Books like 'Absolute Beginners'
Readers who enjoyed Absolute Beginners by S.J. Hooks also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary funny young adult forbidden love sweet-hero college new adult age difference sassy heroine teacher-hero
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My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 Volume 4 by Mashiro
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsCould this be love? The fourth volume of the award-winning manga that inspired the anime My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999. Thanks to Yamada’s attentive care, Akane is recovering from her sudden illness. The experience has made her realize she can’t keep hiding the truth—what she feels for Yamada is more than just friendship...Categorized as:
new adult age difference contemporary young adult humor friends to lovers length-short -
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999, Vol. 4 by Mashiro
Could this be love? The fourth volume of the award-winning manga that inspired the anime My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999. Thanks to Yamada’s attentive care, Akane is recovering from her sudden illness. The experience has made her realize she can’t keep hiding the truth—what she feels for Yamada is more than just friendship... -
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Paradise Kiss, Vol. 4 by Ai Yazawa
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsWhen Yukari is asked to be the runway model for the clothing label Paradise Kiss, her life is turned upside down as she juggles college and career. -
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... -
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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? ! -
Paradise Kiss, Vol. 3 by Ai Yazawa
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsWhen Yukari is asked to be the runway model for the clothing label Paradise Kiss, her life is turned upside down as she juggles college and career. -
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... -
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999, Vol. 1 by Mashiro
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsThe award-winning manga that inspired the anime My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999. Sometimes love is like an endgame boss. College student Akane has just been dumped by her boyfriend. Heartbroken, she decides to quit the online RPG they used to play together—but instead of deleting her account, she logs in and battles low-level enemies to relieve her stress and hurt feelings... -
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 Volume 3 by Mashiro
Love level-up in progress . . . The third volume of the award-winning manga that inspired the anime My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999. Akane’s feelings for Yamada continue to grow as he proves to be a considerate and reliable friend on- and offline, but she’s starting to overthink everything she does around him... -
山田くんとLv999の恋をする 1 [Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru 1] by Mashiro, ましろ
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 30 ratings私の恋はネトゲで終わりネトゲで始まる! ? 彼氏をネットゲームで知り合った他の女に取られた茜。ストレス発散に雑魚モンスターを狩っていると、ギルドメンバーのアフロ男・山田に声をかけられる。同じギルメンの誼でフラれたことを愚痴るも、山田は無表情で「興味ない」とそっけない返事。挙句に「狩場を譲れ」と言う山田に「これだからゲームする男なんて!」とキレる茜だったが、好きなゲームをフラれっぱなしでやめられないと一念発起。ネトゲのリアルイベントが開催されることを知った茜は元彼に会えるかも……とお洒落をして会場に乗り込むが、元彼の横には新しい彼女の姿が……。直後、人混みに押され転んでしまった茜に手を差し伸べたのは超イケメンの黒髪男子。しかしそんなイケメンの無愛想な態度と「興味ない」という言葉で頭に浮かんだのはあのアフロ頭のアバター……この眼の前にいるイケメンこそあの山田だった!... -
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 Volume 2 by Mashiro
Can in-game friendship level-up to something more in real life? The second volume of the award-winning manga that inspired the anime My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999. After college student Akane was dumped by her boyfriend, she met Yamada, a handsome high school boy and pro gamer, while playing an online RPG... -
Skip Beat! , Vol. 7: Includes vols. 19, 20 & 21 by Yoshiki Nakamura
Rated: 4.62 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen Kyoko’s heart is broken, she decides that revenge is a dish best served in the spotlight! Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol... -
Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Vol. 3 by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsCHIC COUNTER-ATTACK. Inari, the aggressive vixen of redevelopment, ramps up her efforts to buy out Amamizu-kan, where Tsukimi and her friends live... -
The Complete Jessica Darling Series: Sloppy Firsts, Second Helpings, Charmed Thirds, Fourth Comings, Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsGrowing Up Can Be Perfect in Its Imperfection. The Jessica Darling series chronicles one young woman’s coming-of-age in the first decade of the 21st century. Over five books and ten years, Jessica Darling fumbles her way into adulthood... -
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Takane & Hana, Vol. 10 by Yuki Shiwasu
When Hana’s childhood friend Okamon confesses that he’s in love with her, Hana goes into a total panic! Can she possibly return his feelings? And once Takane finds out, all bets are off on how he’ll react to the news!Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine young adult contemporary humor length-short m-f high-school -
某某 A Certain Someone by Mu Su Li, 木苏里
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 14 ratings盛望搬进了白马弄堂的祖屋院子,一并搬进来的还有他爸正在交往的女人。. 他爸指着那个女人的儿子对他说:叫哥。. 桀骜不驯吃软不吃硬的制冷机(攻)x自认很金贵的懒蛋小少爷(受). 盛望:我笔直。. 江添:我恐同。. 校园文,1v1+he. Sheng Wang moved into his ancestral home at White Horse Lane, along with the woman that his father was presently seeing. His dad pointed at that woman’s son and said to him: Call him ge (older brother)... -
Daytime Shooting Star, Vol. 5 by Mika Yamamori, やまもり三香
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 28 ratingsOptimistic high schooler Suzume moves to Tokyo and finds her heart caught between two men! After arriving in Tokyo to live with her uncle, Suzume collapses in a nearby park where she had once seen a shooting star during the day. A handsome stranger brings her to her new home and tells her they’ll meet again... -
Daytime Shooting Star, Vol. 11 by Mika Yamamori, やまもり三香
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsSuzume has moved to Tokyo and is living with her uncle. Mr. Shishio once again declares his love to Suzume, but this time around she can’t find it in her heart to trust his words. Instead she chooses to focus on strengthening her relationship with Mamura. But when Mr. Shishio and Mamura face off in a relay race for Sports Day, just who will Suzume root for? -
Princess Jellyfish Vol. 5 by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsTHE BUSINESS OF LOVE With the help of Amars and their savvy new ally Nisha, Tsukimi’s jellyfish designs are slowly taking shape as a real clothing line... -
Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 5 by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsTHE BUSINESS OF LOVE With the help of Amars and their savvy new ally Nisha, Tsukimi’s jellyfish designs are slowly taking shape as a real clothing line... -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 6 by Yuki Shiwasu
Takane is suddenly confronted with a major crisis when his grandfather, the chairman of the Takaba Group, strips him of his wealth! When Takane instantly goes from being super rich to penniless, how will Hana deal with a dejected Takane who has lost everything?Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine young adult contemporary humor length-short christmas m-f -
A Side Character's Love Story, Vol. 5 by Akane Tamura, Chris Burgener
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsWhat does it mean to go out with someone? Suddenly, the things you couldn't do when you were friends are now possible, and the love, respect, and gratitude you have for one another grows ever stronger. With no manual in hand to guide them, Tanaka and Irie steadily grow closer. Perhaps they'll find the answers they seek between themselves. -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 7 by Yuki Shiwasu
Stripped of his wealth and now penniless, Takane has to learn to cope with being poor. He refuses any help from Hana, but she isn’t about to let him brush her off! Takane is as difficult as ever, but Hana sticks by him. Will she finally admit she has feelings for him?Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine young adult contemporary humor length-short m-f high-school -
Anti-Stepbrother by Tijan
He told me to 'settle, girl. '. He asked if 'something was wrong with me? '. He said I was an ‘easy target. ’. That was within minutes when I first met Caden Banks. I labeled him an *sshole, but he was more than that. Arrogant. Smug. Alpha. He was also to-die-for gorgeous, and my stepbrother’s fraternity brother...Categorized as:
new adult college sassy heroine forbidden love sweet-hero suspense contemporary alpha male -
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The Connection by Adriana Locke, Ashley Amigoni
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsHe was the bad boy she didn't need. She was the exception to his rules. When Jada Stanley and Cane Alexander met, it was lust at first sight. As much as they fought it, it became so much more. Now that they've stopped fighting it and made their own rules, a little respite is needed. Las Vegas is the destination of choice. Despite what they say, not everything that happens in Vegas stays there... -
Princess Jellyfish Vol. 2 by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsTHE LONG-AWAITED STORY OF FANGIRLS TAKING ON TOKYO! Special large-size 2-in-1 edition of over 400 pages! "One of the best anime and manga for beginners. Enthusiasm – geeky and otherwise – is power in Princess Jellyfish. Enthusiasm saves the day and paves the road to the future... -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 8 by Yuki Shiwasu
Valentine’s Day rolls around, and Hana wonders what she should give Takane even as she struggles to hide her feelings from him. Meanwhile, Hana’s father poses a question to Takane—exactly how long is he planning to continue his arranged marriage relationship with Hana?Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine young adult contemporary humor length-short m-f high-school -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 9 by Yuki Shiwasu
Hana’s father makes the deal of a lifetime and moves the Nonomura family into a huge mansion… But what the Nonomuras didn’t plan on was Takane moving in with them! Just how are Takane and Hana going to adjust to living together? -
Giant Days, Vol. 7 (Giant Days (Single Issues) #25-28) by John Allison
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsEsther, Susan, and Daisy continue to face the rigors of young adulthood in this Eisner-nominated series. Fast friends Susan, Daisy, and Esther continue their second year at Sheffield University, and these are formative times, indeed... -
Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet Vol. 5 by Mika Yamamori, やまもり三香
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsAkatsuki Kibikino may be a celebrated novelist, but putting his feelings into words has always been a struggle. Kaneishi’s blatant advances toward Fumi put Akatsuki in the foulest mood—that much is obvious... -
Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet, Vol. 5 by Mika Yamamori, Lys Blakeslee
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsAkatsuki Kibikino may be a celebrated novelist, but putting his feelings into words has always been a struggle. Kaneishi’s blatant advances toward Fumi put Akatsuki in the foulest mood―that much is obvious... -
Orientation by C.M. Stunich
Harem versus harem. How often does one university entertain two coeds with harems of rich boys on their heels? My name is Marnye Reed and this, this is Charlotte Carson. Girl, just call me Chuck. What are the chances? Is it fate? You have five boyfriends; I have five boyfriends...Categorized as:
new adult college reverse harem contemporary young adult poly from hate to love menage -
Pledge by Kandi Steiner
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsIt’s a new year at Palm South University, and a new chapter for Cassie — who’s excited to take her relationship with Grayson to the next level. But when he asks her to make an impossible choice between him and Adam, loyalty will be tested, and hearts will be broken...Categorized as:
new adult college age difference cliffhanger contemporary angst young adult love triangle -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 5 by Yuki Shiwasu
Hana’s usual family Christmas celebration gets canceled, so she feels a bit sad about the prospect of spending Christmas Eve alone. Takane decides to ask Hana out to dinner for that night, but then a beautiful medical school student named Rino shows up declaring her love for Takane! Does this mean Hana has a love rival? !Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine young adult contemporary humor length-short christmas m-f -
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Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Volume 3 by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsTsukimi Kurashita has a strange fascination with jellyfish. She’s loved them from a young age and has carried that love with her to her new life in the big city of Tokyo. There, she resides in Amamizukan, a safe-haven for girl geeks who regularly gush over a range of things from trains to Japanese dolls... -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 3 by Yuki Shiwasu
After her older sister refuses to go to an arranged marriage meeting with Takane Saibara, the heir to a vast business fortune, high schooler Hana Nonomura agrees to be her stand-in to save face for the family...Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine young adult contemporary humor length-short m-f high-school -
Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Volume 7 by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsA BRAND NEW WORLD. In order to save Amamizukan, Tsukimi makes the ultimate sacrifice: She goes to Singapore to work as a designer for Kai’s fashion company... -
Motion by Penny Reid
Forced to lie to protect her sister . . . From the New York Times Bestselling Author, Penny Reid. One week. Home alone. Girl genius. Unrepentant slacker. Big lie. What’s the worst that could happen? Mona is a smart girl and figured everything out a long time ago. She had to. She didn’t have a choice...Categorized as:
new adult forbidden love cliffhanger humor contemporary slow burn forced proximity sweet heroine -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 13 by Yuki Shiwasu
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsWhile Hana contemplates whether or not to take Rino’s advice on matters of the heart, Takane and Okamon duke it out to determine who’s better suited for Hana! With everything on the line, who will win in this no-holds-barred love showdown? -
椿町ロンリープラネット 4 [Tsubaki-chou Lonely Planet 4] by Mika Yamamori, やまもり三香
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 19 ratings暁に抱きしめられたふみ。暁への恋を諦めようとしていたのに──。心は乱れたまま夏休みに突入! 暁と悟郎について京都にいくことに。ところが悟郎が仕事で帰ってしまい京都で2人きり──! ! -
A Side Character's Love Story Vol. 12 by Akane Tamura, 田村茜
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 12 ratings"The long summer is finally at an end, and I've just realized that I don't have much time left as a college student. ". With her job hunt concluded at last, Nobuko accepts a position in Ehime after graduation. Though she enjoys what little time remains of her college life with Hiroki and Fumi, she is constantly plagued with anxiety for the future... -
On His Face by Tabatha Kiss
5 Goals for a Perfect Freshman Year. 1. Learn a new life skill. 2. Get a tattoo. 3. Pay off my car. 4. Enter the Art Fest. Win. 5. Fall in love with a stranger. Yes, I know #5 isn’t technically a goal, but I couldn’t think of anything else. Little did I know, I’d cross it off my vision board two weeks into my first semester at Chicago North University. He was the model in my art class...Categorized as:
new adult college sweet-hero contemporary humor secret-relationship siblings-bff length-medium -
海月姫 2 [Kuragehime 2] by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratings連載開始とともに、各方面で話題騒然! 史上初(? )の「本格腐女子漫画」が発売です☆ 独特のセンス溢れる東村ギャグと切ない恋模様が入り混る! 腐女子軍団「尼~ず」も人気爆発中♪. ディープな趣味を持つ女子(ヲタ☆)の楽園である天水館が立ち退きの危機に! ! クラゲ大好きっ娘の月海も戸惑うなか、ほのかな想いを抱く修を狙う、強力ライバルまで出現! ? ますます錯綜する、ネオ少女漫画! !! (Tsukimi, the Jellyfish otaku, has she fell in love with Shû, the politician big brother of Kuronosuke? The latter suspects it so and it also seems not much like him... -
Princess Jellyfish Vol. 6 by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsLONG DISTANCES In order to save Amamizukan, the girls decide to put up an exhibition of their work. When the Jelly Fish dresses catch the eye of Asia's greatest fashion influencer, Kai, it's not only the dresses that the mogul wants --- it's the designer herself. Tsukimi and the gang are about to get the massive break they need, but at what price. . -
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Takane & Hana, Vol. 4 by Yuki Shiwasu
Summer’s out, but Takane is so busy with work that he doesn’t have much time to spend with Hana! Enter Takane’s new assistant, Eiji Kirigasaki, an efficient helper who gains Takane’s trust and allows Takane to have more free time. Despite all the support he’s providing, however, Kirigasaki might have an ulterior motive that could lead to Takane’s downfall!Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine contemporary young adult humor length-short m-f high-school -
That Wedding by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsMarry the boy next door in this sweet contemporary romance by USA Today Best Selling Author, Jillian Dodd. The gorgeous engagement ring on my finger mimics my happiness. I feel so sparkly, glittery, and full of promise, because I absolutely know he's that boy. The boy I want to marry. My prince. My happily ever after. But then our pastor starts asking lots of questions... -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 2 by Yuki Shiwasu
Hana has to continue to pretend to be her sister after Takane’s grandfather expresses his desire to meet Takane’s prospective marriage partner! But Hana’s totally out of her element at a party hosted by the Takaba Group, the largest conglomerate in Japan! Just how the heck is she supposed to pull this off? !Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine contemporary young adult humor high-school length-short m-f -
Takane & Hana, Vol. 11 by Yuki Shiwasu
Takane gives Hana a surprise kiss on the nose, and now a flustered Hana is dying to know what it means! Meanwhile, Takane’s cousin Yakumo wants to be reacquainted with Takane, but there’s an ominous vibe about him… What exactly is he after?Categorized as:
age difference sassy heroine young adult contemporary humor length-short m-f high-school -
A Perfect Story by Elísabet Benavent
Two heartbroken people from totally different worlds go on a fake-dating vacation of a lifetime. What could possibly go wrong? Margot Ortega always struggled to be the princess in her own fairytale: a successful career, a huge salary, a gorgeous apartment, and a perfect fiancé. But on her wedding day, she suffers a major panic attack and has to call it off... -
Princess Jellyfish 2-in-1 Omnibus, Volume 8 by Akiko Higashimura
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTURNING TIDES. As this modern fairy tale of otaku girls bum-rushing the fashion industry hits its penultimate volume, Kuranosuke charges onwards for Tsukimi's retrieval mission! Hanamori-san also makes his way to Singapore, for less noble reasons, but the biggest showstopper is Shu, who decides to propose. .
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