17 Things That Are Totally Normal In YA Novels, But Would Be Super Weird In Real Life

Still wondering why every guy smells like pine.

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Hi, my name is Kelly, and I'm a bookworm! One of my absolute favorite genres is young adult, aka YA. I may be 24, but I still adore these coming-of-age stories just as much as I did as a teen. In fact, I think I appreciate them even more now!

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Part of the fun of reading a good book is forgetting all about reality and getting lost in the story for a bit.

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However, I think we can all agree that there are a lot of common tropes in YA books that would be a little strange in real life.

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Like finding out your crush is actually an immortal supernatural being, for instance.

Here are 17 things that are totally normal in YA novels, but would be super weird in real life:

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1. First, literally everyone just not having parents.

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I know it can obviously happen in real life, too, but YA protagonists' parents seem especially prone to tragic accidents. Seriously, it's concerning. 

2. If parents are in the picture, they're always conveniently out of town or weirdly super chill about house parties.

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3. Your entire friend group not changing at all since kindergarten.

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I guess I can understand your friend group staying pretty consistent, especially if you grew up in a small town. But not changing at ALL?! You're telling me none of you ever made any new friends or drifted apart?

4. Finding out your crush is actually a vampire, witch, werewolf, etc.

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No big deal!

5. A group of teenagers casually leading a revolution.

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Usually, the adults are evil and working against them. Either that, or they've all been wiped out in some sort of dystopian nightmare.

6. All the boys at school inexplicably smelling like pine.

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Seriously, why is this a thing?! Do all YA boyfriends just wear the same cologne, or what?

7. Solving high-profile murder cases before homeroom.

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The shocking crime stumped experts for decades...until two 15-year-olds cracked the case!

8. Constantly finding yourself at the center of love triangles between two incredibly attractive people who are both in love with you.

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Bonus if it involves siblings.

9. Random objects being used as metaphors to make absurdly pretentious points.

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10. Going to a party and sitting on the couch with a book just to prove you're ~different.~

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11. Finding out your family has a huge, life-changing secret that explains everything.

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Still waiting to find out that my parents are actually super-rich spies who have been living a double life so that I would grow up with a sense of normalcy. 

12. Locking eyes with a stranger and just instantly knowing they're the one.

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13. Fake dating. Just in general.

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The most impressive part of this trope is how long the characters are able to pull it off.

14. Just spontaneously running away and starting a new life.

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15. Discovering you're the "chosen one."

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16. Chopping all of your hair off every time you're feeling kinda angsty.

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My new bangs are not a phase, Mom!

17. And finally...pausing and taking a deep breath every two seconds.

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A moment of silence for all the characters letting out a breath they didn't know they were holding.

What are some YA tropes that you think would be super weird in real life? Tell us in the comments!

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