Books like The fill-in boyfriend

A sweet, trope-driven high school romance where a desperate prom-night lie blossoms into a genuine, swoon-worthy connection. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The fill-in boyfriend.

sweet
swoony
nostalgic
tender

01
Pivot point
Kasie West
A high-stakes, parallel-timeline romance that explores the heavy burden of knowing what comes next.
Shares:
- earnest
- romantic
02
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:
- sweet
- swoony
- earnest
- lighthearted
03
The popularity plan
Rosemary Vernon
A sweet, earnest exploration of high school social dynamics, where the thrill of newfound attention clashes with the quiet yearning for a genuine connection.
Shares:
- sweet
- nostalgic
- earnest
- lighthearted
04
The Popularity Summer
Rosemary Vernon
A sun-drenched exploration of teenage loyalty, shifting social dynamics, and the sweet trials of summer romance.
Shares:
- sweet
- nostalgic
- tender
- earnest
05
Dumplin'
Julie Murphy
A big-hearted, Dolly Parton-fueled anthem about taking up space and finding the courage to be unapologetically yourself.
Shares:
- nostalgic
06
What girls are made of
Elana K. Arnold
A raw, blood-and-bone exploration of teenage girlhood that tears down the myth of unconditional love.
Feels:
- aching
- claustrophobic
- provocative
07
I believe in a thing called love
Maurene Goo
A laugh-out-loud, swoony romp about trying to choreograph romance like a television script, only to discover the joy of going off-book.
Shares:
- swoony
- earnest
- lighthearted
08
Second Chance Summer
Morgan Matson
A bittersweet, sun-drenched summer of rekindled love and inevitable goodbyes.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- tender
- earnest
09
Better Than the Movies
Lynn Painter
A cinematic, banter-filled love letter to classic rom-coms that feels like a warm hug and a perfect movie montage rolled into one.
Shares:
- swoony
- nostalgic
- earnest
10
What's hot
Caitlyn Davis
A sun-drenched, low-stakes summer romance that captures the sizzle of a workplace crush over burgers and fries.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- lighthearted
11
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:
- nostalgic
- earnest
- hopeful
12
Nicola and the Viscount
Meg Cabot
A sparkling, humorous romp through London society where glittering first impressions give way to genuine romance.
Shares:
- swoony
- lighthearted
- romantic

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