Youth is an emotional whirlwind, and nothing captures that quite like Young Adult Contemporary Romance and Young Adult Romantasy. From high school halls to high fantasy, these stories vary in their settings – either anchored in the here and now or soaring through fantastical realms – but they both kindle the same spark of first love and longing.

Whether navigating the awkwardness of love at first sight, learning to move on from heartbreak, changing the narrative from rivalry to falling in love, accidentally falling for real during a pretend romance, friendships toeing the line between just friends and the possibility of something more, and other meet cutes, these Contemporary Romance stories reflect what it’s like to fall in love as a young adult. Set against a backdrop of the real world, these realistic fiction books are relatable in their depiction of emotions (the anxieties of new love, butterflies of crushes, the devastation of heartbreak, and the sweetness of finding the real thing) that come with growing up and falling in love. These deeply relatable stories prove that no matter the town, time of year, school, cultural background, or color of the characters’ skin, love is both universal and worth exploring.

While Romantasy follows some of the same tropes as Contemporary Romance, it spins these familiar emotions into a very different lore. These stories focus on star crossed lovers, fantastic stories of mystical court dramas, rebellions and political intrigue, forbidden love (humans, fae, vampires, and more), fated prophecies, ruthless ambition, blood thirsty revenge, or brutal trials that take both courage and sacrifice — all tied into finding profound love along the way. Each set in their own otherworldly magical realm, these fantasy stories centered around romantic relationships have slow burns that make the romantic connections all the more unforgettable when it finally happens.

Summer is the perfect time to read romance. Whether you’re experiencing your own love story, longing to find love, or simply soaking up summer vibes, these stories offer escape, emotional richness, characters that resonate, and feelings that accompany the summer heat. Ultimately, no matter if you choose realistic or fantastical romance, these books will make you swoon.