Families who loved Breaking Up Is Really, Really Hard to Do by Natalie Standiford 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 navigating the messy aftermath of a first breakup or witnessing the shifting social dynamics of their friend group. It is an ideal choice for the child who is feeling the sting of romantic rejection or the awkwardness of seeing an ex-partner in the school hallways every day. The story follows three high school sophomores, Holly, Madison, and Lina, as they run an amateur matchmaking service that occasionally backfires. As their own relationships begin to crumble or change, the girls must learn that 'letting go' is just as important as 'pairing up.' This book normalizes the high-stakes emotions of adolescence, from jealousy to the guilt of being the one to end a relationship. It offers a realistic yet humorous look at how young people can maintain their dignity and their friendships even when romance fails.
