10 Scintillating YA Romance Novels About The Complications Of Modern Love

Finding "the one" has never been easy, and it can seem especially complicated in modern times. Navigating the complex world of digital communication is part of dating these days, and some people are better at it than others. The ten young adult romance novels listed here explore the ups and downs of contemporary love. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Contemporary YA Romance Novels: Our 10 Picks

Title Author
1. Tokyo Hearts Renae Lucas-Hall
2. The Year I Almost Drowned Shannon McCrimmon
3. Internet Famous Danika Stone
4. The First Kiss Hypothesis Christina Mandelski
5. Alterations Stephanie Scott
6. Mammoth Jill Baguchinsky
7. South of Sunshine Dana Elmendorf
8. Textrovert Lindsey Summers
9. Summer of Sloane Erin L. Schneider
10. A Flicker in the Clarity Amy McNamara

8 Great Teen Romance Movies

  1. Love, Simon (2018)
  2. 13 Going on 30 (2004)
  3. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
  4. Grease (1978)
  5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
  6. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
  7. Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)
  8. A Cinderella Story (2004)

Fun Date Ideas For Teenagers

Why Love Is Complicated

In Depth

Young love isn't what it used to be. In an era of texts, apps, and blogs, teenagers conduct their relationships through the mediated world of the internet. For those tuned into this brave new culture, or for those fascinated by it from afar, here, in no particular order, are ten exciting Y.A. novels about the vagaries of romance in the modern age.

Coming in at #1 is "Tokyo Hearts" by Renae Lucas-Hall. In Japan's exuberant capital city, popular college student Takashi falls in love with the fashionable Haruka. Life is good as the two meet up each week in the heart of the bustling metropolis. But when Takashi finds that Haruka is still romantically involved with her affluent ex-boyfriend, his world is thrown off balance.

For #2 we have "The Year I Almost Drowned" by Shannon McCrimmon. Following the events in "The Summer I Learned to Dive," Finn Hemmings has settled into her grandparents' house in South Carolina, and is getting to know the family she had been separated from for over a decade. Her stay is short-lived, however, and she soon leaves for college, where she has to adjust to yet another new environment. When she is summoned back home by an unexpected event, Finn is forced to take on new challenges that will test her heart's desires.

When she is summoned back home by an unexpected event, Finn is forced to take on new challenges that will test her heart's desires.

At #3 is "Internet Famous" by Danika Stone. With an enormous online following thanks to her pop culture blog, high school senior Madi is an internet star. Everything is going well for her, until her mother decides to leave the family. As her fans come together to offer their support, Madi begins a virtual romance with French exchange student Laurent. But when an online troll threatens to ruin her carefully-maintained persona, Madi takes action to expose his identity.

For #4 we get "The First Kiss Hypothesis" by Christina Mandelski. Inspired by the story of her grandparents' magical first kiss, Nora theorizes that every person in the world has a perfect match, and they'll understand it immediately upon their initial snog. No such luck for Nora, however. Her first kiss with her hot, lacrosse-star best friend Eli is a bust, and now she wants to get rid of him. Eli, however, doesn't believe in Nora's hypothesis, and will do his best to prove to her that chemistry amounts to much more than a single smooch.

At #5 we find "Alterations" by Stephanie Scott. Amelia is smitten with Ethan Laurenti, drafting prom boards on a fashion app and watching him from the kitchen as her parents cook for his renowned family. Her world opens up beyond this dream crush when she leaves Miami for a fashion internship in New York City. Returning newly confident, she agrees to help Ethan's amateur technician brother Liam develop his own app. Ethan becomes drawn to Amelia as she and Liam grow close, forcing Amelia to choose between the two brothers.

Amelia is smitten with Ethan Laurenti, drafting prom boards on a fashion app and watching him from the kitchen as her parents cook for his renowned family.

Coming in at #6 is "Mammoth" by Jill Baguchinsky. Natalie Page is a paleontology aficionado and a plus-size fashion blogger, two things that don't necessarily go together. She leaves the retro dresses and lipstick behind when she accepts a prestigious internship near Austin, digging for Ice Age fossils. Neither bullies nor the Texas heat can defeat the thrill of working with a podcasting idol and a cute intern named Chase. But when the person she thought was her hero takes credit for one of her accomplishments, Natalie must find the courage to assert herself in a field run by men.

For #7 we have "South of Sunshine" by Dana Elmendorf. A conservative town whose culture revolves around football and obligatory church, Sunshine, Tennessee is not the ideal place for Kaycee. Especially not when she falls for Bren, the cool new girl. Tired of grudgingly dating guys, Kaycee allows herself to get close to Bren as long as she keeps her feelings hidden from her family and best friend. As the relationship grows more serious, however, Kaycee will risk it all to finally be her true self.

At #8 we get "Textrovert" by Lindsey Summers. Just before the start of her senior year, Keeley experiences a teenager's nightmare scenario: she accidentally takes someone else's phone. Even worse, her phone ends up in the hands of conceited jock Talon, who's recently left for football camp. But as the two exchange texts from each other's devices, Keeley realizes Talon is actually a funny guy who is more willing to listen to her than anyone in real life. She falls for him, but will her feelings remain when they meet in person?

She falls for him, but will her feelings remain when they meet in person?

For #9 we find "Summer of Sloane" by Erin L. Schneider. Arriving at her mother's home in Honolulu, seventeen-year-old Sloane is hoping that a summer of beach bonfires and tasty food will keep her mind off the terrible secret she just learned about her boyfriend Tyler and best pal Mick. Unfortunately, distraction isn't so easy. As Sloane crushes on Finn, the rebellious son of a hotel owner, she's flooded with texts and voicemails from the two boys back home. Caught between new romance and past relationship troubles, Sloane has to figure out how to move forward.

Finally, at #10 we come to "A Flicker in the Clarity" by Amy McNamara. Outgoing Emma and timid Evie have always been there for each other, especially when Emma lost her brother in an automobile accident. Their close relationship is shaken, however, when Evie makes a mistake that causes major repercussions for Emma. She desperately apologizes, but Emma shuns her and gets a new best friend, while Evie finds solace in philosopher Theo. Emma finally decides to let Evie back in, but her erratic and self-destructive behavior puts the future of their friendship in jeopardy.