Books like The upside of unrequited

A warm, witty, and deeply relatable exploration of the terrifying leap between crushing from afar and risking your heart in the real world. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The upside of unrequited.

cozy
hopeful
tender
awkward

01
Leah on the offbeat
Becky Albertalli
A sharp-witted, deeply relatable exploration of the messy, terrifying vulnerability required to let your guard down and fall in love.
Shares:
- tender
- wry
- warm
02
Fangirl
Rainbow Rowell
A cozy, anxiety-laced love letter to fandom, first loves, and the terrifying leap of leaving your comfort zone.
Shares:
- cozy
- tender
- earnest
- first love
03
Our own private universe
Robin Talley
A tender, sun-warmed summer romance about stepping out of your own head and into the messy, beautiful reality of first love.
Shares:
- hopeful
- tender
- earnest
- warm
04
Only mostly devastated
Sophie Gonzales
A queer reimagining of a classic summer-nights romance that balances laugh-out-loud banter with the tender ache of real-world grief.
Shares:
- hopeful
- tender
- wry
- earnest
05
What If It's Us
Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
A bustling, Broadway-infused summer romance that asks if the universe actually knows what it is doing when it pushes two opposites together.
Shares:
- hopeful
- earnest
- first love
06
More happy than not
Adam Silvera
A heartbreaking, speculative exploration of whether erasing our deepest pains is worth losing the truth of who we are.
Shares:
- earnest
07
Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel
Sara Farizan
A warm, witty exploration of the sheer panic and ultimate joy of a high school queer awakening.
Shares:
- hopeful
- awkward
- wry
- earnest
08
Holding Up the Universe
Jennifer Niven
A tender, dual-perspective romance about the profound relief of finally being seen for who you truly are.
Shares:
- hopeful
- tender
- earnest
- body acceptance
09
Perfect on Paper
Sophie Gonzales
A sharp, big-hearted rom-com about a know-it-all advice dispenser who has to learn how to take her own medicine.
Shares:
- hopeful
- wry
10
Dumplin'
Julie Murphy
A big-hearted, Dolly Parton-fueled anthem about taking up space and finding the courage to be unapologetically yourself.
Shares:
- wry
- warm
11
The gravity of us
Phil Stamper
A swoony, high-stakes queer romance about finding your anchor when the whole world is watching.
Shares:
- hopeful
- tender
- wry
- earnest
12
The unexpected everything
Morgan Matson
A breezy, big-hearted contemporary read about the messy, beautiful chaos that ensues when perfectly laid plans fall apart.
Shares:
- wry
- earnest
- first love

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