Maureen Johnson writes books that are funny and smart, and they often have a mystery at the heart of them. If you are on the lookout for authors who create books with a similar vibe, this article is for you.
If you enjoy Maureen Johnson’s blend of mystery, romance, and subtle magic, Maggie Stiefvater might become your next favorite author.
Her novel “The Raven Boys” introduces you to Blue Sargent, a girl raised by psychics who has grown up with a troubling prophecy—that her true love will die if she kisses him.
Her path crosses with Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah: four friends from a prestigious local school known as the Raven Boys, each connected by secrets, dreams, and an obsession with ancient legends.
Together, their search for a mythical Welsh king buried beneath the sleepy town of Henrietta unfolds into a captivating adventure. Stiefvater’s writing style is atmospheric and vivid, pulling you in immediately and ensuring you care deeply about each character.
Just enough mystery and magic ensure fans of Maureen Johnson will feel right at home.
Readers who enjoy Maureen Johnson’s style might also appreciate Stephanie Perkins. Perkins writes young adult novels filled with romance, humor, and charming characters readers can easily connect with.
One of her popular books is “Anna and the French Kiss,” which tells the story of Anna Oliphant, who’s sent away to boarding school in Paris for her senior year.
Anna isn’t thrilled to leave behind her friends and familiar life, but soon she meets Étienne St. Clair, a funny, thoughtful, and handsome classmate.
Their friendship develops slowly with genuine conversations and plenty of awkward, endearing moments, which make the story memorable and enjoyable.
Perkins creates believable relationships and brings the atmosphere of Paris vividly to life, setting the perfect backdrop for Anna’s journey toward love and self-discovery.
Readers who enjoy Maureen Johnson’s blend of humor, honesty, and relatable teen voices will likely appreciate author John Green. His novel “Paper Towns” follows Quentin Jacobsen, a thoughtful teen with a longtime crush on his mysterious neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman.
After an unforgettable nighttime adventure, Margo suddenly disappears, leaving behind cryptic clues Quentin can’t ignore.
Along with his quirky group of friends, Quentin embarks on an adventurous search to unravel these clues, leading him toward powerful truths about friendship, identity, and how people perceive each other.
Green writes with an authentic voice and sharp wit; his stories resonate emotionally and leave lasting impressions.
Books by E. Lockhart often explore secrets, lies and the complexities of teenage friendships, themes readers of Maureen Johnson will appreciate. “We Were Liars” is a great example.
It tells the story of Cadence Sinclair, a wealthy teenager from a seemingly perfect family who spends her summers on their private island.
An accident leaves her with memory loss, and as Cadence slowly pieces together the events of one fateful summer, she uncovers dark family secrets hidden beneath the surface of privilege and tradition. The book has clever plot twists and characters who feel genuine and relatable.
Those who enjoyed Maureen Johnson’s mysteries and nuanced characters may find E. Lockhart’s storytelling equally engaging.
If you enjoy Maureen Johnson’s blend of mystery, humor, and intriguing supernatural elements, you might like Holly Black. Black is known for weaving magic and folklore into captivating contemporary stories.
Her novel “The Cruel Prince” follows Jude Duarte, a mortal girl raised in the dangerous and alluring court of Faerie. To secure her place among the cruel yet enchanting creatures who despise humans, Jude becomes involved in political intrigue, deception, and forbidden romance.
The story combines twists and turns with vivid characters, making it a good pick for readers who appreciate complex worlds and sharp dialogue.
Books by Morgan Matson often explore friendship, family and the complexities of young adulthood with warmth and humor. Readers who appreciate Maureen Johnson’s relatable characters and heartfelt stories may enjoy Matson’s novel “Since You’ve Been Gone.”
In this book, Emily finds herself suddenly alone after her best friend Sloane mysteriously leaves town. Sloane leaves behind a list of daring tasks for Emily, from harmless dares to facing long-standing fears.
As Emily tackles each challenge, she comes out of her shell, discovering new friendships, unexpected adventures and sides of herself she never knew existed.
Matson’s storytelling combines engaging characters, humor and moments that feel authentic and tender, making her a good pick for fans of Johnson’s thoughtful yet entertaining fiction.
Readers who enjoy Maureen Johnson’s style might also like Gayle Forman, an author known for heartfelt and emotionally powerful stories. Her novel “If I Stay” follows Mia, a talented cellist whose life changes suddenly after a tragic car accident.
Caught between life and death, Mia reflects on her relationships and passions, deciding whether she has the strength and reasons to stay. Forman’s authentic characters and emotional depth offer a thoughtful reading experience for fans of realistic young adult fiction.
If you enjoy Maureen Johnson’s relatable characters and emotional storytelling, Lauren Oliver is an author you might appreciate. Oliver’s book “Before I Fall” follows the life of Samantha Kingston, a high school student who lives the same day repeatedly after a tragic accident.
With each repeated day, Sam sees her own life and relationships from new angles, revealing hidden truths and unexpected connections.
The book combines realistic high school experiences with a touch of mystery, keeping readers emotionally invested as they wonder how Sam’s choices will affect her ultimate fate.
If Maureen Johnson’s authentic voice resonates with you, Lauren Oliver’s engaging narratives and thought-provoking themes might become your new favorite read.
Readers who enjoy Maureen Johnson’s books may also be drawn to Nicola Yoon. Yoon’s stories center on relatable characters, heartfelt emotions, and unexpected connections.
In her novel “Everything, Everything,” we meet Maddy, a young woman isolated her entire life due to a rare illness. She has never ventured beyond her own home.
But when Olly moves next door, Maddy feels an intense curiosity about the outside world and about the real risks she’s ready to take to experience love.
Nicola Yoon’s story combines romance and relatable characters with questions about life’s boundaries, freedom, and the meaning of truly living.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes writes intriguing young adult mysteries with sharp characters and clever plots. Her novel “The Inheritance Games” follows Avery Grambs, a teenager who suddenly inherits a billionaire’s fortune, even though she’s never met him.
To claim the inheritance, Avery moves into his lavish mansion and navigates a maze of puzzles, codes, and hidden dangers, all while figuring out why she was chosen.
If you’ve enjoyed Maureen Johnson’s mysteries like “Truly Devious,” you’ll probably appreciate how Barnes balances suspense, humor, and surprising twists in her storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Maureen Johnson’s books might find Ally Carter equally appealing. Ally Carter creates novels filled with teen espionage, humor, and engaging adventures. In “I’d Tell You I Love You,
But Then I’d Have to Kill You,” the story follows Cammie Morgan, a student at Gallagher Academy. This isn’t an ordinary boarding school—it secretly trains highly skilled teenage spies.
Cammie knows action, stealth, and how to speak multiple languages, but nothing prepares her for the complexities of her first crush. This book combines thrilling spy missions with funny and relatable high school experiences.
Those who appreciate Johnson’s witty characters and light-hearted mysteries will likely connect with Cammie’s amusing attempts at balancing espionage with everyday teenage dilemmas.
Readers who enjoy Maureen Johnson’s lively storytelling and intriguing characters might also appreciate Katharine McGee’s books. McGee captures relatable drama, romance, and friendship dynamics, often set in appealing, vividly imagined worlds.
Her novel “American Royals” explores a fascinating alternate reality where America has a royal family descended from George Washington. As the heirs navigate expectations, relationships, and hidden rivalries, secrets begin to surface and scandal threatens.
The blend of romance, politics, and family drama makes for an entertaining and addictive read, full of moments readers won’t see coming.
Cynthia Hand is an author known for smart, emotional young adult novels with intriguing plots and believable characters. If you enjoy Maureen Johnson’s blend of mystery and teenage drama, you might appreciate Hand’s “The Afterlife of Holly Chase.”
This book is a modern twist on Dickens’ classic tale “A Christmas Carol.” Holly Chase is a privileged, self-centered teenager visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve, but she ignores their warnings and remains unchanged.
When Holly unexpectedly dies, she becomes stuck working for a secret organization as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Year after year, Holly reluctantly helps other selfish individuals mend their ways, until one particular assignment sparks something new inside her.
The novel mixes humor, a bit of romance, and self-discovery through Holly’s unique perspective and journey.
If you enjoy Maureen Johnson’s novels filled with humor, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural, you’ll probably like Cassandra Clare and her book “City of Bones.” Clare writes vivid fantasy series with engaging characters and fast-paced plots.
In “City of Bones,” Clary Fray is an ordinary teenager in New York City who discovers a hidden world of Shadowhunters—warriors who protect humanity from demons. Soon, Clary learns the shocking truth about her past and finds herself in dangerous alliances, conflicts, and battles.
The book combines sharp dialogue, dark secrets, and a hint of romance that keep readers hooked.
Leigh Bardugo is an author who crafts stories packed with mystery, magic, and characters you won’t soon forget. If you enjoyed Maureen Johnson’s spooky mysteries, try reading Bardugo’s “Ninth House.”
The story follows Galaxy “Alex” Stern, a troubled young woman who earns a surprising second chance—a scholarship to Yale. But this Yale hides dark secrets.
Alex joins the mysterious Lethe House, a group tasked with monitoring the secret societies of Yale and their dangerous occult activities. When a murder shocks the campus, Alex plunges even deeper into Yale’s shadowy underworld, searching for hidden truths.
With dark academia vibes, a creepy atmosphere, and a courageous heroine facing personal demons, “Ninth House” offers mystery readers gripping storylines in the tradition of Maureen Johnson’s works.