Julie Murphy is a beloved author of young adult fiction, best known for stories that blend humor, heart, and honest reflections on identity, confidence, and growing up. Her novel Dumplin' stands out for its uplifting take on self-acceptance, body positivity, and the messy reality of teenage life.
If you love Julie Murphy’s voice, wit, and emotionally grounded characters, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
Becky Albertalli writes heartfelt, funny novels that explore identity, friendship, and first love with warmth and honesty. One of her best-known books, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, follows Simon Spier, a high school junior trying to navigate a secret online romance.
When someone discovers his emails and uses them against him, Simon must decide how to protect himself without losing sight of who he is. The story balances humor and vulnerability in a way that makes Simon’s journey especially easy to connect with.
If you enjoy Julie Murphy’s compassionate, character-focused storytelling, Albertalli is a great next pick.
Morgan Matson is known for writing emotionally rich stories filled with believable characters and memorable friendships. In Since You’ve Been Gone, Emily is used to depending on her outgoing best friend, Sloane, to lead the way.
Then Sloane disappears, leaving behind only a list of strange and intimidating tasks for Emily to complete. Each challenge pushes her further beyond her comfort zone and into new experiences she never would have chosen on her own.
As Emily works through the list, she builds unexpected friendships and begins to see herself differently. It’s a touching, satisfying story about friendship, change, and finding courage in unlikely places.
Rainbow Rowell writes emotionally resonant stories with vivid characters and deeply relatable struggles. One of her most beloved novels is Eleanor & Park. It follows two high school outsiders who form an unexpected bond through music, comic books, and quiet moments on the school bus.
Eleanor is dealing with a difficult home life, while Park offers her steady companionship and understanding. Their relationship feels tender, awkward, and intensely real, capturing the excitement and pain of first love. Readers who appreciate emotionally layered coming-of-age stories will likely find a lot to love here.
Katie Cotugno writes about complicated choices and messy emotions with honesty and nuance. Her book 99 Days centers on Molly, who returns to her hometown after a scandalous breakup and a history she would rather leave behind.
Unfortunately, coming home means facing the Donnelly brothers—the boy she cheated on and the boy she cheated with. As the summer unfolds, Molly has to sort through guilt, longing, and the consequences of past decisions.
It’s a thoughtful, emotionally charged story about mistakes, second chances, and the challenge of figuring out what you really want.
Jennifer Niven writes moving stories about grief, love, and the search for hope during difficult times. One of her best-known books, All the Bright Places, follows Violet and Finch, two teens who meet on the ledge of a school bell tower.
Each is carrying private pain, and their growing connection changes the course of both their lives. The novel explores mental health, healing, and the way one person can bring light into another’s darkest moments.
Sarah Dessen is celebrated for writing thoughtful stories about relationships, loss, and emotional growth. In The Truth About Forever, Macy is trying to hold her carefully controlled life together after the sudden death of her father.
When she becomes involved with a lively, unconventional group of people, she starts to question the routines and emotional distance she has relied on. What follows is a tender story about grief, openness, and learning that life doesn’t have to be perfectly managed to be meaningful.
Readers who appreciate Julie Murphy’s emotional honesty and strong character arcs may find Dessen especially appealing.
Sandhya Menon writes charming romantic comedies packed with warmth, humor, and lovable characters. Her novel When Dimple Met Rishi, introduces Dimple, a teen determined to focus on her future rather than her parents’ ideas about romance.
At a summer coding program, she meets Rishi, who arrives knowing that their families have quietly hoped the two might hit it off. Their personalities clash at first, but the story quickly grows into a sweet, funny exploration of ambition, family expectations, and unexpected connection.
If you like Julie Murphy’s balance of humor and heart, Menon’s books are a natural fit.
Stephanie Perkins writes warm, romantic stories that blend self-discovery with irresistible settings. Her novel Anna and the French Kiss follows Anna, who is sent to boarding school in Paris and initially feels completely out of place.
Things begin to change when she meets Étienne, a charming and complicated classmate. With Paris as the backdrop, the novel offers a delightful mix of romance, friendship, and emotional growth.
Readers drawn to Julie Murphy’s relatable characters and heartfelt storytelling may find this one especially enjoyable.
Jenny Han is known for writing tender, engaging stories about love, family, and the awkward beauty of growing up. In To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Lara Jean’s private world is thrown into chaos when her secret love letters are accidentally mailed to all of her past crushes.
Suddenly, feelings she never meant to share are out in the open, and she has to deal with the fallout. Han captures the vulnerability of adolescence with a light touch, making her books both emotionally resonant and easy to devour.
Fans of Julie Murphy will likely enjoy her mix of romance, humor, and personal growth.
Siobhan Vivian writes contemporary fiction with emotional depth and a strong sense of place. One of her standout books is The Last Boy and Girl in the World.
Set in a town about to be permanently flooded after a government decision, the story follows Keeley as she copes with losing everything familiar. Amid the uncertainty, she chases one last chance at love while trying to understand who she wants to be.
The novel combines personal upheaval with the larger grief of watching a community disappear, creating a story that feels both intimate and unforgettable.
Ashley Herring Blake writes emotionally sharp stories with layered characters and meaningful relationships. One of her standout books, Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, follows Delilah, a photographer who reluctantly returns to her hometown for her stepsister’s wedding.
Once there, she reconnects with Claire, a single mom and one of her stepsister’s close friends. The story weaves together romance, old wounds, family tension, and the possibility of seeing both yourself and others in a new light.
Blake’s work stands out for its wit, emotional nuance, and satisfying character development.
Emma Lord writes lively, heartfelt stories about young adults balancing family expectations, romance, and the chaos of modern life.
In Tweet Cute, Pepper helps manage the social media account for her family’s burger chain, while Jack’s family runs a local deli. Their worlds collide when a grilled cheese dispute sparks a viral Twitter feud between the two businesses.
At the same time, they begin forming an anonymous connection through an app, unaware of each other’s identity. The result is a fun, clever story full of banter, family drama, and genuine heart.
Nicola Yoon writes deeply emotional stories about love, family, and discovering who you are. Her novel Everything, Everything, tells the story of Maddy, a teenager whose rare illness has kept her isolated inside her home for years. Everything begins to shift when she meets Olly, the boy next door.
As their bond grows, Maddy starts questioning the boundaries of her life and imagining possibilities beyond the walls she has always known. Yoon’s writing is intimate and compelling, drawing readers into the hopes and fears of her characters.
If Julie Murphy’s themes of self-acceptance and meaningful relationships appeal to you, Nicola Yoon is well worth reading.
Elizabeth Eulberg writes light, character-driven stories that focus on friendship, first love, and the uncertainty of growing up. In Better Off Friends, Macallan and Levi become close friends after meeting in middle school.
Everyone around them assumes they are destined to become a couple, but they insist their connection is purely platonic.
As the story follows their friendship over the years, it explores misunderstandings, growing pains, and the tricky question of what happens when feelings begin to shift. It’s funny, sweet, and grounded in the strength of their bond.
Rachael Lippincott is known for writing emotionally powerful stories that resonate strongly with readers.
Her book, Five Feet Apart, follows Stella and Will, two teens with cystic fibrosis who must remain physically apart for their safety, even as they form a profound emotional connection.
The novel blends humor, longing, and heartbreak, making every decision feel immediate and deeply personal. Readers who enjoy Julie Murphy’s emotionally rich characters and heartfelt storytelling may find Lippincott’s work especially moving.
