Looking for an unforgettable collection of dreamy YA books about dating, intimacy, and sex? As an award-winning author and longtime blogger about issue-driven YA fiction, I know the range of themes in romantic novels for teens, ranging from sweet first love to dating violence.
You’ll find detailed reviews of more than twenty of my favorites in the roundup below. Discover your next great romantic read for Valentine’s Day in this list. I’m confident you’ll find something that will sweep you away with all the great feels.
Drive to June by Khristina Chess
Romantic themes
Self-discovery
What it’s about
Sweet first love & witty dating banter
Why I Love It - Book Review
“You do realize that a car is a mobile make-out location, right?” Ian said. ― Khristina Chess 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.
If you’re looking for dreamy YA books about dating and intimacy that gives all the good feels, Drive to June is an absolute must-read. In fact, Khristina Chess is such a great author that she’s on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited because she’s all-around amazing!
A Court of Mist & Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Romantic themes
Love triangle with supernatural creatures
What it’s about
An adventure fantasy series about fairies and humans and wars between their worlds.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“To the stars who listen—and the dreams that are answered.” ― Sarah J. Maas from A Court of Mist and Fury
The first book in this series was good enough to keep me going into book #2 (A Court of Mist and Fury), and Wow! Now I am totally hooked. Now I understand all of the hype around this romantic fantasy series.
A Court of Mist and Fury immediately jumps into that love triangle that I was expecting, but it's so much better than I expected! There is a lot deeper characterization here, and the plot pacing is intense. A whole cast of new characters are introduced. I had a hard time keeping a couple of them straight, but that didn't slow me down at all.
Excellent story, great romance, wonderful world-building. If you've missed this series, pick it up.
My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak
Romantic themes
Sweet love triangle
What it’s about
After the sudden death of her parents, a girl relocates from east coast to mountains, where she finds herself surrounded by beautiful boys.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Love takes more than a couple days and a secret, shotgun marriage to develop into something worth dying for.” ― Ali Novak from My Life with the Walter Boys
Jackie is an orphan who finds herself transported from a life of privilege and private school in New York City to a rural ranch in Colorado, where she shares a very crowded home with 11 boys and one tomboy. There were plenty of opportunities for this story to explore the themes of grief, sisterhood, and being an orphan more deeply, but instead, the book focuses on the love triangle that develops between Jackie and two of the brothers.
That’s just fine. The pages turned quickly. I thought I’d be too disoriented by all those gorgeous and talented brothers, but Novak does a good job of introducing them and making them unique as Jackie gets to know them. I felt her sense of being overwhelmed by the family initially, and then one by one, the boys (and sister) became individuals. The parents are kind.
I liked the ending. This is nice debut book and a sweet romance for readers looking for dreamy YA books about dating.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Romantic themes
Forbidden love
What it’s about
A girl with an illness that keeps her locked indoors falls in love with the boy next door, who transforms her life.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Maybe growing up means disappointing the people we love.” ― Nicola Yoon, quote from Everything, Everything
This lovely YA book is an all-the-feels love story about a girl locked in a tower and the prince who rescues her.
Actually, they are two ordinary teenagers. Well, Maddie is not ordinary. She has a rare immunodeficiency disease that makes her allergic to the whole world, so she lives inside a bubble. It’s not a literal plastic bubble, but she can’t go outside. She has an airtight, clean, totally isolated life in an allergen-free environment.
Until a boy moves in next door.
They meet electronically, and their relationship develops with all that emotional falling-in-love-for-the-first-time wonderfulness. Nicola Yoon writes it beautifully. The story is unique, and the sweet love story gives all the feels.
But, there’s more. Much more. Because teenagers press boundaries. They must kiss, even if physical intimacy could be deadly.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Romantic themes
Sweet first love
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 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 YA book about about dating and intimacy, it will give you all the feels.
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Romantic themes
Dating, sex, and emotional & physical abuse
What it’s about
A powerful story about a teen girl who falls for possessive and physically violent boyfriend after her sister runs away.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Sometimes, it was just a little rough: a blocking bruise. Other times, a hard foul. And if things were really bad—full contact.” ― Sarah Dessen, quote from Dreamland
I've read a couple Sarah Dessen books that were "okay," but wow, this one really, really grabbed me!
It starts when Caitlin's sister, Cass, runs away. I knew the story was about relationship abuse, and I was expecting the runaway sister Cass to be with a bad guy, but no. After she disappears, Caitlin falls for a guy named Rogerson who ends up being the abusive one. Caitlin's downward spiral is emotional, realistic, and heartbreaking. From the first time Rogerson hits her, I kept waiting for someone to intervene or for her to wake up, but it went on and on until the climactic moment when something had to shatter.
I felt really bad for Caitlin. She seemed invisible to everyone who supposedly loved her. She was hiding her pain in front of everyone. And people she loved kept leaving her: first her sister Cass and then her new friend Corinna.
If you like the tough topics and want to explore YA books about dating violence and abuse, Dreamland is a hypnotic read.
Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer (Box Set)
Romantic themes
Love triangle with supernatural creatures
What it’s about
A classic, unforgettable series about first love between characters of very different worlds—human and vampire—with a werewolf thrown into the love triangle mix.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn’t know how potent that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.” ― Stephanie Meyer from Twilight
Oh. My. Gosh.
Twilight was my introduction to YA as an adult reader, and I remember plowing through these novels at a breakneck pace. They’re part love stories, part vampire and werewolf fantasy world, and just full of all the great emotions. At one point I contacted my friend who’d recommended the series and asked, “When do they finally have sex?!” By this point I felt as frustrated about the situation with Edward as Bella.
“It’s young adult,” she said. “Remember?”
Right.
For readers who have never read them or even those who read them a decade ago, these books are highly addicting, binge-worthy, can’t-put-down, and worth another look. There’s a reason millions of people loved them, watched all the movies, and bought posters.
If you are looking for dreaming YA books about dating, intimacy, and sex, you have found the right place. The passion between Bella and Edward sizzles on the pages of this series. Even more, there is a love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob in the middle books that turns up the heat.
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Romantic themes
Enemies-to-dating
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
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 for readers searching for dreamy YA books about dating.
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Romantic themes
Witty & 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 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.
This dreamy YA book about dating, intimacy, and sex 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!
Hollow Beauty by Khristina Chess
Romantic themes
Sweet love triangle
What it’s about
Prom should be magic, but when her date tells her to lose weight, Olivia’s quest for perfection pulls her into a toxic spiral of extreme dieting and exercising.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I wondered what it would feel like if he rolled over and kissed me. Would I feel that panicked need to escape that I always felt when Brody kissed me? When I thought about kissing Ross, I felt nothing but excitement.” ― Khristina Chess from Hollow Beauty
A romantic love triangle that will appeal to fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before—this compelling story explores insecurity and the power of words to hurt and to heal.
When tall, gorgeous Brody asks Olivia to prom, she’s ecstatic—until he suggests she use the next two months to lose some weight.
But how thin is thin enough?
What starts as a few skipped meals spirals into a dangerous obsession—hours spent scrolling pro-ana and thinspo forums, tracking calories like a lifeline, and watching the number on the scale plummet. The more weight she sheds, the more she disappears. Ross, the new prep cook at the diner, sees her differently, and the only time Olivia feels like herself is when she’s riding dirt bikes and cave-hunting with him. But with Brody, romance feels more like devour or be devoured.
She’s almost perfect for prom. Almost thin enough.
Until the unthinkable happens.
If you’ve ever suffered the pain of unkind criticism, Hollow Beauty is for you. This dreamy YA novel with an unexpected love triangle also explores the slippery slope of pro-ana culture and the brutal consequences of chasing perfection. What makes Hollow Beauty special is the realistic portrayal of how Olivia falls into the self-esteem trap of trying to change herself for someone else. I loved seeing her journey and choices as the events escalated toward the story’s climax. This one is worth the read!
Breathless by Jennifer Niven
Romantic themes
Sweet first love
What it’s about
The story of Claude's summer trip to a remote island off the coast of Georgia after graduation with her mom following the sudden separation of her parents, where she finds unexpected love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“All these words and stories. My mom calls them the color of a human life: those little moments that are so uniquely ours.” ― Jennifer Niven, quote from Breathless
I might love this book even more than Niven’s All the Bright Places—and that's saying a lot!
Breathless is the story of Claude's trip to a remote island off the coast of Georgia after graduation with her mom following the sudden separation of her parents. She meets a boy and falls in love. So simple. Yet Jennifer Niven beautifully captures that lovely, breathless feeling of first love. Passionate kisses. Romantic trysts. Mosquito bites on sunburned skin.
There is so much growing up packed into this brief summer for Claude. She learns that parents have secrets and tell lies. She and her lifelong best friend grow apart even as they prepare to truly separate for fall college classes. And she has this deep relationship with Miah on the island that changes her in fundamental ways.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Romantic themes
Sweet love triangle
What it’s about
A teenage girl's secret love letters are accidentally mailed to the boys, forcing her to confront her past crushes and navigate unexpected romance.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I want to say yes, but I don't want to be with a boy whose heart belongs to somebody else. Just once, I want to be somebody else's first choice.” ― Jenny Han from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Lara Jean is a super sweet adorable character, and even though the story seems like a common love triangle, there are enough twists to keep the pages turning. Plus, Lara Jean herself is such a star. She’s naive and on her own for the first time, and she’s making all kinds of mistakes. She’s basically a train wreck. I love her immensely. Two plot points surprised me, and I thought I had those wrapped up early on.
I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did, but I finished it in two sittings. Now I see why everyone’s been reading it! :-)
If you’re the last person on the planet to miss this one, you must go and read this YA book about teen dating and intimacy.
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Romantic themes
Contemporary romance
What it’s about
A girl with a perfect summer plan is derailed by her father’s scandal and an unexpected romance.
Why I Love It - Book Review
I have to include this one in my recommendations for the most dreamy YA books about dating and intimacy. As a YA romance and a universal experience. The Unexpected Everything was a light, sweet, happy, and satisfying read. The characters and story were perfect for each other. At first I didn't like them, but they totally won me over. They fit their world, and they grew as a result of the summer events. I will definitely read more of this author.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Romantic themes
Star-crossed love
What it’s about
A boy and a girl with terminal illnesses fall in love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“But it is the nature of stars to cross, and never was Shakespeare more wrong than when he has Cassius note, ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves.” ― John Green from The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars is the ultimate YA book about star-crossed lovers. Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace are two teens with cancer, and they fall in love during a sweet time of remission. They talk about literature and philosophy, and they go on a wonderful journey to meet the author of Hazel’s favorite novel. This person is not at all what she expected—a huge disappointment, as a matter of fact—but then, life happens that way.
When the inevitable plot turn comes and twists the knife in your heart, it doesn’t matter that you’re expecting it. Augustus and Hazel are supposed to be together, so every bittersweet moment of their parting is a gasp. Every breath counts. Every syllable.
If you’re looking for the sweetest, most dreamy YA book about dating, intimacy, and sex, pick up this classic. If you read it a long time ago, it’s just as good the second time around. Trust me.
The Girl Who Fell by S. M. Parker
Romantic themes
Dating, sex, and emotional & physical abuse
What it’s about
A hypnotic novel that shows how a girl can lose herself in a dating relationship that she believes is love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Still, there’s a rumbling in the pit of my stomach telling me I’m missing out on something. Something I wouldn’t have missed for all the world before Alec.” ― S.M. Parker, quote from The Girl Who Fell
In this hypnotic story, Zephyr Doyle falls in love with the wrong boy. Only, he seems like the perfect boy. A boy she's willing to give up everything for: friends, her hockey team, even her future. He's saccharine sweet, but a bit jealous. Creepy. But she can't see his emotional abuse for what it is until it's too late.
I really enjoyed this one and read it quickly. Although I guessed the relationship was doomed (surely?!), I couldn't tell how it would fall apart and was surprised by the twists at the end. Creepy behavior just escalated into more and more aggressive awfulness. It shows how a person can lose herself in a dating relationship that she believes is love.
This is an important YA novel about dating, intimacy, and relationship violence.
Junior Missing by Khristina Chess
Romantic Themes
Dating, sex, and emotional & physical abuse
What it’s about
A seductive and chilling thriller about a runaway teen, drawn into an intoxicating relationship with an older man who takes her in—and won’t let her go!
Why I Love It - Book Review
“He kissed me again and again, and I began bargaining once more with the wind. I vowed to do better and try harder to keep this Quentin who loved me and kept me safe. The Quentin who I loved. Who loved me. Who didn’t treat me badly. Sex was the one place where he was always himself. His very best self. “― Khristina Chess, quote from Junior Missing
Wow! Readers who love the intense chemistry and unsettling seduction of a dark romance won’t be able to put Junior Missing down. What makes Junior Missing so special is the slow-boil depiction of how Grace’s forbidden attraction turns into a trap set by an older man who takes her in—and won’t let her go!
The story starts as sixteen-year-old Grace Keegan, darling of the child pageant world with a bright future, is missing. At first, police assume she ran away. But when they find her abandoned phone along the highway, the truth becomes far more terrifying.
No one knows about Quentin Brock—the musician she met online. He’s charming, funny, and perfect.
Until he isn’t. Until she’s trapped in another state with no way out.
She doesn’t even have shoes.
I highly recommend this mesmerizing, authentic novel that depicts how someone can so easily be manipulated and hurt in a toxic relationship. Junior Missing will stay with you after the final page. Worth the read!
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Romantic themes
Forbidden love
What it’s about
A beautiful novel about a grieving girl who falls in love with two boys: the cute new kid in school and her dead sister’s boyfriend.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“What kind of girl wants to kiss every boy at a funeral, wants to maul a guy in a tree after making out with her sister’s boyfriend the previous night? Speaking of which, what kind of girl makes out with her sister’s boyfriend, period?” ― Jandy Nelson from The Sky Is Everywhere
I love, love, loved this book! The writing is so lyrical, and the story is incredibly sad. It begins with protagonist Lennie, who is grieving the sudden death of her sister. Although Bailey is dead, the relationship between these siblings is very much alive on the pages of this novel. Lennie writes beautiful poems, and she spends time in their room and shares so many memories that I feel I know Bailey.
A charismatic new boy shows up at school, and Lennie ends up entering into 2 romances at the same time. This is the love triangle. One romance is with the new boy at school, and the other is with her dead sister’s grieving boyfriend. Sooner or later, she has to decide which one of these guys is the one she’s going to stick with. Oh, boy.
All of the characters are vivid, and the story is captivating. The creative visual aspect of the novel is also a nice touch; Lennie writes her poems on scraps and scatters them everywhere, and these appear at the beginning of chapters.
This book is a must-read for anyone looking for dreamy YA novels about intimacy and love. In fact, I highly recommend that you also read Nelson’s other novel, I’ll Give You the Sun.
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippencort
Romantic themes
Real, sweet, star-crossed love
What it’s about
A boy and a girl with terminal illnesses fall in love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“If I’m going to die, I’d like to actually live first.” ― Rachael Lippincott from Five Feet Apart
Stella and Will are two kids with cystic fibrosis who literally have to stay away from one another to survive. Infections are bad, possibly deadly, and Will is like kryptonite to Stella, who doesn’t want to lose her place on the transplant list.
But the heart wants what the heart wants—even when the lungs are failing.
Stella and Will disobey all kinds of orders in their love pursuits and put their lives at risk. They have so much positive energy that you want them to beat the odds. Tragedy won’t touch them.
Don’t miss this romantic YA book about star-crossed lovers. You will love Stella and Will’s story. The movie was pretty great, too!
Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith
Romantic themes
Star-crossed love
What it’s about
A boy and a girl prepare to separate their lives and head off to college in a night for star-crossed lovers.
Why I Love It - Book Review
"We keep thinking there are only these two choices: We either grow apart or grow together. But maybe we can just kind of each grow on our own, and see how it goes. And then later, if it's right, we'll come back to each other and start again." ― Jennifer E. Smith, quote from Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between
In another “novel in one night” book, Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between explores the relationship of Clare and Aiden as they prepare to separate before heading off to college. Along the way, they spend time with a cast of friends and visit places where they enjoyed some of their most memorable moments. I didn’t love-love the story and characters the same way that I did some of the other novels here, but there were sweet and romantic moments that kept me invested.
The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon
Romantic themes
Star-crossed love
What it’s about
A boy and a girl fall in love in a single day—the day when the girl is being deported with her family.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“The trouble with getting your hopes too far up is: it's a long way down.” ― Nicola Yoon from The Sun Is Also a Star
I loved Nicola Yoon’s Everything Everything, so when The Sun Is Also A Star released, I couldn’t wait to read it. This novel is a star-crossed love story between two teens of different backgrounds: Daniel Jae Ho Bae (a middle-class US citizen of South Korean descent) and Natasha Kingsley (a Jamaican girl who is being deported at the end of the day).
The timeline of the novel is 12 hours, and in that time, the characters fall in love. With every page, I kept hoping that something would change and something would stop the inevitable from happening. Because it wasn’t fair. Daniel and Natasha just found each other.
Other Dreamy YA Books about Dating, Intimacy, and Sex
If you are looking other dreamy YA books about dating, intimacy, and sex, check out the Valentine’s Day YA Reads list on Goodreads. You might also be interested in my post, Other Good Reads, which has a comprehensive list of reviews of YA books.
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.
