Books Like The Trouble with Love
Families who loved The Trouble with Love by Cathy Cole 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 Trouble with Love by Cathy Cole 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 middle schooler is navigating the confusing, often guilt-ridden territory of a first crush, especially when those feelings conflict with loyalty to a friend. The story follows Polly Nelson as she grapples with an inconvenient attraction to her best friend's boyfriend, Ollie, while trying to move on with a new, seemingly perfect interest named Sam. It provides a safe space for young teens to explore the difference between surface-level attraction and genuine connection. This is a gentle, age-appropriate romance that captures the high-stakes emotions of Heartside High without crossing into mature content. You might choose this book to help your child normalize the 'messiness' of feelings. It emphasizes that having a crush isn't a choice, but how we act on those feelings defines our integrity. It is an ideal bridge for readers moving from childhood stories into more social, relationship-driven fiction.
