Books like 'The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway'
Readers who enjoyed The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult funny curvy heroine nerdy-hero sunny hero shy heroine
-
Heartstopper: Volume Four by Alice Oseman
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fourth volume of HEARTSTOPPER, for fans of The Art of Being Normal, Holly Bourne and Love, Simon.Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends...Categorized as:
sunny hero nerdy-hero young adult contemporary m-m friends to lovers mental illness high-school -
Heartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman
Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Nick has even found the courage to come out to his mom.But coming out isn't something that happens just once, and Nick and Charlie try to figure out when to tell their friends that they're dating. Not being out to their classmates gets even harder during a school trip to Paris...Categorized as:
nerdy-hero sunny hero young adult contemporary m-m friends to lovers high-school bisexual -
Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman
Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie's gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn't. But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family ... and himself...Categorized as:
sunny hero nerdy-hero contemporary young adult m-m high-school friends to lovers bisexual -
Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...?Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn't been too great, but at least he's not being bullied anymore...Categorized as:
sunny hero nerdy-hero young adult contemporary friends to lovers m-m high-school sports -
-
Heartstopper: Volume Five by Alice Oseman
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved HEARTSTOPPER series, featuring gorgeous two-color artwork. Nick and Charlie are in love... -
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 18 by Bisco Hatori
The uproarious comedy about a girl enlisted to work in a lavish host club!Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences rated teen...Categorized as:
sunny hero young adult humor contemporary length-short love triangle friends to lovers high-school -
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 6 by Bisco Hatori
Rated: 4.53 of 5 stars · 46 ratingsIn this sharp-witted romantic comedy about the clash of the classes (of all kinds), a poor girl at a rich kids' school ends up working at the school's toniest club-and gets mistaken for a boy!In this high anticipated title, a kind of cross between HANA-KIMI and BOYS OVER FLOWERS, Haruhi is a scholarship student at an exclusive private school: Ouran High School, where it turns out the...Categorized as:
sunny hero young adult humor contemporary high-school love triangle other-man-woman length-short -
Ninja at First Sight by Penny Reid
What do a cynical former Marine and a sheltered former Olympic contender have in common? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He has a girlfriend and she’s never been kissed. He’s sullenly sarcastic and she’s earnestly empathetic. He can’t stop thinking about her. She knows she should keep her distance...Categorized as:
shy heroine humor military young adult contemporary college alpha male friends to lovers -
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 2 by Bisco Hatori
The school-wide physical exam has thrown the members of the elegant Host Club for a loop. How can the doctor not discover that Haruhi is a girl? And once the female customers learn the turn, Haruhi can kiss her job goodbye. Illustrations. Rated for teens...Categorized as:
sunny hero young adult humor contemporary high-school m-f class difference height-difference -
The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn't a Guy at All Vol. 1 by Sumiko Arai
Fashionable and upbeat high schooler Aya falls head over heels for an employee at a local CD shop. He’s got an air of mystery about him, always dressed well, and has impeccable taste in music... -
The Art of Breathing by T.J. Klune
Tyson Thompson graduated high school at sixteen and left the town of Seafare, Oregon, bound for what he assumed would be bigger and better things. He soon found out the real world has teeth, and he returns to the coast with four years of failure, addiction, and a diagnosis of panic disorder trailing behind him...Categorized as:
nerdy-hero men in uniform abuse second chances young adult tearjerkers humor contemporary -
Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce
When it comes to romance, sometimes it doesn't hurt to play games. A fun YA romcom full of fake dating hijinks!Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway... -
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy… Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction...Categorized as:
curvy heroine shy heroine sports college athletes contemporary fake relationship friends to lovers -
-
I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang
Snarky and romantic, I Hope This Doesn't Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters.Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and a "pleasure to have in class... -
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 sunny hero young adult clean humor high-school length-short contemporary -
Top Secret by Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy
Bestselling authors Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy return with their first Male / Male romance in 3 years.LobsterShorts, 21Jock. Secretly a science geek. Hot AF. LobsterShorts: So. Here goes. For her birthday, my girlfriend wants…a threesome. SinnerThree: Then you’ve come to the right hookup app...Categorized as:
nerdy-hero sunny hero m-m from hate to love new adult college sports super rich hero -
Crushed by Lauren Layne
Lauren Layne’s latest novel about the healing power of redemption tells the story of a crush gone wickedly wrong, proving that what you want isn’t always what you need. Growing up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas...Categorized as:
curvy heroine humor contemporary friends to lovers slow burn secret child college cruel hero -
청춘 블라썸 1 by HONGDUCK, 홍덕
거짓말로 시작된 로맨스, 그리고 봄날의 성장통… 네이버웹툰 인기 연재작!‘좋아한다’는 감정은 언제 시작되어 어디로 흘러갈까? 이 의문에 대한 답을 찾기 위해 그려지는 수많은 이야기 속에 가장 한국적이면서도 보편적인, 그렇지만 뻔하지 않은 작품이 여기에 있다. 『청춘 블라썸』은 봄, 여름, 가을, 겨울 4계절에 빗댄 관계 속에서 다양한 청춘들의 이야기를 담은 작품이다. 이번에 출간된 시즌1 ‘보미의 꽃’ 편은 네 명의 고등학생이 거짓과 오해, 진실이 뒤섞인 상황 속에서 자신과 상대방의 마음을 소중히 여기며 진정한 사랑과 우정을 찾아간다...Categorized as:
shy heroine contemporary high-school humor young adult length-medium glimpses-kisses m-f -
Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
Tilly in Technicolor is Mazey Eddings's sparkling YA debut about two neurodivergent teens who form a connection over the course of a summer.Tilly Twomley is desperate for change. White-knuckling her way through high school with flawed executive functioning has left her burnt out and ready to start fresh...Categorized as:
shy heroine young adult contemporary dual-pov from hate to love humor office friends to lovers -
My Little Monster, Vol. 1 by Robico
Mizutani is a self-absorbed overachiever, concerned only with maintaining the highest grades in school. Haru is an impulsive short tempered brute, who scares everyone with his explosive bursts of violence. Haru gets suspended on the first day of school when he encounters some bullies harassing a student and dispatches the bullies with great bloody violence...Categorized as:
sunny hero young adult contemporary humor high-school length-short m-f grumpy sunshine -
Princess Jellyfish, Vol. 1 by Akiko Higashimura, Yuko K.
Tsukimi Kurashita, fan hardcore de méduses, s’installe à Tokyo avec le projet de devenir illustratrice...Categorized as:
shy heroine contemporary young adult humor length-short sweet heroine poor heroine super rich hero -
This Winter by Alice Oseman
A short story, based on characters from Solitaire – praised as ‘The Catcher in the Rye for the digital age’ — The TimesI used to think that difficult was better than boring, but I know better now …I’m not going to think about the past few months, about Charlie and me, and all of the sad. I’m going to block it all out. Just for today."Happy Christmas," I say...Categorized as:
sunny hero nerdy-hero young adult contemporary christmas mental illness ableism eating disorder -
Curvy Girls Can't Date Bad Boys by Kelsie Stelting
An arranged marriage and a bad boy who breaks all of the rules…My father’s been planning my wedding day for longer than I have. Since I turned seventeen, he’s sent me on date after date with people from the film industry–producers, directors, actors… I’ve dated–and turned down–them all.But Ryde Alexander is the worst... -
-
Capture by Penny Reid
One week. Manhattan apartment. Super-hot ex-boyfriend. …What’s the worst that could happen? It’s been nine months since Kaitlyn Parker has seen or heard from Martin Sandeke—nine months and five stages of matter. She’s lived through the worst of first-love heartbreak, and is most certainly stronger (and less likely to hide in science cabinets) than ever before. But now Martin is back... -
Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies by Kelsie Stelting
He bullied my sister. Now it’s his turn to pay.Ryker is the top of the Emerson Academy food chain, and he uses his power to remind everyone of just how powerless they are.Until now.When I see him picking on the most innocent girl in school for her weight, I snap. Ignoring him is no longer enough. No, my friends and I are going to make him pay... -
The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan
Gray doesn't make friends with women. He has sex with them. Until Ivy. The last thing star tight-end Gray Grayson wants to do is drive his agent's daughter's bubblegum pink car. But he needs the wheels and she's studying abroad. Something he explains when she sends him an irate text to let him know exactly how much pain she'll put him in if he crashes her beloved ride...Categorized as:
sunny hero nerdy-hero athletes contemporary sports friends to lovers new adult pregnancy -
Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsIsabel has one rule: no dating.It's easier--It's safer--It's better----for the other person.She's got issues. She's got secrets. She's got rheumatoid arthritis.But then she meets another sick kid.He's got a chronic illness Isabel's never heard of, something she can't even pronounce. He understands what it means to be sick. He understands her more than her healthy friends...Categorized as:
sunny hero young adult contemporary friends to lovers high-school disabilities and marks humor m-f -
Curvy Girls Can't Date Princes by Kelsie Stelting
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOur foreign exchange student is a prince.A real-life prince. Like of a country. And he’s not one of those ugly ones with big teeth that girls only like because he’s royal. No, he’s hot. On fire. I’m drooling just thinking about him.But that’s the problem, because the only reason my parents took him in is because they don’t think there’s any way a guy like him could crush on a girl like me...Categorized as:
curvy heroine young adult contemporary new adult virgin hero virgin heroine humor length-long -
All I Need is You by M. Malone
ALL I NEED IS YOU is the fourth book in M. Malone's USA TODAY bestselling contemporary romance series: The Alexanders . He'll do whatever it takes to protect her. What he won't do...is fall in love... Kaylee Wilhelm is tired of always being a good, respectful Southern belle. So when the man she loves leaves town after their steamy kiss, she's done...Categorized as:
curvy heroine humor young adult suspense multicultural open-door sweet heroine single-mother -
Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
The Hating Game meets Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by way of Morgan Matson in this unforgettable romantic comedy about two rival overachievers whose relationship completely transforms over the course of twenty-four hours.Today, she hates him. It’s the last day of senior year... -
Right by Jana Aston
My childhood was perfect. I’ve led a charmed life, and I’m not going to blow it now by picking the wrong guy. I’ve got my sights set on my brother’s best friend. He’s known my family for years. He’s reliable and kind and handsome. Sure, he’s been avoiding me since I was six. I’m a bit aggressive for him, maybe...Categorized as:
sunny hero humor new adult alpha male insta-love contemporary super rich hero college -
The Baller by Lulu Moore
My name is Lux Weston and I’m a matter of national security, apparently.All I did was meet a beautiful girl in a bookstore, then rescue her. One… twice… and maybe a third time - from a creeper. The problem? The creeper turned out to be Secret Service, and the girl… well, she’s Radley Andrews - the President’s only daughter. It has disaster written all over it. I should stay away... -
Shopping for a Billionaire's Fiancee by Julia Kent
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsAll of our best dates end up in the emergency room.... I planned the perfect proposal. Plenty of lobster, caviar, champagne and--her favorite--tiramisu. The perfect setting. The perfect woman. The perfect everything. Dad gave me my late mother's engagement ring, platinum and diamonds galore... -
-
Keeping Up Appearances by Elizabeth Stevens
Three's a crowd, but four's a war.Big girl undies? Check.Speech planned? Check.Nerves of steel? Check.A single crush? …not check…?What do you do when you find your best friend/crush kissing your other best friend on the day you were going to declare your feelings for him? You only agree to fake date your crush’s rival...Categorized as:
shy heroine young adult contemporary high-school from hate to love humor friends to lovers sports -
Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren
One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him... -
Wallflower by Cookie O'Gorman
Wallflower (wohl-flou-erh): Identifier for someone who is shy and/or awkward. For reference, see Viola Kent.Seventeen-year-old Viola Kent likes being invisible. Well, not literally, but she's content being a loner, reading her books, and hanging out with the animals at the shelter. She just wants to keep her head down and get through her senior year at Durham High...Categorized as:
shy heroine young adult contemporary high-school sports friends to lovers from hate to love humor -
Variables of Love by M.K. Schiller
Meena Kapoor knows what life has in store for her. She’s in her senior year at Stanford where she’ll graduate summa cum laude, and then she'll begin her interviews…her marriage interviews. Meena is Indian, and she’s never questioned that she’ll have an arranged marriage like all the generations before her. Not until she meets gorgeous math major Ethan Callahan...Categorized as:
shy heroine curvy heroine sunny hero nerdy-hero young adult contemporary virgin heroine college -
Shine Not Burn by Elle Casey
IT HAPPENED IN VEGAS. I can't be held responsible. Things that happen there are supposed to stay there, right? Right? Yeeeah. Not so much. Andie's just days away from tying the knot, but there's just ooooone little glitch. Apparently, she's already married...Categorized as:
curvy heroine humor contemporary insta-love alpha male cheating second chances abuse -
Betting on You by Lynn Painter
From the New York Times bestselling author of Better than the Movies , this swoon-worthy rom-com in the vein of She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You follows a teen girl who unwittingly finds herself at the center of a bet while working at a waterpark... -
The Bachelor on the Shelf by Jana Aston
My name is Carter Sheppard and I actually like Christmas and my Christmas-themed hometown of Reindeer Falls. In fact, when I learn I have to return home in order to collect an inheritance—my uncle’s dog—it puts life into perspective for me.Sure, playing professional baseball is great. But it won’t last forever and every player needs a long-term game plan.And I just found mine...Categorized as:
sunny hero christmas contemporary sports humor insta-love from hate to love alpha male -
Curvy Girls Can't Date Soldiers by Kelsie Stelting
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsHe’s in love with me. The only problem? He thinks I’m someone else.I’ve spent my whole life trying not to get bullied. For my frizzy hair. My freckles. The white patches on my black skin or the gap in my teeth. Not to mention the extra hundred pounds I have on most of my classmates.So when my soldier pen pal wants to see a picture of me, I freak...Categorized as:
curvy heroine shy heroine young adult contemporary military high-school new adult humor -
Heartbreak Boys by Simon James Green
Faking the best summer ever is a lot harder than it looks...At the start of summer, Jack and Nate find themselves dumped as their respective exes, Dylan and Tariq, start up a new relationship together. Not only that, their exes start posting pics on social media, showing the whole world how fabulous their new life together is!Jack and Nate are reeling...Categorized as:
sunny hero nerdy-hero contemporary humor young adult m-m friends to lovers grumpy sunshine -
Ineligible Receiver by Jerica MacMillan
My brother’s best friend is the life of the party. I’m the wilting wallflower. Until now …Having grown up sheltered my entire life, I decide to take life by the horns and live a little when my brother invites me to a party at his house, which also happens to be party central for the Marycliff University football team.A hot guy catches my eye. He’s shirtless and clowning with his friends...Categorized as:
sunny hero sports secret-relationship new adult humor young adult contemporary friends-benefits -
-
I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsThe world of K-Pop has never met a star like this. Debut author Lyla Lee delivers a deliciously fun, thoughtful rom-com celebrating confidence and body positivity—perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Julie Murphy.Skye Shin has heard it all. Fat girls shouldn’t dance. Wear bright colors. Shouldn’t call attention to themselves... -
The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram
When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically. The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure...Categorized as:
shy heroine contemporary friends to lovers bad boys love triangle high-school young adult clean -
More Than Water by Renee Ericson
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsIt doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel wrong. It just...feels. EJ Cunning, an art history major, dates musicians. Foster Blake, a chemical engineering major, can’t sing a tune. They’re not each other’s type. They’re coworkers. Then, one night leads to sex—sex between friends—which leads to an agreement. It all seems so simple—but nothing ever is. Many layers build a person’s facade...Categorized as:
nerdy-hero friends to lovers tortured heroine slow burn college sassy heroine office angst -
Just One Wish by Janette Rallison
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 41 ratingsSeventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it's all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery... -
Here's to Us by Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera
Ben has spent his first year of college working on his fantasy manuscript with his writing partner Mario, who is a great Spanish tutor, and an even better kisser. So why can’t he stop thinking about the fact that Arthur’s back in town two years after they called it quits?Arthur is in New York for a dream internship on Broadway, with a boyfriend back at home that he couldn't be happier with...Categorized as:
nerdy-hero sunny hero young adult contemporary m-m new adult friends to lovers humor -
Mr. Romance by Louisa Masters
When you’re clueless, Mr. Romance can help.CharlieI’m not sure how it happened, but it turns out I’ve unknowingly been dating three people.Friends don’t spoil other friends, apparently. My trust fund means I can afford to, though, and what’s a meal here and there? Or some clothes? Or textbooks? That doesn’t mean we’re dating, right?Others disagree...
Find out more about romance.io.
Get recommendations by genres & tropes
Use the romance book finder to mix and match over 100 content keywords to find the books that match your preferences

Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.