When considering the best novels for teens, the romance genre is the place to start. Why? Because teen girls actually read. Teen guys just play Xbox and watch football. (Okay, a few of you read. You know who you are. Rock on!) And when teen girls read, they gravitate to romance. That's because teen guys are too busy playing Xbox and watching football to be romantic, so the girls must live vicariously through literary others.
So, what are the best romance novels for teens? Well, asking a teen girl, or a lot of them, is a good place to start. Alternatively, consider the list below, which are the best of the best. Because I already asked. And read most of them.
These are the Best of the Best Teen Romance novels.
Beauty: a Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley - This much-loved retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast creates a more complicated Beauty and a richer, deeper relationship with the Beast. Although the arc of the story is familiar, the depth of the characters and the bond that grows between them makes you wonder if you ever heard the story at all. This novel is a Beauty!
A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb - Dead Helen attaches herself to one human host after another for 130 years, until she meets James, a kindred spirit who has occupied the living body of a teenage boy whose soul has left. When he teaches Helen to do the same with the vacant body of a teen girl, the pair begin a romantic relationship that mixes old-fashioned courting and modern morals. More importantly, they begin to unravel the mysteries of their pasts. Caution: the physical aspects of the romance are explicit.
The Changeover: A Supernatural Romance by Margaret Mahy - Laura has latent supernatural power, but has kept it in check. However, when she sees the face in the mirror, she knows it is a warning of dire things to come. The utterly evil Carmody Braque has marked her little brother, and now the boy's illness is growing worse. Laura knows that she must "change over" - release her supernatural gifts - for the inevitable battle. But that requires joining forces with the enigmatic Sorenson, who she may hate, or may love. Outstanding!
The China Garden by Liz Berry - When Clare goes with her mother to an English estate with dark secrets, she begins an unexpected journey. The ensuing story spins itself into many layers, featuring mystery, fantasy, and romance, all centered around an ancient family feud of which Clare is unwittingly a part. This novel is very rich in detail with a lot of historical and mythological references, so it is not for the faint of heart. For those who like deep stories with realistic romance, this is an outstanding read.
Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier - In a pseudo-retelling of Homer's Odyssey, wounded American Civil War soldier Inman decides to desert to return to his Blue Ridge Mountains home and his love, Ada. Inman's journey runs a gauntlet of physical and emotional challenges against marauders, bounty hunters, and witches. Meanwhile Ada tries to maintain her father's farm in a world gone mad. This powerful and moving epic will weigh on the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.
Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde - Teenager Kerry helps rescue a mysterious young man from a vigilante mob, only to learn that he is a vampire. Forced to trust him to rescue her family, she wrestles with the suspicion that she is being seduced by evil. As a romantic horror novel, this outshines the more recent "Twilight".
Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres - When the invading Italians occupy the Greek island of Cephalonia at the outset of World War II, the local doctor's daughter, Pelagia, falls for the cultured and dashing Captain Corelli, who cares more about playing his mandolin than waging war. As the conflict grows uglier, will their romance survive? The author deftly balances a war story with a romantic tale, and challenges the reader to ponder what is important in times of conflict.
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock - D. J. is a 15 year old rural tomboy, who after her father's accident, inherits the responsibility of keeping the family's dairy farm going. If that and school aren't enough, she also takes on the training of the rival school's quarterback, on whom she has a monster crush. The story is told by D. J., whose self-deprecating and sometimes naive manner loads the narrative with one hearty laugh after another. A great story of a young woman unsure of herself trying to find her way in the world.
Down the Dead Road by David J. Nix - Teen "Cowboy" is pursued by Death, who has made multiple attempts on his life. He is an easy target, having lived on the streets his entire life, raised by a homeless woman. A series of events, including encounters with a supernatural figure, a brutal street gang, and a beautiful girl, lead him to search for his origins. The mayhem leaves both his heart and life in danger, but leads toward the astonishing truth. A story that gives humane treatment to the lesser of society, with a sweet romance thrown in. The multiple twists will leave you guessing.
Dustlands by Moira Young – In a post-apocalyptic future, 18-year-old Saba’s twin brother is stolen by black-clad riders. When tough-as-nails Saba launches a relentless search to recover him, she must fight for her life in gladiator cages, overcome enemies both creature and human, and learn to trust others for the first time. And try as she might, she can’t help but fall for the charming scoundrel Jack, who just may understand her more than she knows. The author tells Saba’s story in a raw first person format that blows you away. Must read for dystopian lovers!
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols - Meg's desire to escape her backwater town and smothering parents leads her to a dare that runs her afoul of the law. She is sentenced to join rookie cop John on night patrol to better appreciate the importance of maintaining law. Meg despises John because he seems content to remain in their small town. John disdains Meg, because she is so hateful of the community. As they strive to understand each other, both extend their boundaries - and of course, fall in love.
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer - Set in Victorian England, young but energetic Sophy is taken in by her aunt Lady Ombersley. She soon discovers that her aunt's family is in desperate need of her talent for setting everything right. One step at a time she fixes the family messes, wins their hearts, and finds love everlasting. A joyous story with a strong romantic thread.
Howl's Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones - In a complex and compelling fairy tale, Sophie's hopelessly mundane life is interrupted when a witch's curse turns her into an old hag to distract the girl from discovering her latent powers. Taking refuge in the strange moving castle of the wizard Howl, she is soon swept up in his madcap attempts to rid himself of his own curse. As her powers grow, so does her love for Howl, and the story grows deliciously complicated from there. The ending is wonderfully satisfying!
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - Seventeen-year-old aspiring writer Cassandra lives with her family in a crumbling English castle rented when times were good. Her optimism is challenged daily by her hopeless but beautiful sister, brooding father, and disassociated step-mother. Her mundane existence is turned suddenly upside down when the wealthy Cotton family takes over a nearby estate. Written in the 1940's, this book is a modern classic often compared to the works of Jane Austen.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta - Taylor finds herself the leader of her boarding school's Underground Community, whose mission is to battle their counterparts at an all-male Cadet encampment and the public high school. For two decades the three factions have waged a game of negotiation, pranks, and sometimes physical violence for control of paths, places, and facilities. One problem: Taylor might have a crush on the leader of the Cadets. The author weaves in a back story about how the whole war started, and how Taylor is unwittingly tied to it. Romance, action, mystery, and plot twists, this is just a great story.
Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman - Mrs. Mike is the rare gem that speaks to women of all generations. This moving love story tells the tale Katherine Mary, a privileged girl from Boston, who falls for and marries a dashing Canadian Mounty. When he is assigned to the remote Canadian wilderness, their love must survive the massive adjustment to the hardships of the remote outpost. Romance, adventure, tragedy, and triumph - this story has it all. A favorite for over 50 years, and a must-read for women of all ages.
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - When popular Isobel is partnered with sullen goth Varen for a report on Edgar Allan Poe, her life takes a dramatic and unexpected turn. After snooping Varen's journal, she finds herself drawn into a creepy dreamworld populated by ghosts, ghouls, and other Poe characters. The remainder of this difficult-to-describe story follows Isobel's attempts to escape and save Varen, and the romance that slowly grows between them. A great read, especially for more literary readers.
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman - In an alternate reality England, white-skinned people, called Noughts, are an underclass minority oppressed by a dark-skinned majority descended of Africans, called Crosses. Nought teenager Callum falls for Sephy, the daughter of a politically powerful Cross. As their romance grows, so does their safety in a society that does not tolerate racial mixing. When Callum's family is implicated in a terrorist act, the lovestruck teens face difficult choices. Regardless of your heritage, this story will lend you a new perspective on race and what it means to be human. Stunning!
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - Jane Austen is the inventor of the modern romance novel, and this is her greatest work. Elizabeth Bennett's family is well-to-do, but will lose everything to a relative when her father dies, a fact that drives her mother in a headlong crusade to marry off the daughters for social advantage. Sharp witted Elizabeth resists the game, sparring particularly with the wealthy Mr. Darcy. However, the adversarial relationship with Darcy soon turns to something deeper. A must read.
Scribbler of Dreams by Mary Pearson - A modern take on Romeo and Juliet, except nobody commits suicide. Kait's California family has hated the neighboring Crutchfields for generations, and she believes them to be monsters. Everything changes when, while attending public school under an assumed name, she falls for Bram, one of the Crutchfield family. She hides her identity from him, and the tensions build to a breaking point. Revelations about the root of the feud, however, may show the way through.
The Shore of Monsters by David Nix - Five generations earlier, a horde of monsters nearly obliterated humanity. All males are dead or ruined by a monster plague; words like 'father' and 'romance' have lost meaning. When teenager Sky joins an expedition to the shore that falls apart, she must survive amongst the monsters that roam the ruins. She gets unexpected help from a very surprising source. Mystery, action, and romance follow!
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - Stargirl Caraway is a new 10th grader at Mica Area High School, and is she ever strange! Quirky dress, odd behavior, and off-kilter speech soon endear her to a fascinated student population. However, little by little her classmates sour on Stargirl's strangeness and turn against her. Even as the boy who loves her, the narrator of the tale, grows angrier and angrier at her treatment, Stargirl's ever-positive attitude carries her through. The message: be true to yourself.
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Green - Patty, a young physically abused Jewish girl in a small Arkansas town during WWII, sees her life turned upside down by the arrival of Nazi prisoners of war. When one escapes, Patty hides him for several months, and learns that people are more than the labels they possess. The ending is heart-rending, but absolutely worth the journey.
These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer - Victorian era novel about a powerful Duke, Justin, who rescues a starving waif from an abusive guardian and makes the boy his page. Because of the boy's resemblance to an enemy, Justin hopes to use the child to bring shame to his foe. However, the tables turn when the "boy" turns out to be a teenage girl with a strong personality and a timeless beauty. As Justin's plans progress, he barely realizes that he is falling for the young woman until she has captured him completely.
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Seventeen year old Macy is emotionally adrift after her father's death, and she compensates by building a facade of perfect behavior. The facade crumbles when Macy takes a job with the strange Wish Catering, and falls for Wes, whose chaotic lifestyle directly opposes hers. Through the burgeoning romance, Macy learns that every ending leads to a new beginning. Dessen's powerful writing expertly describes Macy's grief and her path through it.
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler - Anna loved Matt, the brother of her best friend Frankie, but Matt died, and Anna never told Frankie. Now, a year later, Anna and Frankie are on a beach vacation where Anna hopes to finally tell Frankie of the secret relationship with Matt. However, she finds herself falling for a guy she meets at the beach, and suddenly feels the guilt of "cheating" on the memory of a loved one. Although it sounds like a soap opera, the story is incredibly well constructed and moving.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer - The criticisms of Twilight are many: shallow, not well written, cliché, etc. However, Meyer obviously touched a nerve in her story of a less-than-popular high school student who finds herself the love object of a teenage vampire. Edward and Bella's improbable relationship takes turns from innocent to frustrating to dangerous, culminating in Bella's realization that her love of Edward may result in her death - by him or by other means. This story hits the high mark of female fantasy - a hottie bad boy who remains barely tamed for the sake of his otherwise under-appreciated love interest.
The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer - This lighthearted romance novel stands apart for its impeccable ability to poke fun at - romance novels! Smart but gangly Kate Bjorkman narrates her newly developing romance life using the conventions of The Romance Writer's Handbook. Every plot turn is told as a set piece of the standard bodice-ripper in hilarious and dramatic fashion. Incredibly, you quickly grow a deep emotional bond with Kate despite her over-the-top descriptions, and cheer her unlikely triumph in love.
The Best of the Rest:
Beast by Donna Jo Napoli
The Catalogue of the Universe by Margaret Mahy
Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
Forever … by Judy Blume
If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson
Is Kissing a Girl Who Smokes Like Licking An Ashtray? by Randy Powell
My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Owl in Love by Patrice Kindl
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Sherwood Ring by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffennegger
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
