The Raider: A Highland Guard Novel by Monica McCarty

A personal favorite in historical romance, The Highland Guard Novel series is set during the beginning of the wars of independence between England and Scotland—deals with steamy romance, betrayals, and political battles.

The Raider “Robert Boyd” one of Robert the Bruce’s phantoms is a formidable elite warrior, and a true patriot whose bare hands are a deadly weapon. Robbie is the fierce enforcer of the Guard, and his hatred of the English has been honed to a razor-sharp edge. But vengeance proves bittersweet when his enemy’s beautiful sister, Lady Rosalin Clifford falls into his hands, and he finds himself fighting temptation—a battle he badly wants to lose.

These legendary warriors of the Highland Guard let nothing come before king and country—except the calling of their heart.
For more on Monica McCarty see monicamccarty.com

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a soulful novel of (young) love, life, and death.

Hazel a depressed teenager, with terminal cancer meets Augustus at her kids-with-cancer support group. Both teenagers are uncannily intelligent; Hazel while reading a novel about cancer called An Imperial Affliction and sharing humor and great charm falls in love with Augustus even as they face universal questions of realism: Life and meaning, immortality in death. This is a triumphant novel with deep honesty.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

This is a story of first love for YA audience.

Eleanor is the new girl in town who is overweight in flamboyant colors who winds up sitting next to Park on the bus, a comic book fanatic. They sit in awkward silence every day until Park notices that Eleanor is reading his comics over his shoulder; he begins to slide them closer to her side of the seat and thus begins their love story. Their relationship grows gradually--making each other mixed tapes and discussing comic book characters--until they both find themselves looking forward to the bus ride more than any other part of the day. Things aren’t easy: Eleanor is bullied at school and then goes home to a threatening family situation; Park’s parents do not approve of Eleanor’s awkward ways. Ultimately, though, this is a book about two people who just can’t get enough of each other and who believe that they can overcome any obstacle standing in the way of their happiness. It’s a book that is real and relatable for real people.