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Quick answer: If you loved Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, try Leah on the Offbeat, What If It's Us, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Red, White & Royal Blue, Heartstopper and I'll Give You the Sun. Each one is a funny, warm queer coming-of-age story with a big heart and a satisfying romance.
Becky Albertalli's beloved novel follows Simon Spier, a closeted Georgia high school junior who has been trading anonymous emails with a boy called Blue. When a classmate finds the emails and blackmails him, Simon has to work out how to come out on his own terms. Readers love its humor, its mystery of who Blue really is and its loving family. These books share its charm, its queer joy and its big feelings. The book was also adapted into the film Love, Simon.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leah on the Offbeat | Becky Albertalli | YA | readers who want more of Simon's friends |
| What If It's Us | Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera | YA | readers who like New York romance |
| Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe | Benjamin Alire Sáenz | YA | readers who want a quieter love story |
| Red, White & Royal Blue | Casey McQuiston | Adult | older readers who love banter |
| Heartstopper | Alice Oseman | YA | readers who like cozy comics |
| I'll Give You the Sun | Jandy Nelson | YA | readers who like lyrical family stories |
| Carry On | Rainbow Rowell | YA | readers who want magic and romance |
| Autoboyography | Christina Lauren | YA | readers who like forbidden crushes |
| Boy Meets Boy | David Levithan | YA | readers who want a sweet, hopeful classic |
| Radio Silence | Alice Oseman | YA | readers who want deep friendship |
| You Should See Me in a Crown | Leah Johnson | YA | readers who like prom stories |
| The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue | Mackenzi Lee | YA | readers who want historical fun |
| Felix Ever After | Kacen Callender | YA | readers who want a story about identity |
| Openly Straight | Bill Konigsberg | YA | readers who like boarding school stories |
| Darius the Great Is Not Okay | Adib Khorram | YA | readers who want gentle friendship |
1. Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Simon's best friend Leah faces senior year and a surprising crush.
Best for: readers who want more of Simon's friends.
2. What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Two boys meet by chance at a New York post office and try to find each other again.
Best for: readers who like New York romance.
3. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Two Mexican American boys form a friendship that slowly becomes love.
Best for: readers who want a quieter love story.
4. Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The son of the U.S. president falls for a British prince.
Best for: older readers who love banter.
5. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Two British schoolboys fall in love in a gentle graphic novel series.
Best for: readers who like cozy comics.
6. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Twin siblings grow apart and find their way back through art and first love.
Best for: readers who like lyrical family stories.
7. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
A hopeless chosen one and his vampire roommate slowly fall for each other.
Best for: readers who want magic and romance.
8. Autoboyography by Christina Lauren
A bisexual teen falls for the mentor of his writing class.
Best for: readers who like forbidden crushes.
9. Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
A gay teen lives in a town where being gay is simply ordinary.
Best for: readers who want a sweet, hopeful classic.
10. Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
A top student befriends the shy creator of her favorite podcast.
Best for: readers who want deep friendship.
11. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
A Black girl runs for prom queen to pay for college and falls for her rival.
Best for: readers who like prom stories.
12. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
A charming young lord goes on a wild tour of Europe with his best friend.
Best for: readers who want historical fun.
13. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
A Black transgender teen hunts for the person who outed him and finds love.
Best for: readers who want a story about identity.
14. Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
An out teen hides that he is gay at his new boarding school.
Best for: readers who like boarding school stories.
15. Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
An Iranian American teen visits Iran and makes his first true friend.
Best for: readers who want gentle friendship.
How to Choose
Pick Leah on the Offbeat if you want to stay in Simon's world, and What If It's Us if you want Albertalli's humor paired with Adam Silvera's heart. For the same mystery-of-who-he-is excitement, Radio Silence also hinges on anonymous online connection. If you want a slower, more lyrical story, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and I'll Give You the Sun are excellent, though less jokey. Graduates of YA may prefer Red, White & Royal Blue, which keeps the banter and adds spicier scenes. Those who want an easy comfort read should begin with Heartstopper. Readers who want to see different experiences of coming out will find them in Felix Ever After and Openly Straight.
Related: 15 Books Like Sapiens You’ll Love: Big History and Big Ideas · Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda about?
A closeted teen named Simon is blackmailed over his anonymous emails with a boy called Blue.
Is Love, Simon based on this book?
Yes. The 2018 film Love, Simon is based on Albertalli's novel.
Are there sequels?
Yes, in a way. Leah on the Offbeat follows Simon's friend Leah, and the novella Love, Creekwood continues the story.
What age is the book for?
It is usually recommended for readers 13 and up.
Who is Blue?
Part of the fun is guessing, so we will not spoil it. The answer comes near the end.
Is the book funny?
Yes. Simon's narration is full of jokes, Oreos and pop culture, even in hard moments.