To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before : the graphic novel adapted by Barbara Perez Marquez

“What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them…all at once?

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed and, suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

Experience Lara Jean’s story all over again in an all-new graphic novel format!” - taken from Goodreads.

Super cute graphic retelling of the story. I hope this series continues in graphic format.

Lights Out by Jenni Fletcher

“He’s a future F1 champion, but she’s making it hard to stay on track…

F1’s resident bad boy Giovanni Bauer isn’t used to losing, but when his non-stop partying leaves his position on the team at risk, he needs to turn his reputation around - fast.

Maisie Evans is a dedicated psychology student, desperate to break into Gio’s competitive world and reignite her dreams of a glittering sports career, but with no clue how to do it.

When Gio and Maisie’s worlds collide, the answer to their problems seems a fake relationship. She gets to travel the world and brush shoulders with sports royalty, and he gets to fix his image by settling down.

But as sparks fly on and off the track, will their ‘relationship’ see them cross the line together, or crash and burn?” - taken from Goodreads.

Maisie Evans is going to college to become a sports psychologist. Her own mountain biking career came to a screeching halt after an accident. Lately her grades have plummeted and she's in danger of having to repeat the term. When she meets F1 racing's resident bad boy Gio Bauer while working at a party, he proposes a solution to each of the problems. Fake date to improve his reputation and provide a research project for Maisie.

As the two continue to carry on their sham, real feelings between the two begin to surface. Can their burgeoning relationship survive Gio’s high speed world?

Visit Jenni Fletcher’s website.

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter

 

“From play dates on the playground to sneaking into movie theaters, Dani and Alec were inseparable as kids. Until Dani moved away. Years later, Dani is back in Minnesota, and excited to reconnect with the nerdy and comforting Alec. But teenage Alec is NOTHING like the boy she remembers. He's the hockey STAR in a town where hockey players are worshipped as gods – and he loves it. 

When one thing leads to another and Dani and Alec find themselves thrown together and playing the role of boyfriend and girlfriend, “complicated” becomes an understatement. In this Minnesota town, hockey may rule, but romance is about to take its place.” - taken from Goodreads.

Alec and Dani were the best of friends for one month every summer in Minnesota when she and her mother came to visit her grandparents until they weren't. Now five years later, Dani and her mother have moved back to town to live with her Grandpa after her parents divorce. Uncomfortable to see one another after a perceived slight by the other, Dani and Alec agree to fake date in order to improve an unjust reputation for Alec that may bring his hockey dreams to a crashing end. As time passes the two begin to realize that what is happening between the two of them may not be fake at all. Can Alec and Danny find their way over their past hurts to find their happily ever after. Dani’s grandpa had to be my favorite character in this book.

Visit Lynn Painter’s website.

I’ll Pretend You’re Mine by Tashie Bhuiyan

 

“Summer Ali has been making a name for herself in the music industry for years, slowly but surely climbing the charts—but the world doesn’t know her stage parents are the ones who molded her entire public persona. Finally eighteen, Summer breaks free of their control and focuses on creating her own path.

Upon running into writer’s block, Summer grows eager to take any opportunity to shake things up—even if it means agreeing to a PR stunt with child-actor-turned-playboy, Jules Moradi, famous for his tabloid escapades.

At first, Jules keeps his distance, maintaining professional boundaries. But as time passes, his walls come down, and Summer uncovers who he is beyond his reputation, and it’s someone more like her than she ever realized. As the lines blur between fake and real, Summer begins questioning who she is and what she wants—and if her dreams are worth sacrificing her heart.” - taken from Goodreads.

Tashie Bhuiyan has quickly become one of my go to authors for romance. Summer Ali has just turned eighteen and has taken control of her musical career from her domineering parents. On her own for the first time, she must navigate being a celebrity solo. When her manager suggests she “fake date” a bad boy actor for some publicity, she is in for a situation she never expected.

Bhuiyan knocks it out of the ballpark every time with her stories of romance and struggling to get out from underneath controlling parents.

Visit Tashie Bhuiyan’s website.

Wish Upon a K-Star by Kat Cho

SPOILER ALERT. It's not necessary to read Once Upon a K-Prom, but it will greatly enhance your reading pleasure with this one. Previous characters do play a role.

“Moon Minseok—or Moonster as this WDB fans know him—wasn’t born to lead. Even as part of the world’s most popular K-Pop group, he found comfort in his role as the jokester, the sidekick, the unserious one (with the cutest smile). But now WDB is drowning in dating scandals, and it’s time for Moonster to take charge of the group's image.

Shin Hyeri has been dealing with some scandals of her own. An up-and-coming K-Drama actress, she’s been labeled a “nepo baby” (with a famous idol as a big brother) and now, a bully (which couldn’t be further from the truth). Desperate to show the world that she’s earned her spot, Hyeri is determined not to let her rising star crash and burn.

When these two childhood enemies get caught up in yet another scandal while co-hosting a K-Pop festival, there’s only one solution that will save both of their reputations: appear on one of Korea’s most popular variety shows, Our Celebrity Marriage (where celebrities pretend to get married and compete in ‘newlywed’ challenges).

The plan is simple—pretend to get along, win back the fans, then go their separate ways. But what happens when a fake marriage leads to real feelings? Will Moonster and Hyeri bow to the pressures of their famous realities, or will they decide their love is something worth fighting for?” - taken from Goodreads.

Super cute romance that takes place in the same world as Once Upon a K-prom. Childhood frenemies join a reality show in an attempt to repair their respective images and realize that old feelings never really went away.

Visit Kat Cho’s website.

It’s Not Me, It’s You by Alex Light

 

“Jackie Myers is a fraud. Or she might be a genius—the jury’s still out. The thing is, she secretly runs "pleasebreakmyheart," a gone-viral account aimed at breaking hearts and ending relationships—and she just used it to break up her insufferable eternal nemesis's picture-perfect relationship.

Wilson is the buttoned-up, type-A assistant manager of her nightmares—but it turns out he’s also, apparently, a really great boyfriend.
So with her conscience (and paycheck) on the line, Jackie decides there’s only one thing to do: She’s going to help Wilson win his ex-girlfriend back. Which should be easy, considering Jackie hates him…right?” - taken from Goodreads.

Stay With My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan

 

“Liana Sarkar lives and breathes music, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her A&R coordinator father. Maybe if she succeeds, he’ll finally give her the time of day instead of drowning himself in work to distract from the grief of her mother’s passing.

When Liana accidentally sabotages an up-and-coming local band, Third Eye, she makes it her mission to steer them towards success—without them discovering her role in their setback. But as she gets closer to Third Eye, especially their enigmatic leader Skyler Moon, it becomes harder to hide the truth.

With both her heart and their futures on the line, will Liana be able to undo the damage she’s caused?” - taken from Goodreads.

Once again, another great love story from one of my new must read authors. With a heavy influence of music throughout the story, Liana is mentally struggling since her mother’s death. When an aspiring musician lies to Liana, causing her to champion him to her record producing father, she is determined to right her wrong without her father’s involvement. The closer Liana gets the the members of Third Eye, especially its leader Skyler Moon, the lines begin to blur and it’s just a matter of time before the horrible truth is discovered.

Visit Tashie Bhuiyan’s website.

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies book 2)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Better Than the Movies, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

Check out Book Series Recaps for a refresher of the first book.

“For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: the strong-willed girl next door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off for college to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process.

Flash forward months later, and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him.

Wes knows Liz better than anyone, and he has a foolproof plan to win her back with rom-com-worthy grand gestures she loves. Only . . . Liz will have none of it! Wes has to scheme like a rom-com hero to figure out how to see her. Even worse, Liz has a new friend . . . a guy friend.

Still, Wes won’t give up, adapting his clever plans and going hard to get Liz’s attention and win back her affection. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.” - taken from Goodreads.

OMG! What can I say about this book without spoiling everything about it? Two years have passed since Wes and Liz got together, started UCLA, and the unfathomable happened. Wes now has gotten a second chance but will Liz give him a second chance? Probably one of the best books I’ve read this year.

Visit Lynn Painter’s website.

ASAP by Axie Oh

 

SPOILER ALERT. It's not necessary to read the first book in this series, XOXO, but it will greatly enhance your reading pleasure with this one. Previous characters do play a role.

“Sori has worked her whole life to become a K-pop idol, until she realizes she doesn’t want a life forever in the spotlight. But that’s not actually up to Sori—she’s caught between her exacting mother’s entertainment company and her father’s presidential aspirations. And as the pressure to keep her flawless public image grows, the last person she should be thinking about is her ex-boyfriend.

Nathaniel is off limits—she knows this. A member of one of the biggest K-pop bands in the world and forbidden from dating, he isn’t any more of an option now than he was two years ago. Still, she can’t forget that their whirlwind romance was the last time she remembers being really happy. Or that his family welcomed her into their home when she needed it most. . . .

So when Nathaniel finds himself rocked by scandal, Sori offers him a hideaway with her. And back in close quarters, it’s hard to deny their old feelings. But when Sori gets an opportunity to break free from her parent’s expectations, she will have to decide: Is her future worth sacrificing for a second chance at love?” - taken from Goodreads.

This book centered around Nathaniel from XOXO and Sori, Jenny’s friend. These two try to toe the K-Idol line and ignore their feelings for one another. But when things go awry, Nathaniel and Sori find that the one person they can rely on is each other. A cute and quick romance read. 

Visit Axie Oh’s website.

Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon (Rowan & Neil book 2)

 

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Today Tonight Tomorrow, Stop! I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

“They fell for each other in just twenty-four hours. Now Rowan and Neil embark on a long-distance relationship during their first year of college in this romantic, dual points of view sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow .

When longtime rivals Rowan Roth and Neil McNair confessed their feelings on the last day of senior year, they knew they’d only have a couple months together before they left for college. Now summer is over, and they’re determined to make their relationship work as they begin school in different states.

In Boston, Rowan is eager to be among other aspiring novelists, learning from a creative writing professor she adores. She’s just not sure why she suddenly can’t seem to find her voice.

In New York, Neil embraces the chaos of the city, clicking with a new friend group more easily than he anticipated. But when his past refuses to leave him alone, he doesn’t know how to handle his rapidly changing mental health—or how to talk about it with the girl he loves.

Over a year of late-night phone calls, weekend visits, and East Coast adventures, Rowan and Neil fall for each other again and again as they grapple with the uncertainty of their new lives. They’ve spent so many years at odds with each other—now that they’re finally on the same team, what does the future hold for them?” - taken from Goodreads.

Over the course of a year, Rowan and Neil must learn to navigate a long distance relationship while finding their place in college. Follow along through the ups and downs of Freshmen year as they struggle to find their footing. The epilogue was a fantastic finish.

Visit Rachel Lynn Solomon’s website.

Once Upon a K-Prom by Kat Cho

 

“Elena Soo has always felt overshadowed. Whether by her more successful older sisters, her more popular twin brother, or her more outgoing best friend, everyone except Elena seems to know exactly who they are and what they want. But she is certain about one thing - she has no interest in going to prom. While the rest of the school is giddy over corsages and dresses, Elena would rather spend her time working to save the local community center, the one place that's always made her feel like she belonged.

So when international K-pop superstar Robbie Choi shows up at her house to ask her to prom, Elena is more confused than ever. Because the one person who always accepted Elena as she is? Her childhood best friend, Robbie Choi. And the one thing she maybe, possibly, secretly wants more than anything? For the two of them to keep the promise they made each other as kids: to go to prom together. But that was seven years ago, and with this new K-pop persona, pink hair, and stylish clothes, Robbie is nothing like the sweet, goofy boy she remembers. The boy she shared all her secrets with. The boy she used to love.

Besides, prom with a guy who comes with hordes of screaming fans, online haters, and relentless paparazzi is the last thing Elena wants - even if she can't stop thinking about Robbie's smile...right?” - taken from Goodreads.

This is a cute story about a childhood promise that is upheld through the years and across an ocean. Elena loves volunteering at the local community center but when a budget shortfall threatens its closure, she starts an unpopular campaign at her school to save the center by donating part of the outrageous fortunes students spend to go to the prom. Elena’s life is upended when her childhood best friend and current K-pop sensation Robbie Choi shows up at her school unexpectedly with an over-the-top promposal.

What begins next is a chance to reconnect with one another while trying to find a way to support the community center with a prom thrown in the mix.

A companion novel, Wish Upon a K-Star, is due out April 29, 2025.

Vist Kat Cho’s website.

My Life With the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

 

“Jackie Howard does not like surprises. Chaos is the enemy. The best way to get her successful, busy parents to notice her is to be perfect. The perfect look, the perfect grades—the perfect daughter. And then…

Surprise #1: Jackie’s family dies in a freak car accident.

Surprise #2: Jackie has to move cross-country to live with the Walters—her new guardians.

Surprise #3: The Walters have twelve sons. (Well, eleven, but Parker acts like a boy anyway.)

Jackie is now surrounded by the enemy. Loud, dirty, annoying boys—who have no concept of personal space. Okay, several of the oldest guys are flat-out gorgeous. But still annoying. She’s not stuck-up or boring—no matter what they say. But proving it is another matter. How can she fit in and move on when she needs to keep her parents’ memory alive by living up to the promise of perfect?” - taken from Goodreads.

Jackie Howard's life has been turned upside down with the car accident that killed her family. Three months later, her guardian thinks a change in scenery would be best and her mother's college roommate offers to take her in. Moving from New York City to Colorado is enough of a culture shock, but the Walter family has 12 boys. Can Jackie fit into the ranch life and what happens when more than one brother shows an interest in her?

Visit Ali Novak’s website.

Plus One by Kelsey Rodkey

 

“They say that those who can’t do, teach.

Lahey Johnson is notorious for helping her friends and classmates find love. Sure, she’s never had a boyfriend herself. But she could. If she wanted to. Right? She just hasn’t had a reason to focus on her own love life—but now, with her detested cousin Summer’s sweet sixteen coming up, she’s got the ultimate reason: revenge.

Lahey will do anything to prove that she can get a date to Summer’s party—anything, including juggle six prospective suitors in seven days. She’s matched people before—all she needs to do is figure out who these guys are looking for and become that girl. Easy.

The only issue? Her older sister’s irritating friend Adler has decided to take a front-row seat to the spectacle that is Lahey’s life. He can bother her all he wants—nothing will distract Lahey from her goal of one-upping Summer.

But as the party creeps closer, the panic sets in.

Can a matchmaker ever really meet her own match?” - taken from Goodreads.

I really enjoyed this book even though I wanted to shake Lahey at times for her selfishness. For someone who was so good at being a matchmaker for others, she failed miserably when it came to herself. Thankfully, she came to her senses before it was too late.

Visit Kelsey Rodkey’s website.

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West (Borrow My Heart book 1)

 

“When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friend for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush. A young adult romance from the critically acclaimed author of Places We've Never Been.

Wren is used to being called a control freak. She doesn’t care; sticking to the list of rules she created for herself helps her navigate life. But when a cute guy named Asher walks through the door of her neighborhood coffee shop, the rulebook goes out the window.

Asher is cute, charming . . . and being catfished by his online crush. So Wren makes an uncharacteristically impulsive decision—she pretends to be the girl he's waiting for to save him from embarrassment. Suddenly she’s fake-dating a boy she knows nothing about. And it’s . . . amazing.

It's not long before Asher has her breaking even more of her own rules. But will he forgive her when he finds out she's not who she says she is? Wren's not so sure. . . . After all, rules exist for a reason.” - taken from Goodreads.

A cute story about a girl who saves a stranger from embarrassment after being stood up by an online girl who seems to be catfishing him. What starts out as a one sided fake dating arrangement soon turns into something real until a secret is uncovered. The fact that Wren works at an animal shelter makes the story that much sweeter. 

Book two is expected in 2024.

Visit Kasie West’s website.

This Time it’s Real by Ann Liang

 

“When seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine…and a massive secret to keep.

Eliza made her essay up. She’s never been in a relationship before, let alone in love. All good writing is lying, right?” - taken from Goodreads.

When Eliza’s made up essay goes viral, her life quickly spirals out of control. In order to save face, Eliza makes a deal with classmate Caz to fake date in exchange for writing his college essays. The problem is that Caz is a popular movie star. What happens when feelings begin to get in the way? And will Eliza be able to keep the charade up?

Visit Ann Liang’s website.

Never Vacation With Your Ex by Emily Wibberly & Austin Siegemund-Broka

“Seventeen-year-old volleyball star Kaylee Jordan lives a life of player rankings, constant training, and a carefully curated social media full of followers watching to see if she'll go pro out of high school like her famous mom. Her one refuge, and the thing she looks forward to every summer? The vacation her family spends in Malibu with the Freeman-Yus. This year, there’s only one problem: Kaylee and their son, Dean, dated for the past three months, and Kaylee just unceremoniously dumped him.

Hoping to spare them the worst summer ever, Kaylee comes to Dean with her unconventional solution: she’s going to walk him through her rules for getting over an ex. When Dean grudgingly cooperates, Kaylee’s got her work cut out for her. But helping Dean follow her own rules starts becoming difficult when the pressures of Kaylee’s family legacy and perfect life start to feel less like a plan and more like a prison… and amid warm California nights and stolen laughs, Kaylee feels herself falling for Dean for the same reasons and some new ones.

With their trip coming to an end, Kaylee has to make the complicated choice between doing what’s expected and taking a (second) chance on love.” - taken from Goodreads.

Kaylee Jordan wasn’t this author duo’s best love interest. She didn’t treat Dean like she should have. Kaylee also places a lot of pressure on herself and it affects her relationships. She dumped Dean after only two months of dating, making for a rough family vacation. Dean takes Kaylee up on her offer to help him move on from her but what happens when Kaylee isn’t able to follow her own advice?

Visit Emily & Austin’s website. 

Private Label by Kelly Yang

 

“Serene dreams of making couture dresses even more stunning than her mom’s, but for now she’s an intern at her mom’s fashion label. When her mom receives a sudden diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, all that changes. Serene has to take over her mother’s business overnight, dealing with ruthless investors who do not think a seventeen-year-old can run a fashion empire, while trying to figure out what happened with her dad in Beijing. He left before she was born, and Serene wants to find him, even if it means going against her mom’s one request—never look back.

Lian Chen moved from China to Serene’s mostly white Southern California beach town a year ago. He doesn’t fit in at school, where kids mispronounce his name. His parents don’t care about what he wants to do—comedy—and push him toward going to MIT engineering early. Lian thinks there’s nothing to stick around for, until one day, he starts Chinese Club after school . . . and Serene walks in.

Worlds apart in the high school hierarchy, Serene and Lian soon find refuge in each other, falling in love as they navigate life-changing storms.” - taken from Goodreads.

This was a quick read about two Chinese American teenagers who are on opposite ends of the high school hierarchy that soon find themselves being there for one another when Serene desires to learn more about her heritage as they help one another navigate what it means to be themselves in a world where they are seen as different.

Visit Kelly Yang’s website.

Begin Again by Emma Lord

 

“As usual, Andie Rose has a plan: Transfer from community college to the hyper competitive Blue Ridge State, major in psychology, and maintain her lifelong goal of becoming an iconic self-help figure despite the nerves that have recently thrown her for a loop. All it will take is ruthless organization, hard work, and her trademark unrelenting enthusiasm to pull it all together.

But the moment Andie arrives, the rest of her plans go off the rails. Her rocky relationship with her boyfriend Connor only gets more complicated when she discovers he transferred out of Blue Ridge to her community college. Her roommate Shay needs a major, and despite Andie’s impressive track record of being The Fixer, she’s stumped on how to help. And Milo, her coffee-guzzling grump of an R.A. with seafoam green eyes, is somehow disrupting all her ideas about love and relationships one sleep-deprived wisecrack at a time.

But sometimes, when all your plans are in rubble at your feet, you find out what you’re made of. And when Andie starts to find the power of her voice as the anonymous Squire on the school’s legendary pirate radio station–the same one her mom founded, years before she passed away–Andie learns that not all the best laid plans are necessarily the right ones.” - taken from Goodreads.

When Andie Rose arrives at Blue Ridge State as a mid-year transfer, she has a plan for how her semester will go. Her best laid plans start to go up in flames when she finds that her boyfriend Conner transferred back to community college to be with her, her roommate Shay is major less, and her RA Milo lives off of caffeine and doesn't believe in love. Soon her plans begin to change as she begins to follow her in her mother’s footsteps but struggles to find her own way. As the semester goes on, will Andie be able to blaze her own trail without being weighed down by her past? A great read about finding one’s own way.

Visit Emma Lord’s website.

When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao

 

“Liya and Kai had been best friends since they were little kids, but all that changed when a humiliating incident sparked The Biggest Misunderstanding Of All Time—and they haven’t spoken since.

Then Liya discovers her family's wishing lantern store is struggling, and she decides to resume a tradition she had with her beloved late grandmother: secretly fulfilling the wishes people write on the lanterns they send into the sky. It may boost sales and save the store, but she can't do it alone . . . and Kai is the only one who cares enough to help.

While working on their covert missions, Liya and Kai rekindle their friendship—and maybe more. But when their feuding families and their changing futures threaten to tear them apart again, can they find a way to make their own wishes come true?” - taken from Goodreads.

A touching romantic story between two neighbors who are caught in the middle of their feuding fathers. Liya and Kai are childhood friends but things have been weird since she snorted a boba from her tea into her nose, causing her to vomit in front of Kai. Embarrassed, she has kept her distance from him since. Kai has just finally gotten the nerve to ask Liya out on a date when she throws up on the table they share. Devastated, he wants to stay friends even if Liya doesn’t return his feelings. 

When Liya discovers that her family’s shop is in debt, she comes up with a plan to earn some extra money. Kai is more than willing to help her. As the two once again grow closer, will Lyia be able to save her family’s store? What happens when Liya learns Kia asked her out and she didn’t hear him?

Visit Gloria Chao’s website.

Ride With Me by Lucy Keating

 

“As a driver for her local ride share app, Charlie Owens loves what the open road gives her: freedom, extra cash for an epic road trip, and a path to getting out of her sleepy town of Chester Falls, Massachusetts. She’s seen her fair share of mysterious passengers and explosive break-ups in the backseat of her car, but Charlie lives a no-strings-attached lifestyle and never gets involved.

But when a routine post-party pick-up ends with Charlie crashing into Andre, her school’s notorious party boy, she’s forced to make a deal to drive him anywhere he needs to go, anytime, until his car can be repaired. Suddenly Charlie and Andre are stuck together, and they couldn’t be more different. But Andre’s charm wins over Charlie’s passengers, and she soon finds herself at risk of breaking her most sacred rule: don’t fall in love.” - taken from Goodreads.

When Charlie hits Andre's car at a party, neither have the money to repair it. Since Charlie drives for a ride share app, Andre decides that Charlie can drive him wherever he needs to be. What turns out to be a major annoyance at first, soon blooms into friendship between the two. The more time Charlie and Andre spend together, the more they learn about one another. Soon sparks begin to fly but neither wants to be the first to act on it. Can two people with opposite goals in life be able to meet in the middle and make a relationship work?

Visit Lucy Keating’s website.