Books like 'Better Than Before'
Readers who enjoyed Better Than Before by Lynn Painter also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult high-school from hate to love forced proximity
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The Party by Lynn Painter
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsThis is The Party Scene in 'Better than the Movies' from Wes's POV... -
![Basketball Night by Lynn Painter]()
Basketball Night by Lynn Painter
This is Wes's POV of the events that happened at the basketball, their following trip to the ER, and his phone call with Liz after they both got home... -
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![Liz’s Proposal by Lynn Painter]()
Liz’s Proposal by Lynn Painter
This is Wes's POV of the scene where Liz comes to his house to ask him if he can help her get closer to Michael by inviting her to the party... -
![I sold myself to the devil for Vinyls... Pitiful I Know by DarknessAndLight]()
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 from hate to love young adult contemporary friends to lovers humor bad boys sports -
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![That Promise by Jillian Dodd]()
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... -
![ラストゲーム 1 by Shinobu Amano, 天乃 忍]()
ラストゲーム 1 by Shinobu Amano, 天乃 忍
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 33 ratingsHe's rich, he's smart, girls gather around him all the time, and he has always gotten first place on his exams... well, until Kujou transferred in his primary school class... -
![Last Game 01 by Shinobu Amano]()
Last Game 01 by Shinobu Amano
Rated: 4.34 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsHe's rich, he's smart, girls gather around him all the time, and he has always gotten first place on his exams... well, until Kujou transferred in his primary school class... -
![キスよりも早く1 [Kisu Yorimo Hayaku 3] by Meca Tanaka, Kenichi Kusano]()
キスよりも早く1 [Kisu Yorimo Hayaku 3] by Meca Tanaka, Kenichi Kusano
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsLosing their parents, Fumiko and her brother hop from one relative to another. Getting tired of all those movings, she finally decides to quit school and work to support her brother on her own. As they sat on a park bench, her teacher appears in front of her and agrees to her demanding of marrying and supporting both her and her brother!! Is he serious or just playing around.. -
![TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo]()
TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo
A charming rom-com about high school debater TJ Powar who—after becoming the subject of an ugly meme—makes a resolution to stop shaving, plucking, and waxing, and prove that she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful…but soon finds this may be her most difficult debate yet. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary south asian humor length-medium behind-doors -
![Pause by CJustMe, C.J. Adler]()
Pause by CJustMe, C.J. Adler
Rated: 4.65 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAqueela, a dreamer and comedian at heart, has just one joyous vision - to transform lives through the mere power of friendship, friendships so solid that they last a lifetime. However, Jay, pessimistic by nature, is convinced that friends are overrated, and that Aqueela is nothing short of a whackjob with an idealistic perspective on the world. It would seem that he wants nothing to do with her...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love contemporary young adult humor friends to lovers length-epic -
![Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles]()
Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 62 ratingsCarlos Fuentes doesn't want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him in Boulder, Colorado. He wants to keep living on the edge, and carve his own path-just like Alex did. Unfortunately, his ties to a Mexican gang aren't easy to break, and he soon finds himself being set up by a drug lord...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary new adult bad boys dual-pov length-medium -
![Last Game Vol. 1 by Shinobu Amano]()
Last Game Vol. 1 by Shinobu Amano
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsIn elementary school, the rich and spoiled Yanagi Naoto ruled his class in studies and sports. But he suffered the first setback of his life when Kujou Mikoto, a girl from a poor family, transferred to his school and outperformed him at every turn. Reeling from this unforgivable blow to his pride, Naoto decided that he had to make Mikoto lose at something.. -
![Wes Bennett's Vivid Dream by Lynn Painter]()
Wes Bennett's Vivid Dream by Lynn Painter
Wes has a dream about Liz coming to him in her prom dress, telling him he is the one she wants. But then he wakes up... -
![Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad]()
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:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary sports m-m queer found-family -
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![You Don't Have a Shot by Racquel Marie]()
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:
from hate to love high-school contemporary young adult f-f sports queer length-medium -
![Jesse by Sheridan Anne]()
Jesse by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsJesse - Who would have known that the 'three-second rule' had the ability to change it all? I sure as hell didn't. How is it possible that I've gone so long without her in my life? Kaylah Millington is everything a guy could possibly want and I need more. So much more. One word from her smart mouth and I was on my knees, absolutely hooked. There's only one issue..Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love contemporary humor young adult insta-love length-short -
![The Trip by Robin Alexander]()
The Trip by Robin Alexander
Who wants to take a road trip with two old, bickering women and a complete stranger? Not Jill Savoy. She finds herself behind the wheel of her father’s sacred Winnebago anyway, responsible for her grandmother and adopted aunt, both of whom are mischievous teenagers in old bodies, and then there’s Shay. The last thing on Shay Macaluso’s mind was a vacation...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity f-f queer humor contemporary young adult length-short -
![Gay Club! by Simon James Green]()
Gay Club! by Simon James Green
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsA landmark comedic novel about a group of queer teens at their worst - and ultimately their best - from one of the UK's leading writers of LGBTQ+ teen fiction. Barney's a shoo-in for his school's LGBTQ+ Society President at the club's next election. But when the vote is opened up to the entire student body, the whole school starts paying attention...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary m-m friends to lovers humor queer -
![Pieces of You by Jay McLean]()
Pieces of You by Jay McLean
They could’ve been perfect.In another time. Another world.Where his wasn’t falling apart.And hers wasn’t already in pieces.-High school senior Holden Eastwood only has one fear in life: growing up.He spends his days unmotivated, moving from one game to the next, searching for his next challenge...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love forced proximity sports new adult contemporary young adult angst -
![Jackson by Sheridan Anne]()
Jackson by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsElle - He’s the guy with the world against him and I’m the girl they all love to hate. Our reputations suck for two very different reasons and where he’s working to do something about it, I’m working to keep my head down and not draw attention to myself. Falling for Jackson would be a mistake. Falling for him would put me right back in the public eye, somewhere I swore I’d never be again... -
![Tyson by Sheridan Anne]()
Tyson by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsBrylee - It was supposed to be a one-time thing which quickly turned into two, and then three. Don’t ask me how, but now I can't seem count the times on one hand, let alone two. I'm in trouble. I never intended for this to be something more, but he has the ability to keep drawing me back in. He's coming for me. He's always wanted more, but this time, I don't think he's going to let me go... -
![The Smirking Jerk by DarknessAndLight]()
The Smirking Jerk by DarknessAndLight
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 11 ratings“I’m in love with you.” How many times would I have to think about this, how many times, before she could hear it, feel it, see it in my eyes? “I’m in love with you.” How could I make her see without telling her, without scaring her off… without losing her. I couldn’t lose her... -
![Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin]()
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:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary f-f sports queer length-medium -
![The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars]()
The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars
A feel-good, coming-of-age rom-com from debut author Page Powars that follows a trans teen who joins a boyfriend borrowing service masquerading as an Italian Club to prove that he’s one of the guys, especially to its frustratingly handsome leader.Noah Byrd is the perfect boy. At least, that’s what he needs to convince his new classmates of to prove his gender... -
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![The Bad Boy, Cupid & Me by Slim_Shady]()
The Bad Boy, Cupid & Me by Slim_Shady
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsReece smirked, "Trust me Chloe, the Good Girl always falls for the Bad Boy."Chloe Armel is a Good Girl.She never gets in trouble, gets excellent grades and is loved by everyone.Enter Reece.Wild, badass and has an ego that honestly couldn't get any bigger.He gets into fights, breaks every single rule and couldn't care less about the consequences that come with it...Categorized as:
high-school forced proximity from hate to love young adult contemporary bad boys humor new adult -
![The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes]()
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
From the bestselling author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School comes a story in the vein of John Tucker Must Die but tackling serious topics. It’s a revenge story told with nuance, heart, and the possibility of healing. Ariana Ruiz wants to be noticed. But as an autistic girl who never talks, she goes largely ignored by her peers, despite her bold fashion choices...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary f-f neurodivergent bisexual queer -
![Home Game by Ginger Scott]()
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:
from hate to love high-school sports young adult football athletes contemporary length-medium -
![Stay With Me by Jessica Cunsolo, Ava Violet]()
Stay With Me by Jessica Cunsolo, Ava Violet
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 32 ratingsIt's finally winter break, which means Amelia, Aiden, and the rest of their friends get to enjoy a well deserved vacation at the beach house. After all the drama, the death of Aiden's step-father, and Aiden's arrest, it'll be good to take a break and just relax with friends.Unfortunately, Thea Kennedy, aka Amelia Collins, could never be so lucky...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary new adult mystery found-family length-medium -
![The Dealmaker by Jessica Peterson]()
The Dealmaker by Jessica Peterson
Hating and dating: I didn’t realize they’re two sides of the same coin until I meet him. Theo Morgan.One of Wall Street’s highest-paid traders, he may be hot as sin in his five-thousand-dollar custom-made suit and six-figure SUV. But Theo is the bane of my existence. He’s arrogant, rude, and as brash as they come.As our bank’s newest star hire, he’s also after the same promotion I am... -
![Like You Should: A Student Teacher Romance by Kaydence Snow]()
Like You Should: A Student Teacher Romance by Kaydence Snow
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 10 ratings𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐵𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟 𝐾𝑎𝑦𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑆𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡-𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡.𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐰My life is a mess.No plans for the future, constantly disappointing everyone, and now some creep is threatening me, making me do reprehensible things... -
![The Broken Hill High Series: Box Set #4-5.5 by Sheridan Anne]()
The Broken Hill High Series: Box Set #4-5.5 by Sheridan Anne
Broken Hill Hearts – Book 4 I have never been at such a low. School work? Stuff it. Manners? Get screwed. Being a decent human being? Over my dead body. And it’s all because of him. Nate was supposed to be the reason I wake up in the morning, until he took that reason away. Now, I’m left feeling like an empty shell of the girl I used to be. He’s the love of my life... -
![A Thousand Words by Treblehearts]()
A Thousand Words by Treblehearts
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsReece Bremer goes through life with a scowl and cold personality. Jessica Andrews goes through life with a glowing smile and positive outlook. Reece looks at life with dull, judgmental eyes that make him hate the world and the people living in it. Jessica, well . . . She looks at life through a camera. Literally... -
![Wolf Girl and Black Prince, Vol. 4 by Ayuko Hatta]()
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...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school length-short contemporary young adult m-f japan glimpses-kisses -
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![Puck by Sheridan Anne]()
Puck by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsCourtney - He’s the boy at school who could ruin it all. He’s the guy who would lead you down a dark alleyway, show you the time of your life, and then forget your name while you struggle to breathe. And now, his eyes are on me. Puck Jones is every woman’s dream come true, but for me, he’s nothing but a nightmare...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love contemporary young adult athletes cruel hero length-short -
![The Good Girl & the Bad Boy by M.L. Collins]()
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 from hate to love young adult contemporary new adult humor m-f length-short -
![Perfectly Misunderstood by Robin Daniels]()
Perfectly Misunderstood by Robin Daniels
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThis dual perspective book is the final installment in The Perfect Series. Jayden Valdez is an overachieving intellectual. Mike McGinnes is Franklin High School’s dumbest jock. Even though they barely know each other, she finds his personality repulsive and he thinks she’s got a giant stick up her you know what...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love forced proximity young adult contemporary humor length-medium -
![Breaking The Bad Boy by kaddydee]()
Breaking The Bad Boy by kaddydee
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsAshley Martin has been through more grief than a person experiences in their entire life and carries baggage that no kid should ever entail. Tyler Miller is the school's scandalous bad boy who acts on impulse, blinded rage and will single-handedly destroy anybody who stands in his way...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love forced proximity contemporary young adult friends to lovers -
![Where the Wild Boyfriends Are by M.L. Collins]()
Where the Wild Boyfriends Are by M.L. Collins
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 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... -
![Unbroken Rules by Eliah Greenwood]()
Unbroken Rules by Eliah Greenwood
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsLies, passion, betrayal. Discover the last book of the teen sensation that captured 30,000,000 hearts across the globe today! Haze and Winter’s relationship has been a fight from day one. From crazy exes, to psycho families, to heart-wrenching betrayal, the couple has been through hell and back and lived to tell the tale...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love contemporary young adult pregnancy new adult cruel hero length-long -
![LDK 1 by Ayu Watanabe]()
LDK 1 by Ayu Watanabe
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsLIVING, DINING, KITCHEN?LOVE? Aoi Nishimori is a high school girl who lives alone in her own apartment, but to her surprise, she discovers that the prince of her school, Shusei Kugayama, has moved in next door! To add to this, a series of crazy happenings result in the two living together under a single roof! Shusei is known to be a heartless guy and Aoi particularly hates him after he coldly... -
![Dare You to Fall for the Catcher by Lacy Andersen]()
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:
high-school from hate to love young adult sports contemporary heroine athlete m-f baseball -
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![Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill]()
Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill
Two total opposites. One race through the Great Outdoors. In this grumpy-sunshine teen romance from the author of Love from Scratch and Not Here to Stay Friends , the trail to true love doesn't always come with a map.Natalie Hart has always been loud, unfiltered, and unapologetically herself...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity young adult contemporary new adult humor glimpses-kisses -
![Rebels Don’t Fall for Tomboys by Emma Dalton]()
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 from hate to love young adult contemporary sports slow burn humor length-long -
![Like You Hurt by Kaydence Snow]()
Like You Hurt by Kaydence Snow
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsDonna What kind of idiot gets on my bad side on his first day at my school? Hendrix Hawthorn is arrogant, cocky, infuriatingly attractive and clearly doesn’t realise I can make his life hell.Which is exactly what I intend to do… until he shows up in the one place no one knows I go to – the one place that makes me feel alive...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school contemporary new adult mystery suspense young adult cruel hero -
![L-DK, Vol. 17-18 by Ayu Watanabe]()
L-DK, Vol. 17-18 by Ayu Watanabe
IT TAKES THREEAoi continues to hide her relationship and secret living arrangement with Shusei. Their love nest now includes Shusei's cousin, Leon. The three of them live together to convince Leon that Aoi is worthy of being Shusei's girlfriend. Tensions mount at home while the competitive spirit extends to their school's cultural festival where students vie for top rankings and social clout...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love high-school length-medium contemporary young adult humor m-f -
![LDK Vol. 19-20 by Ayu Watanabe]()
LDK Vol. 19-20 by Ayu Watanabe
LOVE TRIANGULATION Unable to hide his feelings for Aoi any longer, Leon finally confronts Shusei, and the situation in the shared household becomes tense...Categorized as:
forced proximity from hate to love high-school length-medium contemporary young adult humor m-f -
![The Pretender: Black Mountain Academy by Cora Brent]()
The Pretender: Black Mountain Academy by Cora Brent
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsBENThey all know me as Ben Beltran, a poor kid from a working class town who lucked into a baseball scholarship at elite Black Mountain Academy.That’s mostly a lie.There’s a lot at stake and I have no patience for some uptight snot who sticks her nose in where it doesn’t belong.Camden Galway is another scholarship case from my crappy neighborhood and she’s just begging to be taught a lesson...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love sports young adult dual-pov new adult virgin hero contemporary
![キスよりも早く1 [Kisu Yorimo Hayaku 3] by Meca Tanaka, Kenichi Kusano](https://s3.amazonaws.com/romance.io/books/small/65340f4fde8d340d514afe38.jpg)
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