These YA realistic fiction books are all contemporary novels. They all include romance, but romantic relationships are not the only focus in all the books.
With more free time lately, I’ve been able to read a lot more books. There are so many good books I’ve found, but these are a few of my current favorites.
Also, even though these are young adult books that center around teenagers, people that are older can still enjoy them!
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Ways to Read
I normally can check out books from my local library and buy cheap books from garage sales and thrift stores. Because that is difficult right now, here are a few other ways you can read and listen to books right now:
#1—Library Apps
Besides checking out physical books, many libraries offer digital borrows.
To learn more about library reading apps and other book apps, check out our post: 12 Book Apps You Should Get for Your Phone
#2—Scribd
Scribd is an affordable reading subscription that allows you to read hundreds of eBooks and audio books among other reading materials.
You can get a 2-month FREE trial using my link if you’re interested. If you want to learn more about Scribd, you can read our review here.
#3—Buy Books
The most affordable place I’ve found online to buy books is Book Outlet.
They sell new books for super cheap prices. You can get $10 off your first order of $25 or more using my link.
If you’ve already purchased books from Book Outlet in the past, consider buying from them again. They are constantly having sales and adding new books.
You can also find new and used books online from Amazon, eBay, AbeBooks, and Thrift Books.
Get 15% off your first order at Thrift Books when you use my link.
YA Realistic Fiction Books to Read
This list includes both light-hearted novels and stories that deal with big issues. I’ve provided trigger warnings for books that deal with more serious topics.
All the books on this list are intended for high schoolers and older. I would not necessarily recommend these books for middle schoolers (especially those that deal with tougher issues).
#1 — Tweet Cute
By Emma Lord
Much like the title states, this book is so cute! The banter between Jack and Pepper is a lot of fun to read. There were a lot of parts of this book that made me laugh.
If you’re looking for a light-hearted read with lots of cute moments, then I definitely recommend checking this book out! It’s also very current with its use of social media.
Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.
All’s fair in love and cheese ― that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.
As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate ― people on the internet are shipping them?? ― their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#2 — Eliza and Her Monsters
By Francesca Zappia
Trigger warnings: talks about suicide
Although this story deals with a lot of tough topics, there are still so many fun parts to this book. It’s really interesting because the main character writes and draws her own web comic. I also feel that the author did a good job of portraying anxiety.
If you’re looking to read a story with more depth to it, this book is awesome!
Then Wallace Warland transfers to her school and Eliza begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile. But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart.
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#3 — Tell Me Three Things
By Julie Buxbaum
While not as emotional as Eliza and Her Monsters, this story still deals with some tough issues. Jessie (the main character) deals with bullying and grief. There is a definite balance between sad parts and cute parts in this book. I really enjoyed the relationship between Jessie and Ethan.
Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?
In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#4 — The Bookworm Crush
By Lisa Brown Roberts
This light-hearted read is fun and interesting because it has great characters. As an avid reader myself, I like that Amy (the main character) has a love of reading. This books also has a fun setting at the beach.
This book is technically the second novel in a companion series. While I enjoyed the first book (The Replacement Crush), I like this story even better. You don’t have the read the first book though to enjoy this story.
The solution? A competition coach. The problem? The best person for the job is the guy she’s secretly crushing on…local surfer celebrity Toff Nichols.
He’s a player. He’s a heartthrob. He makes her forget basic things, like how to breathe. How can she feel any confidence around him?
To her surprise, Toff agrees to help. And he’s an excellent teacher. Amy feels braver―maybe even brave enough to admit her feelings for him. When their late night practices become less about coaching and more about making out, Amy’s newfound confidence wavers.
But does Toff really like her or is this just another lesson?
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#5 — My Life Next Door
By Huntley Fitzpatrick
One of the things that sticks out to me about this story is the family dynamics. Samantha (the main character) has an okay family, but her neighbors are a lot of fun and show the importance of family. Also, the little neighbor kids create some funny dialogue in this book.
There are some “fluffy” moments in this book, but it also deals with some family issues and other problems. I like how social classes were compared in this story to help the main character understand others better.
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#6 — Five Feet Apart
By Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, & Tobias Laconis
While this book deals with sickness, it isn’t a completely sad book. I like that it dealt with sickness in a realistic way without it being super depressing. Also, Stella and Will are great main characters. This story talks about their lives with Cystic Fibrosis, but it also discusses their interests as well. The relationships that are focused on in this book are really cool.
Stella Grant likes to be in control – even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.
The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.
Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.
What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#7 — 10 Blind Dates
By Ashley Elston
If you want an entertaining book to read, this is it! Sophie’s family is a lot of fun, and this book made me laugh a lot. I enjoyed the family dynamics of this story, and some of the dates were unexpected and funny.
Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents’ house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That’s when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.
When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she’s started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.
This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever . . . or is it?
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#8 — Stay Sweet
By Siobhan Vivian
This story is a lot of fun to read. Amelia and Grady are cute together. Also, I liked that there was a little mystery added to the story that kept me interested in the plot the whole time.
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#9 — The Problem With Forever
By Jennifer L. Armentrout
Trigger warnings: abuse
This is a very emotional read because of the issues that the main characters have had to deal with in the past. Mallory and Rider have such a wonderful bond formed from a traumatic past. I loved seeing the way they were able to overcome the obstacles they faced even though it was difficult for them.
It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet soon it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants and the truths that need to be heard.
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
#10 — Out of Left Field
By Kris Hui Lee
I tend to really enjoy books that include baseball, but besides that aspect, this is such a fun story. If you’re looking for a book filled with good “fluff,” then I recommend checking out this story. The amount of cute moments is what makes this a good read.
An added perk of hanging out at the sandlot? Spending time with Cody Kinski, their high school’s star pitcher and Marnie’s best friend. Sure, he can be stubborn and annoying. He also knows how to make her laugh and respects her skills on the field. And when he gets nailed in the arm by a bone-fracturing pitch, Marnie becomes the team’s best chance at making it to the playoffs. Except no one told the guys they’re supposed to be on her side.
With her own team against her, Marnie begins questioning her abilities. And when fate throws her a curveball, can she play without losing the game, Cody, and her belief in herself?
You can purchase this book from: Amazon | eBay | AbeBooks
What are your favorite YA books?
Comment down below your book recommendations!
If you’re looking for some more young adult books, check out these posts:
10 Young Adult Contemporary Romance Books You Should Read
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