Hi friends! I hope you all are okay ?
I’m happy to be back again today with another recommendations’ post! It is finally spring here in France and I couldn’t be happier to get more sunshine and sunlight overall, just as well. This time of the year always makes me happier and…
It makes me want to read all the contemporary books.
Okay. That’s a lame excuse, because I ALWAYS want to read all the contemporary books, but well, aerm. (Also let’s face it, we all currently could use all the fluffiness.) Today, I thought I’d recommend some lovely, cosy, heartwarming ya contemporaries you can add to your TBR, read, smile about and come scream with me about afterwards, so… here goes!
? YA contemporary reads I recommend ?
Small Town Hearts, Lillie Vale
Why I recommend it ? If you like small, sea side towns, sand castles, cakes, adorable romances… well you should read Small Town Hearts right away. This book is one of the most heartwarming books I’ve read and I adored the main character, the romance, all the cakes. It was so wonderful.
? find it on goodreads – ? read my review
The Secret of a Heart Note, Stacey Lee
Why I recommend it ? This was my first Stacey Lee book and won’t be the last. It’s a magical read about a main character creating love elixirs and making a mess of things and it’s wonderfully lovely and made me smile and my heart grew bigger while reading this.
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
Everything Leads to You, Nina LaCour
Why I recommend it ? This is about a young set designer in Hollywood, it has a little bit of mystery, strong friendships and a wonderful f/f romance you’ll fall for and it’s the kind of book you want to hug. Read. This.
? find it on goodreads
The Impossibility of Us, Katy Upperman
Why I recommend it ? The Impossibility of Us gave me all the emotions, swoons and tears and I loved it. It has these two, passionate main characters, this coastal village feels, the romance you’ll root for despite all the obstacles and I loved it.
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
Save The Date, Morgan Matson
Why I recommend it ? I love Morgan Matson’s books with all of my heart, I really do. For a cosy, fun read, I’d recommend Save The Date: it has this big, noisy, complicated family and a whole lot of mess, but it also has laughter, emotions and such a lovely romance, too.
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
Going Off Script, Jen Wilde
Why I recommend it ? My favorite Jen Wilde book! Going Off Script had everything I love: a bold, diverse, amazing cast of characters, a Hollywood TV-set and drama, friendships and romance and fighting for what’s right. It’s such a great book!
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
Always Never Yours, Austin Siegemund-Broka & Emily Wibberley
Why I recommend it ? Okay so do I really need to ramble about my favorites again? YES I KIND OF DO. I loved Always Never Yours SO much. I loved the bold main character, wonderful and unapologetic and confident, I loved the slow-burning romance and the complicated family story on the side, too. SUCH! A! PERFECT! READ.
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
Foolish Hearts, Emma Mills
Why I recommend it ? So, I think I could recommend ALL of Emma Mills’ books, because they’re all lovely and cosy and make me happy, but Foolish Hearts is my favorite so far. I loved the girls’ friendship at the heart of the story, the slow-burning friends to lovers romance, the family vibes, it has it all!
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
Starry Eyes, Jenn Bennett
Why I recommend it ? Same as above: I could recommend all of Jenn Bennett’s books, I am a HUGE fan of hers. I think I’m going with Starry Eyes for that one, though. I don’t know, the outdoor adventure and hiking with your former childhood friend whom you have complicated feelings for…. I SHIP! IT!
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
My Life Next Door, Huntley Fitzpatrick
Why I recommend it ? An old one, but a good one, too. My Life Next Door is such an underrated contemporary read. It has this loud, messy family, this slow-burning romance I adored, it’s a fun, heartwarming, emotional read and I loved everything about it.
? find it on goodreads
This Is What It Feels Like, Rebecca Barrow
Why I recommend it ? LOOK AT THIS COVER! Okay. Out of topic. But one of my favorite covers for sure. I loved that this book has at its heart a friendship, a broken friendship, a complicated one but one you can’t help but root for. Each of the characters are wonderful and growing as the story goes on, there’s the softest f/f romance, music and drama and love and I love this book.
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
I Wanna Be Where You Are, Kristina Forest
Why I recommend it ? Another favorite cover of mine and favorite book, too. I Wanna Be Where You Are is a MUST if you’re looking for a cosy, lovely read. It has a passionate main character reaching for her dreams, a neighbor/old childhood friend tagging along for a complicated road trip, it’s fun and heartwarming and swoony and one of my favoritesss!
? find it on goodreads– ? read my review
Do you want to read any of these books? Did you read them already?
What are some heartwarming, adorable books you’d recommend? Let me know in comments!
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I’ve been meaning to read something by Emma Mills for SO long!! Thanks for these recommendations! <3 Definitely the vibe of book that I'll leaning towards right now.
Ahh you’re so welcome Holly, I hope you’ll enjoy these 🙂
I know this won’t surprise you, but I have read almost all of these. Two authors I will always recommend for those seeking warm and fuzzy feel good reads are Bennett and Mills. These books are just perfection for me.
YES! I just love that we read the same books, Sam <3 and I agree, these two authors are my to-go-to for all the fluffy feels <3
I LOVE THAT GIF SO MUCH! OH MY GOSH! That’s literally me in real life ha-ha! Great post! I’m actually working on a similar rec and I spot a few authors that we have in common in our posts ha-ha! Oh! And Happy Easter!
AH okay that’s me too ahah fluffy team ahha <3
Ohhh that's amazing, I can't wait to read your post! <3
Thank you for the recommendations! I am definitely going to check some of these out.
My pleasure! I hope you’ll find some books you’ll love 🙂
Autoboyography- there was lot of refreshing and heartwarming things.
Ohh, I need to check out that one 🙂
I’ve read a few of these, but making notes to read some of the others. I just finished a good YA one — Throw Like a Girl.
Ohh I’ve heard about that one! I’m happy you enjoyed it, I’ll have to add it to my TBR 🙂
So I instantly went and bought the ebook of Starry Eyes, thanks to this post, and I am SO excited to read it! This is a fabulous list and I will absolutely be reading many of the books on here!
Okay so my day is made ahhhhhhh thank you,Jessica! I can’t wait to hear what you think of all of these 😀
We love Save the Date, My Life Next Door and Starry Eyes!
Ahhh yay! So happy you like these 🙂
I loved that I read (or am at least planning to read) the majority of the books in your recommendations list 😉
Ahhh I really need to pick up Emma Mill’s books. All of these books just sound so heartwarming and soft. I hope I’ll be able to pick them up on my library app!! <3
AHH yes I’m so happy to hear that <3 Emma Mills' books are all wonderful, I haven't read them all, but so far, Foolish hearts is my favorite. Can't wait to hear what you think of them! <3
Love this list Marie!
My Life Next Door was such an amazing yet emotional read. I think I may have to do a re-read soon! I also have Save the Date on my TBR which I am trying to battle through during Isolation so hopefully I can pick that up soon!
🙂
Oh thank you so much, Hannah! 🙂
I hope you’ll pick up Save The Date soon, it’s such a fun, entertaining read 🙂
Take care of yourself! <3
Okay these all sound like exactly the comfort reading I need right now. Thank you. All I’d add to this list is some Sarah Dessen ❤
Oh yes of course, Sarah Dessen books would perfectly go on this list too <3
I'm so happy this can help! 🙂
Hoohoo!
From what I can say, these are great recs! Jenn Bennett and Jen Wilde in general write such great books that always manage to make me happy and fill my heart with joy. They are both definitely among my favourite authors!
Oh thank you so, so much Kat, I’m so happy you like these recommendations <3 I adore both Jenn and Jen so much they're incredible writers! 😀
Great list of recommendations! I love contemporaries and you seem to always read them, so you’re my go to person for contemporary recommendations and to keep me updated about them. Haha <3 I have a few of these on my TBR that I need to pick up as soon as possible. I really enjoyed Starry Eyes and Going Off Script though! 🙂
Ahh thank you so much!! <3 <3 I hope you'll read and will love some of these <3
I totally agree, with the nice weather I want to read more fluff than ever! Luckily, all of these are already on my TBR, otherwise I would’ve add them all. I love your recommendations <3
I actually bought Starry Eyes a while ago and I STILL haven't read it. I don't know what's stopping me. Maybe the high expectations?
As I said, love your recommendations and I'm excited to read these books! 🙂
AHH yay! I hope you can read Starry Eyes soon, I promise it’s so, so worth it, it’s such a wonderful read <3 <3
Thank you so, so much! <3
I love seeing My Life Next Door on this list. It’s an oldie but a goodie. I’ve re-read that book on several occasions and each time I love it a little bit more. I still need to read Save the Date, but Morgan Matson is an automatic must have on any contemporary list. Just give me all the feels haha.
Ahh I’m glad you agree! It’s an oldie but an amazing one for sure 🙂
And yes! Morgan Matson is my to-go-to for contemporary reads. I adore her. <3
Small Town Hearts has been on my TBR list for forever! I’m definitely in the mood for cozy contemporaries that will distract me from the current situation we’re in, so this list is a lifesaver. I’ve also been rereading Fangirl and The Upside of Unrequited in order to get those cozy vibes.
Ahhh, I hope you’ll get to read small town hearts soon, I love it so so much <3
Thank you! So happy this list helps 🙂
Wonderful list, Marie!! Thank you so much for sharing another awesome contemporary recommendation post. I’ve been meaning to read Small Town Hearts forever. I also need to pick up Always Never Yours since I loved If I’m Being Honest so much (I will never understand why I chose to read the books in reverse publication order! ?). Starry Eyes and Save the Date are both so cute! I can always count on Morgan Matson and Jenn Bennett to pick me up! Hope you’ve been doing well, love! <3
Thank you so much, Kelly! <3 i hope you'll get to read these books soon, they're all so, so good <3
I hope you've been doing well, too, I'm sending you all the love <3
I’ve wanted to read Everything Leads to You for such a long time now! I’ll have to put it onto my summer TBR since I’m all full up for spring 😀
AH yes! I hope you can read it soon, it’s amazing 🙂
Thank you, Louise!
Loved this list, Marie! You always give the best recommendations ?! Save The Date is the PERFECT spring/summer read, and I loved the family in the book so much ?. It definitely deserves any hype it has! My Life Next Door is one of my favorite contemporaries too! And I don’t remember much about Always Never Yours, but I do remember that I did like it hahaha ?. I still need to read the rest of the books! I’d never heard of This Is What It Feels Like, but it sounds so good ?.
OH thank you, this means so, SO much ahh <3
I'm so happy I could make you discover some new reads, I'm so excited for you to read This is What it Feels like, it's such an underrated, amazing book <3
I love this list so much, Marie! I’ve read a lot of these and sound of them are my absolute favorites. ?I was so happy to see My Life Next Door on your list because I don’t usually see it talked about as much, but it’s genuinely one of the cutest books ever! Definitely perfect for springtime too, especially with the cover. The Impossibility of Us and Small Town Hearts are both near the top of my TBR! They’re never checked in at my library, haha, but I hope to read them soon. Lovely post, as always! <3
Ahh thank you, Olivia! I can’t wait for you to read Small Town Hearts and The Impossibility of Us, I have a feeling you could adore both of them! <3
I’m always looking for fun contemporary recommendations!
Thank you for the awesome post
– Emma 🙂
Oh thank you so much, Emma!! 🙂
I told myself that in 2020 I would expand the genres I read, and YA/Contemporaries are a part of that! Small Town Hearts has definitely caught my attention; I love the small-town seaside vibe. Always Never Yours also sounds great bc of that slow-burning romance!
AH YAY! I can’t wait for you to read these books and I am here if you need more contemporary recommendations <3 <3
I’ve been meaning to start Save The Date for months
Ahh well I hope this is the sign you needed to pick it up sometime soon 😀
Okay okay but you are the literal QUEEN of contemporary recs so thanks for this post, I shall try and check these books out when lockdown ends <3
Ahhhh thank you ahh this means so much <3 I can't wait to hear what you think of these! 😀
I adore I Wanna Be Where You Are and Foolish Hearts – both are so heartwarming and ah, just cute as hell. 🙂 I really want to read Nina LaCour and Stacey Lee’s novels. I read Jen Wilde’s Queens of Geek, so I should definitely read Going Off Script if you say that’s your favorite by her. Great post! 🙂
Ahhhh YAY! I adore both of these books so, so much <3
I feel like Going Off Script has mixed reviews, but I personally adored it so much. I'm a sucker for hollywood settings haha 🙂
Thank you so much! <3
I’m in a big reading slump lately, and I was looking for a sweet reading, and your recommendations seems to be a really good start in my search ! I’ll add some of these in my wish list !
Everything Leads to you was already in it, maybe I’ll pick it sooner than I expected ^^
Thank you for the recs 🙂
Ohhh this makes me so, so happy, thank you so much! <3 I hope you'll find some books you love here 🙂
Wow! These all look like good books! For me, I mostly read the fantasy YA books but I honestly could use a nice cozy read this summer! Thank you for the recommendations, I want to see your reviews but do they have any spoilers in them? 🙂
Ahh I’m happy to help! I hope you’ll love these books 🙂 and no, none of my book reviews have spoilers in them, you can read them safely! 🙂
yessss!!! Foolish Hearts is definitely one of my favorite contemporaries ever ahh!!! 😀 i haven’t read any others from your list, but Everything Leads To You and Always Never Yours sound like books i need ASAP. thank you for this post, contemporaries are exactly what we need to get through these times! <3 <3
Aaaah yes you need these books as soon as you can they ARE AMAZING! 😀
Thank you so, so much <3 <3
ahhh this post was perfect Marie !! Thank you so much for these recommendations, I definitely need to read something comforting at the moment ❤️ The last books I read were the astonishing color of after, summer bird blue and starfish and I think they all became some of my favorite books ( the astonishing color of after is my favorite book ever I think ) but I definitely need something a bit lighter now haha.
Thank you so much for always making me smile with your blog posts and for being so amazing ❤️❤️ I hope you’re having a wonderful day
Oh you’re so, so welcome, I’m so happy you enjoyed this list <3
I LOVE the last books you read ahh I adored them all (except summer bird blue, which is still on my tbr!).
I hope you're having a good day, I'm sending you all the love! <3
I can’t wait for you to read summer bird blue ! It’s sometimes difficult to read but it’s an amazing book, definitely one of the best I ever read and it deals with so many important topics ! It’s definitely one of my favorite books ever haha
sending you lots of hugs and a ton of love ❤️
I’m so, so happy to hear this ahh, I hope I can read it soon <3
Sending you a lot of love as well <3 <3 <3
foolish hearts is on the list and i love to see it ?? and ah i really need to find a copy of going off-script so i can finally read it! i’ve heard amazing things about it, especially from you. and everything leads to you is a perfect rec! i don’t remember much about it, but i do remember how it made me feel warm inside, especially with the romance. great list, marie!! <3
I love foolish hearts so so much ahhh it’s such a great read <3 <3 and same here, I remember having the best feels from reading everything leads to you <3
thank you!!
I’ve read The Impossibility of Us and Starry Eyes (thoroughly enjoyed both), and have most of the others on my TBR (and a few are actually on my shelves here at home). 🙂 Thanks for the suggestions!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ??
Ahhh I’m happy you enjoyed these! I hope you’ll love the others just as much 🙂 thank you!! <3
Totally agree with anything Emma Mills!
Ahh yay! She’s a wonderful writer 😀
These are great recommendations! I loved Starry Eyes, and Always Never yours!
Ahh thank you Raven, happy you liked it 😀
Thank you so much for putting this list together! We surely need some fluff in our lives. Also, I’ve never read a Morgan Matson book and I remember seeing great reviews of her books everywhere, so maybe this Spring might be the time for it. 😀
I’m also super excited for the weather to be nice again, though we have a popular saying that in April, it rains a lot (and so far, it’s true) so I don’t think we’ll get the Spring wether around here for another month or so )):
Ahh thank you! I hope you’ll get to read some of Morgan Matson books sometimes, they’re so wonderful <3
Eep you’ve got me hooked on Small Town Hearts! I’m obsessed with small beachy towns so I’ll definitely check this out!! I also checked out an e-audiobook of Starry Eyes, and I can’t wait for that! ??
AHH yes! I hope you’ll love it, Small Town Hearts is such a great read ?
Oh this is such a great post for these times, I need all the coziness I can get ? I love all of Jen Wilde’s books, they are the ultimate comfort reads to me, especially Queens of Geek ? I also might have to try out Emma Mills, I have heard so many good things about her ?
Ahh yes Jen Wilde’s books are such comfort reads to me, too <3 and I can't wait for you to read emma mills, I have a feeling you'd love these stories 🙂
Great list, Marie! I swear that we all could use some fluffy books these days with everything going on, and I think I might pick up Starry Eyes at your recommendation. I don’t read a lot of contemporary but I think this one will be good!
Thank you so much, Kal! <3 I hope you'll give Starry Eyes a try, it's such a good contemporary read 🙂
The Universe is encouraging me to read it — it’s free this month on Rivetedlit!
AHH yay!! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it 😀
Lots of people seem to be recommending Foolish Hearts to me lately—I definitely need to read that one. I own it, but I can’t seem to locate my copy!!
Ahh damn! I hope it will magically reappear soon, that has to be so frustrating 🙁 it is a great read, I really recommend it 🙂
Always never yours is good 😀 And really want to read small town hearts and everything leads to you.
ahhh hope you’ll get to read both, they’re so wonderful <3
I can’t believe it took me over a month to finally have the time to blog hop and give this post the comment it deserves! I’ve been swamped because of finals, and I was practically unable to blog hop at all! But I was so excited for this post when you mentioned to me that you had it planned, that I just had to comment, even if I am 6 weeks late!
I’ve read 7/12 of the books on this list, and most of them are absolute favorites. I even own a lot of them, which says a lot about how much I love them since I don’t buy books very often. (Although my book hauls through quarantine might have you thinking otherwise!) Starry Eyes, My Life Next Door, and Always Never Yours are all so wonderful! But I love the fact that you included some less popular contemporary books on here as well!
I think The Secret of a Heart Note is super underrated, because it’s so cute, but I only recently started hearing people talk about how adorable it is! When I read it I also wanted to read more Stacey Lee, but I haven’t yet picked up anything else by her, although I’ve heard good things about some of her other books!
And I love Everything Leads to You for so many reasons, but one of them was the fact that I had never really thought about the fact that set design was a career for people. It really expanded my view on all the possible careers that are out there!
Also, I read Small Town Hearts because of you! I remember reading your interview and review for the book, and thinking that the book sounded super cute. So I picked it up and read it last year on vacation over spring break!
Great post! I’m so happy that I had the chance to read it, even if it took me a while!
AH MALKA thank you so much for coming back to this and for sharing your thoughts on my recommendations, ahh you’re so so sweet! <3 <3
I'm so happy you enjoyed these and YES! I so agree with you about Everything Leads to You. I had no idea about set designing and it was so wonderful to discover about it through this bok 🙂
Awwww this makes me so happy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, small town hearts is such a heartwarming read <3
Thank you so, so much!! <3
Of course! I just feel bad that it took me so long! ?
And now every time I see a movie I’m much more aware of the set design ever since I read Everything Leads to You!
Ahh please don’t! I have been so so slow lately, too, I get it ahah, you’re the best. <3 <3