Families who loved Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the intersection of profound grief and the exhilarating, often terrifying, discovery of their first queer love. This story follows seventeen-year-old Coley as she moves to rural Oregon following the death of her mother, feeling completely untethered until she meets the magnetic but guarded Sonya. It is a raw and honest exploration of identity, the weight of secrets, and the courage required to be vulnerable when you have already lost so much. While the book deals with heavy themes of loss and social isolation, it is ultimately a story of self-acceptance and hope. It is best suited for older teens (14 and up) due to its mature handling of emotional trauma and romantic tension. Parents might choose this book to provide their child with a mirror for their own LGBTQ+ identity or as a way to open a dialogue about how grief can complicate new relationships.