Irresistible YA Rom-Coms Sure To Brighten Your Day
by Laurie Espino
There’s a warm, feel-good emotion that only a good romantic comedy can provide. It’s the happiness in knowing that the underdog won or that the girl next door found true love. That’s why we can’t get enough of these stories. So, if you’re looking for a new book to cozy up with, here are 11 romantic comedies with heartwarming vibes.
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A Taste for Love
Available from:Liza Yang and her mom don’t always see eye to eye. Liza can be stubborn, especially when it comes to dating. But what they do agree on is their love of baking. When Mrs. Yang convinces Liza to enter a baking competition, she finds that all of the other contestants are young Asian American men her mom has selected for her to date! Pride and Prejudice meets The Bachelorette in this witty rom-com.
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Heartbreakers and Fakers
Available from:A fun new spin on the fake dating story! Yesterday, Penny Harris was one of the most popular girls in school and dating heartthrob Jordan Parker. But last night, she ruined everything by kissing her best friend’s boyfriend, Kai. Penny and Kai decide to tell Oliva and Jordan that they have feelings for each other to fix their friendships. But as the summer progresses, could those fake feelings start to ring true?
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Prince Charming
Available from:Calling all royalty book lovers! From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins comes the story of Daisy, an American teenager determined to live a typical teenager’s life. There’s just one snag: her sister is engaged to a prince, making her a target for tabloid sharks. Hoping to escape the headlines, she jets off to a secluded castle in Europe. There, she meets Miles, the prince’s younger brother, who’s somehow managing to stir up more trouble than ever. Snarky and fun, Hawkins gives us a protagonist whose angst and attitude are sure to keep readers glued.
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Salaam, with Love
Available from:Between trying to fit in with her conservative family, fasting and dealing with all the drama high school can bring, Dua's Ramadan celebration in New York is more than she bargained for. And let's not forget the cute drummer in a Muslim band that always happens to show up at the most awkward times. Salaam, with Love is a funny and heartfelt story about family, faith, and halal romance.
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The Passing Playbook
Available from:Last year wasn’t great for Spencer, but he’s ready for a fresh and positive start at Oakley High. He thrives at his new school, gaining acceptance from his classmates, a spot on the soccer team, and a romance with a teammate that sets his stomach fluttering. But Spencer is keeping one big secret from everyone — he’s trans. His happy new life is shaken when the truth comes out, and Spencer finds himself forced to make a difficult choice. Fun, joyful, sad, and heartwarming, Fitzsimons’ debut novel delivers lovable characters while taking on serious issues like bullying, transphobia, and the emotions of coming out.
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Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions
Sunny G is looking to make a big change in his life. When his brother died, he left Sunny a notebook to fill with rash decisions and crazy adventures. So he stops wearing his turban, cuts his hair, and shaves his beard. He debuts his new look at prom, where he meets Mindii Vang, who is looking to make some rash decisions of her own. Soon their prom night turns into an all-night adventure they'll never forget.
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Girl Crushed
Available from:Leah is starting her senior year in the worst possible way — without a girlfriend or a best friend. That’s when Ruby Ocampo, the stunning lead singer of a popular band, enters her world and becomes Leah’s new crush. As Leah and Ruby start dating, Leah realizes she still has feelings for her ex, Jamie. This queer love story perfectly captures the roller coaster of teen love, jealousy, and emotional turmoil.
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Hot Dog Girl
Available from:Attention fake-dating trope lovers, this story doesn’t have a love triangle — but a love SQUARE! Lou is determined to have an unforgettable summer despite her job of playing a hot dog at her town’s local amusement park. Little does she know that it will be filled with unrequited crushes, fake dating schemes, and true love. Awkward and adorable, Hot Dog Girl is a must-read queer coming-of-age rom-com.
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The Kissing Booth
Available from:Rochelle and Lee have been best friends their whole lives and do everything together. But while setting up the school’s Spring Carnival, Rochelle breaks a cardinal rule of friendship and falls for her best friend’s brother, Noah. She knows she has to end things with drool-worthy Noah to save the most important friendship of her life. But Noah finds sweet, pretty, and popular Rochelle irresistible, too.
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Finding Audrey
Available from:The New York Times bestselling author of the Shopaholic series, Sophie Kinsella, made her YA debut with Audrey’s story. Audrey wears dark sunglasses both inside and outside — not to be chic, but because she suffers from social anxiety disorder and depressive episodes. She gets through life one day at a time until she meets a boy named Linus. Kinsella unfolds Audrey’s story with her signature wit and humor while promoting awareness and understanding of mental illnesses.
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Frankly in Love
Available from:It’s time to get lost in this New York Times instant bestseller by David Yoon! Frank Li and Joy Song have the perfect plan to get around their conservative Korean families’ dating rules — date each other! In front of their families, Frank and Joy act like a happy couple, but in real life, they pursue their own romantic endeavors. For Frank, this means dating Brit Means, a white girl his family would disapprove of. But fake-dating Joy and real-dating Brit gets complicated, and Frank must navigate his feelings about his family’s traditions and his own beliefs.
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