What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

Basically looking for contemporary YA books where an "ugly duckling" character gets the cute guy at the end.

"Ugly duckling" could mean not considered attractive, not feminine, not thin, basically not considered hot/cute/pretty or a possible romantic option according to most guys.

Please note I'm not looking for the kind of book where she gets a makeover or becomes more conventionally attractive or feminine to get the guy, absolutely *not* a book where she changes herself to land a guy. I want a book where the guy falls for her as she is.

A book that might find into this category would be The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger or (sorta) Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Though in Fangirl Cath isn't ugly. She just feels like she is in comparison to her more popular, hotter twin sister.

Bonus points if the MC is shy, quiet, nerdy and not any kind of party girl. Thanks mucho if you can come up with more titles.

If you don't mind a bit of fantasy Bewitching: The Kendra Chronicles is a Cinderella inspired story with a twist. There's also Beastly, but the boy is the MC. He does fall for a girl that others seem to think of as an "ugly duckling".

Speaking of Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park is kind of like this. Eleanor is fat and dresses oddly; Park loves her and thinks she's sexy.

Thanks Merrilee! Actually for this topic I'm only interested in contemporary, but those books sound interesting.

And thanks Sophie! I think Eleanor & Park would definitely fit the category.

They are contemporary. Modern versions of fairy tales.

But they're not realistic contemporary? It sounded like there were fantasy/paranormal/magic elements??

A bit of magic. Most of the magic in Bewitching happens in flashbacks that Kendra has. There's not a lot in the main story. "Beastly" is a modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast". The only magic is when Kendra changes Kyle into the beast. And the magic mirror.
They're probably not what you're looking for, but I found them to be fantastic reads.

Thanks Merrilee! Yeah, not interested in any fantasy elements at all for this particular topic, but they do sound like good books.

Hi. I really liked . The girl is a bit of a nerd and the young man was Hispanic and in a gang. It has a 4.13 rating out of over 100,000 reviews.

Thanks Cassie. Is the MC described as unattractive in the text? Because I gotta say, the girl on the cover is gorgeous! No way the reader would ever think she'd have trouble landing a guy.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale (fairy tale retelling)

North of Beautiful (the guy is cute, but has a blemish himself, too).

Secrets of Truth and Beauty (the heroine used to be a child pageant, but is overweight now in her teens. She joins her older half sister on an alternative farm).

I just disovered My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters, but I haven't read it.

omg how did I forget about north of beautiful.

Sometimes a title wickedly nestles in a far away nook of your brain - right out of grasp.

Just bumping for more recommendations.

Thanks for everything mentioned so far!

I just read a great one called The Girl in the picture.

This is an older book but Rabbit Back And Doubled fits the brief, was one of my favourites as a teenager.

Size 12 Is Not Fat this is actually the first book in a mystery series. The MC is a former teen pop idol who has sadly lost all her money (Mom embezzled it before heading for parts unknown with poor Heather's manager). She has now put on some weight and is working for a college in NYC as a glorified assistant dorm manager. There is a murder in the dorm and things go from there. Before you wonder if this is really what you are looking for--Meg Cabot is more famous for another of her series. Ever heard of this little series called The Princess Diaries?

I know these are not exactly novels, but more graphic novels. But there are SO many manga that have this theme, and our very enjoyable. If you don't want to commit to buying a series of manga books, maybe try the MangaRock app for IOS and Android, it has a wide collection of translated manga to read on your phone or tablet.

Here is some recommendations for the "ugly duckling get the guy" theme:
Kimi ni Todoke - She is considered creepy like the girl from the ring, and is socially awkward but the most popular guy in the class takes interest in being her friend, and changes her life.

Ouran High School Host Club - She is mistaken for a boy at her new school, and roped into joining the Ouran Academy Host club that caters to entertaining the female classmates out of a sense of boredom in this rich kid school. She becomes one of the hosts, and does quite well, and then the male hosts start cluing in that she may not be a boy.

Parfait Tic! - She is an average looking girl, who lives in this average everyday apartment building, until one day these two gorgeous boys her age move into the apartment above her. Turns out they go to the same school as her, and she becomes friends with them. And her life is changed when she develops feelings for both of them.

Kuragehime (princess jellyfish)- So she is an "ugly duckling" and an otaku (Japanese handle for fan boy or girl, of geeky stuff) she is obsessed with jelly fish, she lives in a women's only boarding house, filled with otaku girls. Then one day she meets this strong pretty girl who both she admires and is scared of who takes an interest in her, and the otaku women in the boarding house. But then she finds out that the strong pretty girl is actually a cross dressing boy, which is a problem because the boarding house is strictly women only. So every time he comes to visit he has to pretend to be a girl. It's cute and funny, maybe a bit weird.

Perfect Chemistry is about one of the most popular girls in school, not an ugly duckling!

Bumping for recommendations.

Thanks for everything so far. Keep 'em coming if you can.

Again this is an older book (1980s) but The Girl of His Dreams

Sing Me to Sleep: I haven't read it myself but it's on my to be read list. Not sure if since there is a "make-over" it doesn't count :)

OH! I really good one is the historical romance Romancing Mister Bridgerton. She's definitely described as not being beautiful (I think she's on the chubbier side and wears glasses). It's #4 of a series where you don't *really* have to read the others but the pay off is bigger if you read at least one of the previous books in the series (like #1).

A few more:

Heroes Are My Weakness: Heroine is described as not being traditionally beautiful. Contemporary.

Asking for Trouble: If I remember correctly the heroine talks about being overweight. Contemporary.

Unlocked: The heroine is ridiculed by the hero for her....horrible laugh....haha not sure if that counts. But he does it at her coming out party and because of if she turns into a social pariah so yeah.... Historical.

Thanks, guys!

Also found One on One. Not sure if technically YA or adult.

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl is another.

On the Fence
Will update when I think of more.

Thanks, Darcey!

Muffin Top by Avery Flynn came to mind

Tall thin and blonde by dyan sheldon
The upside of unrequited by Becky albertalli