
LGBTQ fiction for today’s teens!
★ School Library Journal starred series
Real Love is a collection of hi/lo YA novels that focus on realistic teen relationships. The novels feature diverse teen characters in contemporary settings as they experience love, romance, dating, sex, body image, LGBTQ issues, and more.
From authors who write from real-world experience, these contemporary YA romances will engage the most reluctant teen readers.
New in the series
Dogs Don’t Break Hearts
After being gaslit by his ex-boyfriend and losing his friends’ trust, Beck volunteers at a pet shelter, where he finds canine comfort and a new romance.
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lonely in Happy Town
A romance set in the world of gaming, a lonely teen finds himself crushing on a girl — both in his favourite video game and in real life.
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Line Drive to Love
Caught between earning her spot on the team and the girl she might love, Rory is forced to choose: the game or the girl.
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Summer with Sunil
Faced with a boring vacation with their parents, a chance encounter at the beach could turn Dominic’s dull summer into an adventure of self-exploration and young love!
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 3
About the series
- Themes: LGBTQ+; love and romance; body image; dating & sex, cross-cultural romance; and more
- Featuring diverse characters and contemporary settings
- Written by authors who connect with today’s teens
- Reading levels grades 3 – 5
- Realistic plots
- Ages 13+
Reviews
“This accessibly written title will draw in reluctant readers and appeal especially to gamers. Journey and their friends come across as true-to-life nerds… LONELY IN HAPPY TOWN will engage readers, leaving them alternately cheering and screaming at the cast.”
-Kirkus Reviews
“… realistic situations and characters seem universal. LINE DRIVE TO LOVE will appeal to a diverse audience… Romantics will enjoy the relationship of Rory and Shanti, and sports fans will relate to Rory’s ambition as a player as well as to the many team dynamics in the book. Jendrick gives her readers game scenarios as well as a chance to see the interpersonal relationships behind the scences…. Highly Recommend.”
-CM: Review of Materials – 5/5
“… NOT NOT NORMAL is a wonderful story of overcoming hard things, focusing on the things the things that make us unique and recognizing those are our superpowers. Being different isn’t what makes us unlovable or not enough. It’s exactly what makes us human and lovable and more than enough.”
-Love Bytes
“LUSCIOUS LOVE …. Is a lovely story of learning to chart your own course…. Mina is a body-positive fat girl who’s considering whether she might actually be pansexual. She’s a delightful main character, exploring all the facets of growing up and becoming one’s own person.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“STUCK WITH YOU…. two charming leads readers can’t help but root for….. An adorable romance with strong coming-of-age elements.”
– Kirkus Reviews
Books and sets in the series
Dogs Don’t Break Hearts
After being gaslit by his ex-boyfriend and losing his friends’ trust, Beck volunteers at a pet shelter, where he finds canine comfort and a new romance.
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lonely in Happy Town
A romance set in the world of gaming, a lonely teen finds himself crushing on a girl — both in his favourite video game and in real life.
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Line Drive to Love
Caught between earning her spot on the team and the girl she might love, Rory is forced to choose: the game or the girl.
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Not Not Normal
It can be hard to see in ourselves the good things others see in us. Not Not Normal shows readers that if we let our friends in, the love they have for us can help us grow our self-confidence.
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 3Summer with Sunil
Faced with a boring vacation with their parents, a chance encounter at the beach could turn Dominic’s dull summer into an adventure of self-exploration and young love!
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 14-18Reading level: Grade 3Luscious Love
The classic summer love story of a girl meeting a girl, and the lingerie store they both work at that threatens to ruin it all.
$16.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: HL730LNo Limit on Love
A nonbinary romance set amidst a storm, and its character’s struggle with climate anxiety.
$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: HL640LSecret Me
Secret Me is a coming-out story that reflects the lives of teens today. It’s a moving romance of authenticity and heart.
$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13+Reading level: Grade 5Lexile Reading Level: HL850LStuck with You
Two frenemies become lovers in this story of Queer joy and playful romance.
$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL550LReal Love: LGBTQ+ Teen Fiction 20 volume set
Short, readable books focused on teen LGTBQ romances.
$299.95, SetInterest ages: 13-18In a Heartbeat
A romance about a trans teen boy who wants to get away to reinvent himself, only to find someone who loves him for who he is.
$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL530LWalk This Way
A romance about a teen who feels he has to hide the fact that he does drag to get a boyfriend.
$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL620LThe Love Code
A lesbian teen romance set in the competitive world of technology and robotics.
$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL540LConfessions of a Teenage Drag King
A teen living a double life discovers that the girl they have a crush on appreciates both aspects of their identity.
$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL600LLove, IRL
A same-sex romance that explores what happens when love online and in the real world collide.
$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Ace of Hearts
Alvin is ready for romance, but he may never be ready for more$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: 800LWe Three
A teen finds romance at summer camp and becomes the centre of a polyamorous relationship with two very different partners.$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: HL600LProm Kings
A light-hearted same-sex romance about finding the person you are meant to be with, who might be closer than you think.$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 2Lexile Reading Level: HL550LWhat Makes You Beautiful
The story of a young person finding a place among other LGBTQ teens, and discovering the truth about their own orientation and gender.$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL630LCharming
A young woman follows her heart to find her voice in a modern LGBT retelling of a classic fairy tale.$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 3Lexile Reading Level: HL520LCinders
A young woman’s kindness, inventiveness, and hard work earn her love in a modern LGBT retelling of Cinderella.$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: HL570LJust Julian
A young gay man finds the courage to stand up for himself in an LGBTQ twist on Romeo and Juliet. Romeo gives Julian the strength to face his depression and take a stand against homophobia.$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: HL660LRomeo for Real
A young man comes to terms with his sexuality in a modern retelling of a Shakespearean classic. When Romeo’s homophobic friends can’t accept him as gay, he must prove that his love for Julian is real.$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4Lexile Reading Level: HL600LTrue to You
In the bizarre world of pro wrestling, a teenage hopeful finds a relationship where he can be true to himself as a gay guy.$14.95, PaperbackInterest ages: 13-18Reading level: Grade 4
Author Spotlight

KATERINA BAKOLIAS (she/her) is a queer, Greek-Canadian, playwright, and screenwriter. With a passion for entertaining, she aspires to write stories that resonate with a queer female audience who enjoy comedy and drama. Her debut short film Roomies premiered at the 2020 FIN Film Festival and is now featured on CBC Gem. Additionally, her play Til Death Do Us Part delighted Nova Scotian audiences at its premiere in May 2022. Recognized for her talents Katerina received the RBC Chrysalis Emerging Artist Award in 2020. Committed to amplifying female voices, she actively creates new and compelling works across the realms of theatre, film and now literature. She lives in Nova Scotia.
Katerina’s second play THE GHOST OF VIOLET SHAW is set to premiere at NEPTUNE THEATRE in Halifax, Nova Scotia between April 28 – May 24, 2026.