Books like 'Defying Gravity'
Readers who enjoyed Defying Gravity by Kendra C. Highley also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance sports high-school realistic love-triangle friends-to-lovers humor friendship
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Scarlett and the Kiss Thief by Ivy Smoak
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI’ve never been kissed.I know…it’s a huge problem.It all started because I fell in love with my best friend, Axel Stevens. I decided to save my first kiss for him. But…he didn’t fall in love with me back.For the first time in years, he’s finally single though. And I have the perfect plan.I reinvented myself over the summer... -
I Sold Myself To The Devil For Vinyls... Pitiful I Know by DarknessAndLight
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsLexi Grayson is just a normal teenager, as normal as she can be with her unobserving skills and her overthinking mind. But she'll need the overthinking if she wants to unravel the smirking mystery that is Blake Eaton...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers high-school humor realistic sports book contemporary enemies-to-lovers -
Difficult by R.L. Mathewson
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsSurviving high school was going to be hard enough, but surviving telling the one girl that he couldn’t live without how he felt was going to be one of the most difficult things that Sebastian Bradford was ever going to do.From New York Times and USA Today’s bestselling author R.L...Categorized as:
humor high-school friends-to-lovers sports romance young-adult contemporary small-town -
Felix by Lulu Moore
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsI have a secret. Twelve years ago I crushed on my teammate’s little sister, before firmly putting her in the friend zone. Which then became the best friend zone. And my teammate became more of a brother.But now we have two problems.1. I just found out she’s been crushing on me too, and my feelings have come hurtling back like a puck heading for the net2... -
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810 Destiny Dr. by Tracy Lorraine
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe’s the one all the girls want.The talented musician. The football player. He’s also my best friend. My ride or die. The one who knows all my secrets. Well, all but one. Only, he doesn’t see me the way he does all the other girls at Cherry Falls High. It’s like I’m invisible to him. Just one of the guys. But I want more... -
Getting Wound Up by Jennifer Bernard, Erin Nicholas
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA fun and flirty crossover novel from bestselling authors, Jennifer Bernard (Love Between the Bases) and Erin Nicholas (Sapphire Falls)!Caitlyn Murray has never let on that she’s had fantasies about her brother's friend Eli Anderson for years. She'd do anything for the sexy baseball player who walked away from stardom to stay in Sapphire Falls and take care of his family... -
Dear McKinnon by Danielle Keil
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEveryone knows what it means to have a teal envelope taped to their locker on the first day of the month. Everyone except new girl McKinnon Gregory.The envelope is the start of a monthly tradition called the Secret Admirers, and something McKinnon never thought she'd see. To her surprise-- and everyone else's-- the teal envelope is taped to her locker on March first... -
It Was Always Jace by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAsk your best friend nicely, and he might become your personal tutor. He might even turn into something more…Callie Cooper is the laidback surfer girl of Beachbreak High. She skips class to catch waves, and because of that, no one has high expectations for her future – including herself...Categorized as:
sports friends-to-lovers realistic friendship high-school romance young-adult contemporary -
The Sebastian Guarantee by Krista Sandor
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe’s got one chance to be the man she deserves—he better not screw it up. Phoebe Gale is a genius behind the keyboard, but her love life is a catastrophe. She’s sick of guys trampling on her heart. Spoiler Alert: that’s about to end. She’s been invited to a conference where she’ll get the chance to flaunt her tech talents and show these creeps exactly what they’re missing... -
Kai Taylor is My Enemy Boyfriend by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe’s the gorgeous, superstar athlete. She’s the nerdy gamer. They’re sworn enemies… but hate is starting to feel a lot like something else…Mackayla Lafelle is Evermore High’s outcast – and she likes it that way. She’d rather play video games than have a social life. But, when she’s mysteriously nominated for Prom Queen, she’s forced to step into the spotlight... -
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...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers friendship high-school realistic sports book contemporary fake-relationship -
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... -
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One of the Girls (Friendzone) by Robin Daniels
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsFROM ENDZONE TO FRIENDZONE... Senior Nick Moody is the second string quarterback on Roosevelt High School’s championship football team. He’s crushed on Mia for years, but she doesn’t know he exists. It’s time to come off the bench and into the game. Nick refuses to graduate without getting the girl or the glory. Mia Ashlock is the remarkably kind cheer captain...Categorized as:
sports humor high-school realistic friends-to-lovers friendship romance contemporary -
It Had to be Mason: A Sweet YA Romance by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAsk your brother’s best friend nicely, and he’ll teach you how to date. He might even teach you how to kiss…Zoe Walsh is the most awkward girl in Beachbreak High. For years, she’s admired her crush from afar, but she’s NEVER talked to him. What would she even say? She doesn’t know the first thing about boys, or dating. The only thing she really knows is dancing... -
One of the Guys by A.R. Perry
Rated: 4.09 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsRylee Everett has spent her entire life as a tomboy. One of the guys to the rest of the world. With that comes constant fights with her mom when it comes to wearing dresses and makeup. To her, it’s a waste of time. Time she would rather use at the skatepark and hanging out with her best friend Spencer. Well, that was her outlook until she bumps into her longtime crush at a wedding...Categorized as:
high-school sports realistic friends-to-lovers humor romance young adult contemporary -
Wallflower by Cookie O'Gorman
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWallflower (wohl-flou-erh): Identifier for someone who is shy and/or awkward. For reference, see Viola Kent.Seventeen-year-old Viola Kent likes being invisible. Well, not literally, but she's content being a loner, reading her books, and hanging out with the animals at the shelter. She just wants to keep her head down and get through her senior year at Durham High... -
The Cell Phone Swap by DoNotMicrowave
Rated: 4.05 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsKeeley accidentally swaps cell phones with a rivaling high school’s star quarterback. Unable to switch back until a week later, she must interact with the arrogant boy, passing along texts and voicemails. As she gets to know him better, she realizes there’s more to him than sexual innuendos and egotistical comments... -
The Bad Boy, Cupid & Me by Slim_Shady
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsReece smirked, "Trust me Chloe, the Good Girl always falls for the Bad Boy."Chloe Armel is a Good Girl.She never gets in trouble, gets excellent grades and is loved by everyone.Enter Reece.Wild, badass and has an ego that honestly couldn't get any bigger.He gets into fights, breaks every single rule and couldn't care less about the consequences that come with it...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers high-school humor realistic sports book contemporary enemies-to-lovers -
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... -
Perks of Dating You by Stephanie Street
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThere he is. Connor Sanders. All six feet four inches, broad shouldered, rock hard muscled, starting quarterback of him. As he walks toward me (well, not toward me, but in my direction), bright blue eyes smiling at all the beautiful popular girls dripping from his arms, my heart sinks down to my toes...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers friendship high-school sports book contemporary fake-relationship fiction -
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...Categorized as:
sports high-school realistic friends-to-lovers friendship romance young-adult contemporary -
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... -
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Love Edy by Shewanda Pugh
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen Edy Phelps falls hard for her best friend, she knows nothing can come from it. Forget actual chemistry, or the fact that she cherishes his mother more than her own; centuries of tradition say that Hassan will grow up, marry the girl his parents pick, and forget his best friend: the dancer with the bursting smile. Except he can't... -
When We Were Us by Tawdra Kandle
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe Trio. That’s who we’ve been since birth: Nate, Leo . . . and me, Quinn, the token girl. Our mothers met in prenatal yoga and became best friends, which meant that the three of us hit every milestone together, from the first day of school to the very first kiss. We’ve always known that Nate’s a little different...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers high-school love-triangle sports book contemporary fiction new-adult -
Lonely Hearts Day by Kasie West
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt isn’t that Scarlett Landry doesn’t believe in love, her parents’ relationship is perfect, after all. It’s just that she doesn’t think she should be forced to celebrate it. Forced to listen to terrible poetry and watch Valentine’s Day roses being distributed to everyone around her at school. If there is a relationship status that deserves its own holiday, it’s single-hood...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers high-school realistic humor romance young-adult contemporary fiction -
The Shy Girl & the Jock Next Door: A Sweet YA Romance by M.L. Collins
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsShay MacNeilOne girl, hiding her scars, ready to escape the stares & whispers of her small town.TJ DevlinOne boy, burying his dreams, ready to live up to the grand expectations of his small town.Shay & TJOne girl & one boy, best friends since forever, might just be able to help save each other...Categorized as:
sports high-school friends-to-lovers humor friendship romance young-adult small-town -
Beach Side Beds and Sandy Paths by Cassie Mae, Becca Ann
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsBook 2 in Beds Series Written by Cassie Mae and Theresa Paolo under the pen names Becca Ann and Tessa Marie Ryan Parker has loved his best friend for the past ten years, and after a weeklong ski trip, he finally got bumped out of the friend zone. Things seem perfect, until Ryan finds out his mom has a second family, and his half-brother, Brett shows up on his porch... -
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...Categorized as:
high-school realistic friends-to-lovers humor friendship romance young-adult contemporary -
Jocks Don’t Fall For Bookworms by Emma Dalton
Rated: 4.00 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsEvery bookworm deserves her Romeo.I’m the bookworm. I dream of having an epic romance like my parents, but the guys at school don’t know I exist. I spend my time daydreaming about the characters in my books, hoping one day my luck will change.Then my new neighbor and captain of the basketball team asks for my help with catching the popular girl’s attention... -
Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsGigi, Bea, and Neerja are best friends and total overachievers. Even if they aren't the most popular girls in school, they aren't too worried. They know their real lives will begin once they get to their Ivy League colleges... -
The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsIt seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’. Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him... Toby Morrison...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers high-school humor love-triangle realistic book coming-of-age contemporary -
Love on the Lifts by Rachel Hawthorne
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWinter Break super-secret perfect cocoa recipe: 8 oz steamed whole milk (no skim! doesn't work!) 2 tbsp. dark cocoa powder (big scoops) 1 tbsp. sugar (can't be too sweet) 4 dried, crushed mint leaves (or 1 tbsp. mint syrup) Stir thoroughly. Add mint swizzle stick. Combine with cute ski instructor, or brother's cute best friend, or cute guy you never noticed was so cute.. -
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Slow Twitch by Liz Reinhardt
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsSummer scatters three friends, ties them back together, and makes them question who they have been and who they want to be in the future. Brenna expected to soak up the knowledge of great Irish writers at her summer workshop in Dublin... -
The QB Bad Boy and Me by Tay Marley
Rated: 3.94 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsReluctant cheerleader Dallas Bryan has a problem on her hands—and his name is Drayton Lahey.Ever since the hot star quarterback of the high school football team hit her car with his motorcycle, he has the annoying ability to get under her skin, making Dallas think about Drayton way more than she should . . . in all the ways that she shouldn't... -
Perfectly Oblivious by Robin Daniels
Rated: 3.93 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsCameron Bates (Cam) could have almost any girl at Franklin High School…except for the one he wants. Unfortunately Bebe seems to be immune to his flirty charm and good looks, which means one of two things: a) she’s completely oblivious to how he feels, or b) she’s just not into him. If that’s the case, declaring his love would be disastrous for their friendship... -
Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAfter fathering a baby, a teenager moves in with his karate-loving uncle and tries to come to terms with his guilt — and find a way to forgive. This isn’t how Josh expected to spend senior year. He thought he’d be hanging out with his best friends, Dave and Caleb, driving around, partying, just like always... -
Out of Left Field by Kris Hui Lee
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThere’s no playing it safe in love or baseball in this sparkling debut, perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Kasie West.Marnie has never had a hard time fitting in with the guys. It would take a lot more than their goofy antics to keep her from joining them at the neighborhood sandlot to do what she loves best: play ball...Categorized as:
sports realistic high-school friends-to-lovers romance young-adult contemporary fiction -
Triple Shot Bettys in Love by Jody Gehrman
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGeena is freaking out. She's been going out with Ben for five months, their relationship is comfortable and perfect, and then Bam! he's suddenly putting the pressure on to be way more physical. She's not sure she's ready. Enter Mr... -
How to Hook a Bookworm (How To Series) by Cassie Mae
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsGetting kissed for a birthday present should not be a big deal. Especially for Brea Mason, who doesn’t think of her best friend, Adam Silver, in any way other than… well, a friend. But after the liplock she can’t seem to get him off her mind. And she has to, because Adam is a senior while she’s stuck in high school for another two years...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers high-school humor love-triangle book coming-of-age contemporary fiction -
Kiss with Cherry Flavor by Anna Katmore
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsREAD THE NOTE at the bottom before you purchase this book! Samantha Summers finally got what she’d been secretly dreaming of since she came to Grover Beach. She was kissed by Tony Mitchell. But already the next instant, he cops out and leaves her drowning in unrequited passion. An exhausting game of nearness and distance begins and threatens to drive Samantha crazy... -
The Playmaker by Jordan Ford
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThis is it—Tori Lomax’s senior year. Her last chance to leave Nelson High without a bucketload of regrets. Number one priority—get Colt Burgess to fall in love with her. So what if he’s the Raider’s number one playmaker? So what if he’s so far out of her league, the idea of them together would rupture the school’s social order? She has to try, before it’s too late... -
Perfectly Clueless by Madeleine Labitan
Rated: 3.90 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsShe’s in love with her best friend and he doesn’t even know it… Bianca Hayes has been in the friend zone way too long. For years, she watched her best friend Dylan McCafferty go through girl after girl in Bayfield High. Never her. Well, enough is enough. It’s time she stops pining over someone who will never return her feelings. A girl can only take so much...Categorized as:
high-school friends-to-lovers friendship humor romance young-adult contemporary fiction -
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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... -
My Wattpad Love by Ariana Godoy
Rated: 3.92 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsJulie has always been the shy type. Her world changes when she finds wattpad, a very popular ebook community. She becomes addicted to it and even starts posting her own stories... -
Forever Us by Caylie Marcoe
Rated: 3.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratings**This is a short story, a little over 11,000 words. It is a 'sequel' to Choose Us.** Two years ago, Riley Logan agreed to go on a reality dating show with her best friend, Travis Grayson. She didn't expect to fall in love with him. One year ago, Travis asked Riley to marry him. She said yes. Now in the days building up to the wedding Riley and Travis navigate through the finishing touches...Categorized as:
friends-to-lovers friendship high-school humor sports anthologies celebrity contemporary -
Pining for My Best Friend by Kristine W. Joy
Rated: 3.86 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsI kissed my best friend. The mistletoe made me do it… Now I can’t get her out of my head. I never intended to kiss my completely off-limits best friend. But I couldn’t break the Christmas tradition—that’s bad luck! Now there’s a blush on her cheeks, a glow that won’t fade. I can’t stop staring. There’s a similar warmth inside me. We’d be down the aisle if my meddling grandmother had her way... -
Ice in My Veins by Kelli Sullivan
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen a 16 year old, small town girl, Christine Matthews, from Dryden, Michigan gets a shot at playing semi- professional hockey on a boys hockey team she jumps at the opportunity.Follow her ups and downs as she tackles some of lives hardships, surprises, and victories as she reaches out to catch her dreams... -
Game On by Michelle Smith
Rated: 3.83 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAs king of baseball in the small town of Lewis Creek, Eric Perry can have any girl he wants and win every game he plays. But when a fight lands him in jail, he’s only got one more strike before his baseball career is over for good. His only chance for redemption? The girl next door, Bri Johnson...
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