Books like The Kissing Booth

A high-energy, trope-tastic dive into the thrilling angst of a forbidden high school crush. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The Kissing Booth.

swoony
angsty
energetic

01
Eleanor & Park
Rainbow Rowell
A tender, mixtape-fueled exploration of first love that feels as visceral and fragile as a bruised heart.
Shares:
- earnest
- first love
02
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
A sleepless, music-fueled sprint through neon-lit streets in search of the perfect song and a sudden, unexpected connection.
Shares:
- angsty
- earnest
03
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:
- swoony
- earnest
04
Boy Meets Boy
David Levithan · 2006
A joyful, utopian queer rom-com that feels like a warm hug and a confetti cannon going off at the same time.
Shares:
- earnest
- first love
05
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:
- earnest
06
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Jenny Han
A cozy, pastel-tinted daydream about the terrifying thrill of letting your real feelings out into the world.
Shares:
- earnest
- first love
- coming of age
07
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:
- earnest
- first love
- coming of age
08
Body Check
Elle Kennedy
A steamy, high-energy romance where a single night of rebellion sparks a passionate campaign for forever.
Shares:
- swoony
- energetic
- earnest
- playful
09
Anna and the French Kiss
Stephanie Perkins
A cinematic, banter-filled love letter to Paris and the dizzying, agonizing thrill of an all-consuming crush.
Shares:
- swoony
- conversational
- earnest
- coming of age
10
How to Be Popular
Meg Cabot
A bubbly, laugh-out-loud exploration of high school social climbing that proves the best version of yourself is usually the one you left behind.
Shares:
- conversational
11
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:
- swoony
- earnest
- first love
12
Two Boys Kissing
David Levithan
A tender, generation-spanning embrace that connects the ghosts of the past to the defiant joy of the present.
Shares:
- earnest
- first love

Back to The Kissing Booth