I often hear fellow bookworms raise their voices in the agony of despair over how YA books focus on romance so much. We do have rights to whine because — YES, most YA books do feature a romance and a lot of time it is the focus.
But not “all YA books”. NEVER ALL OF THEM.
If anyone says “all YA books do [insert cliche/trope here]” then I honestly believe they have not read very many.
I am not a monstrously romantic person myself. Although I do like to ship* and I often find romances entertaining or squishily nice to read about. I also laugh at them a lot. I also yell at the book “YOU’RE 16 FREAKING YEARS OLD, CALM DOWN” because I’m an old hermit and have legal right to say these things now.
* The term “ship” unfortunately does not mean to captain a crew and become pirates. It means to root for two characters to have a “relationship“. See? SHIP.
So for those of us who are after a YA book that is devoid of the romance category — I AM HERE FOR YOU. I have a glorious list.
(There may be hints of romance. Attraction? But nothing develops into a full fledged googly eyes fest.)
- THERE WILL BE LIES: This is about a…a lot of things. All of which are basically spoilers to say. BUT. There are illegal activities and a deaf protagonist and kidnappings and roadtrips. Zlich on the romance.
- DEMON ROAD: Technically there is a secondary character who’s “in love” wiht the protagonist. But she a) doesn’t love him, b) NEVER loved him, c) in fact she detests him. Ergo, I don’t call it love. Demons and roadtrips and killer cars and friendship — and THAT IS ALL.
- MAGNUS CHASE AND THE SWORD OF SUMMER: After the squishy cuteness that is Percabeth, I honestly expected Magnus and his sidekick, Samirah, to get together. BUT NO. Sam loves someone else! Magnus loves nobody! IT’S A MIRACLE.
- IT’S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY: The focus is basically depression and recovery and while there’s a girl in there alongside the narrator, Craig….it just isn’t a romance.
- CHALLENGER DEEP: This one is about schizophrenia. There is absolutely NO romance in there…which I found really refreshing, because for once it focused on recovery and family and self — instead of smooching your problems away.
- JACKABY: While the protagonist, Abigail, makes googly eyes at a local constable…their relationship never evolves past there. I would say zlich to the romance. Unless you count Jackaby, who is basically a Sherlock Holmes character, being romantically attracted to a duck.
- SHE IS NOT INVISIBLE: This is about a blind girl who “kidnaps” her little brother to fly overseas and find their father. It’s an incredible book!! Also no romance! Because they’re finding their DAD.
- MESSENGER OF FEAR: This book has no time for romance because it’s too busy creeping you out. No complaints, folks, noooo complaints.
- THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO: There is a boy and a girl in this story and I see potential. But they’re like 14 and sort of trying to live. There is no romance. They’ve got priorities.
- CHARM & STRANGE: It’s a confusing mess of a boy who has….eh, who even knows. He is definitely mentally ill. But there is no romance here. Just howling.
- EON: Fantasy, dragons, girl-posing-as-a-guy…you know the drill. Plus Eona has no time for boys when she’s got DRAGONS.
- THE GIRL FROM THE WELL: There are ghosts. GHOSTS. And they kill people and there’s blood everywhere and the protagonist has exactly no love interest. NOT EVEN WITH THE GHOST.
- THE MAZE RUNNER: People might argue that there is a romance…but I honestly don’t think so. In later books — yes. In the first book? Nada. Thomas and Theresa have history but that doesn’t equal attraction.
- ROSE UNDER FIRE: BECAUSE ALL YOU DO IS CRY WHILE YOU READ THIS BOOK. THERE IS NO TIME FOR ROMANCE. ONLY DROWNING IN TEARS. I highly recommend this book. Go read it. Feel pain. Hate me for my recommendation. But secretly be grateful.
Because we need to ask the important questions here. Why? WHYYYYYYY. As an unromantic bean I do ask myself this copiously. For every 30 YA books I read, maybe 1 will have no romance. And as I’m reading, I’m so much more likely to care more about a) Katniss saving Prim instead of whatever-she-feels-for-Peeta, b) for Cinder to rule the moon, c) for Saba to rescue her brother Lugh.
DON’T GET ME WRONG. I do like those romances (particularly Saba and Jack…squeak!) but I’m not sure that every book needs a romance on top of the adventure.
SO I MADE A LIST OF HYPOTHESIS TO WHY ROMANCE IS SO PROMINENT IN BOOKS:
- The author really wishes they’d found a Nice Adorable Person when they were 16 so they’re writing in their own dreams. Total legit. Do you know how often I write about cake? A. lot.
- It creates tension. Tension is good for books. It’s great that the protagonist is fighting zombie sand stuff physically…but how about giving them tension emotionally? Good writing tip, dudes.
- A lot of teenagers think about romance. I mean…I THINK??? I’VE HEARD???? When I was 16 I wrote an epic fantasy with man-eating-horses and murder and torture and bleeding and fun stuff like that. I’m sure that’s…normal too.
- Publishers want what will sell. Which makes sense because they’re earning a living too, right? And people have snabbled up romances since forever. THEY SELL.
- People like to read about other humans’ lives working out. It’s like the most basic story telling! Protagonist defeats the bad guy! Saves the girl/guy! Rides into the sunset! Lives happily ever after with a small herd of babies to raise and name alphabetically! IT’S HAPPINESS. Storytelling has told us this since Eve met Adam, okay? Although they sucked at the whole “ride into the sunset happily” and instead cursed of all mankind. Plot twist.
I, personally, do not have a problem with YA books being romantic. Even if it’s not my favourite thing! I do think it’d be nice if non-romance-orientated books weren’t so blindingly hard to find. I do think it’d be nice if more books promoted the fact that you can be happy without a significant other.
BUT NOT “EVERY” YA BOOK HAS ROMANCE. HA! I just proved it.
Wow, this is an interesting post, my little cupcake! I agree with you about sometimes just wanting the protagonist to succeed more plot-wise and less romance-wise. I personally have a lot of fun with really supporting ships and canon and stuff like that, but I REALLY enjoy snarky, sassy friendships too. I know you didn’t like ACOTAR, but Lucien and Feyre’s relationship was too funny, am I right?
Yess, I loved Lucien and Feyre’s friendship! ACTUALLY I LOVED LUCIEN A LOT. 😂 Adorable little serious faerie thing. :’) And it’d be nice to have more balance between non-romantic books and totally-romantic books, wouldn’t it?!? XD
I’m with you here — I don’t miiiind romance, but I’m not gonna ship them much, and I basically ignore it. So if you ask me what YA books have no romance I’ll just be like, “errrrm I dunno, I never paid attention” unless the romance was like the main point. I’m totally going to read There Will Be Lies next year (research purposes, clearly), and Demon Road is on my priority TBR just because you shoved it in my face enough.
PS: IF I HAVE NOT THROWN ENOUGH SCHWAB IN YOUR FACE, THIS SAVAGE SONG COMES OUT JULY-ISH 2016 AND IS A YA ROMEO AND JULIET WITH NO ROMANCE. (!!!!!!)
I KNOW I KNOW ABOUT THIS SAVAGE SONG AND I’M FREAKING EXCITED ABOUT IT. BECAUSE SCWAB IS A GENIUS. (Says me who’s only read one of her books but is still convinced.) 😂
And good about Demon Road. *nods* I am very good about pestering people about books so much they read them to shut me up. #noregrets
Pfft, I’m 17 and I don’t think about romance, not like the girls in YA books do. But I guess my friends sort of do? At least one of them does a lot. Whereas I’m over here crushing on fictional characters.
And the everything-must-have-romance thing does bug me, but I don’t think it would as much if there were more purely platonic relationships in YA. But they always seem to get shunted to the side in favor of the romance. Which is annoying.
OMG. WELL AT LEAST I’M NOT ALONE. 😂 I just guessed maybe most “normal” teenagers do think about romance, since they do in the books?! HHehehe. (And pff, we all know fictional characters are better and best.) I do wish there were more platonic friendships too. And I HATE when the protagonist gets a boy/girlfriend so therefore ditches all their friends. AGH. so maddening.
OMG I totally get what you mean! I’ve always felt this way, and it annoys me to no end. Not that I mind romantic relationships, but what happened to art being a reflection to life? Life certainly isn’t dominated by the sole purpose of finding, being in love with, breaking up, or getting over a a significant other. The fact that other, equally important and rich relationships aren’t explored can get on my nerves.
For instance, have you noticed that a lot of YA protags have bad relationships with the parents? I’m just like… why? I know that the adolescent phase comes with its own special brand of tension with parents, but still, that doesn’t negate the love and care that’s also there in the relationship, right? I certainly don’t remember loving my mum any less or having fewer nice moments, even though we had our disagreements. Also, sibling relationships. Although more books are coming out these days with great sibling relationships – If You Find Me & Vanishing Girls comes to mind.
Lol and now I’m ranting =D. But when I find books that are beautiful and well written with great plots and character development, but not a lot of focus on romance, I am one happy reader. Oh, and here are a few more examples of YA books without (much of) a romantic focus – Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin, Not A Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis (+ its sequel), and Walk on Earth A Stranger by Rae Carson.
Omg, art being a reflection of life <– I LOVE THAT PHRASE SO MUCH. And it's true! I mean, love rarely works out like books say it does. Althoooough, I guess books are also escapism? So in that, sometimes you want to read about it all working out and being nice and squishy, I guess?
And I guess it's all so so subjective! Like I have epic parents, but I know lots of people don't. And there is always that chaffing of growing up when you're a teen, so I guess not all teens and parents make the transition well?! IDEK. But it is subjective…*nods* I LOVE BOOKS WITH GREAT SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS. <3 Blood Red Road is one of my favourites for this reason.
Omg I am going to read Wolf By Wolf ASAP. I've heard it's spectacular. I was going to put Walk on Earth a Stranger on this list…but…I mean, while it's not like brimming with romance, Lee DOES have a thing for Jefferson and it ain't platonic.
You’re totally right about the escapism. I know I do it more than half the of the time lol. Also, for single souls like myself, some vicarious romance is very nice ;P And yes, all of this IS very subjective. And come to think of it, these themes are a reflection of life too, right? I guess I just wish there were more books written with a different focus.
OMG Cait, YOU SHOULD TOTALLY READ WOLF BY WOLF! IT WAS LIKE THE BEST BOOK I READ LAST YEAR OTHER THAN UPROOTED BY NAOMI NOVIK. REEEEAAAD IIIIIIT!
I like that you put all of this together Cait, it’ super great to see all those books without a romance, and Demon Road for sure is one of my faves. Even Skully in some ways, I mean, Valkyrie never gets her romance with whats-his-name, neither do a lot of people (THIS IS WHERE I CRY OVER THE INJUSTICE!), so maybe there’s a tiny bit, and A LOT of sexual tension, but still, no romance. Great post Cait, and I damn well commented, finally, after weeks of forgetting!<3
Ahhh, yes, like I considered putting Skulduggery on here? BUT. I mean, Val does date Fletcher? So I think that counts as “a romance” even though…omg, they were so immature and not really romantic at all. 😂
Great idea! I loved that there was no love between Samirah and Magnus as well. So great.
Unfortunately the second book of Eon had romance. Stupid triangle too.
Most of the time I can’t really get excited about the romance between characters because I don’t really feel it. And sometimes romance just takes over the plot and all of sudden they all become stupid, and I find it so annoying.
It REALLY surprised me that Sam and Magnus were just friends! I WAS UBER IMPRESSED. And goes to show that boys and girls can be friends. Take THAT, society. HaH! I didn’t end up reading Eona because I didn’t actually love Eon. 😂 Guess I’m not missing much?!
YES! I’m glad to see there are many non Romance YA books out there. The problem with having a plot focused on the relationship between two characters is that… well, it gets boring or cliché. And most of the time, they always end up together. If not, one of them died. Is it possible for the relationship to end without one of them dying? Oh well 🙂 Great post by the way, I really liked it!
Hehe, IT IS possible for the relationships to end without death…but usually it’s heartbreak?!??! 😂 So I guess most readers would prefer a happy ending? BUT YEAH. I think it’s important that books don’t get cliche with their romance and that’s soooo easy to do. *heavy sigh*
I suppose I don’t mind if there’s romance, but only if it’s not a major thing, like Peeta and Katniss, (To be fair I only read the first book).
Romance isn’t to my taste, I prefer a good fantasy/sci fi/horror story and I get a little, (OK, majorly irritated), when I spy the romance heading my way.) This even happens in films. At times, when I’ve noticed a romance tag on books, I’ll admit that it’s swayed my decision not to read them.
I think the reason it bothers me so much is because that person, most often the woman, is there purely as the love interest, (more often in films than books, I’ll admit. They do seem to try to make them useful to the plot in books, but still.) No one in my family is surprised when watching a film I utter the words with intense loathing, “I hope she dies.”
I’ve read books where there’s obviously something brewing, but both characters are there for a reason and that’s the moment where I love them and the pairing. It feels more natural. I don’t know \o/
I love your list and will be adding several of them to my to read list!
I really liked Peeta and Katniss too! Plus the romance was like a big PART of the plot and then…was it even a romance at that point?! SO YEAH. I love the complexity of the Hunger Games romance. <3
I used to read books where the love-interest was useless except to BE the love-interest…and I agree it's awful and unfair. D: I don't read that so often now, though? So that is nice. 😀
Just the mention of Percabeth in this non-romantic post made me SQUEE!!
While I’d like to consider myself someone who doesn’t like the MASSIVE amount of romance in YA novels, over the past year or two I have come to admit that my liking romance is more than a guilty pleasure haha. I find that even though most of the romance portrayed in YA is unrealistic, that’s sometimes what makes it intriguing. The tension is definitely a page turner. Although some that are absolutely NO WAY realistic I find cringeworthy or funny. And now that I’m nearly 18 I’m older than a lot of characters, which is weird… With books I’ve read that haven’t had romance in them (it’s kinda difficult to begin with haha), I often hope for it anyway. And if the plot isn’t epic enough to fill in the gaps where there isn’t romance or tension, I often find it dull. I kinda wish I didn’t feel this way, because books without romance deserve my attention just as much as those with it. Just because there’s no “almost” relationship like Percabeth throughout PJO doesn’t mean it’s not worth my underrated attention. Maybe I just need to read more non-romantic books? I’ll definitely add some of these to my list!
UNDEVOTED ATTENTION** WHOOPS
PERCABETH FOREVER. <3 See, here I am complaining I'm not a romantic, but I truly was shipping them from like THE START. NO REGRETS. XD
Man-eating horses? Thats beautiful! I traded The Knife of Never Letting Go, and lately it has repeatedly come back to haunt me because I keep seeing stellar reviews for it. Although I did trade it for a hardcover of The Dream Thieves. Hehe. I am not a romance liker at all. I can tolerate some mild, or sweet, relationships, but overly dramatic, or grunting and groping makeout scenes really make me cringe. If it is a romance book fine, because I will never read it, but when it has to be in 75 percent of YA SciFi and Fantasy, it makes me run away screaming. Orleans had no romance in it. I loved it because there was a truley platonic relationship between a guy and a girl, no unrequited love and no sexual tension. Thanks for the list. I will be wanting to read some of these. 🙂
Indeed, grunting and groping is highly unnecessary.
@La La: Well as much as I love TKONLG…THE DREAM THIEVES IS EVERYTHING. So that trade wasn’t too bad. 😉
But I do see what you mean! I mean, I like it…for all the reasons in my post 😛 but then I do wish it was easier to find non-romantic books. It really shouldn’t be as hard as it is, right?!?
Great post! Also, Adam + Eve = Plot Twist had me crying with laughter.
Romance can get annoying quickly, it’s often so cliche / predictable. When it’s not just lots of stream-of-conciousness angst though, I can get on board with it for the added emotional tension.
YOU’RE MOST WELCOME. I gotta steal that plot twist though. I mean, c’mon now. IT’S EPIC. Ahem. But yes…romance in YA can get pretty predictable, which is frustrating. 😐
YAAY thanks for all the recommendations!! I personally don’t mind when there is romance in a YA novel, but I don’t like the whole book to centre around the romance. KISSING IS NOT THE SOLE THING PEOPLE’S LIVES REVOLVE AROUND. So romance is okay, good, beautiful in most circumstances, but when it takes over the plot, I’m out.
SAME!! WE ARE TWINS ON THIS MATTER! I like it as a subplot! And I like it when it’s slow burn and not insta love (agh instalove makes me angry). Well written romances are good…the rest, not so much. 😛
YES, MORE NON-ROMANCE BOOKS PLEASE (this was the main reason why I wrote Tea and Scones and Dropbears). ALSO I think romantic love is just really idealised in our culture, much more so than friendship/family etc.
Which is annoying. Romance has been so far from my thoughts as a teen that I really only encountered it in books.
Although shipping is a lot of fun 😉
THE MAIN REASON I WANT TEA AND SCONES AND DROP BEARS. *prods you* AHEM. Wanderland first, I know I know. And yes I’m currently procrastinating by blogging instead of editing. I CAN’T HELP IT. EDITING IS HARD. Ahem.
Shipping is fun. Too fun to give up. 😉
I personally have no problem with romance in YA either, it just irritates me when the romance takes over the plot when it’s not MEANT TO, like no. fine have romance, but if the world is ending, STOP KISSING.
She is Not Invisible was sO good, as was The Maze Runner and Rose Under Fire – other books with no romance that I would TOTALLY recommend are Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein and the Ruby Redfort series by Lauren Child (although it is MG/YA crossover.)
ALSO, if you ever feel the need to read a historical fiction, READ EITHER OF RUTA SEPETY’S BOOKS: (Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy – they are SO FREAKING GOOD.)
YES EXACTLY!! Or when they don’t really develop the romance, it’s just physical attraction…I hate that. I like relationship based romances.
but but but technically Code Name Verity DOES have romance because Maddie had a thing for Jamie!! Right?!? I mean, it’s not overly romantic, but I’d say it counts as romance. 😉 Zomg I want to read Ruby Redfort then. AND I WANT TO READ BETWEEN SHADES OF GREY. It stares at me from the library shelf, but my TBR whispers no no attend to us first. The struggle is real. 😂
Hahahaha I’ve never heard anyone refer to Adam and Eve as having a plot twist before. I love it.
I actually prefer romance in my books. I usually like the books to have a separate plot that keeps them going, but I like there to also be romance. I was going to say I read one YA book this year that didn’t really have romance, but I think it might’ve been more middle grade. Then again, even most of the middle grade I’ve read lately (which is, admittedly, not a lot) has had romance in at least a small way.
I love, however, that you listed a bunch of books about mental illness, a deaf character, a blind character, etc. I am going to save this post and look these books up later 🙂
Hehe. MY BLOG IS SO RAndOM I CANNOT EVEN. (Although it really was a great plot twist, tbh…I should use that.) AHEM. I MEAn. WHAT WERE WE SAYING? I totally get what you mean! Like, I enjoy romance too, but I like it as a subplot more? Which is why I don’t do so well reading contemporaries I think. 😂
HOW CAN I NEVER HEARD OF DEMON ROAD? the plot basically screams SUPERNATURAL!!! I think YA has so much romance because it makes the characters more realistic? I mean, as teenagers, at least we thinked about romance once, and had a crush on someone. And if you’re stuck with someone on an adventure, saving people, hunting things (HA), I think we would feel attracted to our companion (unless it’s your brother, but an angel will do) But yeah. Romance made the characters more realistic and relateable and… human. Not everyone is leading a rebellion and defying goverment at the age of 17 so… (Even though sometimes the romance take over the main plot and become annoying)
YES DEMON ROAD IS BASICALLY THE YA BOOKISH FORM OF SUPERNATURAL. IT NEEDS YOU. YOU NEED IT. GO FOR IT, TASYA. And I totally get what you mean!! And I think you’re spot on with this analysis too. 🙂
I like romance . . . but not all the time. And not all types of romance either . . . there are certain types (like the stuff found in the River of Time series and Melanie Dickerson’s fairy tale retellings and a lot of contemporary YA) that I can only take in small doses. Like, one-book-a-week doses.
YA books that I’ve found that don’t involve romance . . . are unfortunately few in number. House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones qualifies (and the romances in the previous two aren’t the standard romance-types) so that’s another reason to love Mrs. Jones. And I don’t know if the Skulduggery Pleasant books are YA or MG? My library classifies them as YA, but they sometimes seem more MG. If they are YA, they’d count . . . at least as far as I’ve read.
Finally . . . how the pumpernickel do you get Jackaby attracted to the duck? HOW? If anything, I’d read Jenny as being attracted to the duck . . . or the duck before he was a duck, at least. (Also, for the record . . . the Charlie-Abigail romance turns into a little more than ‘googly eyes’ in Beastly Bones . . . but not before Abigail waffles about it for a bit, the only part of the book I didn’t much like.)
SAME. 😂 not all romances are created equally entertaining!! I really like slow burn romances that build on the friendship more than just the physical attraction. It makes me feel safer that they’ll last! 😛
I feel like the first Skulduggery’s are MG? Because Valkeryie is only 12…but then when they get to be YA, there is a bit of romance with Fletcher. I mean, it’s not intense! But that’s why I didn’t add them onto this list.
Well Jackaby seemed VERY FIRM that Douglass should not be a duck. IDEK, DUDE, IT COULD BE ATTRACTION. I’LL NEVER KNOW. And I was just talking about these books in particular, not the series per se… 😉
i love it when romance doesn’t take the center stage in YA books. I feel like I learn something about life when there’s no romance involved. I’ve only read 2 of these, but I’ll be looking into the others. Thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome! THANK YOU FOR LIKING THE POST. *beams happily* And yes! I love it as a subplot and I love it when it’s really well developed and carefully written, not just thrown in. ;D
Oh man, I really need to read Demon Road!!
*Shares this post everywhere because she has about 2.5 grams of romance in her soul*
I loved this Cait! You get all the cake.
It’s not that I’m against romance in books, per se (and most of my favorite books have it), I’m just against “throw away, bogs down the plot, unnecessary, obnoxious, etc.,etc.,” romances, or basically any romance that seems like it has zero reason to be in the book, or is poorly handled. But honestly, I’m more interested in swashbuckling and mystery and action and basically every other aspect of a story.
Here are some of my favorite YA books without romance to add:
1. Storm Thief by Chris Wooding
2. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (romance later in the series, but this is one of my favorite “romances” EVER)
3. The Wreckers by Iain Lawrence
4. Sunbolt by Intisar Khanani
5. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (sort of MG, but whatever)
6.The Monster Blood Tattoo Trilogy (yeah, the WHOLE TRILOGY) by D. M. Cornish
7. The Way of the Warrior (Young Samurai #1) by Chris Bradford
Uhm, I’ll stop because this is becoming a very long comment – but I have more! (But you could add most of the Shonen Manga I read too, lol)
BAHAHAH. “2.5 grams of romance in her soul”. OMG I RELATE TO THIS SO SO MUCH. And I shall eat all the cake. Because cake over romance any day I say. *eats cake with zero regrets* I like romances that are developed and tight and focus on the relationship building, not just the physical smooching and attraction. Because then I feel safe shipping them because I feel like they’ll work out! MAYBE. If an alien doesn’t eat them first.
I’ll need to check these ones you recommended out too! ;D
I love this post! I’m looking for some YA with NO ROMANCE. I just added your recommendations to my long list of TBR hahahaha.
YOUR TBR IS MOST WELCOME. ;D
Personally, I don’t mind romances. When they’re well done, add to the plot and are well developed. I do think that many (MANY) YA books would benefit from trimming the romantic focus…and sometimes cutting the thing out completely – we’ve all read *those* books. I certainly do wish that more authors would forgo the romance altogether….but I wouldn’t want to lose any of the gloriously shippy that bring on ALL.THE.FEELS.
That indecisive jabber up there comes down to this: THANK YOU for featuring shipless YA. I own Eon, I was recently gifted The Knife of Never Letting Go and I want to read Magnus Chase and Maze Runner so I might just time it so I read them right after a YA book that had a less-than-spectacular ship LOL !
YES. 😂 I have read “those” books. Gah, they do spoil things right? Like if the plot is so so tight about the action and adventure that the romance just feels rushed and shoved in there and awkward. >_> Either develop the romance properly or DON’T HAVE IT. *nods sagely*
Magnus Chase is the BEST though!! I hope you like it. ;D
Thank you for this!! I have no problem with romance either but I rather read it in adult books! I mean, I’m 31 (I know, really old!) and I just don’t want to read about teens in love. It kind of weirds me out! My son is almost 13 so you know, kind of close to some of these kids in the books. It’s just nice to read books that focus on more than the romance sometimes!
Hehe, I’m 21 but I FEEL OLD. GAH. Especially when these 16 year olds are “falling in love forever and ever” and I’m like “Dude. No. Go do your homework and drink your chocolate milk.” 😂
I dunno. I’m a sucker for a good love story. Big time. But not every book has to have romance to be good. It frustrates me when there’s a fiction book (usually speculative) that’s not a romance, but the love story is the whole central theme. Come on teenagers. Go fight the bad guys. Ride your dragons. Be nice to mom and dad. Save your planet. You do not need to be in love yet. THIS BOOK IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT OTHER WORLDS. If a book doesn’t claim to be a romance but it turns out to be a heavy-romance-with-a-teeny-bit-of-interesting-plot-that-I-was-reading-the-book-for-in-the-first-place, I’m done.
Now, if a book is a speculative romance, such as the two protagonists go on a mission and fall in love AND STILL DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, maybe even the whole love thing got them there, then cool. But please, I want to know what I’m getting into. I hate insta-love because it’s so unrealistic, especially when they put that in there just for the sake of extra plot material. Please. Just don’t.
Rant over. XD
hehe, AGREED. 😂 And I love how you put this!! Also when the book is so so plot focused and doesn’t have time to develop the romance properly? So it feels half baked and awkward and just…gah. It can ruin an otherwise grand book!!
I love how accurate this is: I do like to ship* and I often find romances entertaining or squishily nice to read about. I also laugh at them a lot. I also yell at the book “YOU’RE 16 FREAKING YEARS OLD, CALM DOWN” 😀
I also enjoy a good ship, but I wish YA authors didn’t feel as though they HAVE to include a romance in order for a book to be successful. That’s how we end up with a million eye roll-y “romances” in books that would have been better without them.
I have a few books to add to the list: Clariel (which was incredibly boring and I wouldn’t recommend), Torn Away, and THIS SAVAGE SONG which is going to be brilliant and perfect and completely ship-free.
Yes! Exactly! And like when the book is SO PLOT FOCUSED that the romance just…doesn’t work because there’s no time to develop it. That just drives me nuts. And it’s very eye roll-y (which is an excellent phrase, I might add). I kind of want to read Clariel one day?? Just to say I’ve read it. (shhh I know that’s bad.) But This Savage Song is SO HIGH on my need list I cannot even. Edelweiss needs to take pity on me and APPROVE ME OMG.
Or the other way around, when there’s no time to develop the plot because the romance takes up all the page time. >.<
I'M CROSSING ALL MY FINGERS FOR THIS SAVAGE SONG.
Here is how it is with me. I love to ship and I love romance, but it has to have foundation. This is my problem with 99.9% of chic flicks.
Author: This is a guy. This is a girl. *shoves faces together* Now kiss!
Me: Why do they love each other? They just met two days ago.
Author: *stares blankly*
Me: What is the foundation for their relationship?
Author: True love! You’re a woman. Why don’t you like it?
Me: *face palm*
Granted, most YA books are not like that. But for me, if there is romance, I like a strong foundation for relationships. I want the author to tell me why they feel this way. And it better be a darn good reason or else I’m not hunting the internet for cute fan arts of that ship! *attempts to look menacing*
On a side note, I just finished watching episodes 1-3 of Star Wars, in preparation for The Force Awakens. I had forgotten how truly terrible the romance in those is. *shudders*
hehe, I AGREE. Those kind of romances are NOT okay. Although I really haven’t read many? but I have read some and I’m still banging my head against a brick wall. Or when they’re in love purely because “he has gorgeous eyes like the sea” or whatever. Grrrr. It feels so shallow and empty I don’t even care about it.
I haven’t seen Star Wars ever so I SHALL REFRAIN FROM COMMENTING. 😂
I love this so much!!! Thank you for this list I absolutely crave reading books without romance. Some of these actually have been on my To-.Buy-List before but I never quite was motivated enough to pick them up. This might change now!
Yay I’m glad it’s helpful! 😀
As a fairly unromantic person myself, I think it would be pretty refreshing to read a YA book that isn’t all about the romance, so I’ll definitely be checking some of these out! I don’t have a problem with romance, per se, but it does sometimes get a little boring, particularly the more formulaic pairings you tend to see (eg. nice girl and bad boy with a secret, or troubled girl and nice guy who comes along to ‘save her’). I can definitely see why so many YA books focus on romance though – at that time in your life I guess starting to have relationships is probably foremost in your mind, so it’s definitely a selling point for a lot of teens.
Oh oh I totally get this! And it does seem like it follows a strict pattern a lot. Although I read one today that totally did NOT end like I thought it would and it was really refreshing and grand. *nods sagely* And yes! I guess when you become a teen, these feelings are new so obviously want to be explored. *nods*
I get you but I’m a hopeless romantic, you know… I basically live on romance and shipping my otps and planning their imaginery marriages! I need a little bit of romance, atleast 1% to keep me going. But of course I love a slow burn romance rather than insta-love where the characters fall in love after 2 days of meeting each other! Though I loooove snarky and sassy friendships but those are really few and hard to find but I’m definitely going to check out the books you’ve listed. Great post Cait! 😀
Instalove really drives me CRAZY. I think it feels like the writer couldn’t be bothered to develop the relationship so they rushed right in? Merp. BUT YEAH. Slow burn romances are wonderful. And especially if they start as sassy friendships. ;D
While I’d like to admit that I’m not too fond of overly romantic books, I can’t help falling in love with love. (I’m such a softie). However, I do like it when I read a book that focuses on other relationships the character has instead of their love life. I notice this more with Adult fiction books (even the overly romantic ones). I just read two really good books that have no romance in them. I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest, is really cool. It is about a graphic novel and the book actually has comic panels in it which, was awesome. The whole book is about friendship. The other one (if you ever want to venture into adult fiction) was The Menagerie by Rachel Vincent. Very dark and creepy, she stated that the entire series would have no romance. It’s very violent though and it’s about people who can change and shift into animals and other creatures in a traveling circus. Not my usual but I’m really glad I gave it a try.
I have Demon road on my tbr, I should just get around to it already,I’ve heard great things about it! Cool post, I will definitely look into some of these!
Omg I wnat to look both these up now! VERY FAST. They sound amazing and dark and creepy is entirely my thing. Mwhahaha. Thank you for these recommendations! ALSO. I am quite the same. Like I say I don’t like romantic books? But even if a book doesn’t have romance I often find myself shipping. 😉
I actually really like reading about romance in YA books. I am almost 16 and heck, romance is the last thing on my mind in my own life. However, I am a romantic and when it comes to reading about other, fictional, people’s lives… who cares what your own circumstances are? In real life the idea that you will find your soul mate when your are just a teenager is a bit silly and very rarely happens however I adore Disney films and because in many Disney films there is often a sweet fairytale-esque romance… I don’t know, its nice to have a bit of fluff and OMG I SHIP IT I SHIP IT in our lives! 😀
A few years ago I really wanted to read She is Not Invisible but I never got round to it… ROSE UNDER FIRE – I THINK I NEED TO CRY, I’LL BE BACK SOON.
Whyyyy are all the teens in books so obsessed with romance then?!? 😂 I mean, I didn’t think about it when I was 16 much either BUT THEY DO IN BOOKS SO I FIGURED THAT WAS NORMAL. (Or maybe all we bloggers are just weird?! hehehhh.) And I agree! It’s NOT always logical to find your OTP when you’re just a teen.
The only one of these I’ve read is Maze Runner, and you do have a point: Teresa and Thomas had a history, but the romance didn’t really develop until the second book.
I’m not a super romantic reader either, but I LOVE romance when it’s well done and I will jump for any chance to fall in love with an actually good ship.
Alexa
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Shipping is just kind of second nature to me now that I’m a blogger. 😂 I CAN’T EVEN HELP IT. And I mean, all throughout the Maze Runner, idek if Thomas was really having feelings for ANYONE. He was so stressed out!! With good reason. XD
I personally don’t mind romance unless it is a) a horrendous love triangle in which the character chooses the wrong person and I am left stranded and covered with feels, this often results in an angry Maya, which is dangerous. b) if it is so forced, and written so horribly that it makes me want to rip my brain out so I never have to think about the story again… Or c) ALL THEY DO IS THINK ABOUT EACH OTHER can I just say NOOOOO that is NOT OKAY ughhhhhh…. Now enough of my tantrum…. Magnus Chase is actually my next read! I’m super excited because I flipped to a random page and the first word I saw was AK-47 therefore this book HAS to be good. There is no doubt about it now.
AGh I HATE when characters choose the wrong person!! IT DRIVES ME CRAZY!! 😂 It actually ruins the whole book for me? Which is awkward. And zomg YES. How can they sit there thinking about each other NON STOP when the world is like ending and dragons are eating everything? Merp It makes no sense.
MAGNUS CHASE IS PERFECTION. It’s hilarious. So stinkin’ hilarious.😂😂
THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO ADLJASDFLKASDF. I loved how there was totally the hint of possibility there, but Patrick Ness didn’t feel the need to make Todd and Viola go all googly-eyed over each other. I kind of get a little annoyed with books that focus so much on smooching when it’s not inherently a romance. Like, if the characters are bent on saving the world and, you know, not dying, it’s a little annoying to replace that tension with romantic tension. Imaginary Girls doesn’t have a whole lot of romance–I mean, there is /some/, but it’s definitely not the focus. Ruthless is brilliant and scary and wonderful and there is a twinge of romance, but again, it’s like spice in a spice cake. It just gives some added flavor. As much as I’m a Vulcan, I honestly don’t mind if there’s minimal romance because it can be cute and sweet and whatever, but not if that romance is all over the place and it distracts from the plot, and definitely not if the romance is supposedly going to cure all the characters’ problems.
I’ve often wondered why a lot of authors do include romance. I think it could be because sixteen is such a romantic age, I don’t know, cause it’s full of so much possibility. And authors want to immortalize that feeling of being in love with life and in love with love somehow. *shrugs* Most of my books have little to no romance. One especially focuses on sibling relationships instead. If my characters get too close romantically, I tend to kill one off. I was only ever in love once, and he died, so I don’t really go for romantic stuff anymore. But maybe a lot of authors equate being young with being in love? And I’ve noticed a trend of single authors writing romance, so I’m thinking that would be wishful thinking? I wonder if married authors are less likely to write romance because they don’t feel that same need to fantasize about it.
Do Todd and Violet get googly eyed in the later books?! IDEK BECAUSE I HAVEN’T READ THEM BECAUSE I’M STILL RECOVERING FROM MANCHEE.
I mostly get annoyed when the book doesn’t have TIME to develop the romance because the plot is so full on. But they still put the romance in anyway and then it feels under-baked and awkward? Agh. That drives me crazy. And plus you don’t ALWAYS meet the Guy Of Your Dreams when you’re only a teen!!
And I’m the same with the Vulcanness-but-liking-a-bit-of-romance. I have a Vulcan Soul that is prone to shipping. That is all. MWAHHAAH. *ahem*
I guess YA is also about … those first feelings of growing up? And romantic feelings come with that, so it makes sense! And omg I kill of the love interests in my WIPs too. #noregrets It’s so tragic and motivating for the character to then conquer the world or whatnot. Except I confess my latest book DID have a love-square in it. But they all sort of accidentally hated each other by the end??? So idek. I think I should quit writing romance. 😂
I don’t mind romantic books, it just get weird when they start to get…very detailed. some of them just make me feel uncomfortable which is why i normally prefer a book that’s a little light on the romance.
other books i know of with no romance would be The False Prince (I tried, but i couldn’t go another comment without mentioning it) Peter Nimble, I think Everlost, but i’d have to read it again to be sure, the night gardener, and probably a bunch more that i’m currently forgetting
P.S. It is totally normal to write an epic fantasy with man-eating-horses and murder and torture and bleeding. In my W.I.P. my protag. rips himself in half. totally normal.
HA! I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO SAY THE FALSE PRINCE! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! *victory dances* Tbh, most MG books don’t focus on romance at all. Which is nice. 😉 I mean it makes sense that YA does, but yeah! I think there could be more balance, you know?
Omg I love the sound of your WIP. Your wip and my wip would be friends, this is obviously. *nods sagely*
I had to think about Maze Runner for a sec, but you’re right. They just know each other.
I tend to gravitate towards books with romance, BUT NON-ROMANCE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT!
On the whole The Maze Runner series WAS pretty unromantic!! I mean, maybe him and that other girl? (I’m sorry! I can’t remember her name, omg that’s so bad.) BUT IDEK. It definitely felt more focused on the action and survival. ;D
I don’t mind romance in books if it’s organic. If it’s too fast, or if it seems tacked on for no reason other than the author/publisher thought the book needed a romance, then I probably won’t like it much.
I’ve read a few books this year with no romance, but most of them were MG, not YA. YA without romance can be hard to find! I think the only YA title I read this year that had no romance was Erin Bow’s Plain Kate. It was also one of the books I enjoyed the most.
MG does really well with focusing on friendship and families. xD But then I guess that makes sense, buuuut…I mean, not all teens mature at the same rate? And some have different priorities? SO YEAH. It’d be nice to see some more non-romantic YA.
Oh, Rose Under Fire…how I love thee! I really like finding YA books without romance or too MUCH romance because that’s not the only stories that need to be told. Plus, not every teen out there is finding their one true love and they do not WANT to always read about characters who do. It makes them feel bad, you know?!!
-Lauren
YESSSS I AGREE!! I mean, I like romance, and I like not-romance. But I think it’s SO hard to find the not-romance books. There should be more out there. *nods*
I enjoy romance, however I hate instalove.
To be honest, I don’t know why I like romance in fiction, as I used to read fantasy and magical realism as a child. Perhaps may there’s a little part of me going “i’m 17, and I want my own Carswell Thorne..” As long as the romance is realist and has a plausible build up, I’ll rarely have a problem with it – but I also adore snarky friendships and relationships between parents and their children. Romance isn’t a bad thing, but it isn’t realistic that all these teenagers fall in love – sometimes it would be nice to see relationships that aren’t romantic too.
I hate instalove too. It feels like bad writing. D: (I want my own Carswell Thorne for real though…but to be friends actually. I shall be the Cinder to a Thorne somewhere. XD) I feel like it’d be nice to see more balance…make it easier to find books without romance? THAT’D BE GOOD. XDXD
I don’t have any issue with romance in YA, simply because Young Adults do seem to tend to face that kind of thing. Romance is starting to be a part of their lives, so it’s natural to include it… to a point. However, I’m getting fed up with books that are putting young protagonists (like you mentioned, 16 years old) in very mature situations where marriage and children are being considered and talked about.
It actually makes me MAD. 16 year olds should be enjoying their romantic experiences, google eying their crushes, discovering themselves as a romantic being (if they even want to be one), having first kisses. They SHOULDN’T be looking to get married, settle down, and have a bunch of babies before they’ve even graduated. That is straight-up psycho. We could get into the big long debate of whether or not young teens are sexual beings – but the presence of sexy times in these books isn’t the issue, it’s the absurdly fast progression of romance in the lives of young characters who don’t even know themselves yet. Makes me wonder what the heck the authors are actually thinking when they write this stuff.
Also, romance isn’t the ONLY thing that happens in a Young Adults life. There are lots of other really big, important, and incredible journeys that teens go through. Family, personal, friends, ambitions, dreams so-on. Having a love interest might be part of the gig but it doesn’t have to be a focal point. This is one reason I love Middlegrade so so so so much. There are GORGEOUS stories and fantastic characters and generally there is little to no romance present because the protagonists are too young. These books still end up being phenomenal.
However, not to knock romance in YA entirely, I do personally enjoy a good Fantasy/Paranormal/Historical YA with a complex romance. As long as the girl isn’t swooning all over herself in moronic lust. I want a main protagonist to be strong and self aware before she frolics off into the realms of romantic bliss with anyone. Just makes for a better love story, I think.
Great post! I’d like to mention to that “A Madness So Discreet” is also another non-romance YA. Very very good. Highly recommend.
Oh I hear ya I HEAR YA with the 16 year olds making mammoth decisions. Luckily I haven’t read that much in books? I’ve read a fair few 18 year olds getting married though and that never feels right for me. Sometimes I think, because, well, most authors are quite older than their characters, maybe they rush things? Not that I want to ASSUME what’s going through an author’s head…and like I said, I haven’t read that many? But still. 🙁 It’s a worry.
And yes! YES!! Romance isn’t the BIGGEST thing. There are so many other complications, like friendships and family just to start with…and then school has so much pressure.
I enjoy a kind of banter romancey, where they don’t admit they’re in love with each other. ;D So it’s more friendship based and the reader ships them so hard and then — KABOOM — loooooove. XD
I like romance in books when it’s done well, and even if it’s not the best, I’m fine with it as long as it doesn’t take away from the main plot. (Unless we’re talking about fluffy contemporaries where the romance pretty much IS the plot. I love some of those too.) Even so, it can be SUCH a breath of fresh air to read a book without romance.
My favorite YA without romance has to be A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis. There’s a hint that a minor character might like the main character, Grace Mae, but that’s it. Besides, there’s no time for romance! There’s murder mysteries to solve!
So true! It’s like both romance and non-romance is GREAT but I think there should be a few more non-romance options?! To even things out, right? OH OH and you’re the 2nd person to mention A Madness So Discreet today so I NEED TO READ IT.
Rose Under Fire…ug. It made me cry, but not as much as Code Name Verity. I was crying in my car because I was listening to it. I’m sure I looked like an ugly mess that day driving home from work. At least it was while I was driving home and not too work.
The prison came that Rose was in is also featured in The Nightingale which I read this year. You know you’ve read too much WII historical fiction when…
I was bawling for BOTH OF THEM. Reason #1 why I haven’t read Elizabeth Wein’s latest book. 😂 She is just too good at making me SOB UNCONTROLLABLY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS LIST!!! I myself am NOT a fan of a romance that does not add anything to the plot, and especially not gooey lovey teen romances. I want action and adventure…not making out when you should be, I don’t know, SLAYING DRAGONS?! Anyway, I am definitely going to have to check some of these out. ❤
Every book needs dragons. I AM A BIG ADVOCATE OF THIS. But, sheesh, Erin? Slaying them? WHY CAN’T WE INVITE THE DRAGONS TO TEA AND CAKES AND THEN EAT AN ALIEN? #DragonRights ANYHOW. I think you and I are the same about this hehe. ;D I like romance just fine, but I like it to be well done and useful. XD
OCD, the Dude, and Me is a great YA contemporary without romance that I think gets overlooked.
I haven’t even heard of that one! *dashes off to look it up*
I don’t mind romance in books. I actually really like it, but I’ve run into the problem where now romance kind of /has/ to be in the book now or else it’s not a “YA novel”. That’s kind of the best way I can describe it, but yeah. I really dislike it when romance seems to be shoehorned into the novel or it’s just a case of insta-love.
BUT I’m really happy about this list of non romance YA books. I’ll definitely be checking them out!
I do notice that a bit too…and I get it? I think publishers want to see the romance to make sure the book appeals to a wide audience and sells better? But I think sometimes books would be so much stronger without it. Instalove feels like shoddy writing. 🙁
I like some romance, I don’t like books oriented on romance. If a synopsis tells a lot about the romance of the characters I probably won’t read it. I just like the relationship to be there and to evolve. Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series is a series mostly without romance,. It is mostly pin pointed on the goal of what they want to accomplish. Plus I love this series!.
I haven’t read the Leviathan series yet!! (It’s like on the ENDLESS tbr…so, hehe, who knows. 😂 But I do have plans!)
Yes! I am so excited to see you’ve put together a list of YA books without romance. While I too do enjoy books with romance, it is also a refreshing change to read YA books that focus on other things than romance. I recently read Code Name Verity and loved that the book focuses on the friendship between the two female protagonists.
yesss!! And we should have more options right?! It shouldn’t be so so hard to FIND a book without romance! GAH. Have you read Rose Under Fire?! I THINK YOU’D LOVE IT. (And probably cry, but that’s the life of a suffering bookworm, amirite?!)
This was great! I’ll definitely like a bit of romance now and then, but I like it to be realistic. 🙂
SAME. And most of the books I write actually have romance (even if my definition of “romance” is just characters mutually eating cake whilst professing love for each other *shrugs* It works…I hope. 😂)
Haha, am I one of those fellow bookworms Cait? 😉
And OMG these books all sound amazing. I absolutely adored Rose Under Fire (and by adored I mean “was completely emotionally destroyed by”). The Knife of Never Letting Go, Challenger Deep and It’s Kind of a Funny Story were also amazing too.
I feel like a ton of authors are adding romance where it isn’t completely necessary, just so the story will appeal to a YA audience, which kind of makes me disappointed.
Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous post! ♥
Ooh! I just remembered that Islands at the End of the World by Austin Aslan is another example of a YA book without romance. Instead of romance, it focuses on the power of familial relationships, which I loved. It’s absolutely amazing.
HA YES! THIS POST IS 1000% FOR YOU. ZOE. XDXD😂 Just kidding….I actually hear this a lot! so it burnt in mind until I posted about it. Hehe. oh but I think this is where our bookish twinness sometimes divides? Because I seem to tolerate romance a lot more than you. BUT STILL. It’s gotta be a well written one. And yes, I think a lot of books have unnecessary romance, or just rushed romance?
I’ve learned where the word ‘ship’ comes from now, I’ve always known it’s definition but now I can finally explain it to my parents lol (IT’S SO BLATANTLY OBVIOUS, relationSHIP *sigh*). That aside, this is such a well thought out blogpost. I find it a major struggle to find any YA novel that isn’t focused around love or has not got romantic themes involved! – So thank you for sharing some books that can solve that! 🙂 xxx
BAHAH. YOU ARE WELCOME. Actually I didn’t realise why we say “ship” for a while either. 😂 so you’re actually not alone there. ;D Aww thank you though! I’m glad you liked it! I think there should be MORE books without romance. Like I totally like it? But I like balance too. *nods*
Cait, thank you! You have given me hope!
Perhaps I am a wee bit too harsh concerning romance, but I have a tendency to make faces like a 9-year-old boy when I read something ‘sappy’. Romance is fine to an extent. Just keep it slow, realistic, and awkward for my evil sense of humour.
I recall seething at a book because it wouldn’t stop interrupting all the interesting politics with it’s many forced and rapid romances.
Again, thank you! Let’s hope I can find some of these books at my library.
YOU ARE WELCOME, T. *gives you cake along with the hope* I used to make hideous faces over the mention of romance…but I’ve softened in my old old age. And I like it now. But I like certain KINDS. Like insta love and triangles have me screeching and moving to the moon. I really like ones where they fight but love each other. :’) Not fight rudely? Just fight because they want to PROTECT each other. heeehhhp.
I agree! I ship fiercely and shamelessly, and I probably will until the end of my lifetime.
The only reason why I hate it when there’s romance in YA (SOMETIMES!!) is because it’s really unnecessary and then it’s really undeveloped, plotwise. But I really miss the just platonic relationships. I’m psyched to read Magnus Chase because there is no romance. Platonic relationships stand out more and it shows that you don’t need to be romantically involved with anyone.
YA is targeted towards teenagers and young adults (obviously) and adolescence isn’t ALL about romance. It’s more of creating yourself and finding out what you want to do. It can include dating, but a lot of teens don’t date in their teenage years. They don’t plan on it, and they are mostly uninterested.
Don’t get me wrong, people DO date when they’re teenagers but not all. Which is why it irks me when it’s so seldom that I come across a book where there isn’t any romance! I really agree with everything you’ve said. I’ll be checking out those books soon.
WE ARE CAPTAINS OF AMAZING SHIPS AND NOT ASHAMED! *sails until dawn*
Oh but yesss, I totally agree. Or like when EVERYONE is in love with one person? That bugs me. Like why can’t they be friends? Why do they always have to fall in love? And yessss, adolescence is about SO MUCH MORE. Like discovering who you are and what you believe in and what you want in life. And I hate it how sometimes books sort of subtly promote this message that you wont’ be happy without a significant other. Why?! WHY?! You can be happy!! And I think one should learn how to be happy alone so their happiness doesn’t depend on others. Omg so much wisdom from me. I need coffee now.
(😂)
EXACTLY. KNOWING THAT YOU DON’T NEED SOMEONE TO COMPLETE YOU IS SO SO SO IMPORTANT. And I want coffee. Coffee is fantastic.
Okay so let me tell you a story all of 12 words: I went through a phase where I ONLY READ YA WITH ROMANCE!
Yes. It’s true. I was that teenager who had romance on her mind a looooottt. I also had murder and revenge and thievery on my brain, but toss in a hunk with good bones and THE ONE GIRL IN THE ENTIRE WORLD WHO EVER MADE HIM TAKE HIS EYE OFF THE JOB OR MELTED HIS COLD DEMEANOR AND THEN THERE I WAS *slides up* *wiggly eyes* Yes yes I like this outcome.
I’m still basically like that. I love romance, but I’ve fine tuned it. It’s more focused on a specific type of romance. I won’t deal with those insta-loves anymore. I’ll toss a book down that depicts that crap! But SLOW BURN ROMANCES ARE MY THING! And I can’t stand to have love be the only drive to the plot (especially “smooching away problem” scenes)! I like a well rounded story with deep, sensible characters who can also have a little love future on the side. Ya know what I mean, jelly bean?
But I have come to appreciate romance-free books. It’s almost as if authors treat romance as some sort of plot crutch. Books who don’t need that crutch? They earn respect points from me. I especially loved the book Code Name Verity. It was a wonderful read AND I CANNOT WAIT TO CRY AND SOB OVER ROSE UNDER FIRE
But like, addressing your post, WHO THE HECKIE ARE SABA AND JACK??? WHAT ARE THEY FROM? (I musT SHIP IT)
Also, brah, this line tho- “Although they sucked at the whole “ride into the sunset happily” and instead cursed of all mankind. Plot twist.” YOU CRACK ME UP! Tell me that the books you write are chock FULL of golden lines like these? AND THAT YOU’RE GETTING PUBLISHED! AND I CAN READ THEM!
Great post! Thank you for the recommendations.
I FEEL LIKE YOU HAD A FABUlOUS READING STAGE THEN. 😂 Honestly, I was the opposite…I was the scrawny 15 year old who SCREAMED BLUE MURDER if they read a book with romance because ughggugh. (I was mature, obviously. [not]). I barely every abandon books, but I DO get annoyed at love triangles and instalove (I feel like instalove is just slack writing? but merp. What do I know. XD)
I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. I CONCUR.
Oh oh, didn’t I say about Jack and Saba?! *facepalm* EPIC BLOG FAIL THERE. Go read Blood Red Road. Right this instant. Go SJ. It calls you and you’ll love it. *nods sagely*
OF COURSE THE BOOKS I WRITE ARE FULL OF THESE GOLDEN LINES. *tosses hair majestically* 😂
Love this post! While romance on YA isn’t the worst thing, sometimes it’s refreshing to read a book that focuses on other things. You have some great books listed on here, plus some I haven’t even heard of, so I can’t wait to check them out!
Agreed!! I’m never going to say “agh I hate romance!” because I QUITE LIKE IT, but I do like a bit of balance. ;D
Great Post and an Interesting Subject Matter (must refrain from ranting as this is a bit pf a trigger for me, so I’m apologizing in advance). I don’t have a problem with Romance in YA per-say, I have a problem with shitty/mediocre romance (example abusive relationships presented as romantic or just badly written romances in general) in YA books. I have a problem with Romance in YA when the plot is more interesting and yet continues to be shunted to the side for no reason. To me, it says to the reader “You’ll read anything as long as you think someone is potentially getting some” or “We don’t have have to write meaningful relationships OF ANY KIND outside romance” (the dead parent trope really irritates me).
To me, a lot of writers use the romance sub-plot as a crutch for lazy writing or a lack of confidence in their plot, which means to me that the book isn’t ready for publishing. As you said Cait, we’ve been telling romantic stories since the beginning of time, everyone knows the formula. I also have a big problem with a lot of the YA Romance subplots because they mostly always focus on cis-gendered white couples, always within the safe boundaries of western society’s social acceptance. Teenagers don’t need romance shoved down their throats, we need more non-romance orientated books, thank you for sharing this awesome list of books, I intend to check them out soonish 🙂
P.S. Sorry for ranting
Oh no need to apologise! This was super interesting. ;D And I mean, any book (whether YA or adult) is going to suffer from not-so-good writing occasionally, especially in the romantic department. I really don’t like abusive relationships either. And I see a lot of them in NA books? Which is why I avoid that genre/category like the plague now. >_>
I often wonder, though, do books focus on one type of romance because that’s the kind the author is interested in? Idek. I mean, maybe authors’ should be writing ALL sorts of romances, but I do understand that it’d be better to write something well than half-baked. You know? So it depends! We obviously need more diverse authors too. *nods*
Some times it’s nice to not have a book centered around romance, like you just want action. But I don’t normally mind romance till it gets annoying, for example a love triangle taking center stage when you a) practically know who to protagonist is gonna choose and b) when there some more important issues that should probably be focused on.
Yup. TOTALLY agree. I really don’t mind romance at all…but I think the influx of love triangles a few years back sort of killed trope. *winces*
LIES, THERE IS ROMANCE IN THE NEXT BOOK OF EON. SADLY, YES I KNOW. ahahhaha. And I also enjoyed Messenger of Fear, and I’m looking forward to the sequel 🙂
I think the best books are the ships that aren’t forced at all, and the readers want the ship to happen so badly, because it doesn’t happen automatically.
BUT NOT IN THE FIRST BOOK OF EON SO NOT LIES. HA! (Actually I haven’t read the second book of Eon, so I wouldn’t know. ;P)
I definitely do not have a problem with romance in YA. Most of the time I love to ship, just like you! I love romances, as long as they aren’t insta love or don’t make any sense.
Of course sometimes I do come across that feeling of: “where are all the books that DONT have romance at the centre?” And I’ve definitely read a few, but I want MORE. I am huge on independence and I’ve always liked the idea that we can be happy without a significant other, so I demand more of this promotion in YA! (More than we already have, that is).
I think it’s really important to be happy by YOURSELF before finding a significant other…because relying on someone else to make you happy is a big dangerous, right? And not-sustainable. SO YEAH. I’d like to see more non-romancey books. I totally don’t have anything against romance, but YEAH IT’D BE GOOD FOR BALANCE. *nods sagely*
This was a fabulous list and awesome discussion. I need to read some of those books. I finished A Madness So Discreet yesterday and it was romance free, creepy and awesome. I also read *remembers* Vitro by Jessica Khoury and it’s very unromantic. (also, awesome) I do enjoy romance (it’s cute. It adds tension. It’s fun!) but I don’t need it there. It does bother me, how YA, especially contemporary YA is so focused on romance, because having a boyfriend/girlfriend is not the essential high school experience. That said, romance and even love triangles are a way to express the tension of growing up and discovering who you are, which I like.
Ooh, I NEED THAT BOOK. And I love Mindy McGinnis so this is now reason #9853953 why I should read it. *nods* And yes, totally agree! I’d like to see more non-romance focused contemporaries. I mean THEY ARE OUT THERE PROBABLY. I don’t really read enough contemporary to accurately judge. 😂
I’m excited to hear that The Girl from the Well doesn’t include a romance plot. I love romance in books, but sometimes I just want a break.
SAME! It’s nice to have the variety, right?!
It is super hard to find books without a smidget of romance in them these days, BUT like you said, it is what’s HOT and IN in the YA market! I’m a YA writer and LOVE romance. (the steamier the better) But that’s just me. Some don’t like it but then others LOVE it. But I like how you highlighted all of this and gave us books that don’t particularly have romance in it. 🙂
And I think we YA writers do need to write things that’ll get the publishers happy!! WE GOTTA DO WHAT WE GOTTA DO. (Which is a struggle for me because I suck at writing romance.😂)
Thank you, thank you for this list! Seriously, I do tend to arch my eyebrows at the sixteen year olds who want to commit their lives to each other after a week of knowing each other. Meh. Not that I don’t like romances, but you know, sometimes you want something different. And I am so with you on the “smooching away your problems.” Life does not work that way, people!
You mentioned Saba! *squeals*
So I decided to actually write some of these down and make a real, tangible list. I don’t know why I don’t that more often. . . Your one-two sentence summary of There Will Be Lies makes me want to read it. Very. Badly.
“who is basically a Sherlock Holmes character, being romantically attracted to a duck”– in which I choke on my laughter, so the book goes on the list.
I just finished the Maze Runner. Good that. 😉 Actually, I think it’s keeping me from reading other books now. . .
Tolkien is usually not very romantic at all. I wonder sometimes if he was afraid to write romance? Or if it just never occurred to him?
Heeeehhhe, me too. I mean, what do you REALLY know when you’re 16? I had a crisis every time I had to choose an ice cream flavour so goodness, please, I could not have been proposing marriage at that age. I really don’t think anyone should buuuuut. Some book couples are too perfectly shippable, even if they are SUCH BABIES. (It’s hard being 21. Omg. I am an old racoon.)
SABA AND JACK MY LURVES. Although I just finished that series and I. am. crying.
(I think you’d really like There Will be Lies!! Like I gave it 3-stars at the time, but now? It’s a solid 4 if not 4.5. I have really fond memories of it. IT TWISTS THE MIND SO MUCH.)
Yes, Tolkien absolutely failed in the romance department. 😂 Maybe it was emphatically not his thing either?
Out of all the books that you’ve listed, I’ve only read It’s Kind Of A Funny Story and Maze Runner hehehe.
I think I’m the opposite of you? I adoooore romance. Cheesy, non-cheesy, I still love romance. And I think it’s because that there’s not enough happy, romantic people in the world. Here and there, you see humans taking advantage of each other. UGH WHERE IS THE LOVE, PEOPLE? But that’s my hypothesis on why I love romance.
BUT I have no problem with books not having romance. I have read a couple of those types of books, and most of them are really really good. I mean, of course, being the hopeless romantic I am, I would start pairing off people in the book, and get sad when they don’t even have feelings for each other xD But I don’t dislike those books. If they’re really good, I would love them as much as I love romance book.
And I love the way you structured your words in saying that you do not have a problem with romance. I definitely do not like people who SMASH SMASH SMASH other people who LOVES romance, aka me. You have no idea how many people who called me childish, annoying and hopeless just because I said I love romance. UGHHHH.
GOOD FOR YOU! Which means you’ll never have to search far for a good romancey book, right?!? hehe And I agree that it’s nice to see romances “work out” and stuff. Like it’s really satisfying to end a book with two characters who looooove each other and are ready to have a happily-ever-after. IT IS NICE. (And *whispers* even though I prefer non-romantic books, I have shipped people in said books because it’s habit. I can’t help it.😂)
OMG YOU ARE SO WELCOME!! I really hate the hate (har har that sounds weird to say) on romance-lovers. And non-romance lovers. But I feel like “romance” in general gets a bit of a bashing…and while it’s not my favourite, NOTHING SHOULD BE BASHED!!
Oh, useful. I know some people who will definitely want to check some of these out.
YAY! I’m glad! *commences quiet dance party*
I love me a good romance, hands down. But I agree that there’s this blurred lined in YA between having a romance in seemingly every story, and having a good romance in the story that’s relevant to the plotline and actually well-written. I love having the extra level of feels in a story that comes with a good romance – that intensity, the tension, the chemistry, knowing that your protagonist has found someone to confide in, to love – it makes me so happy! And it can lead to stronger relationships and hilarious banter (usually), but if it begins to take preference in the story and the story doesn’t need that (it’s a dystopian or mystery etc.) then it starts getting bad. I don’t want to read about poor little female-brown-haired-plain-looks-no-one-loves-me-but-actually-every-male-ever-does falling in love with the perfect Boy Next Door… and then oh-no, getting strange attractions to the brother’s-best-friend-whose-no-good-or-actually-a-fallen-angel which are just undeniable – that makes me hurl and then cry. It’s pointless!
…so great discussion, Cait! I definitely want to check out these books. I think the only one I’ve read is The Maze Runner – and agreed, whatever the hell that was between Thomas & Theresa was not ‘love’!
The feeeeeels. LURVE ME SOME FEELS. And I think it does mess with the feels a lot if the romance is slow burn and one person is chasing the other or whatnot. Chemistry. Tension. And the horror that the author will break them up and destroy EVERYTHING YOU’VE ROOTED FOR. :’) Oh reading is so fun.
I think the best series I’ve read with no romance is The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series (quite a mouthful but it’s very good). The first book is The Alchemyst and it’s by Michael Scott.
I don’t mind romance in books in general. I think it adds a more realistic touch, even if not every single person is in some sort of relationship. Most people think about it in some context. What I don’t enjoy, especially in YA, is love triangles. Occasionally, if done well, I love them, but most of the time I get tired of them. They seem so stupid and unrealistic. Why would any guy, let alone two, hang around if a girl wasn’t showing interest in them? It’s always put forth like it’s the girl’s decision whether or not she wants to have a relationship and who she wants to have it with, but what about the guy? I think it’s done better when the love interests are more spread out, time-wise. Like where the girl isn’t seeing them both at the same time (take Throne of Glass for example. Celaena wasn’t with Dorian and Chaol at the same time. Yet everyone still considers it a love triangle.)
Great post!
I should really look those up! Thanks, Ronan! 😀 And I’m totally with you on the love triangles. I mean, I’ve read a few, too, that I’ve loved to pieces…but sometimes they’re unnecessary and tedious and I think YA just got a bit flooded with them a few years back and it’s sort of damaged the trope? And I fail to see how it’s “love” if you can’t decide between two people. SHEESH. (And I agree!! The Throne of Glass triangle was grand…almost not a triangle? But still was? IDEK. I JUST KNOW IT WAS ACCEPTABLE.😂)
I AM RIDICULOUSLY PLEASED WITH THIS LIST. The sad thing is that I have read 0 of these books. (But recognized many of them on my TBR list. I own Rose Under Fire but I’m terrified of it because Code Name Verity ripped my heart out and then proceeded to stomp on it and tear it to shreds.) Ahem. Romance doesn’t usually bother me, as long as it’s not the MAIN theme. I like a main genre with romance sprinkled in. But I also like it to be done well: no “he likes her, she likes him, he’s dating another girl blah blahbity blah blah” nonsense. But then at the same time: DUUUUUDES. This is a supposed 16-year-old relationship that feels more like a 26-year-old-relationship. I’M NOT BELIEVING IT. But I’ll still eat it up. So you see my problem is I am a very picky picky reader when it comes to romance… there are just so many things that go into it!
*sprinkles confetti on both of us* YAY I AM pLEASED. Oh oh and I’m not saying Rose Under Fire is better/easier…it’ll still rip your feels out, but maybe not QUITE as much as CNV did?? SO YOU GOTTA READ IT. (That saying I’m procrastinating Elizabeth Wein’s latest book because of feels fears.😂)
*falls hopelessly in love with the post*
My overflowing TBR REALLY didn’t need this addition of, like, 10 books to it, BUT I REGRET NOTHING. I pushed hard for a Top 10 on this very subject last year on our blog, and we eventually wrote it. But it was HARD. YA doesn’t take kindly to a lack of Smacks-You-In-The-Face-Romance. (Which is probably why I love Maggie Stiefvater, especially The Scorpio Races and TRC. While there IS romance, it really doesn’t smack you in the face at all. It’s more like the clever, quiet, unassuming friend who sits in the corner and occasionally chimes in with a brilliant remark.)
I like my romance as a subplot. In the background. I like it understated and so hard-to-get that I have to hunt for it. I like feeling rewarded with a romantic scene, rather than be worn down by their abundance. Does that make sense? It took me about A DECADE to figure this out. I went from *hates romance* to *reads a lot of romance* to *avoids romance like a plague* and finally settled on… this. ‘Tis a golden middle and you’ve just made my life so much easier, Cait. <3 As usual.
Pfffft, your TBR wanted this post so so badly it basically screamed with joy and is probably going to fall on you and crush you flat but NO REGRETS AMIRITE, LEXIE?! *throws fairy dust in the air and dances* I do read a lot of books where romance is there but very very quietly. The Scorpio Races and TRC are excellent examples. *nods sagely* Although I won’t deny that Shiver is my favouritest book ever and VERY romantic. 😂 I really do like the quieter romances, where the adventure is the focus though.
MIDDLE GROUND IS NICE. It’s like being a hobbit in middle Earth, basically. Comfortable. :’)
YA BOOKS WITHOUT ROMANCE?!? WHAT IS THIS?!?
I don’t mind romance in books, but it HAS to be a subplot. If it’s all about the romance, I’m not interested. Good job finding ALL of these. Looking for YA books without romance is like looking for Christmas cards on Valentine’s Day.
Incidentally, I’m searching for the mythical unicorn right now. Any tips from the expert? 😉
IT’S A VERY VERY UNUSUAL PHENOMENON I KNOW. 😂 I do like it as a subplot! I mean ALL my favourite of most favourite books have a romantic subplot (*hugs the Raven Boys*) but it doesn’t over take the story and YUS. That’s my favourite.
I KNOW NAUGHT ABOUT UNICORNS. MY SPECIALITY IS DRAGONS.
Yes to all these books – this post was so necessary! I think romance in YA is good, I like reading about it and dying over whether my OTP are going to make it or not, but I agree: there really needs to be more non-romantic YA. Especially because a lot of the time (with books I’ve read) the girl’s story cannot be spectacular and there is no sign of things improving for her until a guy comes into the scene and “helps” her overcome all her problems. WHY IS IT ALWAYS A GUY? I mean even if it wasn’t, why is it always a romantic interest? The amount of problems teens have every single day (we’re a dramatic lot) we’d need a lot of people suddenly moving next door or something.
Especially with difficult topics like depression. With romance you’re just teaching people to just sit and wait until a guy comes to rescue them. It’s ridiculous!
Soooo another YA non-romantic book (possibly the only notable one I’ve read so far) is Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson – where the protagonist suffers from an eating disorder and we learn that boys aren’t going to save the day for you, they’re their own complex little grey creatures and that you have to look out for yourself. GAH.
I feel like warrior-me has come out her shell for once, this is shocking.
SQUEE. THANK YOU. 😀 I really really reeeeeally agree though, and I hate it when a girl can’t really have a solid story or a “happy ending” until she gets the guy. I mean, why? I’ve read tons of books where the guys don’t solve her problems, but probably more where they do? SO that makes me sad too. D:
Awk, don’t even get me started on “curing” illnesses with romance. OR ANYTHING. I also hate it when a person with a disability’s life is suddenly “SO MUCH BETTER” now that they have a girl/boyfriend. I mean, really?
Oh yes, I agree about Wintergirls! I wasn’t sure if it could go on the list because she kinda wanted that guy? I mean, she DIDN’T want him. She was just so messed up and he knew it…but since it was in there I wasn’t sure I could stick it on the list. BUT I DO LOVE THAT BOOK. SO POWERFUL.
Go warrior you!! *rewards warrior you with cake*
I am writing these books down. Thank you ever so much for compiling a list for us, your humble readers.
Aww, you’re welcome! I’m glad it was helpful! 😀
I personally love romance in books and it never really bothers me at all, despite age unless it’s completely unrealistic. But I have heard people say there aren’t books without romance and while I can never think of books off the top of my head, like ever, now I can point them to this post.
Eeep, I’m glad it was helpful!! I hear the “all YA has romance” so. much. It bothers me!! Not that romance or non romance books are better, it’s just nice to have variety, right?!
Finding YAs without romance is a struggle, so thank you for all these recommendations that I must now go seek down and devour. Romance in YAs doesn’t bother me, but I hate when it’s the main focus of the novel because I DIDN’T SIGN UP FOR THIS BOOK JUST TO HAVE ROMANCE SHOVED DOWN MY THROAT INSTEAD OF APOCALYPSE/DRAGONS/INSERT OTHER THING HERE. *cough* Also, another one is In The After by Demitria Lunetta. There’s a smidgen of it at the end, but hardly, and a bit more in the second book but it’s a really good duology.
TRUE TRUE!! Especially when the book, like, advertises all this action! adventure! danger! Destruction! but in the end all you get is a very sappy romance. I don’t like that. *sighs* I do like it when it’s a side plot but not the focus. ;D
I love me a nice romancey YA! Even if it isn’t a romance novel per se. I think for me it has to do with living vicariously through fictional characters, haha! But I can read a book without romance, too. I’ve never really thought about how few there are, though, it hadn’t occurred to me. And I guess asexual aromantic people must get sick of it; sick of lack of representation, sick of constantly reading stories that have a big element of something that they don’t personally relate to. So we definitely need more non-romancey YA. Great post, Cait!
I HEAR YA. 😂 Plus fictional boys (or girls) are just somehow…BETTER. GOTTA ADMIT. And I think it would be frustrating for aromantic people to be trying to read something and just have all of THIS all the time. *sighs*
THANK YOU. 😀
I agree that it seems like books without romance are missing something. Maybe it is so human to FEEL Things, and we can’t FEEL ALL THE THINGS without romance?
I’m not sure if they’re “missing something” though. 😂 I mean, they can be?! And sometimes I even ship people if the book is not romantic anyway, hehe, but you can still feel things without romance. There are asexual people, for instance…
Wow, this is really refreshing. I hate it when romances seem forced in books. NOT EVERY BOOK NEEDS ONE! Thanks for the new book recs 🙂
IT IS TRUE!! Not every book needs romance to make it powerful. Doesn’t make romance bad at all…just…I do wonder why there’s so so many and it’s hard to find non-romantic books sometimes. :O
Hey! Really helpful post. I would do anything to avoid that awkward moment when a teacher or a relative silently turns over a “romance-y” book I’ve been reading and reads the back. I can just feel the burning judgement. Once I was reading Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor and my aunt teased me about the “forbidden romance” advertised on the cover for a week. Also, sometimes you just want a break from reading about a really great YA love interest and being reminded that UGH, real human boys will never meet my expectations. SIGHHHHHHHH
Great post! Thanks for being so dedicated to awesomeness!
Really helpful post! I get sick of an elderly relative or teacher silently judgeing me because they read the back cover of the book I was reading and deemed it too “romance-y”. The judgement burns! Once my aunt read on the back cover about the “forbidden romance” in the book I was reading, Days Of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor, and would not stop talking about it for a week. Also, sometimes you just want to stop being reminded of the impossibly high standards and amazing qualities of fictional boys only to see a UGH real, human boy… SIGHHHHHHHH
Thanks for the post! Continue being dedicated to awesomeness!
OMG I HATE THAT TOO!! Like raised eyebrows and all of that…how come people get snotty about romance in books but then bark “SO WHY DON’T YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND, YOU LADY?” or whatever. Huuuumans. Agh. They make no sense.
Fictional boys are the best boys. 😉
I’ve never really been conscious of whether there is romance in a YA book or not. I’m the type of person that if there is, woohoo, and if there isn’t, woohoo. Power to you, Cait, this was a perfect list! I’ve read most of the books listed, so maybe I unconsciously lean towards less romance? And woah, teenagers think about romance?????? I never knew x)
Bahaha, well good for you though!! If you don’t prefer either or, more books are more likely to make you happy, right?! 😂 hehe
Great post!! So many people associate YA with romance, so it’s hard to find books without it! A bunch sound really intriguing!
~Sara
It’s true! I mean, I read 300 books this year and these few books are all I came up with?! Feels sad, right?!
I do enjoy romance in books. I used to go, “ew”, at it when I was a pre-teen and younger teenager, but now I’m perfectly happy with it (if the romance is done well, that is — heck no to insta-love). I don’t seek out actual straight-out romance (except when it comes to Jennifer L. Armentrout, she’s the only “romance” writer I’ll read), but welcome romance as a sub-plot to the main plot in other genres. I do wish there were most YA books WITHOUT books, though. When I read Magnus Chase it was so refreshing not to have any hint of romance! That was like a bolt of lightning from the sky.
Same. hehe. 😂 I was SUCH a romance wuss once upon a time…I literally got so made at characters for getting romantic. Omg. Adorable me. hehe. But now?! I REALLY like a very shippable, wonderful, dimensional romance! And I agree! More books without would be nice. Magnus Chase blindsided me a bit with its lack of romance. CONSIDER ME SURPRISED AND IMPRESSED.
I read this yesterday, but I suck at commenting when I’m on my phone. Thanks for this handy list, and I’m pretty sure you’re responsible for half my to-read list, so think about what you’ve done, young lady.
Your TBR loves me. YOU KNOW IT DOES. *watches calmly as Vlora’s TBR crashes on her head due to me*
I’m a romantic at heart, but I don’t always like it when the romance is the main focus. So, yes, I do wish there were more non-romance focused books. (Even though I’m always shipping characters XD ). Thanks for the list! I’ve only read The Maze Runner and Rose Under Fire, so you’ve definitely just made my to-read list grow. 🙂
SAME!! Like I’ll totally sit here and go “Great! This book has no romance!” and then go back to shipping characters anyway. I’m hopeless.😂 NOT EVEN DENYING IT BY THIS POINT. hehe. Your TBR is welcome. 😉
I think there’s a lot more variety now. When I was a teenager (back in the dark ages) pretty much the only books written for a YA audience were romance based. Or they were the only ones that found their way to me, anyway.
I totally know what you mean. *nods* Although when I started reading YA seriously, it was when TFIOS and Divergent and all them were getting big (I’m slow at these things!! I was reading Roald Dahl when I was 16 still hehe😂) but I’m DEFINTIELY seeing more YA books where romance isn’t the focus. It’s nice! I like both, but I do like a few non-romantic books in the mix too.
I have to admit I love romance in stories! But if a book doesn’t have any in then I don’t mind either. I can only think of Code Name Verity as another book that doesn’t have romance in, and that made me cry a lot!(:
Although CNV had a liiiittle tiny bit?! Because of Maddie and Jamie?! But it was such a smidge, it basically counts as fitting on this list too. 😂 BUT OMG I LOVE THAT BOOK SO MUCH!! Ahem. *composes self* Go you for loving the romance, too! ;D Balance is good right?! Some books with, some books without. *nods sagely*
Okay, Cait, are you ready? YOU BETTER BE! It’s happening. After two months away from blogging. I AM BACK! And, of course, that means I am going to start by binge reading every single post of yours that I have missed. And then annoy you by commenting on EVERY SINGLE ONE! BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!
I don’t mind romance in the books I read. But I am also really happy when I read a YA books that contains NO romance. Even if they do seem quite rare at times. But I also do like shipping… when it works out in my favour. DAMN YOU, QUEEN OF SHADOWS, YOU ARE NOT FORGIVEN!!!!
AFJDASLKFD YOU ARE MY FAVOURITE OBVIOUSLY. *hugs you* I’m so glad you’re back!! I always miss it when you don’t blog!! hehe (Of course no pressure though!! Omg, goodness, I really don’t want to sound like I’m putting pressure on you or anything. 😂 OKAY I’LL SHUSH NOW. *digs hole and dives into it*)
NEVER FORGIVEN THAT QUEEN OF SHADOWS. *sobs for 9 years*
I absolutely wish there were more non-romantic YA books! Granted, at 27, my significant other makes me feel all swoony, but my teenaged-self was totally not into lovey-dovey books (unless it was the Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging variety of lovey-dovey because those books were hilarious, plus British boys, you know?). I definitely plan to check out these books, btw. AND! It’s Kind of a Funny story is amazing. Ned Vizzini was one of my favorite authors when I was a young, whipper-snapper.
It’s Kind of A Funny Story WAS SO SO AMAZING. But I really cried when I heard the author died. :'( That book is really special though and, gah, I want to hug it. AHEM. BUT YES. I’m definitely more romantic in my old age (21 😂) than I was when I was 16. hehe. So I appreciate the romancey-ness now. I AM A WEIRD ONE, I KNOW.
Ooh! I LOVE this post! I actually am okay with romance in YA books as long as it doesn’t completely overtake the storyline, especially when the book is not presented as being centered on the romance. And yes, Katniss and Prim. SISTER FEELS!! *weeps* And also Cinder. Yaaaas. And your hypotheses are very good ones, btw. *nods in approval*
SISTERS FEELS FOREVER. <3 It's like balance is good, right?! Sometimes I want a squishy smushy story....sometimes I want platonic love featured! I just wish there was more of the platonic one, but I DO UNDERSTAND why romantic love is more featured *nods*
This post gave me hope in the world again, Cait. I bought and read Jackaby today, and it was brilliant. A new favorite.
OH oh YAY!! I’m glad you liked it!! ;D I listened to the audio and it wasn’t my favourite narrator but stiiiiill. It was a clever book. XD
I absolutely LOVE any books with romance. I think it’s the fifth reason: People like to read about other humans’ lives working out. I always like that characters fall in love and live happily ever after. Maybe it was too much sappy romance movies with my mom or DISNEY, but I love, love. Books without romance aren’t as prominent in my reading but I never miss the romance because if there is no inkling of one it doesn’t get my mind racing. I really have to see what books I’ve read before that don’t have any romance. There’s probably like 5.
yES WE TOTALLY DO!! Like why would I want to read a whole string of depressing books? Seriously? I want to read about people who end up in a (sort of) happily ever after…It makes me happy. :’) So some romance, at least, is always appreciated by me.
I have to say, I NEED me some romance. And I think it is for one of the reasons you mentioned! I want MY life to be like that, so I want to read about it! And then get bitter that some 16 year old in a book has a way better time of things. So maybe this isn’t so healthy after all… 😉
Oddly, in the “thing” I was doing for NaNo, there has been no romance! There will be like, a teeeeeny tiny bit at some point, but just like, the possibility of it basically. So, irony! Maybe I need to have a really torrid love affair so I can write better books. Agree with me, won’t you?
And there is like NOTHING wrong with that. NO SHAME!! I mean, I personally am not a romantic person IRL…buuuut, in a book? I can totally get squishy in the face of an adorable couple. I literally quit watching a TV show because my OTP broke up and I was devastated. 😂 MAYBE I AM A CLOSET ROMANTIC AT HEART.
I absolutely LOVED THAT POST. Thank you, for this. I agree that there are so many books where, sometimes, romance is really unneccessary, and just added for the benefits of the readers, to have something to swoon over, in between the madness of fights, struggles and everything we can think of. And I admit it, I really like romance in books. but sometimes, it seems so unnecessary. And SO exaggerated. Like you perfectly said, CALM DOWN, YOU ARE 16 YEARS-OLD. I mean, why get all excited and “this is the love of my life” crazy, when they are still so young, and sometimes struggling with crazy worlds around them?!
Thank you so much for these book recommendations! I really NEED to read The Knife of Never Letting Go, and I’m glad to hear there isn’t a romance in it, because they have their priorities in order. Sometimes in dystopian stories, THEY JUST DON’T, and that’s kind of crazy?!
Even if I love romance in books, I’d really love more books to focus on platonic relationships, especially between boys and girls. And between everyone. Just about friendship, about family, that would be great.
Aww, I’m just so glad you liked it! 😀 *commences happy dance* I really have noooo idea how people can balance this intense demanding love life AND try to survive from zombies. I mean, seriously?!?! I get exhausted just by living my every day life…I can’t imagine having the energy for relationships as well as extreme survival. 😂 AHEM. But yessss. I think the value and strength of platonic love gets forgotten! AND IT’S SO POWERFUL. It should be highlighted more. *nods*
I LOVED Magnus Chase. It was my first Rick Riordan book. 😀 Also, I plan to read the Chaos Walking trilogy in 2016. It needs to happen.
I like romance in books, but I don’t need it if the plot doesn’t really call for it. Sometimes the characters have other things to think about than who they want to kiss and cuddle. I KNOW, It’s hard to imagine a thing like that, but it’s true.
I need to finish that Chaos Walking series!! I OWN THEM ALL BUT HAVEN’T READ THEM ALL?! I mean. Gah. No excuses for 2016. XD
*stares intently at blog post*
I NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY IT WAS CALLED SHIPPING UNTIL NOW.
YOU’RE WELCOME FOR THAT INFORMATION. Go forth with it. Change lives.
HI IT’S TAKEN ME FOREVER TO ACTUALLY COMMENT ON THIS THING. Like…I opened this post THREE TIMES on different occasions and life was just running around like a spoiled, screaming child way too fast for me to actually sit down and pay attention BUT I’m going to stop babbling now hi. 😀
DUDE, yes. Romance in YA novels might be popular but it’s definitely not all there is. And I’m like that too…16 years old? Isn’t that kind of…young? (THE STRUGGLES OF writing a freaking romance book…so real. The characters have to be appropriately immature, but they also have to be madly in love. HOW DOES THIS WORK? It does. Somehow. The world is a very unrealistic place.)
“…but I’m not sure that every book needs a romance on top of the adventure.” < YOU SAID IT, yo. I totally agree. When writing a highly-adventurous book (and trying to keep it under JEEESH, 100K words???) it can feel a bit loaded with too much messy stuff to add a sub-plot and keep it romantic but also keep it intense and adventurous and what-not. Like…when the reader is reading the romantic bits will they be like, “Get ON WITH IT, kids — you’re supposed to be saving the universe or something GIMME SOME OF THAAAT.” I don’t know. (psst! i’m a hopeless romantic.)
“Do you know how often I write about cake? A. lot.” *hyperventilates* DUDE. you crack me up too hard it’s not even fair. xD OHHH MY GAWSH STAAAHP. “Although they sucked at the whole “ride into the sunset happily” and instead cursed of all mankind. Plot twist.” < LItERally HoW DO You dO ThIs TO mEEEEEEEE. I have literal tears in my eyes i am laughing so hard. oh word. my word.
“I do think it’d be nice if more books promoted the fact that you can be happy without a significant other.” < UM AMEN. Because that is basically my view of life xD AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOME SOLIDARITY. Even in fiction. But hey, if I'm not going to experience a perfect swoon-worthy romance in real life I might as well experience it in a book??? I DON'T KNOW I'M A VERY CONFUSED HUMAN. (ahem, I mean immortal. I am a confused immortal. xD)
love,
Pineapple Abbie
p.s. I SENT YOU A MESSAGE through this gorgeous blog of yours but I'm always so leery of those automatic messenger things built into blogs (my brain is not functioning sorry) so I'm not sure if you got it. Or maybe you did get it in which case I'm looking very obnoxiously pushy right now. okay bye love you. ♥
OMG YOU ARE STILL SAYING PINEAPPLE ABBIE. YOU ARE INCREDIBLE.😂
And omg writing a romance? I die. I do. I mean I LOVE to ship characters but when it comes to writing them, all the deep-and-meaningful moments gets lost when someone makes a random insensitive joke at a very SENSITIVE time. 😂 Ahem. I am better at writing food…Ahem. But I agree! I think romance is needed a lot to add in that extra layer, because it’s important to a lot of people. Probably the majority of people?! Okay you can TOTALLY tell I’m making this up as I go along. xD *digs hole* *lives in it forever*
I’M GLAD YOU APPRECIATED MY ADAM AND EVE TWIST. I was telling my sister about that comment and then I just stopped and like “Omg, I want to write a twist like that. Is that plagiarising the Bible?” And I think she threw things at me. But whatever. 😉
OMG NO I DIDN’T GET YOUR MESSAGE!! I swear, that message thing doesn’t always send them and grrr. I don’t know how to fix it. If you want to email me directly, my email is just cait AT paperfury.com I’M SO SO CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. ;D
I enjoy a non-romantic YA novel. Sometimes romance is just overdone.
Some more for your list:
1. Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein (she’s good at this stuff)
2. Deadlands by Lily Herne
3. Clariel by Garth Nix
I sooo need to read Elizabeth Wein’s next book! ;D I mean, Code Name Verity only had a TEENY TINY BIT as well, so it nearly wriggles onto this list!! And I need to read both those other books you’ve mentioned. They’re on my endless TBR. XD
The only books I’ve read here are Eon and Rose Under Fire. I’m hoping to read Magnus Chase soon though.
As for what I think of romance, I don’t mind it, though sometimes it can be refreshing to read a novel or two without it. A well written romance can add to the story and make me love it even more. But at the same time there are some books that really didn’t need it (though maybe if the romance was written better I’d think differently).
*nods* I agree with this! I’m not against romance in books AT ALL…but it is nice (sometimes startlingly so?) to read one without it, because sometimes a family or just even a platonic friendship emphasis on love makes just as much of an impact.
Thank you for this list. I’ll check out some of those books. A lot of the romances in YA make me roll my eyes because they’re not realistic. Romances are usually low on the list of things I care about in a book.
I agree. *nods* Sometimes they seem far fetched or awkward or…just forced? BUT YEAH. It’s like a 50/50 chance if I’ll like a book’s romance or not. I do wish there were more options if one didn’t want to read a romantic YA… *starts petition to the publishers*
Yessss, I love this. I’m not a super romance reader as well and I have done my fair share of complaining about all the romance-centered YA books out there.. but you are right; they do exist. The one that always comes to mind for me is Orleans by Sherri L. Smith. Will be checking out the rest on your list!!
Hehe, we can complain together over this sometimes. 😂 They DO exist but they’re such a teeny tiny minority.
The Knife of Never Letting Go is like my favorite book of all time! It’s true, YAs don’t need romance AT ALL to survive. At one point I was so sick of the romance, I kept looking for one without it and it was always like
Synopsis:
Interesting story, interesting characters, world building…
Paragraph Two:
AND THEN SHE MET JACK!! Star-crossed lovers blah blah fatal attraction blah.
The Girl from the Well was actually one that had that sort of synopsis. But it doesn’t have any romance?
You know, my memory isn’t the BEST, but I honestly cannot remember a single shred of romance in The Girl From the Well. The biggest secondary character is the MC’s cousin. SO YEAH. And then the ghost isn’t exactly very romantic. hehhhhehe. I think romance is fine in YA! I enjoy it most of the time. I do wish there were more options of books without it though. >_>
I enjoy it as well, whenever it’s done right. Sometimes I just feel like “settle down children!” though lol
Wow I never realised how many books have a romance… I’ve never read any of these books except for The Maze Runner and I didn’t really think it was a romance either. Awesome post! 🙂
I know right?! It’s basically ALL OF THEM. *collapses* A lot of books don’t feature the romance, though, so that’s refreshing sometimes!
People like to read about other humans’ lives working out. – This is so true. I think we like to live vicariously through others’ romances because that blush of new love is so compelling (and, let’s face it, it doesn’t last forever – so most of us aren’t in that exact state currently). 🙂
yES. And I think that’s fair, right?! Reading can be a sort of escapism…and that’s not a BAD thing. It’s nice to live someone else’s life for a while. XD
I like to have a little bit of romance in my YA books. I do not like if story focuses ONLY on romance. I want it all. Friendships, personal struggles, family issues, action, saving world and romance. The full package is what I seek in my YA reads 🙂
And not surprisingly, when I checked the list of books I read last years, I counted only very few books with no romance that I enjoyed. Here they are: The Martian by Andy Weir and 1984 by George Orwell
YES! I LIKE ALL THE THINGS TOO. I mean, requesting the full package deal for every book should be possible right?! RIGHT. *nods* I always send to find my heart bleeding on the ground over family love and best friends doing awesome things and dying for each other, over romance. Buuuut, not always. 😉 I do have like a small romantic bone in my body. Maybe, an ear bone or something.
I really don’t mind romance in YA. For the most part, I even enjoy it. But what truly bothers me is when I’m reading about 15 year old girls falling in love and knowing that HE’S THE ONE. I’m going to marry him. Blah blah. That’s when it just gets too much for me.
I also agree that there should be more YA books that don’t have any romance, or at least more that don’t focus so much on the romance. But I can understand all the reasons you mentioned for why authors probably feature a lot of romance in their books. Because as I said, I’m usually one of those people that actually enjoy it.
It does seem far fetched right?!? I mean I know it CAN happen…but are all 15 year old girls that easily naive?! OKAY MAYBE. 😂 I do find that hard to take to, haha, so you’re not alone!!
I LOVE THIS POST! Althouguuughhh (what was that spelling?) It’s Kind of a Funny Story totally has a romance. It has two! (OK, it only has one, the other is just violent kissing that culminates w one of my fave lines ever: “I like making out with you but I don’t really like you as a person.”) But yes I love this post.
(I’m so excited to read Demon Road whY HAVEN’T I READ IT YET)
You make an excellent point about books reminding us that you can be happy w/o a significant other. Because there’s definitely a prevalent message in YA, specifically to girls, that we can’t be happy if we don’t have a boyfriend. It’s esp. annoying when we start w/ an awkward relatable protagonist, but in the end (usually after being made “more attractive” by weight loss or fighting skills or make up or something) she gets the hot guy and …. it just doesn’t always happen like that! Ugh.
I can’t think of any books! >.<
Happy new year, Cait!
OMG DOES IT? *facepalm* Epic fail on my part for Kind of A Funny Story Then. (My memory = rubbish.😂)
DEMON ROAD I PROMISE I’M RIGHT ABOUT THAT ONE bECAUSE I ONLY RECENTLY READ IT. 😂😂
And ugh, yes. I do not like that whole message of you NEED a boy. And I mean, it seems unlikely that ALL the girls find their “one true love” when they’re like 16. Since when does that always happen?! *sigh* And I hate the making-more-attractive thing…Although I don’t see so much of it in newer books? BUT YEAH.
Ooh. I’ve heard good things about some of these, but the only one I’ve actually read is Challenger Deep. I guess I didn’t immediately think of it as a book without romance just because of his relationship with the figurehead, but I think in some ways that was more about intimacy than it was about romance. But I don’t even care, because that was an amazing book anyway.
As for me… Hm. I only like romance if it is BRILLIANT romance, you know? Or… maybe not brilliant romance because nobody likes the books I like, but romance that clicks with me. I’m not into romance in real life at all, so I live vicariously through the cheeky things people do in books, I guess. XD Which is the best way to live, I think.
I live vicariously through romantic books too. XD I mean, IRL, I’m the one groaning when my sister mentions her boyfriend, but in books I’m like “I SHIP THIS”. 😂 #noregrets
Late to this conversation, but…
for YEARS I wished there were more books that reflected my reality–a single person who was not against romance, but who wasn’t waiting around for it before starting my life, y’know? I met my husband when I was 31, and am very glad we’ve been married for nearly 15 years now, but the first 31 years of my life counted too, dammit. I went places, and learned things, and did stuff, and had non-romantic relationships that were super important to me (and the occasional unrequited crush), and I NEVER saw that in books. Not about women, anyway. Men could have non-romantic books, but female protagonists over the age of 12 usually seemed to need to fall in love.
I usually (but not always *coughMaraDeyerscough*) am in favor of the romances I read about, but I think it’s just WEIRD that they are so expected.
I’m not a teenager, but I’m still a hopeless romantic and I live for romance in my books. So I’m not sure your list is for me, Cait.
No worries! 😀 Thanks for stopping by anyway! (And I’m not a teenager either, hehe, but I just like a bit of balance between romance and non-romance books. *nods*)
Great point and list. I’ve been coming across quite a few people lately who have argued that YA is only romance. Pointing out that that’s not always the case, as with other genres hasn’t really done the trick., so thanks for making up this handy list. I’m not terribly into romance when it overpowers everything else so a few of these are tempting. 🙂
Hehe, you’e welcome. 😀 I’ve had the same problems with trying to convince people not ALL Ya books have romance…and I just really hate that “all YA does this” sort of blanket comment. It’s never true and it’s often belittling!!
Ooh, good post idea. You’re making me wonder how many of the YA books I’ve read have romance as part of the main plot. It’s so ridiculous, because a lot of YA also features all kinds of catastrophes and complex situations, and are basically the worst possible settings to kiss someone or even think about a crush. xD
Exactly!! It’s a bit of a priority issue right?!? And also danger?! I mean, sure smooch because the world is ending ooooor you could run and SURVIVE the catastrophes. *sighs* 😂
I find it really hard to love a book without romance – I don’t know what it is, but I just love the romance aspects of novels. In saying that I really liked Demon Road and I loved 10000x times Magnus Chase. That book is everything.
I really don’t know why I don’t love books without romance. It’s like I am looking for something the whole time I am reading and when I don’t find it, I am disappointed.
Thanks for the post and the recommendations
Ohmigod! Someone else who’ve read She is not invisible! Wasn’t it such a great book? Maybe not five star but a solid four for me!
I’ll have to check out the books I don’t know on your list; it’s refreshing to take a break from romace once in a while;)
I don’t mind romance in YA (I actually love it and usually try to find the couple, aha), but sometimes it makes me very happy to read a book where there isn’t any romance or if there is, it’s subtle and doesn’t overrun the story. What really annoys me is the lack of platonic friendships! There needs to be more (like Cinder and Thorne). This might slow down the ridiculously amount love triangles in YA.
Great discussion and list, Cait!
THANKS!! Finally someone did thid. I don’t hate romance but I prefer that a book has just a little of that…
I’m glad you liked the post!! WOOOT! 😀
I am so happy to see this! I have never been one to gush over romance and find it harder and harder to find awesome reads that don’t have it. Don’t get me wrong, I like a little bit of flirting and falling in love- that’s great but when it becomes the end-all-be-all or worse, it defines the character then I go bat-ugly! Lol! Here are some great reads that you may also like:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Luck Uglies by Paul Durham (this is more of a middle grade but it is such a charming tale. I just love it:)
Plain Kate by Erin Bow (beautiful and gripping!)
The Bone Grit Historeum by Kamilla Reid (That’s me so I can only hope you agree…lol!)
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (though this trilogy does have a romance that deepens in the trilogy it is done with such wonderful subtlety and never compromises the epic-ness of the story)
Hope that broadens your much-appreciated list! And thanks so much for posting this great article :):):)
I totally know what you mean!!😂 I do like romance?! But I also find it refreshing to have books that DON’T centre around it at all. And I do love the Graveyard book but I consider that Middle Grade. ;D Same with a few of those on your list, too. *nods* Which is perfectly great, of course. Middle Grade usually does a great job at focusing on the adventure over the romance. 😛
I know I’m late but The Story of Owen/Prairie Fire is an excellent YA duology with basically no romance. I say ‘basically’ because non-POV main characters have relationships and someone tries to flirt with the protagonist in Prairie Fire, but she’s like, ‘I’m too busy fighting dragons, kthxbai’. But the main relationship in the series is the completely platonic one between a dragon-slayer and his bard.
I’m the kind of person who loves romantic subplots, but I’m quite picky about how they’re done. I’d rather no romance than poorly-characterised shoehorned-in romance, but I love to ship, and I love it when a romantic storyline pushes character development (like in Kingdom of Ashes, which is my new favourite book). I also love non-romantic relationships in fiction (like Siobhan and Owen, above), because in real life people have friends and siblings and parents that are just as important to them as their partners. I basically just like my stories to be full of people doing and feeling things about, with, and in opposition to each other.
Ooh, I’ll look that up, THANK YOU FOR THE REC!! I’m always eager for good recommendations, hehe. 😂 Also did you say dragons? *ears perk up*
I totally agree!!! I love YA but I am getting so sick of the romance all the time; often it feels like the romantic interest is just put in the story because it’s required, and the character doesn’t actually bring anything to the story. The other day I was in a bookstore for almost two hours and I kept picking up YA books that looked interesting, and during the first paragraph of the back cover I was like “Oh yeah this sounds cool!!” and then there’s this kind of sentence:
“Then Whats-her-name meets a mysterious boy that she can’t resist” or whatever. Then I’d just roll my eyes and put it back on the shelf.
I don’t really hate romance either but it’s annoying that it’s everywhere all the time. Like just get on with the actual plot!! I prefer the type of romance where you really want both of them to get together but it’s taking them forever like Katniss and Peeta. x)
It does start to sound the same as well after a while, right? Like basically you pick up a book and the first boy and girl introduced will SO end up as a couple. *deep sigh* I would love some more variations and originality.😂 I don’t hate it either! But I think there are SUCH strong and good books out there that aren’t romantic and we need mooooore.
Oh my god I swear, you’re my saviour! This list contains books that manage to attract my attention, containing not that much romance (or no romance at all) helps a lot!
I’m struggling finding books that don’t contain romance. I’m okay with romance, but I’m not a big fan of it. Honestly, sometimes it’s way too much.
All I want to read is a protagonist (female? Better.) who’s super badass and needs no man or woman. A complete platonic relationship where they are there for each other but not for romance.
Thank you for this list! Now let me go to sell my soul buying books!
Yayyyy, I’m so glad you like my list! 🎉 And I’m the same: I do like some romance, but it is kind of overwhelming how every. single. YA. book these days seems like it needs romance. (I MEAN NOT “EVERY”😂 BUT IT DOES FEEL THAT WAY.) I do wish there was more platonic friendships and just single people who are happy that way.
Bless this post bless it so much, I’ve reached a point where I close the book and put it back the moment I get to the words “until she meets–” There are books I love with romances I love but everything, everything blurs into the same stock everygirl/brooding ass mush. I’ve been wondering if it’s even POSSIBLE to get a YA book without romance published or if you have to aim for the tween and younger shelves in that case because publishers want this and only this template. This gives me a glimmer of hope both as a reader and a writer.
AHH YOU’RE WELCOME.😂 I’m glad it’s helpful! I really should start a goodreads shelf because I’ve found a few more!
This great, I love books but romance can get in the way of a good plot, this is just what I’m looking for
Good list, but you missed The Outsiders. 🙂 Awesome YA book with nada romance.
I chose to focus on the strong bonds of friendship over romance in my YA fantasy “Manifesting Destiny.” I was honestly worried people would hate that there wasn’t a stronger romantic element, but I’ve discovered there is a whole readership that prefers their books to be light on kissy-kissy. That said, there will be a wee bit of romance in the sequel.
Can I just thank you so much for this post? As both a reader and an aspiring writer of ya novels, I often find that so many epic ideas are ruined by romance that feels like it’s shoved in there to please the audience.
Honestly I’ve never paid that much attention to romance (even as I teenager) and so it feels kind of insulting to see young adult fiction almost reduced to a type like “oh that’s ya, so there has to be love story”. The world needs more platonic boy girl friendships, minus the melodrama.
Sorry, rant over. But anyway, thanks for this. I love your blog 🙂
YOU ARE MOST WELCOME. I’m really glad it’s helpful! And I agree: a lot of books don’t need romance, and I think it’d be nice to be able to FIND more YA without romance without having to search with a microscope. Also, if you’re interested, I’ve started a Goodreads shelf for YA without romance and it has some more additions to it! You can see it here. 😀
I loved this article and it really helped me. I just feel like i can always get into a book better without having to pause and read through a teenagers romance that probably wont last forever anyways, ya feel?
I get what you mean! I do like books with romance on occasion, but I REALLY find it refreshing to just have an adventure with good platonic relationships and friendship too! There aren’t enough out there.
Hi, do you know any good YA detective novels (or it doesn’t even have to be YA, just as long as it’s good) with no romance and (preferably) a male protagonist?
Thanks!
Have you tried Sherlock Holmes? The originals? I mean, they’re not YA obviously but they’re detectives and have no romance! I also recommend the Every Breath series by Ellie Marney! It doe shave romance, but it’s not the focus of the story.🎉
Pretty much all of Tamora Pierces books have little to no romance.
Thank you! I’d love to read a good story without romance being the main focus! I wish there were more out there…actually writing my own story on Wattpad and gonna write it with little hints of romance, but no romantic relationships between the main characters—just good friendships. Do you have more suggestions? If you do, I would love to know more about it. Thanks for the list and I like your website. 🙂 Bookmarking this so I can come back to this list.
That’s so awesome you’re writing one too!! I definitely agree that we need more friendship-focused YA! I’ve started a goodreads shelf of YA books with no romance here if you want to check it out. I keep updating it. 😜
Thanks! Are you writing one? I’d like to check it out if is somewhere online. My book (It’s called A Psychopath’s Mind by the way) is getting a lot views on Wattpad! I am so happy that people like it and there’s zilch romance at the moment. Don’t get me wrong, I like romance, but the world needs more novels focused on friendships. 🙂 😛 😉
I have written a few but nothing is online at this point. But thanks for asking! 😊
There should totally be a market for non-romantic or totally platonic books. I miss books where there is serious friendship and the friendship is not overshadowed or have to share time with romantic relationships. I also wouldn’t mind romance books where the characters are already together and isn’t attracted to anyone else leading to the sudden tension, to figure out who they really like etc. Like you know, romance with a stable relationship. It’s hard to find those.
But thanks for this post, I was wondering if there were any books out there at all!
Oh yes, it’s very hard to find stable, pre-existing relationships in books too. Although I do know of a few of those too! I think making tension in the romance is a good/logical way to bring strife to the plot though, and I guess that’s why authors do it so much? However, absolute agreement: we need more strictly platonic books.
I hate the romance books where the romance overtakes the plot and you go from reading “so and so have to save the world” to “this person cant stop thinking about their crush and forget all about saving the world”. Those are just plain boring.
Thank you SO much for putting this list together. I’ve been struggling to put together a comprehensive list for the library I work at, and I was able to get some genuinely exciting recommendations from this list. I especially appreciate that you took the time to add notes about each book. You’re the best for this!
Hey ! Loved this article ! I do not like reading ya books at all . Not at least as of now , I want to focus on my studies . But thanks for the recommendation . Will definitely read these books ❤️❤️❤️
Hey ! Loved this article ! I do not like reading ya books at all . Not at least as of now , I want to focus on my studies . But thanks for the recommendation . Will definitely read these books ❤️❤️❤️ loving your articles lately , could u plz write a blog about how to annotate books maybe ?
This post is so very helpful even after 9 years. I’m probably the only person commenting after such a long time lol.