Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you are looking forward to any of them!

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Iron is a Shadowhunters novel.

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When children start to go missing in the local woods, a teen girl must face her fears and a past she can’t remember to rescue them in this atmospheric YA novel, Lost in the Never Woods from the author of Cemetery Boys.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Debut author Angeline Boulley crafts a groundbreaking YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community, for readers of Angie Thomas and Tommy Orange.

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From New York Times bestselling author Mary H.K. Choi comes a funny and emotional story about two estranged sisters switching places and committing insurance fraud to save one of their lives.

I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A YA contemporary rom com about two girls who start as rivals but after a twist of events, end up falling for one another–at least they think so.

A Trial of Sorcerers by Elise Kova
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This is the first book in a young adult, epic fantasy that’s a tale of competition, coming of age, distant lands, elemental magic, and romance. It’s perfect for fans of the Legend of Korra, Truthwitch, and A Sorcery of Thorns.

The Stolen Kingdom by Jillian Boehme
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Nothing is quite as it seems in this thrilling YA fantasy adventure by Jillian Boehme, The Stolen Kingdom!

American Betiya by Anuradha D. Rajurkar
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Fans of Sandhya Menon, Erika Sanchez and Jandy Nelson will identify with this powerful story of a young artist grappling with first love, family boundaries, and the complications of a cross-cultural relationship.

She’s Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray comes an electric romance set against a rebel art scene that sparks lethal danger for two girls in this expertly plotted YA thriller. For fans of E. Lockhart, Lauren Oliver and Kara Thomas.

Follow Your Arrow by Jessica Verdi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, this is a riveting and irresistible take on love, life, and identity – both online and off.

The Bright and the Pale by Jessica Rubinkowski
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Debut author Jessica Rubinkowski delivers the thrilling first book in an epic Russian folklore–inspired fantasy duology filled with page-turning romance, tragedy, magic, and monsters. Perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Sara Raasch!

Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Allison Saft’s Down Comes the Night is a snow-drenched romantic fantasy that keeps you racing through the pages long into the night.

What YA releases are you excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post March 2021 YA Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Auriane! Thank you for joining us today! Why don’t you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Thank you so much for having me! I’m a middle school teacher and YA author, so I spend all my time working with and for teens. I live in Los Angeles with my dog Sammy, who is extremely badly behaved, and my plants, most of whom are pretty well behaved.

Lightning round: If you could only watch one movie, read one book and listen to one album for the entirety of 2021, what would be your choices?

I could watch Gone Girl all day every day. I know it might not fit in with my romance-writing vibe, but as Anne Hathaway once wisely said, it’s my favorite romcom. I’d spend the year listening to the Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 musical soundtrack and reading Les Miserables, since I think it would take me the whole year to finish the book anyway.

Now onto I Think I Love You! What can readers expect when picking up this sweet story?

I Think I Love You is an f/f enemies-to-lovers romcom following Emma, a die-hard romantic, and Sophia, who’s grown more cynical after her parents’ divorce, as they compete in a summer film competition. They clash on everything from their artistic visions to Emma’s matchmaking plans for their mutual friends, but as the competition (and some meddling from their friends) forces them to spend more time together, their rivalry starts turning into a romance.

Readers can expect over-the-top matchmaking schemes, banter, lots of love for big friend groups, and getting to see that one kid who studied abroad and won’t stop talking about how they studied abroad taken down a peg.

Are you a huge Shakespeare fan? What inspired you to make I Think I Love You a Shakespeare retelling?

Much Ado About Nothing is my favorite Shakespeare play, and I thought all of the fun drama, meddling, and romantic twists in the play could fit right into the contemporary YA world. I love exploring the connections between what we think of as “classic” literature and modern books for teens, since there’s often more overlap than we might think. As a queer writer, I also love finding opportunities to claim space for LGBTQ+ representation in retellings of classic work!

You address the bi-erasure, not only in the movie industry, but in society at large. What do you think are still the biggest hurdles we have to overcome in terms of LGBTQIAP+ exclusion?

I think one of the biggest hurdles in terms of our storytelling is seeing more representation in books and movies. The LGBTQ+ experience is so far-reaching that it can’t be captured in just a few stories—the queer community is extremely diverse both in terms of the individuals that make it up and the experiences they each live. The only way to celebrate and honor that diversity is by making sure that there are enough stories out there to convey those varied experiences.

I loved the juxtaposition between Emma (total romantic at heart) and Sophia (romantic cynic). Despite their perceived incompatibility, the girls find common ground. Where do you see yourself on the scale of Emma to Sophia when it comes to romance?

I am somehow both at once! I love romance and I’m a big believer in love, like Emma. I’m also a lot like Sophia in that I value friendship just as much as romance, and I’m not easily won over by grand gestures or swoony lines. My favorite rom com moments are the matter-of-fact ones like the straightforward proposal scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding or Knightley’s declaration that “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more” in Jane Austen’s Emma. Emma and her obsession with classic romcom grand gestures would definitely fight me on this, but I think there’s something so romantic about love so strong it can only be declared in a simple, matter-of-fact way.

And speaking of being a romantic, what are your favorite romcoms? Any including LGBTQIAP+ representation you could recommend?

I have been living for all the fabulous YA romcoms with f/f couples that have come out recently! Some of my favorites last year were You Should See Me in a Crown, The Henna Wars, Late to the Party, and The Falling in Love Montage. This year, I’m especially looking forward to Cool for the Summer, Honey Girl, and She Drives Me Crazy.

With this entire book focusing on film studies, I couldn’t help but imagine I Think I Love You being turned into a movie at some point (hopefully). If your debut got the movie treatment, who would you love to see as Sophie and Emma?

I think Hailee Steinfeld would make a great Emma, and Sophie Simnett would be wonderful as Sophia! I’m still working to find the perfect casting choice for Lady Catulet, Emma’s cat, but if any of the cast of CATS is available, I’m down to recreate that CGI fur suit magic.

With I Think I Love You releasing soon, are you already working on future projects? If so, can you share a tidbit about it with our readers?

I’m currently working on another YA romcom, and trying out new genres with a middle grade and an adult project. Hopefully I can bring f/f feels to all age groups!

Last but not least, do you have any bookish recommendations for our readers?

In addition to all the YA romcoms I’ve read this year, I’ve been reading a lot of adult romcoms since I’ve been drafting my first one (truly the best kind of research there is)! I highly recommend The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon, Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl, The Rehearsals by Annette Christie, and Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur.

Will you be picking up I Think I Love You? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Auriane Desombre, Author of ‘I Think I Love You’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

• f/f Rivals to lovers trope
• Loads of scheming friends (for a good cause!)
• Romantic cynic falling for a rom-com fangirl
• Loads of snarks and witty comebacks 

Review:

“This could be my chance to tell the gay rom-com story of my heart, the kind I’ve never seen on-screen before, despite the hours of my life I’ve spent glued to the Netflix romantic comedy section, falling in love with the idea of love even as I yearned to see myself in the stories about it. Just because the straights in Hollywood don’t know how to tell my story doesn’t mean it’s not out there.”

The premise of this book is so enticing. A romantic cynic and a rom-com fangirl being somewhat coerced into shooting a film together for a film festival that rewards the winner with some awesome perks in pursuing film-related jobs in their future? And their mutual friends scheming to get those enemies to fall in love so they’ll stop bickering? Alex, I’ll take “gimme it” for five hundred.

Also, I’m going to be really honest with you and tell you that I’ve never read Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing (I suffered enough at Uni, okay, I’m tired), so the references or plotlines based on that went over my head, but it didn’t take away any of my enjoyment. Besides, there’s so much drama and scheming in this, you can just imagine Shakespeare guzzling it all up just like I did.

The entire book is focused on Sophia’s and Emma’s seeming incompatibility. You’d think that Sophia is the unlikable character because she’s a cynic and uses every opportunity to harp on romance and the idea of true love. I don’t know whether it’s me getting old, but I actually really saw where she was coming from. Sophia’s heart’s been broken when her parents – who were always the most disgustingly in love couple – got divorced. After seeing such a seemingly solid relationship break apart, it’s easy to think that love is dead. Even though Sophia comes with a lot of barbs and snark, you can tell that she’s been hurt by this separation more than she lets on and it clouds her judgement on other people’s relationships.

Then we have Emma, the girl who’s in love with love. Even though she’s never had an epic romance herself, Emma loves romcoms (even though they don’t include bisexual people and thus never represent her) and helping her friends get the love they deserve. Indeed, much scheming in this book is to get her best friends to confess their love for the guys they’ve been crushing on and it makes for some hilarious drama when things go different than expected. Beyond that, Emma also struggles with coming out to her parents and escaping her solipsism. I found the portrayal of Emma so nostalgic in a way as I can remember being that young and realising how often I talked about myself, my interests, my struggles and even though Emma is aware of it and wants to change this self-focus, she has a hard time actually doing something about it – and I think that was a really relatable struggle. It’s easy wanting to change, but far more difficult to enact that change. Her emotional development takes time and instead of glossing over that harrowing process, Desombre makes it a known factor in how Emma deals with rejection, crushes and academic endeavours.

Despite Emma’s struggles, she wants to be someone who changes things in the movie industry, someone who will be a pioneer for bisexual representation so everyone can see themselves and believe they’re worthy of love, which just made me emotional again and again. The book’s strongest selling point is definitely the overarching discussion about LGBTQIAP+—and bisexual in particular—representation in media. So often bisexual people are portrayed as flighty or greedy, and Desombre here takes care to showcase that all Emma wants is to be represented, to see herself in media without being denounced to a stereotype. It’s an emotional and important message that will certainly resonate with readers.

Beyond that, Sophia’s and Emma’s romance arc was a lot to handle in this novel, since they come from such different stances on what love is and isn’t. It was fun watching them try to see the other’s perspective. The only thing that didn’t completely work for me was how quickly both Sophia and Emma accept that the other is in love with them when they overhear their friends commenting on it. I needed a bit more convincing to understand why these two people who seemingly hate each other and what they stand for suddenly act like they can’t say anything that would hurt the other’s feelings, when that’s literally all they set out to do in most conversations. While I think Kate (Emma’s cousin) would immediately go into full-on polite, friendly mode, I didn’t quite buy Emma and Sophia going down that road without any struggles. Despite that though, watching their romance unfold was riveting and there were some really cute moments (outdoor movie screening and they share a blanket, enough said) that warmed my heart.

With heaps of snark and scheming friends, I Think I Love You is a sweet, funny debut that juxtaposes romance lovers with romance cynics and shows that love, against all odds, always prevails.

I Think I Love You is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of March 2nd 2021.

Will you be picking up I Think I Love You? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

A sweet and funny debut novel about falling for someone when you least expect it . . . and finding out that real life romance is better than anything on screen.

Emma is a die-hard romantic. She loves a meet-cute Netflix movie, her pet, Lady Catulet, and dreaming up the Gay Rom Com of her heart for the film festival competition she and her friends are entering. If only they’d listen to her ideas. . .

Sophia is pragmatic. She’s big into boycotts, namely 1) relationships, 2) teen boys and their BO (reason #2347683 she’s a lesbian), and 3) Emma’s nauseating ideas. Forget starry-eyed romance, Sophia knows what will win: an artistic film with a message.

Cue the drama. The movie is doomed before they even start shooting . . . until a real-life plot twist unfolds behind the camera when Emma and Sophia start seeing each other through a different lens. Suddenly their rivalry is starting to feel like an actual rom-com.

The post #ReadWithPride: I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you thought 2020 was a year of breathtaking and riveting queer releases, you ain’t seen nothing yet. With highly anticipated new stories from authors such as Casey McQuiston, Ciara Smyth, and Kelly Quindlen as well as promising debut authors like Morgan Rogers and Robbie Couch, 2021 is shaping up to be the most inclusive and LGBTQIAP+ friendly year yet (and we couldn’t be happier to see it)!

Now, our focus was mainly YA and middle-grade releases, but we’ve also thrown in a couple of queer fantasy, mystery, and romance releases too!  Want even more 2021 releases? Check out our list of Most Anticipated releases, Fantasy and Sci-Fi releases, Young Adult releases, Romance releases, and Queer SFF releases.

Read on to get a glimpse at some of the January to June 2021 #LGBTQIAP+ novels we cannot wait to get our hands on! And as always, tell us what other queer releases you’re looking forward to in the comments below!

JANUARY

Lava Red Feather Blue by Molly Ringle
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

On a magically hidden North Pacific island, when a man awakens a sleeping beauty of a prince, it’s only the beginning of the fairy tale, as breaking the spell unleashes a dangerous force among the fae too.

Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Project Runway goes to Comic Con in an epic, queer love story about creativity, creation, and finding the courage to be your most authentic self.

Wench by Maxine Kaplan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A funny, fiercely feminist YA epic fantasy—following the adventures of a tavern wench.

When Tara Met Farah by Tara Pammi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

“Sunshine Girl needs math lessons” in this sapphic grumpy meets sunshine new adult romance.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Acclaimed author of Ash, Malinda Lo returns with her most personal and ambitious novel yet, a gripping story of love and duty set in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1950s.

Not Quite Out by Louise Willingham
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

William Anson is done with relationships, thanks. He’s starting the second year of his medicine degree single, focused, and ready to mingle with purely platonic intentions. Until he meets Daniel, a barely recovered drug addict that turns his world upside down.

The Heiress by Molly Greeley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this gorgeously written and spellbinding historical novel based on Pride and Prejudice, the author of The Clergyman’s Wife combines the knowing eye of Jane Austen with the eroticism and Gothic intrigue of Sarah Waters to reimagine the life of the mysterious Anne de Bourgh.

FEBRUARY

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A refreshingly timely and relatable debut novel about a young woman whose life plans fall apart when she meets her wife.

100 Boyfriends by Brontez Purnell
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An irreverent, sensitive, and inimitable look at gay dysfunction through the eyes of a cult hero

A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Cruel Prince meets City of Bones in this thrilling urban fantasy set in the magical underworld of Toronto that follows a queer cast of characters racing to stop a serial killer whose crimes could expose the hidden world of faeries to humans.

Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this wry and hilarious queer romantic comedy, fifteen-year-old Phoebe realizes that falling in love is maybe not just for losers.

As Far as You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The author of The Gravity of Us crafts another heartfelt coming-of-age story about finding the people who become your home – perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli.

Let’s Get Back to the Party by Zak Salih
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Rich with sharply drawn characters and contemporary detail, provocative, and emotionally profound, Let’s Get Back to the Party is sure to appeal to readers of Garth Greenwell, Alan Hollinghurst, Claire Messud, and Rebecca Makkai.

The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A funny and heart-warming queer Indigenous YA novel, set in a rural Australian community, about seventeen-year-old Jackson finding the courage to explore who he is, even if it scares him.

MARCH

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Sophie Gonzales’ Perfect on Paper, Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: a bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her classmates is hired by the hot guy to help him get his ex back.

Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this charming debut fantasy perfect for fans of Sorcery of Thorns and Girls of Paper and Fire, a witch cursed to never love meets a girl hiding her own dangerous magic, and the two strike a dangerous bargain to save their queendom.

Bruised by Tanya Boteju
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Whip It meets We Are Okay in this vibrant coming-of-age story, about a teen girl navigates first love, identity, and grief when she immerses herself in the colorful, brutal, beautiful world of roller derby. From the acclaimed author of Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens.

The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When two teens discover that they were both sexually assaulted at the same party, they develop a cautious friendship through her family’s possibly magical pastelería, his secret forest of otherworldly trees, and the swallows returning to their hometown.

She’s Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray comes an electric romance set against a rebel art scene that sparks lethal danger for two girls in this expertly plotted YA thriller. For fans of E. Lockhart, Lauren Oliver and Kara Thomas.

I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A YA contemporary rom com about two girls who start as rivals but after a twist of events, end up falling for one another–at least they think so.

Follow Your Arrow by Jessica Verdi
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, this is a riveting and irresistible take on love, life, and identity – both online and off.

APRIL

The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sky’s small town turns absolutely claustrophobic when his secret promposal plans get leaked to the entire school in this witty, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful debut novel for fans of What if it’s Us? and I Wish You All the Best.

Between Perfect and Real by Ray Stoeve
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A moving #ownvoices YA debut about a trans boy finding his voice—and himself.

These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Three Dark Crowns meets Wicked Saints in this queer #ownvoices retelling of The Firebird, a Russian folktale, by debut author Alexandra Overy.

Zara Hossain Is Here by Sabina Khan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of the “heart-wrenching yet hopeful” (Samira Ahmed) novel The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali, comes a timely, intimate look at what it means to be an immigrant in America today, and the endurance of hope and faith in the face of hate.

Malice by Heather Walter
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A princess isn’t supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,” true love is more than a simple fairy tale.

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

High school nemeses fall in love in this queer YA rom com perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuisten

The Key to You and Me by Jaye Robin Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sweet and funny #ownvoices LGBTQ+ romance perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Julie Murphy, from the critically acclaimed author of Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit!

MAY

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Felix Ever After meets Becky Albertalli in this swoon-worthy, heartfelt rom-com about how a transgender teen’s first love challenges his ideas about perfect relationships.

It Goes Like This by Miel Moreland
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In Miel Moreland’s heartfelt young adult debut, four queer teens realize that sometimes you have to risk hitting repeat on heartbreak.

How to Become a Planet by Nicole Melleby
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11-year-old Pluto struggles with her depression and anxiety diagnosis, which feels like a big black hole sitting on her chest making it too hard to do anything. She makes efforts to find balance with an assist from the friendly voice on the Hayden Planetarium’s Astronomy Question and Answer Hotline.

Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the author of The Falling in Love Montage, this queer coming-of-age story about a slacker who inadvertently becomes her school’s underground problem-solver is wry, multilayered, and unflinchingly honest—perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Nina LaCour.

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Cool for the Summer is a story of self-discovery and new love. It’s about the things we want and the things we need. And it’s about the people who will let us be who we are. 

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

To All the Boys I Loved Before meets LGBT romance in this funny, heart-warming rom-com about first love and identity.

May the Best Man Win by ZR Ellor
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A trans boy enters a throw-down battle for the title of Homecoming King with the boy he dumped last summer in ZR Ellor’s contemporary YA debut.

JUNE

The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Red, White and Royal Blue meets The West Wing in Sanchez’s electric and insightful #ownvoices YA debut, chronicling a transmasculine student’s foray into a no-holds-barred student body president election against the wishes of his politician father.

Jay’s Gay Agenda by Jason June
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From debut novelist Jason June comes a moving and hilarious sex-positive teen rom-com about the complexities of first loves, first hookups, and first heartbreaks—and how to stay true to yourself while embracing what you never saw coming.

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

They Both Die at the End meets The Loneliest Girl in the Universe in this mind-bending sci-fi mystery and tender love story about two boys aboard a spaceship sent on a rescue mission.

The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
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To save a fae kingdom, a trans witch must face his traumatic past and the royal fiancé he left behind. This debut YA fantasy will leave you spellbound.

Yes, Daddy by Jonathan Parks-Ramage
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A propulsive, scorching modern gothic, Yes, Daddy follows an ambitious young man who is lured by an older, successful playwright into a dizzying world of wealth and an idyllic Hamptons home where things take a nightmarish turn.

Trouble Girls by Julia Lynn Rubin
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A queer YA reimagining of Thelma & Louise with the aesthetic of Riverdale.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue comes a new romantic comedy that puts a queer spin on Kate & Leopold.

What queer 2021 book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Anticipated Queer Book Releases You Can’t Miss In 2021 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Saoirse doesn’t believe in love at first sight or happy endings. But after a chance encounter at an end-of-term house party, Saoirse is about to break her own rules. For a girl with one blue freckle, an irresistible sense of mischief, and a passion for rom-coms.

Influence by Sara Shepard and Lilia Buckingham
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Get ready to delve into the world of teen influencers like you’ve never done before–from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of PRETTY LITTLE LIARS Sara Shepard and sixteen-year-old actress and social media personality Lilia Buckingham comes a twisty mystery that takes place in the fiercely competitive world of Internet stars. (Note: Influence has now been pushed back to January 2021)

Rebel Spy by Veronica Rossi
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A reimagining of the story behind Agent 355–a New York society girl and spy for George Washington during the Revolutionary War–perfect for fans of Tatiana de Rosnay’s Sarah’s Key and the novels of Julie Berry.

I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
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The world of K-Pop has never met a star like this. Debut author Lyla Lee delivers a deliciously fun, thoughtful rom-com celebrating confidence and body positivity—perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Julie Murphy.

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Liz’s plans to attend the uber-elite Pennington College come crashing down until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, and the only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

Category Five by Ann Dávila Cardinal
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Category Five is a new supernatural YA thriller from Ann Dávila Cardinal, set against the backdrop of a post-hurricane Puerto Rico.

I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A YA contemporary rom com about arch-nemeses Emma, a die-hard romantic, and more-practical minded Sophia who find themselves competing against one another for a coveted first-prize trip to a film festival in Los Angeles . . . what happens if their rivalry turns into a romance?

Hood by Jenny Elder Moke
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Hood, author Jenny Elder Moke reimagines the world of Robin Hood in lush, historical detail and imbues her story with more breathless action than has ever come out of Sherwood Forest before. This novel is a must-read for historical-fiction fans, adventure lovers, and reluctant readers alike!

The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
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New York Times bestselling author Renée Ahdieh returns with the second instalment of her new sumptuous, sultry and romantic series, The Beautiful.

I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick
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This gripping thriller follows two teens whose lives become inextricably linked when one confesses to murder and the other becomes determined to uncover the real truth no matter the cost.

The State of Us by Shaun David Hutchinson
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It’s a new modern-day, star-crossed romance about what it really means to love your country—and yourself—from the acclaimed author of We Are the Ants and Brave Face, Shaun David Hutchinson.

You Say It First by Katie Cotugno
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

You Say It First is a propulsive, layered novel about how sometimes the person who has the least in common with us can be the one who changes us most.

Will you be picking up any of these releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post June 2020 Book Releases: YA appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Today’s list shines a spotlight on 20 YA books coming out in 2020 which focus on a romantic relationship between two female characters. We have everything from evil queens and prom queens, revolutionaries and rebels to modern-day witches and falling in love via fandom aliases. There are rom-coms, coming-of-age stories, lush romantic fantasy and dark magic plus so much more!

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski (March 3^rd 2020)
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Set in the world of the New York Times–bestselling Winner’s Trilogy, beloved author Marie Rutkoski returns with an epic LGBTQ romantic fantasy about learning to free ourselves from the lies others tell us—and the lies we tell ourselves.

The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett (March 3^rd 2020)
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

An enchanted tale of intrigue where a duke’s daughter is the only survivor of a magical curse. Part Sleeping Beauty, part Anastasia, with a thrilling political mystery, The Winter Duke is a spellbinding story about choosing what’s right in the face of danger.

Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer (March 3^rd 2020)
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Modern witchcraft blends with ancient Celtic mythology in an epic clash of witches and gods. With razor-sharp prose and achingly real characters, E. Latimer crafts a sweeping, mesmerizing story of dark magic and brutal mythology set against a backdrop of contemporary Ireland that’s impossible to put down. 

The Truth About Keeping Secrets by Savannah Brown (March 7^th 2020)
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Sydney’s dad is the only psychiatrist for miles around their small Ohio town. He is also unexpectedly dead. Is Sydney crazy, or is it kind of weird that her dad-a guy whose entire job revolved around other peoples’ secrets-crashed alone, with no explanation? THE TRUTH ABOUT KEEPING SECRETS is a page-turning, voice led, high school thriller.

We Were Promised Spotlights by Lindsay Sproul (March 24^th 2020)
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People think Taylor is living the dream, and assume she’ll stay in town and have kids with the homecoming king…but Taylor is actually desperate to leave home. Also? She’s completely in love with her best friend, Susan. Lindsay Sproul’s debut is full of compelling introspection and painfully honest commentary on what it’s like to be harnessed to a destiny you never wanted.

Look by Zan Romanoff (March 31st 2020)
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It’s a story about what you present vs. who you really are, about real intimacy and manufactured intimacy and the blurring of that line. It’s a deceptively glamorous, feminist, emotionally complex, utterly compelling, queer coming-of-age novel about falling in love and taking ownership of your own self–your whole self–in the age of social media.

Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran  (April 6^th 2020)
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When teenage queen Lia inherits her corrupt uncle’s bankrupt kingdom, she brings a new spymaster into the fold … Xania, who takes the job to avenge her murdered father. In a world where the throne means both power and duty, they must decide what to sacrifice for their country – and for each other … 

Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen (April 21^st 2020)
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From author Kelly Quindlen comes a poignant and deeply relatable story about friendship, self-acceptance, what it means to be a Real Teenager. Late to the Party is an ode to late bloomers and wallflowers everywhere.

Dangerous Remedy by Kat Dunn (May 7^th 2020)
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Camille, a revolutionary’s daughter, leads a band of outcasts – a runaway girl, a deserter, an aristocrat in hiding. But their latest rescue is not what she seems. As Camille learns the truth, she’s forced to choose between loyalty to those she loves and the future.

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar (May 12^th 2020)
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When Dimple Met Rishi meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this rom com about two teen girls with rival henna businesses. Amidst sabotage and school stress, their lives get more tangled—but Nishat can’t quite get rid of her crush on Flávia, and realizes there might be more to her than she realized.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust (May 12^th 2020)
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A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse…

The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke (May 12^th 2020)
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An outcast teenage lesbian witch finds her coven hidden amongst the popular girls in her school, and performs some seriously badass magic in the process.

I Kissed Alice by Anna Birch (May 26^th 2020)
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I Kissed Alice is a romantic comedy about enemies, lovers, and everything in between. Since only one of them can get the coveted Capstone scholarship, the competition between Rhodes and Iliana is fierce. And despite being worst enemies in real life, their anonymous online identities are starting to like each other…a lot. When the truth comes out, will they destroy each other’s future?

The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska  (June 1^st 2020)
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Every year, Caldella’s Witch Queen lures a young boy back to her palace. Sixteen-year-old Lina Kirk is determined to rescue Tomas Lin, her secret crush. Caught breaking into the palace, the Queen offers Lina a deal: she will let Tomas go, if Lina agrees to take his place. Against their will, they find themselves falling for each other.

I Think I Love You by Auriane Desombre (June 2^nd 2020)
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A YA contemporary rom com about arch-nemeses Emma, a die-hard romantic, and more-practical minded Sophia who find themselves competing against one another for a coveted first-prize trip to a film festival in Los Angeles . . . what happens if their rivalry turns into a romance?  

You Don’t Live Here by Robyn Schneider (June 2^nd 2020)
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Robyn Schneider delivers a witty and heartbreaking tale of first love, second beginnings, and last chances in this timely and authentic bisexual coming-of-age story, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera.

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson (June 2^nd 2020)
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Liz’s plans to attend the uber-elite Pennington College come crashing down until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, and the only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth (June 9^th 2020)
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Saoirse doesn’t believe in love at first sight or happy endings. But after a chance encounter at an end-of-term house party, Saoirse is about to break her own rules. For a girl with one blue freckle, an irresistible sense of mischief, and a passion for rom-coms.

Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggeman (July 14^th 2020)
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In this wry and hilarious queer romantic comedy, fifteen-year-old Phoebe realizes that falling in love is maybe not just for losers. This is a laugh-out-loud exploration of sexuality, family, female friendship, grief, and community. Think of this as Bridget Jones’ Diary, if it were written by Bridget’s daughter.

Ruinsong by Julia Ember (November 24^th 2020)
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In this dark and lush LGBTQ+ romantic fantasy, two young women from rival factions must work together to reunite their country as they wrestle with their feelings for each other. 

Are there any titles you are looking forward to? Or are there any others that you would recommend? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 20 Sapphic YA Releases To Look Forward To In 2020  appeared first on The Nerd Daily.