10 Unique Love Stories For Young Adults

Edited by Ezvid Wiki Editorial on 5 October 2018

Young adult romance novels can be fun reads for teens and adults alike. But a lot of them follow the same basic structures. Countless YA books are based on Shakespeare plays or use well-worn rom-com tropes. If you want to mix it up, while still sticking with the genre, then this list is for you. The love stories here feature everything from magical realism and dystopian futures to pirates and presidents. When you click links from this website, we may receive advertising revenue to support our research. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

10 Unique Love Stories For Young Adults

Title Author More by the Author
1. Invisible Ghosts Robyn Schneider Extraordinary Means The Beginning of Everything
2. The Thousandth Floor Katharine McGee The Dazzling Heights The Towering Sky
3. Zenn Diagram Wendy Brant
4. Not If I Save You First Ally Carter All Fall Down See How They Run
5. The One Thing Marci Lyn Curtis The Leading Edge of Now
6. Crewel Gennifer Albin Altered Unraveled
7. The Summer I Wasn't Me Jessica Verdi And She Was What You Left Behind
8. Daughter of the Pirate King Tricia Levenseller Daughter of the Siren Queen Warrior of the Wild
9. Nil Lynne Matson Nil Unlocked Nil on Fire
10. But Then I Came Back Estelle Laure This Raging Light

5 Teen Romance Movies

If your love of young adult romance extends from the page to the screen, then you might want to check out these five films:

  1. Love, Simon (2018)
  2. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
  3. She's the Man (2006)
  4. Pretty in Pink (1986)
  5. Grease (1978)

History of the Romance Novel

Love stories can be traced all the way back to Ancient Greece, and some of the works from that time are still around, though most have been lost to history. The romance novel as we know it today was largely influenced by Jane Austen, who is still hailed as a master of the genre. Historical romance was made popular by Sir Walter Scott, who wrote many works of historical fiction in the early 19th century.

Literary Charities

If you want to spread your love of YA literature with those in need, then you should consider looking into these non-profit organizations that help kids and teens get access to books and high-quality education.

What is Love?

In Depth

If you love YA romance novels, you may find yourself reading the same basic stories over and over again. There are only so many versions of Romeo and Juliet you can read before it starts to get old. If you need a break from the traditional tropes of this genre, check out these ten unique love stories for young adults, listed here in no particular order.

Starting off at #1 is "Invisible Ghosts" by Robyn Schneider. The story focuses on Rose Asher, a teen who sees and talks with the ghost of her dead brother, Logan. She is devoted to spending time with him and watching their favorite shows on Netflix. The girl keeps the situation a secret, to the point of withdrawing herself from her friends. When her childhood friend Jamie Aldridge comes back to town, Rose begins to develop feelings for him. She also starts to realize that there is more to life than being stuck in the past.

At #2 is "The Thousandth Floor" by Katharine McGee. This book is set in the year 2118, where a majestic building towers over Manhattan. It depicts how the skyscraper affects the lives of five young people. Avery Fuller, the main character, is genetically conceived to be perfect. She can have everything she wants, except for one thing: her foster sibling, Atlas. She is forbidden from entering a romantic relationship with him, but falls for him anyway. Things become complicated as Avery's pal Leda hooks-up with Atlas.

Things become complicated as Avery's pal Leda hooks-up with Atlas.

Next, at #3 is "Zenn Diagram" by Wendy Brant, which revolves around Eva Walker, a math genius and empath who perceives people's emotions by touching them or their personal possessions. Afraid of her powers, the protagonist isolates herself from others. One day, she meets Zenn Bennett, the new kid in school, and finds herself instantly drawn to him. Soon, Eva learns that she can touch him without having disturbing visions. They also discover the tragic history that links them.

At #4 is "Not If I Save You First" by Ally Carter. Maddie Manchester is the only daughter of the chief for the Secret Service. She grows up closely-knit with Logan, the president's son. But due to an assassination attempt, her father gets injured. This leads the heroine and her dad to leave for Alaska. During their stay, Maddie writes letters to her childhood sweetheart but receives no reply, making her feel angry at him. Unfortunately, Logan is kidnapped, and the young Manchester must rescue him from his abductors.

Following at #5 is "The One Thing" by Marci Lyn Curtis. The story centers on Maggie Sanders who has been blind for six months. She becomes depressed and refuses to socialize, until she encounters Ben, a ten-year-old boy full of spirit. Maggie's friendship with him makes her disability more bearable. The kid has an older brother named Mason, who happens to be the lead singer of Sanders' favorite band. Mason suspects that the teenage girl is just faking her visual defect. Eventually, sparks fly between them as they get to know each other better.

Maggie's friendship with him makes her disability more bearable.

At #6 is "Crewel" by Gennifer Albin, which follows the life of Adelice Lewys, a young woman living in Arras who has the ability to weave time without a loom. She and her younger sister are captured by the central government, The Guild, which wants to use their powers to continue creating their dystopian world. There she meets Erik Bell, whom she initially resents due to his personality. However, the two become friends and eventually fall in love. Erik tries to help Adelice escape the Coventry, but she is torn between her freedom and the people's safety.

Next, at #7 is "The Summer I Wasn't Me" by Jessica Verdi. Lexi Hamilton is a lesbian, and is planning to come out of the closet. But her dad has recently passed away, and her mom is struggling to cope with the loss. Lexi decides not to reveal her true sexuality. Instead, she enrolls in a summer camp, where she tries to learn how not to be gay. Despite all her efforts to suppress her feelings, Hamilton falls in love with a girl named Carolyn.

At #8 is "Daughter of the Pirate King" by Tricia Levenseller. This book chronicles the adventures of Alosa, a youthful buccaneer princess who devises a scheme to steal a map that leads to a collection of lost treasures. Part of her plan is to get kidnapped by Draxen and his company. When she is captured, Draxen's first mate Riden steadfastly interrogates her to fish for information. Because of their constant exchanges, the two become close and begin to confide in one another.

Part of her plan is to get kidnapped by Draxen and his company.

Following at #9 is "Nil" by Lynne Matson, which takes place on an island called Nil, where Charley Crowder is transported by a portal. She finds other teenagers from different countries who have also been taken to the mysterious location, and becomes smitten with a young Canadian lad named Thad. Eventually, the secrets of the eerie place are revealed. The isle has a life of its own, and it seems to have control over all of them. Everyone must find their way back home, or they will face their awful demise.

Finally, at #10 is "But Then I Came Back" by Estelle Laure. The story starts with Eden Jones, who slips into a coma after hitting her head and nearly drowning in an icy river. When she wakes up, she starts to contemplate about the past events in her life. During her stay in the hospital, she meets Joe. He frequently visits his longtime friend who is in a comatose state. Eden's conversations with him become the start of their burgeoning romance.