13 Swoon-Worthy Books Like 'The Selection' for Your Next Royal Romance Fix

If Kiera Cass's 'The Selection' had you swooning over Prince Maxon and rooting for America Singer, you're not alone. There's something irresistible about a girl from a lower caste competing for a prince's heart. But what happens when you finish that last page and you're left wanting more glittering gowns, palace intrigue, and impossible choices between love and duty? That's exactly why we created this list.

Below are 13 books like 'The Selection' that deliver the same magic: romance with high stakes, young adult novels where forbidden love complicates everything, and stories where the main character must choose between the life she's supposed to want and the one her heart craves.

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Quick answer: What are the top 5 books to read after 'The Selection'?

1. 'The Elite' by Kiera Cass: The second book in The Selection series — America's still torn between Maxon and Aspen as the competition gets fiercer.

2. 'Red Queen' by Victoria Aveyard: A girl with impossible powers is thrust into a deadly royal court where everyone wants her dead.

3. 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins: Katniss volunteers to fight to the death on live television to save her sister.

4. 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas: A human girl is taken to a faerie court where danger and romance collide.

5. 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth: Beatrice discovers she doesn't fit into society's rigid factions, making her dangerous.

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Top 13 irresistible books like 'The Selection' to fall in love with

These books bring you everything you loved about America and Maxon's story: romance, impossible choices, glittering worlds, and characters who refuse to become who others expect them to be. Choose one or save the entire list for later.

1. 'The Siren' by Kiera Cass

This standalone novel by Kiera Cass offers something completely different from The Selection — but it's just as romantic and impossible.

Kahlen was saved from drowning by the Ocean. In exchange for her life, she must serve as a Siren for 100 years, using her deadly voice to lure ships to their doom. She can't speak to humans — a single word would kill them. But when Kahlen meets Akinli, a kind and handsome boy who's everything she's ever dreamed of, she starts breaking the Ocean's rules.

Falling in love with a human means risking everything. But Kahlen has followed rules her entire life. This time, she's determined to follow her heart.

Similarities between the books:

• Forbidden love that could cost the main character everything.

• Romantic tension when the couple literally can't speak to each other.

• An impossible choice between duty (serving the Ocean) and love (being with Akinli).

• A standalone story with a complete ending in one book.

If you've ever found yourself drawn to love stories where the heart defies reason, you might also appreciate 'Loving Bravely: Twenty Lessons of Self-Discovery to Help You Get the Love You Want' by Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon. This book helps you understand your patterns, boundaries, and emotional needs. It's the kind of book that helps you love with both courage and clarity — just like Kahlen learns to do.

2. 'The Betrothed' Series by Kiera Cass

Kiera Cass returns with another royal romance that asks: what if the king chooses you, but your heart belongs to someone else?

Reading Order:

1. 'The Betrothed'

2. 'The Betrayed'

Lady Hollis Brite has grown up at court, hoping to catch King Jameson's eye. When he finally declares his love for her, she's thrilled — becoming queen is a dream come true. But then Silas Eastoffe arrives. He's from a refugee noble family and a swordsmith from the neighboring kingdom. And somehow, he sees right into her heart in a way the king never has.

The first book became a #1 New York Times bestseller and introduces a new world of courtly intrigue, dangerous secrets, and a heroine who must decide between the crown and true love. The second book continues Hollis's story as she faces loss, revenge, and the question of who she really wants to be.

Similarities between the books:

• A girl torn between a king and a nobleman — sound familiar?

• Glittering palace life with dark secrets beneath the surface.

• The main character's self-discovery journey as she questions what she really wants.

• Kiera Cass's signature blend of romance and high-stakes drama.

3. 'Red Queen' by Victoria Aveyard

Mare Barrow is a Red — a commoner in a world divided by blood. Silvers have superhuman abilities and rule over the powerless Reds. Mare's stuck stealing to survive until a twist of fate lands her at the Silver Palace.

When Mare discovers she has powers despite her Red blood, the Silver king forces her to play a role: she's a lost Silver princess, engaged to one of his sons. Mare finds herself trapped in a deadly game where one wrong move means death. And when she joins the Scarlet Guard, a rebel group fighting for Red freedom, she becomes a symbol of hope — and a target.

This New York Times bestselling book launches a series about power, betrayal, and a girl who never wanted to be anyone's pawn.

Similarities between the books:

• A lower-class girl suddenly thrust into a royal world.

• The main character hiding who she really is to survive.

• Romance complicating everything when Mare falls for the wrong prince.

• Themes of rebellion against an unjust system.

If the themes of injustice and rebellion resonate with you, check out 'Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide' by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. This title offers a real-world perspective on what empowerment truly means.

4. 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins

Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games — a televised fight to the death where only one of twenty-four teenagers survives. The Capitol uses the Games to remind the twelve districts who holds power.

But Katniss becomes something the Capitol never expected: a symbol of rebellion. Her relationship with Peeta Mellark, played up for the cameras, starts as a survival strategy. But the lines between real and fake blur as the Games progress.

This New York Times bestselling book kicked off a cultural phenomenon. The sci-fi setting of a dystopian future where reality TV meets brutal control explores how young people navigate impossible choices. Like America in 'The Selection,' Katniss never wanted the spotlight — but once the cameras are on, every choice matters.

Similarities between the books:

• Televised competitions where romance becomes part of the strategy.

• The main character performing for cameras while figuring out her real feelings.

• Themes of how those in power use entertainment to control the masses.

• A love triangle that's about more than just romance — it's about survival and identity.

5. 'Delirium' by Lauren Oliver

Imagine if love were considered a disease. In Lena's world, everyone receives a cure at eighteen. Love — the deliria — is eradicated, and people live peaceful, controlled lives.

Lena can't wait for her procedure. She's seen what uncured love did to her mother. But ninety-five days before her cure, Lena meets Alex. He's from the Wilds, the dangerous world outside the city walls. And he makes her feel things she shouldn't feel.

This New York Times bestselling novel, set in a sci-fi, dystopian world, explores what happens when society tries to control the most human emotion of all. And Lena must decide if feeling is worth the risk.

Similarities between the books:

• Societies that try to control who people love and how they feel.

• The main character falling in love with someone forbidden.

• Themes of breaking free from what society expects.

• Romance that feels dangerous because it is.

6. 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to a different virtue. At sixteen, everyone must choose their faction for life. But Beatrice's test results show she's Divergent — she doesn't fit into any single category. And that makes her dangerous.

She chooses Dauntless, the brave faction, and renames herself Tris. As she endures a brutal initiation, she discovers a conspiracy brewing. The faction system itself might be the problem. And Divergents like her are being hunted.

This New York Times bestselling dystopian novel explores identity, choice, and what happens when you refuse to be put in a box. Tris falls for her instructor, Four, creating forbidden romance amid life-threatening challenges.

Similarities between the books:

• Protagonists who must compete in high-stakes selection processes.

• The main character hiding a dangerous secret that could get her killed.

• Romance developing in the midst of life-threatening challenges.

• Themes of choosing between conformity and being true to yourself.

If 'Divergent' spoke to you because of its celebration of those who don't fit in, 'Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World That Wasn't Designed for You' by Jenara Nerenberg takes that idea from fiction to reality. It's an empowering exploration of what it means to think differently — whether you're neurodivergent or simply wired in a way society doesn't expect.

7. 'Shatter Me' by Tahereh Mafi

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. Her touch is deadly — she can kill with skin-to-skin contact. The Reestablishment, a brutal regime ruling a dying world, locks her away until they decide her power could be a weapon.

Warner, the young leader of Sector 45, wants to use Juliette. But Adam, a soldier with secrets of his own, wants to save her. Juliette must decide who to trust in a world where everyone wants to control her power.

This New York Times bestselling book combines sci-fi elements with intense romance and a dystopian setting. Like 'The Selection,' it features a girl caught between two very different boys while discovering her own strength.

Similarities between the books:

• A powerful love triangle with genuine emotional stakes.

• The main character discovering she's more than what others say she is.

• Intense romantic tension and beautiful prose.

• Themes of self-discovery and choosing your own path.

8. 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre kills a wolf in the forest to feed her family. Turns out, it was a faerie in disguise. As punishment, she's dragged to the faerie realm of Prythian to live out her days at the Spring Court.

Her captor, Tamlin, is a High Lord hiding secrets. As Feyre adjusts to this magical world, she discovers that a blight is destroying Prythian. And she might be the only one who can stop it. This New York Times bestselling series blends romance, ya fantasy, and high stakes as Feyre transforms from a human hunter into something much more powerful.

Similarities between the books:

• A girl from a lower station enters a world of beauty and danger.

• Slow-burn romance with a powerful love interest.

• The main character must navigate court politics while staying alive.

• Themes of self-discovery and finding the strength you didn't know you had.

9. 'Matched' by Ally Condie

In Cassia's Society, everything is decided for you — where you work, when you die, and who you marry. At her Matching ceremony, Cassia expects to see her match's face on the screen. And she does. It's her best friend, Xander. Perfect.

But then another face flashes on the screen for just a second — Ky Markham. A boy from the outer provinces with a dark past, which is an impossible match. The Society says it was a mistake. But Cassia can't forget Ky's face. And when she gets to know him, she discovers feelings that aren't supposed to exist.

This New York Times bestselling dystopian novel explores a world where choice has been eliminated for "the greater good." Like America choosing between Aspen and Maxon, Cassia must choose between the safe path (Xander) and the impossible one (Ky).

Similarities between the books:

• A love triangle where both boys genuinely care about the main character.

• Themes of choice, control, and finding your own way of life.

• A seemingly perfect society with darkness underneath.

• The main character's journey from accepting rules to questioning everything.

Cassia's story asks a powerful question: What happens when you realize the truths you've been told aren't really true at all? That's the same question at the heart of Adam Grant's 'Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know'. While 'Matched' dramatizes the emotional cost of questioning a perfect system, 'Think Again' gives you the tools to do it. Grant reminds us that real strength isn't in always being right — it's in being willing to rethink.

10. 'The Glittering Court' by Richelle Mead

Elizabeth wants to escape her arranged marriage. So she steals the identity of a girl heading to the Glittering Court — a finishing school that trains impoverished girls to become wives for wealthy colonists. The best matches go to the most accomplished girls.

But Elizabeth (now calling herself Adelaide) wasn't prepared for the competition, the training, or Cedric Thorn, the unconventional nobleman who sees past her disguise. As she navigates the Glittering Court, she must hide her noble background while competing for a match that will determine her entire future.

Similarities between the books:

• Girls competing in a structured program to secure the best match.

• The main character hiding her true identity.

• Romance complicated by class differences and competition.

• Themes of self-discovery and questioning what you really want.

11. 'Legend' by Marie Lu

June is a prodigy from the wealthy sector of the Republic. She's destined for greatness in the military. Day is the country's most wanted criminal, living in the slums. When June's brother is murdered and Day is accused, June goes undercover to find him.

But nothing is what it seems. Day isn't the monster the Republic painted him as. And the government June serves might be more corrupt than she ever imagined. This New York Times bestselling dystopian novel with sci-fi elements shows two people from opposite sides of a divided society discovering the truth together.

Similarities between the books:

• A divided society where class determines everything.

• Romance between people from different worlds.

• The main character questioning everything she believed.

• High-stakes danger mixed with emotional connection.

12. 'The Jewel' by Amy Ewing

Violet is a surrogate — bought by the royalty of the Jewel to bear their children. She's property. At auction, she's purchased by the Duchess of the Lake for an enormous sum. Violet's beauty and rare magical abilities make her valuable. And trapped.

In the glittering prison of the Jewel, Violet meets Ash, the Duchess's nephew. Their forbidden love could get them both killed. But Violet discovers she's stronger than anyone knew. And she's not the only one who wants to break free.

Similarities between the books:

• A girl from a lower class thrust into a world of royalty and wealth.

• Forbidden romance that could cost everything.

• Themes of freedom, choice, and refusing to be owned.

• A glittering world hiding dark secrets.

Ever wondered what love really means when freedom isn't part of the equation? The 'Jewel' paints a world where affection and control blur together — and that's exactly what Erich Fromm unpacks in 'The Art of Loving.' His timeless work challenges the idea of love as ownership, showing that real connection can only exist when both people are free to choose it — something Violet learns the hardest way possible.

13. 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' Series by Rick Riordan

Okay, hear us out — Percy Jackson might seem different from 'The Selection,' but the series delivers that same addictive quality where you can't put the book down.

Percy Jackson discovers he's a demigod — son of Poseidon. Suddenly, Greek gods are real, monsters are hunting him, and he's sent to Camp Half-Blood to train. Each novel in this New York Times bestselling series follows Percy on a different quest, from preventing a war between the gods to stopping an ancient Titan from destroying Olympus.

The series reading order:

1. 'The Lightning Thief'

2. 'The Sea of Monsters'

3. 'The Titan's Curse'

4. 'The Battle of the Labyrinth'

5. 'The Last Olympian'

While it's fantasy instead of romance, Percy's journey shares themes with 'The Selection': discovering who you are, being chosen for something you never asked for, and navigating a dangerous world where the rules keep changing. Plus, the slow-burning romance between Percy and Annabeth rivals any royal love story.

Similarities between the books:

• Characters discovering that they're more special than they thought.

• Loyalty, friendship, and finding where you belong.

• A world of beauty and danger where nothing is as it seems.

• Humor, heart, and impossible choices.

Wait — have you read the entire 'Selection' series?

If you loved 'The Selection' but haven't read the entire series, you're missing so much more of America and Maxon's story.

'The Selection' series includes five main books that follow two generations of this royal family. Here's the complete reading order:

And if you haven't exhausted all of Kiera Cass's work, don't miss these standalone and companion books:

• 'Happily Ever After: Companion to the Selection Series' — Four novellas set in the Selection universe, including 'The Prince' (from Maxon's perspective), 'The Guard' (Aspen's story), 'The Queen' (America's mother), and 'The Favorite' (Marlee's perspective). These give you deeper insight into beloved characters and scenes you didn't see in the main series.

• 'A Thousand Heartbeats' — Kiera's 2022 standalone about Princess Annika, who's lived a life of luxury but has no control. This royal romance explores themes of duty versus desire with Kiera's signature style.

Keep your own story going with Headway

You've just discovered 13 books where characters like America Singer had to choose between what everyone expected and what their hearts wanted. These stories remind us that self-discovery isn't easy — whether you're navigating a royal court or just trying to figure out your own life.

Want to keep growing? Headway offers 15-minute summaries of books that help you understand yourself better. Explore topics like decision-making, relationships, and finding your authentic self. Whether you're commuting, exercising, or winding down before bed, you can absorb wisdom from the world's best authors.

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