As a teenager, I was always on the lookout for the next great YA contemporary romance to dive into. There’s something special about the emotions and relationships that are explored in these books that just speaks to the heart of a teenager. Looking back, there are 22 YA contemporary romances that I wish I had known about when I was a teen. Here are some of the books that would have captured my heart and imagination:

1. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han – This book follows the story of Lara Jean, a high school girl whose secret love letters are accidentally sent out to her past crushes. It’s a sweet and charming read that would have been perfect for my teenage self.

2. “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green – This heartbreaking novel tells the story of Hazel and Augustus, two teens who meet at a cancer support group and fall in love. The emotional depth of the characters and their journey would have resonated with me as a teenager.

3. “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell – This book follows the story of Cath, a fanfiction writer who struggles to navigate college life and her growing feelings for her roommate. As a fangirl myself, I know I would have loved diving into this world.

4. “Anna and the French Kiss” by Stephanie Perkins – This book follows the story of Anna, an American girl who falls for a charming boy at a boarding school in Paris. The romance and setting would have swept me off my feet as a teenager.

5. “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli – This novel tells the story of Simon, a high school boy who navigates coming out as gay while also falling for an anonymous classmate. The humor and heart in this book would have appealed to me as a teen.

6. “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell – This novel follows the unlikely romance between Eleanor, a misfit girl, and Park, a popular boy, as they bond over comic books and mixtapes. The raw emotion and relatable characters would have captivated me as a teen.

7. “The Sun is Also a Star” by Nicola Yoon – This book follows the whirlwind romance between Natasha, a Jamaican immigrant facing deportation, and Daniel, a Korean American boy. The thought-provoking themes and diverse representation would have made this a must-read for me as a teen.

8. “My Life Next Door” by Huntley Fitzpatrick – This novel tells the story of Samantha, a girl from a wealthy family, who falls for Jase, a boy from a large, boisterous family next door. The themes of family and class differences would have intrigued me as a teenager.

9. “The Unexpected Everything” by Morgan Matson – This book follows the story of Andie, a politician’s daughter, who finds unexpected love and friendship during a summer of dog-walking. The charming characters and heartwarming relationships would have made this a favorite read for me as a teen.

10. “When Dimple Met Rishi” by Sandhya Menon – This novel follows the arranged marriage setup between Dimple and Rishi, two Indian American teens with different perspectives on love and tradition. The humor and cultural representation in this book would have made it a standout for me as a teen.

11. “Emergency Contact” by Mary H.K. Choi – This book follows the text message relationship between Penny, a college freshman, and Sam, a struggling writer with a complicated past. The witty banter and deep emotional connection would have hooked me as a teenager.

12. “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon – This novel tells the story of Maddy, a girl with a rare autoimmune disease, who falls for her new neighbor, Olly. The unconventional love story and unique premise would have fascinated me as a teen.

13. “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne – This enemies-to-lovers romance follows the banter-filled relationship between Lucy and Josh, coworkers who can’t stand each other. The tension and chemistry between the characters would have kept me turning the pages as a teenager.

14. “What If It’s Us” by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera – This novel follows the meet-cute between Ben and Arthur, two boys who cross paths in New York City and navigate their budding romance. The sweet and realistic portrayal of young love would have resonated with me as a teen.

15. “Tweet Cute” by Emma Lord – This book follows the online rivalry turned romance between Pepper, a high school junior running her family’s Twitter account, and Jack, the class clown behind a fast-food chain’s social media. The modern twist on a classic enemies-to-lovers trope would have intrigued me as a teenager.

16. “The Kissing Booth” by Beth Reekles – This novel follows the forbidden romance between Elle, a high school junior, and Noah, her best friend’s older brother. The drama and passion in this book would have kept me hooked as a teen.

17. “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” by Jenny Han – This sequel to “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” continues Lara Jean’s romantic journey as she navigates her feelings for two boys: Peter, her fake ex-boyfriend, and John, a childhood crush. The love triangle and emotional depth of the characters would have captivated me as a teenager.

18. “P.S. I Like You” by Kasie West – This book follows the anonymous pen pal relationship between Lily, a high school girl, and a mystery boy who reveals his identity in unexpected ways. The sweet and charming romance would have warmed my heart as a teenager.

19. “The Start of Me and You” by Emery Lord – This novel follows the romance between Paige, a high school girl recovering from a tragic loss, and Max, a boy with his own secrets. The themes of grief and healing would have resonated with me as a teenager.

20. “Love & Gelato” by Jenna Evans Welch – This book follows the summer romance between Lina, a girl who travels to Italy to fulfill her mother’s dying wish, and Ren, a charming local boy. The picturesque setting and emotional journey would have swept me off my feet as a teenager.

21. “Geekerella” by Ashley Poston – This modern retelling of “Cinderella” follows the romance between Elle, a fangirl obsessed with a sci-fi TV show, and Darien, the actor cast as her favorite character. The geeky references and adorable romance would have delighted me as a teen.

22. “Tell Me Three Things” by Julie Buxbaum – This novel follows the anonymous email correspondence between Jessie, a grieving new girl at a prestigious high school, and Somebody Nobody (SN), a mysterious classmate who offers advice and friendship. The heartfelt connections and emotional depth in this book would have touched me as a teenager.

Overall, these 22 YA contemporary romances are the kind of books that teen me would have absolutely loved. The mix of sweet, heartbreaking, and swoon-worthy stories would have captured my heart and stayed with me long after I turned the final page. If you’re a teenager looking for your next great read, I highly recommend checking out these books for a journey through love, friendship, and self-discovery.