Did you already get a jump-start on the holidays by watching all eight episodes of the Christmas-themed Netflix series Dash & Lily? If you did and were charmed, but are also feeling a bit glum that the series is over so soon, we have some YA books in mind that may be able to recreate the magic. First, and pardon the obvious suggestion, you will want to read the three Dash and Lily books written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (the series is based on the first book, Dash & Lily's Book of Dares). Then, we suggest honing in on the parts of Dash and Lily's story that engaged you the most—opposites attract? the two-voice storytelling device? secret identities? the New York vibe? can't get enough of the holidays?—and take a look below for some stories in that vein. 

You Want a Feel-Good Holiday Romance

Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle

In three intertwining short stories, several high school couples experience the trials and tribulations along with the joys of romance during a Christmas Eve snowstorm in a small town.

(pssst...If you like this book, also check out Required Reading for the Full Let It Snow Experience)

My True Love Gave To Me 

Collects twelve holiday-themed romances featuring relationships that blossom during Christmas, Hanukkah, the winter solstice, and Kwanzaa by such young adult authors as Jenny Han, Holly Black, and Myra McEntire.

My New Crush Gave To Me by Shani Petroff

Eager for a date to the holiday season "Lover's Ball," school newspaper editor Charlie rigs the school's Secret Santa exchange to woo the boy of her dreams.

You Like Stories Told in Alternating Voices

There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Memon

Told in two voices, disappointed-in-love Ashish Patel and self-proclaimed fat athlete Sweetie Nair begin to find their true selves while dating under contract.

Verona Comics by Jennifer Dugan

Meeting at a comic convention prom, the cellist daughter of an indie comic shop owner and the disgraced son of comic superstore titans navigate a secret romance that is complicated by anxiety, their feuding parents and an approaching audition.

The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert

The first year they are eligible to vote, Marva and Duke meet at their polling place and, over the course of one crazy day, fall in love.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon 

Two teens—Daniel, the son of Korean shopkeepers, and Natasha, whose family is here illegally from Jamaica—cross paths in New York City on an eventful day in their lives—Daniel is on his way to an interview with a Yale alum, Natasha is meeting with a lawyer to try and prevent her family's deportation to Jamaica—and fall in love.

You're Intrigued by Stories of Secret (and Semi-Secret) Identities

What I Like About You by Marisa Kanter

Moving to her grandfather’s small town for her senior year, Halle confronts the difference between her online persona and her real life when she discovers that her social-media best friend lives in the town and is in love with her alter ego. 

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Sixteen-year old Jessie, still grieving over her mother's death, must move from Chicago to "The Valley," with a new stepfamily but no new friends until an anonymous fellow student emails and offers to help her navigate the school's treacherous social waters.

Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

A reimagining of You’ve Got Mail follows the unlikely romance between an overachiever from a successful family and the class clown, who exchange snarky tweets that escalate into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life ― on an anonymous chat app Jack built.

You're Attracted to the "Opposites Attact" Trope

A Love Hate Thing by Whitney D. Grandison

 

One Man Guy by Michael Barakiva

Fearing that summer school will be an ultimate horror after a difficult first year of high school, Ethan befriends the confident and free-spirited Alek, with whom he develops an unexpected and mutual first love that challenges his beliefs about relationships and family values.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han 

Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved; five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

(Already read this one? Here are 17 Readalikes.)

 

Guy in Real Life by Steve Brezenoff

Colliding on their bikes in the middle of the night, Minnesota teens Lesh and Svetlana forge a bond despite their widely divergent interests while exploring the identities they assume in school, in their families and while participating in role-playing games.

 

 

 

 

You're Looking for Love (Vicariously) on the Streets of New York

Kiss Me in New York by Catherine Rider

It's Christmas Eve at JFK in NYC.  Charlotte has just been dumped, and Anthony is about to be dumped, right in the middle of the holiday crowd. Charlotte's flight is canceled when a blizzard blows in, and Anthony can't bear to go home. So, they set out into the city together, clutching a book Charlotte picks up in the airport gift shop: Ten Easy Steps for Getting Over Your Ex. For this one night, they'll focus on healing their broken hearts...together.

Charming as a Verb by Ben Phillipe

Hiding less-than-honest business practices behind his charming smile and Ivy League ambition, a popular Haitian-American star debater is blackmailed by an intense classmate who wants to improve her image at school. Soon what started as a mutual hustle turns into something more surprising than either of them ever bargained for.

Together at Midnight by Jennifer Castle

Teens Kendall and Max witness a tragic accident during the holidays and, racked with guilt, accept a dare to perform seven random acts of kindness to strangers by New Year's Eve. The challenge pulls these two teens, who have a history together from back home, closer and closer as they explore a vibrant city filled with other people's stories and secrets. Kendall and Max can't deny their growing bond, even though they both have other romantic entanglements and uncertain futures. As the clock counts down on New Year's Eve, will they find themselves together at midnight?

Now That I've Found You by Kristina Forest

Blacklisted from Hollywood for badmouthing a famous director, a disgraced teen star enlists the help of a cute delivery boy when her eccentric, once-famous grandmother goes missing in New York City on the eve of receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.