Books like to all the boys ive loved before

I read Jenny Han’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before five years ago and since then I’ve been trying to find something in the same vein – a light and entertaining coming-of-age story with a relatable protagonist that you can’t help but love even when they mess up horribly. The amazing family dynamics, the fake dating trope that will make you swoon non-stop, and the characters that you will fall in love with because of how easy it is to identify with them—these are all characteristics that made this series a hit for me and the books that I will recommend next have some of those aspects as well which hopefully means that you will like them as much as you liked To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. 

I think this one might be the most similar in terms of plot—Mia and Jake start ‘fake dating’ because they want to get away from their mothers who are constantly pushing them to be together and even though they can’t stand each other, they believe pretending to date and then staging a very dramatic break-up is the best solution to get their parents off their backs. Of course, the plan backfires as they discover they have more in common than they might have realised and as they get to know each other better, the idea of belonging together doesn’t seem as strange.

This one combines two of my favourite romance tropes (pen pals and enemies-to-lovers) with a protagonist that is very passionate about song writing and determined to make her dreams come true. There is a lot of tension between the two protagonists due to past misunderstandings and because they have to work through their misconceptions and deal with their pride, the romance progresses very slowly which I enjoyed tremendously. There is nothing better than a slow-burn romance! I believe this book is great if you’re looking for a summer read.

I adored every bit of this book because the friendships were wonderful, the family dynamics were very similar to Han’s book and the romance was indeed swoon-worthy. The chemistry between the two protagonists was very believable, their dynamics seemingly effortless. The story made me smile so many times and I adored how nerdy it was—the main character is a gamer and she shares this passion with her sister, one of the plot-line revolves around a class production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream which means we see a lot of what happens behind the scenes in theatre.

This is a sweet adult romance that reminds me of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before because the main character is very smart and empathetic, family is very important to her (the connection between the sisters was great and they were very supportive of each other), the romance is well-written, and there is a local Renaissance Faire that every character is very dedicated to and you will become as invested in it as well—it’s impossible not to. There’s a huge amount of banter in this book that I wholeheartedly appreciated and the romance will please even those who aren’t easily impressed.

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This is a modern love story as most of the interactions between the protagonists happen via text, but that doesn’t undermine in any way their connection. I believe the romance is similar to Lara Jean and Peter’s because Penny is a huge nerd, while Sam is the cool kid who has some unresolved drama in his romantic life. I adored the concept of an emergency contact—having someone that can listen to your deepest fears and comfort you, be there for you during your darkest times—and the amazing execution made me root for those two to be together despite the obstacles.

You’ve fallen in love with Jenny Han’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. But now your life feels empty without your very own Peter K. Pick up one or all of these YA contemporaries that will give you all those same *heart eyes* feels!

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han

Finish the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series? Read The Summer I Turned Pretty series and meet Belly during an unforgettable summer filled with drama and first love.

2. Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian

Feminism + ice cream + friendship + romance = the perfect contemporary novel.

3. Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes.  Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster—all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect.

Or read Morgan’s other great contemporaries, The Unexpected Everything, Since You’ve Been Gone, Second Chance Summer, and Roger & Amy’s Epic Detour.

4. Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi

“Smart and funny, with characters so real and vulnerable, you want to send them care packages. I loved this book.” —Rainbow Rowell. We love this book too!

Want even more Mary H.K. Choi? Check out Permanent Record!

5. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

A laugh-out-loud, heartfelt YA romantic comedy, told in alternating perspectives, about two Indian-American teens whose parents have arranged for them to be married.

Also check out There’s Something About Sweetie!

6. Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

7. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

Fangirl meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this funny and poignant coming-of-age novel from New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren about two boys who fall in love in a writing class—one from a progressive family and the other from a conservative religious community.

8. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

A summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany in this sweeping debut novel filled with romance, mystery, and adventure.

And don’t miss Love & Luck!

9. Your Destination Is on the Left by Lauren Spieller

Seventeen-year-old Dessa Rhodes is torn between leaving her modern nomadic life and pursuing her dreams of becoming an artist.

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