10 of my Best Forbidden Romance YA Books to Read

Delirium, Lauren Olivier

In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Lena is very much looking forward to being cured, having watched love destroy her mother. Until she meets Alex who lives under the government’s radar… It’s an emotional and heartbreaking love story that will leave you breathless and captivated! Go read it now!

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The Wrath & the Dawn, Renée Ahdieh

Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan, is a monster. Each night he takes a new bride only to have a silk cord wrapped around her throat come morning. When Shahrzad’s friend falls victim to Khalid, Shahrzad vows to avenge her and volunteers to be his next bride. But something she never expected happens: Khalid is nothing like what she’d imagined him to be and she soon finds herself falling for him. The chemistry, the longing, all the damn feelings! This story completely melted my heart!

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Uglies, Scott Westerfeld

Tally is about to have the operation that will turn her from a repellent ugly into a stunning pretty. And as a pretty, she’ll be catapulted into a high-tech paradise where her only job is to have fun. But when Tally’s new friend Shay runs away, she learns about a whole new side of the pretty world—and it isn’t very pretty… It has romance, it has action and it’s the first of a terrific series you have to read asap!

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Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. But the world is falling apart and maybe Juliette is exactly the weapon they need. This is an intense and addictive story oozing with romance, full of steamy scenes and with a relationship you will definitely root for!

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An Ember in the Ashes, Sabaa Tahir

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, she decides to ask for help from rebels. In exchange, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy. Soon, Elias and Laia’s destinies become intertwined. Evil government + class divide + forbidden romance = a book that will make your heart race, your toes curl and your head pound.

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Starry Eyes, Jenn Bennett

Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together. The chemistry, the banter, the enemies-to-lovers trope and sex-positive relationship… I was swooning the whole time! A fun and sweet contemporary I definitely recommend!

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The Truth about Forever, Sarah Dessen

Macy has not a lot to look forward to as her boyfriend goes away to camp for the summer. A boring job, some vocabulary drills for the SATs and a silent grief at the traumatic loss of her father. But sometimes, unexpected things can happen… things such as meeting Wes, the kind of boy who could turn her sheltered world upside down. It’s lighthearted, but also grounded and sensitive. If you enjoy a slow-burning romance with deep life issues, this one is definitely for you!

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American Panda, Gloria Chao

Mei is a freshman at MIT and she is on track to fulfill the rest of her predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies. Her parents have sacrified everything for her and she can’t bring herself to tell them that a) she hates germs and b) she has a crush on her classmate who is decidedly not Taiwanese. The story is poignant and funny with a lovely romance and a strong focus on the importance of carving your own path.

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Everything Everything, Nicola Yoon

Madeline has a condition known as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. This means she doesn’t leave her house, hasn’t left her house in fifteen years. But one day, a moving truck arrives and with it…Olly. As she talks to him, her whole world opens up. She starts to want things, to want out of her bubble. She’s falling in love with him and it’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. Beautiful writing, powerful story, rich characters. If you’re an hopeless romantic, this one is meant for you!

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Tokyo Ever After, Emiko Jean

When Izzy discovers that her estanged father is none other than the Crown Prince of Japan, her whole world changes as that means she literally is a princess. She travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But it’s just not that easy to fit in… It’s a royal/bodyguard romance, it’s really really fluffy, and you definitely will fall in love with the scowling but handsome bodyguard. Definitely a book to pick up when you need something heartwarming!

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