If you loved

Books like The yes girl

A relatable teen romance about the exhausting trap of people-pleasing and the courage it takes to finally say no. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The yes girl.

breezy
anxious
sweet

01
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:
- breezy
- sweet
- earnest
- sympathetic
02
The Popularity Summer
Rosemary Vernon
A sun-drenched exploration of teenage loyalty, shifting social dynamics, and the sweet trials of summer romance.
Shares:
- breezy
- sweet
- earnest
- relatable
03
Beautiful girl
Elisabeth Ogilvie
An earnest, angsty exploration of the isolating burden of beauty and the painful sting of being misunderstood.
Shares:
- earnest
04
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.
Feels:
- lighthearted
- nostalgic
- bubbly
05
Little sister
Yvonne Greene
An earnest high school romance steeped in the sting of sibling rivalry and the struggle to step out of a beautiful older sister's shadow.
Shares:
- earnest
06
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:
- sweet
- earnest
07
Just listen
Sarah Dessen
A quiet, emotionally resonant journey about dropping the facade of perfection to finally speak the truth.
Shares:
- earnest
08
Maybe He Just Likes You
Barbara Dee
A deeply validating exploration of middle school boundaries that transforms quiet discomfort into loud, unapologetic empowerment.
Shares:
- anxious
- earnest
- setting boundaries
09
Making friends
Kristen Gudsnuk
A chaotic, colorful, and deeply relatable magical romp through the awkward transitions of middle school.
Shares:
- earnest
- relatable
10
Dance With Me
Winifred Madison
A sun-drenched summer of tangled affections, cousin rivalry, and the struggle to stay true to your roots.
Shares:
- earnest
11
Loving That O'Connor Boy
Diane Hoh · 1985
A nostalgic, angsty dive into the classic good-girl-meets-misunderstood-bad-boy dynamic, fueled by high school gossip and parental disapproval.
Shares:
- earnest
- sympathetic
12
The earth, my butt, and other big, round things
Carolyn Mackler
A funny, fiercely honest journey of a girl learning to stop shrinking and start taking up the space she deserves.
Shares:
- earnest

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