I’m back with another book recommendation post! Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston isn’t YA, but it appeals to a lot of YA readers. But the characters are in their 20s, so it would technically be considered New Adult. However, that genre grouping hasn’t really taken off, so Red, White, & Royal Blue sits in adult romance instead.
Anyway, this is one of my recent favorite books, and Casey McQuiston just released the cover of their new book, One Last Stop, coming out next year. If you’re looking for some fun, humorous books to round out your summer, definitely check out some of these!
Or, if you’re looking for some fantasy recs, check out my recommendations for Carry On here!
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Top Read-a-Likes for Red, White, & Royal Blue
Do you like swoon worthy romance?
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Khai doesn’t feel emotions like love, but his mother is determined to marry him off anyway. Enter Esme, a young mother from Vietnam looking to make a better life for herself. She didn’t expect to fall in love for Khai, but she does. And just maybe, he falls for her too?
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Recently picked as the first Reese’s YA Book Club book, fulfill all your prom dreams in this rom-com! Liz is trying for prom queen in order to win the scholarship. But the only person making it tolerable is her competition, Mack. What Liz didn’t plan on was falling for the competition.
Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi
Penny Lee is going to college, ready for a brand-new start. Sam feels stuck, unsure of how to move forward with his life and dreams. The two meet in a collision of awkwardness, but strike up a texting relationship that slowly starts to turn into something more.
Maybe you’re looking for something British?
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
In order to keep his job, Luc O’Donnell, son of a famous rock star, has to find a respectable boyfriend for his charity’s fundraising event. Enter Oliver: clean, organized, and respectable. It’s the perfect match–until they both start falling for each other.
Heartbreak Boys by Simon James Green
At the beginning of the summer, Jack and Nate find themselves dumped. To make matters worse, their exes are dating each other. In order to make them jealous, they create their own summer highlights reel. But their trip might just help them actually get over their heartbreak–and open themselves for new opportunities.
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
Michael is a mixed-race gay teen growing up in London. He never really feels like he fits into one place or another. This all changes when he discovers drag at college. Finally, he might have a place that he feels he fits in.
Or enemies to lovers?
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Simon Snow is the chosen one, but he’s not very good at it. When his roommate Baz doesn’t return on time for the school year, Simon seems to be the only one who’s worried. Especially with a magic-eating monster on the loose. How is Simon supposed to save the world when he’s distracted by the disappearance of his nemesis?
The Tiger at Midnight by Swati Teerdhala
Esha lost everything when the country was overthrown. Now, she makes them pay as the Viper, a deadly assassin. Kunal is a soldier, never straying from his duty. When both of their paths cross, something is set in motion that neither have full control of.
I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest
Against her mother’s wishes, Chloe decides to drive 200 miles to a dance audition. What she wasn’t planning on was her neighbor, Eli, and his dog tagging along. Chasing her ballet dreams is slightly better with two cute passengers and an awesome road trip playlist.
Are politics more your style?
Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
Jamie is volunteering for his local state senate candidate behind the scenes. There’s no way he’d talk to strangers. At least, until he meets Maya, who’s forced to volunteer in order to earn a car. Though going door to door doesn’t seem glamorous, it isn’t as bad as either Jamie or Maya thought. Especially when they start harboring crushes.
The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert
Marva is so excited to vote in her first election. Duke just wants to get it over with. But when Duke is turned away at the polling place, Maya takes it upon herself to make sure his voice is counted. She didn’t spend all that time volunteering for nothing. The two team up as activists, but find there might be something more there.
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
When Justyce gets pulled over and put in handcuffs after helping a classmate, he starts to think about Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings. Whether or not they still apply. When an off duty cop fires shots into the car with him and his best friend Manny, he realizes they might apply more than he thought.
Or maybe you just want a cute LGBTQ+ romance.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
One morning, Charlie sits next to Nick, a popular rugby player. The two quickly strike up a close friendship. But is there something more there? Charlie is out as gay, but Nick has never felt feelings like this before. Will their friendship turn into something else?
Felix Ever After After by Kacen Callender
Felix Love just wants to be in love. He sees it everywhere, but it’s never happened to him. After being deadnamed and outed at school, he devises a catfishing scheme to catch the culprit. Instead, he finds himself in a sort-of love triangle. And maybe, just maybe, his epic love was in front of him all along.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Yadriel is determined to prove to his family that he’s a brujo. So, he decides to summon the ghost of his missing cousin. Instead, he summons Julian’s ghost. And before he passes on, he has some unfinished buisness to attend to. Yadriel agrees to help him, as long as he’ll pass on when the time comes. What Yadriel doesn’t plan on is falling for a ghost.