Best Friendship Fiction Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2026

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin is a contemporary teen romance novel that explores the complexities of love, regret, and the impact of relationships. Autumn and Finn were once inseparable, but now they try their best to ignore each other. However, the nagging thought that maybe they should be together doesn't stop Autumn from feeling something every time they cross paths. As they approach the end of high school, Autumn is forced to confront the possibility that life could have been different if they had never parted ways. This emotional and captivating book is perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Jenny Han.

The Complete Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy is a New York Times bestselling series that follows Belly's summer love with the Fisher boys, Conrad, and Jeremiah. Belly has always spent her summers with the brothers at Cousins Beach, but as the love triangle between her and the two brothers unfolds, she must choose between them. The boxed set includes The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You, and We'll Always Have Summer. Jenny Han's writing style and storytelling make this series an enjoyable and heartwarming read. Overall, this series is a must-read for those who love young adult romance novels.

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter is a heartwarming and delightful teen rom-com that readers of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett will surely enjoy. The book follows Liz Buxbaum, a hopelessly romantic teen girl who schemes with her cute yet obnoxious neighbor, Wes, to get noticed by her forever crush, Michael. As they work together to make Liz's prom dream come true, Liz discovers that she may have feelings for Wes. The story is sweet, funny, and charming, with relatable characters and a well-crafted plot. Overall, Better Than the Movies is a perfect summer read that will leave readers feeling happy and satisfied.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces comes a stunning novel that Vanity Fair calls “impossibly moving” and “suffused with light”. In this raw, deeply personal story, a teenaged girl struggles to find herself amidst the fallout of her brother's addiction in a town ravaged by the opioid crisis.. For all of Emory's life she's been told who she is. In town she's the rich one--the great-great-granddaughter of the mill's founder. At school she's hot Maddie Ward's younger sister. And at home, she's the good one, her stoner older brother Joey's babysitter. Everything was turned on its head, though, when she and Joey were in the car accident that killed Candy MontClaire. The car accident that revealed just how bad Joey's drug habit was. . Four months later, Emmy's junior year is starting, Joey is home from rehab, and the entire town of Mill Haven is still reeling from the accident. Everyone's telling Emmy who she is, but so much has changed, how can she be the same person? Or was she ever that person at all? . Mill Haven wants everyone to live one story, but Emmy's beginning to see that people are more than they appear. Her brother, who might not be "cured," the popular guy who lives next door, and most of all, many "ghostie" addicts who haunt the edges of the town. People spend so much time telling her who she is--it might be time to decide for herself.. A journey of one sister, one brother, one family, to finally recognize and love each other for who they are, not who they are supposed to be, You'd Be Home Now is Kathleen Glasgow's glorious and heartbreaking story about the opioid crisis, and how it touches all of us.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is a heartwarming and emotional conclusion to Jenny Han's New York Times bestselling trilogy. Belly, who has been in love with two boys with the last name Fisher, has to choose between Jeremiah and Conrad. While Jeremiah is almost certain that Belly is his soulmate, Conrad realizes that he needs to act fast before he loses Belly forever. This book is perfect for teens and young adults who love romance and coming-of-age stories. The inclusion of bonus content, such as Conrad's letters to Belly, adds an extra layer of depth to the characters. Overall, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a must-read for fans of Jenny Han's work and anyone who loves a good love triangle.

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han is a heartwarming follow-up to The Summer I Turned Pretty. The story follows Belly, who used to count down the days until summer so she could spend it with Conrad and Jeremiah at Cousins Beach. However, this summer everything has changed, leaving Belly wishing it would never come. When Jeremiah calls her saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. The book is a captivating read about love, friendship, and growing up. Han's writing style is engaging, and the characters are well developed. Overall, It's Not Summer Without You is a must-read for teens and young adults who love a good summer romance novel.

Judy Blume’s Forever is a timeless classic that explores first love, first relationships, and the complexities of teenage romance. Katherine and Michael are in love and believe their relationship is forever, but when they are separated for the summer, Katherine starts to develop feelings for another boy. The novel is a convincing account of first love and the uncertainties that come with it. Blume’s writing style is engaging and relatable, making the book a must-read for anyone who has experienced the ups and downs of teenage love.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a heart-wrenching story about the Holocaust, seen through the eyes of two young boys. It follows the journey of Bruno, a young German boy, who moves to a new house near a concentration camp. Bruno's curiosity leads him to meet a Jewish boy on the other side of the fence, and their friendship has devastating consequences. John Boyne's writing style is simple yet powerful, making it a memorable and moving story. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the atrocities of the Holocaust.

The Little Prince, written by Antoine de Saint-Exupry, is a profound story about loneliness, love, and friendship. The narrator, a pilot who has crashed in the Sahara Desert, meets a strange young boy called the Little Prince. The Little Prince has traveled from his home on a distant asteroid and his story is a beautiful meditation on human nature. This special edition includes restored artwork that matches Saint-Exupéry's original illustrations. The Little Prince is a beloved classic that has captured the hearts of both children and adults for over half a century.

The New York Times bestseller "Every Last Word" by Tamara Ireland Stone is a powerful and poignant portrayal of mental illness in teens. The main character, Samantha, struggles to hide her Purely-Obsessional OCD from her popular friends, until she meets a new friend who introduces her to a group of misfits. As Samantha discovers a new side of herself, she begins to question her sanity and the values of the popular crowd. The author's writing is both honest and empathetic, making this book an important read for anyone dealing with mental health issues or looking to understand those who are.