Hi, Amanda! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Thank you for this opportunity! I’m a queer YA author from Michigan. On a typical day not involving the restraints of a full-time job, you’ll probably find me having a caramel apple cocktail with my family and forcing them to watch me play Hades or host my Avatar: The Last Airbender rewatch parties.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve been writing since somewhere around second grade. My first completed story was about a girl with a magical rock that could teleport her anywhere, and it ended with her shoving her evil stepsisters into a giant volcano. Happily ever after or something.

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with storytelling. It’s been my entire identity since the second I could put pencil to paper. I’d often get into trouble throughout K-12 because my teachers would catch me scribbling fantasy stories into my notebooks when I was supposed to be doing assignments. I don’t know what to do with myself when I’m not writing. Stare at the wall? Be alone with my thoughts? No thank you. So, I guess I’ll escape into somebody else’s problems for a while.

Your latest novel, Exes & Foes, is out July 23^rd! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Witty, heart-wrenching, fiery, healing, and very, very bisexual

What can readers expect?

It’s an Amanda Woody book, so people can probably expect that the hooky one-liner about a silly romcom with an unconventional love triangle is hiding a lot more emotional turmoil and unresolved trauma than it’s showing.

Where did the inspiration for Exes & Foes come from?

Exes & Foes is my love letter to all the love triangle haters out there, which, funnily enough, includes myself. I know that sounds wild, considering the premise of this book – a pair of ex-best friends who find themselves caught in a competition for the new girl’s heart and are forced to unpack their tumultuous past.

My own dismay with the concept has always stemmed from the inevitable fact that when the main character chooses between two love interests, one of them will always get hurt. I wanted to play around with the trope – rather than two boys fighting over a conflicted girl, it’s a couple of stubborn queers fighting for the heart of someone who wants to hang out with them simultaneously. Rather than the question being, “Who is she going to choose?” it quickly becomes a question of, “Okay, when are these fools going to figure their shit out and date each other instead?”

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

Caleb is my favorite character in this book. A clunky, towering, dork ass loser who gets excited over deep cleaning? Man after my own heart.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Corduroy by Don Freeman
• The one that made you want to become an author: Percy Jackson
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The two series that have completely consumed my life recently are All for the Game by Nora Sakavic and Heaven Official’s Blessing by MXTX.

What’s the best and worst writing advice you’ve received?

Some good advice I’ve learned is something I hope aspiring authors will hear a lot if they’re pursuing the traditional publishing experience: Just. Keep. Going. It took me over 7 years and several failed books before someone took a chance on me. I know some authors who waited over a decade, two decades, before they found representation. And there are some authors who found an agent immediately, but struggled to sell a book for years before they finally got a deal. As frustrating as this sounds, sometimes success or failure is completely dependent on being in the right place at the right time! Try not to take every rejection as a reflection of your skill in writing. (Though, of course, this is easier said than done.)

A second bit of writerly advice that works for me: Make your main character your favorite character, or at least one of them! It sounds silly and people will disagree, but that’s always been a major rule for me. They’re the person I’m spending the most time with and they’re also the person who’s going to need to win over the audience. This is especially true for contemporary. Try it out! You might find it’s a lot easier to continue going back to your story when you love who’s telling it.

One piece of advice I’ve gotten that I actively despise is “go for what’s realistic rather than what’s improbable,” particularly in terms of character death. I’m sorry, this is fiction, right? Don’t we suffer enough in life? Don’t we have to adhere to the tragic standards of realism in the world every day? I’m greatly opposed to the idea that fiction needs to cling to normalcy. Is it more realistic that this character dies – yes, probably. Is it more satisfying? Or is it more exciting to give them another chance at life that leaves your heart warm rather than as achingly empty as the turmoil of real life does?

What’s next for you?

More books, I hope

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?

The YA pool is overflowing with so many incredibly talented and compelling authors!! Some recent favorites of mine are Sonora Reyes, Aiden Thomas, Sophie Gonzales, Julian Winters, Anthony Nerada, Emery Lee, Brian Kennedy, and TJ Klune. Also, I will never stop recommending In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan. It’s one of my favorite books of all time and inspired me to write my debut, They Hate Each Other!

Will you be picking up Exes & Foes? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Amanda Woody, Author of ‘Exes & Foes’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Amanda Woody’s They Hate Each Other, which is out May 9th.

There are plenty of words Jonah Collins could use to describe Dylan Ramírez. “Arrogant,” “spoiled,” and “golden boy” to name a few. Likewise, Dylan thinks he has Jonah accurately labeled as an attention-seeking asshat who never shuts his filthy mouth. Their friends are convinced Jonah’s and Dylan’s disdain for one another is just thinly veiled lust—a rumor that surges like wildfire when the two wake up in one bed after homecoming.

Mutually horrified, Dylan and Jonah agree to use the faux pas to their advantage by fake dating. If they can stay convincing long enough to end their “relationship” in a massive staged fight, they can prove their incompatibility to their friends once and for all. But the more time they spend together, the more their plan begins to fall apart—and the closer they come to seeing each other clearly for the first time.

JONAH

I’d sell my soul for the chance to wake up like those cheery assbags in a Disney Channel movie.

Seriously. Is stirring awake to chirping birds so much to ask for? Is it so impossible that I, too, could greet the morning sun, then twirl to my walk-in closet and choose between my cutest outfits? Can’t I be the one to snag some toast and sprint past my quirky parents because, oh dicks and fiddlesticks, I’m late for school!

Of course not. Because I’m Jonah Collins, and I could never be so lucky.

I can barely pry my face from my soggy, saliva-laden pillow. A throb­bing headache expands through my temples and jaw. I squint through my crusty eyes, making out scattered posters on deep burgundy walls. The Great British Baking Show, Chopped, Hell’s Kitchen, Pesadilla en la Cocina, Cake Boss. The dressers are scattered with tourist trinkets—snow globes, figurines, key chains.

Okay, I’m in someone’s bedroom. That’s one question answered.

But I’m . . . in my . . .

Underwear?

Oh shit.

A curled fist of realization punches me back into last night. Sensa­tions from the after-party nip at my eyes, unraveling and disappearing. Shouting over music. Howling laughter. The sting of alcohol. Sparkles fluttering away from dresses. The glare of my phone screen as I check my texts again.

There’s a slight incline in the bed, like there’s something weighing down the other side. Half hoping I’m lying beside a gargantuan teddy bear, I flip over, my heart hammering.

Instead, there’s a real human lying next to me. Loose black curls tickle his brows, and he’s sleeping, one dark brown arm extended under his head, his shirtlessness burning into my retinas. It’s . . . It’s . . .

Dylan. Fucking. Ramírez.

My jaw unhinges. White, numbing panic burns behind my eyes. I’m fever dreaming, right? No way I’m lying half naked in bed beside my ul­timate archenemy without some logical explanation. I have to think . . . remember . . .

Okay. I have to go back to square one.

First, my friends and I head to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. I order cheese curds, then promptly regret it when I end up in the bathroom, producing curds of my own.

Second, the dance. Music pounds through the cinder block walls of the cafeteria. The DJ pops on a slow song, and my friends break off in pairs, leaving me to dance dramatically by myself, pretending to hold the imaginary waist of a beautiful exchange student. People giggle, fuel­ing my confidence, and then I notice Dylan Ramírez standing away from the crowd, his arms folded grumpily.

The night is suddenly swell.

Third, the after-party. Dylan rarely hosts, so this is the perfect time to cause chaos. Maybe I could “accidentally” bump into one of his thousand-dollar vases or, better yet, steal one. Before I can step through the door, though, he’s pulling me aside with his Goliath palm.

“Hey!” I yell. “Unhand me, foul bitch!”

He smiles coolly. “Break something,” he says in a honey-sweet voice, “and you’ll regret it. Understand, Collins?”

Oh my God. Is he threatening my well-being? I whip my trembling, rage-induced fists out in front of me, prepared to spill blood on his fancy rich-people porch.

His eye roll nearly makes me swing prematurely. “Cute stance,” he says, and then he turns to join the party, leaving me flushed and ready to swing at the wall.

Fourth, I’m chugging spiked lemonade, trying to distract myself. From the embarrassment of my wretched singleness. From thoughts of my sisters. From Dylan’s presence. He’s zigzagging around the party, scowling at everyone within his radius and steering people away from the staircase.

Fifth, I’m checking my phone again, because I can’t help it, and—

“Relax, Jo-Jo.” Andre’s skinny arm slinks around my shoulders, and he gives me a reassuring squeeze that delivers the message. They’re fine. “Start paying attention to me or I’ll cry.”

He drags me away from my anxieties, so we’re flaunting ourselves in the middle of the party, spreading foolhardiness and laughter.

Sixth . . . ? Oh, yeah. I’m showcasing my sexiest dance moves on a table. At least until I’m on the ground again, courtesy of Dylan, and being shoved into the cold dark night.

Seventh . . .

“Get in the car.” Andre’s hand steadies me while I teeter, my shirt buttons half-undone. “Mom’s pissed that I missed curfew. If you go back, you’ll just challenge Ramírez to a death brawl, and he’ll kick your ass.”

I choke on my horror. Does he really have that little faith in my abil­ity to body a bitch? My own best friend for all of eternity? I have to prove him wrong now, so I swivel, wandering up the neatly trimmed lawn to Dylan’s front door and flinging a middle finger up behind me.

“Okay,” he calls. “Hanna and I are leaving. Remember to ice your black eyes.”

I’m sure I say something witty, but the memory folds away.

Eighth . . . hmm. Eighth was . . . ?

I’m stumbling up a staircase, my steps echoing around his massive, empty house. “Where are you, Ramírez?” I slur, shoving into his bed­room. “I’m gonna challenge . . .”

Ninth. Downturned, deep brown eyes are glaring at me. It’s him. The bane of my existence. The rotten core to my apple of life.

Tenth . . . I don’t remember. Everything beyond that is a blur, so I blink back into focus, zeroing in on Dylan again. He’s still there, a mere foot away. The image hasn’t dissolved. Which means . . . we . . . ?

“No!” I roar, planting my palm on Dylan’s face and thrusting it away. I scramble off of his mattress, struggling to conceal my very irresistible, very unclothed body. “Absolutely not!”

“Huh?” Dylan squints through his bleariness, then sits upright, his nose crinkling. “Why did you strip?”

I’m too far gone in my horror to fully comprehend his words. Instead, I seize the pillow plagued with my spit and reel it forward like a baseball bat, zipper slapping him with the rage of ten thousand gods of virtue.

“Ay! Collins!”

He lurches out of bed, and I brace for the fight I’ve been prepared to start with him over the last several years. Dylan has always been bigger and better than me. He’s got the higher grades, because he apparently has all the time in the world to study and has zero obligations to any­thing but himself. He’s got the brawnier build, confirmed by Andre, who repeatedly has the gall to tell me I look like a yipping Chihuahua next to him. He has the superior luck—the proof being the house that currently surrounds us.

Basically, all of this is to say that if I can beat him unconscious with this pillow, he can beat me more unconscious with it.

I have to knock him out before he counters.

First, I’ll aim for his face. As miserable tears of pain blind him, I’ll go for the throat. I’ll continue this pillow torment until his writhing dis­solves into twitching, and then, I’ll make my escape.

Good. Good plan. I just have to . . .

I hurl the pillow forward, and he tears it out of my grip.

Bad plan.

I’m about to be maimed. Not only does he have my weapon, but there’s nobody around to see him lose the perfect pompous persona he’s always wearing like a costume. In a last, desperate attempt to flee, I sprint for the closed door—until his foot hooks around mine, nearly rip­ping me into the splits. “Ow,” I croak. “You little . . .”

Dylan snaps the pillow into my nose, sending me sprawling. “You got into my bed,” he snarls, poised to strike again. “In case you forgot.”

There aren’t enough words in my brain for me to describe how in­credibly impossible that is. Nonetheless, I’m aching too much to tell him how wrong he is, so I maneuver onto my knees, fumbling for my pile of clothes beside the bed. I shove my legs into slacks and hoist my sticky button-down over my shoulders. Hopefully that massive stain down the front will come out in the wash. My “nice” shirts are few and far between.

“Unbelievable.” Dylan drags sweatpants to his waist. “I should’ve thrown you out on the lawn . . .”

I clamber to my feet. My body feels like it weighs triple what it nor­mally does, and my headache is bad enough to blur my vision, but I can’t show weakness, so I hold my chin high and say, “I require water.”

He stares at me in this “only if I can drown you in it” kind of way. “Okay? And?”

“I’m your esteemed guest!” I snap, marching to the door. “You should take responsibility for—”

Dylan trips me a second time, and I crash against the wood with a thud. I groan, sliding onto my back.

“Of course.” He glares down at me with an unpleasant smile. “Any­thing for my guest.”

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘They Hate Each Other’ by Amanda Woody appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

With new releases from Amie Kaufman, Abdi Nazemian, Jason June, and more, to those with delightful debuts, read on to discover our picks and let us know which ones you will be adding to your TBR!

Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
In this compelling YA contemporary, a bisexual teen’s path to political staffer stardom is in jeopardy, until she convinces a cute new candidate to team up with her on the campaign trail.

They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody
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Jonah and Dylan get along like oil and water. Until a fake dating ploy gives them new perspective, and they realize that “falling for your enemy” isn’t as impossible as it seems.

All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley
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The Haunting of Bly Manor meets House of Salt and Sorrows in award-winning author Kyrie McCauley’s contemporary YA gothic romance about a dark family lineage, the ghosts of grief, and the lines we’ll cross for love.

If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia So
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This heartfelt, poignant YA debut is a second-chance summer romance that will steal your heart—perfect for fans of Heartstopper, Some Girls Do, and It’s Not Like it’s a Secret.

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
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#1 New York Times bestselling author of Firekeeper’s Daughter Angeline Boulley takes us back to Sugar Island in this high-stakes thriller about the power of discovering your stolen history.

Lose You to Find Me by Erik J. Brown
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A romantic, heartfelt, and hilarious queer coming-of-age story from All That’s Left in the World author Erik J. Brown, perfect for fans of What If It’s Us and If This Gets Out.

The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro
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The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro is a seductive YA paranormal romance following a runaway queer teen’s deepening and dangerous ties to a mysterious family of werewolves.

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
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From the Stonewall Honor–winning author of Like a Love Story comes a sweeping story of three generations of boys in the same Iranian family. Perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club and Darius the Great Is Not Okay.

The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman
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Magic, romance, and slumbering gods clash in the start of a riveting fantasy series that spans gangsters’ dens, forgotten temples, and the high seas from the New York Times bestselling author of the Aurora Cycle and the Illuminae Files.

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude
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We Are Okay meets They Both Die at the End in this YA debut about queer first love and mental health at the end of the world-and the importance of saving yourself, no matter what tomorrow may hold.

I’m Not Supposed to Be in the Dark by Riss Neilson
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From the author of Deep in Providence comes a paranormal young adult romance that follows a teen convinced that her best friend–turned-enemy is possessed by a ghost, perfect for fans of White Smoke and Twilight.

Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliott McLemore
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Two enemy kingdoms are forced to work together to break a curse in this lush YA fantasy, featuring a transgender prince and a bigender dama/assassin in the lead roles.

Lion’s Legacy by L. C. Rosen
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Against the backdrop of a sunlit Greek landscape, author L. C. Rosen masterfully weaves together adventure, romance, and magic in a celebration of the power of claiming your queer legacy.

Painted Devils (Little Thieves #2) by Margaret Owen
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A scrappy former maid and jewel thief must outwit gods, injustice, and her own past in this sequel to the Indie Next Pick, Little Thieves by Margaret Owen.

The Last One to Fall by Gabriella Lepore
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A horrifying murder occurs in the middle of the night when a mysterious figure is pushed out from the fourth floor of a warehouse. Six teens were there that night, and five of them are now potential suspects.

To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose
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A young Indigenous woman enters a colonizer-run dragon academy—and quickly finds herself at odds with the “approved” way of doing things—in the first book of this brilliant new fantasy series.

Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball by Jason June
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The next LGBTQ+ young adult rom-com from New York Times bestselling author Jason June (author of Jay’s Gay Agenda and Out of the Blue) explores how labels can limit and liberate us, and shows just what can happen when you bet on yourself.

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra
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A joyful novel of first romance, new possibilities, and the chance to define yourself, Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success will find its way into your heart.

We’ll Never Tell by Wendy Heard
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An ambitious and juicy whodunit doused in Hollywood lore, perfect for readers of sexy summer thrillers like The Twin by Natasha Preston and The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson.

Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets The Sun is Also a Star in this YA contemporary love story from Jonny Garza Villa, Ander & Santi Were Here, about a nonbinary Mexican American teen falling for the shy new waiter at their family’s taqueria.

No Perfect Places by Steven Salvatore
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From lauded author Steven Salvatore comes a moving YA novel about twins whose incarcerated father dies and leaves behind a life-changing secret, perfect for fans of I’ll Give You the Sun and Euphoria.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
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Heartstopper meets Crazy Rich Asians in this heartfelt, joyful paperback original rom-com that follows an aspiring chef who discovers the recipe for love is more complicated than it seems when he starts fake-dating a handsome new customer.

Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest
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Where You See Yourself combines an unforgettable coming-of-age tale, a swoon-worthy romance, and much-needed disability representation in this story about a girl who’s determined to follow her dreams.

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic edited by G. Haron Davis
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Perfect for fans of All Out and Cemetery Boys, this anthology claims a seat at the table of fantasy literature for trans and gender nonconforming stories.

What YA book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post May 2023 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Falling for your enemy has never been this entertaining. Honestly, everything from the amazing protagonists Jonah and Dylan to the compulsively readable writing had me cheering.

Speaking of Jonah and Dylan, they have such distinct personalities and life journeys that kept me flipping the pages but when they were together on the page? Sparks flew, every single time. They had the kind of chemistry you can’t really put into words because it just felt so natural. Their banter was just so engaging and their respective humour meshed so well together. I loved that we got to see them be actual enemies-in-cahoots for a hot second there and then saw their dislike for each other slowly unravel. It’s so magical seeing Jonah and Dylan slowly open up to each other and no longer seeing the other as the enemy but instead as someone who could really care for them and become a safety net. The climax of the story made me shed more than a tear because you could tell that they cared so deeply for each other but that sometimes that means ostensibly hurting your relationship to make sure that the other party gets what they need to survive and thrive on their own.

Lest you think this is just a romance, nuh-uh. The romance and comedy parts are expertly balanced with more sobering topics such as trauma, poverty, loneliness, and anxiety. Both Jonah and Dylan deal with quite a lot of challenges and issues at home. Their relationships with their respective siblings is so important to the plot and who they are as young men and I absolutely adored it. While Dylan’s history is more of a mystery and is slowly unravelled, we get to see Jonah as the caretaker for his younger siblings and the strain this puts on him. Yet despite that, he never fails to make them smile and care for them in whichever way he can. Dylan, meanwhile, is shown to have a whole different side to him through his introspection and painfully relatable anxiety.

Honestly, this book was a complete home-run for me. Woody manages to take amazing tropes and make them even better, all on top of offering fully fleshed-out characters that will steal your heart from the very first page. I can’t wait to see what this new voice comes up with in the future.

Taking on beloved tropes such as fake dating, enemies-to-lovers and grumpy/sunshine and making them shine in new glory, Woody’s They Hate Each Other is an irresistible, delightfully funny, and emotionally heartwrenching debut that’s not to be missed!

They Hate Each Other is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of May 9th.

Will you be picking up They Hate Each Other? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Jonah and Dylan get along like oil and water. Until a fake dating ploy gives them new perspective, and they realize that “falling for your enemy” isn’t as impossible as it seems.

There are plenty of words Jonah Collins could use to describe Dylan Ramírez. “Arrogant,” “spoiled,” and “golden boy” to name a few. Likewise, Dylan thinks he has Jonah accurately labeled as an attention-seeking asshat who never shuts his filthy mouth. Their friends are convinced Jonah’s and Dylan’s disdain for one another is just thinly veiled lust—a rumor that surges like wildfire when the two wake up in one bed after homecoming. Mutually horrified, Dylan and Jonah agree to use the faux pas to their advantage by fake dating. If they can stay convincing long enough to end their “relationship” in a massive staged fight, they can prove their incompatibility to their friends once and for all. But the more time they spend together, the more their plan begins to fall apart—and the closer they come to seeing each other clearly for the first time.

The post #ReadWithPride: They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Magic, monsters, meddling mothers, mysteries, and more all await you amongst 2023’s upcoming young adult books! From authors such as Marie Lu, Alexandra Bracken, Ibi Zoboi, Steven Salvatore, and Adiba Jaigirdar, along with those making their dazzling debut this year, there are so many books to look forward to.

We’ve rounded up 72 YA books releasing between the months of January and June, so you will definitely find quite a few exciting new reads within this list. Be sure to check out our other 2023 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Middle Grade, and Queer Books lists!

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below what you are looking forward to!

JANUARY

Cool. Awkward. Black.
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
A multi-genre YA anthology of bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors challenging the concept of the geek, featuring contributions from Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Tracy Deonn, Desiree S. Evans, Isaac Fitzsimons, Lamar Giles, Jordan Ifueko, Leah Johnson, Amanda Joy, Kwame Mbalia, Tochi Onyebuchi, Shari B. Pennant, K. Arsenault Rivera, Julian Winters, and Ibi Zoboi.

A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith
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A Ruinous Fate series will take readers’ imaginations to new heights on an adventure of dark secrets, witches, and forbidden magic.  

Retro by Jarrod Shusterman & Sofía Lapuente
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What starts off as a light-hearted competition to live without modern technology for a year turns into a fight for survival in this unputdownable young adult thriller by New York Times bestselling author Jarrod Shusterman and debut author Sofía Lapuente.

The Buried and the Bound by Rochelle Hassan
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A contemporary fantasy YA debut from Rochelle Hassan about monsters, magic, and wicked fae, perfect for fans of The Darkest Part of the Forest and The Hazel Wood.

Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett
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It’s too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if Mahalia had a coming-out party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride.

Brighter Than the Moon by David Valdes
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Lauded writer David Valdes offers a heartfelt, clever, and thought-provoking story about how we figure out who we want to be–online and IRL–for fans of David Levithan and Adam Silvera.

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman
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Twin sisters, both on the run, but different as day and night. One, a professional rogue, searches for a fabled treasure; the other, a changeling, searches for the truth behind her origins, trying to find a place to fit in with the realm of fae who made her and the humans who shun her. 

City of Nightmares by Rebecca Schaeffer
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Gotham meets Strange the Dreamer in this thrilling young adult fantasy about a cowardly girl who finds herself at the center of a criminal syndicate conspiracy, in a city where crooked politicians and sinister cults reign and dreaming means waking up as your worst nightmare.

The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim
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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this delightful and heartfelt rom-com about a Bangladeshi American teen whose meddling mother arranges a match to secure their family’s financial security—just as she’s falling in love with someone else.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
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The Davenports delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked.

Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare
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James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series from the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Thorns is a Shadowhunters novel.

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
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In a fallen kingdom, one girl carries the key to discovering the secrets of her nation’s past—and unleashing the demons that sleep at its heart. An epic fantasy series inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.

FEBRUARY

The Headmaster’s List by Melissa de la Cruz
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Set against the glitz and glamour of an elite LA private school, Melissa de la Cruz’s first YA thriller is an addictive mystery perfect for fans of Gossip Girl and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
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El Diablo is in the details in this Latinx pirate fantasy starring a transmasculine nonbinary teen with a mission of revenge, redemption, and revolution.

This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang
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Get ready to fall in love in this hilarious romcom about a girl who begins a fake relationship with the famous actor in her class, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot and Jenny Han.

My Flawless Life by Yvonne Woon
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Yvonne Woon, author of If You, Then Me, has crafted a slow-burn thriller about fixing—our friends, ourselves, and our complicated pasts. For fans of Allegedly and We Were Liars, My Flawless Life features a compelling narrator who grapples with the secrets of her private school classmates as well as her own life.

Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith
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Inspired by Moulin Rouge! and set on an island in a magical version of Prohibition-era New York, Revelle is a breathtaking YA stand-alone fantasy full of dazzling magic, romance, and mystery from debut author Lyssa Mia Smith.

Out of Character by Jenna Miller
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Dumplin’ meets Geekerella in debut author Jenna Miller’s queer, body-positive love story that explores online and offline relationships in all of their messiness.

Lola at Last by J. C. Peterson
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This Pride and Prejudice–inspired tale, a companion to J. C. Peterson’s Being Mary Bennet, spins a modern Lydia Bennet’s life into a tumultuous and hilarious coming-of-age journey, complete with misadventures, misunderstandings, mayhem, and a romance worthy of Darcy and Elizabeth themselves. 

She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran
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A House with a terrifying appetite haunts a broken family in this atmospheric horror, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic.

When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao
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Acclaimed author Gloria Chao creates real-world magic in this luminous romance about teens who devote themselves to granting other people’s wishes but are too afraid to let themselves have their own hearts’ desires—each other.

Chaos Theory by Nic Stone
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental illness and a politician’s son who is running from his own addiction and grief. Don’t miss this gut punch of a novel about mental illness, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love.

Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Park
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The award-winning author of Re Jane makes her young adult debut in a funny, poignant, and powerful novel about a multicultural teen struggling to fit into her whitewashed school, her diverse Queens neighborhood, and even her own home as her family reels from the loss of her father.

Nightbirds by Kate J. Armstrong
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In a dazzling new fantasy world full of whispered secrets and political intrigue, the magic of women is outlawed but four girls with unusual powers have the chance to change it all.

MARCH

Rosewood: A Midsummer Meet Cute by Sayantani DasGupta
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New York Times bestselling Sayantani DasGupta brings her trademark wit and insight to this bright and funny Sense and Sensibility retelling!

Made of Stars by Jenna Voris
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Inspired by the lawless love story of Bonnie and Clyde, Jenna Voris’s heart-stopping tale of passion and crime will have you seeing stars.

Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
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This searing and intimate novel in verse follows a sixteen-year-old girl coping with sexual abuse as she grapples with how to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that seems determined to punish her for the sin of surviving.

Study Break: 11 College Tales from Orientation to Graduation
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Study Break, a collection of interconnected contemporary Young Adult short stories written by Gen Z authors, explores different parts of “the college experience,” from questioning your major to questioning your identity.

Belle of the Ball by Mari Costa
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A young adult graphic novel about high school wallflower Belle Hawkins, who ends up in a love triangle after tutoring the girlfriend of her crush.

Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
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Perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Tamora Pierce, this standalone YA debut is a stunning cottagecore fantasy romance about a girl with powerful and violent magic, which she must learn to control—or lose everything she loves.

Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu
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The Hating Game meets Mission: Impossible in this smoldering new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu about a superstar tapped to become a secret agent and the reluctant young spy assigned to be his partner.

Midnight Strikes by Zeba Shahnaz
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In this explosive fantasy debut, a provincial girl must work with an infuriatingly handsome prince to escape a nightmarish curse that forces them to relive the same night over and over.

The Memory Eater by Rebecca Mahoney
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A teenage girl must save her town from a memory-devouring monster in this piercing exploration of grief, trauma, and memory, from the author of The Valley and the Flood.

Royal Blood by Aimée Carter
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An American girl becomes the British Monarchy’s greatest nightmare in this thrilling new series where royal scandals just got deadlier.

There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia
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A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia’s unforgettable debut tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.

Into The Light by Mark Oshiro
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For fans of Courtney Summers and Tiffany D. Jackson, Into the Light is a ripped-from-the-headlines story with Oshiro’s signature mix of raw emotions and visceral prose―but with a startling twist you’ll have to read to believe.

APRIL

An Improbable Season by Rosalyn Eves
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For fans of Bridgerton, a Regency romance by Rosalyn Eves about three young women, their big dreams, and a London Season gone awry.

A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson
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Be swept away by a lush, witchy tale about forbidden magic and missing girls who don’t need handsome princes to rescue them. Perfect for fans of The Hazel Wood.

Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick
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Perfect for fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Five Feet Apart, this tender solo debut by the coauthor of New York Times bestseller She Gets the Girl is a romantic ode to the strength of love and the power of choosing each other, against odds and obstacles, again and again.

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham
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From the author of the New York Times bestselling My Dearest Darkest comes another incredible sapphic horror. When four best friends with a hunger for human flesh attend a music festival in the desert they discover a murderous plot to expose and vilify the girls and everyone like them. This summer is going to get gory.

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
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When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.

If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
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From the author of The Sky Blues and Blaine for the Win comes a speculative young adult romance about a teen stuck in a time loop that’s endlessly monotonous until he meets the boy of his dreams.

Never Vacation with Your Ex by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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The Summer I Turned Pretty meets People We Meet on Vacation in a YA second chance romance from fan-favorite author couple #Wibbroka!

Pieces of Me by Kate McLaughlin
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The next gut-punching, compulsively readable Kate McLaughlin novel, about a girl finding strength in not being alone.

The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith
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They Both Die at the End meets The Butterfly Effect in this YA novel by Joan F. Smith, where a teen uses her gift of foreknowledge to help a lifeguard save a drowning man—only to discover that her actions have suddenly put his life at risk.

Queen Bee by Amalie Howard
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A teen girl seeking retribution against her backstabbing former best friend finds her plans slightly derailed once she catches the eye of a familiar, handsome marquess. Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo!

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams
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A stunning YA fantasy debut, perfect for fans of Holly Black and Justina Ireland, about a Black girl (and sword expert) fighting a Fae uprising in Shakespearean London.

Silver In The Bone by Alexandra Bracken
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Bracken cements her status as one of the top fantasy authors writing today in this stunning series opener inspired by Arthurian legend and fueled by love, revenge, and pure adrenaline!

MAY

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude
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We Are Okay meets They Both Die at the End in this YA debut about queer first love and mental health at the end of the world-and the importance of saving yourself, no matter what tomorrow may hold.

The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro
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The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro is a seductive YA paranormal romance following a runaway queer teen’s deepening and dangerous ties to a mysterious family of werewolves.

Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi
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From Ibi Zoboi, bestselling, award-winning author of American Street and co-author of Punching the Air, comes a bold new YA coming-of-age story, which explores race, feminism, and complicated family dynamics, about a girl whose father is the leader of a Black liberation group. The ideal next read for fans of Roxane Gay, Jacqueline Woodson, and Elizabeth Acevedo.

They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody
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Jonah and Dylan get along like oil and water. Until a fake dating ploy gives them new perspective, and they realize that “falling for your enemy” isn’t as impossible as it seems.

Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland
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In this compelling YA contemporary from author Miel Moreland, a bisexual teen’s path to political staffer stardom is in jeopardy, until she convinces a cute new candidate to team up with her on the campaign trail.

I Like Me Better by Robby Weber
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I Like Me Better is joyful  queer summer romance from the author of If You Change Your Mind.

Court of the Undying Seasons by A.M. Strickland
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Sarah J. Maas meets A Deadly Education in A.M. Strickland’s lush, queer YA dark fantasy novel. Court of the Undying Seasons is a deliciously dark romantic novel and a pitch perfect modern take on classic vampire tropes.

No Perfect Places by Steven Salvatore
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From lauded author Steven Salvatore comes a moving YA novel about twins whose incarcerated father dies and leaves behind a life-changing secret, perfect for fans of I’ll Give You the Sun and Euphoria.

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
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From the Stonewall Honor–winning author of Like a Love Story comes a sweeping story of three generations of boys in the same Iranian family. Perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club and Darius the Great Is Not Okay.

Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall
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Award-winning authors David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall join forces to craft a sweeping fantasy romance about falling in love despite all odds.

When the Vibe Is Right by Sarah Dass
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From the author of Where the Rhythm Takes You comes a delightful enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance set during Trinidad’s Carnival celebration.

In Nightfall by Suzanne Young
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In the quaint town of Nightfall, Oregon, it isn’t the dark you should be afraid of—it’s the girls. The Lost Boys meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this propulsive novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Treatment.

JUNE

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
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In a world where the children of the gods inherit their powers, a descendant of the Greek Fates must solve a series of impossible murders to save her sisters, her soulmate, and her city.

Wolfpack by Amelia Brunskill
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Perfect for fans of We Were Liars, Wolfpack is an unforgettable and unputdownable novel that will hold you breathless all the way to its shocking finale.

Kismat Connection by Ananya Devarajan
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In this charming YA debut, a girl who’s determined to prove her star chart wrong ropes her longtime best friend into an experimental relationship—not knowing that he has been in love with her for years.

Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton
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In this dark and seductive YA fantasy debut, a siren must choose between protecting her family and following her heart in a prejudiced kingdom where her existence is illegal.

Some Shall Break by Ellie Marney
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This sequel to the New York Times bestselling None Shall Sleep is an equally electrifying, chilling thriller that brings us back into the lives of junior FBI consultants Travis Bell and Emma Lewis with a new case that may unravel everything they’ve been working for.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
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At Camp Mirror Lake, terror is the name of the game . . . but can you survive the night? This heart-pounding slasher by New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is perfect for fans of Fear Street.

Ride or Die by Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu
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Gail-Agnes Musikavanhu’s adrenaline-packed joyride of a debut is an ode to Gen Z and chaotic teens—perfect for fans of Grace D. Li, Ebony Ladelle, and Baby Driver.

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson
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From the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of This Is My America comes another thriller about a wrongly accused teen desperate to recclaim both his innocence and his first love.

Always Isn’t Forever by J.C. Cervantes
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From New York Times bestselling author J.C. Cervantes comes a sparkling, unforgettable YA romance, perfect for fans of You’ve Reached Sam.

Plus One by Kelsey Rodkey
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Fans of Emma Lord and Rachel Lynn Solomon will revel in Kelsey Rodkey’s latest swoon-worthy YA rom-com as self-proclaimed matchmaker Lahey finally puts her own heart on the line—to find a date in just one week.

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
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A pun-filled YA contemporary romance, The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar finds a teenage girl competing in a televised baking competition, with contestants including her ex-girlfriend and a potential new crush – perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off and She Drives Me Crazy!

Borrow My Heart by Kasie West
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When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush. A young adult romance from the critically acclaimed author of Places We’ve Never Been.

What YA releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post YA Book Releases To Add To Your TBR In 2023 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.