If you liked Sarah Dessen's Along For the Ride, why don't you try . . .

For more of the small town life . . .

Any Other Girl by Rebecca Phillips

Having two gay parents has caused Kat to lose some friends, those that stay are distracted by the other ways in which she draws attention to herself. Spending one final summer at the lake with her cousin Harper, they meet the new guy. For once Kat doesn''t have to work to prove she's no different from everyone else, and she begins to realize this new boy could be what she was looking for - if only Harper hadn't seen him first. (New York,, Kensington Publishing, 2016).

What I Thought was True by Huntly Fitzpatrick Gwen was content with her life on a small island, coming from a family that cleans up after the wealthy summer inhabitants. She has always wanted more but never as much as she does now, when a rich kid suddenly takes a job on the island. Throwing her plans for a loop, she must now spend her summer learning about herself and what she thought about those around her, re-imagining her future plans. (New York. Dial Books, 2014).

For more of the small town life with an edge . . .

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston

Being a cheerleader is a big deal in Hermione's home town. So being named head cheerleader is an even bigger deal. That is until she goes to a party at cheer camp and someone slips something into her drink. This was not how her senior was supposed to happen. She was the most popular girl in school, and now she is labelled things she never imagined possible outcast, pregnant, rape victim. How on earth can she handle this in such a small town? (New York, Dutton Books, 2016).

Wanderlost by Jen Malone

For that smart chick lit feel . . .

When Aubree agrees to take over her sister's summer job of leading a group of seniors around Europe, she thinks she had the plan down - including pretending to be her sister Elizabeth What could possibly go wrong? How about everything? Left without her phone and a surprise guest - Sam, the son of the tour group's owner. Now she must try to continue on, even though she starts to fall for Sam, despite the fact that he thinks she's Elizabeth .How can she get through this without ruining her relationship with her sister? (New York, Harper Collins, 2016).

Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty After her best friend Hope moves away, Jessica Darling is is devastated and feels completely out of place in her own life. She has no idea how to deal with her remaining boy crazy friends and if they really are friends, or her dad's over zealous interest in her track meets. Enter Marcus Flutie, an outcast who isn't really an outcast. When Jessica begins to develop feelings for him (both positive and negative) she has no idea what to do. Can Jessica make it through high school without Hope? (New York, Three Rivers Press, 2001).

Get your Sarah Dessen fix

Small town on the Small screen

After the events of a party she wishes she could forget, Annabel is withdrawn from her former group of friends who now assume all the rumors are true. When she meets Owen, a music lover that has spent some time in Anger Management, she finds herself. By using one of Owen's anger management techniques of always telling the truth, will she finally be able to come to terms of what happened that night at the party? (New York,, Penguin Young Readers Group, 2008).

Life in the small town of Stars Hollow can be both wonderful and difficult for single mother Lorelai and her teenage daughter Rory. The neighbors are quirky and nosy, the town itself is charming. And Lorelai and Rory are the reigning Queens and Princess, loved by all. Overachieving Rory excels in her private school, dreaming to one day go to Harvard, while Lorelai runs an inn with dreams to one day open her own. Watch the Gilmore Girls dreams come true. [Video recording (DVD)], Burbank, CA: Warner Bros, 2004).

Just Listen

Gilmore Girls