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Original poster

Romance Novels for 13 year old????

32 replies

Gobbledegeek · 15/12/2023 22:39

My 13 year old DD has just asked for a romance novel for Christmas and I have no idea what to get her!

She loves Jane Austen - watches the adaptations, reads the abridged versions for kids and dips into the real books. I'm guessing she wants something like that but more modern so she can read the whole story. She also likes Downton Abbey and the gentle girly films like Princess Diaries.

I don't think she'd want anything too 'teen' but I dare say she's heading into that territory with this request!

Someone told me to skip YA books and go for easy adult authors like Katie Fforde but I haven't read any so don't know how appropriate?

Any guidance out there for me??!

Thank you!

OP posts:
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doyouwanticewiththat · 10/02/2024 23:46

Judy Blume was my go to for this stuff as a teen - they are quite dated now though maybe ? I'm not sure who the modern equivalent is .

Pssspsss · 10/02/2024 22:31

JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots · 15/12/2023 23:13

I loved Sweet Valley High if nothing of my mum's appealed. I used to read her Mills and Boons books and later the Silhouette ones. Sexist formulaic nonsense but great all the same. Forever by Judy Blume was my first book with any sex in it though.

Oh god I remember loving Judy Blume when I was 13 and purchased Forever. What an eye opener for a 13 year old 😂 I was mortified and hid the book in case my parents for some unfathomable reason decided to read it 😂😂

cerisepanther73 · 10/02/2024 22:04

@Gobbledegeek

How 🤔 times change

Rember back in the day

Gothic novel Flowers in The Attic series by Author Virginia, I can't rember her surname

Her books had a cult status back in the 80s era with teenagers girls,

I think if her type of books came out nowadays they would be probably be cancelled for being a bit too controversial,

I allways wondered 🤔 whether Flowers in the attic was based on true story,

I think it's lovely your daughter wants to read a romance story book...

FrostyMorn · 10/02/2024 22:00

Has anyone been to Scotney Castle in Kent and also read I Capture the Castle? That's exactly how I picture it! Wonderful book.

drinkwithanumbrellainit · 10/02/2024 21:56

@StamppotAndGravy got there just before me, I capture the castle and the lost art of keeping secrets were my first thoughts. The teen Kelley Armstrongs are good on the fantasy front, set in the otherworld universe. Just read divine rivals and that was great although a very light touch sex scene (post marriage). Margaret Mahy Changeover was my favourite as a teen, although a little darker. T. Kingfishers teen books for teens are great too, reindeer and raven is a lovely and innocent lesbian romance.

StamppotAndGravy · 10/02/2024 21:46

I loved all of Snowfall, Unquiet Spirits, A Traveller in Time, The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets, I Capture the Castle and Jane Eyre at that age. I read a few more risqué ones too though, but always had a soft spot for the innocent ones. I enjoyed Marian Keyes as well, but a lot have very adult themes like depression and addiction so I'd not recommend them without reading them first and knowing your DD.

YourLocal · 10/02/2024 21:30

Heart stopper! Lots of kids in my sons class have read them

Chugnut · 20/12/2023 13:35

We read copies of Lace, Riders, Jackie Collins at that age 😂 swapped between us at school. Probably more sex than romance though 😂

CatChant · 20/12/2023 13:12

KM Peyton - Flambards series, A Pattern of Roses.
Barbara Willard - The Lark and the Laurel, A Sprig of Broom.
Eva Ibbotson - The Secret Countess, The Morning Gift, A Song for Summer, Magic Flutes.

Welshcake15 · 20/12/2023 13:12

Another vote for the Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging series. I loved them at 13 and still think they're hysterical!

erinaceus · 20/12/2023 13:08

A little love song by Michelle Magorian was a favourite of mine when I was around that age, it’s sweet.

BlueChampagne · 20/12/2023 13:04

I Capture the Castle
The Little White Horse

WitcheryDivine · 18/12/2023 13:34

Laughing at the idea of Mary Barton or Middlemarch being light romances for a 13 year old who isn't quite up to Jane Austen to enjoy! (I bloody love the books but they might have to wait til later)

I really recommend Eva Ibbotson - there are quite a few: The Secret Countess, The Morning Gift and A Song For Summer are my favourites and can reread over and over. (They do have war bits in them but mostly near the beginning as some of the heroines are refugees - it's all suitable for kids though). Georgette Heyer a good shout as well. Some are much better than others!

BlueChampagne · 18/12/2023 12:59

Daphne Du Maurier?

CaptainMyCaptain · 16/12/2023 09:44

crumpet · 15/12/2023 22:47

Georgette Heyer.

I was going to suggest this. It was what I was reading at that age in the 60s but she fell out of fashion. I believe she is now back in.

illbeinthegarden · 16/12/2023 09:40

I recently read forever by Judy Blume as absolutely loved her as a young teen... I thought that actually the guy applied some pressure for Katherine to have sex with him and got frustrated with her when she wasn't ready so I'd actually avoid it! It's also really short...

thepresureofausername · 16/12/2023 09:21

Meg Cabot teen books

tribpot · 16/12/2023 09:19

I think the Laura Wood books might hit the spot - they are YA romance novels with a good feminist twist and nothing inappropriate for a young teen. I've just re-read The Agency for Scandal in prep for the sequel coming out next year. A Single Thread of Moonlight takes place in the same world, and is a Cinderella retelling that is delightful. A Sky Painted Gold and A Snowfall of Silver are set in the 1920s and are lovely. All books also very funny.

Wanttobeok · 16/12/2023 09:10

Catherine Cookson?

The girl, the dwelling place, a dinner of herbs are good ones.

I started reading them about that age

Original poster
Gobbledegeek · 16/12/2023 09:05

Oh yes! I LOVED Flambards!

OP posts:
ODFOx · 15/12/2023 23:53

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging is pitched right for a 13yo I think; a bit swoony and a bit embarrassing but also ties in the changing relationships with friends parents during young teen hood.

JustACountryMusicGirlInCowboyBoots · 15/12/2023 23:13

I loved Sweet Valley High if nothing of my mum's appealed. I used to read her Mills and Boons books and later the Silhouette ones. Sexist formulaic nonsense but great all the same. Forever by Judy Blume was my first book with any sex in it though.

Darkenergy · 15/12/2023 23:13

I enjoyed Marian Keyes at that age - Watermelon, Sushi For Beginners. If memory serves they were not explicit at all.
I also enjoyed Kevin and Sadie but no idea how they've aged!

TragicMuse · 15/12/2023 23:13

If she wants modern adaptations of Austen then the lovely Melissa Nathan might be right. She was such a good writer...

Pastlast · 15/12/2023 23:12

I’ve seen a romance category called something like ‘sweet and clean’ which I imagine covers this type of book. I.e no graphic sex.