Families who loved The Lovers, the Liars, and Me by DeAndra Davis 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 beginning to question the 'safe' version of their family history or is feeling the pressure of being the perfect, invisible high achiever. It is an ideal choice for the summer before college when the transition into adulthood feels both urgent and terrifying. This coming-of-age story follows Jaliya as she travels to Jamaica to find her absent mother, but instead finds a vibrant, free-spirited girl named India who challenges her understanding of love and selfhood. The novel explores themes of queer identity, the complexities of Caribbean-American family dynamics, and the courage required to speak one's truth. It is a sophisticated, emotionally resonant story perfect for ages 14 and up that normalizes the messy process of self-discovery.