Books like 'Better Than Before'
Readers who enjoyed Better Than Before by Lynn Painter also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary young adult high-school from hate to love forced proximity
-
The Party by Lynn Painter
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThis is The Party Scene in 'Better than the Movies' from Wes's POV... -
Basketball Night by Lynn Painter
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsThis is Wes's POV of the events that happened at the basketball, their following trip to the ER, and his phone call with Liz after they both got home... -
Pause by CJustMe, C.J. Adler
Rated: 4.65 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAqueela, a dreamer and comedian at heart, has just one joyous vision - to transform lives through the mere power of friendship, friendships so solid that they last a lifetime. However, Jay, pessimistic by nature, is convinced that friends are overrated, and that Aqueela is nothing short of a whackjob with an idealistic perspective on the world. It would seem that he wants nothing to do with her...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love contemporary young adult humor friends to lovers length-epic -
That Promise by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhat happens to childhood promises when you grow up?Growing up, Devaney Diamond and Chase Mackenzie promised to go to college together. But it’s been two years since the summer that changed everything between them, and their friendship hasn’t recovered... -
-
That Promise by Jillian Dodd
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhat happens to childhood promises when you grow up?Growing up, Devaney Diamond and Chase Mackenzie promised to go to college together. But it’s been three years since the summer that changed everything between them, and their friendship hasn’t recovered... -
I sold myself to the devil for Vinyls... Pitiful I Know by DarknessAndLight
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsLexi Grayson is a normal teenager, as normal as she can be with her unobserving skills and her overthinking mind. But she might need the overthinking if she wants to unravel the smirking mystery that is Blake Eaton...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary friends to lovers humor bad boys sports -
ラストゲーム 1 by Shinobu Amano, 天乃 忍
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsHe's rich, he's smart, girls gather around him all the time, and he has always gotten first place on his exams... well, until Kujou transferred in his primary school class... -
Liz’s Proposal by Lynn Painter
Rated: 4.41 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsThis is Wes's POV of the scene where Liz comes to his house to ask him if he can help her get closer to Michael by inviting her to the party... -
TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA charming rom-com about high school debater TJ Powar who—after becoming the subject of an ugly meme—makes a resolution to stop shaving, plucking, and waxing, and prove that she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful…but soon finds this may be her most difficult debate yet. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary south asian humor length-medium -
Last Game 01 by Shinobu Amano
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsHe's rich, he's smart, girls gather around him all the time, and he has always gotten first place on his exams... well, until Kujou transferred in his primary school class... -
You Don't Have a Shot by Racquel Marie
Rated: 4.49 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA queer YA romance about rival soccer players from author Racquel Marie, perfect for fans of She Drives Me Crazy.Valentina “Vale” Castillo-Green’s life revolves around soccer. Her friends, her future, and her father’s intense expectations are all wrapped up in the beautiful game...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school contemporary young adult f-f sports queer length-medium -
Pieces Of You: Pieces Duet Book 1 by Jay McLean
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThey could’ve been perfect.In another time. Another world.Where his wasn’t falling apart.And hers wasn’t already in pieces. -High school senior Holden Eastwood only has one fear in life: growing up.He spends his days unmotivated, moving from one game to the next, searching for his next challenge... -
キスよりも早く1 [Kisu Yorimo Hayaku 3] by Meca Tanaka, Kenichi Kusano
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsLosing their parents, Fumiko and her brother hop from one relative to another. Getting tired of all those movings, she finally decides to quit school and work to support her brother on her own. As they sat on a park bench, her teacher appears in front of her and agrees to her demanding of marrying and supporting both her and her brother!! Is he serious or just playing around.. -
Fence, Vol. 4: Rivals by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad
Rated: 4.24 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsThe GLAAD Award nominated series Fence returns as a graphic novel series as best-selling novelist C.S...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary sports m-m queer found-family -
-
No Romeo by Stevie J. Cole, LP Lovell
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsTo everyone in Dayton, Hendrix Hunt was the tattooed bad boy, the bully, the player. Guys hated and feared him. Girls wanted to tame him. And I just wished I could forget him.Two years ago, Hendrix was my world. Then the taint of Dayton ruined everything, breaking us both with secrets and lies. I destroyed him and now he wants to destroy me.. -
Jesse by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsJesse - Who would have known that the 'three-second rule' had the ability to change it all? I sure as hell didn't. How is it possible that I've gone so long without her in my life? Kaylah Millington is everything a guy could possibly want and I need more. So much more. One word from her smart mouth and I was on my knees, absolutely hooked. There's only one issue..Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love contemporary humor young adult insta-love length-short -
The Smirking Jerk by DarknessAndLight
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 9 ratings“I’m in love with you.” How many times would I have to think about this, how many times, before she could hear it, feel it, see it in my eyes? “I’m in love with you.” How could I make her see without telling her, without scaring her off… without losing her. I couldn’t lose her... -
The Deceit of a Devil by Holly Renee
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsSinless. Stunning. Damaged. Tempting. Allie Taylor had been the girl I hated for as long as I could remember. And now she loathed me just as much. It didn’t matter that I betrayed her to save her. Completely devastated and infuriated by my dishonesty, she had no intentions of ever trusting me again. Her trust was shattered, her hate raging on with each second... -
Fence, Vol. 5: Rise by C.S. Pacat
In the highly anticipated next chapter of Fence, Nicholas will stop at nothing until he becomes Seiji's worthy fencing rival!USA Today best-selling author C. S...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary sports m-m queer glimpses-kisses -
Gay Club! by Simon James Green
Rated: 4.39 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA landmark comedic novel about a group of queer teens at their worst - and ultimately their best - from one of the UK's leading writers of LGBTQ+ teen fiction. Barney's a shoo-in for his school's LGBTQ+ Society President at the club's next election. But when the vote is opened up to the entire student body, the whole school starts paying attention...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary m-m friends to lovers humor queer -
Reign by Cassandra Robbins
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsFrom USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Robbins comes her latest sinfully hot rockstar romance. A deliciously angsty, complete stand-alone about a guitar legend and his obsession with his broken vixen... -
Wes Bennett's Vivid Dream by Lynn Painter
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsWes has a dream about Liz coming to him in her prom dress, telling him he is the one she wants. But then he wakes up...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary friends to lovers length-novella -
A Love Song for Liars by Piper Lawson
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsI fell for Tyler Adams when he had nothing but a guitar.He was my rebel prince, my handsome muse, my twisted friend.We were worlds apart in every way that mattered:He was poor, I was rich.He was beautiful, I was plain.He honed his talent in private, while I ached for the spotlight.When Tyler moved in with us, Oakwood Prep fell on its knees to worship at his altar...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary new adult friends to lovers rockstars angst -
Pieces of You by Jay McLean
They could’ve been perfect.In another time. Another world.Where his wasn’t falling apart.And hers wasn’t already in pieces.-High school senior Holden Eastwood only has one fear in life: growing up.He spends his days unmotivated, moving from one game to the next, searching for his next challenge... -
-
The Trip by Robin Alexander
Rated: 4.32 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsWho wants to take a road trip with two old, bickering women and a complete stranger? Not Jill Savoy. She finds herself behind the wheel of her father’s sacred Winnebago anyway, responsible for her grandmother and adopted aunt, both of whom are mischievous teenagers in old bodies, and then there’s Shay. The last thing on Shay Macaluso’s mind was a vacation...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity f-f queer humor contemporary young adult length-short -
100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsWhen 16-year-old poetry blogger Tessa Dickinson is involved in a car accident and loses her eyesight for 100 days, she feels like her whole world has been turned upside-down. Terrified that her vision might never return, Tessa feels like she has nothing left to be happy about... -
I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang
Snarky and romantic, I Hope This Doesn't Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters.Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and a "pleasure to have in class... -
Curvy Girls Can't Date Bullies by Kelsie Stelting
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsHe bullied my sister. Now it’s his turn to pay.Ryker is the top of the Emerson Academy food chain, and he uses his power to remind everyone of just how powerless they are.Until now.When I see him picking on the most innocent girl in school for her weight, I snap. Ignoring him is no longer enough. No, my friends and I are going to make him pay...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary curvy heroine new adult length-long -
Rush: The Beginning by L.A. Cotton
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAn emotional, angsty, rockstar romance from the bestselling author of The Trouble With You and Wicked Beginnings. The sweetheart of Country is about to show the bad boys of Rock, it only takes a single beat for everything to change. Evangeline Walker knows how quickly everything can change. But nothing can prepare her for the moment she meets Rafe Hunter.Intense gray eyes.Wicked smile...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school contemporary new adult angst rockstars friends to lovers dual-pov -
The Borrow a Boyfriend Club by Page Powars
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA feel-good, coming-of-age rom-com from debut author Page Powars that follows a trans teen who joins a boyfriend borrowing service masquerading as an Italian Club to prove that he’s one of the guys, especially to its frustratingly handsome leader.Noah Byrd is the perfect boy. At least, that’s what he needs to convince his new classmates of to prove his gender... -
Like You Should: A Student Teacher Romance by Kaydence Snow
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratings𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐵𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑢𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑟 𝐾𝑎𝑦𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑆𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡-𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡.𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐰My life is a mess.No plans for the future, constantly disappointing everyone, and now some creep is threatening me, making me do reprehensible things... -
Tyson by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsBrylee - It was supposed to be a one-time thing which quickly turned into two, and then three. Don’t ask me how, but now I can't seem count the times on one hand, let alone two. I'm in trouble. I never intended for this to be something more, but he has the ability to keep drawing me back in. He's coming for me. He's always wanted more, but this time, I don't think he's going to let me go... -
Jackson by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsElle - He’s the guy with the world against him and I’m the girl they all love to hate. Our reputations suck for two very different reasons and where he’s working to do something about it, I’m working to keep my head down and not draw attention to myself. Falling for Jackson would be a mistake. Falling for him would put me right back in the public eye, somewhere I swore I’d never be again... -
Better Than Before by Lynn Painter
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsLynn Painter’s Better Than the Movies collides with Betting on You when, after meeting the annoyingly cute Bailey on his flight, Charlie gets picked at the airport up by his cousin, Wes, who introduces him to his annoyingly cute neighbor, Liz...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school forced proximity young adult contemporary length-novella -
-
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsFrom the bestselling author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School comes a story in the vein of John Tucker Must Die but tackling serious topics. It’s a revenge story told with nuance, heart, and the possibility of healing. Ariana Ruiz wants to be noticed. But as an autistic girl who never talks, she goes largely ignored by her peers, despite her bold fashion choices...Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school young adult contemporary f-f neurodivergent bisexual queer -
The Starburst Effect by Kelly Oram
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLily Rosemont lives next door to the biggest jerk in high school. Noah Trask has bullied Lily for years, and now he’s ruined her senior year by making her a target and turning the whole school against her. On top of that, her parents are getting divorced, and her world is falling apart around her...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary sports abuse friends to lovers cruel hero -
Like Other Girls by Britta Lundin
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 13 ratings"What if I played football?" I ask. As soon as it's out of my mouth, I feel stupid. Even suggesting it feels like I've overstepped some kind of invisible line we've all agreed not to discuss. We don't talk about how Mara is different from other girls. We don't talk about how Mara is gay but no one says so...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary f-f sports queer length-medium -
It Only Hurts at First by Allison Rogers
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsAlice Matthews used to be one of those girls. Pretty, popular, perfect. Now, she's that girl. Armed with oversized sweatshirts to cover the scars on her wrists, Alice has two objectives in high school. First, avoid Scott Henderson at all costs. Second, avoid everyone else.By now, Scott’s unwanted advances shouldn’t come as a surprise... -
Stay With Me by Jessica Cunsolo, Ava Violet
Rated: 4.16 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsIt's finally winter break, which means Amelia, Aiden, and the rest of their friends get to enjoy a well deserved vacation at the beach house. After all the drama, the death of Aiden's step-father, and Aiden's arrest, it'll be good to take a break and just relax with friends.Unfortunately, Thea Kennedy, aka Amelia Collins, could never be so lucky...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary new adult mystery found-family length-medium -
Laws of Physics: Motion by Penny Reid
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsOne week. Home alone. Girl genius. Unrepentant slacker. Big lie. What’s the worst that could happen? Mona is a smart girl and figured everything out a long time ago. She had to. She didn’t have a choice...Categorized as:
from hate to love forced proximity new adult contemporary humor angst young adult siblings-bff -
The Bad Boy, Cupid & Me by Slim_Shady
Rated: 4.15 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:
high-school forced proximity from hate to love young adult contemporary bad boys humor new adult -
The Dealmaker by Jessica Peterson
Hating and dating: I didn’t realize they’re two sides of the same coin until I meet him. Theo Morgan.One of Wall Street’s highest-paid traders, he may be hot as sin in his five-thousand-dollar custom-made suit and six-figure SUV. But Theo is the bane of my existence. He’s arrogant, rude, and as brash as they come.As our bank’s newest star hire, he’s also after the same promotion I am... -
The Good Girl & the Bad Boy by M.L. Collins
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsWhat happens when Jackson High’s Good Girl and Bad Boy are forced to work together? I’ll tell you:I destroy his guitar. (Accidentally!)He uses my guilt to trick me into doing his work.For three weeks!Until I find out he lied. Oh, heck no. This bad boy has crossed the wrong girl.I call him out on it. In front of the whole school.Check mate, bad boy. “It feels good to be bad,” he whispers...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary new adult humor m-f length-short -
Rebels Don’t Fall for Tomboys by Emma Dalton
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsEvery tomboy deserves to score the guy of her dreams.Bailey:I’m the Tomboy. I’ve dreamed of playing quarterback since I was a kid. No one on the football team wants me around, though, and I need to prove to them that I belong.Zane Hastings is the only guy who welcomes me. But when he plays me like a fool, I don’t want anything to do with him...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult contemporary sports slow burn humor length-long -
-
A Thousand Words by Treblehearts
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 7 ratingsReece Bremer goes through life with a scowl and cold personality. Jessica Andrews goes through life with a glowing smile and positive outlook. Reece looks at life with dull, judgmental eyes that make him hate the world and the people living in it. Jessica, well . . . She looks at life through a camera. Literally... -
Ruined Sinner by Becker Gray
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt's no secret that Aurora Lincoln-Ward hates Phineas Yates, but what most people don't know is the reason. Last summer, Phineas broke Aurora's heart in the worst way, and she promised herself then and there that she would never fall prey to the sinner of Pembroke Prep again.But now sin is in the air, and the Hellfire Club's number one sinner has his sights set on her..Categorized as:
from hate to love high-school contemporary new adult young adult siblings-bff length-short -
Dare You to Fall for the Catcher by Lacy Andersen
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA little dare never hurt anybody...Running is my life. It’s one of the few things I’m good at and I dominate on the track. But my take-no-prisoners reputation doesn’t scare everyone. There’s still one boy who’s not afraid to get under my skin...Jayden Paul. Catcher of the varsity baseball team. Hottie of the year. And the thorn in my side ever since we kissed in sixth grade (on a silly dare!)...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love young adult sports contemporary heroine athlete m-f baseball -
Perfectly Misunderstood by Robin Daniels
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis dual perspective book is the final installment in The Perfect Series. Jayden Valdez is an overachieving intellectual. Mike McGinnes is Franklin High School’s dumbest jock. Even though they barely know each other, she finds his personality repulsive and he thinks she’s got a giant stick up her you know what...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love forced proximity young adult contemporary humor length-medium -
Puck by Sheridan Anne
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCourtney - He’s the boy at school who could ruin it all. He’s the guy who would lead you down a dark alleyway, show you the time of your life, and then forget your name while you struggle to breathe. And now, his eyes are on me. Puck Jones is every woman’s dream come true, but for me, he’s nothing but a nightmare...Categorized as:
high-school from hate to love contemporary young adult athletes cruel hero length-short -
Callous Prince by Becker Gray
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 9 ratingsHe’s arrogant. Intolerable. Cruel.From the moment we exchanged our first glance, Lennox Lincoln-Ward has been out to destroy me. So I keep my head down at Pembroke Prep, and I stay out of the Hellfire Club’s way. Even so, Lennox finds me, seeks me out until he pins me in his beautiful, withering gaze—the same gaze that sends a chill down my spine and an undeniable tingle to other places...
Find out more about romance.io.
Get recommendations by genres & tropes
Use the romance book finder to mix and match over 100 content keywords to find the books that match your preferences
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.