Becky Albertalli is a beloved American author of contemporary young adult fiction, best known for Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, which was adapted into the film Love, Simon.
If you love her mix of humor, heart, and emotionally honest teen characters, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
If Becky Albertalli’s emotional warmth and character-driven storytelling appeal to you, Adam Silvera is a natural next pick.
His novel They Both Die at the End follows Mateo and Rufus, two teenagers who receive a call from Death-Cast telling them they have just one day left to live.
Brought together through an app designed to help people find companionship on their final day, the boys decide to make those remaining hours matter. What unfolds is a moving story about connection, courage, and what it means to truly live when time is running out.
Silvera writes with tenderness and emotional intensity, making him a strong recommendation for readers who want stories that linger after the final page.
Casey McQuiston is a great choice for readers who enjoy Becky Albertalli’s humor, warmth, and swoony romantic tension. Their novels pair sharp banter with big feelings and memorable characters.
In Red, White & Royal Blue, Alex, the charismatic son of the U.S. president, finds himself at the center of a very public rivalry with Prince Henry of England. To calm the media storm, their teams stage a friendship for the cameras.
Of course, spending time together changes everything. What begins as damage control slowly turns into something far more complicated—and much more meaningful.
Funny, romantic, and full of charm, this novel explores identity, love, and life under constant scrutiny in a way Albertalli fans will likely enjoy.
Rainbow Rowell writes heartfelt YA novels centered on believable teens, awkward moments, and the quiet intensity of first love. Like Becky Albertalli, she shines when exploring identity, connection, and the small details that make characters feel real.
In her novel Eleanor & Park, two outsiders meet on a school bus in 1986. Eleanor is new, visibly different, and struggling with a difficult home life. Park feels out of place too, even if he hides it better.
Their bond begins with shared silences, then comics and mixtapes, and gradually deepens into romance. Told from both perspectives, the story captures vulnerability, longing, and the fragile hope of being understood.
John Green is another strong match for readers who like Becky Albertalli’s blend of wit, emotion, and thoughtful coming-of-age themes. His novels often focus on teens wrestling with friendship, love, and the gap between who people seem to be and who they really are.
A great example is Paper Towns, which follows Quentin Jacobsen, a cautious and observant teenager who has long been fascinated by his adventurous neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman.
After a strange late-night adventure together, Margo disappears, leaving behind clues that send Quentin on a search for answers. As he follows her trail, he begins to question the version of Margo he has built in his mind.
Paper Towns is a smart, emotional novel about friendship, idealization, and learning to see people clearly.
Nicola Yoon writes romantic, emotionally engaging stories with characters who feel vivid and easy to root for. Readers drawn to Becky Albertalli’s sincerity and heart may find a lot to love in her work.
In Everything, Everything, Maddy has spent her entire life inside her carefully controlled home because of a rare illness. Then Olly, an intriguing and unpredictable boy, moves in next door.
As their connection grows, Maddy begins to question the limits that have defined her life. The result is a tender, fast-moving story about risk, love, and the desire to experience the world for yourself.
David Levithan is known for thoughtful, emotionally resonant YA novels that explore identity, love, and what it means to be seen. If you connected with Becky Albertalli’s emotional honesty, his work is well worth exploring.
A standout title is Every Day. In the novel, A wakes up in a different person’s body every morning, living a new life each day. Everything changes when A meets Rhiannon and falls in love.
That unusual premise leads to a surprisingly intimate story about connection, selfhood, and the challenges of loving someone in an ever-changing world.
Levithan’s compassionate writing and reflective tone make him an excellent fit for fans of character-centered YA fiction.
Angie Thomas writes powerful young adult fiction with unforgettable voices and emotionally grounded characters. While her stories are often heavier in subject matter, readers who appreciate Becky Albertalli’s authenticity may respond to Thomas’s honesty and depth.
Her novel The Hate U Give follows Starr Carter, a teenager balancing two very different worlds: her predominantly Black neighborhood and the mostly white prep school she attends.
When Starr witnesses her friend Khalil being shot by police, she is forced to navigate grief, fear, public scrutiny, and the pressure to speak out. The novel explores injustice and identity while staying rooted in Starr’s personal relationships and emotional journey.
For readers who value strong teen perspectives and stories with real emotional weight, Angie Thomas is an excellent recommendation.
Jenny Han is a wonderful pick for anyone who enjoys Becky Albertalli’s sweetness, humor, and focus on teenage relationships. Her novels are full of warmth, family dynamics, and first-love butterflies.
In To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Lara Jean Song Covey writes secret letters to the boys she has loved, never intending for anyone to read them.
Then the letters are mailed, and her private feelings suddenly become very public. As Lara Jean deals with the fallout, she also starts to understand herself and what she really wants.
Charming and heartfelt, the novel offers a lovely mix of romance, family, and self-discovery.
Sarah Dessen has long been a favorite for readers who want realistic teen fiction with emotional depth and strong character development. Like Becky Albertalli, she writes stories that feel grounded in everyday life while still delivering plenty of heart.
Her novel Just Listen. centers on Annabel, a girl who appears to have a perfect life but is quietly dealing with loneliness, family tension, and painful secrets.
When she strikes up an unexpected friendship with Owen, a bluntly honest, music-obsessed boy, Annabel begins to confront what she has been avoiding. Their connection helps her start reclaiming her voice.
Dessen’s strength lies in creating emotional intimacy, making Just Listen a rewarding read for fans of thoughtful contemporary YA.
Morgan Matson is an excellent choice for readers who like Becky Albertalli’s approachable style, humor, and emotionally satisfying character arcs.
Matson’s novel Since You’ve Been Gone follows Emily Hughes, whose outgoing best friend, Sloane, vanishes at the start of summer and leaves behind only a mysterious to-do list.
As Emily works her way through the challenges on the list—from uncomfortable risks to unexpected adventures—she slowly begins to grow into a more confident version of herself. Along the way, she navigates friendship, romance, and the uncertainty that comes with change.
It’s a fun, heartfelt novel with plenty of charm and a strong emotional core.
Nina LaCour writes introspective contemporary fiction that feels quiet, intimate, and deeply felt. Readers who appreciate the emotional honesty in Becky Albertalli’s books may be especially drawn to her work.
Her novel We Are Okay follows Marin, a college freshman staying alone in her dorm over winter break after a devastating loss. When her best friend Mabel comes to visit, Marin is forced to confront the grief and memories she has tried to keep at a distance.
The novel is subtle but powerful, offering a moving exploration of loneliness, friendship, and the slow process of healing.
Kacen Callender is a strong recommendation for readers who value the tenderness and self-discovery found in Becky Albertalli’s work. Their stories are compassionate, character-focused, and emotionally rich.
In Felix Ever After we meet Felix Love, a transgender teen who wants love, clarity, and a sense of belonging.
After becoming the target of an anonymous transphobic attack, Felix sets out to uncover who is responsible. That journey pushes him toward deeper questions about identity, relationships, and what it means to define himself on his own terms.
The result is a sincere, engaging novel about friendship, love, and self-acceptance.
Simon James Green is a great fit for readers who love Becky Albertalli’s blend of humor, awkwardness, and heartfelt LGBTQ+ storytelling.
His novel Noah Can’t Even follows Noah Grimes, a socially awkward teen who is already struggling to survive everyday embarrassment. Things get much more complicated when his best friend Harry kisses him at a party.
What follows is funny, messy, and very relatable as Noah tries to figure out friendships, feelings, and how to handle one humiliating moment after another.
Green writes with warmth and comic timing, making his books an easy recommendation for fans of lighthearted but sincere YA fiction.
Alice Oseman is known for capturing teenage life with honesty, sensitivity, and a strong sense of voice. Readers who enjoy Becky Albertalli’s realistic relationships and emotional clarity will likely appreciate her work.
Her novel Radio Silence follows Frances, a high-achieving student who secretly creates fan art for her favorite podcast. She soon forms an unexpected friendship with Aled, the quiet creator behind it.
As their bond deepens, both characters must deal with pressures, secrets, and the fear of not fitting the roles others expect them to play. The novel explores identity, friendship, and the importance of finding people who understand you.
Benjamin Alire Sáenz is an excellent recommendation for readers who love Becky Albertalli’s emotional sincerity and interest in identity, friendship, and growing up.
Sáenz writes with unusual tenderness and depth, often focusing on the quiet moments that shape a life.
His book Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe follows Ari and Dante, two Mexican-American teenagers who meet one summer and develop a friendship that transforms them both.
Through Ari’s perspective, readers experience family, loneliness, vulnerability, and the slow recognition of what deep connection can mean. With beautiful prose and unforgettable characters, this is a moving coming-of-age novel that stays with you.
