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Romances That Are YA, But Good for Any Age: Friends to Lovers

Love grows the more your friendship does

By Kristen BarenthalerPublished 8 months ago 2 min read

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

https://www.amazon.com/Starry-Eyes-Jenn-Bennett/dp/148147880X

When teens Zorie and Lennon, a former couple, are stranded in the California wilderness together, they must put aside their differences, and come to terms with lingering romantic feelings, in order to survive.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Midnight-Artifices-Cassandra-Clare/dp/1471116611

Five years age the Shadowhunters were brought to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is now a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses. Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles. Julian's brother Mark was captured by the faeries five years ago, but has been returned as a bargaining chip. The faeries are desperate to find out who is murdering their kind and they need the Shadowhunters' help to do it.

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey

https://www.amazon.com/When-Were-Magic-Sarah-Gailey/dp/1534432876

When Alexis accidentally kills a classmate on prom night using magic, her best friends Roya, Iris, Paulie, Marcelina, and Maryam join in using their powers to try to set things right.

When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50892106-when-we-were-infinite

With her family splintered and her future a question mark, Beth's friends-- Grace Nakamura, Brandon Lin, Sunny Chen, and Jason Tsou-- are all she has. She's certain she'll never be able to tell Jason how she really feels about him, so friendship will have to be enough. Then Beth witnesses a private act of violence in Jason's home, and the whole group is shaken. The group makes a pact to protect Jason, no matter the sacrifice. When their fierce loyalty isn't enough to stop Jason from making a life-altering choice, Beth must decide how far she is willing to go for him-- and how much of herself she is willing to give up.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

https://www.amazon.com/Summer-I-Turned-Pretty/dp/1416968296

Belly spends the summer she turns sixteen at the beach just like every other summer of her life, but this time things are very different.

What I Like about You by Marisa Kanter

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51932743-what-i-like-about-you

When Halle Levitt arrives to spend senior year in her grandfather's small town, she meets Nash, her online best friend who thinks her online persona, Kels, is as confident and popular as he is.

The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott

https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-List-Rachael-Lippincott/dp/1534468536

Rising high school senior Emily felt lucky until her mother's death, but now, with childhood friend Blake, she sets out to accomplish every exciting, scary, and intimidating task on her mother's bucket list.

Slayer by Kiersten White

https://www.amazon.com/Slayer-Kiersten-White/dp/1534404953

Set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the first book in this series will introduce our new slayer as she grapples with incredible power she is just beginning to understand.

Reading List

About the Creator

Kristen Barenthaler

Curious adventurer. Crazed reader. Librarian. Archery instructor. True crime addict.

Instagram: @kristenbarenthaler

Facebook: @kbarenthaler

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