From fairytale retellings and academic rivals, to royal drama and hilarious rom-coms, there are so many new young adult books to get excited about in January 2025!
Read on to discover new books from Brigid Kemmerer, Megan Lally, Gayle Forman, Ann Liang, and many more!
Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella
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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.
Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee
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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.
All the Love Under the Vast Sky by Kip Wilson
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Twelve short stories in verse by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the highs and lows of love – romantic, platonic, familial, and self-love.
Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon
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This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.
Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer
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Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.
Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue by Kate Pearsall
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In this haunting companion to Bittersweet in the Hollow, a girl who can smell the lies of others uncovers the incendiary mysteries of her small Appalachian town.
The Rival by Emma Lord
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Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again.
No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally
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Some secrets just won’t stay hidden in this twisty new thriller from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Megan Lally!
Brewed With Love by Shelly Page
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A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.
The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn
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Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.
After Life by Gayle Forman
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This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.
The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley
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In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
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From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin… then wakes up the next morning in her cousin’s body.
Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao
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A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.
Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia
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In this opposites-attract YA rom-com inspired by Emma, a failed romantic gesture puts a damper on a queer teen bookseller’s summer of book matching and matchmaking until a handsome lifeguard and romance skeptic waltzes into his bookstore. Sometimes you get a second chance at happily ever after when you least expect it . . .
Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough
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This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary.
First Love Language by Stefany Valentine
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For fans of Frankly in Love and Tokyo Ever After comes a romantic dramedy about finding love and reconnecting with your culture in the most surprising ways.
Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz
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A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.
The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears
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Uprooted meets Children of Blood and Bone in this dark fantasy inspired by a Malian fairy tale about a princess whose suitors are challenged to gruesome trials.
Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga
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In this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete in order to inherit a European kingdom.
