Hello everyone! I loved reading all the amazing entries we got for the YA romance category this year. It was so hard picking a winner because all of you have such fantastic books!
Check out our top three finalists from YA romance, and stay tuned for our Grand Winner across all categories being announced next month!
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First Place Winner
Lovestruck by MPRCunha
Let me just start out by saying that I absolutely LOVE this book. I got so invested, I was absolutely screaming when Calvin threw his letter in the trash. He is so relatable (maybe because he's an absolute idiot xD) and definitely my favourite character (I love his theatrics!). I love their entire friend group dynamics, and I gotta say damien is probably my favourite side character so far! And it was so funny when Calvin was trying to find rhymes for Mabel's name. I even wrote an (albeit terrible) song about it xD
You have wonderful descriptive language which really immerses us, especially in the characters' feelings. Also, the cover is so pretty! I love the pastel gouache type painting; it looks so soft and sweet. 'Lovestruck' is the perfect title for this story. It brings to mind that giddy roller coaster feeling of falling in love for the first time, which is just what we see happening with Calvin and Ian.
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First Place (tied)
Romeo and Juelz by Mayo_writez
Those who know me know that grumpyxsunshine is always the way to my heart, and this one is done especially well! The imagery is so pretty, and it makes the storytelling really immersive. It's very sensory, with it's descriptions of crickets sounds, and the weight of the air, and I feel like I'm right there laying on the grass under their willow tree.
Making it friends to lovers was a fantastic decision. I love how comfortable they are with each other, and their whole friendship dynamic is so sweet. I also love Romeo's internal monologue, it's both so funny and so sweet at the same time! I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting and it was such a fun and sweet story. And I realize I'm saying sweet in like every sentence but, GAH! That is the only way to describe this story! Absolutely adorable!!
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Third Place Winner
Love & Other Curses 1985 by ThePerfectChild13
First of all, omg I love the retro vibe in this book! You've done amazingly well at setting the whole scene and really taking us back to that time. The Frankenstein quotes and the little notes with the 1985 references are so fun to read!
Before you even open the book, the cover really sets the mood - and I love the rainbow on black - and then the themes of the story are so prominent. The Frankenstein gothic theme pairs perfectly with the retro aesthetic of 1985, and the setting with the woods and this rural town really pulls it all together. I love mudboyxgothboy - such a fun dynamic!
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YOU ARE READING
The Pride Awards
RandomThe Pride Awards are an annual event hosted by the Rainbow Bookclub, a community dedicated to creating a safe space for all writers, with the goal of recognizing the writing of positive representation for LGBTQIA characters and stories.
