Books like 'Playing with Fire'
Readers who enjoyed Playing with Fire by Francine Pascal & Kate William also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance high-school realistic children friendship drama teens poverty
-
Take the Reins by Jessica Burkhart
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWhen Sasha Silver and her horse, Charm, arrive on the campus of the elite Canterwood Crest Academy, Sasha knows that she's in trouble. She's not exactly welcomed with open arms. One group of girls in particular is used to being the best, the brightest, and the prettiest on the team, and when Sasha shows her skills in the arena, the girls' claws come out... -
November Blues by Sharon M. Draper
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhen November Nelson loses her boyfriend, Josh, to a pledge stunt gone horribly wrong, she thinks her life can't possibly get any worse. But Josh left something behind that will change November's life forever, and now she's faced with the biggest decision she could ever imagine. How in the world will she tell her mom? And how will Josh's parents take the news? She's never needed a friend more... -
Bronxwood by Coe Booth
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe acclaimed author of TYRELL and KENDRA returns to PUSH to continue Tyrell's astonishing story. Tyrell's father is just out of jail, and Tyrell doesn't know how to deal with that. It's bad enough that his brother Troy is in foster care and that his mother is no help whatsoever. Now there's another thing up in his face, just when he's trying to settle down... -
Snitch by Allison van Diepen
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIn a school run by gangs, staying out was harder than joining. We knew who our friends were, and were careful what we said. If people thought we were haters, it would only be a matter of time....Lines are clearly marked at South Bay High School. It's mixed territory for the Crips and the Bloods, which means the drama never stops. Julia DiVino wants none of it... -
-
Shake It Off by Suzanne Nelson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsBria is used to city life in Chicago, but is headed to her aunt and uncle's Iowa creamery for the summer. Their dairy operation offers a taste of country living to passersby, who can stop in for a milkshake, a wagon ride, and a trip through the corn maze. Bria is definitely out of her element, but her cousin, Wren, loves working on her parents' farm... -
Hollywood High by Ni-Ni Simone, Amir Abrams
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThey’re the daughters of celebrities—the kind all the teen mags gossip about! But the It Girls of Hollywood High are about to discover that fame has a price. And no friendship—or romance—is safe…. London Phillips will diet as her mother demands. She’ll even date the billionaire her mother has chosen for her. But she won’t give up her secret hottie, Justice Banks... -
Accidentally Famous by Lisa Papademetriou
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMeet Amy Flowers, a seventh grader who marches to her own beat: Being the new girl at exclusive Allington Academy doesn't break her stride! Meet the League: They rule the school, and their queen is oh-so-mean Fiona, who doesn't exactly appreciate Amy's individuality. This time, Amy is helping League lieutenant Jenelle with a charity fashion show... -
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... -
Accidentally Friends by Lisa Papademetriou
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe fourth book in our first Candy Apple mini-series from New York Times-bestselling author Lisa Papademetriou! Seventh grader Amy Flowers is at it again in her fourth fish-out-of-water adventure at super-snooty Allington Academy... -
Times Squared by Julia DeVillers, Jennifer Roy
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIdentical twin sisters Payton and Emma Mills have “traded faces” and created “twin-dentical chaos” at school and at home. But you haven’t seen anything yet. Payton and Emma are off to “twin-vade” New York City! Payton’s drama club plans a field trip to see an off-Broadway show, and Emma’s mathletes team will compete in an elite competition... -
Accidentally Fooled by Lisa Papademetriou
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSeventh grader Amy Flowers is finally making her mark at ultra-exclusive Allington Academy, but there's always one thing standing in her way: the League. They rule the school, and their queen is oh-so-mean Fiona, who doesn't exactly appreciate a new girl invading her turf. This time, Amy's stuck working on a service project with Fiona and preppie know-it-all Preston... -
Ethan Between Us by Anna Myers, Julia Laserna
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsEthan is different. He is gorgeous, easy to talk to, and a uniquely gifted pianist. But his musical talent is both a gift and a curse. The doctors label him a schizophrenic, as he claims to have been taught by a long-dead, 19th-century composer... -
The Gossip File by Anna Staniszewski
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe Gossip File:-Chandra lets little kids pee in the pool.-Melody stole $ from the cafe register.-Ava isn’t who she says she is…Ava is cool. Ava is confident. Ava is really Rachel Lee who is lying her butt off.Rachel is visiting her dad at a resort in sunny Florida and is ready for two weeks of relaxing poolside, trips to Disney World and NOT scrubbing toilets... -
Somewhere Between Life and Death by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe celebration isn't supposed to end in tragedy. The night of their high-school drama group's cast party starts out as fun for sisters Amy and Erin. Their lives come crashing down when Amy takes the car to get more food and has a horrible accident. Erin and her family pray for Amy to awaken from her coma... -
-
Kathleen's Story by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIt's the summer after sophomore year and Raina has convinced her best friends since the sixth grade, Kathleen and Holly, to spend their summer as "pink angels" in Parker-Sloan General Hospital's summer volunteer program. Kathleen is reluctant to do it - she has enough responsibility at home caring for her sick mother... -
Beach Blondes: June Dreams, July's Promise, August Magic by Katherine Applegate
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThree months. Three guys. One amazing summer. Summer Smith is in for the best summer of her life. Between the cold weather and her boyfriendless existence in Minnesota, Summer is ready for sun, sand, and boys in the Florida Keys. And by the end of the first day, she has more than enough to keep her busy: Adam , the senator's son, has looks, power, and all the money in the world... -
I'll Be Seeing You by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsCarley Mattea never expected to become friends with a boy as handsome as Kyle Westin--especially not in the hospital. Seventeen-year-old Kyle was blinded when a chemistry experiment exploded. His doctors don't know whether he'll get his vision back, and he's deeply depressed. Carley understands how miserable it is to be in the hospital. At sixteen, she's had plenty of experience... -
I For You by Orizuka
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsSuatu hari dalam hidupku, kau dan aku bertemu. Masih jelas di ingatanku sosokmu yang memukauku. Lidahku jadi kelu, mulutku terkatup rapat karena malu. Setiap malam, bayangmu menari-nari dalam benakku. Ada sejuta alasan mengapa aku begitu memujamu. Kau menyinari relung gelap hatiku. Kau satu-satunya orang yang ingin kurengkuh. Kau yang bertanggung jawab atas segala rindu... -
Too Young to Die by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAt sixteen, Melissa Austin has always worked hard to make things go her way. As the school year begins, her grades are up and she's even landed a coveted spot on the high school Brain Bowl team. She and her best friend, Jory Delaney, are determined to have the best junior year ever.Then suddenly Melissa must face some devastating news about her health... -
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 -
Played by Dana Davidson
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsWhen one of Ian's boys dares him to get plain-faced Kylie Winship to sleep with him in just three weeks, he thinks it'll be a breeze. Tall and fine, with honey-colored skin and eyes, Ian is used to getting what he wants from girls. And if he succeeds in playing Kylie, he'll be down with the most popular crew in his high school... -
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... -
Unfriended by Katie Finn
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsMadison MacDonald is glad things are back to normal!Madison It’s SUMMER at last -- let the good times & pool parties roll!Location: Putnam Beach. Putnam, CT.Madison My friends are all together again, and Nate and I are better than ever. Finally, everything in my life is working out. :)Location: Gofer Ice Cream... -
Robyn by Jade Parker
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA funny, sweet trilogy about three girls and the friendship and romance they find working summer jobs at a water park! Caitlin and Robyn, long time best friends, get summer jobs together working at The Splash, the local water park. While Caitlin gets to be a lifeguard, Robyn is stuck pushing little kids in inner tubes down a slide... -
-
Drawn That Way by Elissa Sussman
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratings“Packs a swoony punch along with its feminist rage.” —Maurene Goo, author of Somewhere Only We KnowMoxie meets the world of animation in this fresh, unputdownable novel about a teen girl determined to prove herself in the boys’ club of her dream industry no matter what it takes... -
Devious: An It Girl Novel by Cecily von Ziegesar
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsJenny Humphrey could have lost everything she'd worked so hard for when the reality show her adoring freshman fans were filming backfired on her in the most publicly humiliating way.. -
Classic by Cecily von Ziegesar
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIt's almost Valentine's Day at Waverly Academy, and love is in the air...and in everyone's inboxes. Each year, The Waverly Computer Society runs Perfect Match, an online personality survey that pairs up Waverly Owls with their supposed soul mates. Now the campus is overrun with peculiar pairings, odd couples, and mischief makers hoping to play Cupid for a day... -
Top of the Feud Chain by Lisi Harrison
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAlpha Academy: Where betas get booted. Eccentric billionaire Shira Brazille founded the super-exclusive Alpha Academy on exotic Alpha Island to nurture the next generation of exceptional dancers, writes, musicians, and inventors. It' s a dream come true for one hundred lucky girls, but those not measuring up can be sent home at any time, for any reason... -
Star-Crossed by Mimi McCoy
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA sweet new addition to the hit Candy Apple line! Will Abby's horoscope make her superstitious, or will she take fate into her own hands?A fabulous new title from Mimi McCoy, author of Candy Apple's debut title!Abby has it all together: she gets straight A's, she's a star on her junior high track team, and she's 7th grade class vice president... -
The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFrankie Towers has always looked up to his older brother, Steve, and with good reason. Steve is a popular senior who always gets what he wants: girls, a soccer scholarship, and--lately--street cred. Frankie, on the other hand, spends his time shooting off fireworks with his best friend Zach, working at his parents' restaurant, and obsessing about his longtime crush, Rebecca Sanchez... -
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 -
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... -
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... -
Caitlin by Jade Parker
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA funny, sweet trilogy about three girls and the friendship and romance they find working summer jobs at a water park!Now that Robyn is dating her older brother (ew!) Caitlin is feeling distinctly boyfriend-less in her lifeguard chair. But that's where she meets Jason, the water park's resident hottie.. -
-
Whitney by Jade Parker
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA funny, sweet trilogy about three girls and the friendships and romance they find working summer jobs at a water park!Whitney's Summer Goals:1. Throw the best parties ever at the water park -- and avoid backstabbing nemesis Marci.2. Stop eating so much ice cream from Jake's ice cream cart. Who cares that he's really cute and sweet?3. Figure out Caitlin and Robyn.. -
-
Save the Date by Tamara Summers
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsVictoria Finnegan to marry Kevin Ork in the Rose Bower of Cynthia Flair Botanical GardensSunday, June 17, 3 p.m.Dress: very flowery.Yay.Paris Finnegan is marrying Jiro Kuan on the beach at Huntsville National ParkSaturday, August 11, 1 p.m.Dress: Um . . -
Adored by Cecily von Ziegesar
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsBrett Messerschmidt is organizing Waverly Academy's annual holiday ball and secret gift exchange. But when some enterprising students decide that playing Secret Satan is infinitely more fun, the entire school starts acting naughty. All Brett wants is a successful party-and a goodnight kiss from unexpected crush Sebastian Valenti... -
Fame, Glory, and Other Things on My to Do List by Janette Rallison
Rated: 3.86 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA PC school principal turns West Side Story into a comedy of errors.Sixteen year-old Jessica dreams of Hollywood fame, and when Jordan moves into her small town, she dreams of him too. He’s a movie star’s son, and hey, he’s gorgeous to boot... -
Incredibly Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsGet ready to start your own incredible, amazing life…right? Alice McKinley is standing on the edge of something new—and half afraid she might fall off. Graduation is a big deal—that gauntlet of growing up that requires everyone she’s known since forever to make huge decisions that will fling them here and there and far from home... -
Notes from an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFrom the author of Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies comes a middle grade novel hailed by Linda Urban as “A perfect blend of laugh out loud funny and real-world heart.” Elsie Wyatt wants to be an orchestra superstar, like her dad and grandfather. The first step? Get into a super-selective summer music camp... -
A Non-Blonde Cheerleader in Love by Kieran Scott
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe Sand Dune High cheerleading squad has gone coed, and not everyone is happy about it. Annisa's psyched when her boyfriend signs up, and stunting with the guys is pretty cool. But then the battle of the sexes heats up, and Annisa is caught in the middle... -
Revenge of the Cheerleaders by Janette Rallison
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsChelsea's school year has taken a turn for the worse. After being dumped by her boyfriend and humiliated at the pep assembly by her younger sister's boyfriend, Rick, she's just concentrating on avoiding any other major embarrassments. That's when Rick and his band debut their new album, complete with a whole set of songs bashing cheerleaders... -
Daybreak by Belva Plain
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe doctor's office is cool, white, sterile. But the doctor's words are searing: blood tests prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Margaret and Arthur Crawfield's beloved, dying son is not their child. Now they must face Peter's death and the shock of having a son they have never met. Grieving, yet compelled, they begin a search that will tear two families apart... -
-
Girl Stays in the Picture by Melissa de la Cruz
Rated: 3.80 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDevon (one name only) is the most famous singer/actress in the country, and she is on location filming her newest blockbuster in the South of France. While there, she forms a bond with the director’s daughter—the hottest thing in Hollywood since she has recently lost two hundred pounds—who is learning to enjoy being young, rich, and famous... -
How to Speak Boy by Tiana Smith
Rated: 3.80 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsQuinn and Grayson have been fierce speech and debate rivals for years. They can't stand one another, either in competition or in real life. But when their AP Government teacher returns their school assignments to the wrong cubbies, they begin exchanging anonymous notes without knowing who the other is... -
Greed by Robin Wasserman
Rated: 3.80 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe end of the year, the end of an era... Lucky Miranda's finished strong. She has what she's always wanted: Kane. Reformed, relationship-ready, really boring. Harper has prom queen in the bag -- but sadly, her king has bailed. Adam's busy tending to Beth, who is fully unable to move on. It means leaving Reed, who, let's admit, has no future anyway... -
Hollywood Hills by Aimee Friedman
Rated: 3.75 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsGet your drama on as the girls from New York Times bestseller SOUTH BEACH and its sexy sequel, FRENCH KISS, strut back into the limelight in another sizzling tale of romance, friendship, and crushes.Celebrity sightings. Sizzling nightlife. Endless shopping.Hollywood, here they come...Alexa: She's stopped believing in love at first sight... -
Audacious by Gabrielle S. Prendergast
Rated: 3.75 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSixteen year old Raphaelle is that girl who says the wrong thing, who crosses the wrong person, who has the wrong hair, the wrong body, the wrong attitude, the totally wrong clothes. She can’t do anything right, except draw, but she draws the wrong pictures... -
The Crushes by Pamela Wells
Rated: 3.75 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe girls from The Heartbreakers are back, and this time, they're looking to fall in love. Raven behaves as if it's okay for her to be applying the code to just anyone, but (not surprisingly), she finds it works best when directed at her kinda-sorta actual boyfriend, whether she's ready to commit to him or not...
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.