Books like The Boy Next Door (Candy Apple #2)

A sweet, dual-perspective snapshot of the exact moment childhood friendship collides with middle school awkwardness. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The Boy Next Door (Candy Apple #2).

nostalgic
breezy
sweet
innocent

01
The Ghost Next Door
Robert Lawrence Stine
A quintessential suburban ghost story that hides a surprisingly emotional gut-punch beneath its spooky, cliffhanger-driven surface.
Shares:
- nostalgic
02
My life next door
Huntley Fitzpatrick
A sun-drenched summer romance that contrasts the quiet loneliness of a pristine life with the chaotic warmth of the family next door.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
03
Macarons at midnight
Suzanne Nelson
A sugar-dusted, Cinderella-esque tween romance that balances the thrill of a first crush with the warmth of the bakery kitchen.
Shares:
- sweet
- lighthearted
- earnest
- first crushes
04
Flipped
Wendelin Van Draanen
A charming, he-said-she-said exploration of first love and the messy, beautiful process of learning to see people for who they truly are.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- lighthearted
- earnest
05
House Next Door
Richie Tankersley Cusick · 2002
A delightfully eerie blend of vintage teen horror and tragic supernatural romance.
Shares:
- earnest
06
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:
- sweet
- earnest
07
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
- sweet
- innocent
- earnest
08
The fill-in boyfriend
Kasie West
A sweet, trope-driven high school romance where a desperate prom-night lie blossoms into a genuine, swoon-worthy connection.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- sweet
- lighthearted
- earnest
09
Maybe He Just Likes You
Barbara Dee
A deeply validating exploration of middle school boundaries that transforms quiet discomfort into loud, unapologetic empowerment.
Shares:
- earnest
10
Best Friends for Never
Lisi Harrison
A deliciously catty, brand-obsessed plunge into the cutthroat social warfare of wealthy middle schoolers.
Shares:
- nostalgic
11
Sugar And Spice
Lisa Papademetriou
A sweet and relatable slice-of-life about the messy recipe of changing friendships and finding comfort close to home.
Shares:
- sweet
- lighthearted
- earnest
- relatable
12
Making friends
Kristen Gudsnuk
A chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable

Back to The Boy Next Door (Candy Apple #2)