8 Great YA Summer Romances
I could open this post with some sort of cheesy rendition of “Summer Lovin’,” but given that I’m about to recommend some of my favorite tearjerkers and heartmelters, I know I’d be doing them a major disservice if you closed out of this window in disgust right now. The fact is, there are so many reasons that summer is the perfect season for teen romance, whether it’s the inspirationally gorgeous weather, the memorable settings away from school and real life, or just the fact that everyone’s walking around in a whole lot less. Here are some of the best young adult books that do summer lovin’ right:
Nantucket Blue, by Leila Howland
This book so fully immerses you in a quintessential summer setting you can practically taste the ocean. Though the romance is only one of several relationships explored here, it’s an adorable pairing we don’t often see in YA. (Older girl, younger guy, anyone?) And if you still need your fix of Cricket and Co. when you’re done, you can check out Howland’s follow-up, Nantucket Red, out this month.
Open Road Summer, by Emery Lord
I will tout this book to the ends of the earth for being one of the best friendship stories to hit modern YA, but right now, we’re not here for BFFs Dee and Reagan—not with sweet, adorable, talented Matt Finch around. Watching him slowly melt Reagan’s icy exterior is a glorious treat, right up there with red white and blue Popsicles—though I’ll warn you that lingering feelings of “Why isn’t a Matt Finch a real person?” are a very real, very dangerous side effect of this debut.
Everything Leads to You, by Nina LaCour
LaCour has long been one of my favorite YA authors, and her latest, which introduces set designer Emi to aspiring actress Ava, has definitely helped cement her place on that list. It’s a slow-burn romance infused with as much passion for the glamour of Hollywood and artistry of design as Emi and Ava have for each other, and the fact that both girls are already out makes for a nice and welcome change from the much more commonly seen coming-out stories that dominate LGBTQ YA.
Past Perfect, by Leila Sales
Most summer fare has main characters working in ice cream shops or on the beach; Chelsea, however, is earning her keep at a historical colonial village, playing a history buff and getting embroiled in both hilarious battles and an adorable romance with a rival. Laughs + a protagonist I would’ve happily hung out with in high school + awesome amounts of historical reenactment geekdom? Definitely my kind of summer read.
The Summer I Wasn’t Me, by Jessica Verdi
Overall, this hard-hitting book about a anti-gay reprogramming camp definitely isn’t something I’d qualify as a beach read summer romance. That said, watching Lexi and Carolyn fall in love in a hostile environment, against all odds—and particularly via some margin-note exchanging in one of the cutest literary flirtations ever—is definitely a major bright spot. (But make no mistake—I cried no fewer than five times while reading this book, so proceed with caution when picking it up in public!)
Camp Boyfriend, by JK Rock
A great pick for younger YA readers, this summer camp–set story is all about what happens when your school-year life and camp life—and romances—collide. Though my romantic life wasn’t nearly as dramatic as main character Lauren’s at that age, I did go to summer camp for thirteen years, and definitely felt the resonance of my experiences here. A fun read for lovers of love triangles, drama, and the sleepaway camp experience. (For best results, precede with the “Camp Kiss” novella…and follow up with the newly released Camp Payback.)
Since You’ve Been Gone, by Morgan Matson
Matson’s specialty is summer stories that combine fun and romance with a healthy dose of heartbreak, and her latest—my favorite to date—is no exception. Emily’s feeling at a loss when her best friend, Sloane, disappears without a trace…except for an ambitious to-do list for Emily to complete. Over the course of the novel, Emily learns to forge her own identity outside of Sloane’s enormous shadow, and no one makes that experience more enjoyable than her smart, studious, good-taste-in-music-having, ab-tastic new running buddy, Frank Porter.
Lovestruck Summer, by Melissa C. Walker
This is one of my favorite fun older YAs, and the perfect quick read for a poolside afternoon. Set in Austin and appropriately music-themed and hipsterrific, it’s the literary equivalent of rocking out to a great indie band with your best friends and some vodka lemonade. That is to say, read it soon, and read it often.
What’s your favorite summer romance read?