Top 10 Best Romance Books
There are many great romance books for teen boys, and the best ones will depend on their interests and reading level. Here are some suggestions that cover a variety of genres:
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
“Red, White & Royal Blue” is a romantic comedy novel written by Casey McQuiston, first published in 2019. The story revolves around the relationship between Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the first female president of the United States, and Prince Henry of Wales, the heir to the British throne.
Alex and Henry initially dislike each other when they are forced to interact publicly, but they gradually develop a friendship and then a romance. However, their relationship is complicated by the fact that Alex’s mother is up for re-election, and they must keep their relationship secret to avoid political fallout.
Throughout the book, the characters navigate their own personal struggles, as well as the challenges of being in a high-profile, same-sex relationship. The story tackle’s themes of love, family, politics, and identity, and is known for its humour and heart-warming moments.
“Red, White & Royal Blue” received critical acclaim upon its release, and has been praised for its diverse cast of characters and its portrayal of a same-sex romance in a positive light. The book won the 2019 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance, and has been optioned for a film adaptation.
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
“The DUFF” is a young adult novel written by Kody Keplinger, first published in 2010. The story follows Bianca Piper, a high school senior who is labeled as the “Designated Ugly Fat Friend” by her friends.
After her crush, Wesley Rush, informs her of this label, Bianca becomes increasingly self-conscious and decides to take out her frustrations by hooking up with Wesley. The two begin a friends-with-benefits relationship, but Bianca soon realizes that she has feelings for him.
Meanwhile, Bianca is dealing with her parents’ divorce and her own insecurities about her appearance and social status. She also begins to question the validity of labels and the pressure to conform to societal norms.
The book tackles themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and the pressures of high school life. It also addresses issues of bullying, social hierarchy, and the impact of social media on self-esteem.
“The DUFF” was well-received upon its release, and was adapted into a movie in 2015. The film starred Mae Whitman as Bianca and Robbie Amell as Wesley, and received mixed reviews from critics.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
When Dimple Met Rishi is a young adult romance novel written by Sandhya Menon. The novel was published in 2017 and tells the story of Dimple Shah and Rishi Patel, two Indian-American teenagers who are set up in an arranged marriage by their parents.
Dimple is a strong-willed and independent girl who dreams of becoming a successful web developer. She is determined to avoid any romantic entanglements and wants to focus on her career instead. Rishi, on the other hand, is a traditional boy who believes in the power of arranged marriages and is excited to meet Dimple, his future wife.
When the two meet at a summer coding camp in San Francisco, Dimple is shocked and angry that her parents would set her up with someone without her consent. Rishi, however, is immediately smitten with Dimple and hopes to win her over. The two are assigned to work together on a coding project, and they soon find themselves growing closer despite their initial animosity.
As Dimple and Rishi spend more time together, they begin to learn more about each other’s hopes, dreams, and fears. Dimple starts to realize that she may have feelings for Rishi, but she is conflicted about the idea of an arranged marriage. Meanwhile, Rishi must decide whether to honor his parents’ wishes or follow his heart.
Throughout the novel, Dimple and Rishi navigate their cultural differences and the pressures of their families while falling in love. When Dimple Met Rishi is a heartwarming and humorous story about finding oneself, following one’s passions, and discovering the true meaning of love.
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and the French Kiss is a young adult romance novel written by Stephanie Perkins. The novel was first published in 2010 and tells the story of Anna Oliphant, an American teenager who is sent to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year of high school.
At first, Anna is unhappy about leaving her best friend and crush behind in Atlanta, but she soon finds herself drawn to the charm and beauty of Paris. She meets a group of friends, including the handsome and charming Étienne St. Clair, who becomes her tour guide and confidante.
Anna and Étienne quickly become close, but there are complications. Étienne has a girlfriend and Anna is unsure if she wants to risk their friendship by pursuing a romantic relationship. As Anna navigates the ups and downs of her new life in Paris, she must decide if her feelings for Étienne are worth pursuing and if she is willing to risk her heart.
Throughout the novel, Anna learns to navigate the challenges of living in a foreign country, including language barriers, cultural differences, and homesickness. She also grows as a person, discovering her own passions and interests, and learning to stand up for herself.
Anna and the French Kiss is a charming and heartwarming story about love, friendship, and self-discovery. It has been praised for its vivid descriptions of Paris, its relatable and well-drawn characters, and its authentic portrayal of teenage emotions and relationships.
The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith
The Geography of You and Me is a young adult romance novel written by Jennifer E. Smith. The novel was published in 2014 and tells the story of Lucy and Owen, two teenagers who meet in a New York City elevator during a city-wide blackout.
Lucy and Owen are both trapped in the elevator during the blackout and strike up a conversation. They share stories about their lives, hopes, and dreams, and form a connection. When the power is restored, they go their separate ways, but not before exchanging phone numbers.
Lucy and Owen continue to keep in touch over text message and email, but they soon find themselves living on opposite sides of the country. Lucy’s family moves to Edinburgh, Scotland, while Owen’s family relocates to California. Despite the distance, they continue to stay in touch, sharing stories and moments of their lives with each other.
As Lucy and Owen navigate their new lives in different parts of the world, they both struggle with the challenges of being apart. They each experience their own triumphs and setbacks, but they always find comfort in each other’s words.
The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the power of human connection. It portrays the difficulties of long-distance relationships and the challenges of growing up and finding one’s place in the world. The Geography of You and Me has been praised for its heartfelt writing, relatable characters, and vivid descriptions of both New York City and Edinburgh.
Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry
Pushing the Limits is a young adult novel written by Katie McGarry. The novel was first published in 2012 and tells the story of Echo Emerson and Noah Hutchins, two high school students from very different worlds who are brought together by their shared experiences.
Echo is a popular girl with a perfect life until a traumatic event leaves her scarred and struggling to remember the details of that night. Noah is a rebellious foster kid who is trying to regain custody of his younger brothers. The two meet when they are paired up for tutoring, and they quickly discover a shared pain and understanding.
As Echo and Noah spend more time together, they begin to help each other heal and confront their pasts. Noah helps Echo regain her memory and unravel the mystery of what happened the night of the traumatic event. Echo, in turn, helps Noah with his custody battle and supports him as he confronts his own demons.
Throughout the novel, Echo and Noah navigate their difficult home lives, their complicated feelings for each other, and the challenges of high school. They learn to trust each other and rely on each other, even as their secrets threaten to tear them apart.
Pushing the Limits has been praised for its emotional depth, relatable characters, and authentic portrayal of teen struggles. The novel tackles serious issues such as mental illness, abuse, and foster care, but ultimately it is a story about two people finding hope and healing in each other.
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is a young adult romance novel co-written by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn. The novel was first published in 2010 and tells the story of two teenagers, Dash and Lily, who are brought together by a notebook filled with dares and challenges.
The story begins in a New York City bookstore during the holiday season. Dash discovers a red notebook hidden on a shelf, and inside he finds a set of clues and dares left by a mysterious girl named Lily. Intrigued, Dash decides to take on the dares and leave his own for Lily to find.
As the two exchange challenges and messages through the notebook, they begin to develop a connection. Despite never having met face-to-face, they learn about each other’s interests, fears, and quirks. They both feel like outsiders in their own way and find solace in the connection they have formed.
As the dares become more and more elaborate, Dash and Lily decide to meet in person. However, when they finally do, their meeting is not as perfect as they had imagined. They struggle to navigate the challenges of their different backgrounds and personalities, but ultimately find a way to connect and appreciate each other for who they are.
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares is a heartwarming and charming story about the power of connection and the magic of the holiday season. It has been praised for its unique and creative premise, its witty and relatable characters, and its realistic portrayal of teenage emotions and relationships. The novel has since been adapted into a popular Netflix series.
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
The Truth About Forever is a young adult novel written by Sarah Dessen. The novel was published in 2004 and tells the story of Macy Queen, a high-achieving teenager who is struggling to come to terms with her father’s sudden death.
After her father’s death, Macy throws herself into her studies and takes on a job at the library to keep herself busy. However, she begins to feel disconnected from her friends and her long-term boyfriend, Jason. When she meets the chaotic and creative Wish Catering crew, Macy begins to see that there is more to life than just following the rules.
Macy starts to develop a relationship with the Wish Catering crew and the charming and unpredictable Wes, who helps her rediscover her love of art and adventure. Macy learns to let go of her need for control and perfection and embrace the imperfections and uncertainties of life.
Throughout the novel, Macy grapples with the complexities of grief and the pressure to conform to other people’s expectations. She learns to confront her feelings and express herself in her own way, rather than keeping everything bottled up inside.
The Truth About Forever has been praised for its realistic and relatable characters, its thoughtful exploration of grief and loss, and its themes of self-discovery and personal growth. The novel is a moving and inspiring story about the power of human connection and the importance of living in the present moment.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
The Wrath and the Dawn is a young adult fantasy novel written by Renée Ahdieh. The novel was first published in 2015 and is a retelling of the classic Arabian Nights tale, A Thousand and One Nights.
The story is set in the kingdom of Khorasan, where the caliph, Khalid, takes a new bride each night only to have her killed at dawn. When Shahrzad’s best friend becomes one of the caliph’s victims, she vows to avenge her friend’s death and volunteers to be the next bride. Shahrzad begins to tell Khalid stories every night, leaving each tale on a cliffhanger in order to delay her own execution.
As Shahrzad continues to tell her stories, she begins to uncover the truth behind Khalid’s actions and the curse that plagues his kingdom. She also begins to develop feelings for Khalid, despite his role in her friend’s death. Meanwhile, outside the palace walls, a rebellion is brewing as Shahrzad’s childhood friend, Tariq, and his allies plan to overthrow Khalid and rescue Shahrzad.
The Wrath and the Dawn has been praised for its rich and vibrant world-building, its complex and multi-layered characters, and its themes of love, loss, and redemption. The novel combines elements of romance, fantasy, and political intrigue to create a captivating and unique retelling of a classic story. The novel has since been followed by a sequel, The Rose and the Dagger.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People is a contemporary novel written by Sally Rooney, published in 2018. The story follows the complicated and ever-changing relationship between two high school classmates from a small town in Ireland, Marianne and Connell, as they navigate their way through college and young adulthood.
Connell is a popular athlete and Marianne is a loner with a difficult family life. Despite their differences, they develop a deep and intimate connection that evolves over the course of the novel. The story explores themes of class, power dynamics, and the complexities of relationships.
The narrative is divided into short, episodic chapters that follow the protagonists as they grow and change over time. The story touches on issues such as mental health, toxic relationships, and the challenges of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.
Normal People has been widely praised for its insightful portrayal of young love and its exploration of contemporary issues. The novel won several awards, including the Costa Book Award and the Irish Book Award. It has been adapted into a popular television series that premiered on Hulu and the BBC in 2020.
