Valentine’s Day is the theme for February, but it’s not all warm and fuzzy in these books from family drama to academic rivals, the characters in these new YA romances are facing more than a change in their relationship status. Embrace your love of dreamers, your competitive spirit, and even your passion for the dramatic with these reads.
Bingsu for Two by Sujin Witherspoon
River Langston-Lee is having a bad day. He dumped his girlfriend, walked out of his SATs, and quit working at his parents’ cafe. If blowing up his life was on his bucket list, he’s got most of it covered.
On the bright side, he has landed a new job at Bingsu for Two, the Koren cafe Sarang Cho, River’s grumpy new co-worker, is determined to save.
While sales are down and Bingsu for Two flounders, River and Sarang accidentally strike gold when a video of their antics goes viral, and the fans are obsessed with River and Sarang—as a potential couple. River and Sarang lean into their fans’ romantic obsession with them to drum up business, even if it means pretending they don’t hate each other.
When their virality and success start to turn the heads of the people River left behind, he’ll have to decide if he wants to fall back into his old life or embrace his new path with Sarang.
If you like: Contemporary, fiction, high school, romance, grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers, wholesome stories
The Rival by Emma Lord
Sadie finally did it. She crushed her academic rival and next-door neighbor Seb, getting into her dream college while he sits on the waitlist. Sadie is ecstatic—until she finds out that Seb’s time on the waitlist is temporary.
Now, at college, they’re fighting over a new accolade, a spot on the school’s zine. The fight will put Sadie’s secret passion for writing out in front of the world and her family and make her confront her deeper feelings for Seb, and they’ll both find themselves up against a school system that’s more flawed than they thought.
Can they work together, or will the competition tear them apart?
If you like: Contemporary, fiction, college, romance, enemies to lovers, academic rivals
Build a Girlfriend by Elba Luz
Amelia Hernandez is cursed. The women in the Hernandez family are doomed to watch their romantic relationships fall apart in every way imaginable, so holding onto even a tiny crush feels impossible.
Unwilling to let the family curse define her, Amelia sets out on an “Ex Retrospective,” interviewing her exes to find out what caused each relationship to inevitably end so she can break the curse once and for all.
The retrospective reunites Amelia with Leon, and while the pain of that breakup has Amelia pining for revenge, she might find that they’re on a different path this time.
If you like: Contemporary, romance, coming-of-age, second-chance romance
Love on Paper by Danielle Parker
Macy Descanso battles nepo baby guilt when she decides to chase her passion for writing, helped by an in with a distinguished writing retreat her famous writer mother got her into.
She’s not the only one following a family legacy at the retreat. Caleb Bernard, the son of two famous writers like Macy, is there too. Despite a family rivalry that has lasted generations, they pair up as critique partners.
A last-minute change leaves the retreat romance-themed to honor the late romance author Betty Quinn. Macy is up for the challenge, and she and Caleb are determined to find all of Betty Quinn’s Easter eggs. Will this draw the two of them close enough to overcome the family feud or will they say goodbye forever after the retreat?
If you like: Contemporary, romance, writing, rival families, mystery
Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga
The heir to a kingdom is usually named through fierce competition, right?
King Leander Eldana has yet to name an heir to the crown of Ashland. After fifty years, it’s time to make his decision. Four students at the Almus Terra Academy boarding school will have to show that their training to be leaders has paid off enough to take on the title of ruler.
Titus Eldana is sure he will inherit the crown. He just has to show off his skills. Alaric Eldana and Emmeline Eldana have seen less support from their families than Titus, but they’re both sure that doing whatever it takes is enough to prove their ruler material. Sadie Aurelia is the only non-Eldana in the race for the crown. Confused about the opportunity, she dives into the competition for a chance at a new life.
If you like: Romance, boarding school, competition, enemies to lovers, revenge, royalty
