Families who loved Best Friends Don't Fall for Best Friends by Emma Dalton often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the high stakes of a long-term crush or the paralyzing fear of ruining a valued friendship by admitting romantic feelings. This story speaks to the common adolescent experience of 'loving from afar' and the internal conflict between safety and vulnerability. It follows Chloe and Liam, best friends who are secretly in love with each other but afraid to speak up, until a mysterious secret admirer forces them to confront their true emotions. This is a 'clean' and sweet young adult contemporary romance that emphasizes mutual respect, emotional safety, and the importance of communication. It is highly appropriate for middle and high schoolers who enjoy lighthearted, low-stress stories about school life and social dynamics. Parents will appreciate the way it models bravery in expressing one's needs and the healthy, supportive nature of the central friendship, making it an excellent choice for normalizing the 'butterfly' feelings of first love without heavy or mature content.
