I’m a big, big fan of YA contemporary books. Over the years, I fell for the genre, the characters, these beautiful, emotional, real stories melted my heart. I also noticed that, as I found what I love more and more, that I now have some must-reads YA contemporary authors on my list. You know, these writers you’ll read anything and everything from, because you just love their work so much? This list is about them.
Before getting started, here are two little notes for you:
- At the time I’m making this list, I’m writing down authors I’ve read TWO, at least, books from.
- Of course, this list will grow as I read more books, too! Please recommend me your favorites!!
This blog post contains affiliate links. If you buy something on my recommendation, I will receive a small commission. Purchasing via these links will not cost you any extra and will help me cover the costs of book blogging. You will find more info on my privacy policy and disclaimer pages. Thank you!
My must-reads YA contemporary authors
Laura Silverman
I fell for Laura Silverman’s books early in my book blogging career. I found out, thanks to book bloggers, her debut, Girl Out of the Water and, oh, damn, how I fell for it, I remember some of the words of this book echoing deep inside of me. I cherished these characters and, as soon as I finished the book, was eager to read more from Laura. Once I did, I went from surprises to surprises, falling for the incredibly thoughtful (and real, aouch) anxiety representation in You Asked For Perfect to the bookish fun romance of Recommended For You.
I adore every character Laura crafts and she is an author I’ll follow for YEARS to come.
❤️ My Favorite Laura Silverman Book
You Asked For Perfect
Ariel’s always put a whole damn lot of pressure on himself to be valedictorian, to get into Harvard, to be the very best. When he fails at a test, he turns to Amir for help. This is an intense, incredible story about school pressure, anxiety and overachievers and I love it.
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
📚 Other Laura Silverman’s YA Books To Add To Your TBR
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Rachel Lynn Solomon
I first read Our Year of Maybe by Rachel Lynn Solomon, back in late 2018 and I felt like I’d been slapped in the face. In a good way, though. This book was everything I’d ever dreamed of writing. The complex childhood friendship growing/feelings, the family vibes, EVERYTHING about it, I just, was so moved by it, I immediately knew I had to read more by this author.
I was never disappointed, falling for the fun academic enemies-to-lovers in Today, Tonight Tomorrow and the soft romance of We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This, just as well. There’s something about her books that just make me feel happy.
❤️ My Favorite Rachel Lynn Solomon Book
Our Year of Maybe
Our Year of Maybe is about an all-consuming friendship between two childhood best friends. When Sophie donates a kidney to Peter, her best friend, it’s an easy choice to make for the one she’s always loved. Afterwards, though, their relationship slowly changes… An incredible, emotional, beautiful story about friendship and growing up.
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Other Rachel Lynn Solomon’s YA Books To Add To Your TBR
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Morgan Matson
I can’t remember when, exactly, I fell for Morgan Matson’s books. I feel like they’ve been with me for so many years now, the stories and characters following me through years of my life. I remember that I first read Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour and that was one of the books that made me feel, like, damn. Where has these kind of books been all my life. An excellent YA contemporary with a road trip, an old family friend and a whole lot of baggage.
I loved this one so much, and, book after book, Morgan Matson became one of my to-go-to author if I needed a feel-good book. Well, except from Second Chance Summer, of course, because that one BROKE ME.
❤️ My Favorite Morgan Matson Book
The Unexpected Everything
When a scandal throws every carefully planned plan Andie has ever made, she finds herself back in the same house with her Dad, spending her summer walking dogs. What good can come from the unexpected? The Unexpected Everything is such a fun, heartwarming book with incredible groups of friends, romance and family ties. A feel-good summery book for sure!
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Morgan Matson’s YA Books To Add To Your TBR
Find the book on: Amazon
Find the book on: Amazon
Find the book on: Amazon
Find the book on: Amazon
Find the book on: Amazon
Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
If you’ve never read my blog before, hello, I’m a Wibbroka fan.
I first read Austin & Emily’s debut, Always Never Yours, back when it released and, damn. I felt like I stumbled upon gold. I adored the way their main character was bold, unapologetically herself and I just loved this voice -well, their voices-, building bold, fun, incredible contemporaries that make you happy and yet don’t shy away from tackling tough, important themes all at once. I’ve read everything they wrote since then and will always do, I just adore their work!
❤️ My Favorite Book
If I’m Being Honest
We too rarely read books from the Mean Girl point of view and If I’m Being Honest felt just like that. Cameron’s the queen bee, the bitch of her high school and she’s known for always telling the truth, no matter how much it hurts. When she wants to win her crush over, she resolves to try and tame herself… I loved the main character SO much (even if yes, she might be a bit unlikeable) and the themes of finding yourself and being true to yourself, too.
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Other Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka YA Books To Add To Your TBR
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Jenn Bennett
I feel like Jenn Bennett is a must-read YA contemporary author for a lot of people out there and, to be honest: I’m glad she is and I understand why. If I had to make a list of my top-comfort reads, her books would certainly find their place there.
I discovered Jenn Bennett’s books thanks to book blogging a little while ago and I quickly KNEW I’d have to read all of her books. They have SO much heart, such endearing characters, soft romances that makes you swoon and yet, always completed with complex family issues, friendships and more. Some of my favorite contemporary books to date.
❤️ My Favorite Jenn Bennett Book
Chasing Lucky
Josie’s spent her life traveling with her single mother, so when she returns back to her hometown in New England to help running the family bookstore, she knows she won’t stay forever. A run-in with her childhood best friend turned bad boy, a scandal at a party and a whole lot of secrets later, she’s not so sure what she wants anymore… Small town setting, childhood friends trope, complex family ties: this has EVERYTHING I love!
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Other Jenn Bennett YA Books To Add To Your TBR
Find the book on Amazon
Find the book on Amazon
Find the book on Amazon
Find the book on Amazon
Find the book on Amazon
Laura Taylor Namey
I discovered Laura Taylor Namey’s books really recently and it was like, instant crush. The Library of Lost Things found its way on my TBR, in my physical copies and I devoured it, falling for this soft, quiet YA contemporary that made my heart burst with happiness. I knew there and then I’d have to read more from this author. I just can’t wait for her to release ALL THE BOOKS.
❤️ My Favorite Laura Taylor Namey Book
A Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea and Tomorrow
Lila had her entire life all mapped out, until the Trifecta happened. Worried about their daughter’s mental health, Lila’s parents decide to send her to Winchester, England for the summer… a place she never, ever, ever expects to fall for and to turn everything she’d ever thought she wanted completely upside down. This book feels like a hug, it’s about finding a home, finding yourself, what you want and where you belong and I adore it okay.
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Other Laura Taylor Namey YA Books To Add To Your TBR
Kara McDowell
Just for Clicks, Kara McDowell’s debut, sounded like the kind of book I’d LOVE to write, someday. Twin sisters and social media stars with a famous blogging mom? Exactly the kind of book I dig! This story was my very first encounter with Kara’s work and, well. She’s on this list, so needless to say that I really, really fell for it and my feelings only grew stronger as I read One Way or Another. Somehow, Kara McDowell manages to see deep into my soul and tackles all the themes I need to read about. I can’t wait to read absolutely everything Kara writes.
❤️ My Favorite Kara McDowell Book
One Way Or Another
Paige lives with a terrible fear of making the wrong decision, so she avoids making any kind of decision at all. When faced with two different choices to spend her Christmas vacation, she’s paralyzed by indecision. Fate steps in, allowing her to live the two different outcomes… This was such a fun, heartwarming kind of read with anxiety representation that felt absolutely on point, for me. I loved it!
Find the book on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
Other Kara McDowell YA Books To Add To Your TBR
Buy on: Amazon
Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
For more YA book recommendations, check out these blog posts:
- 2022 Contemporary Romance Books I Can’t Wait To Read
- 10 underrated ya contemporary books to add to your TBR
- My Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2022
📌 Pin My Must-Read YA Contemporary Authors on Pinterest!
Enjoyed this list? Please consider supporting my work by ordering yourself a little book through my affiliate links. No extra cost and a brand new book to read for you!
What are some of your favorite authors? Give me your recommendations so I can add them to my TBR please?
Did you read any of these books? I’d LOVE to hear from you in comments!!
Twitter ☂️ Bookstagram ☂️Goodreads ☂️ Bloglovin’ ☂️ Support the blog
Subscribe to the newsletter for more book recommendations, exclusive intl giveaways, behind the scenes and more:
I love Morgan Matson!
Ah yay, I love her too so much! 🙂
Amazing list! I enjoyed Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon.
I loved that one so much as well! I hope you’ll get a chance to read her YA books 🙂
All my yesses for Solomon! I do need to read EVERYTHING she writes now, ahah — though my absolute love is tied between we can’t keep meeting like this & today tonight tomorrow.
Would you believe I actually haven’t gotten to the rest of the authors on the list? 😅 LOTS of them is on my pile however.. I just didn’t reached them yet, ahah
YAY I’m so glad you agree! She’s a fantastic author and I can’t wait to read everything she writes, next.
I hope you’ll get a chance to read these other authors soon, Kristina, I’d LOVE to know what you think of them 🙂
I was wondering why Weather Girl wasn’t mentioned but the I remembered it’s a YA list!! Hahaha Great post in general though. I love spotlights like this!
Ahah yes, I would have mentioned it otherwise, I really liked it as well! Thank you so much Kat <3
Ohh I loved this Contemporary author guide!! ❤️ I also love Laura Silverman (You Asked For Perfect is my favorite as well) and Rachel Lynn Solomon (I need to read more of her books! My favorite is Today Tonight Tomorrow, but I liked Weather Girl too) 🥰 I liked Morgan Matson’s Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour when I read it last summer ☀️ Among my favorite YA Contemporary Authors are Jen Wilde, Holly Bourne, Angie Thomas and Sandhya Menon 😊
Oh thank you so, so much Caro! I LOVE Jen Wilde’s books as well, yes, can’t wait to read more from her! <3
Jenn Bennett is one of mine as well!! I love her books so much! I also highly enjoyed Jamie Pacton’s two YA books, The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly & Lucky Girl. She’s writing a fantasy next which I’m really excited for! And Alice Oseman! She’s probably my #1 auto-buy author when it comes to YA contemporaries 🙂
Ohh Jamie Pacton’s books are both on my TBR, they sound really good! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed them, I’ll have to read them soon 🙂
YES! Can’t believe I didn’t mention Alice Oseman, I love her work! I still have to read Loveless though 🙈
If I’m Being Honest and You Asked for Perfect are my favorite books from the authors you mentioned, but I’ve yet to check their other books. I remember Alex Approximately being my favorite book the year I read it, but idk why I never check the author other books…
Thanks for the list, Marie!
Ah yay! I hope you’ll read more from these authors, I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of the books 🙂
Thank you so much!
i love how so many of these books have become your brand! (especially wibbroka haha) laura taylor namey’s books look so cute and i hope i can read her stuff at one point, i trust your taste in ya contemporaries so much <3
Ahh thank you so much! I hope you’ll love Laura Taylor Namey’s books, they’re all so fantastic so far! And thank you, this means so, so much 🥺🥺🥺
I retired as a high school librarian five years ago and I am ashamed to say that I’ve only read one of these authors, sigh. John Green is a must-read YA author for me.
My discussion questions centers around books that arrived on the scene in your life at just the right moment. A review of Ordinary Grace with a discussion question
Ahh yes, John Green’s a must 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment!
I have read all of these authors and most of these books. Jenn Bennett and Rachel Lynn Solomon are my favorites from the list, but all these authors earned high marks from me.
Aah yay! So happy you agree with this list! <3
I’ve read some of these but not all of them. I’ll definitely need to check out Laura Taylor Namey!
Ahhh yes you should, Nicole! I love her books, they’re all fantastic!