The best young adult shifter romance books

Shiver was one of the first shifter romance books I ever read and it’s on a very short list of books that made me cry. (I’m not a crier normally.) Maggie’s writing is beautiful and the way she paints a story through imagery that evokes such strong emotion is rare. A great story leaves a lasting impression because it makes us feel. Shiver has been in my top 5 favorites since I read it 10 years ago and I’m sure it will be for years to come. 

I know, I know. Twilight. Again? Still? But yes. For all of the hating some have done on this book, the truth is that it brought a lot of people back to reading. Including me. This is actually the book that inspired me to write, and for that, I am forever grateful. I loved the author’s take on shifters and how she incorporated the Quileute tribe into her werewolves—a culture I might never have learned about otherwise. If you’ve never read Twilight (where have you been??), you may just be surprised at how easily it sucks you in. 

I love shifter stories that feel unique and completely fresh which aren’t easy to find anymore! Nothing against the classic shifter romance story. I love and read them all but when you find something fun and new-feeling, it’s that much more unforgettable. Kelly St. Clare’s Shifter Wars series definitely does that for me. This one is a little more Upper YA and definitely sexier than some of the others on this list, but it’s one I couldn’t put down and one I always think of when I’m ranking my favorites. In this tiny mountain town in Australia, shifters play a very unique game with humans—one with stakes that equal life and death. When our girl Andie gets tossed into the game and forced to play, all bets are off. Definitely worth a read and one you won’t be able to put down once you start!

For me, one of the best parts of a shifter romance story is a character who finds his/her “fated mate.” The idea of a fated mate is kind of like a prince charming, one true love, and soul mate all rolled into one. It’s the ultimate love story. The idea that there’s that perfect person for you out there and oh, look, destiny just brought you to their doorstep. I am a sucker for that storyline and I know, if you love shifters and romance, you are too. One True Mate has the fated mates theme perfected. It also has a storyline with secrets, friendship, family, overcoming a painful past, and a main character who has to find a way to heal herself enough to love someone else. Basically, this one has it all. 

One of the reasons I read this genre is because so many of these stories include strong, fierce heroines and Calla Tor from Nightshade is one of the strongest. In a society and culture that imposes rules and oppression on their people, Calla is forced to test the limits and figure out who she really is and what she’s made of while still being a strong leader to her pack. This story is on my top 5 list because Calla is an unforgettable character, but so much of why you’ll love her is thanks to the world this author creates. Nightshade is another unique, fresh take on werewolves that you won’t want to put down.