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Teens usually go through a lot. They have to deal with peer pressure, academic stress, hormonal changes, and more. Getting the best love story books for teens can help them through this tough time. The books can help evoke the emotions of happiness, love, and attraction. Crushes are quite common during preteen and teen years. Teens may not quite know how to decipher or express these feelings that they are going through, but these love stories can help them understand and accept what they are going through.
So if you’re looking to gift a teen a beautiful romantic book, we have listed some interesting and expert-approved love story books for teenagers that romantics will enjoy.
Top Picks
17 Best Love Story Books For Teens To Enjoy In 2024
, book reviewer and founder of Book Nerdection, says, “People usually read love stories for the cute interactions between the characters. However, teenage love story books need not just be all rosy and lovey-dovey. Some new-age love stories are practical and realistic and do not give false hope to the readers.”
She adds, “This compilation of novels for teens has everything from romantic boy-meets-girl stories to undying and unconditional love stories where the characters never get to be together. Whether your child likes to devour a book in a day or read it at leisure over days or weeks, they will enjoy these love story books.”
1. Best Modern Fairy Tale Love Story: Making Faces
Author: Amy Harmon
Making Faces is a modern fairy tale filled with emotional yet powerful moments. The story is about five small-town young men that go to war, but only one of them returns. Author Amy Harmon emphasizes on the significance of loss by writing about a personal loss, loss of life and identity, loss of beauty, and more.
This captivating story is filled with quirky banter, amid which a super cute love story is hidden. What happens when they have to decide to grow up and stay apart from each other to pursue their dreams? Find out by reading this refreshing book.
"This book to me felt like going through an emotional roller coaster ride. The theme and characters are unforgettable, and the story revolves around youthful experiences we can all relate to. It uses a mix of humor and heartfelt scenarios to portray how our past shapes us as a person. All in all, it is an interesting read."
2. Best Novel With Illustrations: Everything, Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
The story revolves around a teenage girl named Maddy, who has a rare disease that makes her allergic to everything. Maddy, who has never stepped outside her room, falls in love with Olly, the boy next door. But will she step out and experience the magic of affection and bonding? Find out by reading this young adult romance book, which has a very interactive style of narration with vignettes, diary entries, illustrations, and more.
If you are looking for a book that will make you laugh and cry at the same time, this is it. Everything, Everything has also been made into a motion picture, which went on to become a big hit. Here’s a video review of the expert-approved book
Trivia3. Best Light-Hearted Love Novel: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
This is a lighthearted, lovely story about a teenage girl named Lara Jean, who writes love letters to the guys that she has a crush on. She writes one love letter each to the boy that she has ever fallen in love with or for whom she felt deeply. But she stores them in a secret box instead of delivering them. Somehow, the boys get her letters. But what happens next? Read the book to find out more about this uplifting and empowering read. This review video can tell you more about the best-selling young adult romance book.
"I embarked on this book with high expectations. Although it was something different from my usual reads, it made for a decent reading experience, keeping me company through a tough summer. It's a pretty light read and the storyline kept me hooked."
4. Best Love Story About Self-Acceptance: Stargirl
Author: Jerry Spinelli
This is a tense, emotional yet delightful tale about the Stargirl, her adventures at Mica High and love story with Leo Borlock. When she first enters the school, everyone is enchanted by her appearance, but soon things turn the other way around. And she is shunned for everything that makes her unique and different. Leo, desperate to make things better for her, urges Stargirl to become ‘normal’, the very thing that can destroy her.
Stargirl is a must-read for teenagers. With emotional storytelling, it emphasizes embracing and celebrating your unique traits and never succumbing to peer pressure.
"I found this book deeply moving, and it's now one of my favorites. It has valuable life lessons, so keep tissues handy. While the young Leo's inability to value Stargirl dismayed me, it felt real. Yet, I await their happy reunion, hopefully in the next book."
5. Best Captivating Love Story: Love & Gelato
Author: Jenna Evans Welch
Love and Gelato is a book about the romance, adventure, and mystery that Lina, the lead character, experiences on a road trip to Tuscany. Lina is in Italy to fulfill the dying wish of her mother, which was to meet her father. But she is not interested in a man who shunned his fatherly duties and never bothered to meet her once in the past sixteen years.
Her summer trip takes an adventurous turn when she is given a journal written by her mom when she lived in Italy. What happens next? Find out by reading this captivating romantic adventure fiction. Here’s a review video to help you understand the best-selling book better and make an informed choice.
"While Love and Gelato is pegged for young adults, it was a heartwarming read for me and my teenager. The book draws the reader into the charm of Italy while helping them understand complex emotions such as grief, self-discovery, and acceptance via Lina and her mother's past. The coming-of-age story is super intriguing and delightfully wholesome!"
6. Best Story About Warmth Of Love: P.S. I Like You
Author: Kasie West
A teenager named Lily is juggling between school, crushes, friends and her crazy family. One day during her Chemistry class, she scribbles the lyrics of her favorite song on the desk. She is surprised to see the continuation of the lyrics and a secret message, the next day.
Soon, Lily and her pal start exchanging letters, opening up to each other, recommending music bands and more. Will Lily be able to find out who her secret admirer is? Read P.S. I Like You, to know more about this love and friendship story.
7. Best Love Story For Young Adults: Lock and Key
Author: Sarah Dessen
Lock and Key is a cute teen romance book featuring Ruby and Nate. Ruby is forced to move in with her sister Cora when their mother disappears. Cora and her husband, Jamie, do everything in their capacity to make Ruby feel comfortable and at home. But she does not like anyone getting close to her.
Nate is the adorable boy who lives next door. Will Ruby open her heart for him? Read this enchanting novel by Sarah Dessen, who compels you to read more with her writing style and interesting characters of this captivating romance fiction.
8. Best Breakup Love Story: Why We Broke Up
Author: Daniel Handler
Illustrator: Maira Kalman
This best-selling young adult romance book tells the intimate and heartbreaking tale of Min and Ed, who are breaking up. She writes a letter to Ed and places it inside a box that contains every little thing they collected over the course of their relationship. Even the littlest of things like a pair of ugly earrings, or a comb which was picked up from a motel room, are kept inside the box.
She tells the truth about why they broke up, illustrating the moments of their relationship with each item in the box. To know the full heartbreak and healing story, you’ll have to read the book.
9. Best Long-Distance Story: Emergency Contact
Author: Mary H. K. Choi
Do you think long distance relationships work? If yes, Emergency Contact could be an interesting read for you. Sam and Penny are high school sweethearts, but part ways when it is time for college, mainly because things never really worked out between them.
Penny dreams of becoming an author, and Sam is desirous of becoming a movie director. Sometime later they cross paths, face the initial awkwardness and exchange numbers. They soon become digitally inseparable. To know if or not they get their happy ending, you should read the book.
"This book surprised me with its focus on exploring various relationships amidst struggles. Although the initial information overload was a challenge, the end made me understand why that was essential. The engaging writing and the charming narrative of Sam and Penny kept me hooked till the last page."
10. Best Emotional Love Story: Five Feet Apart
Quick factAuthor: Rachael Lippincott
Grab a box of tissues before you start reading this best-selling and expert-approved book. It is an emotional yet delightful romantic book. Stella Grant and Will Newman have chronic ailments. Their lives have always been about running in and out of hospitals. Life brings them together but with a punishment of staying at least five feet apart from each other.
Can you love someone, whom you can never, ever touch? Find out in this heartbreaking novel!
"Reading this book offered me a lot of comfort when going through a difficult time in life. The story of Stella and Will draws you through a spectrum of emotions with its beautifully penned narrative. Although I didn't see the end coming, the book sure awakened my curiosity about cystic fibrosis."
11. Best Suspenseful Love Story:What to Say Next
Author: Julie Buxbaum
This is a refreshing story about two high school teens. Kit Lowell, a popular girl, and David Drucker, an isolated boy, sit at the same lunch table one day. They strike up a conversation and soon become great buddies.
Kit asks for David’s help in unfolding the mystery behind her father’s death. David is more than willing to support Kit. Will their relationship survive after learning the truth? Find out more by reading the full story of the suspenseful What to Say Next.
12. Best Investigating Narrative:Again, But Better: A Novel
Author: Christine Riccio
Again, But Better can quickly become your favorite book as it is a story about second chances and discovering oneself. Shane, the lead character, is living the near-perfect life of amazing grades, happy parents, and spends all her time either at the dorm or in the classes. Soon she realizes that something is missing from her life: fun.
Shane signs up for a semester abroad and decides to pursue life differently this time. She tries to do everything that she never even thought about before. Would that be easy? Read this love and self-discovery book to find out.
"This book took me out of my comfort zone, and I was truly surprised by the kind of impact it had on me. The compelling storyline made it easy to resonate with the characters. I would recommend this book to those navigating the troubles that come with early adult years."
13. Best Breathtaking Novel:To Best the Boys
Author: Mary Weber
The residents of Pinsbury Port receive a letter every year from the prestigious Stemwick University. The letter invites only boys to compete for the esteemed scholarship, but Rhen has different plans. Her only goal in life is to become a scientist and find a cure for a deadly disease. She disguises as a boy and enters the Labyrinth to compete and claim the scholarship.
Can Rhen survive the deadly maze and enter the world made exclusively for boys? Find out in this breathtaking novel by Mary Weber.
14. Best Rivalry Fantasy Novel:The Warrior Maiden
Author: Melanie Dickerson
In this young adult fantasy romance book, Mulan is a child of her poor parents and is compelled to marry the village butcher against her will. To escape the marriage, she disguises herself as a man and takes up her father’s soldier duties. She joins the battle to protect the castle of her Lord’s ally from the agonizing Teutonic Knights.
What happens when she meets the handsome Duke? Their rivalry soon turns into reluctant friendship and the rest, you can find out by reading The Warrior Maiden.
15. Best Heartwarming Tale:I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Author: Maurene Goo
Desi Lee is a Korean American and an overachiever. She is an innovation expert who has performed CPR at the age of five and always got straight A’s. But she has never experienced love or ever had a boyfriend. Desi is not even a C student in the department of romance and love.
To change that, she plans to woo Luka Drakos, an elusive artist. Desi tries all the tips and tricks that she has learned from watching Korean dramas with her father. But does her plan work? Does real love demand any tricks? Find the answers in this high school romance book about true and unconditional love.
"I could relate to Desi's overachieving yet awkward charm, and her relationship with her father is deeply moving. Being a K-drama fan, I loved that it had been woven into the book. The characters felt genuine and made me feel like I was living the heartfelt moments with them."
16. Best Refreshing Story:Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee
Author: Jeff Zentner
Two best friends, Josie and Delila, co-host a horror movie commentary show on the television. Their on-screen characters, Rayne and Delilah, discuss everything from new relationships, old heartbreaks, dreams, goals, and more.
The story is filled with quirky banter, amid which a super cute love story is hidden. What happens when they have to decide to grow up and stay apart from each other to pursue their dreams? Find out by reading this refreshing book.
17. Best Modern Fairy Tale :The Princess and the Fangirl: A Geekerella Fairy Tale
Author: Ashley Poston
Whether or not you are a member of any fandom in this millennial age, The Princess and the Fangirl: A Geekerella Fairy Tale will make you fall in love with the story. This modern fairy tale revolves around an ordinary fangirl and the lead character of the series, Starfield.
They have striking similarities and just for fun, Imogen and Jess trade places, identities, lives, and everything. Unfortunately, a couple of days before the release of Starfield’s Sequel, the script is leaked by someone. Jess and Imogen race to find out the culprit. But do they succeed? What happens in their reel and real lives? Will their crushes find out who they really are? Find out all this and more in this book.
"I absolutely admired the diversity, story, and characters of this book. Despite a few editing flaws, the endearing characters and enjoyable plot kept me hooked. It's a riveting ride, with a fun focus on Imogen and Jessica's escapades, adding a delightful flavor to the mix."
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah, our experienced and trusted writer and reviewer, is an avid reader who applies his literary expertise to write about books and children’s products. He enjoys reviewing and researching various books to find the best ones for you. His list of the best love story books for teens has been curated after an in-depth examination into the plots of each book. The book list includes interesting options that are well-written, thought-provoking, engaging, and suitable for teens. Wedetso has also included a buying guide to help you understand the factors to consider when buying a book.
The Bottom Line
A fun way to help teens develop a love of reading could be getting them the best love story books. With interesting plot twists, detailed character developments, and a rollercoaster of emotions, these books keep teens engaged while helping them stay clear of electronic devices. Our favorite picks are Making Faces, which deals with deep emotions; Stargirl, which focuses on peer pressure and self-acceptance; and Five Feet Apart, which throws insights into complex relationships. When choosing a love storybook for your growing teen, ensure the reading level is not too complicated for their age–the book should be age-appropriate and the story should hold the child’s interest.
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