Sometimes the best people are the most awkward ones. These characters will make you laugh AND cringe with secondhand embarrassment. We love them anyway!

6 Awkward Characters That We Seriously Relate To

1. Chloe from The Year of Living Awkwardly by Emma Chastain

Ok, this one is obvious since it’s in the title but c’mon, could sophomore year get any more awkward? The answer is always yes because as soon as Chloe’s dad starts dating one of her teachers, I covered my face in embarrassment. Can you imagine???

2. Beck and Jaxon from Social Intercourse by Greg Howard

Clearly, author Greg Howard can imagine because he takes the awkwardness to a new level in Social Intercourse when Beck’s emotionally fragile dad stars dating the recently single (and supposedly lesbian) mom of his former bully, Jaxon. I wanted to hide behind a pillow while I watched this one unfold!

3. Lara Jean from To All The Boy I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Imagine your deepest, darkest secret crush all simultaneously finding out, IN DETAIL, how madly in love with them you were/are. Now multiply that by 5 and you’ll be FREAKING OUT just as much as Lara Jean.

4. Penny Lee and Sam from Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi 

If you can’t have a prolonged conversation with someone IRL, I think you immediately qualify as awkward. Since both of our protagonists pretty much leave and breathe texting, I’d say they’re definitely in the running for King and Queen Awkward.

 5. Rishi from When Dimple met Rishi by 

Note to self: Never go up to someone you’re interested in and greet them with “Hello, future spouse!” It’s awkward even if you know them and exponentially more awkward if you don’t. Oh, Rishi…

 6. Simon from City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Simon, Simon, Simon…He’s that friend that’ll do something incredibly awkward and embarrassing and you can’t help but giggle at them because they are completely unaware of just how awkward (and endearing!) they are! Everyone needs one of those friends.