Romance for 12yo

[sleepfortheweek]

My 12yo DD (1st year at secondary school) has expressed an interest in reading romance. She used to love reading but over the last year or two very rarely reads for pleasure (although she listens to audible every night - tends to be the same books though - more of a familiarity/comfort thing!)

She’s very mature for her age so a lot of books aimed at her age group just don’t interest her at all.

So I’m looking for recommendations of age appropriate romance books. Goes without saying no sex/power play/toxic relationships etc.

I was into Harry Potter and fantasy at her age so don’t have much to go on!

Thanks

Kate Stradling's The Heir and The Spare is very good. I've reread it recently, but I think it's classed as YA and there's no sex.

If she's mature for her age, could you try her on Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre? I enjoyed them at that age.

Has she read Noughts and Crosses? It’s a kind of dystopian Romeo & Juliet retelling - it’s v good.

Or for something with more of a romcom vibe, she might like Lynn Painter: www.theworks.co.uk/p/modern-romance-books/lynn-painter-the-rom-com-collection-4-book-set/9781398562981.html?srsltid=AfmBOoq2wFa2ubZCNZmwjRbQLquHbBHXsZHpNEOdYiQIUm_Z4SjUDY3l

Georgette Here's regency romances are fantastic, funny, great female characters and they usually end with a very chaste smooch.

@Wilsonthedogthanks I’ll have a look at that.

I think the books would have to be more current and relatable, the writing style of the classics would put her off I think.

I read both in high school but can’t say I enjoyed them

Thanks I’ll look them up!

Sorry, that should be Heyer, I didn't notice the autocorrect

@Theseagullwhisperer I think she’d definitely prefer a more rom com vibe

I’d definitely recommend Lynn Painter, then - Queen of YA Romcom! Hope you find something she loves

We’ve been through some options and she has chosen ‘the summer i turned pretty’

I’ve read the blurb and some reviews and it looks appropriate