Books Like The Secret Year
Families who loved The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard 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 grieving a loss that feels invisible to the world, such as the end of a secret relationship or a death they cannot publicly mourn. It speaks to the unique pain of having to hide one's sadness while navigating the social hierarchies of high school. The story follows Colt, a working-class boy who secretly dated Julia, a wealthy classmate, for a year before her sudden death. As Colt reads Julia's private journal, he discovers the complex layers of her identity and the reasons she kept their love hidden. This is a quiet, contemplative novel for mature teens aged 14 and up that explores the nuances of class, reputation, and the difficult process of letting go. It serves as a powerful validation for teenagers who feel like they are living double lives or struggling with the weight of untold truths.
