Books like 'The Nobody and the Popular Guy'
Readers who enjoyed The Nobody and the Popular Guy by Julia Keanini also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult high-school sports
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Scarlett and the Kiss Thief by Ivy Smoak
I’ve never been kissed.I know…it’s a huge problem.It all started because I fell in love with my best friend, Axel Stevens. I decided to save my first kiss for him. But…he didn’t fall in love with me back.For the first time in years, he’s finally single though. And I have the perfect plan.I reinvented myself over the summer...Categorized as:
sports high-school new adult humor young adult contemporary friends to lovers glimpses-kisses -
That Promise by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsWhat happens to childhood promises when you grow up?Growing up, Devaney Diamond and Chase Mackenzie promised to go to college together. But it’s been three years since the summer that changed everything between them, and their friendship hasn’t recovered... -
I sold myself to the devil for Vinyls... Pitiful I Know by DarknessAndLight
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsLexi Grayson is a normal teenager, as normal as she can be with her unobserving skills and her overthinking mind. But she might need the overthinking if she wants to unravel the smirking mystery that is Blake Eaton...Categorized as:
high-school sports young adult contemporary from hate to love friends to lovers humor bad boys -
That Summer by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 18 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 sports contemporary young adult friends to lovers angst length-medium m-f -
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Waiting For Spring Vol. 7 by Anashin
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsONE-ON-ONEMitsuki has been working so hard to prepare for the school festival that she passes out from exhaustion. When she wakes up, she finds herself in an unfamiliar bed…It turns out to be Aya who’s come to her rescue, like he always used to...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary basketball love triangle other-man-woman length-short -
Waiting for Spring 12 by Anashin
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWaiting for Spring manga volume 12 features story and art by Anashin. Mizuki is a shy girl who’s about to enter high school, and vows to open herself up to new friendships. Of course, the four stars of the boys’ basketball team weren’t exactly the friends she had in mind! Yet the five quickly hit it off... -
You Don't Have a Shot by Racquel Marie
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA queer YA romance about rival soccer players from author Racquel Marie, perfect for fans of She Drives Me Crazy.Valentina “Vale” Castillo-Green’s life revolves around soccer. Her friends, her future, and her father’s intense expectations are all wrapped up in the beautiful game...Categorized as:
sports high-school contemporary young adult f-f from hate to love queer length-medium -
Man o' War by Cory McCarthy
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAn achingly honest and frequently hilarious coming-of-age novel about an Arab American trans swimmer fighting to keep their head above water in a landlocked Midwestern town.River McIntyre has grown up down the street from Sea Planet, an infamous marine life theme park slowly going out of business in small-town Ohio... -
Waiting for Spring, Vol. 5 by Anashin, あなしん
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsIN CIRCLESSummer vacation is in full swing! When Mitsuki and her friends go to the amusement park together, she’s faced with plenty of romantic date spots and superstitions...Categorized as:
sports high-school contemporary young adult love triangle basketball other-man-woman length-short -
Waiting for Spring, Vol. 8 by Anashin
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsPUPPY LOVE Mitsuki is ecstatic to find out how Towa really feels about her, but some rough patches still lie ahead…As long as Towa is on the basketball team, he’s not allowed to date anyone...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary love triangle basketball other-man-woman length-short -
Waiting For Spring, Vol. 6 by Anashin
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsA MOST FESTIVE RIVALRYIn her efforts to become a more proactive person, Mitsuki has agreed to join the school festival committee. Now she must lead class in putting together a cafe for the day of the big event. Towa has agreed to help her, but his mind is elsewhere...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary love triangle basketball other-man-woman length-short -
Waiting for Spring, Vol. 10 by Anashin
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsA sweet shojo story of a soft-spoken high school freshman and her quest to make friends, Waiting for Spring will delight fans of earnest, fun, and dramatic shojo like Kimi ni Todoke and Say I Love You.IN HOT WATERWith Aya's leg injured, Mitsuki wants nothing more than to see him fully recovered... -
Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 36 ratingsThe GLAAD Award nominated series Fence returns as a graphic novel series as best-selling novelist C.S...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary m-m from hate to love queer found-family -
Waiting for Spring, Vol. 4 by Anashin
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsHOOP DREAMSThe preliminary games begin, and Towa and the squad are all fired up! Mitsuki’s childhood best friend, Aya-chan, is also at the arena playing his best, and the stakes are high...Categorized as:
sports high-school contemporary young adult love triangle basketball other-man-woman length-short -
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Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom, Vol. 5 by Hisaya Nakajo
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsDRAG RACEIt's the final day of the Osaka High School Festival, and two big competitions are still up in the air: the relay race and the cross-dressing pageant! You'd think Mizuki, an actual XX-chromosome girl disguised as a boy at an all-guy high school, would be a better cross-dresser than her classmates, but things are never so easy--and what if winning the contest blows her cover? That might... -
Waiting for Spring, Vol. 9 by Anashin
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsLOVE TRIANGLES The pressure is on now that Aya and Towa have both professed their love to Mitsuki! Fortunately, she has a reliable mentor in Nanase, who is happy to offer what advice she can. But in the course of the conversation, Mitsuki hears some news so troubling that she forgets her own romantic woes..Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary love triangle basketball other-man-woman length-short -
Falling For Who by Erica Lee
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsMarjorie Madden has it all. She’s been out since middle school, is the most popular person in her grade, and according to her friends could get any girl she wants (even the straight ones).Marjorie isn’t interested in dating, though. All of her focus is on becoming a starter on the varsity basketball team and leading her team to victory... -
Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa
A young adult graphic novel about high school wallflower Belle Hawkins, who ends up in a love triangle after tutoring the girlfriend of her crush.High-school senior and notorious wallflower Hawkins finally works up the courage to remove her mascot mask and ask out her longtime crush: Regina Moreno, head cheerleader, academic overachiever, and all-around popular girl... -
The Deceit of a Devil by Holly Renee
Sinless. Stunning. Damaged. Tempting. Allie Taylor had been the girl I hated for as long as I could remember. And now she loathed me just as much. It didn’t matter that I betrayed her to save her. Completely devastated and infuriated by my dishonesty, she had no intentions of ever trusting me again. Her trust was shattered, her hate raging on with each second... -
Michigan vs. the Boys by Carrie S. Allen
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsWhen a determined girl is confronted with the culture of toxic masculinity, it's time to even the score. Michigan Manning lives for hockey, and this is her year to shine. That is, until she gets some crushing news: budget cuts will keep the girls' hockey team off the ice this year. If she wants colleges to notice her, Michigan has to find a way to play... -
Hana-Kimi: For You in Full Blossom, Vol. 3 by Hisaya Nakajo
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsMEN AT WORKIzumi, his friend Nakatsu and our crossdressing heroine Mizuki are hired to work at a beach chalet run by the family of weird school nurse Dr... -
Waiting For Spring Vol. 3 by Anashin
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsCOURTING ON THE COURTMitsuki overcomes some hiccups in her friendship with Towa, and the two grow even closer! But before Mitsuki can celebrate, her old friend Aya is on the offense, vying for her attention. Mitsuki meets a new rival as well, and every day is as busy as every play...Categorized as:
sports high-school contemporary young adult love triangle basketball other-man-woman length-short -
Waiting For Spring Vol. 2 by Anashin
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsUNEXPECTED TURNSAfter hanging out with the four popular members of the basketball team, Mitsuki finds herself surrounded by many new friends. One of the boys from the team, Towa, is in the same class as her, and she can’t help but be stunned by how close they’re becoming... -
Stand-Off by Andrew Smith
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsIt’s his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, he’s haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby team’s stand-off and new captain... -
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High School Debut, Vol. 03 by Kazune Kawahara
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsHopeless Haruna needs help finding a boyfriend! After failing to win the eye of any guy in high school, Haruna enlists the help of cute upperclassman Yoh to coach her on how to make herself more appealing to the male species... -
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 sports young adult contemporary new adult bad boys dual-pov forbidden love -
Waiting for Spring, Vol. 1 by Anashin, あなしん
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsA sweet romantic story of a soft-spoken high school freshman and her quest to make friends, Waiting for Spring will delight fans of earnest, fun, and dramatic shojo like Kimi ni Todoke and Say I Love You.Mizuki is a shy girl who's about to enter high school, and vows to open herself up to new friendships... -
Home Game by Ginger Scott
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsFootball has been my life. Not that I ever had a choice in the matter. When your dad is a retired, future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, the gridiron tends to weave its way into your DNA.I always loved the game, but I could do without the spotlight that comes with being Peyton Johnson, the great Reed Johnson’s daughter...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult from hate to love football athletes contemporary length-medium -
Mars, Vol. 3 by Fuyumi Soryo
Although Kira and Rei are opposites in every way, their bond just keeps getting stronger and stronger. Rei finally trusts Kira enough to take her to the racetrack to watch him ride his beloved motorcycle. Just when Kira and Rei's romance is getting hot and heavy, Rei is called away to ride in the race of his life, the Suzuka 8-endurance... -
Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 20 ratings"What if I played football?" I ask. As soon as it's out of my mouth, I feel stupid. Even suggesting it feels like I've overstepped some kind of invisible line we've all agreed not to discuss. We don't talk about how Mara is different from other girls. We don't talk about how Mara is gay but no one says so...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary f-f from hate to love queer length-medium -
Mars, Vol. 1 by Fuyumi Soryo
Popular Rei and shy Kira are worlds apart, until one fateful day brings them together. Rei stumbles upon Kira in the harassing hands of her sleazy art teacher and saves the quiet girl from his clutches... -
Rebels Don’t Fall for Tomboys by Emma Dalton
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEvery tomboy deserves to score the guy of her dreams.Bailey:I’m the Tomboy. I’ve dreamed of playing quarterback since I was a kid. No one on the football team wants me around, though, and I need to prove to them that I belong.Zane Hastings is the only guy who welcomes me. But when he plays me like a fool, I don’t want anything to do with him...Categorized as:
high-school sports young adult contemporary slow burn from hate to love humor length-long -
Kiss the Quarterback Next Door by Stephanie Street
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsDid you know there were over 155 different ways to kiss? She figured it would only take 5 to teach the quarterback next door a lesson. Jamie Barnes loved kissing girls, no strings attached. Non-committal make-out session? Sign him up. Had he broken a few hearts? Sure. But it wasn't like those girls hadn't known what they were getting into...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult friends to lovers dual-pov new adult contemporary length-short -
The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsFor fans of Sarah Dessen and Mary H.K. Choi, this lyrical and emotionally driven novel follows Alina, a young aspiring dancer who suffers a devastating injury and must face a world without ballet—as well as the darker side of her former dream. Alina Keeler was destined to dance, but then a terrifying fall shatters her leg—and her dreams of a professional ballet career along with it... -
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Sweetheart by Cookie O'Gorman
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsSweetheart (suh-weet-hart): Someone who is kind, friendly, and/or lovable. For reference, see Scarlett Kent.Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Kent likes the idea of love—in theory. She’s just never had time for romance... -
Dangerous Play by Emma Kress
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsA fierce team of girls takes back the night in this propulsive, electrifying, and high-stakes YA debut from Emma KressZoe Alamandar has one goal: win the State Field Hockey Championships and earn a scholarship that will get her the hell out of Central New York. She and her co-captain Ava Cervantes have assembled a fierce team of dedicated girls who will work hard and play by the rules... -
Dare You to Fall for the Catcher by Lacy Andersen
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA little dare never hurt anybody...Running is my life. It’s one of the few things I’m good at and I dominate on the track. But my take-no-prisoners reputation doesn’t scare everyone. There’s still one boy who’s not afraid to get under my skin...Jayden Paul. Catcher of the varsity baseball team. Hottie of the year. And the thorn in my side ever since we kissed in sixth grade (on a silly dare!)...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary from hate to love heroine athlete m-f baseball -
Dear McKinnon by Danielle Keil
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsEveryone knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month. Everyone except new girl McKinnon Gregory.The envelope is the start of a monthly tradition called the Secret Admirers, and something McKinnon never thought she'd see. To her surprise-- and everyone else's-- the teal envelope is taped to her locker on March first... -
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsA poignant, funny, openhearted novel about coming out, first love, and being your one and only best and true self.Julián Luna has a plan for his life: Graduate. Get into UCLA. And have the chance to move away from Corpus Christi, Texas, and the suffocating expectations of others that have forced Jules into an inauthentic life... -
High School Debut, Vol. 02 by Kazune Kawahara
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsHopeless Haruna needs help finding a boyfriend! After failing to win the eye of any guy in high school, Haruna enlists the help of cute upperclassman Yoh to coach her on how to make herself more appealing to the male species. Yoh agrees, with one catch: Haruna had better not fall for him!Haruna begins to develop feelings for Fumiya, Yoh's friend... -
If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsLena Wise is always looking forward to tomorrow, especially at the start of her senior year. She's ready to pack in as much friend time as possible, to finish college applications and to maybe let her childhood best friend Sebastian know how she really feels about him. For Lena, the upcoming year is going to be epic—one of opportunities and chances...Categorized as:
sports high-school contemporary young adult friends to lovers angst new adult length-medium -
Killer Spirit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsSaying Toby Klein is an unlikely cheerleader is like saying Paris Hilton might be into guys--understatement of the year. But the varsity squad at Bayport High gives new meaning to the phrase All-American, and Toby's double life as a varsity cheerleader and a government operative means balancing protocol, pep rallies, computer hacking, and handsprings... -
Unspoken Rules by Eliah Greenwood
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 21 ratings"I lost the fight. I lost her. But I don't care about my promise. I'm chasing that girl... again." Haze Adams and Winter Kingston were supposed to be a done deal. A onetime thing. The notorious street fighter had one goal and one goal only: make the girl fall in love, break her heart to hurt his enemies, and move on to the next best thing. Easy, right? Wrong... -
Making Her Mine by Monica Murphy
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 15 ratingsBeck Callahan.Star defensive Lineman.Most popular boy on campus.One of my best friends.He’s always been off limits because I know a relationship with him could never work. Like, ever. He’s too perfect, too sweet, too good looking. Taking what we have a step further has the potential to ruin everything, and his friendship is too important to me...Categorized as:
sports high-school new adult young adult friends to lovers contemporary m-f virgin heroine -
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The Southern Nights Series by M. Never
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsKamdyn Ellis is the man. Mr. All-Star athlete and resident bad boy. #7 quarterback on the field, and #1 player off. Every guy at school wants to be him, and every girl at school wants to date him. Well, except Laney Summers that is. The sassy city girl is the only one immune to Kam’s clear blue eyes and arsenal of southern charm... -
Namaikizakari 1 by Miyuki Mitsubachi
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsUpon first sight Machida Yuki knows that she doesn’t want anything to do with Naruse Shou, but how can she keep her cool when he is a part of the basketball club she... -
Guys Do Not Do Secret Santa by Miranda Kenneally
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsA Catching Jordan short story (9 months before Catching Jordan...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary christmas friends to lovers length-novella -
Chasing Forever Down by Nikki Chartier
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhen seventeen-year-old Haley Sullivan is dragged to a corporate party with her parents, she's searching for one thing - the nearest exit. Instead, she finds a mysterious stranger who plays by his own rules and chases his own dreams, and he's definitely cute enough to disappear with for the night... -
Shoot The Gap by Jordan Ford
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe final book in a young adult romance series about a small town football team and the girls who win their hearts. Tyler Schumann has always been known as Nelson High’s goofy clown, the guy with the big mouth...Categorized as:
sports high-school young adult contemporary friends to lovers dual-pov length-medium -
Duet Me Not by Lilian Li
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratings“I can be your practice makes perfect.”ASHVIN didn’t mean to join the Penang State Synchronized Swimming team. He didn’t mean to go viral when he jumped into that pool and danced with that girl. It all started as a dare to ask his crush to prom, but all it takes is one dare, one wrong choice, to turn his world upside down...
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