11 New Swoon-Worthy Teen
Romance Books
by Iva-Marie Palmer
Those who say romance is dead haven’t seen the latest crop of teen romance books. If you’re a YA fan, romance is more alive than ever. Even self-proclaimed cynics might find something to love within this year’s teen romances — there are love stories set in fantastical worlds, it-could-happen-to-you plots, fake dating, and a whole lot of swooning!
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Check & Mate
Available from:Romance powerhouse Ali Hazelwood (The Love Hypothesis) delivers a delightful and swoon-worthy YA rom-com about chess, crushes, and rivalry. Mallory is a teenage chess player who wants to quit. But she gets pulled into playing one last game against the reigning champion and wins. This opens the door to a fierce competition for the board, her family, and her heart.
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You Bet Your Heart
Available from:Academic rivalry brings two ex-best friends together again in this delightful and heartwarming YA romance. When Sasha and Ezra learn they are tied for valedictorian at their high school, they make a bet that will leave only one of them with the title. But as the academic challenges and rivalry heat up, their feelings toward each other change. Soon, these ex-best friends get a second chance at friendship and their first chance at love.
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Dungeons and Drama
Available from:Fake dating, gaming, and music — this YA rom-com has everything you could want for a swoony escape! Riley wants to save her high school musical, but her dream goes out the window when she gets grounded and has to work at her dad’s gaming shop. Desperate to sneak off and work on the musical, she hatches a plan to fake-date a boy who works at the store in exchange for him covering her shifts. This adorkable novel will leave you with a warm heart and a smile on your face.
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Caught in a Bad Fauxmance
Available from:Family rivalries and fake dating collide in this feel-good debut novel. A relaxing winter break at the lake takes a competitive turn when two families go head-to-head in the neighborhood Winter Games. The opportunity to give his family an edge and spy on their rivals is too tempting to pass up, and Devin agrees to fake date Julian, a boy from the other family. It doesn’t take long before Devin’s fake feelings turn real.
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The Homecoming War
Available from:When two rival high schools merge into one, class presidents Meg and Chris decide to work together instead of one person stepping down. But their classmates refuse to get along, and a series of pranks drive tensions to an all-time high. The developing crush between Meg and Chris has the potential to either unite the school or tear it apart.
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Didn’t See That Coming
Available from:Kiki keeps her gaming persona separate from real life, and she likes it that way. But when she unknowingly transfers to her online best friend’s school and develops feelings for him, she wonders how long she can keep her identity hidden. Gaming, romance, and secret identities make this YA romance novel a must-read!
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Sinner’s Isle
Available from:Romantasy lovers, this one is for you! Pirates, witches, and fate combine in this swashbuckling, fast-paced adventure. After his ship gets attacked, Mariano gets stranded on a remote island and runs into a powerful witch named Rosa. Together, they get swept into an adventure filled with magic, monsters, and forbidden love.
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French Kissing in New York
Available from:Head to the Big Apple with this swoon-worthy YA romance about a teenage girl trying to break into the New York City restaurant scene. Margot, a new high school graduate, moves to New York, hoping to make a name for herself as a chef and reconnect with a boy she met a year ago. She asks the cute line cook for help finding her long-lost love and finds herself connecting with him on a deeper level. Food, romance, and big city life make this novel a delectable treat!
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I Loved You in Another Life
Available from:As Evan and Shosh embark on their respective post-high school plans, both teens have their dreams shattered and must rethink their futures. A soft, mythical singing voice that only they can hear pulls them together, and they realize they have met before. This gorgeous romance novel will take you on a magical journey through time and space as two souls connect again and again through the centuries.
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Skater Boy
Available from:Boy meets boy in this heartfelt YA romance that celebrates pop punk, finding yourself, and taking charge of your life. Skater boy Wesley is on the path to self-destruction when he meets and falls for Tristan, the leading male dancer in The Nutcracker ballet. With Tristan’s encouragement and support, Wesley starts to get his life back on track.
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Just Another Epic Love Poem
Available from:Best friends Mitra and Bea share a diary where they write their deepest secrets. As they navigate through the tumultuous waters of high school, they share everything until Mitra’s feelings for Bea move beyond friendship. This gorgeously written and literary romance is perfect for poetry fans and hopeless romantics.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2024.