Books like 'Children of the River'
Readers who enjoyed Children of the River by Linda Crew also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult m-f multicultural southeast-asian-mc high-school forbidden love war survival shy heroine
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Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 10 by Bisco Hatori
Ever since the day he helped her up after a nasty tumble, Black Magic Club member Reiko Kanazuki has been obsessed with Hunny. She is devoting all her knowledge of the dark arts to curse him and steal his soul. Will the sweetest member of the Host Club fall victim to her spells?Categorized as:
high-school m-f young adult humor contemporary length-short glimpses-kisses sunny hero -
A Sign of Affection, Vol. 1 by Suu Morishita
Yuki is a typical college student, whose world revolves around her friends, social media, and the latest sales. But when a chance encounter on a train leads to her meeting friend-of-a-friend and fellow student Itsuomi-san, her world starts to widen. But even though Itsuomi-kun can speak three languages, sign language isn't one of them...Categorized as:
shy heroine m-f sweet-hero contemporary young adult new adult length-short sweet heroine -
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My Dress-Up Darling, Vol. 2 by Shinichi Fukuda
Wakana Gojou is a fifteen year old high-school boy who was socially traumatized in the past due to his passion for dolls and doll-making. That incident left a mark on him that made him into a social recluse. But one day he was caught talking to his doll by Kitagawa Marin, a sociable gyaru who is perfectly open about her otaku interests -- in short, the complete opposite of him... -
Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 4 by Io Sakisaka, 咲坂伊緒
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 37 ratingsThe popular shojo manga series that was adapted into the Blue Spring Ride anime! Futaba Yoshioka thought all boys were loud and obnoxious until she met Kou Tanaka in junior high. But as soon as she realized she really liked him, he had already moved away because of family issues...Categorized as:
high-school m-f young adult contemporary love triangle other-man-woman length-short tortured hero -
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My Dress-Up Darling, Vol. 3 by Shinichi Fukuda
A loner boy and a flashy girl find common ground via cosplay in this sweet and spicy romcom! Wakana and Marin make it through their very first cosplay event, and not long after, Marin's heart undergoes a change. .. ?! But that's not going to stop her cosplaying! To research their next project, the duo decide to watch the anime it's based on. .. but on screening night, they wind up alone together... -
My Dress-Up Darling, Vol. 6 by Shinichi Fukuda
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsA loner boy and a flashy girl find common ground via cosplay in this sweet and spicy romcom! Ever since he got roped into helping Marin, Wakana has had his world and perceptions expanded by cosplay. In fact, it's even helped him find peace with himself! And that seems to be one of cosplay's superpowers, as Wakana and Marin discover at an Ikebukuro event... -
My Dress-Up Darling, Vol. 8 by Shinichi Fukuda
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsAt their high school’s cultural festival, Marin tackles her first crossplay! While struggling with projecting masculinity in character, she prepares for the festival with the rest of the class. But while Marin is a pro at group activities, Wakana has jitters about his very first time working together with his classmates. Is there a light at the end of his tunnel of nerves and anxiety? !Categorized as:
m-f high-school sweet-hero contemporary humor young adult length-short strong heroine -
My Dress-Up Darling, Vol. 7 by Shinichi Fukuda
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsA loner boy and a flashy girl find common ground via cosplay in this sweet and spicy romcom! Marin's bestie and Wakana's classmate Nowa might seem a little flaky, but the girl has some serious instinct when love is in the air! When she tosses out a bombshell at karaoke by flatly asking Marin and Wakana if they're an item, it sends the two running! But before long, it's cosplay over love, as the...Categorized as:
m-f high-school sweet-hero contemporary humor young adult length-short cheerful heroine -
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
A poignant, heartfelt new novel by the award-nominated author of Together Tea—extolled by the Wall Street Journal as a “moving tale of lost love” and by Shelf Awareness as “a powerful, heartbreaking story”—explores loss, reconciliation, and the quirks of fate. Roya, a dreamy, idealistic teenager living amid the political upheaval of 1953 Tehran, finds a literary oasis in kindly Mr...Categorized as:
multicultural war historical contemporary young adult new adult glimpses-kisses length-medium -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 3 by Mika Yamamori
Yoi Takiguchi is a girl who's called a "prince" because of her beautiful appearance and the stylish way she carries herself. She meets Ichimura-sempai, who is also called a prince at her school and somehow they start a trial relationship... -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Vol. 5 by Mika Yamamori
After a tumultuous trial period, Yoi and Ichimura-sempai finally pour their hearts out at the summer festival, and the two officially start going out. It's uncharted waters now for both teenagers, and while Yoi insists on keeping things at a measured pace, Ichimura-sempai is about ready to dive in headfirst... -
My Love Story!!, Vol. 1 by Kazune Kawahara, Aruko
Takeo Goda is a giant guy with a giant heart. Too bad the girls don’t want him! (They want his good-looking best friend, Sunakawa. ) Used to being on the sidelines, Takeo simply stands tall and accepts his fate. But one day when he saves a girl named Yamato from a harasser on the train, his (love! ) life suddenly takes an incredible turn! Takeo Goda is a GIANT guy with a GIANT heart...Categorized as:
shy heroine sweet-hero contemporary young adult length-short glimpses-kisses japan first-in-series -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Vol. 7 by Mika Yamamori
Swept up by the throes of summer vacation, Ohji finally finds the courage to tell Yoi how he feels. Yoi's affection for Kohaku remains firm in spite of this, but just as things seem to heat up between the young couple, an ill-timed miscommunication has them reeling. As they stumble through many firsts in their romance, can they overcome this latest obstacle…? -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Vol. 4 by Mika Yamamori
Yoi and Ichimura-sempai's experimental dating relationship continues in full swing. Although hesitant at first, Yoi is flustered as she notices her feelings for him develop over time. Meanwhile, it seems Yoi holds a special place in Ichimura-sempai's heart as well, as he gets jealous over a new “prince” working at her part-time job... -
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Say I Love You, Vol. 1 by Kanae Hazuki
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 43 ratingsFRIENDSHIP? FORGET IT! Mei Tachibana has no friends-and she doesn't need them! Ever since her "friends" betrayed her in elementary school, she's sworn off friendship entirely. All it leads to is betrayal and heartbreak, and she's well enough on her own...Categorized as:
high-school m-f young adult contemporary humor length-short virgin heroine first-in-series -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 1 by Mika Yamamori
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsYoi Takiguchi has long legs, a deep voice, and a handsome face. .. in other words, Yoi is such a good-looking guy that most people don't notice or care that she is, in fact, a girl. Indeed, she's had the nickname "Prince" as long as she can remember. That is, until she met Ichimura-senpai. .. the only person who's really seemed to see her for herself... -
Strobe Edge, Vol. 6 by Io Sakisaka
Ren's girlfriend Mayuka takes Ren's feelings for Ninako into consideration and moreover accepts the way she has changed and broke up with Ren, who had been fixated on the promise they made when they were young. Ren continues to reject the confession of girls one after another by elling them that he doesn' intend to get out with anyone at the moment...Categorized as:
high-school m-f young adult contemporary love triangle humor other-man-woman length-short -
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Vol. 1 by Karuho Shiina, Tomo Kimura
Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine. .. for a horror movie . With striking similarities to a haunting movie character--jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor--she's mistakenly called Sadako by those around her. But behind her scary façade is a very misunderstood teenager. Too shy to fit in, all she wants to do is make some friends...Categorized as:
shy heroine high-school sweet-hero young adult clean humor length-short contemporary -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 2 by Mika Yamamori
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsYoi Takiguchi is a girl who's called a "prince" because of her beautiful appearance and the stylish way she carries herself. She had mixed feelings about longing to be like a shojo manga hero. That's when she meets Ichimura-sempai, who is also called a "prince... -
Strobe Edge, Vol. 7 by Io Sakisaka
Being juniors in highschool now, Ninako, Ren and Andou are in the same class They're going to a field trip. Ninako, Ren, Ninako's friend Sayuri dan Ren's friend Yuutarou are in the same group. Ninako can't get closer to Ren because their relationship mow is "just friend". Sayuri and Yuutarou, however, seem to have had something between them in their past...Categorized as:
high-school m-f young adult contemporary love triangle humor other-man-woman length-short -
See Me by Tella Alvarez
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsSee Me by Tella Alvarez. The viral slow-burn romance that will break you—and heal you. Some scars are invisible. Some love stories demand to be seen. Booktok Sensation. Emotional and heart-wrenching. Protective hero. Hurt/comfort. Second chances. Slow burn. Content This book contains themes of sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, depression, and violence. Reader discretion is advised... -
See Me by Tella Alvarez
Rated: 4.47 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsSeren is beginning to lose herself to her own mind, and she knows it. From the outside, you could never tell. She's beautiful, smart, popular. After she's assaulted by someone she once trusted, she begins to fall deeper into the depths of her depression. Her own friends are oblivious to her struggles, except one. If you could even call him a friend... -
Una sfida come te by Katie McGarry
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsOttimi voti, stile impeccabile e una carriera di successo: ecco cosa si aspettano tutti da Rachel Young. Specialmente la sua numerosa e assillante famiglia. Ma nessuno sospetta che dietro quella maschera di perfezione si nasconda una ragazza fragile con una lista interminabile di segreti. Segreti inconfessabili come la passione per la velocità e le auto da corsa...Categorized as:
high-school forbidden love young adult contemporary new adult bad boys dual-pov sports -
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry
Now a major motion picture starring Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson! Goodreads Choice Winner, Best Young Adult Fiction of 2019. In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel that’s perfect for fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, two teens fall in love with just one minor complication—they can’t get within a few feet of each other without risking their lives...Categorized as:
high-school forbidden love m-f young adult contemporary death friends to lovers terminal-illness -
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A Condition Called Love, Vol. 7 by Megumi Morino
Hotaru and Hananoi-kun have been together for half a year now. With every passing day, they grow that much closer. .. and the first summer break of their relationship is right around the corner! Hotaru decides it's time to work on her appearance if she wants to be a good girlfriend for Hananoi-kun. . -
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity 1 by Saka Mikami
Two rival schools stand next door to each one for elite ladies, one for good-for-nothing boys. But one of those boys might just be a naturally chivalrous diamond in the rough, and one of those girls might be a little more open-minded than is proper . .Categorized as:
high-school sweet-hero m-f forbidden love contemporary young adult length-short sweet heroine -
In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Vol. 6 by Mika Yamamori
Though the trial period is over, Yoi and Ichimura-sempai realize that navigating their new relationship will be no easy task. Their friend trip to Kobe reveals they still have a lot of work to do when it comes to being able to voice their own desires while being understanding of their partner's... -
A Condition Called Love, Vol. 4 by Megumi Morino
Hananoi-kun and Hotaru's trial run is over. They're officially boyfriend and girlfriend now! Their first official date leaves Hananoi-kun determined to tell Hotaru how he really feels. .. but before he can, she's got a surprising request for him! -
A Condition Called Love, Vol. 3 by Megumi Morino
Hotaru finally realizes she loves Hananoi-kun. Now she's got to find a way to tell him how she feels! There's just one problem: she's got a new coworker…Yao-kun, her old friend from elementary school! Memories of childhood trauma come rushing back…and Hotaru knows that she's going to have to face them if she ever wants to know what it's like to be in love. -
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
Lara Jean is having the best senior year. And there’s still so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation, and her dad’s wedding to Ms. Rothschild. Then she’ll be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home and bake chocolate chip cookies on the weekends...Categorized as:
multicultural high-school m-f friends to lovers contemporary young adult new adult humor -
A Condition Called Love, Vol. 5 by Megumi Morino, 森野萌
Hotaru Hinase and her boyfriend, Hananoi-kun, prepare for the beginning of their second year of high school. .. and their feelings for each other grow stronger by the day. Just as Hananoi-kun begins to show signs that he's ready to come out of his shell, Yao-kun, his rival in love, discovers his secret. .. and he's determined to make him come clean to Hotaru. -
A Condition Called Love, Vol. 2 by Megumi Morino
Hotaru is a 16-year-old high school first-year who has always been ambivalent about love. .. but somehow or another, she's found herself going out with Hananoi-kun, the pretty boy from the class down the hall who, as it turns out, is a little too romantic for his own good... -
That Summer by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsDevaney Diamond’s summer break was shaping up to be the best one ever. Her longtime crush was finally interested in her, and by the time school rolled around in the fall, she knew he’d be her boyfriend...Categorized as:
high-school m-f contemporary young adult friends to lovers angst sports length-medium -
The Wind Blows Backward by Mary Downing Hahn
Although they share a love of poetry and problems with their parents, shy Lauren's attraction to popular Spencer is tempered by her fear of his moody, self-destructive side. ". .. hands down, Girl Book of the Year. "-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.Categorized as:
m-f high-school shy heroine contemporary young adult length-medium open-door 20th century -
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Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhere You See Yourself combines an unforgettable coming-of-age tale, a swoon-worthy romance, and much-needed disability representation in this story about a girl who's determined to follow her dreams...Categorized as:
high-school m-f young adult contemporary disabilities and marks length-medium audiobook standalone -
A Condition Called Love, Vol. 8 by Megumi Morino
As they begin their first summer break since getting together, Hotaru and Hananoi-kun vow to experience even more "firsts" together! But all their plans are derailed when Hananoi-kun's father suddenly returns from overseas! Then, Yao-kun finally admits to his feelings for Hotaru. .. just in time for the two of them to have an intimate moment at the summer festival! -
Runaways by Nicole Dykes
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsRunaways . . . You’ve heard about kids running away, but do we ever truly know why they run? Rae and Law had no choice. Forced to run when life let them down, when it was either leave or be subjected to an unimaginable fate. Can they survive? Two young people, completely alone on the streets with nothing but each other. This is their story...Categorized as:
high-school m-f contemporary young adult friends to lovers found-family standalone standalone-first -
Arabian Nights by Simone Shirazi
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsBlair Bakhtiar always wanted to be royalty. Zayn al-Haydar wanted to be anything but. When one fateful summer brings them together, the two discover that maybe it's not that much better on the other side. .. but the journey there is always full of surprises, with love being the biggest surprise of them all. [Book #2 in the Fairytale Series, but can be read as a standalone...Categorized as:
high-school forbidden love young adult new adult contemporary super rich hero length-long -
My Dress-Up Darling 10 by Shinichi Fukuda
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA loner boy and a flashy girl find common ground via cosplay in this sweet and spicy rom-com! Upon meeting up with Amane-san and his friends at a cosplay event, Marin and Wakana learn about a group cosplay shoot they’re putting together for Coffin , a horror game... -
Unafraid by Melody Grace
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 29 ratings"The first time I saw her, I knew this girl was wilder than any stallion I’d ever trained. She was headstrong, wounded, passionate and free. And I had to have her…". Brittany Ray doesn’t care about her bad reputation. Growing up in a sleepy beach town with a junkie mom and a runaway dad, Brit’s learned the hard way that the people you love will only let you down... -
Glasses with a Chance of Delinquent Vol. 2 by Naruki
NOT LIKE THE OTHER GUYSMomose, who hates delinquents, somehow ended up dating the ex-delinquent, Ichikura. Momose isn't sure if Ichikura-kun actually likes her or if he's just dating her so she won't blab about his past, but she becomes more and more attracted to him as they spend time together. She even sees that he has a kind side to him... -
My Dress-Up Darling 09 by Shinichi Fukuda
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsA loner boy and a flashy girl find common ground via cosplay in this sweet and spicy rom-com! To get the swanky DSLR camera of her dreams, Marin picks up more part-time work! And once she’s scraped up the cash to buy her shiny new gadget, she attends a cosplay event. . -
The Art of Life by Sarah Kay Carter
Jeremy is a devastatingly attractive twenty-one-year-old guy with a secret, who just has to walk into a room and flash his winning smile to melt a girl’s heart. Isabelle,”Izzy”, is a barely noticeable artist, whose home life leaves much to be desired...Categorized as:
high-school m-f shy heroine sweet-hero new adult young adult virgin heroine friends to lovers -
Glasses with a Chance of Delinquent Vol. 3 by Naruki
KEEPING SECRETS JUST TO KEEP YOUMomose should hate delinquents, but she can't stop her heart from pounding from when she's with Ichikura. She becomes even more determined to keep his wild past a secret, but that becomes a lot harder when a new transfer student appears who knows all about Ichikura! Can Momose and Ichikura's budding relationship survive all the secrets and subterfuge? -
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All Over the Map by Lanie Jacobs
The off-limits best friend’s brother trope gets the road trip treatment in this funny and smart YA novel. In the deft style of Emma Lord and Julie Buxbaum, it’s also a deeper novel about the pieces we’re made from and what family really is. High school junior Kendall Barrows is insanely together, smart, and laser-focused on attending NYU when she graduates...Categorized as:
high-school forbidden love m-f young adult contemporary second chances mystery found-family -
L-DK, Vol. 04 by Ayu Watanabe
美少年・柊聖(別フレキャラ人気投票第1位[男の子部門])のお仕置きがカゲキに加速!ラブ・同居ストーリー連発するドキドキのハプニングとワクワク&スリリングな夏のイベントで、いつもより少しだけ近く感じてしまう柊聖との距離。アツすぎる2人の同居生活に、葵のままならぬ恋の行方は……?とまどい揺れる、ひとつ屋根の下・青春ラブストーリー第4巻。. -
Forgiven by J.B. McGee
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsEveryone has a past…good or bad, they are always there. They lurk and linger in the shadows, sometimes reappearing at the most inconvenient times. Gabby and Bradley thought that their pasts would remain dormant, that happiness was theirs for the taking. Still the strongest of relationships can be rocked by the ugliness from a previous life, even if it seems to be a world away... -
Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Vol. 4 by Ayuko Hatta
When Kyoya learns Erika gifted Kusakabe the same sweet she made for him, he loses it—and the pair’s days as a pretend couple are over! Complicating matters, Kusakabe asks Erika out for White Day. But is Erika truly ready to drop Kyoya for good?Categorized as:
m-f high-school length-short contemporary young adult from hate to love japan glimpses-kisses -
The Good Girl & the Bad Boy by M.L. Collins
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhat happens when Jackson High’s Good Girl and Bad Boy are forced to work together? I’ll tell you:. I destroy his guitar. (Accidentally! ). He uses my guilt to trick me into doing his work. For three weeks! Until I find out he lied. Oh, heck no. This bad boy has crossed the wrong girl. I call him out on it. In front of the whole school. Check mate, bad boy. “It feels good to be bad,” he whispers...Categorized as:
high-school m-f young adult contemporary from hate to love new adult humor length-short -
An Appetite for Miracles by Laekan Zea Kemp
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAward-winning author Laekan Zea Kemp’s heart-wrenching novel-in-verse follows two teens who must come together to heal the pain from their pasts, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nicola Yoon...
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