Your Guide to Lower YA, Upper YA, & New Adult Romance: What’s the Difference?
- Mar 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 3
If you’ve ever wondered why some "young adult romance" books feel vastly different from others—or why "new adult romance" exists at all—you’re not alone. The book world loves its labels, but the lines between lower YA, upper YA, and new adult (NA) can get blurry. Today, I'm breaking it all down so you can find the perfect romance read for your taste.
Lower YA Romance: First Love & Coming of Age
Common Traits of Lower YA Romance:
Protagonist Age: 13-16 years old
Themes: Self-discovery, first love, friendships, school drama, family relationships
Common Tropes: First love, childhood best friends to lovers, secret crushes, coming-of-age journeys, love triangles (but usually innocent ones!)
Use of Foul Language: Minimal to none
Dark Elements (Violence/War/Torture): Rare, though there may be mild conflicts with minimal description
Spice Level: Very low. Think hand-holding, blush-worthy kisses, and butterflies in the stomach.
Books That Fit Lower YA Romance:
The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell
Reveka, a 13-year-old apprentice herbalist, sets out to break a mysterious curse plaguing twelve princesses—only to find herself entangled in a dangerous world of magic, bargains, and unexpected romance.
Why it fits: A fantasy adventure with a fairy tale twist, light romance, and age-appropriate themes perfect for lower YA.
Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Fifteen-year-old Colie expects a dull summer in a sleepy beach town—until she befriends two quirky waitresses who teach her about confidence, friendship, and love.
Why it fits: With a 15-year-old protagonist, this book focuses on self-discovery, first love, and personal growth, all hallmarks of lower YA. The romance is sweet and subtle, with no mature content, making it a great pick for younger teen readers.
Lucky Charm by Annlyn Andrews
Lucky MacBride has a unique ability—she can grant good fortune with a simple touch. But when she meets Toryn O’Toole, the new boy at school, their connection triggers absolute chaos.
Why it fits: The protagonist is 13, making this a true lower YA novel. The romance is light and innocent, with a focus on friendship and adventure rather than deep emotional drama. The story leans heavily on fun, fast-paced fantasy elements rather than dark or mature themes, making it a perfect fit for younger YA readers.
Upper YA Romance: A Step Closer to Adulthood
Common Traits of Upper YA Romance:
Protagonist Age: 16-19 years old
Themes: Identity, independence, first serious relationships, first sexual experiences and exploration, rebellion, moral dilemmas
Common Tropes: Enemies to lovers, forbidden love, fake dating, love triangles, close proximity
Use of Foul Language: More frequent, but usually not excessive
Dark Elements (Violence/War/Torture): May be present, especially in fantasy and dystopian novels
Spice Level: Moderate. Kissing, closed-door intimacy or 1-2 open-door intimacy scenes with less erotic description
Books That Fit Upper YA Romance:
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliette has a deadly touch, but when she’s taken by the government, she finds herself drawn to both her captor and a rebel soldier.
Why it fits: High emotional stakes, dystopian setting with darker themes, and a romance that develops with tension and intrigue.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Paedyn Gray, a girl with no powers, deceives her way into the cutthroat realm of the Gifted—and catches the attention of a deadly prince.
Why it fits: Higher stakes, darker themes, and a slow-burn romance with plenty of tension.
Crave by Tracy Wolff
When Grace transfers to Katmere Academy, she discovers the students aren’t just elite—they’re supernatural. Especially Jaxon Vega, the brooding vampire prince who’s as dangerous as he is irresistible.
Why it fits: With an 18-year-old protagonist, Crave sits at the higher end of YA. It features classic upper YA tropes like enemies to lovers, supernatural romance, and a brooding bad boy love interest. There are darker themes, life-or-death stakes, and plenty of romantic tension, but the intimacy remains in the moderate range with less erotic description, making it a solid upper YA pick.
New Adult (NA) Romance: Mature, Gritty, and Steamy
Common Traits of NA Romance:
Protagonist Age: 18-25 years old
Themes: Self-reliance, college life, career struggles, deeper emotional trauma, more sexual exploration, mature relationships
Common Tropes: Second chance romance, forced proximity, "touch her and die," morally gray love interests, intense forbidden love
Use of Foul Language: Often unrestricted
Dark Elements (Violence/War/Torture): More graphic and detailed compared to YA
Spice Level: High. Descriptive romantic and intimate scenes are common.
Books That Fit NA Romance:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre, a mortal huntress, is taken to the Fae lands where she falls in love with a dangerous High Lord.
Why it fits: More mature themes, explicit romance, and darker world-building.
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Poppy, a Maiden chosen by the gods, is bound by duty and forbidden to interact with others—until she meets Hawke, a guard who challenges everything she knows.
Why it fits: Intense world-building, high stakes, and a romance with steamy scenes that solidify it as NA rather than YA.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Violet Sorrengail is forced to enter an elite war college for dragon riders, where survival is anything but guaranteed—and where romance might be just as dangerous as battle.
Why it fits: Mature themes, intense violence, and a slow-burn romance that doesn’t shy away from spice.
Where Do These Categories Overlap?
Sometimes, books don’t fit neatly into just one category. Here’s where things get tricky:
Upper YA & NA: Some YA books push boundaries with mature themes and intimacy, blurring the line into NA (think The Cruel Prince by Holly Black or Dissent by Josephine Lamont).
Lower YA & Upper YA: Some books, while featuring older teens, retain that "innocent" vibe, feature minimal cursing (if at all), little-to-no violence, and keep the romantic elements to sweet kisses with no sexual intimacy featured on or off the page (think The Siren by Kiera Cass).
NA & Adult Romance: New adult is often confused with adult romance, but NA focuses more on the transition from youth to adulthood, typically featuring college-aged protagonists, career struggles, and first serious relationships (think Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout).
Final Thoughts: Which Romance Category Is Right for You?
If you love sweet, first-love stories with minimal spice, go for lower YA romance. Prefer high-stakes emotions and tension-filled relationships? Upper YA romance is your best bet. If you crave mature themes, steamy scenes, and deeper emotional arcs, then new adult romance is where you want to be.
No matter your preference, there’s a perfect book for every reader—happy reading!
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