Indulge Your Inner Romantic With These 7 Swoon-Worthy Contemporary YA Reads

Is there any better feeling than falling in love? Well, other than falling in love with a book, that is.

From time warps to foiled schemes, this roundup of 8 contemporary YA romance novels has something for everyone. We can’t promise you won’t get your heart broken, but we can promise there’ll be another great read just around the corner if you do!

This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang

Seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s entire life changes overnight when her essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral. The only trouble is, she made it up. Desperate to hide the truth, Eliza strikes a deal with the famous actor in her class, the charming but aloof Caz Song. She’ll help him write his college applications if he poses as her boyfriend. But when their relationship starts feeling a little too convincing, all of Eliza’s carefully laid plans are threatened.

Ages 12+

Buy a copy of This Time It’s Real here.

The Comedienne’s Guide to Pride by Hayli Thomson

Taylor Parker isn’t out yet, but she’s keeping an even bigger secret: she entered a sketch contest where the grand prize is an internship at SNL. When Taylor applied for this opportunity for marginalized writers, she checked the “LGBTQ” box on the application without really thinking about it. But now that she’s a finalist, she realizes she’ll need to be out to win. Whether she’s ready or not.

Ages 14+

Buy a copy of The Comedienne’s Guide to Pride here.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales

Eighteen-year-old Maya dumped her cheating ex-boyfriend Jordy two years ago. So, when she receives a call to participate in Second Chance Romance – a reality show in which the now-famous Jordy re-dates his ex-girlfriends – she isn’t interested… until she realizes she can use this opportunity to exact her revenge. If she can make it to the final spot on the show, she can reject Jordy in front of the nation. As the season finale approaches, can Maya execute her plan, or will she go off-script?

Ages 12+

Buy a copy of Never Ever Getting Back Together here.

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

When Barrett Bloom begins college on September 21st, everything goes wrong. The next morning, Barrett’s perplexed to find it’s September 21st. Again. And after a confrontation with Miles, the guy from Physics 101, she learns she’s not alone – he’s been trapped for months. Soon they’re exploring the mysterious underbelly of the university and going on wild, romantic adventures. But what happens to their relationship if they finally make it to tomorrow?

Ages 14+

Buy a copy of See You Yesterday here.

She Gets the Girl by Alyson Derrick and Rachael Lippincott

Alex and Molly are two girls who don’t belong on the same planet, let alone the same college campus. Alex is a little bit headstrong, with a dash of chaos and a whole lot of flirt. Molly has everything in her life totally in control, except for her complete awkwardness with just about anyone besides her mum. When the girls’ paths cross unexpectedly, they realise they might have more in common than they thought…

Ages 14+

Buy a copy of She Gets the Girl here.

The Cult of Romance by Sarah Ayoub

Natalie is living proof that love is a scam. She’s traumatised by her parents’ failed marriage and overwhelmed by her grandmother’s expectations of good Lebanese girls. When her best friend decides to get hitched to a guy in the motherland, Nat’s not exactly thrilled. And to top it off there’s the annoyingly good-looking best man and his constant need to mansplain. Natalie is in for the trip of her life. But can she save her friend from the cult of romance, without falling in love herself?

Ages 14+

Buy a copy of The Cult of Romance here.

Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden

Luca is ready to audition for the Australian Ballet School. All it takes to crush his dreams is one missed step . . . and a broken foot. Jordan is the gorgeous rowing star and school captain of Luca’s new school. Everyone says he’s straight – but Luca’s not so sure… As their unlikely bond grows stronger, Luca starts to wonder: who is he without ballet? And is he setting himself up for another heartbreak?

Ages 13+

Buy a copy of Anything But Fine here.