10 Upcoming Young Adult Romance Novels You Don't Want To Miss

It’s been a long time since I’ve been a teen in high school, but something about teen romance novels makes my heart soar. I have already written about why I’m not ashamed of reading young adult books in my previous post. I absolutely live for the heart-pounding, young love excitement feeling that these books rekindle in me. 

Whether you're already a teen romance fan like me or are looking for a place to start in the genre, you've come to the right place!

These 10 upcoming books are ones you should mark on your calendar:  

1. Love Is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann

Release Date: Feb. 23 

This debut novel follows 15-year-old Phoebe, who thinks falling in love is gross and is determined never to do it. However, her perspective on things changes when she meets Emma while volunteering at a local thrift shop. The diary format of the novel makes it easy to get inside the protagonist's head and connect with her as a real, flawed, and growing human being. This book is a fresh and funny look at sexuality, friendship, and all the difficult things about coming of age.

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2. Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira

Release Date: Mar. 2

Carmen Aguilar did not expect her summer to be spent performing in ballgowns in the sweltering Miami heat. Nor did she expect her dance partner to be her ex-boyfriend Mauro Reyes. To top it all off, Carmen's company has been hired to perform at her spoiled cousin's quinceañera. Carmen will have to figure out how to leave the past behind so she can move forward into her happily ever after, all while navigating her complex family and clingy ex. This debut novel is being praised for its "pitch-perfect" voice and humor, as well as its wonderful setting and storylines that will resonate, especially with Latinx teens. 

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3. Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli 

Release Date: Apr. 20

Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker share a lot of things as best friends: rides to and from theater rehearsals, secrets and decisions, and long-distance crushes. However, when Kate and Andy's latest crush Matt shows up at their school, suddenly sharing isn't so much fun. Matt is acting as Kate's love interest in the school musical, and Kate is sure he is starting to reciprocate her feelings, but she is worried that being with Matt will ruin her friendship with Andy. This cute and fun novel is sure to explore the complex ways our romantic and platonic relationships intertwine. 

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4. Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Release Date: May 4

This novel, described as "a rom-com about rom-coms" follows Liz Buxbaum as she tries to get her forever-crush Michael to finally notice her. Liz enlists the help of her next-door neighbor Wes since he and Michael seem to be getting along. As she and Wes scheme, Liz realizes that she actually enjoys being around Wes, even though she had long ago put him in the "not boyfriend material" category. With her budding feelings comes the task of rethinking everything she knows about love and "happily ever after." This adorable book is guaranteed to give you warm, fuzzy feelings, especially if you're a rom-com lover yourself. 

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5. Love & Other Natural Disasters by Misa Sugiura

Release Date: June 8

Nozomi Nagai really wants to date Willow, but she'll settle for fake-dating... for now. Willow needs Nozomi so she can make her ex jealous, and Nozomi has a plan to win Willow over for real. All the lies start piling up, though, and Nozomi is struggling to find her real self under the weight of them. If she can untangle herself from her web of lies, she might still have a shot at romance, though. Readers with advanced copies are calling it an "intensely adorable" read that would be a perfect beach read. 

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6. Faking Reality by Sara Fujimura

Release Date: July 13

Dakota McDonald grew up on her parents' reality show, and though she used to be okay with sharing her life with the world, she's incredibly wary of letting the cameras in again after an embarrassing homecoming moment went viral. However, when Dakota's best friend and secret crush Leo Matsuda needs help paying for a school trip to Japan, she's ready to do anything to help, even if that means sharing her life with the world again. Pitched as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" meets "Some Kind of Wonderful," with a dash of "Just for Clicks," this book has a lot going on, and hopefully something for everyone. 

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7. How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Release Date: Aug 10

Moon Fuentez's twin sister is a beautiful social media star, so she has an opportunity to go on a road trip across the country as the "merch girl" on tour with her sister and all her influencer friends. Moon's bunkmate, Santiago Phillips, is ill-tempered, antagonistic, incredibly hot, and Moon is sure she hates him. As destiny, and proximity, keep the two in constant contact, Moon starts to question how she really feels about Santiago, as well as her own identity as a wallflower. A breathtaking novel as much about romance as it is about self-love and identity that readers are sure to connect with. 

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8. The Jasmine Project by Meredith Ireland

Release Date: Sept. 7

Jasmine is ready to move in with her long-time boyfriend Paul and start her community college nursing program when she finds out Paul is cheating on her, and all her plans come to a halt. Jasmine's family sees Paul's unfaithfulness as an opportunity to show Jasmine how she should be treated, and conspires to turn her graduation party into something like "The Bachelorette," by inviting curated teen bachelors for Jasmine to meet. With family members fighting for their favorite boys, rogue bachelors, and Paul trying to win Jasmine back, "The Jasmine Project" is just as full of drama as the reality television series!

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9. The Holiday Switch by Tif Marcelo

Release Date: Oct. 5 

Lila Castro is taking her last winter break in high school as an opportunity to make some extra money by working at the local inn. However, when the innkeeper's nephew Teddy Veracruz becomes her coworker, Lila's cozy holiday plans take a turn. When Teddy and Lila accidentally swap phones, they learn they've been keeping secrets from each other. Perhaps their secrets, and a dash of holiday spirit, will be enough to spark romance! This lighthearted, cute book is perfect for a quick read to get you in the mood for the upcoming holidays!

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10. How Not to Fall in Love by Jacqueline Firkins

Release Date: Dec. 21

Harper works in her mom's wedding shop and has seen enough petty arguments to believe that romance is just a marketing ploy. Her best friend Theo, however, is a textbook hopeless romantic, with quite a few geeky, quirky hobbies. After Theo finds himself heartbroken yet again, Harper offers to give him lessons in how not to fall in love. Theo agrees on the condition that Harper proves she can date without falling in love. As time passes, Theo takes Harper's lessons to heart, but Harper is starting to think she might have been wrong. This fun read about love and friendship is sure to be a cozy companion for winter reading! 

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If you're looking for more upcoming releases, check out my list of the most anticipated books of 2021 and if you need some books to read in between all the waiting, try my list of underrated young adult novels! For tips on how to read more so you can get to all these fantastic books, check out my ultimate guide to reading more.