Valerie Frankel

  • 11

    Catalog books

  • 7

    Works

  • 1994 to 2008

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Valerie Frankel writes relationship-focused fiction that blends sharp humor with emotional insight. In Smart Vs. Pretty (2000), she examines dating dynamics and self-worth through candid, character-driven scenes that balance wit with honesty, inviting readers to reflect on how appearances and intelligence shape romantic choices.

Girlfriend Curse (2006) continues Frankel’s interest in modern love, tracking how friendships, rivalries, and expectations complicate intimacy. Her work favors conversational narration and acute observations, portraying flawed characters who must negotiate desire, vulnerability, and the social rules that govern their romantic lives.

Best Place To Start

Hex and the Single Girl

Harpercollins • 2006 • standard commitment

It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Young-adult novels about teen relationships • Emotional honesty and moral dilemmas • Coming-of-age themes

Genres and themes: Young adult • Contemporary romance • Friendship and identity

Who this author is best for: Good for readers who want character-driven YA stories that explore friendships, dating pressures, and ethical choices.

Start with Smart Vs. Pretty for a clear sense of Frankel’s voice, then try Girlfriend Curse for more relationship-focused drama.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Hex and the Single Girl

    Harpercollins • 2006 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2006 • 290 pages.

  2. Smart Vs. Pretty

    Harpercollins • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 288 pages.

  3. heartbreak handbook

    Fawcett/Columbine • 1994 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1994 • 225 pages.

  4. Girlfriend Curse

    HarperCollins Publishers • 2006 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 2006.

  5. I Take This Man

    Harpercollins • 2007 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 320 pages.

  6. The Girlfriend Curse

    Harpercollins • 2005 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2005 • 292 pages.

  7. The Not-So-Perfect Man

    Harpercollins • 2004 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2004 • 352 pages.

  8. The Accidental Virgin

    Harpercollins • 2003 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2003 • 277 pages.

  9. Fringe benefits

    NAL Jam • 2008 • commitment varies by edition

    UPB note: year signal: 2008.

  10. Thin is the new happy

    St. Martin's Press • 2008 • commitment varies by edition

    readers who want one of the clearer starting points on this page

How The Picks Compare

  • Smart Vs. Pretty is the easier short commitment, while Hex and the Single Girl asks for more reading time up front.
  • Smart Vs. Pretty gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Hex and the Single Girl leans later in the catalog.
  • heartbreak handbook is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from Hex and the Single Girl.

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