40 Best Teen Romance Books
Teen romance books have a special place in our hearts, filled with the excitement, butterflies, and first love experiences that we all remember from our own teenage years.
Whether you’re a teenager yourself or simply looking for a captivating read, these books are sure to make your heart skip a beat.
From contemporary love stories to epic historical romances, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
So, without further ado, let’s begin exploring them one at a time.
40 Teen Romance Books
1. “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green
This poignant novel follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old cancer patient, who meets and falls in love with Augustus Waters, a fellow cancer survivor, at a support group.
The book explores themes of love, loss, and the human experience, as the two embark on a journey that brings both joy and heartache.
2. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han
Lara Jean Covey, a high school junior, writes secret love letters to all of her past crushes but never intends to send them.
However, her life turns upside down when these letters are mysteriously mailed out. The story unfolds as she deals with the repercussions and explores themes of love, family, and growing up.
3. “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell
Set in 1986, this novel follows two 16-year-olds, Eleanor, a misfit dealing with a troubled family life, and Park, a half-Korean boy who doesn’t quite fit in.
Over time, they bond over comic books and music on the school bus, leading to a tender but complicated romance.
4. “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli
Simon Spier is a closeted gay high school student who strikes up an email romance with an anonymous classmate known as “Blue.”
As Simon navigates his way through friendships, blackmail, and identity, the book explores themes of acceptance, friendship, and the courage to be yourself.
5. “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer
This is the first book in the Twilight Saga, focusing on the relationship between Bella Swan, a teenage girl, and Edward Cullen, a vampire.
Their unlikely love story is filled with challenges, including the dangers posed by Edward’s vampire nature.
6. “Anna and the French Kiss” by Stephanie Perkins
Anna Oliphant is sent to an American boarding school in Paris, where she meets Étienne St. Clair.
Despite the complications of existing relationships and the challenges of new beginnings, Anna and Étienne’s friendship blossoms into a romance, capturing the magic and complexities of young love in the City of Light.
7. “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
This novel explores the friendship and eventual romance between two Mexican-American boys, Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza and Dante Quintana.
Set in the 1980s, the story delves into themes of identity, family, and acceptance as the two teenagers discover the most important truths about themselves and the universe.
8. “The Sun Is Also a Star” by Nicola Yoon
Natasha, a Jamaican American girl, and Daniel, a Korean American boy, meet and fall in love over the course of a day in New York City.
Natasha is facing her family’s deportation, and Daniel is struggling with his parents’ expectations. The novel explores fate, love, and the interconnectedness of everyone’s lives.
9. “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell
Cath Avery, an introverted fanfiction writer, navigates her freshman year of college while dealing with her twin sister growing apart, her mother’s abandonment, and her own social anxiety.
The story beautifully captures the challenges and triumphs of moving on, falling in love, and finding one’s own voice.
10. “Paper Towns” by John Green
Quentin “Q” Jacobsen has been in love with his enigmatic neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman, for as long as he can remember. After they share a spontaneous night of adventure, Margo disappears, leaving behind cryptic clues for Q.
The novel is a coming-of-age story that explores the themes of identity, perception, and the complexities of human relationships.
11. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky
This coming-of-age novel is presented through a series of letters written by Charlie, a high school freshman, to an anonymous friend.
Charlie navigates the complexities of adolescence, dealing with first love, the suicide of his best friend, and his own mental health, all while discovering the joys of friendship, music, and literature.
12. “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon
Maddy is a teenager with a rare condition that makes her allergic to the outside world. Her life changes when Olly, a boy next door, enters her life, sparking a romance that challenges her confined existence.
The story explores themes of love, risk, and the intensity of discovering the world and other people for the first time.
13. “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston
This novel follows the unlikely romance between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, and Prince Henry, the younger grandson of the Queen of England.
Their initially antagonistic relationship transforms into a secret romance, challenging their families, countries, and the media.
14. “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by Jesse Andrews
Greg Gaines, who has mastered the art of high school invisibility, befriends a childhood friend Rachel, diagnosed with leukemia.
Along with Earl, his fellow filmmaker, Greg decides to make a film for Rachel, leading to an unexpectedly deep bond and a journey filled with humor and heartache.
15. “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson
This novel tells the story of twins Noah and Jude, who are inseparable until tragedy and personal struggles pull them apart.
The narrative is split between the twins’ perspectives, with Noah narrating their early years and Jude telling the later story. It’s a tale of art, love, and reconciliation.
16. “The Selection” by Kiera Cass
America Singer is chosen to compete in the Selection, a contest to win Prince Maxon’s heart and become the princess of Illea.
The story combines elements of a dystopian society with a bachelor-style competition, exploring themes of love, duty, and social class.
17. “Looking for Alaska” by John Green
Miles “Pudge” Halter attends Culver Creek Boarding School, where he meets Alaska Young, a beautiful and enigmatic student.
The novel is divided into “before” and “after” sections around a pivotal event and explores the impact of Alaska on Miles’s life, touching on themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning.
18. “Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares” by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Told in alternating points of view, Dash and Lily trade challenges, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth across New York City, finding they have more in common with each other than they would have expected.
19. “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart
Set on a private island, the novel follows Cadence Sinclair, a member of a wealthy, distinguished family. After suffering an accident and memory loss, she returns to the island two years later to uncover the truth about the accident.
The novel is known for its atmospheric setting and stunning plot twist.
20. “P.S. I Still Love You” by Jenny Han
This sequel to “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” continues the story of Lara Jean Covey as she navigates the complexities of her newly-real relationship with Peter Kavinsky.
The arrival of another recipient of one of her old love letters adds complications, as Lara Jean learns about the realities of first love.
21. “Love & Gelato” by Jenna Evans Welch
Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany after her mother’s dying wish was for her to get to know her father.
At first, she’s not thrilled, but when she’s given a journal that her mom kept when she lived in Italy, she’s drawn into a world of mystery, romance, and adventure.
The story is a delightful journey of self-discovery, family secrets, and the magic of first love, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian countryside.
22. “If I Stay” by Gayle Forman
This emotionally gripping novel follows Mia, a talented cellist, who experiences a devastating car accident that leaves her in a coma.
In an out-of-body experience, she observes the aftermath of the tragedy and reflects on her life, family, love, and passion for music.
She faces a heart-wrenching decision: to wake up to a life far different than she had imagined or to let go.
23. “Clap When You Land” by Elizabeth Acevedo
Told in verse, this novel explores the lives of two teenage girls, Camino and Yahaira, who discover they are sisters after their father’s death in a plane crash.
Living in different countries (the Dominican Republic and the United States), they grapple with the revelations about their father’s secrets and learn to embrace their shared heritage and newfound family.
24. “Five Feet Apart” by Rachael Lippincott
Stella and Will are teens with cystic fibrosis who meet in a hospital. Due to their illness, they must stay six feet apart at all times to avoid cross-infection.
As they develop feelings for each other, they dream of defying the rules and embracing their love, despite the potential risks to their health.
25. “Since You’ve Been Gone” by Morgan Matson
Emily’s best friend, Sloane, disappears without a word, leaving behind a to-do list of adventures for Emily.
Through completing the tasks on the list, Emily embarks on a journey of self-discovery and confidence-building, making new friends and opening up to new experiences, all the while unraveling the mystery of Sloane’s disappearance.
26. “Before I Fall” by Lauren Oliver
Samantha Kingston relives the last day of her life over seven consecutive days. Initially confused and desperate to correct her past mistakes, Sam learns how her actions have impacted those around her.
The novel delves into themes of redemption, the power of change, and the ripple effects of our actions on the lives of others.
27. “Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick
This novel is a tale of mystery and romance, following Nora Grey, a high school student drawn to a mysterious new classmate, Patch. As she delves deeper into his past, she uncovers his dark secret: he is a fallen angel.
Their romance is fraught with danger and forbidden allure, set against a backdrop of supernatural intrigue.
28. “Beautiful Disaster” by Jamie McGuire
Abby Abernathy, a college student with a dark past, tries to maintain a low profile and a simple life.
However, her world is turned upside down when she meets Travis Maddox, a charming but troubled underground fighter.
Their intense and passionate relationship is tested by their personal demons and the chaotic world around them.
29. “They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera
Set in a world where people receive a phone call on the day they will die, the story follows two teenage boys, Mateo and Rufus, who connect through an app called Last Friend.
They spend their final day together, living a lifetime in a single day, and exploring what it means to live and love when every moment counts.
30. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han
Belly measures her life in summers spent at Cousins Beach with her mother, brother, and her mother’s lifelong best friend and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah.
This summer, everything changes as she finds herself caught in a love triangle between the brothers while navigating the pains and joys of growing up.
31. “Always and Forever, Lara Jean” by Jenny Han
In this final installment of the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” series, Lara Jean Covey is in her senior year of high school and faces new challenges as she plans for college and her future.
She navigates the complexities of her enduring relationship with Peter Kavinsky, the excitement of prom, and the bittersweet changes coming with adulthood, all while trying to stay true to herself.
32. “My Life Next Door” by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Samantha Reed, who comes from a politically prominent family, becomes intrigued by her next-door neighbors, the Garretts, a large and boisterous clan very different from her own controlled household.
Her summer takes an unexpected turn when she falls for Jase Garrett, opening her eyes to a world of warmth, chaos, and living freely.
33. “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight” by Jennifer E. Smith
This romantic tale unfolds over a 24-hour period and starts when Hadley Sullivan misses her flight to London, where she’s meant to attend her father’s wedding.
At the airport, she meets Oliver, a British boy who will be on her rescheduled flight. Their chance encounter leads to a deep connection as they share personal stories and explore themes of family, destiny, and love.
34. “Matched” by Ally Condie
Set in a dystopian future where the Society dictates everything from meals to marriages, Cassia is matched with her best friend, Xander.
But when an error shows her the face of another boy, Ky, Cassia starts to question the Society’s infallibility.
She finds herself torn between the safety of Xander and the passion she feels for Ky, leading her down a path of rebellion and love.
35. “Geekerella” by Ashley Poston
This modern retelling of Cinderella is set in the world of fandoms and conventions.
Elle Wittimer, a sci-fi fan, enters a cosplay contest in hopes of winning a ticket to a ball and a meet-and-greet with the star of a reboot of her favorite series.
Her unlikely romance with Darien, a teen actor playing the lead in the series, is a charming tale of fandom, resilience, and unexpected love.
36. “All the Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven
This novel tells the story of Violet Markey and Theodore Finch, who meet on the ledge of the school bell tower.
Both struggling with their personal demons, they partner on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, finding both love and heartache.
The story deals with heavy themes of mental illness, grief, and the beauty of living.
37. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
Narrated by Death, this novel is set in Nazi Germany and follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl who finds solace in stealing books and sharing them with others.
The story depicts the horrors of war and the power of words and friendship through the relationships Liesel forms, particularly with her foster family and a Jewish man they hide in their home.
38. “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson
Melinda Sordino, a high school freshman, becomes an outcast after calling the police during a summer party.
Battling isolation and depression, she eventually finds her voice and confronts the trauma she experienced.
The novel is a powerful exploration of the emotional aftermath of sexual assault and the importance of speaking out.
39. “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
This novel follows Starr Carter, a 16-year-old African American girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed friend, Khalil, by a police officer.
Caught between the two worlds of her poor neighborhood and her upscale prep school, Starr must navigate the challenges of speaking her truth in the face of injustice and societal pressure.
40. “A Walk to Remember” by Nicholas Sparks
Landon Carter recounts his senior year of high school in Beaufort, North Carolina, in the late 1950s, where he falls in love with Jamie Sullivan, a girl he once looked down upon.
Their love story, marked by romance, discovery, and the power of faith, is poignant and transformative, especially as they face Jamie’s devastating secret.
