Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Cath isn't just an average fan of the popular series, Simon Snow. For Cath, being a fan is her life. Both her and her twin sister, Wren, spent hours reading and writing their own stories about Gemma T. Leslie's characters when they were little. They were at every book event and movie opening in costume and they spent the majority of their time in Simon Snow forums. Escaping into the world of mages helped them cope with their mother leaving. But now that Cat and Wren are older, it's time for them to move on and start their lives in college. Wren has moved on from their obsession, but Cath can't seem to let go. After Wren broke the news to Cath that she would not be her roommate, Cath is on her own for the first time. She is completely out of her comfort zone always being surrounded by her surly roommate and her too friendly, always smiling boyfriend. She is overwhelmed when her writing professor tells her that fan fiction is not writing but basically plagiarizing and with a handsome boy who only ever wants to talk about words. All the while she cannot stop worrying about her workaholic dad and how alone he is. Cath has to overcome many trials in order to grow up. She may have to learn to give her twin space, learn to finally live her life, and maybe even leave Simon Snow behind.

Being a person with an avid obsession with Harry Potter and multiple other series, I really related to this story. I think anyone who really loves something can look at this story and also relate to it. Cath embodies a girl who is scared to death of the real world and would rather live in a fiction world. This novel really does a great job showing what it feels like to be a "fangirl." The novel also addresses a very popular writing style that not too many people know about, fan fiction. Throughout the novel you see Cath grow through both her actions and her writing. There's so many twists and turns throughout the story and you will feel your emotions twist and turn with it. I truly fell in love with all the characters and flew through the pages of this book in one night. 

If You Liked This One Check Out: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider, This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

As Anna looks forward to her final year of high school in Atlanta, Georgia, her father flips her world upside down and sends her away to Paris. Normally, Anna would be thrilled to go on such an amazing adventure but, she would be leaving behind a good job, her best friend and a could be boyfriend. She doesn't arrive in Paris with high hopes-until she meets Etienne St. Clair. He seems like the perfect boy, a British accent, a French-American background, and an instant connection with Anna. However, she learns that he is taken, and maybe Anna could be too if anything with the boy back home develops. She and St. Clair are in the most romantic city in the world, but can all their near-misses and almost moments add up to something more?

Don't let the girly title fool you. I was wary of checking out this book and reading it because of the title and the cover. This book truly brings meaning to the phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover." Written from Anna's point of view, you can experience Paris through her eyes. When Anna meets St. Clair and starts to fall in love with him, so do you. It's a novel that can show you what happens when you open yourself up to new experiences and adventures. I don't believe this book is completely centered around Anna's relationship with St. Clair or even with her other new friends, but it is focused on how she changes. She adjusts to a new place with foreign culture and language, and she's all on her own for the first time. Normally, I try to stay away from such romance novels, but this one felt very different. You fall in love with the characters, the setting, and the story itself.

If You Liked This One Check Out: The Statistical Probability of Falling in Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith, The Future of Us by Jay Asher, 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson, Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Because of all of the unsuccessful marriages her mother has been (five to be exact) eighteen-year-old Remy doesn't exactly believe in a love that can last. Dexter, a quirky musician crashes into her life and changes everything. Not only did she say she would never fell in love, she also said she would never fall in love with a musician. Remy and Dexter go through the ups and downs of a complicated, "no commitment" relationship. Her past looms over her as well. She falls asleep to "This Lullaby" on most nights. It's the song her father had written for her before he passed away. Remy is dealing with her family issues, her father's death, and the possibility that she might be falling in love.

Not only do I absolutely love anything written by Sarah Dessen but I’d have to deem this one my absolute favorite. As soon as I started flipping through the first few pages I felt myself fall in love with the character, who, ironically, is reluctant to fall in love… if that even exists. As soon as you start reading about Remy, you have an automatic connection with her. When Dexter, the dorky band member comes into the picture you can’t help but to root for him, hoping he gets her in the end. After reading this, I still dream about a guy like Dexter. I only wish that I could reread this book more often.

Books Like This One: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by David Levithan, Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin