Gabrielle

A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the line between following their own heart and meeting others' expectations, especially in matters of love. This historical romance follows Gabrielle, a 16-year-old French orphan sent to 17th-century Quebec as a "King's Daughter," expected to marry a settler and build a family. Instead, she falls for a rugged and independent woodsman who represents everything she's not supposed to want. The story gently explores themes of self-confidence, resilience, and the courage to define one's own identity. For teens 13 and up, it’s a sweet, chaste introduction to the romance genre and a fascinating look at the limited choices available to women in another era.