Book picks similar to
The Popularity Summer by Rosemary Vernon


sweet-dreams
young-adult
romance
high-school

Love Match


Janet Quin-Harkin - 1983
    1 player on the team...or at least he was until Joanna came along. Can they both play to win...without losing each other?

Green Eyes


Suzanne Rand - 1981
    Now that Pam, Dan's old girlfriend, has moved away, Julie finally has him all to herself. And he is worth the wait. Dan is one of the most popular boys in school and he really cares for Julie.But something is wrong. Every time she sees Dan so much as talk to another girl, Julie becomes hopelessly jealous. And even when Dan reassures her, it doesn't help.Then Pam returns and Julie is convinced Dan is seeing her again. Will Julie let her jealousy ruin the best relationship she's ever had?

All's Fair in Love


Jeanne Andrews - 1982
    But Anne's afraid she won't be able to win Greg's heart. After all, she's only a beginner and Greg likes winners - just like her sister Sarah, the club's champion gymnast.Then Anne challenges Sarah for the championship. She's determined to show Greg that she's a winner too. But if she fails, will she lose everything - including Greg?

Little Sister


Yvonne Greene - 1983
    Her older sister Christine has the pretty face, the good body and gets all the cute boys. Cindy just can't win.Then in study hall Cindy meets Ron, an ex-basketball star who's the best actor in high school. He’s just been chosen to play Romeo in the big production of Romeo and Juliet. Cindy can't believe that Ron's really interested in her, Christine's little sister. But this time it seems she's Number One.Suddenly, Cindy's hopes for romance and happiness are crushed when Christine is chosen to play the role of Juliet. It seems that Cindy will lose again... unless she can prove to Ron that she's not second best after all.

The Summer Jenny Fell in Love


Barbara Conklin - 1982
    Wherever Jenny turns, Cliff seems to be in the way. And even though they are both trying hard, they just can't get along.When Cliff starts interfering with Jenny's love life, trying to protect her from the one boy she's always dreamed of dating. At first Jenny is furious, but she realizes Cliff is jealous. And Jenny is touched.Will Jenny's summer turn into something wonderful - and totally unexpected?

The Thoroughbred


Joanna Campbell - 1981
    Maura is determined to win first prize in the annual horse show even though she must compete against the first boy she has ever loved.

Night of the Prom


Debra Spector - 1984
    But Kris, Barbara's best friend, thinks she's missing out on all the fun - like the Prom. And deep inside Barbara wonders if Kris is right.Then Michael dares her to trade her type-writer for a prom gown, and Barbara finally gets the inside scoop on romance.

Princess Amy


Melinda Pollowitz - 1981
    While spending a month at an isolated summer retreat with relatives, Amy meets two very interesting boys from two very different worlds.

Kiss Me, Creep


Marian Woodruff - 1984
    Joy can't stand Richie's smug, conceited attitude or his stupid jokes, most of which are aimed directly at her.The worst jokes are the romantic ones; Richie always kids Joy about being madly in love with her. But one day she discovers that he's more serious than she thought. Is Richie really a creep-- or is he someone Joy can love?

Wrong-Way Romance


Sheri Cobb South - 1991
    Darby first met him when his car plowed into hers at a busy intersection. She's been running into him --literally--ever since. It doesn't matter that Bruce is a hunk and that most of the girls at school have crushes on him. To Darby he's nothing but a clumsy, conceited jerk.Than David Matthews, a guy Darby likes even less, starts asking her out. In desperation, Darby asks Bruce to pretend he's her boyfriend. It's supposed to be a temporary arrangement to get David to lose interest in her. Darby doesn't count on falling for Bruce in the process! She's already convinced David that she and Bruce are in love. Now can she convince Bruce?

Sometimes It Happens


Lauren Barnholdt - 2011
    That's when Hannah not only gets dumped by her boyfriend, Ryan, but she also finds out her best friend, Ava, is going to be gone for the entire summer. But Ava's boyfriend, Noah, is definitely around--and such a good guy that he snags Hannah a job at the diner where he works. Hannah and Noah move from coworkers, to friends....and one night, to something more.Now it's back to school, where Hannah will see Ryan, Ava, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, Hannah will learn a lot about love, friendship...and herself.

Taking Sides


Norma Klein - 1982
    She wonders what living with Dad will be like, even though she's always felt closer to her father. But is it right to love one parent more than another?There are other adjustments Nell has to make...like sharing a room with five-year-old Hugo...and having hamburgers and tuna fish a lot. And what if Dad marries the woman he's been dating? Nell can't imagine what it would be like to have helpless Arden for a stepmother.

Falling For You


Lisa Schroeder - 2013
    He’s nothing like her abusive stepfather—in other words, he’s sweet. But the closer they get, the more Nathan wants of her time, of her love, of her...and the less she wants to give. As Rae’s affection for Nathan turns to fear, she leans on her friend Leo for support. With Leo, she feels lighter, happier. And possessive Nathan becomes jealous. Then a tragedy lands Rae in the ICU. Now, hovering between life and death, Rae must find the light amid the darkness…and the strength to fight for life and the love she deserves.

I'll Be Seeing You


Lurlene McDaniel - 1996
    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. But Carley is keeping a secret from Kyle. She knows boys like girls who are pretty--and she's not. Scarred by a facial deformity, she has always used her sense of humor to cope. But now that she's become so close to Kyle, she's worried that if his bandages are removed and he sees her, it will be the end of their relationship. Carley wants what's best for Kyle. But what will that mean for her?

High School Hero (Forest Ridge High #1)


Sherri Renee - 2018
    Now, with prom only weeks away, her boyfriend starts becoming someone she doesn't even recognize. Sure he's got a lot on his mind with college decision and football playoffs coming up, but that doesn't excuse him for acting like a major jerk. Matt Brady, the annoying but gorgeous bad boy who moves in next door, lets Kristen in on a little secret, her boyfriend's using steroids to help win the state championship. When George takes his new temper out on Kristen, Matt's there to help pick up the pieces, and Kristen soon realizes bad-boy Matt isn't so bad at all. Kristen's over George's mean new attitude. Prom or no prom she's breaking up. Only he won't let her. Steroids aren't the only illegal activity George is involved in, and now he's got to pay the price, only he's dragging her along with him. Can Matt help her escape the dangerous game George is involved in? With a target on her back, prom is suddenly the least of her worries. Read Michelle's story in High School Heartbreak!