Looking for an unforgettable collection of books you’ll devour if you liked Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus? As an award-winning author and longtime blogger, I know how powerful stories can open conversations about difficult topics, such as the difficulties women face in STEM careers and the romantic challenges smart, strong women encounter.
You’ll find detailed reviews of many of my favorites below. Discover your next great read for National Reading Month in this roundup. I know you’ll find something new to love.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Strong woman in STEM, professional challenges & sexism, witty romance
What it’s about
A “fake dating” situation between a grad student and faculty member turns into true love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Everyone likes tall, broody, sullen hunks with genius IQs.” ― Ali Hazelwood, quote from The Love Hypothesis
Eleven stars! I laughed out loud, so many times, reading this STEM romance book. (In fact, I’ve read it twice.) The voice of the main character, Olive Smith, was so much fun. The scenarios that she finds herself in during her fake-dating relationship are hilarious.
I loved Adam, too, and how he was bemused by the situation and played along with all the shenanigans.
In the end, there is real depth here. Olive faces serious professional issues in the academic workplace, including sexual harassment. Adam is articulate and direct about what it means to be a good professional mentor and why he strives to do so.
If you loved Lessons in Chemistry and are interested in another novel with smart, witty women protagonists, you will love this one. I promise! Ali Hazelwood inspires women in the technology field.
The Future Unborn by Khristina Chess
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Smart girls in STEM, personal ambition versus societal constraints, witty romance
What it’s about
A brilliant robotics student faces an unplanned pregnancy as she prepares her MIT college applications
Why I Love It - Book Review
“There is no place for the word twerking anywhere on your college application. Ever.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from The Future Unborn
What if helping someone you love means giving up all of your dreams?
Ignore the cover. Trust the story. The Future Unborn is an unexpected novel that balances humor, STEM, love, high-stakes ambition, and a pregnancy test in a deeply compelling narrative.
Kansas Jones has it all: class president, varsity swim team, straight-A student, a future at MIT.
Then one misstep results in an unplanned pregnancy—threatening all her hopes and dreams.
Kansas thinks twelve weeks is plenty of time to act, but with finals, college applications, and the R2-RoboCon competition piling up, the clock is ticking faster than she ever imagined.
When a family tragedy shifts her perspective, she finds herself facing a tough choice that no blueprint can solve.
What makes The Future Unborn so special is the blend of lighthearted banter, robotics team collaboration, a sweet romance, and the a gut-wrenching decision that’s as hopeful as it is heartbreaking. If Lessons in Chemistry left your breathless, you won’t want to miss this YA book about young women in STEM. Think Juno meets The Love Hypothesis.
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Smart "tech" girls, fun romance
What it’s about
A girl and a boy become embroiled in a Twitter feud that begins with snarky Tweets but quickly escalates into a viral sensation.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“It's weird, how you have no idea how far you've come until suddenly you can't find the way back.” ― Emma Lord from Tweet Cute
Tweet Cute is a sweet YA romance told in alternating viewpoints of two teens who are engaged in a Twitter war for their family businesses. In a case of hidden identities, Pepper and Jack also are involved in a secret budding relationship through an app that conceals their identity from one another. What could possibly go wrong?
Plenty!
I loved all of the food in the book, and the world from Pepper's point of view felt very real to me. She has never left beyond the general radius of her NY apartment, and the adventure of getting on a train for her college interview seemed big and important. I could also get a real sense of Jack's neighborhood and the deli and its patrons. Both teens had very rich character development.
As a romantic novel, I had bigger expectations when the couple finally got together. It didn't feel quite as satisfying in that aspect as it might have been. Still, a can’t-put-down great read, and I definitely recommend it as a binge-worthy YA book!
Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Smart girls in STEM
What it’s about
A top student and runner aspires to attend MIT, but faces several personal challenges and family responsibilities.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“A teacher (a good teacher) is composed of molecules of education and intelligence, bonded together by patience and passion.” ― Laurie Halse Anderson, quote from Catalyst
Kate Malone is another hopeful MIT applicant. A smart math and science nerd, she is regimented about organizing all aspects of her life. In fact, she is so confident that MIT will accept her that she has not applied to any other colleges.
Things don’t go as planned. Worse, things change at home that force Kate to adapt in ways she never expected.
While Catalyst wasn’t my favorite Laurie Halse Anderson novel, it does fit this list for books like Lessons in Chemistry because Kate is a young woman in STEM, dealing with all the issues that entails. Check it out!
Laurie Halse Anderson is another author on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Historical strong woman in STEM, profesional challenges & sexism
What it’s about
Set in New England in 1789, not long after the American Revolution, a midwife challenges men in the community about a murder in the community.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“It’s an unimaginative accusation and one that I am frankly tired of hearing. Witchcraft. As though there is no other explanation for a woman who excels at her work.”― Ariel Lawhon, quote from The Frozen River
What a wonderful book! Historical fiction isn't my usual genre, but the cover and the accolades for The Frozen River made me give it a try.
On a high level, this mystery is about a midwife named Martha Ballard. The body of an accused rapist is found frozen in the river, and after examination, Martha says that the victim was murdered. She becomes a key witness in a trial for the woman who was raped because she treated the woman's wounds after the assault. The other accused man is a judge.
This novel has many layers. Beyond the mystery, there is the social commentary on women, family, sexual assault, and society during early days of America in New England. Paul Revere is mentioned as a friend of the family. The author depicts a rich setting of cold winter, warm homes and hearts, young love and pre-marital relationships, and the early court system. I couldn't put it down.
I will definitely read other novels by Ariel Lawhon! If you loved the strong, historical women in Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Gamus, you will definitely devour The Frozen River.
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Strong woman in STEM, professional challenges, witty romance
What it’s about
A theoretical physicist moonlights as a “fake girlfriend” for a side hustle that lands her in trouble with a professional rival.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Physics is like sex: it may yield practical results, but often that’s not why we do it.” ― Ali Hazelwood from Love, Theoretically
Love, Theoretically isn't the delightful gold standard that The Love Hypothesis is, but this book definitely answers my question: do I love this author?
Yes, yes I do!
I didn't love her second book, Love on the Brain at all, so this was a real question. However, this third return, Love, Theoretically brings two characters with great chemistry, great banter, a great science problem, a solid conflict, and a great overall story.
Elsie and Jack are fun couple to watch, especially as Elsie grows as a character and discovers what she really wants... honestly.
More, please. :-)
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Strong female protagonist, challenging romance
What it’s about
A contemporary romance novel that focuses on the complications of two professionals searching for love and emotional connection.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Love isn't always pretty. Sometimes you spend all your time hoping it'll eventually be something different. Something better. Then, before you know it, you're back to square one, and you lost your heart somewhere along the way.” ― Colleen Hoover from Ugly Love
No list like this would be complete without a Colleen Hoover pick. My first “CoHo” book was Verity, and this novel is quite different, a true love story. I enjoyed the shifting viewpoints and backstory that filled in the gaps of what was happening in present day. I can see why this author tops the bestseller lists! I couldn't stop reading.
If you love the romantic elements of Lessons in Chemistry, check out Ugly Love.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Witty romance
What it’s about
A sweet and heartbreaking story of first love that won’t disappoint.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I just can’t believe that life would give us to each other,” he said, “and then take it back.”
“I can,” she said. “Life’s a bastard.” ― Rainbow Rowell, quote from Eleanor and Park
It's been a long time since I've encountered a novel that I literally couldn't put down. Eleanor & Park was one of those books. I loved every minute. I sat on the porch, on the couch, on the floor by the window... and devoured this book. It was a wonderful reading experience about first love. Sweet and heartbreaking and everything I wanted. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, romantic young love story.
The story unfolds from alternating points of view, both Eleanor and Park, as they fall in love over the course of one year. The dialog is witty, snappy, and fun.
As a super-dreamy book about about young love, it will give you all the feels. If you devoured Lessons in Chemistry, you won’t want to miss this.
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Dreamy romance
What it’s about
A girl falls in love with the boy next door in this highly romantic summer love story.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“His bed’s really comfortable. And he never pees in it.” ― Huntley Fitzpatrick, quote from My Life Next Door
This adorable YA love story is compelling and has an unexpected ending. Everything about the messy Garrett house draws Samantha into it, but especially the good-looking son, Jase. He’s one of several children in the house. His little brother, George, has some of the best lines. I laughed out loud. The sneaking around teen love stuff was pretty wonderful. Samantha’s best friend is a jerk, and her sister is too. No wonder she’s so drawn to the loving family next door.
Samantha is keeping this relationship with Jase a secret from her mom and everyone else in her life, but eventually that blows up in her face. In the process, she learns some lessons about who she is and who she wants to be.
If you liked Lessons in Chemistry, this dreamy YA book will leave you smiling for days. It evokes all those light feelings of happiness, joy, and romantic love. You just can’t help sighing about that first kiss. You can’t wait for Samantha and Jase to take their relationship to the next level, and your heart breaks when things get rocky. This is such a sweet story. So cute!
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
Why it’s like Lessons in Chemistry
Strong woman in STEM, professional challenges, witty romance
What it’s about
Two scientists share a coveted project and manage to fall in love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a community of women trying to mind their own business must be in want of a random man’s opinion.” ― Ali Hazelwood from Love on the Brain
In this nerdy romance, Bee and Levi are scientists working together on a project for NASA. He's an engineer and she's the neuroscientist. Bee has lots of quirky and adorable qualities, but I missed the laugh-out-loud humor I found in The Love Hypothesis. These characters came across as a bit flat.
Still, it's a good romance for fans of Lessons in Chemistry. I rooted for Bee and Levi to work out their issues and fall in love. I thought the roommate's surprise romance felt bolted on rather than fully integrated and seemed like an unnecessary distraction from the main story line.
Other Books like Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
If you are looking for other books like Lessons in Chemistry, check out the Readers Who Enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry list on Goodreads. You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which lists other reviews of Binge-Worthy YA Books So Addicting You Can’t Stop Reading.
Author Bio
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.
In a recent interview from her alma mater, she described how her experience in the creative writing program prepared her for success.
