Families who loved Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen 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 feels like they are failing at being a teen, particularly if they feel behind their peers in social or romantic milestones. It follows seventeen-year-old Codi, a closeted wallflower who feels her life is passing her by while she hides in her basement with her best friends. When she befriends a popular boy and enters a world of parties and first crushes, she must navigate the guilt of keeping secrets from her old friends. This is a tender, secular exploration of self-acceptance and the realization that there is no right way to grow up. It is highly appropriate for high schoolers, offering a hopeful perspective on queer identity and social anxiety without heavy trauma.