Jenna Evans Welch writes irresistible young adult fiction that combines romance, travel, and coming-of-age emotion. In novels like Love & Gelato, she sweeps readers into beautiful settings while telling stories that feel tender, funny, and full of heart.
If you love Jenna Evans Welch’s books, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Lauren Morrill writes light, charming young adult novels filled with romance, humor, and memorable mishaps. Her books will especially appeal to readers who enjoy Jenna Evans Welch’s mix of travel, strong character dynamics, and heartfelt self-discovery.
Morrill’s book Meant to Be follows Julia, a serious student with a very clear idea of what romance should look like. When she joins a class trip to London, she ends up paired with Jason, the class clown who seems like the last person she’d ever fall for.
As the trip unfolds, so do plenty of awkward, funny, and unexpectedly sweet moments. With its lively London backdrop and endearing emotional arc, Meant to Be is a great pick for fans of Jenna Evans Welch.
Stephanie Perkins is a natural recommendation for readers who enjoy heartfelt teen romance with a strong sense of place. Her books are warm, witty, and full of emotional tension.
In Anna and the French Kiss, Anna is unexpectedly sent to boarding school in Paris for her senior year.
There she meets Étienne St. Clair, a charming and complicated classmate who quickly becomes important to her. Friendship, mixed signals, and messy feelings make their connection anything but simple, even in one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Like Jenna Evans Welch, Perkins pairs swoony romance with the thrill of discovering a new place, making her books an easy fit for fans.
Jenny Han writes contemporary young adult fiction with warmth, humor, and emotional honesty. If you like Jenna Evans Welch’s relatable characters and sweet romantic tension, Han is a strong next read.
Her book, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, tells the story of Lara Jean, a teen whose private love letters are accidentally mailed to each of her former crushes.
That one disastrous moment throws her carefully managed life into chaos. What follows is funny, awkward, and surprisingly moving as Lara Jean navigates family, friendship, and the vulnerability of first love.
Han’s novels have the same emotional sweetness that makes Jenna Evans Welch so appealing.
Morgan Matson is a wonderful choice for readers who enjoy heartfelt stories with adventure woven throughout. Her novels often blend romance, family tension, friendship, and personal growth.
One of her books, Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour, centers on Amy Curry, a teenager who reluctantly sets out on a cross-country road trip with Roger, a family friend she hasn’t seen in years.
As they travel from California to Connecticut, Amy and Roger collect memories through roadside stops, playlists, quiet conversations, and unexpected detours.
What starts as a drive across the country gradually becomes a journey of healing and connection. For readers who love Jenna Evans Welch’s blend of movement, romance, and emotional depth, Matson is an excellent match.
Kasie West is known for writing sweet, accessible contemporary romances with lovable characters and believable teen emotions. Her stories feel easy to sink into while still delivering genuine heart.
If you enjoy Jenna Evans Welch’s engaging relationships and uplifting tone, try Kasie West’s P.S. I Like You. In this story, Lily absentmindedly writes song lyrics on her chemistry desk and comes back the next day to find someone has written back.
Before long, she and her mystery classmate are exchanging letters, secrets, and pieces of themselves. Of course, figuring out who is on the other side of the notes turns out to be more complicated than she expected.
The result is a warm, funny romance with strong friendship and family elements.
Sarah Dessen is a longtime favorite for readers who want emotionally rich young adult fiction about family, identity, and first love. Her books tend to be a little more introspective, but they share Jenna Evans Welch’s emotional sincerity.
In her book The Truth About Forever, Dessen follows Macy, a teenager struggling after her father’s sudden death.
Macy clings to order and perfection until one summer job with a chaotic catering crew pushes her into a messier, more vibrant world. Through new friendships and a tender romance, she starts to rebuild herself in unexpected ways.
Dessen’s writing is thoughtful and moving, making her a great choice for readers who want more emotional depth alongside romance.
Emery Lord writes emotionally honest YA novels that explore grief, friendship, love, and growing up. Her characters feel real, and her stories balance humor with genuine tenderness.
In her novel The Start of Me and You, Paige Hancock is still reeling from the death of her boyfriend. Hoping to move forward, she makes a list of goals meant to help her step back into life.
As she works through that list, she finds new friendships, unexpected support, and the possibility of love again. Lord handles difficult emotions with warmth and care, which makes this a rewarding read for fans of Jenna Evans Welch’s heartfelt storytelling.
Jennifer E. Smith writes romantic YA fiction built around chance encounters, family complications, and the small moments that change everything. Her stories have a tender, hopeful quality that Jenna Evans Welch readers often enjoy.
In her novel The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Smith introduces readers to Hadley Sullivan, a teenager who misses her flight by just a few minutes. That delay leads to an unexpected meeting.
At JFK Airport, Hadley meets Oliver, a British boy on the same flight. During their trip to London, they share stories, fears, and a connection that feels immediate and rare.
When they lose each other after landing, the novel becomes a moving meditation on timing, fate, and whether some people are meant to find their way back.
Maureen Johnson is a great pick for readers who like vivid settings and a sense of adventure. Her novels often mix humor, emotion, and just enough unpredictability to keep the pages turning.
In her book 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Ginny receives a package from her late aunt containing thirteen envelopes, each with instructions that send her across Europe.
As she follows the clues, Ginny encounters unfamiliar cities, unexpected people, and revelations about both her aunt and herself. The novel captures the excitement of travel while also delivering a thoughtful coming-of-age story.
For anyone who loves Jenna Evans Welch’s destination-driven fiction, this is an especially strong recommendation.
Nina Moreno writes vibrant, character-rich stories that combine family, culture, and romance. Her work offers the same warmth and emotional pull that make Jenna Evans Welch so enjoyable.
In Don’t Date Rosa Santos, readers meet Rosa, a Cuban-American teenager torn between her Florida beach town and the Cuban heritage that shapes her family’s story. According to family lore, the women in Rosa’s family are cursed when it comes to the sea.
As Rosa wrestles with identity, family expectations, and first love, the novel creates a vivid portrait of community and belonging. Its strong setting and heartfelt emotional journey make it especially appealing for Welch fans.
Sandhya Menon brings warmth, humor, and charm to her YA romances. Her books focus on love, family, and self-discovery, often with lively banter and memorable chemistry.
In her book When Dimple Met Rishi, readers meet Dimple Shah, an ambitious, tech-loving teen, and Rishi Patel, a romantic who values tradition. They meet at a summer app-development program under unusual circumstances.
Only Rishi knows their parents have tried to set them up. From there, the story unfolds through awkward, funny, and genuinely sweet moments as both characters begin to challenge their assumptions.
If you enjoy Jenna Evans Welch’s lively characters and emotionally satisfying romances, Menon is a terrific choice.
Katie Cotugno writes contemporary YA with emotional complexity and strong romantic tension. Her books often explore mistakes, messy relationships, and the difficult process of growing up.
Her book 99 Days follows Molly Barlow as she returns to her hometown after a year away.
She comes back to lingering gossip, unresolved feelings, and the fallout from choices that changed everything. Over the course of one summer, Molly has to face old friendships, romantic complications, and the consequences of the past.
Cotugno’s writing is honest and emotionally sharp, making her a good fit for readers who want something a little more complicated but still character-driven and romantic.
Huntley Fitzpatrick writes charming contemporary fiction with a strong focus on family life, romance, and personal growth. Her characters feel layered and believable, which gives her stories lasting appeal.
In her book My Life Next Door, Samantha Reed seems to have a polished, orderly life, but she is drawn to the warmth and chaos of the Garrett family next door.
When she falls for Jase Garrett, the relationship opens up a whole new world of joy, conflict, and difficult choices. The romance is sweet, but the novel also explores family loyalty and the gap between appearances and reality.
Readers who appreciate Jenna Evans Welch’s heartfelt style should find plenty to love here.
Rebecca Serle writes emotionally driven novels about love, fate, and the unexpected turns life can take. While her work leans a bit more reflective, it shares the emotional resonance that Jenna Evans Welch readers often seek.
Her novel In Five Years follows Dannie Kohan, a young lawyer whose future seems perfectly mapped out. Then, after getting engaged, she has a vivid vision of herself five years later in a completely different life.
When elements of that vision begin to surface in reality, Dannie is forced to reconsider what love, ambition, and destiny really mean. Serle’s writing is thoughtful and affecting, with a strong emotional payoff.
Rachel Hawthorne is a good recommendation for readers who enjoy romance paired with travel and sunny settings. Her books offer a breezy, entertaining tone while still delivering emotional growth.
Hawthorne’s Caribbean Cruising follows Lindsay, a teenager who boards a cruise determined to relax and avoid drama. Naturally, things do not go according to plan.
Once she meets Ryan, a charming and mysterious boy on board, her carefully structured vacation takes a much more interesting turn. Their connection brings romance, humor, and a touch of self-discovery, making this an enjoyable pick for anyone who loves Jenna Evans Welch’s warm, escapist storytelling.
