36 Books like Boys Don't Cry

Disappoint Me

by Nicola Dinan

A trans poet resolves not to die alone. Her new boyfriend's past makes her question it.

3.97

9k+

🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Protagonist 🤍 Trans Body 🗝️ Buried Secret 💔 Choosing To Stay 🫂 Chosen Family

Disappoint Me 92%

A trans poet resolves not to die alone. Her new boyfriend's past makes her question it.

by Nicola Dinan 2025

3.97

9k+ ratings

🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Protagonist 🤍 Trans Body 🗝️ Buried Secret 💔 Choosing To Stay 🫂 Chosen Family

I Wish You All the Best

by Mason Deaver • 2019

Thrown out by their parents, a nonbinary teen builds a home with a sister long estranged.

4.14

55k+

🏳️‍⚧️ Queer Coming Of Age 💛 Found Family ✨ Nonbinary Protagonist 💕 Friends To Lovers 🧠 Mental Health Journey

I Wish You All the Best 92%

Thrown out by their parents, a nonbinary teen builds a home with a sister long estranged.

by Mason Deaver 2019

4.14

55k+ ratings

🏳️‍⚧️ Queer Coming Of Age 💛 Found Family ✨ Nonbinary Protagonist 💕 Friends To Lovers 🧠 Mental Health Journey

16 ans et papa

by Marilou Addison • 2017

A carefree sixteen-year-old learns his fling is pregnant, and she is keeping the baby.

4.20

133

🍼 Teen Fatherhood 🧬 Generational Trauma 👨‍👦 Father Son Bond 🏠 Found Family 🏙️ Gritty Realism

16 ans et papa 92%

A carefree sixteen-year-old learns his fling is pregnant, and she is keeping the baby.

by Marilou Addison 2017

4.20

133 ratings

🍼 Teen Fatherhood 🧬 Generational Trauma 👨‍👦 Father Son Bond 🏠 Found Family 🏙️ Gritty Realism

It's Kind of a Funny Story

by Ned Vizzini • 2006

Craig got into the best school in Manhattan. Then his mind tried to kill him.

4.07

263k+

🏥 Teen Psychiatric Ward 🌧️ Teenage Depression 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Therapy 😅 Darkly Comic

It's Kind of a Funny Story 91%

Craig got into the best school in Manhattan. Then his mind tried to kill him.

by Ned Vizzini 2006

4.07

263k+ ratings

🏥 Teen Psychiatric Ward 🌧️ Teenage Depression 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Therapy 😅 Darkly Comic

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

by Sonora Reyes • 2022

A closeted teen hides behind a fake boyfriend at Catholic school, then falls for the out girl.

4.24

31k+

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 💍 Fake Boyfriend 🫂 Chosen Family 👫 Sibling Bond 🔥 Slow Burn Romance

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School Summary

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School 91%

A closeted teen hides behind a fake boyfriend at Catholic school, then falls for the out girl.

by Sonora Reyes 2022

4.24

31k+ ratings

🏳️‍🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 💍 Fake Boyfriend 🫂 Chosen Family 👫 Sibling Bond 🔥 Slow Burn Romance

Heartstopper

by Alice Oseman • 2018

After befriending a quiet gay classmate, a rugby player confronts an attraction he never expected.

4.41

897k+

📖 Graphic Novel Romance 🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 💕 Friends To Lovers 🏈 Jock And Nerd 💜 Bisexual Awakening

Heartstopper 92%

After befriending a quiet gay classmate, a rugby player confronts an attraction he never expected.

by Alice Oseman 2018

4.41

897k+ ratings

📖 Graphic Novel Romance 🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 💕 Friends To Lovers 🏈 Jock And Nerd 💜 Bisexual Awakening

Cuts Both Ways

by Candice Brathwaite • 2022

After her brother's murder, a London teen falls for a boy who might know the killer.

3.74

830

🖤 Black British 🏫 Elite Private School 💔 Sibling Grief ☠️ Forbidden Love 🔺 Love Triangle

Cuts Both Ways 92%

After her brother's murder, a London teen falls for a boy who might know the killer.

by Candice Brathwaite 2022

3.74

830 ratings

🖤 Black British 🏫 Elite Private School 💔 Sibling Grief ☠️ Forbidden Love 🔺 Love Triangle

Suicide Notes

by Michael Thomas Ford

Waking in a psych ward, a sarcastic teen has forty-five days to admit he is gay.

3.80

56k+

🏥 Psychiatric Ward 🌈 Gay Awakening 🤝 Found Family 🖤 Dark Humor 📓 Diary Format

Suicide Notes 92%

Waking in a psych ward, a sarcastic teen has forty-five days to admit he is gay.

by Michael Thomas Ford 2008

3.80

56k+ ratings

🏥 Psychiatric Ward 🌈 Gay Awakening 🤝 Found Family 🖤 Dark Humor 📓 Diary Format

Young Mungo

by Douglas Stuart • 2022

A Glasgow doocot shelters a forbidden love, but a gang-brother and a fishing trip menace.

4.37

91k+

🏙️ Gritty Glasgow ☯️ Sectarian Divide 🌈 Queer First Love 🏋️ Toxic Masculinity 🕊️ Hidden Sanctuary

Young Mungo 91%

A Glasgow doocot shelters a forbidden love, but a gang-brother and a fishing trip menace.

by Douglas Stuart 2022

4.37

91k+ ratings

🏙️ Gritty Glasgow ☯️ Sectarian Divide 🌈 Queer First Love 🏋️ Toxic Masculinity 🕊️ Hidden Sanctuary

My Heart and Other Black Holes

by Jasmine Warga • 2015

A suicidal girl and a guilt-ridden boy make a suicide pact and stumble into love instead.

3.95

63k+

🖤 Suicide Pact 🌐 Online Strangers To Lovers 🥀 Guilt And Grief 💕 Healing Romance 👪 Dysfunctional Family

My Heart and Other Black Holes 91%

A suicidal girl and a guilt-ridden boy make a suicide pact and stumble into love instead.

by Jasmine Warga 2015

3.95

63k+ ratings

🖤 Suicide Pact 🌐 Online Strangers To Lovers 🥀 Guilt And Grief 💕 Healing Romance 👪 Dysfunctional Family

The First to Die at the End

by Adam Silvera

Death becomes predictable the night two boys meet: one will die, the other needs a heart.

4.00

125k+

🕰️ Ticking Clock Romance 🫂 Found Family 💕 First Love ⚡ Falling Fast 🫀 Self Sacrifice

The First to Die at the End 92%

Death becomes predictable the night two boys meet: one will die, the other needs a heart.

by Adam Silvera 2022

4.00

125k+ ratings

🕰️ Ticking Clock Romance 🫂 Found Family 💕 First Love ⚡ Falling Fast 🫀 Self Sacrifice

Girl Made of Stars

by Ashley Herring Blake • 2018

Mara's twin brother is accused of rape, and her family's fierce denial leaves her standing alone.

4.18

30k+

⚠️ Sexual Assault 👯 Twin Siblings 🫂 Found Family ✊ Feminist Activism 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Questioning

Girl Made of Stars 91%

Mara's twin brother is accused of rape, and her family's fierce denial leaves her standing alone.

by Ashley Herring Blake 2018

4.18

30k+ ratings

⚠️ Sexual Assault 👯 Twin Siblings 🫂 Found Family ✊ Feminist Activism 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Questioning

Impulse

by Ellen Hopkins • 2007

Three suicide survivors in a wilderness program must confront the pain that drove them to the edge.

4.25

83k+

🖋️ Verse Novel 🏥 Psychiatric Facility 🖤 Suicide Survival 🤝 Found Family 💕 Friends To Lovers

Impulse 91%

Three suicide survivors in a wilderness program must confront the pain that drove them to the edge.

by Ellen Hopkins 2007

4.25

83k+ ratings

🖋️ Verse Novel 🏥 Psychiatric Facility 🖤 Suicide Survival 🤝 Found Family 💕 Friends To Lovers

Verona Comics

by Jennifer Dugan • 2020

Two teens bond at Comic-Con, only to discover their families are bitter business rivals.

3.58

4k+

⚔️ Rival Families 🤫 Secret Relationship 💘 Forbidden Romance 👥 Dual Pov 💔 Angsty Romance

Verona Comics 91%

Two teens bond at Comic-Con, only to discover their families are bitter business rivals.

by Jennifer Dugan 2020

3.58

4k+ ratings

⚔️ Rival Families 🤫 Secret Relationship 💘 Forbidden Romance 👥 Dual Pov 💔 Angsty Romance

Dear Evan Hansen

by Val Emmich • 2018

A classmate's suicide and a found letter trap an anxious teen in a grieving family's lie.

3.86

73k+

🧠 Teen Mental Health 😰 Social Anxiety 🎭 Snowballing Lie 💔 Grieving Family 😟 Anxious Narrator

Dear Evan Hansen 91%

A classmate's suicide and a found letter trap an anxious teen in a grieving family's lie.

by Val Emmich 2018

3.86

73k+ ratings

🧠 Teen Mental Health 😰 Social Anxiety 🎭 Snowballing Lie 💔 Grieving Family 😟 Anxious Narrator

Scars Like Wings

by Erin Stewart • 2019

A fire orphaned her. Her scars made her a spectacle. High school demands she be seen.

4.05

7k+

🩹 Visible Difference 🎭 School Theater 💔 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Friendship 🏠 Chosen Family

Scars Like Wings 91%

A fire orphaned her. Her scars made her a spectacle. High school demands she be seen.

by Erin Stewart 2019

4.05

7k+ ratings

🩹 Visible Difference 🎭 School Theater 💔 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Friendship 🏠 Chosen Family

Love Letters to the Dead

by Ava Dellaira • 2014

A grieving freshman writes letters to dead icons, searching for a voice after her sister's death.

3.78

93k+

🖋️ Epistolary Novel 💔 Sister Grief ✍️ Healing Through Letters 🫂 Found Family 🌈 Queer Coming Of Age

Love Letters to the Dead 91%

A grieving freshman writes letters to dead icons, searching for a voice after her sister's death.

by Ava Dellaira 2014

3.78

93k+ ratings

🖋️ Epistolary Novel 💔 Sister Grief ✍️ Healing Through Letters 🫂 Found Family 🌈 Queer Coming Of Age

Evenings and Weekends

by Oisín McKenna

Over one sweltering London weekend, four people inch toward saying what they've spent years hiding.

3.75

60k+

📋 Interconnected Lives 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Literary 🚪 Closeted Protagonist 🤫 Inherited Silence 🌅 Late Queer Awakening

Evenings and Weekends 91%

Over one sweltering London weekend, four people inch toward saying what they've spent years hiding.

by Oisín McKenna 2024

3.75

60k+ ratings

📋 Interconnected Lives 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Literary 🚪 Closeted Protagonist 🤫 Inherited Silence 🌅 Late Queer Awakening

You'd Be Home Now

by Kathleen Glasgow • 2021

When a fatal crash exposes her brother's addiction, she becomes the family's invisible caretaker.

4.13

82k+

💊 Sibling Addiction 🤫 Secret Relationship 📢 Slut-Shaming 💉 Opioid Crisis 🕊️ Survivor Guilt

You'd Be Home Now 91%

When a fatal crash exposes her brother's addiction, she becomes the family's invisible caretaker.

by Kathleen Glasgow 2021

4.13

82k+ ratings

💊 Sibling Addiction 🤫 Secret Relationship 📢 Slut-Shaming 💉 Opioid Crisis 🕊️ Survivor Guilt

I Fell in Love With Hope

by Lancali • 2022

They are collectors of moments, four terminally ill teens reclaiming life from death's waiting room.

3.81

34k+

🏥 Sick Lit 🫂 Found Family 🌈 Gay Coming Of Age ✨ Poetic Prose 🥀 Bittersweet

I Fell in Love With Hope 91%

They are collectors of moments, four terminally ill teens reclaiming life from death's waiting room.

by Lancali 2022

3.81

34k+ ratings

🏥 Sick Lit 🫂 Found Family 🌈 Gay Coming Of Age ✨ Poetic Prose 🥀 Bittersweet

Girl in Pieces

by Kathleen Glasgow

Charlie leaves a psych ward with scars, silence, and a bus ticket to nowhere she knows.

3.93

274k+

🩹 Self-Harm Recovery 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Survival 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital 💔 Brutal And Tender

Girl in Pieces 91%

Charlie leaves a psych ward with scars, silence, and a bus ticket to nowhere she knows.

by Kathleen Glasgow 2016

3.93

274k+ ratings

🩹 Self-Harm Recovery 🤝 Found Family 🎨 Art As Survival 🏥 Psychiatric Hospital 💔 Brutal And Tender

The Grief Keeper

by Alexandra Villasante • 2019

A Salvadoran teen absorbs a stranger's grief so her sister can claim asylum.

3.97

3k+

🏠 Asylum Seeker 💕 Sapphic Romance 👭 Protective Sister 🔬 Medical Experiment 🔥 Slow Burn Romance

The Grief Keeper 91%

A Salvadoran teen absorbs a stranger's grief so her sister can claim asylum.

by Alexandra Villasante 2019

3.97

3k+ ratings

🏠 Asylum Seeker 💕 Sapphic Romance 👭 Protective Sister 🔬 Medical Experiment 🔥 Slow Burn Romance

Lawn Boy

by Jonathan Evison • 2018

Mike Muñoz is a lawn boy, a caretaker, and a man who's never been honest about who he loves.

3.83

10k+

🏗️ Working Class Fiction 🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 👨‍👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 💔 Absent Father

Lawn Boy 91%

Mike Muñoz is a lawn boy, a caretaker, and a man who's never been honest about who he loves.

by Jonathan Evison 2018

3.83

10k+ ratings

🏗️ Working Class Fiction 🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 👨‍👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 💔 Absent Father

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

by John Green • 2010

Two Will Graysons meet in a porn shop, entangling their lives, hearts, and a grand musical.

3.69

413k+

🗣️ Dual Narrators 🎭 High School Musical 🎣 Catfishing 🌈 Coming Out 💔 Fractured Friendship

Will Grayson, Will Grayson 91%

Two Will Graysons meet in a porn shop, entangling their lives, hearts, and a grand musical.

by John Green 2010

3.69

413k+ ratings

🗣️ Dual Narrators 🎭 High School Musical 🎣 Catfishing 🌈 Coming Out 💔 Fractured Friendship

Poorhara

by Michelle Rahurahu • 2024

Two Māori cousins flee their fractured family, driving north to a marae that may refuse them.

4.07

213

🩸 Intergenerational Trauma 🌿 MāOri Family Saga 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 🚗 Family Road Trip 🏚️ Rural Poverty

Poorhara 91%

Two Māori cousins flee their fractured family, driving north to a marae that may refuse them.

by Michelle Rahurahu 2024

4.07

213 ratings

🩸 Intergenerational Trauma 🌿 MāOri Family Saga 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Coming Of Age 🚗 Family Road Trip 🏚️ Rural Poverty

More Happy Than Not

by Adam Silvera • 2015

After his father's suicide, a teen turns to memory erasure, until a boy changes everything.

3.95

69k+

🧠 Memory Erasure 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Awakening 💕 First Love 🫂 Found Family 🪦 Parental Loss

More Happy Than Not 91%

After his father's suicide, a teen turns to memory erasure, until a boy changes everything.

by Adam Silvera 2015

3.95

69k+ ratings

🧠 Memory Erasure 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Awakening 💕 First Love 🫂 Found Family 🪦 Parental Loss

We Are All Made of Molecules

by Susin Nielsen • 2015

His mother died. Her father came out. Now they're stepsiblings, and neither one will bend.

3.82

17k+

🏠 Blended Family 👥 Dual Pov 🌈 Gay Parent 👫 Unlikely Siblings 🛡️ Bullying And Allyship

We Are All Made of Molecules 91%

His mother died. Her father came out. Now they're stepsiblings, and neither one will bend.

by Susin Nielsen 2015

3.82

17k+ ratings

🏠 Blended Family 👥 Dual Pov 🌈 Gay Parent 👫 Unlikely Siblings 🛡️ Bullying And Allyship

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake

by J. Daniels

A disgraced Marine and his NA sponsor break recovery's cardinal rule: falling in love.

4.29

12k+

🩹 Addiction Recovery 🖤 Hurt Comfort 🏠 Found Family 💔 High Angst 🌾 Small Town South

The Tragedy of Felix and Jake 91%

A disgraced Marine and his NA sponsor break recovery's cardinal rule: falling in love.

by J. Daniels 2023

4.29

12k+ ratings

🩹 Addiction Recovery 🖤 Hurt Comfort 🏠 Found Family 💔 High Angst 🌾 Small Town South

An Emotion of Great Delight

by Tahereh Mafi • 2021

Numb from grief and America's scrutiny, a Muslim teen rediscovers feeling through a forbidden love.

3.66

12k+

🕌 Muslim American Life 🏙️ Post-9/11 America 💔 Forbidden Romance 😢 Sibling Grief 😔 Survivor's Guilt

An Emotion of Great Delight 90%

Numb from grief and America's scrutiny, a Muslim teen rediscovers feeling through a forbidden love.

by Tahereh Mafi 2021

3.66

12k+ ratings

🕌 Muslim American Life 🏙️ Post-9/11 America 💔 Forbidden Romance 😢 Sibling Grief 😔 Survivor's Guilt

Children of the Knight

by Michael J. Bowler • 2013

King Arthur wakes in L.A. and knights homeless teens; Lance, fourteen, is First Knight.

4.02

171

🗡️ Modern Arthuriana 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Retellings 👥 Found Family 💔 Tragic Hero 💥 Gang Violence

Children of the Knight 90%

King Arthur wakes in L.A. and knights homeless teens; Lance, fourteen, is First Knight.

by Michael J. Bowler 2013

4.02

171 ratings

🗡️ Modern Arthuriana 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Retellings 👥 Found Family 💔 Tragic Hero 💥 Gang Violence

A Little Life

by Hanya Yanagihara

Four friends, thirty years, and a secret past that no amount of devotion can undo.

4.27

951k+

🫂 Found Family 💔 Childhood Abuse 🩹 Self-Harm 🤕 Chronic Pain 💕 Friends To Lovers

A Little Life 91%

Four friends, thirty years, and a secret past that no amount of devotion can undo.

by Hanya Yanagihara 2015

4.27

951k+ ratings

🫂 Found Family 💔 Childhood Abuse 🩹 Self-Harm 🤕 Chronic Pain 💕 Friends To Lovers

Greta & Valdin

by Rebecca K. Reilly • 2021

Two Auckland siblings, two impossible loves, and one messy family trying to hold it together.

3.90

32k+

🏡 Multicultural Family Saga 👫 Dual Sibling Pov 🫂 Chosen Family 💞 Second Chance Romance 🤷 Quarter-Life Crisis

Greta & Valdin 91%

Two Auckland siblings, two impossible loves, and one messy family trying to hold it together.

by Rebecca K. Reilly 2021

3.90

32k+ ratings

🏡 Multicultural Family Saga 👫 Dual Sibling Pov 🫂 Chosen Family 💞 Second Chance Romance 🤷 Quarter-Life Crisis

This Winter

by Alice Oseman • 2015

Tori's brother is home from treatment. Their family's Christmas plan: pretend nothing happened.

4.06

104k+

🎄 Holiday Novella 🫶 Anorexia Recovery 🛡️ Protective Sister 💕 Sibling Bond 🤐 Family Silence

This Winter 91%

Tori's brother is home from treatment. Their family's Christmas plan: pretend nothing happened.

by Alice Oseman 2015

4.06

104k+ ratings

🎄 Holiday Novella 🫶 Anorexia Recovery 🛡️ Protective Sister 💕 Sibling Bond 🤐 Family Silence

The Way I Used to Be

by Amber Smith • 2016

After her brother's best friend assaults her, a freshman buries the secret and loses herself.

4.14

237k+

🎗️ Rape Survivor 🩹 Trauma Recovery 👯 Female Friendship 🤐 Hidden Trauma 👫 Sibling Conflict

The Way I Used to Be 90%

After her brother's best friend assaults her, a freshman buries the secret and loses herself.

by Amber Smith 2016

4.14

237k+ ratings

🎗️ Rape Survivor 🩹 Trauma Recovery 👯 Female Friendship 🤐 Hidden Trauma 👫 Sibling Conflict

We Are Okay

by Nina LaCour • 2017

Her grandfather died. She fled. Now a snowstorm traps her with the girl she left behind.

3.93

101k+

🔒 Family Secrets 🏠 Chosen Family 💞 Friends To Lovers 🖤 Processing Grief ❄️ Wintry Atmosphere

We Are Okay 90%

Her grandfather died. She fled. Now a snowstorm traps her with the girl she left behind.

by Nina LaCour 2017

3.93

101k+ ratings

🔒 Family Secrets 🏠 Chosen Family 💞 Friends To Lovers 🖤 Processing Grief ❄️ Wintry Atmosphere

No Fixed Address

by Susin Nielsen • 2018

A twelve-year-old trivia whiz hides his homelessness, but a game show could unravel his secret.

4.22

6k+

🚐 Hidden Homelessness 🧠 Parental Depression 🤫 Family Secrets 👥 Friendship Trio ✨ Quirky Narrator

No Fixed Address 90%

A twelve-year-old trivia whiz hides his homelessness, but a game show could unravel his secret.

by Susin Nielsen 2018

4.22

6k+ ratings

🚐 Hidden Homelessness 🧠 Parental Depression 🤫 Family Secrets 👥 Friendship Trio ✨ Quirky Narrator

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