
- teach me how to date
- changing friendship
Summary
Nav didn’t get into summer camp with her best friend Hallie, but she’s got a chance. New girl Gia has a crush on Hallie but she’s too anxious to say hi. If Nav can teach Gia about dating, she’ll give her the coveted summer camp slot. Nav knows a lot about romance–though she’s only had one night stands–and how hard can it be? For Gia, who struggles with anxiety disorder, really really hard. As Nav and Gia get closer, they discover falling in love is easy when it’s with the right person.
Why you’ll like it
Nav, Gia, and Hallie are the cutest trio that you’ll love rooting for. Nav goes from confident and a bit bristly to a soft sweetheart who cares deeply. Dating as a teen comes with a lot of firsts and watching Nav and Gia discover them all is adorable.
This story is about a lot more than romantic love, though. Nav and Hallie have been besties since childhood, but as senior year approaches, they might be growing apart. And Nav hasn’t got along with her dad since her mom left. Ultimately she tries to keep everyone at a distance, but it turns out to be as emotionally taxing as letting those people get close to her.
I borrowed this audiobook from my library.
Order this book: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
The Library of Lost Things
The Library of Lost Things is by Laura Taylor Namey.
Age of main characters: 17/18, high school senior and recent grad
Tropes:
- quiet girl and popular boy
- books, books, and more books
Summary
Darcy Jane Wells is a bookish girl who hides behind her favorite fairytales and tries to be invisible. She’s also the caretaker of her mom, a hoarder who struggles to do more than work and shop. Darcy has balanced everything just right for years, keeping friends and even their landlord from discovering the secret, but she’s running out of time. Financial support from her grandma is ending, graduation looms, and their apartment lease is almost up. When Asher, an injured pilot who’s taking a gap year, starts spending his free time with her, Darcy will have to learn how to be seen.
Why you’ll like it
I would’ve devoured this book as a teen. You can’t help but root for Darcy, who became a responsible adult way too young, as she tries to reclaim the joy and fun she should be having during her senior year of high school. Her romance with Asher is a slow build, just like you might expect in a real story about a girl who hasn’t had her first kiss yet. He spends a lot of time listening to her, getting to know the stories she loves.
Every chapter of this book begins with a quote from another book, some Shakespeare and a lot of Peter Pan that ties into the story, which really sets the tone in a lovely way.
I borrowed this ebook from my library.
Order this book: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
Heartstopper
Heartstopper is by Alice Oseman. This is a graphic novel series with 5 titles.
Age of main characters: 15/16, year 10/11 at a UK school in the first volume.
Tropes:
- coming of age/identity
- friends to lovers
Summary
Charlie is anxious, openly gay, and tired of being bullied. Nick is popular, a rugby player, and questioning. When they meet, Charlie and Nick become instant best friends and it doesn’t take them long to realize they like each other romantically too. Each graphic novel is a slice-of-life story about the boys and their friends.
Why you’ll like it
These stories are fast reads and the illustrations are so cozy. The slice-of-life stories are low stakes, but Nick and Charlie talk about a lot of serious topics. Anxiety, coming out, bullying, eating disorders, all the mechanics of dating relationships and friendships, falling in love, and figuring out what life will be like after graduation.
I borrowed these graphic novels on Hoopla.
Order this book: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
As You Walk On By
As You Walk On By is by Julian Winters.
Age of main characters: 17, high school seniors
Tropes:
- teen party
- found family
Summary
Theo’s dad has big plans for him that involve good grades and getting into Duke. Theo just wants to wrap up senior year with the best prom night. When Theo’s best friend dares him to ask out his crush at a cool kids’ party, everything goes wrong. Theo ends up hiding in a bedroom, where he spends the evening talking to all the misfit teens. Over the evening, he goes from embarrassed and reluctant to surrounded by new friends––and a new romantic interest.
Why you’ll like it
I had the joy of seeing Julian Winters speak at the North Texas Teen Book Fest two years in a row. Not only is he an excellent writer but also an excellent promoter. He described this one as Breakfast Club vibes and I was sold.
The story is lighthearted and fun while still talking about tough issues for teens (money, college, dating, peer pressure). The main character is a cinnamon roll and this book actually made me nostalgic for high school. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA drama, queer rom-coms, and late-night runs to Waffle House.
I purchased this book at a local book festival.
Order this book: Amazon.com | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
Add a few of these books to your reading list. If you enjoy these stories, be sure to check out other titles by the same authors. Many of them have written tons of good romance you’ll want to read next!
If you’re looking for more reading lists, check out all the book posts. Comment below to let me know what YA romance books I should add to this list or which genre I should write about next!
What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
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