Best Nonfiction on Dating & Intimacy Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2026

This Christian devotional book, titled "To the Girl Looking for More: 90 Devotions to Help You Ditch the Lies, Love Yourself, and Live Big for God," is a 90-day guide that encourages young women to reject the world's standards of perfection and strive for greater joy, peace, and purpose. Written by Grace Valentine, the book is relatable and honest, using personal experiences to guide readers toward discovering their true identities and self-worth in God's eyes. With daily devotions focused on replacing toxic relationships, letting go of impossible expectations, and choosing positivity, this book is an excellent resource for young women seeking a deeper connection with God.

Before You Meet Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer is a Christian devotional book for young single women. The authors offer 30 questions and 30 heartfelt prayers to help readers establish a God-honoring foundation for their future marriage. The book focuses on nurturing a healthy heart, aligning thoughts with biblical truth, and making the most of God-given potential. Through real-life stories, thought-provoking questions, and intentional prayers, the authors help readers approach dating with peace and strength. Overall, this book is a great resource for young women looking to prepare for a life-giving and God-honoring relationship.

This Book Is Gay is a candid and funny exploration of sexuality and gender, aimed at LGBTQIA+ teens, tweens, and adults. The book includes real stories from people across the gender and sexual spectrums, not to mention hilarious illustrations. The revised and updated edition answers all the questions you ever wanted to ask, with topics like stereotypes, coming out, where to meet people like you, the ins and outs of gay sex, how to flirt, and much more. Overall, the book is informative, entertaining, and empowers readers to know that they are exceptional, and they matter.

Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot is a classic book that candidly shares her love story with Jim Elliot through letters, diary entries, and memories. The book teaches readers about putting their human passion and desire through God's fire to purify their love. Elliot provides honest, biblical direction on matters of the heart, such as loving passionately while remaining sexually pure, whether or not to marry, and the man's and woman's role in relationships. In today's culture obsessed with dating, sex, and intimacy, Elliot's freeing message is more relevant than ever.

Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up is an inclusive and informative graphic novel guide that covers essential topics for preteens and young teens about their changing bodies and feelings. Written by expert sex educators, Heather Corinna and Isabella Rotman, this book talks about important topics like puberty, body image, gender identity, relationships, boundaries, and consent. With its attractive illustrations and fun activities, this book is a perfect complement to any school curriculum. It's an excellent resource for young people to gain a good basis and an age-appropriate start with sex, bodies, and relationships education.

Facing the Facts: The Truth about Sex and You (God's Design for Sex) is a comprehensive guide for children aged 12 to 16, explaining the changes happening to their bodies and the science behind pregnancy and birth, while also discussing the broader theological meaning of sex and relationships. With a strong biblical foundation, the book covers tough subjects such as masturbation, sexual addiction, gender identity, and same-sex love. This book is an excellent tool for parents to establish a healthy dialogue about sexuality in the home and provide their children with the knowledge they need to navigate a complex world.

Consent: The New Rules of Sex Education is a comprehensive guide to healthy sexual relationships for teens and young adults. Dr. Jennifer Lang, a board-certified OB-GYN, provides evidence-based guidance on anatomy, communication, safety, and the crucial role of consent in sex education. The book covers all sexual identities and orientations and discusses everything from what sex is and how it feels to recognizing when a person has the capacity to give consent. It's a must-read for anyone wondering how to navigate the world of consent in the #metoo era.

The Gender Identity Workbook for Teens is an interactive guide that helps teenagers explore and understand their gender identity. It offers practical advice, quizzes, and activities to help organize their thoughts and feelings about their identity. The book covers a range of gender identities, including nonbinary, nonconforming, cisgender, transgender, genderqueer, and agender. The author, Andrew Triska, creates a safe and non-judgmental space for teenagers to explore their gender identity and expression. This book is a valuable resource for all teenagers, especially those who are struggling to understand and accept their gender identity.

The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make by Sean Covey is a go-to guide that helps teenagers cope with major challenges they face in their lives. Covey shows readers how to use the 7 Habits to conquer challenges such as gaining self-esteem, dealing with parents, making friends, being wise about sex, coping with substances, and succeeding at school and planning a career. The book has been updated for the digital and social media age, making it more relevant to today's teenagers. This book is a must-read for teenagers, parents, and all those who raise, teach, and lead them.

Be True To Yourself: Daily Affirmations and Awesome Advice for Teen Girls by Amanda Ford is a guidebook for young women dealing with the challenges of adolescence. With short daily meditations and essays, Ford offers stories, information, and advice on issues such as self-respect, self-love, fights with friends, and dealing with parents. The book provides comfort, encouragement, and insight for teenage girls as they navigate one of the most confusing and challenging times of their lives. Overall, this book is a great gift for any young woman looking for guidance and support during the difficult teenage years.