Books like Shug

A tender, bittersweet snapshot of the exact moment when childhood friendships begin to change and the world suddenly feels too big. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Shug.

bittersweet
nostalgic
sun-warmed
tender

01
The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy
Jenny Han
A sun-drenched, nostalgic dive into the messy, bittersweet ache of growing up and falling in love at the beach.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- nostalgic
- earnest
02
Dumplin'
Julie Murphy
A big-hearted, Dolly Parton-fueled anthem about taking up space and finding the courage to be unapologetically yourself.
Shares:
- nostalgic
03
Fifteen
Beverly Cleary · 1996
A warm, nostalgic time capsule of teenage butterflies, awkward phone calls, and the gentle growing pains of a first crush.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- first crushes
04
P.S. I Still Love You
Jenny Han
A cozy, emotionally tender exploration of what happens after the happily-ever-after, wrapped in the scent of freshly baked snickerdoodles.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- tender
- earnest
05
Second Chance Summer
Morgan Matson
A bittersweet, sun-drenched summer of rekindled love and inevitable goodbyes.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- nostalgic
- tender
- earnest
06
Seventeen and in Between
Barthe DeClements · 1984
An earnest, nostalgic journey through the messy intersection of lingering childhood insecurities and the complicated dawn of young adulthood.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- tender
- earnest
07
Someone Like You
Sarah Dessen · 1998
A tender, bittersweet exploration of how the fierce loyalty of best friends can anchor you when the world suddenly tilts on its axis.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- tender
- earnest
08
P.S. I like you
Kasie West
A sweet, banter-filled exploration of falling in love with someone's words before you know their face.
Shares:
- earnest
09
Cherry Crush Cathy Cassidy
Cathy Cassidy
A sun-drenched, chocolate-scented exploration of the messy, bittersweet thrill of first love and finding your place in a brand-new family.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- earnest
10
Since You've Been Gone
Morgan Matson
A sun-drenched, playlist-fueled summer of stepping out of your comfort zone and finding out who you are when nobody else is looking.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- nostalgic
- earnest
11
That Summer
Sarah Dessen · 1996
A bittersweet, sun-drenched exploration of the summer when childhood ends and the messy reality of growing up begins.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- nostalgic
- earnest
- wistful
12
Best Friends
Shannon Hale
A deeply relatable, visually expressive journey through the emotional rollercoaster of middle school social politics.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- tender
- earnest

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