Teen readers are savvy. While "toxic" drama can be compelling, it’s important to distinguish between "passionate" and "possessive."

You cannot write a contemporary teen romance without addressing technology. It is the primary landscape where their relationships live.

For a teenager, emotions aren't just feelings; they are world-altering events. Everything is heightened because it is often happening for the first time.

The tension of keeping a secret in a world of social media adds immediate stakes to any "forbidden" romance. 4. Common Tropes (And How to Refresh Them)