Swoon-worthy Romance for Teens

Avery Avery

The contemporary romance genre has soared in popularity in recent years, particularly among younger readers seeking love stories with realistic plots and relatable characters. From witty banter and awkward first dates to the challenges of self-discovery and the angst of being left on read, contemporary romance’s appeal lies in its timely and true-to-life depictions of all the ups and downs of modern dating. We’ve gathered some standout contemporary romances for teens and young adults below, so if you’re looking for your next swoon-worthy read, look no further!

You can sign up for a free library card here.   

If you need help using our Digital Media tools to access these selections, visit our Online Resources Support page.      

If you’re looking for more book suggestions, we’re happy to recommend them to you! Use this Book Recommendation form to send us some information about what you like to read and we’ll curate a list just for you.     

If you have any additional questions, you can call us at 412-622-3114 or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org. You can find additional ways to contact us on the Need Help? page.

In the Catalog

The Calculation of You and Me

The Calculation of You and Me

Serena Kaylor

When calculus nerd Marlowe is dumped by her long-time boyfriend Josh, she enlists the help of her surly classmate Ash to win him back. But as she gets to know Ash better, and sparks start flying, Marlowe realizes there is no algorithm for falling in love.

From the Catalog
From Hoopla
Exes & Foes

Exes & Foes

Amanda Woody

Long-time rivals Emma and Caleb find themselves both chasing Juliet and decide to compete for her affection, but Juliet is more interested in hanging out with both of them, which leads to complicated feelings and the reopening of old wounds from their tumultuous past.

From the Catalog
From Libby
Her Good Side

Her Good Side

Rebekah Weatherspoon

Deciding to fake date for practice, 16-year-old Bethany Greene and her best friend’s ex-boyfriend Jacob Yeun find their arrangement turning into something real, making them wonder if their perfect match has been in front of them all along.

From the Catalog
From Libby
Love Craves Cardamom

Love Craves Cardamom

A Love in Translation Novel

Aashna Avachat

Fresh off a breakup, Archana Dhawan is headed to India to focus on herself and thrive at her dream art museum internship. But when she meets hot guy Shiv on the train, and runs into him again at her internship, their undeniable chemistry grows… but then Shiv reveals that he’s not who he says he is.

From the Catalog
From Libby
Love Unmasked

Love Unmasked

Becky Dean

Evie Whitmore is thrilled to be on her class trip to Venice, the setting of her favorite novel series Elven Realms, even if it means being paired with bad boy loner Gabriel Martinez for the trip. When Evie sneaks out one night to search for a rumored Elven Realms fan club, she crosses paths with a masked stranger on the same quest who sweeps her off her feet… but does she know him already?

From the Catalog
From Libby
On the Bright Side

On the Bright Side

Anna Sortino

When eighteen-year-old Ellie’s Deaf boarding school shuts down, she attends a public high school where she struggles to adjust, but finds an ally in Jackson, a soccer player going through a disability diagnosis of his own.

From the Catalog
From Libby
Something More

Something More

Jackie Khalilieh

Diagnosed as autistic just before joining a new school, quirky loner Jessie is determined to make a fresh start and keep her diagnosis a secret. She creates a list of goals to keep her on track – from acquiring two distinct eyebrows to getting a magical first kiss – but when two very different boys steal her heart, Jessie finds herself re-writing her plans.

From the Catalog
From Libby
From Hoopla
With A Little Luck

With A Little Luck

Marissa Meyer

After being magically gifted with incredible luck, sixteen-year-old Jude discovers this gift just may be a curse when it comes to love.

From the Catalog
From Hoopla
The Wrong Kind of Weird

The Wrong Kind of Weird

James Ramos

Secretly hooking up with popular cheerleader Karla Ortega, who repeatedly snubs him in public, multicultural geek and nerd club member Cameron Carson meets Mackenzie Briggs, who isn’t afraid to be herself, and unexpectedly bonds with this girl who accepts him for who he is.

From the Catalog
From Libby
From Hoopla