Books About Unrequited Love

The Best Unrequited Love Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about unrequited love? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Unrequited Love

Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
Sale price
$1348
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility

A family displaced by inheritance laws navigates love, loss, and societal expectations in a new home far from their former life.

240 pages· 26,719 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 154 ratings
$13.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Elinor and Marianne Dashwood's world is upended when their father dies, forcing them to a modest cottage. Elinor must part with her love, while Marianne is drawn to a charming but unsuitable neighbor. As they navigate heartache and hope, the sisters rely on each other to find happiness. Will they discover the right blend of sense and sensibility in their new lives?
A Work in Progress
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

A Work in Progress

A boy battles self-image and self-acceptance in a world of thin peers.

368 pages· 15,410 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 2,894 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Will hides in oversized clothes, battling shame and a crush on Jules. Desperate to change, he faces slow progress and self-loathing. Meeting Markus, a skateboarder, might just change his perspective. Can Will embrace his evolving self and find acceptance?
Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 1
Sale price
$1235
Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2015

Toilet-bound Hanako-kun, Vol. 1

A wish-granting ghost in a school bathroom isn't what it seems.

177 pages· 5,667 words· Est. 32 min read
4.3 Goodreads · 16,855 ratings
$13.00Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Nene Yashiro, a high school girl with a passion for the occult, seeks out the legendary Hanako-san, a ghost rumored to grant wishes. But when she ventures into the haunted bathroom, she discovers Hanako-san is not the girl she expected, but a boy! As Nene navigates this unexpected twist, she must confront the mysteries of Kamome Academy and the true nature of her own desires. Will her wish be granted, or will she uncover secrets that change everything?
My Hero Academia
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 14–17 · 2018

My Hero Academia

A Quirkless boy inherits a legendary power, facing a world of heroes and villains.

200 pages· 8,244 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.4 Goodreads · 8,912 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In a world where 80% have superpowers, Midoriya, once Quirkless, inherits a legendary ability. As he trains at Hero Academy, he grapples with newfound responsibilities and dreams that hint at a mysterious destiny. Meanwhile, Endeavor, the new top hero, struggles with the weight of his title. Can Midoriya rise to the challenge and uncover the secrets of One For All?
Charlie Brown: Here We Go Again
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$3229
Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 2016

Charlie Brown: Here We Go Again

Sibling rivalries and un-kicked footballs return. Can Charlie Brown face his crush and Snoopy retrieve his bowl?

178 pages· 11,004 words· Est. 2 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 524 ratings
$33.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Join the Peanuts gang as they navigate sibling rivalries and school projects. Charlie Brown must partner with his secret crush, while Snoopy faces a daring mission to retrieve his dinner bowl from the neighbor's cat. Lucy's psychiatric advice leaves her friends questioning its value. Will old tricks lead to new antics, or will the gang finally learn their lessons? Dive into this beloved comic strip collection and discover the timeless humor and heart of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends.
What I Like About Me
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 13–17 · 2019

What I Like About Me

A teen enters a beauty pageant to reclaim her confidence and find her place in the spotlight.

304 pages· 52,387 words· Est. 5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 1,483 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin has always felt overshadowed by her glamorous sister and best friend. But when her crush is stolen and she's pushed aside, Maisie decides it's time for a change. Entering the local Miss Teen Queen pageant, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Can Maisie defy expectations and shine in the spotlight she never thought she deserved? Join her as she navigates friendship, rivalry, and the quest for self-love in this heartwarming tale of transformation.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2008

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

A gypsy girl, two suitors, and a hunchback's quest to save her.

160 pages· 17,923 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
3.8 Goodreads · 257 ratings
$6.95Save 3%
Hardcover
Summary: In 15th century Paris, Esmeralda, a captivating gypsy, becomes the center of a dangerous love triangle. An obsessed priest and a compassionate hunchback, Quasimodo, vie for her fate. As tensions rise, who will save her from the shadows of Notre Dame?
Happy Valentine's Day, Charlie Brown!
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 2015

Happy Valentine's Day, Charlie Brown!

By Scott Jeralds (Illustrator) · Peanuts series

Will Charlie Brown finally win the heart of his crush this Valentine's Day?

32 pages· 523 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
3.9 Goodreads · 191 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Valentine's Day is here, and Charlie Brown faces his biggest challenge yet: giving a valentine to the Little Red-Haired Girl. With Lucy's encouragement, he musters the courage to take a leap of faith. Will this be the year his dreams come true, or will he face another heartache? Join the Peanuts gang in this heartwarming tale of bravery and friendship, where every card holds the promise of love and laughter. Discover if Charlie Brown's hopes will finally blossom into reality.
The Siren
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2009

The Siren

A siren's love for a human risks everything. Will she defy her fate?

330 pages· 67,702 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
3.7 Goodreads · 101,128 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: Kahlen, a siren bound to the Ocean, must lure humans to their doom with her deadly voice. When she meets Akinli, a charming human, their forbidden love threatens both their lives. As their bond deepens, Kahlen faces an impossible choice: follow her heart or fulfill her deadly duty. Can love conquer the call of the sea, or will the Ocean's demands tear them apart? Dive into this enchanting tale of love, danger, and destiny, where every choice could mean life or death.
XO, OX
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

XO, OX

By Adam Rex, Scott Campbell (Illustrator)

An ox's love letters to a gazelle spark an unexpected romance.

32 pages· 617 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
3.7 Goodreads · 1,388 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In a series of heartfelt letters, a clumsy ox confesses his love for a graceful gazelle. Despite her initial indifference, his unwavering affection might just win her over. Will the ox's persistence break through the gazelle's conceited exterior, or is this romance doomed from the start? Discover a tale of humor, heartache, and unexpected love in this charming picture book.
Browse by age

Unrequited Love Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about unrequited love for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price
$1699

The Love Pug

2015

A new pug arrives, challenging a dynamic duo's bond. Will friendship or romance prevail?

Browse by age

Unrequited Love Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about unrequited love for developing and independent readers.

Mint to Be
Sale price
$1099

Mint to Be

Ages 14–17 · 2025

Emma returns home with a new boyfriend, but can she mend her friendship with Aiden before the holidays end?

Sale price
$1299

Escape Room

Ages 12–+ · 2017

Teens trapped in an escape room must solve puzzles to survive a deadly game.

Never Always Sometimes
Sale price
$1699

Never Always Sometimes

Ages 13–17 · 2015

Breaking rules leads to unexpected love and challenges for two best friends on the brink of graduation.

Snoopy to the Rescue
Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1199

Snoopy to the Rescue

Ages 7–11 · 2017

Snoopy tackles chaos and crabbiness, seeking to save the day in classic Peanuts adventures.