Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch is a great read if you want to explore Italy with Lina where she reconnects with her father and Lina relives her mom's memories through her mom's journal. This book is about self-discovery and love in another country. Check out the companion novel, Love & Luck and upcoming Love & Olives.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy by Jenny Han is one of my favorites! When five love letters get sent in the mail, Lara Jean is mortified. However, this sets the plot where readers will follow Lara Jean in a fake relationship with Peter. With a signed contract, Lara Jean and Peter are trying to make Josh and Gen jealous but Lara Jean and Peter end up falling for each other. I won't spoil the rest of the other books but let's say there is another guy who received a love letter that takes on a larger role in P.S. I Still Love You. And while you are at it, after reading the books, check out To All the Boys I've Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You on Netflix!
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins takes place in a boarding school in Paris. What is there not to love about reading a book set in Paris, the City of Light? Anna befriends Étienne St. Clair and is smitten with him at first sight but unfortunately, he has a girlfriend. Let's just say there is a lot of relationship drama in this novel. Check out Perkins's companion novels, Lola and the Boy Next Door (my favorite out of the three) and also Isla and the Happily Ever After.
The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord is definitely one of the best slow-burning romances in a contemporary that I adore. Paige and Max meet over Quiz Bowl and they are so meant to be together. Lord also includes strong female friendships within the novel which is empowering. They have each other's back which I like since there are so many books out there with girls being catty. I absolutely adored this book and I hope you do too. Check out Lord's When We Collided and The Map From Here to There.
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum starts off with Jessie moving from Chicago to Los Angeles and attending a new school during her Junior year. Her mother passed away and her father eloped with another woman. Jessie misses her old home and school and is having hard time navigating her new life. However, someone anonymously messages her as Somebody/Nobody, SN for short, who ends up helping her with the transition. Who is this SN mystery guy? Well pick up this novel to find out! Check Buxbaum's What to Say Next and upcoming Admission.
The Museum of Heartbreak by Meg Leder is about Pen who is a romantic waiting to fall in love. She explores and talks about multiple types of heartbreak one goes through. However, she doesn't realize that sometimes love can be right in front of her in the least expected places. Check out Leder's Letting Go of Gravity as well.
The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacey Lee is about a girl named Mim who wants to experience life as a teenager but because she is from a family of aromateurs, it is her duty to carry on the legacy. Aromateurs are not allowed to love and there are strict rules she needs to abide by according to her mother. Of course, when rules are made, rules are sometimes broken and Mim finds Court who she is smitten with.
Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli is about Simon who ends up falling for his e-mail pen pal friend named Blue. However, Martin threatens to blackmail him outing Simon if Simon doesn't introduce Martin to Simon's friend Abby. I love the conversation between Simon and Blue and the reveal of Blue at the end of the book is too cute! Definitely watch the film adaptation of the book after reading this novel. Check out Albertalli's other novels including The Upside of Unrequited and Leah on the Offbeat. She also co-wrote What If It's Us with Adam Silvera.
