Jessica Jung is a Korean-American author and singer best known for young adult fiction with a glamorous edge. Her novel, Shine, gives readers an entertaining look inside the K-pop industry, drawing on the highs, pressures, and rivalries of idol life.
If you enjoyed Jessica Jung's books, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
If you liked Jessica Jung's blend of heart, humor, and Korean-American perspective, Maurene Goo is an easy next pick. Her novels are funny, emotionally grounded, and full of teens trying to balance family, identity, and romance.
Try her book, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, a sparkling romantic comedy about a girl who turns to K-dramas for help with her love life.
Jenny Han writes tender, character-driven stories about first love, friendship, and figuring out who you are. Like Jessica Jung, she has a gift for capturing emotion without losing the fun, and her work often includes Korean-American cultural touches.
Her novel, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, follows a teen whose private letters to past crushes are unexpectedly mailed, setting off a charming chain of events.
Axie Oh is a strong choice for readers who want more stories shaped by Korean culture, romance, and personal growth. Her writing feels warm and polished, whether she's working in fantasy or contemporary settings.
Check out XOXO, a sweet romance about a Korean-American cellist who meets a K-pop idol and is drawn into a very different world after arriving in Seoul.
Lyla Lee brings a lively, upbeat voice to stories about ambition, self-confidence, and identity. Fans of Jessica Jung will likely enjoy the way Lee combines big dreams with real emotional stakes.
I'll Be the One follows Skye Shin as she enters a televised competition to become a K-pop star, pushing back against harsh beauty standards along the way.
For readers especially drawn to the demanding, high-stakes side of the K-pop world, Stephan Lee is a natural recommendation. His books spotlight the pressure, discipline, and drama behind the spotlight while still keeping the story accessible and fun.
His storytelling emphasizes friendship, ambition, and the cost of chasing fame.
You might like K-pop Confidential, which follows Candace Park, an American teenager who auditions for a Korean talent company and discovers what idol training is really like.
Graci Kim leans more toward fantasy, but she shares Jessica Jung's sense of energy and emotional clarity. Her novels mix adventure, humor, and Korean mythology in a way that feels vibrant and inviting.
Readers who enjoyed Jessica Jung's engaging storytelling and themes of belonging may have a great time with Kim's The Last Fallen Star, a fast-moving story about a girl uncovering magical secrets within her family.
Jenn Bennett writes contemporary YA with warmth, charm, and emotional honesty. Her books often explore self-discovery, complicated family dynamics, and romance in a way that feels sincere rather than overly dramatic.
Fans of Jessica Jung's likable characters and uplifting tone may enjoy Bennett's Alex, Approximately, a sweet story about unexpected connection, friendship, and falling in love.
Morgan Matson is known for heartfelt teen stories about friendship, family, and stepping beyond your comfort zone. While her books don't focus on K-pop, they do offer the same appealing mix of emotional growth and relatable challenges.
Matson's Since You've Been Gone follows a shy teen as she works through a list of bold challenges left behind by her best friend, discovering more confidence along the way.
Kasie West specializes in light, enjoyable contemporary romances with plenty of charm. If what you loved about Jessica Jung was the accessible style, youthful energy, and romantic tension, West is a great author to try next.
Readers who enjoy optimistic, easy-to-devour YA will likely love West's P.S. I Like You, a playful novel about two teens who begin connecting through anonymous notes on a classroom desk.
Sandhya Menon writes bright, funny romantic comedies with strong cultural identity and family themes. Her stories are full of heart, and they often focus on ambitious teens trying to navigate expectations while following their own path.
Those who appreciated Jessica Jung's interest in ambition, family pressures, and romance may enjoy Menon's When Dimple Met Rishi, a lively and heartfelt story about two teens brought together in unexpected circumstances.
Rachel Lynn Solomon writes thoughtful, emotionally resonant YA about identity, relationships, and the awkward process of growing into yourself. Her books are grounded in real feelings but still leave room for humor and hope.
Readers looking for another tender, engaging coming-of-age romance might enjoy Today Tonight Tomorrow, which follows two academic rivals through a scavenger hunt that changes how they see each other.
Nicola Yoon writes romantic YA with an intimate, graceful style that draws readers quickly into her characters' inner worlds. Her work explores love, identity, and belonging with a mix of sensitivity and strong emotional momentum.
Readers of Jessica Jung may appreciate Yoon's ability to pair swoony romance with deeper questions about family, culture, and selfhood.
In Everything, Everything, Yoon introduces Madeline, a girl who has spent most of her life isolated by illness until love tempts her to imagine a bigger life.
David Yoon brings humor, vulnerability, and cultural specificity to stories about identity and family expectations. His characters often feel torn between what others want from them and what they want for themselves, a tension Jessica Jung readers may recognize.
Readers who connected with the emotional and cultural conflicts in Jessica Jung's books should try Frankly in Love, about a Korean-American teen balancing romance, family loyalty, and self-understanding.
Ananya Devarajan writes lively YA romance that combines cultural identity, family pressure, and the messy unpredictability of teen life. Her voice is fresh and engaging, with enough emotional depth to keep the story from feeling too light.
In Kismat Connection, Devarajan introduces two teens whose fake dating arrangement becomes unexpectedly complicated, exploring Indian-American family life and genuine connection along the way.
Abigail Hing Wen writes about Asian-American identity, family expectations, and young adulthood with energy and emotional insight. Like Jessica Jung, she is especially good at portraying characters caught between cultures and trying to define themselves on their own terms.
Readers will appreciate Loveboat, Taipei, which follows 18-year-old Ever Wong during a summer program that quickly turns into a whirlwind of freedom, romance, and self-discovery.
