My Favorite YA Romances for Teens

Kasie West’s books are the perfect romance for this age group. All her books are safe without language or sexual content. They can be quite formulaic, so once you’ve read one, you’ve read all. However, this one is my favorite of the lot. It’s about a girl who becomes a podcast host and starts doling our relationship advice. When a boy who she thinks likes her best friend starts asking for advice, she’s invested in helping him out. Soon, though, her helpful feelings begin to feel more like attraction. Ages 11+

Zurika Damani plays the violin with a sprinkle of hip-hop and has just been rejected by Julliard. Her current options are to go to college for pre-law or compete in a contest judged by major college scouts (including Julliard scouts). The only problem is that the contest is during her big sister’s week-long Indian wedding. Thankfully, her cousins band together to help her disappear during the ceremony without being discovered. But things get complicated when Zurika finds out that the group’s South African cousin is a fellow contestant. This  is a rambunctious, chaotic story about family and music and featuring a swoony enemies-to-lovers romance. Ages 12+ and no language!

Watson’s stories are always squeaky clean in terms of language and sexual content and this is no different. Nala Robertson is a big Black girl who lives with her cousin Imani and Imani’s parents. When Nala attends Imani’s birthday open-mic night, she meets a charismatic young man named Tye. Tye is also an activist who is immediately drawn to Nala. Nala is eager to impress and starts a series of lies, telling Tye that she is a vegan and pretending to be active in community work at her grandmother’s home for the elderly. The two soon start dating but the relationship is obviously built on lies. Nala quickly becomes uncomfortable, worrying that Tye only likes her for the fake persona she created. This is a thoughtful, sweet ode to embracing and loving oneself. Featuring a big Black girl who is comfortable in her body, in the fact that her thighs touch, this book highlights the challenges of family dynamics and balancing self with community and activism. Ages 12+

This is a full-on historical romance for teens, BUT it’s squeaky clean in terms of language and features four Black sisters who stumble into love in different ways. It’s also about the Davenport family business and features side characters who are dealing with compelling issues, like a maid trying to start a business and a best friend whose parents are forcing her to form a relationship with the Davenport’s only son. With no language or sexual content. The Davenports is an exhilarating romance that manages to still be appropriate for older teens ages 12+

Riley is a theater kid who is stuck working at her dad’s game store after driving to a concert without a driver’s license. During a confrontation with her ex, she slips into a lie that she’s dating her annoying coworker, Nathan. The two begin fake-dating to try to get her ex off her back and win Nathan the affection of a girl he likes, but of course, fake becomes real. I LOVED this book and was so impressed by a teen romance with no language (it’s possible, authors!). There are a couple of kissing scenes. I’ll definitely be exploring more of this author’s work. Readers should know that there is a gay side character. Ages 12+

This book is SO CUTE without being eye-roll inducing. I was nervous about reading it because many reviews recommended it, but as “younger YA.” I loved it! Zora’s character is determined and community-centered. Despite running into multiple hurdles throughout the story, she perseveres. Truly Madly Royally is a charming young adult novel featuring a positive representation of Black teens. There are also strong undercurrents of community outreach, strong female friendships, and being true to oneself. If you’re a sucker for royal romances, this one will steal your heart. No language or sexual content. Ages 11+

This is the second book in the Bookish Boyfriends series. One thing I loved about The Boy Next Story is the focus on family and sisterhood, Rory working hard at school and seeing the results of her efforts, Rory deciding to be enough and not afraid anymore. So much chemistry and many swoon-worthy moments. Also, A+ for YA without language. Ages 12+

This is a very sweet young adult romance that feels written FOR TEENS! I loved the message of putting yourself out there instead of living in your head. I also liked that while we’re in Darren’s head, we learn enough about his love interest that she’s not just a manic pixie dream girl. There are lovely teen-parent relationships, male friendships, humor, and main characters who attend church without it being a preachy book. It’s really fun and perfect for younger teens ages 12+ with nearly no language! Plus, bonus points for a male lead narrator in a romance.

Ramona is a shy 16-year-old who loves cosplay. After she leaves a picture of her cosplay character with a poem in her crush’s locker, the two start communicating via email. In class, though, she can’t seem to work up the courage to talk to that same crush, Caleb. But when Caleb suddenly starts working at the same restaurant she does, the two form a friendship that forces Ramona to re-evaluate their internet relationship. NerdCrush is a sweet young YA romance about finding the courage to be oneself, especially on the journey toward finding true love. I don’t remember any language in this one, but I may be wrong! Grades 7+

Zahra Khan is a new high school graduate who’s saving up for college—which she’s had to defer because her mom can’t afford to send her just yet. Her mother, though? She thinks their family’s way out is an arranged marriage to a wealthy family. Too bad the family’s son Harun Emon doesn’t care for Zahra. Zahra herself is falling for a new waiter in the cafe where she works. So Harun and Zahra band together to make their parents call off the courtship. But we all know that love doesn’t quite play by the rules, don’t we? The Love Match is a romantic, tender, feel-good Pride and Prejudice retelling with lots of insight into Bangladeshi culture, arranged marriages, and Bangladeshi film history. No language or sexual content, ages 12+

Whitney Curry is doing a semester abroad in this first book in the Love in Translation series. Whitney is obsessed with Josephine Baker and is planning a showcase inspired by her. She’s in France and is a major Francophile obsessed with Paris, but the one thing not going according to plan? Her French tutor Thierry Magnon. He’s grumpy and thinks Whitney is dramatic, but soon, the two really start to get along, beginning a swoony love story involving making chocolate together, sightseeing, meeting family, and navigating ex-girlfriend drama. There are so many things I loved about this book including the grumpy-sunshine trope, Black girl in Paris, and French words interspersed throughout. This is a great fit for readers who loved Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Love and Gelato. There’s one French curse word and one instance of sexually suggestive dialogue. Readers should know that there is a gay side character. Ages 12+

In this dystopian romance series, 35 girls vie for the love of a prince in a process called the selection. One of the girls, America, is sure she doesn’t want to be there because she’s reeling from a recent breakup and so she decides to befriend the prince… until her feelings start to change. But a wrench is thrown into their budding relationship when her ex becomes a palace guard. This Hunger Games meets The Bachelor tale is perfect for romance fans who like a side of action and dystopia. No language in this one but several kissing and makeout scenes — all PG13. Ages 12+

Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. So when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The chance to publicly showcase her voice as a director? Dream come true. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2. When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil. Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, this charming love story is great for ages 12+ (little to no language, kissing only).

Gemma’s mother has always kept her away from her Taiwanese culture, but when her grandfather dies, and she receives a puzzling box from his lawyer, she’s convinced that he’s sending her to Taiwan for a treasure hunt. Unfortunately, she’s going with her ex and sworn enemy, but as they experience Taiwan together and solve the clues, Gemma learns about her culture, family secrets, and what love means. This book combines mystery and romance effortlessly in a scavenger hunt and is perfect for fans of both genres. Readers should know that there is a gay side character. There is some language, making this suitable for readers ages 13+

When 18-year-old Evie is blackballed in the movie industry, she’s eager to accept any roles that come her way. The only one is a remake of her grandmother’s first major movie, but there’s a problem. Her grandmother isn’t on speaking terms with her ex-husband, who just happens to be remaking the movie. Her grandma’s ex has asked that Evie get Gigi’s approval before they can sign Evie on. When Evie shows up in NYC, Gigi disappears, and Evie is stuck with a young musician, Milo, who seems to be her best shot at finding Gigi. This is a compulsively readable, action-packed young adult novel set in New York City. This book focuses on chasing dreams, honoring family legacy, and learning to let others in, especially after a betrayal. There are rare instances of language use throughout the book (about four or five times altogether). Ages 14+

Lenore has had bad experiences with every guy she’s dated. They’ve either cheated on her or broken up with her at the worst time. So, she decides she’s done looking for love and that the whole true love thing will never work for her. Until her family goes on a Mediterranean cruise, where she meets Alex Lee. Armed with a new-ish polaroid camera and a potential new love interest, Lenore is about to learn a whole lot about herself. This is a swoony, multi-layered young adult novel about making room for vulnerability, redefining Black excellence, and finding the courage to be one’s true self. Heads up for strong language. Ages 14+

Radha and Jai’s Recipe for Romance follows Radha, a skilled Kathak dancer who decides to stop dancing after anxiety and a family betrayal cause her to bow out of a contest. Jai is a student at the Princeton Academy of the Arts where Radha transfers. Although she is insistent on not dancing, her dance skills may be Jai’s ticket to medical school (which he’s convinced he can’t attend). Add Radha’s grandfather’s cookbook, Jai’s family dilemmas, and plenty of dancing — and this story comes to life. This book creates the perfect Bollywood-dance romance, with a focus on family, Indian food and culture, and pursuing one’s dreams. Some language. Ages 13+

I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful YA novel by Maurene Goo. Clara Shin is a “cool kid” determined to be unbothered by caring too deeply about anything. But when a prank goes too far, she has to spend her summer working on her dad’s food truck with her nemesis, do-gooder overachieving Rose. I loved the character development in this one. The whole story and all the characters felt so authentic and enjoyable without being unbearably saccharine. Heads up for some language. Ages 13+

Lilah is a teen with hearing loss but who isn’t profoundly deaf. So she has always felt caught in the middle — not deaf enough to be part of the Deaf community and not fully hearing to fit in completely there either. But when she becomes a counselor at a summer camp for deaf and blind kids, her experiences (and the boy she falls in love with) change the way the views her disability. Give Me a Sign is a beautiful exploration of Deaf culture with a nostalgic summer camp setting and sweet first love. Some language (ages 13+)

I just adored this new young adult novel about high schooler Aisha who, nudged by the writing prompt of her college admission essay, decides to change her life by stepping outside her comfort zone. Her manifesto includes many bucket list items but mostly revolve around Brian Wu, the boy she’s loved since childhood. The earnest voice, longing, and complete relatabilty in this novel make it a winner in my book — not to mention the sweetest love interest! Hand to fans of To All the Boys and fans of YA with awkward, messy, and ambitious female leads. Some language. Ages 13+

17-year-old Rico has a lot on her plate. She works the afternoon shift at the Gas n Go and spends the rest of her free time looking after her little brother and trying to cushion the effects of her mom’s poor financial decisions on their family. But when the owner of a winning lottery ticket purchased from her doesn’t show up to claim the prize, Rico is forced to partner with her wealthy (and wildly attractive) classmate Zan to track the woman down and maybe get her to split her wins with Rico. This is a compulsively readable, hijinks-filled romance for fans of meatier YA looking for more discourse and a relatable exploration of classism, ethnic experiences, and thriving despite an economically challenging background. Occasional language and references to a teen losing their virginity make this better for teens ages 13+