Shannon and Julie's Top Ten Young Adult Romance Recommendations!

Summer is the perfect time to pull out an easy romance, something that goes down quick and smooth and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. While we love our steamy adult romances just as much as the next girl, we also cherish a YA moment, and these books represent some of our favorite Young Adult tropes, characters, and stories. Whether they were read years ago or more recently, we (Julie and Shannon) have come together to share our favorite YA romances for your next swoony summer read. So sit back, relax, and don’t be afraid to embrace the sheer amount of high school represented in these books. We promise you’ll enjoy them!

1. The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett

Summary:

The Anatomical Shape of a Heart follows Bex, who is very into anatomical drawing (because she is not like other girls) and her newfound love interest, Jack, who harbors some impressive secrets. Occupying two different worlds within San Francisco, they navigate love, family, and the past while romping through the city together.

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Okay, The Anatomical Shape of a Heart is one of my favorite YA romances of all time. It is incredible, and I do not say that lightly. Jack is one of the best YA love interests ever written (again, not lightly). I do not know what it is about this book, maybe there’s crack laced into the pages, but every time I read it, I fly through it. It is one I have and will continue to return to, but I can not recommend this book enough!

Julie’s Thoughts:

I initially read this on Shannon’s recommendation, and it was the perfect 24-hour read to get me through a day of lockdown last April. Jenn Bennett writes banter so well, and although there were some of the usual YA cliches present, they don’t overpower the narrative. All I will say is that I love a dark-haired love interest who hates his powerful dad. This will be a recurring theme.

2. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Summary:

Anna and the French Kiss is the first of Stephanie Perkins’ swoon- worthy trio of romance novels centering around girls in love, in three different cities! Anna and the French Kiss follows Anna Oliphant as she moves to Paris for her senior year of high school to attend the School of America in Paris. Anna has to navigate new friendships, a new city, and a new crush on the beautiful Étienne St. Clair. Stephanie Perkins knows how to perfectly intertwine cliche into her fresh novels, and this is definitely a breezy 24-hour read.

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Anna and the French Kiss is a near perfect YA Romance for me. I love all the characters (minus Toph, read to find out why he’s the worst ever), and Stephanie Perkins has mastered the art of world building. When I finished with this book I felt like I had lost friends. I wanted more information, to crawl inside the sleeves of this book, and to never leave. That’s what constitutes a great read to me! Luckily there are two complimentary novels and you can continue to live in this world!

Julie’s Thoughts:

Also on the recommendation of my fellow Suburban Elitists, I absolutely ate up the Paris boarding school setting and the cast of well-rounded characters. Étienne is the love interest of everyone’s dreams, and Stephanie Perkins is phenomenal at creating dreamy romantic scenarios, yearning, and generally making the reader want to vicariously live through Anna. Which I did, and you will too!

3. Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Summary:

Today, Tonight, Tomorrow follows two high school nemeses, Rowan Roth and Neil McNair. The two have competed against each other for everything, and they’re about to enter the final contest of highschool, answering the question of who will claim Valedictorian of their class. But when the pair teams up for a 24-hour senior scavenger hunt the night before graduation, their true feelings about each other start to unravel.

Shannon's Thoughts:

This is a super fun, quick read! It did take me a little while to get into just because it feels very high school (it is YA) but once I did get into it, I could not put it down. I would recommend this to someone if they want a good read for a road trip or vacation and are looking for something fun that won't make them cry at all (sometimes the romances can get you).

Julie's Thoughts:

I will admit, I read this in the year of our Lord 2021, but it’s probably my favorite book on this list. Rachel Lynn Solomon takes rivals to lovers to the absolute next level, carefully peeling back the layers of these characters throughout the night, revealing their past and their potential future. I will always refer to them as the Devi Vishwakumar and Ben Gross (of Never Have I Ever) of YA books, which should be enough to make you sprint to the bookstore immediately, in my opinion.

4. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Summary:

I’ll Give You the Sun might make you a little more teary than some of the other titles on this list, but we promise you it’s worth it. This beautifully written story centers around twins Noah and Jude at ages 13 and 16, with Noah narrating both twins’ stories at 13 and Jude narrating at 16. A watershed event upends their lives in the interim of these years, and the story weaves loss, love, passion, sibling relationships, and coming out all in one fell swoop.

Shannon’s Thoughts:

I read I’ll Give You the Sun Junior year of high school (I think), and I think if I re-read it now I would enjoy it more than I even originally did. I’ll Give You the Sun deals with some things I think I was not prepared for as a small sixteen year old. It is definitely a YA that would hold into adulthood because of its sometimes mature subject matter. It was another that took me so long to read but once it picks up pace, it is incredible! I would also recommend Jandy Nelson’s other YA Romance, The Sky is Everywhere!

Julie’s Thoughts:

I was enthralled with this book when I first read it back in high school, and the themes will resonate just as strongly no matter what age you are. The prose is intricate and graceful, reflecting the book’s focus on the impact of art in our lives and how art contributes to healing. I love the decision to split the perspectives between Noah and Jude, and the way readers see a sibling relationship that is well-rounded and fleshed out.

5. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Summary:

Fangirl follows Cath and her twin sister Wren through their first year of college. Cath and Wren have very different Freshman year experiences, and Cath often feels lonely and out of place. Enter Levi, Cath’s roommate's ex-boyfriend. Levi helps Cath out of her shell, and obviously, romance ensues.

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Fangirl is a favorite of all Suburban Elitist members! It is sweet and very Rainbow Rowell. If you have never read Rainbow Rowell, this one is a good one to start with! It is one that I will definitely return to (and should have by now). Levi is such a fantastic love interest and I love the fangirl/obsessive side of Cath that we all know I have too!

Julie’s Thoughts:

I read Fangirl a very long time ago, and as Shannon said, I feel like I should return to it soon! I love the decision to focus on a girl who is having quite a rough freshman year, because relatable. Cath struggles with growing up and feeling like she’s floundering without the constant companionship of her twin sister, who is flourishing in the world of higher ed. Levi and Cath’s relationship is sweet, as they both accept each other for who they are, without any caveats. This one is for all the girlies who had a bumpy start to college!

6. Frat Girl by Kiley Roache

Summary:

Frat Girl follows Cassie Davis through her Freshman year of college when she rushes a fraternity (yup, fraternity, not sorority) as a research project. She joins Delta Tau Chi to prove they are misogynistic and should be removed from campus. Except, of course, it does not go that smoothly. Cassie finds herself friends with her new “brothers” and maybe even in love with one of them... no spoilers though!

Shannon’s Thoughts:

Frat Girl is such a fun fresh read! I read it before my own freshman year of college, which may have given me unrealistic expectations for my own love life freshman year, but that’s what a good YA Romance does. The banter between Cassie and all the boys in her fraternity is well- written and does help reduce stigma (while also acknowledging the downsides of Greek culture.) The men as well as Cassie learn how to be better to everyone and I think that’s what makes this book so wonderful. The love interest is also a sweetie pie. It is one I definitely need to reread soon!

Julie’s Thoughts:

Frat Girl is unique in its premise and execution, subverting tropes about Greek Life while also critiquing the system from within. Cassie represents a college girl with something to prove, and her ambitious personality mixed with love interest Jordan’s laid back sweetness make this an unexpected slow burn. Plus, Kiley Roache actually wrote this while she was in college!

7. The Charlotte Holmes Series by Brittney Cavallaro

Summary:

The Charlotte Holmes series, by Brittney Cavallaro, is a four book series that follows Charlotte Holmes, Great- Great- Great Granddaughter of Sherlock Holmes, and Jamie Watson, Great- Great- Great Grandson of John H. Watson. The pair meet at a boarding school neither of them really want to be at. For the span of the whole series, the two alternate between solving mysteries and just trying to figure each other out. Charlotte deals with PTSD and addiction, and Jamie just wants to be there for her, like the little softy he is. The two have an undeniable connection throughout the series, but can they put their pasts aside and let each other in?

Shannon’s Thoughts:

I read this series at the recommendation of Julie and it did not disappoint. The series is full of solid mysteries and romance. Charlotte is a deeply complicated character that only lets you in one glance at a time while Jamie is an adorable sweetie muffin the whole series (who you can’t help but fall in love with yourself). If you love mysteries and romance, this is definitely the series for you!

Julie’s Thoughts:

I love a dark academia setting, murders, boarding school, mysteries… this series was simply right up my reading alley. Holmes and Watson are not friends at first, but they push through their family rivalry to solve several explosive mysteries together. Their relationship is very push-and-pull, very dramatic; Cavallaro really puts these characters to the test throughout the books. Read if you love high stakes, soulmates, and characters working through personal trauma.

8. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Summary:

Isla and the Happily Ever After is set in the same world as Anna and the French Kiss, and it follows Isla in her senior year of highschool at the School of America in Paris and her highschool-long crush, Joshua Wasserstein. Isla and Josh think they’ve got it all figured out until they’re suddenly separated. Can their love persevere all the way across the Atlantic ocean?

Shannon’s Thoughts:

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again (and again and again,) Isla and the Happily Ever After is my favorite YA romance and one of my favorite books of all time. I first read it Junior year of highschool and have since re-read it seven times, that I can think of. I find that as soon as a defining character-trait of a protagonist is how short they are, I find every single thing I can relate to and say “omg so me.” But with Isla, I felt so seen by every single insecurity and love and dream that I didn’t have to force the similarities (but she and I are the same height, which helped.) And Joshua Wasserstein is my dream YA Romance man. What else could you want from a novel other than: Set in Paris and New York, a relatable protagonist, and a dreamy love interest?

Julie’s Thoughts:

Isla is a shy redhead with a big crush on Josh Wasserstein, the moody artist and son of a large looming political figure, who is figuring out how to do high school in Paris and life in New York. Another winner from Stephanie Perkins, Isla examines dating your dream boy and questioning if that love will actually persevere, plus a few fun cameos from former Perkins characters.

9. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

Summary:

A Little Something Different follows two incredibly shy college students and their crushes on eachother. A Little Something Different is different from other YA romances because it has over 20 points of view (including campus squirrels and park benches) Each point of view tells details of the pair’s romance. It is so fun! Although, it is the slowest burn of all time due to the characters’ shyness, so do not read if you don’t like a slow burn.

Shannon’s Thoughts:

A Little Something Different is a wonderful way to read a romance. This book takes every single person or thing involved in making a relationship happen and gives it a point of view. The characters are sweet, although sometimes painfully shy. I just wanted to shake them (but so does everyone else so that's okay.) It is a super fun, quick read, and I would recommend it to anyone (I’m looking at you Julie, this should be your next YA romance read)!

10. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Summary

Radio Silence follows Francis and Aled, two teens in a sleepy English town who struggle with their future. Initially connected through their shared love of a popular fictional podcast, the two discover the way it inevitably intertwines their lives, and their deep friendship flourishes through some of the hardest times of their young lives. Radio Silence is a book that celebrates the idea of platonic soulmates in a way that no other YA has, and Oseman writes with acute awareness of teenage anxiety, putting her readers squarely in Francis and Aled’s headspace.

Julies’ Thoughts:

I read Radio Silence on the very high recommendation of Booktuber paperbackdreams, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. I loved the emphasis on pursuing your passions and finding friends in unlikely places, and this book really explores the depths of platonic soulmates; the pairing of Francis and Aled is heartbreaking and perfect. Radio Silence holds the spirit of YA while still examining topics relevant to college and beyond. Read this if you want to devour a deceptively smart YA that might make you cry.