Deep down each of us, we all love a happily ever after story. There’s something about hoping something goes right for once we can’t all help but appreciate. Indulge those wishes with one of these great YA books!
Once Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira
Carmen Aguilar is stuck in an unpaid summer internship performing in a ball gown during the summer in Miami. It’s fine until the company is hired for her spoiled cousin Ariana’s over-the-top quinceañera. But then her new dance partner at work is none other than Mauro Reyes, Carmen’s most deeply regrettable ex. If Carmen is going to move into the future she wants, she needs to leave the past behind. And if she can manage dancing in the blistering heat, fending off Mauro’s texts, and stopping Ariana from ruining her own quinceañera, Carmen might just get that happily ever after after all.
Glimpsed by G.F. Miller
Charity is a fairy godmother who makes the deepest desires of the student population at Jack London High School come true thanks to glimpsing into their perfect futures. But when Charity fulfills a glimpse that gets Vibha crowned homecoming queen, it ends in disaster. Suddenly, every wish Charity has ever granted is called into question. Making this existential crisis way worse is Noah who blames her for sabotaging his prom plans and demands that she stop granting wishes by helping him get his girl back. At first, Charity has no choice but to play along, but soon she starts to wish he were something more.
Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant
Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life and rarely sees herself reflected in romance novels. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing, but when she is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, the words are gone. Her best friend, Caroline, has a solution: find inspiration in Tessa’s own love story with steps inspired by romance novels. But as Tessa begins to check off each item on Caroline’s list, she risks everything she cares about – including herself.
You Have a Match by Emma Lord
Abby knows who she is: a photographer and best friend to Leo and Connie. But when she signs up for a DNA service to give Leo, her secret love interest, a nudge, she doesn’t expect to find out she is a younger sister. Her secret sister is none other than Instagram star Savannah Tully, and they are only a year-and-a-half apart in age. When Abby decides to meet her at a summer camp to figure out when her parents gave Savvy up for adoption, she doesn’t expect Savvy to be a rule-follower, Leo to be the camp’s co-chef, and her parents’ secret that could unravel everything.
I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre
Emma is a die-hard romantic who dreams of creating the Gay Rom Com of her heart for the film festival competition. Sophia is pragmatic and not into Emma’s nauseating ideas. Forget starry-eyed romance, Sophia knows an artistic film with a message will win. Even though the movie is doomed before they start shooting, a real-life plot twist unfolds behind the camera and Emma and Sophia’s rivalry starts to feel like a rom-com.
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan
Karina Ahmed plans to keep her head down, get through high school without a fuss, and follow her parents’ rules—even if it means sacrificing her dreams. But when her parents go abroad to Bangladesh for four weeks, one simple lie unravels everything: Karina is my girlfriend. Tutoring the school’s resident bad boy was already crossing a line let alone pretending to date him. But Ace Clyde does everything right and even promises to buy her a dozen books (a week) if she goes along with his fake-dating facade. Though Karina agrees, she can’t help but start counting down the days until her parents come back. It’s twenty-eight days until everything returns to normal – but what if Karina no longer wants it to?
