The Best Romance Teen & Young Adult Books 2026

1. We'll Never Be Apart, (Paperback)

Murder. Fire. Revenge. That's all seventeen-year-old Alice Monroe thinks about. Committed to a mental ward at Savage Isle, Alice is haunted by memories of the fire that killed her boyfriend, Jason. A blaze her twin sister Cellie set. But when Chase, a mysterious, charismatic patient, agrees to help her seek vengeance, Alice begins to rethink everything. Writing out the story of her troubled past in a journal, she must confront hidden truths. Is the one person she trusts only telling her half the story? Nothing is as it seems in this edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller from the debut author Emiko Jean.

We'll Never Be Apart, (Paperback) Author: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780544813205 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 2016-10-25 Page Count: 288

2. Sea Witch, (Paperback)

Wicked meets "The Little Mermaid" in the captivating origin story of the sea's most iconic villainess, perfect for fans of Heartless and Dorothy Must Die. Ever since her best friend Anna died, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. Hiding her talents, mourning her loss, drowning in her guilt. Then a girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears on the shore, and the two girls catch the eyes of two charming princes. Suddenly Evie feels like she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after. But magic isn't kind, and her new friend harbors secrets of her own. She can't stay in Havnestad--or on two legs--without Evie's help. And when Evie reaches deep into the power of her magic to save her friend's humanity--and her prince's heart--she discovers, too late, what she's bargained away.

Sea Witch, (Paperback) Author: HarperCollins ISBN: 9780062438805 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 2019-07-09 Page Count: 384

3. Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots (Paperback)

"McDonald composes a fun summer read, examining the conflict between sticking to one's beliefs and learning the art of compromise." --Publishers Weekly Jenna may hail from the 'burbs of New Jersey, but Green Teen activism is her life. When she gets a chance to visit her hippie godmother, Susie, up in rural Canada, Jenna is psyched to commune with this nature she's heard about -- and the cute, plaid-wearing boys she's certain must roam there. But after some run-ins with local wildlife (a larger-than-life moose, Susie's sullen Goth stepdaughter, a hot but hostile boy named Reeve), Jenna gets the idea that her long-held ideals, like vegetarianism and conservation, don't play so well with this population of real outdoorsmen. A dusty survival guide offers amusing tips on navigating the wilderness, but can Jenna learn to navigate the turns of her heart?

"McDonald composes a fun summer read, examining the conflict between sticking to one’s beliefs and learning the art of compromise." —Publishers Weekly Jenna may hail from the ’burbs of New Jersey, but Green Teen activism is her life. When she gets a chance to visit her hippie godmother, Susie, up in rural Canada, Jenna is psyched to commune with this nature she’s heard about — and the cute, plaid-wearing boys she’s certain must roam there. But after some run-ins with local wildlife (a larger-than-life moose, Susie’s sullen Goth stepdaughter, a hot but hostile boy named Reeve), Jenna gets the idea that her long-held ideals, like vegetarianism and conservation, don’t play so well with this population of real outdoorsmen. A dusty survival guide offers amusing tips on navigating the wilderness, but can Jenna learn to navigate the turns of her heart?

4. The Geek's Guide to Wizarding Mastery in One Epic Tome: The Complete Tale of Bryant Adams, (Paperback)

Not all wizards were born to be heroes. Things not to do when you find out you're a wizard: #1 Do not destroy your apartment with magical fire. You WILL NOT get the security deposit back. #2 Do not form an alliance with the guy who is trying to murder you. This will end badly. #3 Do not drag the girl you're desperately in love with into your wizard mess. You risk her watching you fail miserably. #4 Under no circumstances should you get in the middle of an epic magical battle. Death will happen. Lots of death and bad things. This Epic Tome contains all four books in The Tale of Bryant Adams: How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin' Days Seven Things Not to Do When Everyone's Trying to Kill You Three Simple Steps to Wizarding Domination Five Spellbinding Laws of International Larceny Praise for How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin' Days "This is a magical, fast-paced, fantasy packed-with a lovely dose of modern day teen-ride." - Tonja "How I Magically Messed Up My Life in Four Freakin' Days by Megan O'Russell is the funniest book for teens/middle grade I have read in so long!" - M.W. "Megan O'Russell's heart-stopping magical adventures get better and better and I can't wait for her next one!" - Sherry Author Interview Why did you choose to write a fantasy book that heavily involves a cell phone? Phones are a huge part of everyday life. Smart phone are these tiny pieces of massive technology we use everyday without really thinking about how astounding they are. But what if phones could be used for more than just scrolling through social media? What if an entire magical library could be hidden in your pocket? I wanted modern convenience to meet magic in a new way. What does Bryant Adams bring to the world of wizards that readers haven't seen before? Bryant Adams is not your standard hero. He is not the chosen one, and the world may be doomed if he's in charge of saving us all. Bryant is a geek-the nerdy sidekick of the coolest kid in high school-who's trying really hard to survive being a wizard but is too terrified to talk to the girl of his dreams. He's just a boy trying to get through his teen years without too much emotional damage...and then magic happens. Who would enjoy this book? If you like humor with a touch of snark, romance with a hint of wit, and magic that might destroy the world as we know it, Bryant Adams is th

The Geek's Guide to Wizarding Mastery in One Epic Tome: The Complete Tale of Bryant Adams, (Paperback) Author: Ink Worlds Press ISBN: 9781951359331 Format: Paperback Publication Date: 2020-12-23 Page Count: 774

5. Toxic Heart (Hardcover) by Theo Lawrence

9780385741620. New condition. Hard cover. Language: English. Pages: 353. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 353 p. Mystic City Trilogy. Intended for a young adult/teenage audience. Aria believes she can bring together the warring elite and the magic-wielding mystics, save Mystic City, and win back Hunter's love but first she must risk everything to find the missing heart of a dead mystic that would give her untold powers.

The second MYSTIC CITY novel . . . it's Romeo & Juliet in a dystopic Manhattan. A city in flames. A trust betrayed. A perfect love destroyed. Has Aria lost Hunter, her one true love? Ever since rebellion broke out in Mystic City, pitting the ruling elite against the magic-wielding mystics, Aria has barely seen her boyfriend. Not surprising, since Hunter is the leader of the mystic uprising, and he'll do whatever it takes to win freedom for his people—even if that means using Aria. But Aria is no one's pawn. She believes she can bring the two warring sides together, save the city, and win back the Hunter she fell in love with. Before she can play peacemaker, though, Aria will need to find the missing heart of a dead mystic. The heart gives untold powers to whoever possesses it, but finding it means seeking out a fierce enemy whose deepest desire is for Aria to be gone—forever. "Recommended for dystopian fans."--School Library Journal