Romance has been saving lives since 1960. How? The ✨delulu✨. Who can resist a book with almost perfect love interests and scenarios that feel straight out of a fairy tale?
It’s no wonder the genre is so popular. When life becomes unpredictable, escaping into a world that seems otherwise impossible can be comforting.
What is better than a regular romance book? A clean, emotionally driven version. Here are six captivating young adult fiction romance books that will keep readers up all night.
Typically, the bodyguard-protectee trope feels forced or clichéd, but this one? Perfection.
Milosh Petrov is hired as a bodyguard by Daphne Green’s father after a break-in to his office. He initially sees her as a spoiled rich kid, but soon realises that is not the case.
To avoid suspicion about his presence, they pretend to be a couple. As he investigates the threat against Daphne and her father, the line between fake and real blurs, while he balances his role as a bodyguard and a potential love interest.
Love Radio features a perfectly played-out, healthy love with an almost courtly tone that is missing in many of today’s young adult fiction romance books.
The story is about Prince Jones, who hosts a radio advice segment called “Love Radio.” Like many young men, he handles household responsibilities and cares for his ailing mother. He meets Danielle Ford, a high school senior hoping to become a writer. Prince is attracted to her, but unfortunately, she is jaded about romance and gives him three chances to win her over. He listens to his own radio advice, and it works.
Parents need therapy, too. If Madeline’s Mum had faced some of her own fears and healed from them, then maybe this story would have gone differently.
Madeline “Maddy” Whittier is diagnosed with SCID, a condition that leaves her immune system unable to fight infections. She lives in a specially equipped home and is cared for by her nurse, Carla. Maddy believes she will never leave her house or experience life until she does.
Her new neighbour, Olly, becomes her friend and then something more. He encourages her to explore the world outside her gilded cage, and eventually, she does. Not only does she leave her comfort zone, but she also learns the power of grief and how it can shape truth.
Nicola Yoon presents insta-love as charming by showing it through the viewpoints of what could have been and fate.
Natasha Kingsley has real problems: her family is getting deported in 24 hours if they can’t prove their legitimacy. During the process, she meets Daniel Bae, an admirer who wants to prove that two people can fall in love in 24 hours. Natasha and Daniel are as different as oil and water. Natasha trusts science; Daniel believes in fate. Only one outcome is positive (Spoiler: It’s Daniel’s).
Rihanna famously said, “We found love in a hopeless place.”
Hazel Lancaster and Augustus Waters meet at a cancer support group and are instantly drawn to each other. They bond through books, shared knowledge of their illnesses, and a trip to Amsterdam. Not long after, Gus passes away, but not without leaving Hazel a posthumous message on life and love.
The best way to describe this book: Beauty and the Beast meets the 21st century.
Harper Lacyn is going through a lot. She manages cerebral palsy while balancing a challenging family situation. One night, she is kidnapped to a magical kingdom to become the cursed prince’s potential love interest.
She’s no damsel in distress. Instead of accepting the situation, she challenges authority and fights her own battles. In the end, she is left with a choice: walk away or stay.
Young adult fiction romance books have something for everyone: the “nepo babies,” the “brokies,” the dreamers, the lovers, the disadvantaged, the cynics, and the book snobs. There’s no excuse not to jump into the genre. After all, delulu is the solulu. So…what’s the next read going to be?
