9 Young Adult Novels That Will Make Your Secondary Students' Hearts Swoon

While many students are fans of the dark and mysterious when it comes to reading, others are looking for love in between the pages of their book and the promise of a happily ever after ending. Here's 9 romantic titles, some on the lighter side and others more serious, that I've recently read and would recommend for secondary students. Click the title of each to read my full review and ideas for using it in the classroom.

1. Still Star- Crossed by Melinda Taub

The novel picks up where Romeo and Juliet, my favorite of Shakespeare's plays leaves off. With the two young lovers dead and buried, the play's minor characters become major ones. At the center is Rosaline, Romeo's love interest before Juliet, niece of Lord and Lady Capulet, and childhood playmate of Prince Escalus.  

2. When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Narration alternates between the two main characters Dimple and Rishi, two Indian teenagers struggling to define themselves as they exit high school and head off to college. This light romance story with a happy ending also tackles tough topics like gender and cultural norms, arranged marriage, and parental expectations. 

3. Once And For All by Sarah Dessen

Louna's summer job assisting her mother's wedding planning business gets complicated when her mother hires one of her client's brothers. While the protagonist, Louna, is relatable for most teen girls, it was really the other characters in the novel that drew me in. Dessen fans will not be disappointed.

4. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 

Anna is sent to a boarding school in Paris for her senior school of high school. At first, Anna struggles to adjust to life in another country (she doesn't even speak French!), but slowly builds friendships that ease her homesickness. Follow Anna's story up with the next two books in the series, Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After.

5. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

The two main characters form an unlikely friendship that transforms into an intense relationship. Eleanor helps Park  to accept who he is, while Park brings happiness to Eleanor's troubling home life. 

6. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Every day is the same as the one before for Madeline; she suffers from an illness that prevents her from any contact with the outside world. But then the boy who moves in next door catches her eye and everything changes. 

7. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This is a great young adult novel dealing with love and loss. Hazel and Augustus both have terminal cancer diagnoses, but that doesn't stop their blossoming friendship from becoming a serious relationship.

8. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Mia has the perfect life. She is a talented cello player headed to Julliard with a loving family and an awesome boy friend, Adam and best friend. Then a tragic car accident changes everything and Mia must decide if life is still worth living. Follow Mia and Adam's love story in the sequel, Where She Went.

9. The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares

Ray's mother and Sasha's father were once married, but after a bitter divorce all they have left in common is the beach house and their children. Narration alternates between Ray, Sasha, and their three sisters, offering different perspectives on the same events as they find love, forgiveness, and themselves.