Khristina Chess

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Khristina Chess, YA Author, Blog

Khristina Chess is the author of books about teens tackling tough issues like anorexia, drinking, anxiety, and depression.

Great Books for Fans of The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan

Khris Chess July 19, 2025

Looking for an unforgettable collection of books similar to The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan? As an award-winning author and blogger about issue-driven YA fiction, I know how stories can reveal the complexities of grief and the loss of a loved one. Here are my top three recommendations:

  1. The Delinquent Hero by Khristina Chess - a heart-wrenching mystery about a grieving teen’s search for answers about her anorexic sister’s sudden and tragic accident.

  2. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart - a hypnotic, disorienting story about lifelong friends and a secret that threatens all of them.

  3. Looking for Alaska by John Green - a quiet boy at boarding school meets a charismatic girl, then loses her.

You’ll find detailed reviews of these and many other favorites below.

So, what books will appeal to fans of The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan? Discover your next great read for National Reading Month in this roundup. Whether it’s because of the beautiful writing, the love story, the voice, the grief, the mystery, or the family culture, there’s plenty of reasons why I’m confident that you’ll find something new to love.

The Delinquent Hero by Khristina Chess

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“It’s easier to think about food and the physical pain inside my body from not eating than the other pain of not having Kat. My sister would totally understand this. She would. As long as I’m connecting to her this way—our familiar, hungry old way—she’s with me.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from The Delinquent Hero

For readers who love great “tear-jerkers,” The Delinquent Hero offers a tragic and raw exploration of sisterhood, eating disorders, and devastating loss. If you’ve ever lost someone you love, this gripping YA novel speaks directly to the grief of saying goodbye.

At its core is Molly, desperate for answers after her older sister, Kat, lands in the hospital. Something is suspicious. The investigation unfolds in real time, peeling back layers of secrets, regrets, and the painful bond they’ve always shared. For Molly, reconnecting with Kat means slipping into their old patterns—the kind that consume and starve in equal measure.

"I'm not very hungry. I am, and I'm not. I am hollow, but this feeling seems less about food and more about Kat. At any rate, I do not want to eat."

What makes The Delinquent Hero truly unforgettable is its heart-wrenching puzzle—not just unraveling what happened that night, but understanding Kat herself. This novel doesn’t just tell a story; it forces you to feel every ache, every unanswered question, every regret, every desperate search for why.

A beautifully crafted novel, The Delinquent Hero has sparked conversations across book clubs and reader communities. I wholeheartedly recommend this memorable YA book about grief and loss. If The Astonishing Color of After left you breathless, The Delinquent Hero is an absolute must-read.

Drive to June by Khristina Chess

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“You do realize that a car is a mobile make-out location, right?” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Drive to June.

What kind of girl drinks after a drunk driver kills her mom?

Sixteen months ago, Adrianna lost her mother. Since then, she’s been drowning her grief—one bottle at a time. With her father always away and her sister off at college, no one notices she’s slowly draining the wine collection and numbing herself to an awful secret she can’t face.

Now, she can’t quit.

Then one evening, a pizza delivery boy finds her crying on the roof of her house and offers to teach her how to drive—and somehow, that changes everything.

Wow—what a ride! Drive to June grabs you from the start and never lets go. It’s more than a story about alcohol abuse—it’s funny, romantic, and deeply emotional, unraveling the truth of grief, healing, and unexpected love. Adrianna and Ian’s chemistry is undeniable, and their growing connection makes this novel unforgettable.

A beautifully crafted novel, Drive to June has sparked conversations across book clubs and reader communities—solidifying its place as one of the most memorable YA books of the decade. If the Astonishing Color of After left you breathless, Drive to June is an absolute must-read.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

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“Life feels beautiful that day. The four of us Liars, we have always been. We always will be. No matter what happens as we go to college, grow old, build lives for ourselves; no matter if Gat and I are together or not. No matter where we go, we will always be able to line up on the roof of Cuddledown and gaze at the sea. This island is ours. Here, in some way, we are young forever.” ― E. Lockhart, quote from We Were Liars

What does a novel about a wealthy, white, privileged family have in common with The Astonishing Color of After?

Lies. Family secrets. Grief. Love. A mystery. A beautiful and disorienting plot that leaves the reader breathless at the end.

If you haven’t picked this one up yet, do yourself a favor. It’s a whirlwind read.

Lockhart's prequel to this one, Family of Liars, does not disappoint either! In Family of Liars, the narrator, Carrie, tells the story of the summer of the boys' visit to the island, but long before those events, there are ominous hints of what is to come. In her early teen years, for example, Carrie's father insists on a surgery to break her jaw, and an infection sets in. The pages are full of great details about summertime on the island. The lemon hunt was very vivid, as well as the details about clothing, food, and the picnic table. Lockhart painted a vivid sense of place, siblings, and privilege.

I recommend reading both of them!

Looking for Alaska by John Green

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“There comes a time when we realize that our parents cannot save themselves or save us, that everyone who wades through time eventually gets dragged out to sea by the undertow-that, in short, we are all going.” ― John Green, quote from Looking for Alaska

A quiet boy at boarding school meets a charismatic girl, then loses her.

Miles Halter goes away to boarding school, where he makes new friends, takes up drinking and smoking, breaks some rules, and meets a hot girl named Alaska Young. She’s the ringleader of the merry group’s adventures. She’s the one who can get alcohol and cigarettes.

She’s a bit wild.

Then one night while they’re all partying, she receives a phone call and takes off in her car. She never returns.

If you liked The Astonishing Color of After, Alaska Young and her story will resonate with you.

Other Books If You Liked The Astonishing Color of After

Popular lists on Goodreads that identify books similar to this one focus on cultural diversity: Books Similar to The Astonishing Color of After (Goodreads) and Lists that Contain The Astonishing Color of After. You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which lists other reviews of YA contemporary books similar to other titles.

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Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Hollow Beauty, her book about eating disorders, was named a finalist in the Next Generation India Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, and adventure.


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