Books like 'Dangerous Play'
Readers who enjoyed Dangerous Play by Emma Kress also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance sports realistic high-school friendship social-commentary female-mc dark
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Michigan vs. the Boys by Carrie S. Allen
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWhen a determined girl is confronted with the culture of toxic masculinity, it's time to even the score. Michigan Manning lives for hockey, and this is her year to shine. That is, until she gets some crushing news: budget cuts will keep the girls' hockey team off the ice this year. If she wants colleges to notice her, Michigan has to find a way to play...Categorized as:
sports realistic high-school friendship female-mc social-commentary romance young-adult -
This Time It's Real by Ann Liang
Rated: 4.18 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsWhen seventeen-year-old Eliza Lin’s essay about meeting the love of her life unexpectedly goes viral, her entire life changes overnight. Now she has the approval of her classmates at her new international school in Beijing, a career-launching internship opportunity at her favorite magazine…and a massive secret to keep.Eliza made her essay up... -
Wednesday Riders by Tudor Robins
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe island. Meg can’t wait to get back. She’s excited to see her new mare kick up her heels in Salem’s old paddock. She’s impatient to run on country roads between breeze-blown hayfields.Mostly, Meg longs to be back with Jared again.It’s going to be the perfect summer... -
Caught Looking by Tara Wyatt
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAbby Gossman is unstoppable. An Olympic champion, she’s now blazing a trail for women in baseball as the first ever female coach for an MLB team. All of her dreams are coming true, even if one of them has to stay in the shadows. Because if anyone found out she was dating Jake Landon, an All-Star catcher from another team, it would ruin her reputation... -
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The Bridal Squad by Samantha Chase
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe Friday Night Brides are back! And this time, it's their first season running the business! It was one thing to just model in a weekly fashion show, it's quite another to be the ones calling the shots and making future brides' dreams come true. Their first client has them wondering if they're really prepared for their new roles! The Bride: Julianne is big on fitness, small on patience... -
The Boy Who Steals Hearts by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEvery girl at Hallisburg Prep has a crush on Arie Jensen.But no one has a bigger crush than me.I’ve been hopelessly head-over-heels for the star basketball player since freshman year.Too bad he barely even notices I exist.Until a midnight run-in reveals his biggest secret… and I’m the only one who knows.Suddenly, the school’s biggest flirt is showing up at my window after curfew...Categorized as:
realistic friendship high-school sports young-adult contemporary fake-relationship religion -
Sunrise Kisses by Krista Lakes
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAva Fairchild needed to get away. After walking in on her cheating ex-boyfriend, she was delighted when her appraisal company was given a job in the Caribbean. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to appraise Sebastian Belrose's billion-dollar estate seemed to be exactly what she needed to relax and enjoy herself... -
Borrowed & Blue by Emily Giffin
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA beautifully repackaged bind-up of two of Emily Giffin's beloved bestselling novelsSomething Borrowed: A novel for every woman who has ever had a complicated love-hate friendship... -
Reach for Tomorrow by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsKatie O'Roark is thrilled to learn that Jenny House is being rebuilt. After the fire last year, Katie thought she could never return to the camp, where she spent the summers with teens like her who faced medical odds stacked against them. But thanks to Richard Holloway's efforts, Katie and her longtime friends Lacey and Chelsea will work as counselors once again... -
Vintage Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWelcome back to Ladybug Farm, the place for everyone who ever had a friend... or a dream... -
Divided Loyalties by Patricia Scanlan
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFrom internationally bestselling author Patricia Scanlan comes a delightful story about the struggles and victories of marriage, and the true meaning of family.One explosive family reunion! Shauna and Greg’s marriage is under pressure. She wants another baby but he doesn’t. She also has to endure her obnoxious in-laws, The Freeloaders: Della, Eddie, and their spoiled kids... -
Sweetheart by Cookie O'Gorman
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSweetheart (suh-weet-hart): Someone who is kind, friendly, and/or lovable. For reference, see Scarlett Kent.Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Kent likes the idea of love—in theory. She’s just never had time for romance... -
Carter's Unfocused, One-Track Mind by Brent Crawford
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAfter an eventful freshman year and disastrous summer, fifteen-year-old Will Carter returns to Merrian High none the wiser. His sophomore year will present a host of new problems: the return of Scary Terry from juvie, the pregnant presence of Amber Lee, friends-with-benefits negotiations with Abby, prom night expectations, and the ever-constant harassment from his boys... -
It Could Only Be Tyler by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAsk your best friend’s brother nicely, and he might agree to be your fake boyfriend. He might even become something more…Nina Martinez is the band geek of Beachbreak High. The only thing louder than her trumpet is her mom’s insistence that she find Nina a boyfriend. Nina wants no part of it, but the only way out is to get a boyfriend on her own... -
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How to Convince a Boy to Kiss You by Tara Eglington
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe course of true love never did run smooth. For a girl who shares her name with a princess (a.k.a Aurora from Sleeping Beauty) Aurora Skye’s life seem fathoms away from a fairytale. Sure, she’s landed Hayden Paris, Potential Prince extraordinaire. And she got her wish -- one first kiss with all the knee-trembling, butterfly-inducing gloriousness she’d hoped for... -
The Kicker and the New Girl by Anne-Marie Meyer, Maggie Dallen
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHe's just trying to survive. He never thought she would be the one who would understand. CoraWe're starting over. Mom and Dad think the best way for me to move on from the death of Ben is to move to Oakwood. There, we can spend time with Mom's late best friend's family and open a new bakery. And I'm okay with that...Categorized as:
sports high-school realistic romance young-adult fake-relationship audiobook fiction -
I Do by Elizabeth Chandler
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWeddings are the perfect place to fall in love... Jane is not looking forward to being the maid of honor in her cousin Stacy's wedding. To make matters worse, Adam, the biggest jerk at Tilson High, is going to be the best man! The last thing Jane wants to do is walk down the aisle with him. But the more Jane gets to know Adam, the more she realizes that he's actually a very cool guy... -
Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsAn edgy, realistic, and utterly captivating novel from an exciting new voice in teen fictionAlexi Littrell hasn t told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.At school, nobody sees the scratches or her pain... -
Break the Rules by Joanna Philbin
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsThe only daughter of supermodel Katia Summers, witty and thoughtful Lizzie Summers likes to stick to the sidelines. The sole heir to Metronome Media and daughter of billionaire Karl Jurgensen, outspoken Carina Jurgensen would rather climb mountains than social ladders. Daughter of chart-topping pop icon Holla Jones, stylish and sensitive Hudson Jones is on the brink of her own music breakthrough...Categorized as:
female-mc friendship high-school realistic action-adventure book coming-of-age contemporary -
Sealed with a Kiss by Sarra Manning
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWill a lengthy road trip test Edie and Dylan's hard-won couplehood to the breaking point?Edie and Dylan have been dreaming about their road trip across America forever, but nine weeks in a car together is going to be a huge test for them...Categorized as:
friendship high-school realistic book contemporary fiction womens-fiction young-adult -
All the Days of Her Life by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsOut of control - that's how Lacey Duval feels in almost every aspect of her life. There's nothing she can do about her parents divorce, there's nothing she can do about the death of her young friend, there's nothing she can do about having diabetes - that's what Lacey believes. After a special summer at Jenny House, Lacey is determined to put her problems behind her... -
Love Me, Love Me Not by S.M. Koz
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSeventeen-year-old Hailey Brown never wanted to be popular or rich or even successful. All she ever wanted was to feel loved by someone, anyone. Eighteen-year-old Brad Campbell doesn't know anything but popularity, wealth, and success thanks to his affluent family and unmatched talent on the football field... -
Pulled Under by Michelle Dalton
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA shy teen befriends an attractive beach town tourist in this refreshing summertime romance, in the tradition of Sixteenth Summer and Seventeenth Summer . In the small town of Pearl Beach, Florida, Izzy Lucas needs only her surfboard and the water to be completely happy. She wants nothing to do with parties, popularity contests, or showing her face around the clichéd touristy hangouts... -
Guys Do Not Do Secret Santa by Miranda Kenneally
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA Catching Jordan short story (9 months before Catching Jordan... -
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Devon Delaney Should Totally Know Better by Lauren Barnholdt
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDevon Delaney cannot believe she's lying again. But the thing is, she couldn't help it. Her new boyfriend, Luke, is talking to his (gorgeous) ex-girlfriend, Bailey Barelli, every single day in mock trial. Devon couldn't just stand by and let him find out that she'd never dated anyone else before. Could she? Oopsie. Too late now... -
What You Always Wanted by Kristin Rae
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEnjoy What You Always Wanted and the other standalone titles in Bloomsbury's contemporary If Only romance line centered around an impossible you always want what you can't have !Maddie Brooks has always had high standards for guys. But she has yet to find one who can live up to the romantic, classic Hollywood heartthrobs, especially the dreamy song-and-dance man Gene Kelly... -
Rival Hearts by Natalie Decker
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsNew rules. Game on. Caleb is ticked off. Skylar hasn't answered any of his calls, texts, or emails since her move to New York, virtually cutting him out of her life without warning. So Caleb decides to go after her-and convince her to come back home. But even when Skylar realizes her heart does belong at home with Caleb, her uncertainty lingers... -
Two of Us by Elizabeth Eulberg
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsPenny Lane Bloom founded The Lonely Hearts Club, which means that she basically doesn’t date. She’s got her awesome girls to hang out with, she’s got her hilarious (and sometimes annoying) family, she’s working towards high grades to get into a great college–she’d never give up any of that to be with a boy... -
Surviving High School by M. Doty
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat's the secret to surviving your freshman year of high school? Emily Kessler thinks she has it all figured out. She eats, sleeps and trains for competitive swimming. All she has to do is keep her grades high and swim times short -- short enough to live up to her sister Sara's. But walking the crowded maze of unfamiliar high school hallways is like diving headfirst into shark-infested waters... -
Perfectly Played by Holly Kerr
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCan a runaway bride find love with someone else’s jilted groom? Flower shop owner Flora has waited years to say “I do” but when she gets to the altar, all she can say is “I can’t.” Ex-ballplayer Dean waits for his turn to find wedded bliss but has nothing to say when his bride-to-be texts that she’s not coming... -
Fact of Life #31 by Denise Vega
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWinner of the Colorado Book Award for Young Adult fiction, Cybil nominee. Fact of Life #129: Some people put you where they want you to be, not where you actually are.16-year-old Kat Flynn believes in going with the flow. She practices yoga, works with her mom at Abra’s Midwifery, and watches the Perfect Couple in the hall at school...Categorized as:
realistic high-school female-mc romance young-adult contemporary fiction womens-fiction -
The Stand-In Boyfriend by Christina Benjamin
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSometimes the person you're meant to be with is standing right in front of you.Parker Reed has been in love with Beth Bennett since he was four years old. She grew up next door to him, holding his hand and now his heart. The problem is, Beth has no idea Parker is in love with her. He’s stuck in the friend zone, forced to stand by while Beth dates a parade of losers... -
Gold Medal Winter by Donna Freitas
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAfter years of practice and competitions, of sit spins and perfect poses and thrillingly high jumps, Esperanza Flores will be skating for the United States. But with the excitement of an Olympic shot comes new attention -- and BIG distractions.Suddenly Espi can't go out with her friends, or even out her back door, without reporters and autograph-seekers following her every move. The other U.S... -
Kiss and Make Up by Sarra Manning
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIt’s sizzling summertime, and Edie can’t wait for the partying to start. Trying to forget about the dastardly Dylan, Edie’s taking her new squeeze Carter to the Glastonbury music festival to have some fun. But guess who’s there already, looking totally gorgeous? That’s right . . -
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Teach Me to Forget by Erica M. Chapman
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEllery wants to die. Nothing is going right. Her younger sister is dead, and her family is in a shambles. But on the day that she tries to end it all, even the gun won't work. When she tries to return it, she's intercepted by a security guard who also happens to be a boy in one of her classes, Colter Sawyer. Colter recognizes Ellery's desperation and begins working hard to earn her trust... -
Letters to Nowhere by Julie Cross
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFrom the International Bestselling Author of the Tempest Series... Set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics... I've gotten used to the dead parents face. I've gotten used to living with my gymnastics coach. I've even adjusted to sharing a bathroom with his way-too-hot son. Dealing with boys is not something that's made it onto my list of experiences as of yet. But here I am, doing it... -
Zoey Fools Around by Katherine Applegate
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThey've all grown up together on a tiny island. They think they know everything about one another. . .but they're only just beginning to find out the truth,and it turns their world upside down. New couples are formed, friends become enemies, and secrets and unearthed. . . Katherine Applegate is the author of the hugely popular series as well as many other books for young readers...Categorized as:
friendship high-school realistic book contemporary female-author fiction young-adult -
Summer State of Mind by Jen Calonita
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSummer has finally arrived and fifteen-year-old Harper McCallister intends to spend her days at the mall shopping or by the pool at her country club. But after receiving her latest heart-stopping credit card bill, Harper's parents makes other plans, and ship her off to camp... -
The Boy and His Angel by Kirsty Moseley
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEver wondered what happened to Liam and Amber after you last saw them dancing in that studio? Well, after years of people asking and asking for a sequel.... this isn't one, I'm afraid... -
Over the Falls by Jordan Ford
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’s drowning in rejection. She’s riding the waves. Can a rich boy and a surfer girl find love at the beach?Aidan isn't used to losing. But when his popular girlfriend dumps him right after he tanks at the end-of-year swim meet, he’s not sure if his golden touch will ever return... -
He Must Like You by Danielle Younge-Ullman
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAn authentic, angry, and surprisingly funny and romantic novel about sexual harassment, from award-winning author Danielle Younge-Ullman.Libby's having a rough senior year. Her older brother absconded with his college money and is bartending on a Greek island. Her dad just told her she's got to pay for college herself, and he's evicting her when she graduates so he can Airbnb her room...Categorized as:
realistic high-school social-commentary female-mc romance contemporary young-adult feminism -
A Matter of Heart by Amy Fellner Dominy
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratings“Will make your heart pound — anxiously, joyfully, triumphantly.” — New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle Readers will happily dive into this emotionally grounded, contemporary young adult novel about the sudden end of one girl’s Olympic swimming dreams and the struggles she endures before realizing there are many things that express who we are... -
Head Games by Keri Mikulski
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTaylor Thomas is a total all-star on the court. Off-court, not so much. She may be model-tall, gorgeous and quite a catch, but try telling her that. With a showcase game and playoffs fast approaching, Taylor’s basketball career is totally on the line... -
A Shattered Moment by Tiffany King
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIn the new series by Tiffany King, the USA Today bestselling author of the Woodfalls Girls novels, six friends—fresh from high school graduation—discover that the future can come at you from out of nowhere. This is Mackenzie’s story… Mackenzie Wilson once had hope for what life had to offer, but everything changed on the night of her graduation... -
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Popularity is Just an Equation by A.R. Perry
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSometimes even the best-laid plans go awry. Piper This isn’t how the rest of junior year is supposed to go. Prom is in a month and a half, and it should be a magical night with my boyfriend and all our friends.Except there’s one little problem.The guy who I’d been planning a future with kicked me to the curb out of the blue with little explanation. But don’t worry, he still wants to be friends... -
Just Our Luck by Julia Walton
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFrom the author of Words on Bathroom Walls— now a major motion picture—comes a romance in the spirit of Dear Evan Hansen about overcoming anxiety—and about finding love and friendship in unlikely places.★ "A masterpiece" —Kirkus, starred review"Bad luck follows lies." That was the first rule for life that Leo's Greek grandmother, Yia Yia, gave him before she died... -
Pwned by Shannen Crane Camp
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsReagan West has a perfect life. She’s at the top of the high school food chain as co-captain of the cheerleading squad and she’s best friends with the most evil girl in Albany, Tawny Perez, which means she’s never on the receiving end of her wrath... -
Finding Freia Lockhart by Aimee Said
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFreia Lockhart just wants to fit in at school but her best friend Kate is determined to get in with the popular Bs: Belinda, Bethanee and Brianna. Even Freia knows when she hangs out with the Bs she fits in like a turkey in a flock of flamingos. Kate convinces Freia to audition for the school play so they can 'all hang out together' and meet all the cute guys... -
Finding My Happy Pace by Heather Wardell
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIf thirty-year-old Megan were any more of a doormat, she'd have footprints on her back. She helps anyone and everyone, no matter the cost to herself, and she's always been that way. Even the thought of withholding her assistance makes her feel sick. Worse, it makes her feel like she's a bad person, selfish and unkind... -
Dancers, Quitters, and Garden Gnomes by Emily Evans
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThayer’s sick of dating the girls at Shay Prep who use his family to get ahead in society. He decides to date a girl from the prep school across town. That’s when his best friend offers him a challenge, “Stop with the prep school girls. Go out with a regular girl, someone not paying 100K a year in tuition.” It was one of those ideas that hit him as right...
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