If you’re craving a teen romance read right now but aren’t quite sure what’s out there, you’re in luck — because teen romance has range. These three new releases represent many different cultures, sexualities, and tropes, proving there’s no one way to fall in love. Keep reading to learn about this week’s swoon-worthy Three to Read Teen selections!
FIRE READ
Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters
SYNOPSIS:
After a viral breakup threatens to put a permanent stain on his reputation, Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie is sent to Santa Monica. He poses as an exchange student quite successfully — that is, until he meets Reiss, his pink-haired, film-obsessed classmate who challenges everything Jadon thought he knew about himself. As their relationship deepens, Jadon must ultimately decide if being true to himself is worth the price of losing his crown.
WHY:
If you’re looking for a heartwarming queer YA romance, this book hits all the right notes. Through Jadon’s cultural friction and increasing vulnerability, Julian Winters explores themes of identity, expectations, and love that breaks rules. Set in the backdrop of breezy, sunny California, Price of the Palisades feels refreshing and hopeful.
TEA TIME READ
The Romance Rivalry by Susan Lee
SYNOPSIS:
Irene Park, a romance-obsessed book reviewer with a growing social media following, heads to college convinced she knows love better than anyone. Cue Aiden Jeon — Irene’s online rival — who challenges her to a dating experiment where the first one who falls in love wins and the loser quits social media for good. What starts as a creative experiment soon deepens into something much more complicated as Irene and Aiden navigate their developing feelings amidst college life.
WHY:
If you love books that experiment with tropes in new ways, The Romance Rivalry just might be for you. The novel provides a fresh take on common romance clichés, exploring fake dating dynamics with wit and self-awareness. With its rivals-to-lovers tension, high stakes, and constant banter, this pick is both engaging and heartfelt.
HEAR ME OUT
If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal
SYNOPSIS:
Rochelle “The Shell” Coleman is determined to finish high school at the top of her class, without letting friends or distractions get in the way. But when she lands a job at Horizon Cinemas, she’s forced to report to her friend-turned-academic-rival, Amira.
The two of them are tasked with collaborating to save the local Black-owned theater from sabotage, and their relationship gradually softens. As simmering jealousy and anger gradually give way to unexpected friendship — and then more — they must grapple with their evolving relationship.
WHY:
This sapphic YA novel — Zakiya N. Jamal’s debut — stands out for combining small-town mystery with sizzling romance. As the novel progresses, Rochelle and Amira challenge each other’s preconceptions and come to know entirely different versions of each other. With its cozy cinematic setting, dynamic characters, and fantastic representation, If We Were a Movie is both emotionally rich and undeniably charming.
As you can see, these picks are far more than just love stories. Still, we hope one of the books mentioned here sweeps you off your feet. Thank you for tuning into this week’s Three To Read Teen, and be sure to come back next week for more standout romance recommendations!
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Find these books and more on our Bookstr’s Three to Read: Weekly Recommendations bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
