Families who loved I Was Told There Would Be Romance by Marie Arnold 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 teen is feeling the pressures of high school social hierarchies or struggling to balance their family's cultural expectations with their own desire for independence. It is an ideal choice for the child who feels like an outsider or is navigating the awkward, funny, and sometimes painful transition into the world of dating and first crushes. The story follows Fancy, a fifteen-year-old Haitian American girl who believes her life will finally become a romantic movie once she hits high school. Instead, she faces the reality of friendship shifts and the complexities of her heritage. It explores themes of self-worth and belonging with a humorous, relatable tone. While the reading level is accessible for middle schoolers, the emotional depth and high school setting make it a perfect fit for ages 12 to 15.
