Emery Lord writes contemporary young adult fiction with warmth, wit, and emotional clarity. In novels such as The Start of Me and You and Open Road Summer, she captures the intensity of teenage life—first love, shifting friendships, family struggles, and the slow work of figuring out who you are—with a voice that feels both intimate and true.
If you love Emery Lord’s heartfelt stories, honest characters, and deeply relatable coming-of-age journeys, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Sarah Dessen is a natural recommendation for Emery Lord readers. Her contemporary YA novels are grounded, emotionally resonant, and full of teens working through love, family tensions, and personal change. She has a gift for making everyday moments feel meaningful.
A great place to start is The Truth About Forever, a moving story about grief, healing, and an unexpected summer romance.
Morgan Matson writes expansive, feel-good stories filled with friendship, romance, humor, and self-discovery. Her books balance lightness and emotional depth in a way that should appeal to fans of Emery Lord’s more hopeful, character-driven novels.
Try Since You've Been Gone, which follows a quiet teen pushed out of her comfort zone by a list of bold challenges left behind by her best friend.
Kasie West specializes in charming, fast-paced romances with witty banter, lovable characters, and plenty of heart. If what you enjoy most about Emery Lord is the sweet chemistry and believable teen voice, West is an easy next pick.
The Distance Between Us is a delightful starting point, pairing two teens from very different worlds in a romance that is both playful and sincere.
Jenn Bennett brings strong atmosphere, memorable settings, and emotional realism to her contemporary romances. Her stories are funny and flirty, but they also give real weight to vulnerability, family issues, and growing up.
If you enjoy Emery Lord’s mix of heart and relatability, pick up Bennett’s Alex, Approximately, a smart, summery romance packed with movie references, mistaken identity, and genuine emotional stakes.
Huntley Fitzpatrick writes with warmth and emotional insight, especially when it comes to family dynamics and first love. Her characters feel lived-in, and her novels often explore how romance intersects with larger questions about loyalty, class, and identity.
Emery Lord fans should definitely try My Life Next Door, a heartfelt story about falling in love while confronting difficult truths at home.
Katie Cotugno leans into the messier side of teen relationships, writing emotionally charged stories about love, regret, and the consequences of complicated choices. Her work has a raw honesty that readers of Emery Lord may find especially compelling.
99 Days is a strong introduction, exploring tangled friendships, heartbreak, and the lasting impact of one summer’s mistakes.
Jennifer E. Smith writes tender, thoughtful love stories that capture the sweetness of chance encounters and life-changing moments. Her style is gentle and romantic, with an easy charm that makes her books inviting from the first page.
Her novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight follows two teens whose missed flight leads to an unexpected connection. Readers who love Emery Lord’s sincerity and emotional warmth will likely be won over.
Stephanie Perkins excels at writing swoony, character-focused romances with humor, heart, and irresistible settings. Like Emery Lord, she understands how exhilarating and overwhelming first love can feel.
Anna and the French Kiss remains a favorite for good reason, pairing a lovable heroine and a memorable romance against the dreamy backdrop of Paris.
Nina LaCour’s writing is quieter and more introspective, but it shares Emery Lord’s emotional honesty and sensitivity. She is especially skilled at portraying loneliness, friendship, grief, and the complicated interior lives of teens.
Her novel We Are Okay is a beautifully written story about loss and healing. If you value nuance and emotional depth, LaCour is an excellent choice.
Julie Buxbaum writes engaging contemporary YA with a pleasing mix of humor, vulnerability, and emotional growth. Her characters often feel awkward, bright, and very real, which makes their relationships especially easy to invest in.
Tell Me Three Things follows a teen dealing with grief, a new school, and an anonymous online confidant. It has the same kind of heartfelt realism that draws many readers to Emery Lord.
Becky Albertalli is a great match for readers who love authentic teen voices, emotionally honest relationships, and humor woven into more vulnerable moments. Her books are warm, affirming, and full of characters you quickly come to care about.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a standout, telling the story of Simon as he navigates first love, friendship, and coming out with equal parts heart and humor.
Sandhya Menon brings energy, comedy, and plenty of romantic spark to her YA novels. Her stories often center culturally diverse characters and balance fun setups with thoughtful explorations of identity, ambition, and connection.
When Dimple Met Rishi is an excellent place to begin, offering an upbeat romance between two Indian-American teens whose futures may be more connected than either expects.
Maurene Goo writes smart, funny contemporary romances that also make room for family expectations, cultural identity, and personal growth. Her books have an easy charm and a modern sensibility that pair well with Emery Lord’s appeal.
Start with I Believe in a Thing Called Love, a hilarious and sweet novel about a girl who uses K-drama-inspired tactics to try to engineer her own love story.
Leah Johnson writes with tenderness, humor, and a strong sense of emotional truth. Readers who appreciate Emery Lord’s inclusive storytelling and compassionate portrayals of teens searching for confidence and belonging should absolutely take notice.
You Should See Me in a Crown follows Liz Lighty, a Black queer teen who runs for prom queen to secure a scholarship and ends up discovering both love and her own courage.
Ciara Smyth blends humor and heart in stories about friendship, family, and queer identity. Her writing has the same ability to be emotionally sincere without losing its sense of fun.
The Falling in Love Montage is a terrific pick, following a summer romance that begins with rules against real attachment and slowly turns into something much more complicated.
