Books
13 Best YA Books To Have A Summer Fling With
When I was a teenager, a summer fling was at the top of my bucket-list (right next to reading 50 or so books). All I wanted was to meet a cute guy, feel butterflies every time I thought about him, and maybe (finally) get my first kiss. What I didn't realize about these enchanting summer flings was once you were in one, there was (probably) an inevitable heartbreak to come. Summer doesn't last, and neither do many summer flings.
If you're looking for a fun summer fling this summer, my suggestion would be to have fun! There might be some awkward goodbyes at the end — but it's important to enjoy yourself while it lasts. However, if you're not looking for a real summer fling or you're completely and totally sick of dating apps or maybe you're already in a stable relationship consider the best alternative to a summer fling: a book
Some of my all time favorite books have come from the YA shelves at my local bookstore, and nearly all of them have to do with summer, in some capacity. What can I say? Even though I'm an adult, summertime is still be best. And with these 13 YA novels, most of them brand new or continuing series, you'll have a hard time leaving these book summer flings behind:
1. The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood
Have the best summer fling with this gorgeously written, time traveling YA novel. Gottie H. Oppenheimer is losing time — literally. As the time in her small town begins to fray, she's transported into her past, present, and future. Somewhere in time, she realizes that she's going to end up with a broken heart.
2. Lucky Few by Kathryn Ormsbee and K.E. Ormsbee
Stevie Heart is homeschooled. She and her only friend, Sanger, find fun and unique ways to keep themselves entertained, but it's far from what "normal teenagers" do. But when Max Garza moves in next door, their summer becomes even weirder when he asks them to help him complete his "23 Ways to Fake My Death Without Dying" check list. When Stevie finds herself falling for Max, she realizes her feelings are more dangerous than Max's entire list.
3. The Inside of Out by Jenn Marie Throne
When Hannah is ready to come out of the closet, best friend Daisy is right by her side, supportive and determined to fight for gay rights. Before she knows it, she's leading the change to allow same-sex couples at their school's dance. She becomes an icon in the fight for LGBTQ rights. Except, Daisy isn't gay. So what happens when her good intentions come back to haunt her — and her friend? This book is a funny, sweet, humorous reminder about privilege and the intricacies of being an ally.
4. Never Ever by Sara Saedi
Peter Pan fans will enjoy this fantastic retelling by Sara Saedi. When Wylie meets Phinn the night before her brother is set to go to juvie, she's surprised by how quickly she's falling for him. Before long, Wylie finds herself — and her brothers — on a magical island just outside of NYC. On this island, no one ages beyond 17. But as Wylie falls harder for Phinn, she also begins to uncover the truth behind the mysterious island.
5. The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stifvater
If you haven't cracked this series open yet, take my advice and fill your entire summer up with this intriguing, magical, and exceptionally written world. Four prep school students — Gansey, Ronan, Adam, and Noah — team up with Blue, the daughter of a psychic, on a quest to find a dead Welsh king. There are psychics, curses, magicians, and more, as well as a heaping dose of first love and heartbreak.
6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
If you have big travel plans this summer, this book is for you. If all your friends are traveling and leaving you behind, this book is for you. The best part about Stephanie Perkins is that two of her other books, Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After, are all set in the same universe, so you can read on in the series to catch glimpses of all your favorite characters.
7. Cure for the Common Universe by Christian McKay Heidicker
If you like spending your summer playing video games (guilty as charged!), then you have to pick up Cure for the Common Universe. Jaxon, a 16-year-old video game addict is headed to gamer rehab. But the night before he's set to leave, he meets the love of his life. Now, he's determined to beat video game rehab in time for his first date.
8. Tumbling by Caela Carter
With the Olympics just around the corner, you'll want to stock up on some exciting novels with competitive and sports-driven characters. In Tumbling, Grace, Leigh, Camille, Wilhelmina, and Monica are all competing in the U.S. Gymnastic Olympic trials. At the end of the two extraordinary long days of performing, some of them will become stars, others will go home with nothing, and others will shock the audience — including you.
9. Goldfish by Nat Luutsema
If you're more excited to watch the Olympic swimming competitions this summer, pick up Goldfish by Nat Luustema. Lou Brown is one of the fastest swimmers in the country — so it's a complete shock to her, and her entire community, when she comes dead last in an important race. Starting from scratch is never easy, especially when you already have a reputation of being number one.
10. Waterfire Saga by Jennifer Donnelly
The newest installment in the Waterfire Saga comes out this summer, and if you haven't jumped aboard this mermaid and action-packed series, there's no better time than now. Reading about mermaids is almost required during the summer time, and you'll get lost in this exceptional, magical saga.
11. The Lost & Found by Katrina Leno
Frannie and Louis originally met in an online support group but have never actually met in-person. They don't even know each others' first names. The one thing they do know about each other is that they both have the tendency to lose things. Or things in their life just... disappear. Out of nowhere. When the two both receive a letter directing them on a road trip to Austin, they both launch on separate road trips; along the way, they begin to find lost items that belong to the other. It's the perfect road trip adventure for a summer day spent reading.
12. A Season for Fireflies by Rebecca Maizel
If you want to get lost in a heartfelt, devastatingly beautiful novel, look no further. Penny, a high school drama nerd, loses her memory when she's struck by lightning. Now, she can't recall the last year of her life, which means she has no clue why her friends hate her, why her first love ignores her, and why her new BFF is the high school's queen bee. As she copes with her memory loss, she realizes she may have a second chance to make things right.
13. The Museum of Heartbreak by Meg Leder
Penelope Marx is 17-years-old and miserable. Her closest friends seem to be drifting away and a new boy is only confusing her already muddled feelings. In an attempt to cope with everything, she creates her own personal museum of her past. You'll cry over this book and smile over this book, but ultimately, you'll walk away with a few lessons under your belt.
