Over to you Zoe...
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I love teenage romance stories. I love the cute couples, the dramatic twists, the be-all-end-all question of ‘will they be together? In this post (thank you so much to Clover for having me by the way!) I will talk about my favourite teenage romance books – some are romance books, and some have a different genre but have love in them which I couldn’t resist not giving a mention.
Comment below and tell me what you think – what are your favourite love stories?
My Five Favourite Love Stories
Narrowing my favourite five love stories was very hard! All the books have one thing in common: cute couples that make me go ‘awww!’ at every page. I am sure soon my entire list will change, but ever since I have read all of them the story have lingered in my mind. They will not be forgotten!
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
What kind of a girl wants to kiss every boy at a funeral, wants to maul a guy in a tree after making out with her (dead) sister's boyfriend the previous night? Speaking of which, what kind of girl makes out with her sister's boyfriend at all?
This book is amazing. The writing is exquisite and the poetry on every other page leaves me thinking for ages about the beautiful metaphors, the structure, and the general delicate words. In this book, Lennie is dealing with her sister’s death but not only that, she is falling in love. Torn between two boys, this book is heart warming and heart breaking in every way.
Jessie Hearts NYC by Keris Stainton
Jessie's just arrived in New York, hoping to forget about her awful ex. New Yorker Finn is in love with his best friend's girlfriend. They might be perfect together, but in a city of eight million people, will they ever find each other?
I am actually surprised I haven’t done a review yet of this on my blog – I loved it so much! It is such a cute read. I started it only meaning to read the first few sentences but I ended up reading the whole book in just 2-3 sittings. Although the main couple don’t get together until right at the end, it is the wait that makes it so gripping. Jessie has moved to NYC to get a break from her ex and Finn is in love with his best friend’s girlfriend. They may be perfect for each other, but in a city of eight million will they find each other?
Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja
When Rachel's on/off boyfriend David goes to a music festival in England, she jumps on a plane to surprise him - but she gets a shock of her own. Not only does she find David kissing someone else, but it's their friend Jo! Super-lovely, super-loved, all-round-perfect Jo. Rachel runs away, wishing she could leave her life behind - and she suddenly finds herself in Jo's body! Can she keep this swap a secret? Can she unravel what's really going on? Can she get to grips with Jo's out-of-control curly hair? And if she discovers that being in someone else's shoes isn't all it's cracked up to be, can she ever be herself again?
Not only am I privileged enough that Luisa reads my blog, she also writes the best books! The romances in her books are so cute, funny and sweet. I chose this one because it is a sequel of Split by a Kiss, and if you have read it you will understand how much I loved it! The characters are one of the strongest points as they involve me in the story and make me want to read on and on and on...
Love and Kisses by Jean Ure
Thirteen-year-old Tamsin has never had a boyfriend, and she's starting to feel fed up about it. Even her 10-year-old sister has a boyfriend, so surely it must be her turn soon! When Tamsin meets Alex, she just can't stop thinking about him, and sheand learning to do the right thing.
Before I first read this book it was one of those books I was pressured to like, because it is dedicated to me (yep, still dancing with happiness about it now! ;)). However, when I got into it, the romance is adorable! It is a kind of a forbidden love too, which makes it even more engrossing. I really recommend it if you are looking for a cute but heart-pounding read.
The Hunger Games #1 by Suzanne Collins
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister Primrose, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
My first impression of this book wasn’t the best. I didn’t really understand the plot, and found the chapters to be boring. But as the romance started kicking in, I found myself wanting to read on. I think the romance was the only thing in this book that helped me to read on, if I am honest. Again, this is another book I keep meaning to review on my blog... why haven’t I shared the awesomeness?!
My Five Love Stories I Want To Read
Flyaway by Lucy Christopher
In this touching novel for teenagers, Lucy Christopher explores the remarkable bond between a young girl, a boy and a damaged wild bird - a relationship that will touch everyone who reads it.
While visiting her father in hospital, thirteen-year-old Isla meets Harry, the first boy to understand her and her love of the outdoors. But Harry is ill, and as his health fails, Isla is determined to help him in the only way she knows how. Together they watch a lone swan struggling to fly on the lake outside Harry's window. Isla believes that if she can help the damaged swan, somehow she can help Harry. And in doing so, she embarks upon a breathtakingly magical journey of her own.
This is another one which has seemed to be on wishlist forever. It sounds such a sweet read with a sad lining. Me want! ;)
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.
The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death--and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.
I have lost count how many Lauren Oliver good reviews I have seen. Delirium seems to be more popular, but I like the sound of Before I Fall better. I like having the idea of having another chance (or seven!) to put love right.
Matched by Ally Condie
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
This book has had mixed reviews. I am going to try it for myself and see what I think. It sounds so unique and a like a great forbidden love story.
Angel by L.A Weatherly
Angels are all around us: beautiful, awe-inspiring, irresistible. Ordinary mortals yearn to catch a glimpse of one of these stunning beings and thousands flock to The Church of Angels to feel their healing touch. But what if their potent magnetism isn't what it seems?
Willow knows she's different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into people's futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. But she has no idea where she gets this power from.
Until she meets Alex… Alex is one of the few who know the truth about angels. He knows Willow's secret and is on a mission to stop her.
The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous – and irresistible.
In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.
Another one I haven’t been sure of for a while. It looks quite dark, but I am willing to give any genre a try...
The Boyfriend Thief by Shana Norris
Avery James has her life planned out: this summer she'll work with a humanitarian program in Costa Rica, next year she'll graduate at the top of her class, and after that, college and medical school.
Perfect, planned, total order.
The only problem: getting the rest of the money she needs for the trip before the deadline. Hannah Cohen, her biggest competition for the valedictorian title, makes an unexpected offer: If Avery can win over Zac Greeley and make him break up with Hannah before the end of the school year, a check for five hundred dollars is all hers. Faced with the prospect of spending yet another summer working as a giant hot dog, it's an offer Avery can't refuse.
Zac is nothing like Avery expected. Within his chaotic world of midnight slushie runs and spontaneous dance parties, her total order is quickly falling apart while Hannah seems poised to get everything she wants. But just how much is Avery willing to give up for the perfect, planned life?
I haven’t heard of this one until quite recently, but doesn’t it sound so good?! In the title alone it sounds like a typical high school story... perfect!
I decided not to include the ones that I actually own, but just haven’t got around to reading yet. For example; Extreme Kissing, Entangled, Forgive My Fins are all books that I am sure will end up in my ‘top favourite’...
Thank you again for having me today, Clover!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you including me in Love Month :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Zoe, there are some really good choices here. I think I'll be adding a couple of these books to my wishlist, I particularly like the sound of Flyaway, though I get the idea it might make me cry!
ReplyDeleteBefore I Fall is amazing, a must read! I really want to read Matched, too...
ReplyDeleteSwapped by a Kiss is so good, and THG is just perfection. I liked Jessie Hearts NYC, too, but it was a pity they didn't meet until the end [sequel?!].
Great picks.(:
Thank you so much Zoe for this wonderful guest post! I'd heard OF Flyaway before, but I don't think I ever really knew what it was about. I've added that and The Boyfriend Thief to my wishlist :)
ReplyDeleteI loved The Boyfriend Thief - I've just read a spin-off short story from it which reminded me how much!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post, Zoe, and I really enjoyed reading it. (And thanks!)
So many lovely books in this post - The Sky is Everywhere, Jessie Hearts NYC, Swapped by a Kiss, The Hunger Games, Flyaway... Awesome picks.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! And brilliant picks! Some of these are my favourite books ever :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, a few books there I've not read but sound really good! Looking forward to checking them out. Thanks for the recs!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Definitely have to agree with the top two and though I haven't read swapped by a kiss yet, I loved split by a kiss and kiss date love hate by Luisa! :)
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