25 YA Romance Books That Had Me Blushing, Crying, and Smiling

YA romance has a special way of making emotions feel both overwhelming and comforting at the same time. It’s a genre that captures first love, heartbreak, hope, and healing in its purest form, which is why it continues to resonate with so many readers. These stories matter because they remind us that love—whether messy, soft, or complicated—is a deeply human experience that shapes who we become. As a reader, we often turn to YA romance when we want something that feels emotionally real yet comforting. This year, I read 25 YA romance books that made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with fictional characters all over again.

1. Once Upon a Broken Heart

Evangeline Fox has always believed in true love and happy endings, but her world shatters when she discovers the man she loves is about to marry someone else. Heartbroken and desperate, she turns to an unexpected source for help.

She strikes a dangerous bargain with the mysterious Prince of Hearts, agreeing to give him three kisses at times and places of his choosing in exchange for stopping the wedding. What begins as hope quickly turns into something far more perilous.

As Evangeline is drawn deeper into the Prince’s schemes, she realizes that dealing with an immortal comes with hidden costs. Caught between desire, magic, and deception, she must navigate a game where every choice could lead to either a fairytale ending—or a devastating curse.

2. Caraval

Scarlett has spent her entire life trapped on a small island under the rule of her cruel father, dreaming of one day experiencing the magical spectacle known as Caraval. When an unexpected invitation finally arrives just before her arranged marriage, her sister Tella convinces her to seize the chance and escape.

The sisters reach Caraval with the help of a mysterious sailor, but the adventure takes a shocking turn when Tella is abducted by the enigmatic showmaster, Legend. Scarlett soon discovers that this year’s game revolves around finding her sister, with only one winner before time runs out.

Though everyone insists Caraval is only an elaborate performance, Scarlett struggles to separate illusion from reality. As the game grows more dangerous, she must uncover the truth and rescue Tella before the final night changes everything forever.

3. Kingdom of Ash

Aelin Galathynius endures relentless captivity and torture, refusing to surrender despite the unbearable cost. Her unbreakable spirit is all that stands between her enemies and the destruction of everyone she loves.

As Aelin’s allies fight their own battles across Erilea, friendships are tested, sacrifices are made, and long-awaited destinies begin to converge. United, they prepare for a final stand against overwhelming darkness.

In the breathtaking conclusion to the Throne of Glass series, hope rests on courage, loyalty, and the strength to face impossible odds. The fate of a kingdom will be decided in one unforgettable battle.

4. Our Fault

Nick and Noah’s relationship reaches its breaking point as trust, love, and painful memories threaten to pull them apart. What once seemed unshakable is now tested by difficult choices and lingering wounds.

Facing new obstacles and emotional battles, they must decide whether their bond is strong enough to survive or if walking away is the only path to happiness. The past refuses to let go, forcing them to confront everything they’ve endured.

In the gripping finale of the Culpable trilogy, romance, suspense, and heartbreak collide as Nick and Noah search for forgiveness, healing, and the possibility of a new beginning.

5. Finale

Two months after the Fates are unleashed and Legend claims the throne, Tella and Scarlett find themselves caught in a world where love, power, and destiny collide. The aftermath of Caraval brings even greater dangers than the game itself.

As shocking secrets come to light, Tella must choose who deserves her trust, while Scarlett faces an impossible challenge that could change everything. Legend is forced to make a decision that will shape the future of them all.

In the thrilling conclusion to the Caraval trilogy, alliances are tested, hearts are at risk, and the greatest game begins only after the magic of Caraval ends.

6. One of Us Is Lying

Five students from different social circles walk into detention, but only four leave alive when Simon, the creator of the school’s infamous gossip app, is found dead. His mysterious death quickly turns his classmates into the prime suspects.

Each of the remaining students has a secret worth hiding, and the investigation uncovers lies, betrayals, and hidden motives. As suspicion grows, they must uncover the truth before the real killer strikes again.

Blending suspense, mystery, and high school drama, this gripping thriller keeps readers guessing as every secret brings them closer to a shocking revelation.

7. The Prison Healer

Kiva Meridan has survived ten brutal years as the healer in the notorious Zalindov prison, where every day is a fight to stay alive. When the imprisoned Rebel Queen arrives, Kiva is tasked with keeping her alive for a deadly series of elemental trials.

After receiving a secret message from her family, Kiva makes a life-changing choice to take the queen’s place in the impossible Trial by Ordeal. With freedom at stake and no survivor before her, she must face challenges that push her beyond her limits.

As a deadly plague spreads and rebellion stirs within the prison, Kiva uncovers dangerous secrets that could change everything. This gripping fantasy blends magic, suspense, and resilience into an unforgettable adventure.

8. The Hawthorne Legacy

After a shocking revelation, Avery Grambs continues unraveling the mystery behind her unexpected inheritance and the secrets of the powerful Hawthorne family. Every new clue brings more questions about her connection to their fortune.

As hidden truths emerge, Avery finds herself torn between the enigmatic Hawthorne brothers while dangerous enemies close in. With billions at stake, every move could change her future forever.

Packed with twists, family intrigue, romance, and high-stakes suspense, The Hawthorne Legacy delivers a thrilling continuation of Avery’s unforgettable journey.

9. Unravel Me

After escaping Warner’s control, Juliette joins a group of rebels with extraordinary abilities, hoping to use her deadly power to fight against The Reestablishment. Yet questions about her mysterious gift—and Warner’s immunity to it—continue to haunt her.

As Juliette trains alongside new allies, she uncovers shocking truths that challenge everything she believes about herself and the people closest to her. Love, loyalty, and power become increasingly difficult to separate.

Filled with action, romance, and unexpected twists, this gripping sequel expands Juliette’s world as she embraces her strength and prepares for the battles ahead.

10. Us Dark Few

Khalani Kanes has spent her entire life underground, dreaming of the surface until she is falsely imprisoned in the brutal Braderhelm Prison. Trapped among ruthless inmates and unforgiving guards, survival becomes her only goal.

Her greatest obstacle is Takeshi Steele, the feared prison captain determined to crush any hope of escape. As dangerous secrets emerge within the prison walls, Khalani realizes someone is willing to kill to keep the truth hidden.

Blending dystopian suspense, mystery, and slow-burning romance, this gripping story follows Khalani as she fights for freedom and uncovers the secrets that could change her world forever.

11. Glass Sword

Mare Barrow, a Red girl with a deadly Silver power, is now both a weapon and a symbol of rebellion after escaping the royal court. Betrayed by Maven, the boy she once trusted, she is forced to run while the crown brands her an impossibility.

As Mare discovers others like her—Red-and-Silver hybrids—she sets out to build a resistance against a world built on oppression. But every new ally and battle pushes her closer to the darkness she fears becoming.

In this high-stakes sequel to Red Queen, loyalty, power, and vengeance collide as Mare fights to survive without losing herself in the process.

12. Rival Darling

After a painful breakup with the captain of her school’s hockey team, Violet has no intention of trusting another athlete. Determined to show she has moved on, she agrees to a fake relationship with Reed Darling—the feared captain of their biggest rival team. What begins as a simple arrangement soon becomes far more complicated.

Reed’s reputation as a talented player and notorious heartbreaker makes him the last person Violet ever expected to rely on. Yet the more time they spend together, the more she realizes the rumors don’t tell the whole story. Beneath his tough exterior is someone fighting to be understood.

As their fake romance starts to feel genuine, old heartbreaks and new emotions collide. Violet must decide whether to keep living by the rules she created after her past relationship or take a chance on someone who could change everything. In a story filled with rivalry, hockey, and unexpected love, appearances prove to be deceiving.

13. War Storm

As war engulfs the kingdom of Norta, Mare Barrow prepares for one final battle to bring an end to Silver rule and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods. Haunted by betrayal but driven by hope, she must gather unlikely allies and confront the growing conflict that threatens to destroy everything she has fought to protect.

Forced to work alongside former enemies while facing the ruthless King Maven, Mare finds herself caught between loyalty, sacrifice, and the heavy cost of leadership. As powerful armies clash and dangerous alliances are forged, every choice shapes the future of the kingdom and the lives of those she loves.

With the fate of an entire nation hanging in the balance, Mare must embrace her strength and face the greatest challenge of her journey. In this thrilling conclusion to the series, courage, resilience, and sacrifice determine who will survive—and what kind of world will emerge from the ashes of war.

14. The Final Gambit

With only a few weeks remaining before she inherits an unimaginable fortune, Avery Kylie Grambs finds herself under constant public scrutiny while navigating the dangers of life inside Hawthorne House. Surrounded by secrets, shifting loyalties, and mounting pressure, she relies on the Hawthorne brothers as they face every new challenge together.

Just when the finish line seems within reach, the arrival of an unexpected visitor sets off a chain of events that uncovers one final mystery. As hidden truths emerge and a powerful new opponent enters the game, Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are forced into a high-stakes battle of strategy, deception, and wit.

With fortunes, relationships, and lives hanging in the balance, Avery must solve the last puzzle before time runs out. In a world where every secret has consequences, only those clever enough to outplay the game can hope to win.

15. Heartless

Before becoming the feared Queen of Hearts, Catherine dreamed of a life far removed from royalty. Passionate about baking and determined to open her own bakery, she longs to shape her future despite the expectations that she should marry the King of Hearts and become Wonderland’s next queen.

Everything changes when Catherine meets Jest, the charming and mysterious court joker who awakens feelings she has never experienced before. As their secret romance blossoms, she is forced to choose between following her heart and fulfilling the destiny others have planned for her.

Set in the magical world of Wonderland, this enchanting tale explores love, ambition, and the consequences of fate. As dreams collide with duty and danger lurks beneath the kingdom’s whimsical charm, Catherine’s journey reveals how hope, heartbreak, and impossible choices transform an ordinary girl into one of literature’s most unforgettable villains.

16. The Do-Over

After an unforgettable Valentine’s Day ends in heartbreak and humiliation, Emilie unexpectedly wakes up to discover the same disastrous day repeating itself. Trapped in a relentless time loop, she is forced to relive painful moments, including her boyfriend’s repeated betrayal, while searching for a way to break free from the cycle.

As each new attempt offers a chance to make different choices, Emilie begins to see her life—and the people around her—from a fresh perspective. Her unexpected encounters with the mysterious Nick gradually reveal new possibilities, encouraging her to question what she truly wants from love and happiness.

With every repeated Valentine’s Day bringing new lessons, Emilie realizes that second chances are about more than fixing mistakes. She must find the courage to let go of the past, embrace change, and decide who she wants to be before time finally starts moving forward again.

17. Sorcery of Thorns

Raised within the Great Libraries of Austermeer, Elisabeth has spent her life believing that all sorcerers are dangerous. Surrounded by enchanted grimoires capable of transforming into terrifying creatures, she dedicates herself to protecting the kingdom’s most powerful magical secrets. But when a devastating act of sabotage frames her for a terrible crime, everything she has ever believed is called into question.

Forced to seek help from the mysterious sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn and his enigmatic demonic companion, Elisabeth becomes entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy that threatens not only the Great Libraries but the entire kingdom. As danger closes in, unlikely alliances and hidden truths begin to reshape her understanding of magic and those who wield it.

While uncovering long-buried secrets, Elisabeth discovers that her own destiny is far greater than she ever imagined. Filled with magic, mystery, and unforgettable adventure, this fantasy tale explores courage, trust, and the power of challenging everything you’ve been taught to believe.

18. Restore Me

After rising to power and becoming the new Supreme Commander of North America, Juliette Ferrars believes she has finally secured a better future. However, unexpected challenges and devastating revelations soon threaten everything she has fought to achieve, forcing her to confront both external enemies and the doubts within herself.

As political tensions escalate and dangerous forces begin to emerge, Juliette must learn what it truly means to lead. With trusted allies by her side and powerful adversaries closing in, every decision carries consequences that could shape the future of an entire nation.

In a world scarred by conflict and oppression, Juliette’s greatest battle is not only against those who seek power but also against the fears that threaten to consume her. Filled with action, romance, and emotional twists, this installment explores courage, resilience, and the sacrifices required to protect those she loves.

19. Kingdom of the Wicked

After the brutal murder of her twin sister, Emilia is consumed by grief and determined to uncover the truth behind the shocking crime. Desperate for justice, she ventures into a dangerous world of forbidden magic, ancient secrets, and supernatural forces that have long remained hidden from ordinary eyes.

Her search leads her to Wrath, one of the mysterious Princes of Hell, whose motives are as uncertain as the dark legends surrounding him. Though he offers his assistance in solving the string of murders, Emilia soon realizes that trust is a luxury she cannot afford in a world where every alliance may conceal betrayal.

As vengeance, magic, and destiny become deeply intertwined, Emilia must navigate deadly conspiracies and impossible choices that could alter the fate of both the human and supernatural realms. Blending mystery, fantasy, and slow-burning romance, this captivating story explores the cost of revenge and the power of embracing one’s true strength.

20. Fake Skating

After years away, Dani returns to her hometown hoping for a fresh start, only to discover that her childhood best friend, Alec, has become the town’s celebrated hockey star. Hurt by the distance that grew between them, she has no intention of rekindling their friendship—until unexpected circumstances force them to pretend they are a couple.

As their fake relationship brings them closer, old memories begin to resurface and the connection they once shared becomes impossible to ignore. Beneath the playful banter and growing chemistry, both Dani and Alec are carrying unresolved emotions and family struggles that have shaped who they are.

While navigating secrets from the past and the pressures of the present, they must decide whether to keep hiding behind appearances or take a chance on the feelings they’ve buried for years. Sometimes, the road back to first love begins with pretending it never disappeared.

21. Lifebound

When she was five years old, no one believed her story about a mysterious fae boy who saved her life in the forest. Thirteen years later, the impossible becomes reality when the prince’s royal guard arrives with shocking news: the boy was real, and a magical bond forged that day now ties his fate to hers. To save his life, she must journey into the dangerous fae realm.

Thrown into a world where every path hides deadly creatures, political secrets, and ancient magic, her only protector is Rune—a brooding warrior with a dark past and a reputation as dangerous as the shadows he commands. Though cold and distant at first, Rune slowly reveals a loyal and compassionate side that challenges everything she expected.

As feelings grow and the mission becomes more perilous, she discovers that saving a prince is only the beginning of a much greater conflict. With enemies closing in and the fate of the fae kingdom hanging in the balance, she must decide whether she has the courage to embrace the destiny that has been waiting for her all along.

22. Wild Darling

Parker Darling is determined to help the Ransom Devils reclaim their winning form, but his plans are threatened when the team’s new coach refuses to trust him because of a mistake from the past. That same incident also shattered Kenzie Foster’s dream of playing hockey, leaving both of them with unfinished business.

As unexpected circumstances force Parker and Kenzie to work side by side, old grudges slowly give way to mutual understanding. Their constant rivalry, sharp banter, and shared passion for the sport create an undeniable connection that neither of them anticipated.

With the pressure of the season mounting and personal ambitions on the line, Parker and Kenzie must decide whether to let the past define their future or take a chance on trust, teamwork, and a relationship that could change everything.

23. The Gilded Cage

After surviving the horrors of Zalindov prison and the brutal Trial by Ordeal, Kiva Meridan finally escapes to the royal capital, only to discover that freedom comes with its own dangers. Driven for years by the promise of revenge, she soon realizes that the world—and the people she fought to protect—have changed in ways she never expected.

As political tensions rise and rebellion threatens to divide the kingdom, Kiva becomes caught between conflicting loyalties, hidden agendas, and dangerous secrets. Even her own family is no longer as familiar as she remembers, forcing her to question who she can truly trust.

With war looming and impossible choices closing in, Kiva must decide where her allegiance lies before deception destroys everything she has fought to reclaim. In a kingdom where every decision carries a price, survival may demand greater sacrifices than ever before.

24. If Only I Had Told Her

Finn has spent years hiding his true feelings for Autumn, believing that revealing his love would only hurt the people closest to him. As unspoken emotions and difficult choices shape their lives, the bond they share becomes increasingly impossible to ignore, leaving each of them to wonder whether silence can be more painful than the truth.

Told through multiple perspectives, the story explores friendship, first love, heartbreak, and the lasting impact of the decisions left unspoken. While Autumn dreams of writing her own future, life unfolds in unexpected ways, forcing everyone around her to confront loss, hope, and the complexities of growing up.

As past regrets and present realities collide, each character must learn that love is not only about the moments we cherish but also the courage to face what cannot be changed. It is a deeply emotional journey of healing, resilience, and the enduring connections that shape our lives.

25. Defy Me

As shocking revelations unravel everything she believed about her past, Juliette Ferrars is forced to question her identity, her memories, and the truth behind the life she has fought so hard to reclaim. With old enemies still threatening the future, she must confront the painful secrets that have shaped her destiny.

Surrounded by loyal friends and determined allies, Juliette faces a battle that extends beyond the battlefield and into her own mind. As hidden memories begin to surface, she must find the strength to overcome manipulation, embrace who she truly is, and decide what kind of leader she wants to become.

With war approaching and the fate of those she loves hanging in the balance, Juliette must choose between becoming the weapon others created or the warrior she was always meant to be. This action-packed installment blends powerful emotion, gripping suspense, and unforgettable romance as the series moves toward its epic conclusion.