14 Teen-Approved Books to Add to Your Own Teen's TBR Pile

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4 days ago

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The joy of reading is one of the greatest gifts that my mother passed on to me as a small child. Now, sharing the generational love of the written and spoken word with my teenage daughter, Jayla Lavender, is one of my favorite pastimes, and she also enjoys connecting with me over a great read that she has recently discovered.
We both look forward to the sweet days of summer, where we can sleep in, freely craft our schedules, and read as much as we'd like to. This curated list has been hand-picked by my daughter and centers on travel stories, YA books that include those first crushes and love, and summer-themed books. From Jenny Han's We'll Always Have Summer to Tia Williams' Audre & Bash are Just Friends, these reads will keep your teen's bookshelf sizzling.
'The Payback Girls' by Alex Travis (2025)
Navigating high school is not always easy, and Travis's The Payback Girls takes readers on a thrilling and suspenseful journey through many of the experiences teens may go through, such as that first heartbreak, finding sisterhood with peers after discord or, a fallout, or even finding out that you all have dated the sam guy, and banding together to clear their names.
Meghan, Bria, and Robin are the only Black girls at their posh private school. It's senior year, and they all find out that they've been dating the same guy. But before everything hits the fan, Nate is found unconscious, and suspicion is growing around who has committed this crime.
This YA thriller has it all, including lots of representation in its varied forms, and doesn't shy away from taking a searing look at classism and racism in private school settings, socioeconomics, sexuality, and more. If your teen loves a good revenge trope, then this is a definite must-read!
'The Design of Us' by Sajni Patel (2024)
When two workplace enemies happen to be on vacation at the same time in Hawaii, one lie leads to another, and they end up fake-dating for a wedding. The Design of Us provides South Asian representation as well as showcasing strong female empowerment in the workplace. The tropical setting and beautiful character development will make you fall in love with this book. What Jayla loved most about this book is the 'grumpy x sunshine' trope and the diversity of the characters.
'Love Radio' by Ebony LaDelle (2022)
In just three dates, the main character of this book, Prince, must convince Dani to take their prospective relationship seriously. He has to use his own advice that he gives on his Detroit radio show, Love Radio, and make his dreams of love come true. However, Dani isn't looking for anyone and isn't a fan of romance. Despite having to take care of his little brother and his sick mother, it's all Prince can think about.
We co-read this book, and we both appreciated that it was the guy who was obsessed with the idea of love, and not the girl.
'Love Is a Revolution' by Renée Watson
What's a little white lie in the grand scheme of things? For protagonist and homebody Nala, it's the basis of her relationship with involved activist Tye Brown. As she falls harder, the lies get harder to swallow, but throughout this relationship, she will learn to be revolutionary. This story deals with self-love, passionate friends, and plus-sized characters who are sure to keep you enthralled.
I loved the concept of this book, though my daughter pointed out that it's not as common for teenagers to be on dating apps IRL—at least, for her friends that is. The one thing that my daughter identified with the most about this book is the fact that Nala finds and falls in love with herself along the way.
'So Let Them Burn' by Kamilah Cole (2024)
What happens to heroes after they save the day? It's been five years since divinely gifted Faron Vincent saved her island from the Langley Empire. As one does, she attends an international peace summit, where her sister Elara falls in love with the enemy; therefore, the gods tell Faron to kill her.
On a mission to find an alternative solution and Elara discovering more about their 'enemies', the two sisters will shape the fate of their world. It's safe to say that this one is a fantasy adventure that's not to be missed—and if you devour it, there's a second book in Cole's epic duology titled This Ends in Embers.
'Picking Daisies on Sundays' by Liana Cincotti (2023)
This slow-burn and romantic love story begins when the unrequited love from Daniella's childhood re-enters her life after her tragic confession years ago. Set in New York City, this college fake-dating romance mixes the bright colors of the fashion industry and the English-lit world.
Topics that are relatable to teens, like impending school applications, the prospects of the future, and having a serious crush on someone, are all delightfully intertwined throughout the story.
'Kisses and Croissants' by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau (2021)
Ballet dancer Mia has been accepted into a prestigious and rigorous ballet school in Paris for a summer program, and it's the stepping stone she needs to achieve her dreams. But she can't help but get caught up in the wonderful world that is Paris; it's the city of love after all. Mia embarks on a summer adventure to find out more about her ancestor, explores love with her tour guide Louis, and also tries to impress her dance teacher. This book is perfect for lovers of romantic vibes and the world of dance!
'Summer Sisters' by Judy Blume (1998)
Judy Blume is one of America's most prolific authors, who has penned books for young adults around themes of periods, teen sex, death, God, and beyond.
Summer Sisters is a coming-of-age book about two friends, Victoria Leonard and Caitlin Somers, who are opposites, and their journey through school and life, and all the complexities that ensue (like when Caitlin forgets the girl code for a season, and marries Vix's high school love).
While Summer Sisters has strong themes around sex, losing virginity, first loves, marriage, divorce, and beyond, it's the nuanced friendship between Vix and Caitlin that makes this book so relatable and beloved. My daughter and I love the message that two girls can come from totally different backgrounds, but remain extremely close throughout middle school, high school, college, and even into adulthood—despite the complexities and messiness of their friendship.
'Fearless' by Lauren Roberts (2025)
This fan favorite fantasy dystopian romance is finally coming to an end with the release of the last book in the Powerless trilogy: Fearless.
Paedyn and Kai return to the Kingdom of Ilya, where Paedyn has to make a choice that will seal her fate forever. Everyone loves a love triangle, especially when they are both brothers. Reading this series feels like a culmination of all the amazing action/dystopian stories you love, but with a new spin.
Once you pick this series off the shelf, you just can't put it down. In this book, there are themes around fate, love, and loyalty, and teens who have read the series thus far will not be disappointed.
'We Were Liars' by E. Lockhart (2014)
On a private island, anything can happen; it's the perfect place for accidents to be hidden and secrets to live.
Cadence Sinclair Eastman comes from a wealthy family that visits Beechwood Island, near Martha's Vineyard, every summer. But something happens to Cadence during 'Summer Fifteen' that changes her, yet she can't quite figure out what it is. After a head injury in the water that summer, she now suffers from migraines. When Cadence is finally allowed to go back to the island, she slowly begins to remember what has happened to the 'liars,' Johnny, Mirren, Gat, among many other things.
In this psychological thriller, readers are taken on a wild ride that truly denotes that not everything that glitters is gold, and that the wealthy have their fair share of secrets and problems, too. After you finish the book, be sure to check out the television show adaptation of the book on Prime.
'Audre & Bash Are Just Friends' by Tia Williams (May 6, 2025)
Audre & Bash Are Just Friends was a GMA Book Pick for May, and an immediate hit with YA lovers. Audre Mercy-Moore is the junior class president at an elite Brooklyn private school, and Bash is the new guy who everyone is crushing on—except Audre.
It's the last day of school, and Audre's dad has just cancelled plans for her to go to his Malibu summer house. And, now she is stuck with her mom, stepdad, and her 1-year-old sibling, and will never get her self-help book completed. She then enlists the assistance of Bash to help her finish the 'Experience Challenge' portion of her book. But then the struggle gets real when it comes to keeping things professional.
From the New York Times bestselling author, Tia Williams, who has penned the books The Accidental Diva, The Perfect Find, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, and more, Audre and Bash Are Just Friends is a fun read, especially for those who are also fans of books by Jenny Han.
'We'll Always Have Summer' by Jenny Han (2011)
If you binge-watched the wildly popular television series The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon Prime, you will thoroughly enjoy reading Jenny Han's We'll Always Have Summer, the third book in her Turned Pretty trilogy.
First crushes, first loves, the beautiful days of summer, and heartbreak are what made this book an instant hit with teens. And, having to choose between two brothers is just the drama that teens love to see! With the new Deluxe edition, which was published in spring 2025, teens will love getting caught up on all things Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad. And, for loyal fans of this book series, Jayla wants teens to know that Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty is currently on Prime! (IYKYK)
'If We Were A Movie' by Zakiya N. Jamal (2025)
In this sapphic love story, enemies become lovers amid a town's beloved Black-owned movie theater. Beneath this cinematic setting, Rochelle and Amira's relationship is full of angst: one because Amira is Rochelle's academic rival, and two because Amira is now also her boss. As the two are forced to work together to save the movie theater from potentially having to close, they realize they might have more in common than they previously thought...and there might be some romantic feelings developing as well.
'It's You Every Time' by Charlene Thomas (May 6th, 2025)
Destiny, healing, love, and transcending time all beautifully converge in Charlene Thomas's YA novel, It's You Every Time. Sydney Michaels and Marcus Burke have each been through some challenging experiences in their lives. When they happen to meet one fateful day, they relive the moment over and over again in a time loop. This book is the perfect read for hopeless romantics and for those who believe that love and healing have the power to transcend lifetimes.
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