Best Books List, Romance

The Best Contemporary YA Books for vibes when you’re feeling lonely

Hey everyone! Here’s another list of some of the best contemporary YA books out there – this time ones that are from the year 2014! From love stories to heartfelt tales about siblings, this list covers a variety of contemporary YA that we can resonate with and deeply understand.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

to-all-the-boys

Lara Jean Song’s love letters are all in the hatbox that was given to her by her mother. These weren’t love letters that came from others and given to her, but they are, instead, love letters she’s written – for each of the five boys she’s ever loved. The letters are a secret, containing things that she would never say in real life. But one day, her letters are mailed – and suddenly Lara Jean’s love life spirals out of control.

What do the readers say?
“I was pleasantly surprised by the glimpses at Lara Jean’s Korean heritage as well. These elements were mostly introduced through food and food memories, which I think is a really smart, accessible way to showcase cultural individuality in fiction.There’s a misconception that characters of color or characters that are at all outside of the stereotypical white American teenager character-type are too difficult for the general YA reading public to relate to. TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE wholly demolishes that misconception – hurrah!”Sara, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

we-were-liars-e-lockhart

The Sinclair family has always spent their summers gathered on their private island. But what sounds like a yearly tradition isn’t that simple – as something happens to Cadence in the summer of her fifteenth year. It’s something that never leaves Cadence, something that reemerges when the four “Liars,” which includes her, Johnny, Gat, and Mirren, prompt her to remember the incident.

What do the readers say?
“Brilliantly poetic writing brings to life this amazing jaw-dropping suspense story that is nothing like anything I’ve read from E. Lockhart before or like anything I had ever read before, period. A perfectly plotted psychological tale that will leave you astonished. Twisty, so very twisty, and so unbelievably gut-wrenching and beautiful. The mystery of it, everything surrounding the mystery, was done stunningly.”Sab H., Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

ill-give-you-the-sun-jandy-nelson

Noah and her twin brother Jude were once inseparable, with each of their particular roles and quirks. Noah is always drawing and falling in love with the boy next door. Jude wears lipstick, cliff-dives, and is the one who talks for the both of them. But something changes this, and years later, they are barely speaking. Jude meets an irresistible boy later on, though – a mysterious new mentor. And she has half of the story, while Noah has his. Now the twins can remake their world, but only if they find their way back to each other.

What do the readers say?
“The only thing better than the romance in this novel was the relationship between Jude and Noah. I have never seen such a true portrayal of the relationship between siblings and this novel chronicles the highs and lows that dominate their lives. As much as I rooted for the couples in this novel, I was secretly harboring a hope that the siblings would reconcile and be the best friends they once were. It was so touching watching the younger versions of Jude and Noah interact, yet knowing that the siblings would become estranged broke my heart. YA novels usually skip over familial relationships, but the magic of this novel lies in the bond between Jude and Noah.”Jon (Scott Reads It!), Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Open Road Summer by Emery Lord

open-road-emery-lord

Reagan O’Neill is ready to start fresh, after finally leaving her bad-news boyfriend, and because her best friend, country superstar Lilah Montgomery, is going through a break-up of her own. So when Lilah’s 24-city tour is finally happening, the girls take it as an opportunity to hang out, a summer of break-up ballads and hearts that heal. But charming Matt Finch joins the tour as Lilah’s opening act, and now Reagan’s finding him hard to resist.

What do the readers say?
“Emery Lord’s story features all of its characters in phases of discovery. Reagan, Matt, and Lilah are learning how to deal with their new realities and where they want to go from there. Their journey is a mix of highs and lows that will keep you turning page after page. I can’t wait for Emery Lord’s next book. She’s set the bar really high with this fantastic book. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you entertained now that summer is fast approaching, you can’t go wrong with this one. I laughed, cried, and hooted with joy as I read this book and I know you will too. If you’re still undecided, all you need to read is the first couple of pages and all your doubts will dissipate.”Confessions of a YA & NA Book Addict, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Don’t Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout

dont-look-back

Sam’s popularity, wealth, and love life were things she used to have – until she and her best friend Cassie disappeared. Now Sam is back but she doesn’t remember who she is or what happened on the night they left, and Cassie’s still missing. Sam tries her best to piece together parts of the life she had before, realizing that it’s not a life she actually wants to get back to – because the old Sam was a complete mean girl, and that she and Cassie might have been best enemies instead of best friends. It’s the opportunity that Sam needs to be a better person, to fall for Carson Ortiz, whom she always treated like trash. But most of all, Sam wants to know the truth – what happened during that night, and if she can finally unlock the memories she’s forgotten, so that she can finally move on. But then maybe not remembering is the only thing keeping her alive.

What do the readers say?
“‘Don’t Look Back’ is a taut and completely gripping young adult thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning. I am a huge fan of this genre and I really can never find enough books that leave an impression on me. This one did just that – and then some. Everything about this novel – from the plot and characters to the writing style and the setting – was perfect. The characters were well written and easy to identify with – especially our main character Samantha. She was a fantastic leading lady – smart, determined, and brave – yet she still had her flaws, which I believe made her all the more realistic. The other characters in the book were well rounded too, which made slipping into the story alongside Sam even easier.”Stephanie Ward, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

my-life-with-the-walter-boys

Jackie’s the perfect girl, who always gets the perfect grades, and who’s always the perfect daughter in her parents’ eyes. But then she moves to Colorado, after her parents’ death in a freak car accident, and has to live with the Walters and their twelve sons. Leaving her New York apartment behind, her perfect life is turned chaotic, as she meets the wild Walter boys – dirty, loud, annoying, and uncaring of personal space. They’re gorgeous, sure, but annoying. Now Jackie has to learn how to fit in and move on if she keeps her memories of her parents alive by trying to live up to her perfect reputation.

What do the readers say?
“My Life With the Walter Boys was neither light and fluffy nor overly deep. It dealt with the hard truth of grieving not only the loss of loved ones, but of the life you once knew, but did it in a way that I never found to be particularly difficult to handle. I definitely felt some emotions and my heart broke for the loss Jackie was dealing with. I laughed and cried. But mostly I smiled. There was just something about these characters that made me happy. I can see why this book got so much attention on Wattpad. It has quickly moved up my list of favorite young adult contemporaries. I can’t wait for the sequel.”Kim, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan

love-and-other-foreign-words-amazon

Josie is sixteen years old and can understand several languages – High School, College, Friends, Boyfriends, Break-ups, and Beautiful girls. But none of these is her native language – only her best friend Stu and her sister Kate can speak it. So when Kate gets engaged to an insufferable guy, she’s desperate to get Josie to help with the wedding. Josie just wants to break Kate and her fiance up. It becomes a battle of words and waged over secrets, and a way for Josie to try and understand the languages that she cannot understand.

What do the readers say?
“I enjoyed Love and Other Foreign Words, plain and simple, from the story to the characters (including the secondary ones, who I think deserved a little more time to shine in their own rights). It might sound strange, but reading it is an experience that I can compare to listening to a beautifully performed musical composition – fluid, pleasant and entertaining. It’s definitely a contemporary that’s flown under the radar, so consider this review my endorsement to GO FORTH AND READ IT NOW!”Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Far From You by Tess Sharpe

far-from-you

Sophie Winters has had two brushes with dead. Once, when she was fourteen, in a car accident that made her dependent on Oxy. The second time when she was seventeen, when a masked man confronted her and her best friend Mina in the woods. Sophie survives, but Mina doesn’t, and now the cops think what happened was a drug deal gone wrong, with part of the blame pinned on Sophie herself. No one wants to believe her – that she’s been clean and it was Mina who led her into a woods – but she’s forced into rehab and comes out experiencing a new reality. Her family won’t talk to her and her old friends hate her, and now Sophie is alone to look for Mina’s murderer. Her investigations lead her closer to discovering truths – about herself, about Mina, and about the secret they shared.

What do the readers say?
“This is the book I’ve been looking for all year. The book that would grab me and not let go even when the pages were done. I read the entire thing in less than three hours, but it will stay with me for a long time. Far From You is now my favorite book of 2014, and even though it is April, I don’t think it will fall down the ranks very easily. Tess Sharpe — I hope you are out there knee deep in some new work in progress. Because this world will be a dimmer place without more of your words in it.” – Jess @ Such A Novel Idea, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Maybe One Day by Melissa Cantor

maybe-one-day

Zoe has Olivia – the one friend she considers family. But both arrive at a bump on the road, as Olivia is diagnosed with leukemia and Zoe needs to put on a brave face for her best friend. Even when the times when she’s not sure what to say pile up, when Olivia misses months of school, when Zoe falls for Olivia’s crush, Calvin. Zoe believes that Olivia will beat this, the only thing that keeps her going and that things will go back to the way they were. Because she doesn’t want to think of the alternative – a prospect too terrifying for her.

What do the readers say?
“Maybe One Day is one of my favorite reads of 2014. I know that the year is still young but I fell in love, hard and fast, with Zoe, Olivia and their story. It is the story of more than just a cancer book, and it’s more than a friendship book. It’s a BEAUTIFUL book. The voice is spot on, and I could really relate to Zoe. Her character and thoughts spoke to me, even to my former teen self. The questions she and the book ask are stuff you should be thinking about — death, afterlife, cancer, best friends, going back to a former love of yours (dance), struggling with crushes when your best friend can’t, faith and God… It’s really all there.”R001, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Bright Before Sunrise by Tiffany Schmidt

bright-before-sunrise

Brighton is a popular girl, always ready to help anyone in need, but she herself doesn’t know what she wants. Then she meets Jonah, the only one who doesn’t give her the time of day – but strangely, she feels something for him. So when they’re brought together over and over in a single night, things happen.

What do the readers say?
“Bright Before Sunrise turned out to be a fast read. I finished it in the course of a night. I loved my first read by Tiffany Schmidt and am saddened that it is a stand alone novel and not a series. I would have loved to be invited back to Cross Pointe in the form of a sequel. I plan to read more from this author and recommend that other young adult romance readers give this novel a go.”One Curvy Blogger, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross

whatever-life-throws-at-you-julie-cross

Annie Lucas’s life changes when her dad returns to be the new pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals. Now she’s in Missouri, where it’s too cold and where she has to be in an all-girls school, and where she’s thrown into the world of professional sports. But the Royals’ super-hot rookie pitcher, Jason Brody, has caught her eye, and now she dreams of being with him. Except he’s off-limits, and if he gets involved with her, her dad will kill them both over and over. Anyway, he has a fan club composed of C-cupped models, which kind of makes Annie’s chances very slim. The last thing she needs is to fall in love with Jason.

What do the readers say?
“Great story. Until now I’ve never read a book with the main character acting as an athlete. I love the idea that the both of them are successful in their chosen sports. Its inspiring. Cross did a great job concerning character development, and I absolutely love the ending! Overall, great romance novel!”Samantha, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

isla-and-the-happily-ever-after

Isla and Josh begin their senior year in France, and quickly realize that happily-ever-afters aren’t forever. In their romantic journey, they meet couples Anna and Etienne and Lola and Cricket, whose collision with their paths reveal new truths about love and life.

What do the readers say?
“Honestly reviewing this book is hard for me. It’s bittersweet because this trilogy, all of these characters, mean something to me. It sounds weird but reading Isla and the Happily Ever After was the end of an era. It was like graduating and leaving everything behind. I almost felt like Josh did, all alone after losing my friends. But in true Perkins fashion she went out with a bang that made my heart sore, my cheeks hurt from smiling and my heart ache with longing. She gave me two new fantastic characters to love and brought in pieces of ones that I loved from the past. So with that I thank you Ms. Perkins for giving me these books and these characters and for doing something even more important, making me a reader.”Andi S., Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour

everything-leads-to-you

Emi Price is a talented young set designer – and she’s just finished high school. She’s already starting to make a name for herself in the L.A. film scene. She’s failed in one key area, though: to get her a love life that’s real. But then she finds a mysterious letter at an estate sale, which sets her on the path to chase down the loose ends of a movie icon’s hidden life. And when she meets Ava along the way, Emi finds that her own hidden life finally begins to bloom.

What do the readers say?
“This book is way deeper than a romance novel. It explored the complex relationships of a family unknown, the concept of not waiting to take chances, and accepting life’s surprises as they come. This book was amazing as well as a love letter to the behind the scenes of cinema and I can honestly say that I will look deeper into the sets of movies that I watch from now on. Anyone who is looking to be inspired to do more and to love and understand more should give this a read, you won’t regret it.”Amazon Customer, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Ask Again Later by Liz Czukas

ask-again-later

Heart LaCoeur doesn’t want to be involved in any messy high school romance, which is why she’s decided to go with a group of single friends for prom. But two surprise prom invites come, and completely derails Heart’s plan. The only solution Heart can think of that may help her avoid drama is flipping a coin – but it somehow gives her a chance to experience both prom nights. And where the coin ends up – heads or tails – might be the most surprising thing of all.

What do the readers say?
“Adorable and so full of voice. I found myself laughing out loud more than a few times!! This is sweet and pretty hilarious. Sixteen Candles meets Sliding Doors makes sense. Very cool way to layout a prom night!!”EMC, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

The Art of Lainey by Paula Stokes

the-art-of-lainey

Lainey Mitchell, soccer star, is absolutely ready to spend the summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason. But the unexpected happens – he breaks up with her, without any reason or warning, and in public. Of course Lainey is crushed, but with the help of her friend Bianca, she’s determined to do everything she needs to do, just to get Jason back. And that’s when the girls find a copy of the Art of War, a book which they believe they can use to lure Jason back into Lainey’s open arms. So they start recruiting spies and gathering intel, and convincing Lainey’s coworker Micah to pose as her boyfriend so that Jason would get jealous. The plan seems to be working, but another complication arises – Lainey’s pretend relationship with Micah is starting to grow into something more. Now it’s up to Lainey to really figure out what she needs.

What do the readers say?
“I truly believe that this book is a diamond in the rough that can resonate with readers of all ages, though it certainly will mean more to teens because it paints certain expectations so realistically. It tackles the concept of cliques and popularity spot-on without it seeming cliche and controlling. It shows the naivety that comes with first love and what comes after that love is gone. Jealousy, desire…it’s all there. The awesome twist of The Art of War thrown in to make sure hilariousness ensues in this super fluffy and cute read that is guaranteed to get any reader out of a reading slump.”Lili’s Reflections, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

On the Fence by Kasie West

on-the-fence

Charlie’s a tomboy with three older brothers, and she’s always been more comfortable on the basketball court than with flirting. When her police officer dad tells her to get a summer job so that she can pay her stack of speeding tickets, she finds herself working at an unlikely place – a chichi boutique with a boy who has never seen her play ball. And slowly, this boy, Braden, becomes an honorary fourth brother, someone that Charlie talks to late into the night. Charlie’s finding that she’s falling for him, but she’s determined to keep this bit a secret – because spilling it might mean she has to lose him for good.

What do the readers say?
“On the Fence was a lot of fun to read. I love the interaction between Charlie and her brothers. And of course couldn’t help but love her fourth “brother” Braden. This is a coming of age story where we get to see Charlie have her first kiss, wear make up for the first time and come to terms with a past she has been running from. Laugh out loud funny I had no hesitation handing this to my teenage daughter as soon as I finished it. She is only a couple chapters in and already loving it. While the ultimate outcome might be predictable the road to getting there had enough twists and turns to keep me engaged and wondering how it was all going to play out.If you enjoy friends to lovers stories that focus on the innocence of young love where a simple touch, wink or smile are enough to set a young girl’s heart a-fluttering then you will enjoy this.” – Kathy Habel, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Girls Like Us by Gail Giles

girls-like-us

Quincy and Buddy are graduates of the special ed program in their high school, but the two girls are practically opposites of each other. Suspicious, aggressive Quincy fearlessly faces the world, fists up. Biddy is frightened, and can’t even step out of her front door. The unlikely happens, and the end up as roommates in their first “real world” apparentment, where their differences can’t be more defined. But as Quincy and Biddy learn more about each other – as Biddy’s troubled past surfaces, and as Quincy realizes that this shouldn’t be an experience that Biddy has to go through alone. As the two learn more about each other, they realize that ultimately they might be the ones to help each other move forward.

What do the readers say?
“Gale Giles has masterfully woven together the voices of Biddy and Quincy, each different and unique with their own idiosyncrasies. The voices are strong, even when the young women feel weak. The short chapters, alternating between the two young women are fast paced although GIRLS LIKE US is primarily a character study, I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next. Giles avoided the trap of creating stereotypical characters with all three women. Each was, at times unlikable, at times heartbreaking, and quite often admirable.” – Pink Amy, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Hope for Garbage by Alex Tully

hope-for-garbage

Seventeen-year-old Trevor McNulty always tries so hard, but he’s never given any break in his life. His uncle is alcoholic. He picks garbage and hangs out with his seventy year-old neighbor. This changes when he meets Bea, a rich girl who lives in a wealthy suburb, and who has problems of her own. She’s smart, she’s cute, and she gives Trevor hope. But their budding romance is hindered by Bea’s own mother, who causes so much destruction that it sends Trevor’s already messy life into a whirlwind. He’s desperate to save his relationship, but at the same time he needs to learn how to solve himself.

What do the readers say?
“A true page turner! A well-written, captivating story of a young man’s troubled life and his triumph through dark times. If you are familiar with Cleveland, Ohio you will enjoy all of the subtle references as well. A pleasure to read. The book features characters that stick in your mind well after you put the book down (if you can). Highly recommend this excellent story!” Boston Girl, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Love, Lies, and Lemon Pies by Katy Cannon

love-lies-and-lemon-pies

Sixteen-year-old Lottie is determined to keep her biggest secret, and she’ll have to do a lot of baking and a lot of lying to protect it. The Bake Club was Lottie’s way to cope with her father’s death – and while she initially was initially reluctant to join, she eventually rekindled her real love for it. And it helps that she’s caught up with the school’s rebel and fellow Bake Club member, Mac. But the year-end Bake Off is coming close, and the tension among the Bake Club members rise. Under all this pressure, Lottie has to work hard to keep the facade of her perfect life.

What do the readers say?
“Really good YA fiction. Inspiring, contemporary and heart-warming.” the lambana, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner

the-summer-of-letting-go

Francesca Schnell is going nowhere. It’s the summer and she should be headed to the beach, but even after four years since her brother Simon’s drowning, guilt still haunts her, because she believes it’s her fault – she should have been watching him. Now she’s sixteen and everything’s leaving her behind. Her best friend is with a boy she’s secretly in love with, while her father is having an affair. Francesca’s life changes, however, when she begins babysitting Frankie Sky – a kid who reminds her so much of Simon that Frankie may as well be Simon’s reincarnation. Through the friendship that they forge, Francesca begins to believe that she may be able to forgive herself, move up, and fall in love – whether or not she gets to solve the mystery of Frankie Sky.

What do the readers say?
“This book will resonate with me for weeks, I can tell. It will make me take a closer look at the world, at chance occurrences, coincidences and karma. I try not to live in the past and to live life profoundly and passionately like Frankie Sky, but sometimes I still need reminders, as I’m sure we all do, and this book as given me one.”Megan Bostic, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

The Private Blog of Joe Cowley by Ben Davis

the-private-blog

Joe Cowley, 14 years old, an aspiring comic artist and a self-confessed repeller of girls, has decided to start a blog. A private one, which he can use to help himself sort out his life, and keep record of what happens to him. Like how he gained the nickname Puke Skywalker, for instance. Or how he’s subjected to daily wedgies by Gav James, his arch enemy. He’s resolved to do something about his current situations, hoping that by the end of the next term, he’ll finally be a completely different person.

What do the readers say?
“This was a very enjoyable read – and I must say, I had quite a good laugh. Overall, it was all good!”Sussman, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

all-the-bright-places

Theodore Finch has a morbid fascination with death, imagining how he might kill himself every single day. But as he thinks of his own death, he also desperately searches for something that keeps him alive. Violet Markey, meanwhile, lives for the future – a future that will take her away from her small Indiana town, and from the grief brought down on her by her sister’s recent death. When the two meet on the ledge of their school’s bell tower, it becomes unclear who saves whom. But their meeting changes both their lives, as Finch can be himself only around Violet, and it’s only Finch who can make Violet forget to count the days and start living them. Violet’s world grows, but at the same time, Finch’s world starts shrinking.

What do the readers say?
“To me, this book is perfect. The more I think about it – and I do think about it a lot – the more I understand. The more I understand, the more I appreciate it. Its gentle beauty, its insightfulness and sensitivity in handling such incredibly difficult subjects, its message – everything about it is perfect. The writing style (so lyrical, so transcendental, so compelling), the literary references, the complexity and all the underlying themes and messages… You don’t always see all these things right away, you don’t always catch what passes between the lines, but later on, when you go back and think about certain events, the meaning of certain thoughts and conversations, it really hits you hard and renders you speechless. It knocks the air out of you, quite literally.”Evie Seo, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer

vigilante-poets-amazon

Ethan and his three best friends study at Selwyn Arts Academy – which, unfortunately, has been hijacked by the reality-television show For Art’s Sake. The four secretly pen a long poem in the tradition of Ezra Pound, in an attempt to protest the show and start a rebellion. But those who control the show are smarter than they seem, and as Ethan and his friends realize how deep the betrayal runs, it’s up to them and a heroic gerbil called Baconnaise to save the academy.

What do the readers say?
“I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this book, but — without spoiling the ending — it’s not one of those books where everything gets tied up in neat little ribbons at the end. The narrator very much stays in character, and even in epilogue, he can only tell us about things within his scope of knowledge — and within his limited awareness.”Avid Reader, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

the-geography-amazon

Lucy, who lives on the twenty-fourth floor, and Owen, who lives in the basement, meet in the middle – stuck between two floors of an apartment building, their elevator stopped because of a blackout all over New York City. By the time they’re rescued, they’ve spent enough time with each other to want to spend the rest of the night wandering around the streets of Manhattan, the stars above them. But when the power is restored, so do the two return to their lives – Lucy, to move abroad with her parents, Owen to the west with his father. The two may be separated physically, but they keep sending postcards to each other, e-mails, and phone calls, to stay in touch. As time goes on, the odds seem to be against the two, who wish to find a way to reunite.

What do the readers say?
“A huge aspect of this story that I adored was how the parents of our main characters were painted. I think that it’s become a common (and hated) young adult cliche to have bad parents in stories…  I loved seeing Lucy and her mother begin to foster a true mother-daughter relationship. I also loved reading scenes with Owen and his Dad. Owen’s father suffered really badly in the first half of the book, but watching him come to terms with the early passing of his wife and begin to be a father once again to Owen, his only son who loves him more than life itself, was genuinely touching. It was very realistic and I applaud Smith for making such solid families with believable emotional struggles.”Lili’s Reflections, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

This Is Not A Love Story by Suki Fleet

this-is-not-a-love-story

Fifteen-year-old Romeo’s mother leaves one day, never to return, and that’s when he finds that he’s homeless and desperately trying to survive on the streets. He’s mute, terrified, and vulnerable, and his silence becomes a signal for other kids to beat him up. He escapes one of these beatings thanks to a boy who rescues him and pledges to take care of him. Now this boy, Julian, is about two years older than Romeo and a runaway from an abusive home, and taking care of Romeo becomes his new purpose in life, his hope. But something inside him is destroying him, and he begins to doubt his own strength. The two must stay with each other to protect each other, to help each other find their strengths, and to not let their love story turn into a Shakespearean tragedy.

What do the readers say?
“I don’t know where to begin. A beautiful story of survival and devotion doesn’t even begin to cover it. My heart just kept breaking and breaking. The streets of London, yeah, I can’t even begin to imagine what living on the streets would be like, but Fleet’s novel does give us a good idea. Dear lord. Such a beautiful story of love and hope in the midst of grime, drugs, violence…and as an artist I loved the main character communicating his love through his drawings.”story lover, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

solitaire-amazon

Tori Spring’s interests are simple. She loves sleeping and she likes blogging, and she’s had friends before she had to face university exams and applications. Things were different before, but today, Tori’s life is not like the life she’s had. But then she meets Solitaire, and Michael holden, and she doesn’t really know what Solitaire is trying to do. And that she really doesn’t care about Michael Holden.

What do the readers say?
“Alice Oseman took care too develop all of the characters to the extent where they felt like real, complex people who had lives outside of the events of this book. They were incredibly realistic, and there was so much character development! It wasn’t just for the main character, but for almost all recurring characters. At certain points, I had some disagreements with Tori… but I managed to get past them remarkably easily and could still relate with Tori. Even if you are nothing like her, I think that you will still completely understand her character!”Ashley, Amazon user. [Review from Amazon]

That’s it for this list! Can you suggest other great contemporary YA books published in the year 2014? Let us know!

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True Blue by Luanne Rice | I’m Loving ♥ Books

The Devil to Pay by Maria Zannini | I’m Loving ♥ Books

Divergent

Fever

House of Night