Since the beginning of fiction, young adults have always read novels written primarily for adults, and taken them for their own.  In particular, romance novels have been embraced by many young adults.  The teen years are a time when sexual and emotional curiosity begins to peak and teens begin forming romantic relationships with one another.  Reading about relationships and falling in love is only natural for the inquisitive teen.  Some traditional romances written particularly for teens are considered classics in their own right are Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly, and Forever by Judy Blume. 

As the adult romance genre has developed, especially during the late nineties, the young adult love story has followed suit.  In particular, Chick Lit became strikingly popular with young women in their twenties and thirties with the onset of the Bridget Jones mania.  Our faithful little sisters and brothers read these emerging novels ravenously, and young adult authors got the hint and began to write modified romance stories for young adults.  These new tales are on the opposite end of the spectrum from the tragic Lurlene McDaniel stories.  They are a melding of two genres—romance and realism, with a dash of humor for good measure.  "Although romance is the best-selling genre in adult fiction, and true-life romance plays a major role in teen lives, the recent trend in YA reading and publishing has been away from pure romance, with the emphasis moving to other types of peer relationships and genreblends." (2)

It would not be completely accurate to compare the young adult stories discussed here with Chick Lit, as the young adult fiction has more focus upon coming-of-age in the matters of love, whereas in Chick Lit for adults, the character can be jaded and already experienced.  The similarities do include, though, sharp and often observational humor.  Also, both varieties of fiction are different from the typical romance novel in that they do not always end with a neat happy-ending.  In Chick Lit, “the heroine is just as likely to end up alone, but with a solid sense of self as she pursues the relationship that will probably work out, or the career in which she can find personal fulfillment. The love relationship is not at the center of the story. The focus is on the heroine and ultimately, her relationship with herself in relation to friends, family, lovers and career."  (1)  This is also very likely for humorous young adult romance stories. 

During the late nineties and early 21^st century, an increasing number of funny YA romance stories became available for young adults, and their popularity has gained ever since.  A few series and titles in particular propelled the growth of this genre, including Ann Brashares’ Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries.  The major success of these titles has made it possible for other, lesser known writers to publish stories written in the same vein.  There is a significant connection between this genre and the film industry, as well.  The popularity of the mentioned books drove the creation of film counterparts.  The opposite effect was responsible for turning movie-watching young adults to readers of these books. 

This trend in young adult fiction, combining humor, realism, and a love story is one that is fairly new to the literary world, but certainly had a precursor or two.  One favorite in particular, Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice, is considered by some to be a twist on the romance novel, combining traditional courtship with hint of wit and humor.  In fact, Jane Austen is considered by some to be the great-great (and great!) grandmother of Chick Lit, the neurotic big sister to the funny young adult romance stories discussed here.