
Since its debut in 2019, HBO’s Euphoria has been a hit with critics and audiences of all ages. The show follows a group of high school teens and their experiences of identity, trauma, drugs, friendships, love, and sex.
Fans had to wait nearly two and a half years for a second season, which has already broken HBO streaming records with its premiere in January 2022.
If you need something to tide you over in between episodes or seasons, we’ve got 8 books like Euphoria that are sure to do the trick.
Books Like Euphoria
Below are 8 books like Euphoria that tackle themes of friendship, trauma, addiction, healing, and more.
1. Hello Girls by Brittany Cavallaro & Emily Henry
This book is perfect for Euphoria fans who love the friendship between Jules and Rue. In Hello Girls, Winona and Lucille have had enough of the controlling men in their lives.
From WInona’s celebrity weatherman father locking the pantry door and leaving her bruises where no one can see, to Lucille’s needy mother and drug-dealer brother keeping her down, the two decide they can’t wait until graduation to start new lives.
What they need is $3,000—fast. And a stolen convertible to take them from Michigan to Las Vegas can’t hurt, right?
2. The Chandler Legacies by Abdi Nazemian
At Chandler, an elite boarding school, five very different teens are brought together in the Circle, a coveted writing group where their professor tells them to write their truths.
But the truth might not be enough to change the culture of abuse at Chandler, and their newfound bond may not survive the fallout.
3. Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
Like Euphoria, Girl in Pieces offers an honest and heartbreaking look at serious teen issues, including homelessness, sexual assault, and self-harm.
After losing her father to suicide, being neglected by her mother, and living on the street, 17-year-old Charlie narrowly survives her own suicide attempt, but she isn’t sure she can endure any more with out cutting herself.
Her road to recovery will be long and difficult, but she’ll slowly find the strength to put herself back together.
4. The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert
If you love Rue and the bond she shares with Gia, you’ll definitely find yourself rooting for Dove “Birdie” Randolph.
Birdie has a different story from Rue—she’s always worked hard to be the perfect daughter, and done everything her parents expect of her.
But when she falls hard for a boy with a troubled past, and her aunt who spent years in treatment for addiction moves into the apartment above the family’s salon, Birdie notices tension building at home, and long-buried secrets threaten to turn everything she’s ever known upside down.
5. Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
This sequel to Impulse will please fans of Euphoria who loved the ensemble cast. Here, four high school seniors take very different paths to reach their idea of perfection.
Cara’s vision of perfect involves rejecting her parents’ unrealistic ideals, which have already sent her twin brother spiraling toward suicide. Kendra wants the perfect face and body, matter how many surgeries or drugs it takes.
For a perfect home run, Sean will sacrifice more than he can ever win back. And to follow his heart and achieve a perfect performance, Andre must live a life his ancestors would never understand.
6. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
In the months following his father’s suicide, 16-year-old Aaron Soto struggles to find happiness again, but he remains determined in his search.
With help from his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, Aaron slowly remembers what happiness might feel like, but the smile-shaped scar on his wrist keeps him from forgetting completely.
When Genevieve goes away for a few weeks, Aaron spends all his time with a new guy, Thomas, who makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship stirs with his girlfriend and friends.
To straighten himself out, Aaron considers the Leteo Institute’s revolutionary memory-alteration procedure, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.
7. Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett
If you love how Euphoria addresses important issues without exploiting them, you’ll appreciate Full Disclosure‘s treatment of an often-overlooked topic.
When Simone Garcia-Hampton attempts to start over at a new school, one of her main focuses is keeping her HIV diagnosis under wraps.
As she grows closer to Miles, she knows she must tell him about her status, but the thought terrifies her. Then, she finds an anonymous note in her locker from someone threatening to reveal her secret unless she stops seeing Miles.
Simone’s first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but she soon wonders if the only way to rise above the prejudice and fear in her community is to face the haters head-on.
8. Heroine by Mindy McGinnis
After a violent car crash, college-bound softball star Mickey must fight to hold on to her spot as catcher. She finds help from prescription painkillers, which allow her to stay behind the plate, but also make her feel good and accepted among her new group of friends, who are fellow injured athletes.
But as the pressure mounts, so too does Mickey’s need for the pills, and her growing addiction threatens to topple her dreams and send her spiraling out of control.
More Teen and YA Dramas
If you’re looking for more YA books that tackle a wide range of series and light-hearted themes, check out these must-read books for teens.
And if you love the representation that Euphoria brings through its diverse characters and actors, you’ll definitely want to check out these YA books with LGBTQ characters.
Do you have a favorite YA drama or book like Euphoria? Share them in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 15 LGBTQ Books for Teens and Young Adults
- 23 Must-Read Books for Teens
- 8 Books Like One of Us Is Lying
- 13 Books Becoming Movies in 2022
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.