Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Claire Kann’s The Marriage Narrative, which releases on November 11th 2025.

Zinnia is an ambitious, successful businesswoman who is not about to wait around for her One True Love. She turns her dating profile into a marriage-merger proposal: a few strategic meetings, move in together, get married—all within thirty days. Her friends think it will never work… until she meets Jordan, a near-perfect applicant with a big secret.

Jordan’s family has spent the last decade starring in a massively popular reality show about their lives. He has finally agreed to join the cast, but production wants him to marry an actress (his ex) in a romantic storyline to boost viewership.

Convinced Zinnia is perfect for the role instead, Jordan proposes a mutually beneficial marriage agreement: she gets her business partner husband, and he gets to help his family on his terms. Together they face strict schedules, wild plot twists, and behind-the-scenes hostilities, all while acting like besotted newlyweds—an intense performance that evolves into a relationship they never expected.

As the line between reality and show blurs, Zinnia and Jordan must choose between a clean contract or a beautifully messy love story.

“WAITING AROUND FOR the love of my life to show up has gotten me nowhere. That’s why this year I plan to marry a complete stranger.” Zinnia smiled as she clicked the next slide of her presentation. “Well, near complete. I’m imposing a mandatory thirty-day cohabitation period between the first date and the wedding.”

“Hold on—time out. What the hell is this?” Zinnia’s best friend Fiona gestured at the TV screen. She was sitting on their couch next to their other best friend, Grace, who looked equally bamboozled. “I thought we were having a business meeting about the shop.”

Zinnia never said that. She’d scheduled the meeting by blocking off an hour on their shared calendar with a simple request: Please keep an open mind! The last time she’d done that, she’d asked for help with setting up an online merchandise store to sell her art—a request that had led to the birth of their small business, ZnO2.

“This is my marriage-merger proposal, so it’s business related.” Her confident smile wilted into a wince. “Sort of. In a way.”

“Marriage-merger?” Grace asked.

“Z is obviously joking.” Fiona’s breathy laugh sounded anything but sure. “This is a joke. Right?”

“Wrong.” She hadn’t spent two days making this presentation for nothing. “Step one: I make a proposal profile on a dating app targeted toward people specifically seeking long-term relationships. I’ll clearly state my intentions and requirements, which include having a career with a stable job. Trades preferred, but a desk job is acceptable depending on what it is.”

Each step of her plan had its own fantastically designed slide, complete with animation and custom doodles. Her cartoon avatar alternated between winking and holding up a peace sign.

“Two: an introductory call closely followed by an in-person meeting at a safe location. Three: set a wedding date no more than thirty days out. Four: make arrangements to move in together while simultaneously spending alternating weeks at each other’s primary place of residence. Five—”

“No.” Fiona began shaking her head. Her newly dyed honey cinnamon–colored curls bounced around her shoulders. “No no no nonononono. No.”

Zinnia sighed fondly. “Just saying ‘no’ isn’t constructive feedback. It’s barely coherent.”

“What she means is HELL NO. They are not moving in here because you are not doing this.” Grace’s death stare could blow up a planet. She was gorgeous in a way that inspired longing and fear in the hearts of mortals—a brown-skinned deity ready to dole out a heaping dose of wrath. “I’ve never even seen you go on a date! You’ve never even wanted to!”

“And that’s why I’m calling them meetings. Using the correct terminology is very important for this project,” she teased, trying to lighten the mood, and when it didn’t work, she sighed again. Less fondly, more frustrated. “What is so bad about leading with what I want? Dating apps have documented abysmal success rates as it is. It’s in my best interests to be up-front and transparent.”

“It’s not that it’s bad, it’s just . . . why? Where did this come from? You can’t marry a stranger in thirty days.” Fiona looked as distraught as Grace did furious. With her panicked wide-set eyes and pale flushed skin, she resembled a woodland fairy sprinting away from danger.

“I can and I will. People do it all the time.”

“Yeah, and they end up divorced or murdered for the insurance money,” Grace snapped.

“Both excellent points. Five: negotiate the prenuptial agreement.” She continued with the next slide. “In the event of divorce, we will each keep the assets we initially brought to the marriage. Anything acquired while together will be split evenly. Additionally, you two will both be listed as the sole beneficiaries for one of my life insurance policies, and my parents will be on the other. In the event of my untimely death, my future spouse won’t get a dime.”

“Oh, good.” Grace’s tone was pure sarcastic fury. “We’ll need that money to flee the country before we get arrested for murder after avenging you.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. See? I have it all planned out.”

“I can’t breathe.” Fiona wheezed, folded in half, and stuck her head between her knees. Grace immediately began rubbing her back and speaking in low, soothing tones to coax her into calming down.

Zinnia bit her lip and forced herself not to turn away from the truth that was once again punching her in the stomach. Watching her best friends tiptoe around each other, obviously in love and both unwilling to make the first move, was the answer to Fiona’s why. She was not being left behind. Their impending domestic bliss as they moved from friends to lovers to newlyweds to parents was inevitable and she’d be good goddamned if they wholesomely turned her into a third wheel.

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘The Marriage Narrative’ by Claire Kann appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Releasing July 9th 2024, The Next Best Fling sees two broken hearts decide that the best way to get over their first loves is with a no-strings-attached relationship in this spicy and charming debut romance.

The book community can moan and groan about love triangles all they want—I’ll be on the couch with my Kindle and a snack because I eat it up every single time. Whether it’s time to move on from an unrequited love, exes who stick around to wreak havoc when someone new enters the chat, a main character torn between two siblings, or even a love square, there’s something so captivating to me about these complicated dynamics of the heart.

Love’s a mess, and sometimes we’re not sure what we want until we navigate our way through it. I had a blast exploring the messier dynamics in The Next Best Fling, and it’s one of my favorite aspects to read in romance books.

Here are some messy romances that had my eyes glued to the page, and if quite a few of these also involve fake dating? I guess you could say I have a type.

Complicated Exes

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake

After a (failed) one night stand with an unlucky in love romance author leads Stevie’s friend group, including her ex who’s now dating within said friend group, to believe she’s finally moving on, Stevie will have to fake date the woman to save face. Luckily, Iris is in desperate need of inspiration for her next book, and what better way to beat her writers block than living out a beloved romance trope?

The Bright Falls series explores the joys and complexities of queer friendships in beautiful and fascinating ways. Stevie is put in an awkward position, but it’s made even worse when her ex’s jealousy comes out once Stevie and Iris start fake dating. I loved the way Iris helped Stevie through her anxiety, and it was so satisfying to watch Stevie break down Iris’s walls and convince her she’s worthy of love. And while the series overall is fever hot, this book is the hottest by far.

Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop

Janelle is completely over her ex. Is it a little weird that he’s now engaged to her sister? Completely, but she’s always known he was wrong for her on some level, despite all the pitying glances she now gets from her friend group. When her ex’s best friend and best man, Rome, joins everyone for the destination wedding, they can’t deny their attraction to each other. After all, he’s always had a thing for Janelle even when she was with his best friend. Their friends might think the worst of Janelle if they knew what was going on between her and Rome, but their fling will last only for the week leading up to the wedding, so it’s no problem…right?

Rome is the book boyfriend we all deserve. Renting a yacht all because Janelle’s one wish for the wedding getaway was to read in peace by the water? The definition of if he wanted to, he would. He stands firmly beside Janelle as she discovers the true reason her sister has become so cold with her recently as the wedding date creeps closer and closer.

Brothers

My American Duchess by Eloisa James

Merry Pelford is infamous in English society for jilting two fiancés, which is why she intends to make it down the aisle with her third come hell or high water. Enter the aforementioned hell and highwater: The Duke of Trent, AKA her current fiancé’s older brother, who has his eye set on Merry after a chance encounter leaves him wanting more. But the consequences of their attraction might be even greater than they both realize…

Something I love about historical romances is that they’re always going to have the most delightfully unhinged plotlines. There is a point in this book where I audibly gasped, shouted “no way” and paced the length of my bedroom. Just when you think this book is going one direction, the rug gets pulled out from underneath you. Just trust me on this one, Eloisa James is a staple in hist-rom for a reason.

The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath

Edward has always held a torch for his twin brother’s wife, Julia. But when an expedition abroad goes terribly wrong, his brother’s dying wish is for Edward to take his place as the Earl of Greyling until Julia delivers her baby safely to term. As Edward is pretending to be the Earl and falling for his brother’s wife more and more every day, he knows he can’t keep up the ruse for much longer. But the deception may be too great for Julia to ever look past, no matter how conflicted her heart.

Speaking of unhinged plots? Lorraine Heath hasn’t met a line she’s not willing to cross for the sake of a really good romance. Not everyone will be able to get behind Edward’s actions, but this book was so expertly crafted that I could not put this book down until the conflict was resolved and he and Julia had their well-deserved HEA.  

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

What’s more humiliating than being left at the altar? Being a wedding planner and a jilted bride at the same time. So when Lina receives an opportunity to change the downward trajectory of her career, she’ll do anything for the chance to prove herself. Even if it means collaborating with Max, her ex fiancé’s brother, the man who encouraged him to leave her at the altar…

Packed with Mia Sosa’s sparkling brand of humor and hijinks, this is the perfect set up for an incredible forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers rom-com that explores Lina’s long-held grudge as she begins to thaw and Max’s rocky sibling relationship as he reckons with the fact that he’s falling for his brother’s ex fiancé.

Unrequited Love

Say You’ll Be Mine by Naina Kumar

After Meghna’s best friend, writing partner, and object of her affection gets engaged, she knows it’s time for her to move on. After agreeing to let her parents introduce her to a potential match, she meets Karthik, who isn’t interested in forming anything real but is looking for a way to get out of his mom’s matchmaking schemes. Maybe fake dating someone else will make Meghna forget all about her crush and get Karthik’s mom off his back. That is, if they don’t accidentally fall for each other in the process.

A delightful twist on My Best Friend’s Wedding—Meghna and Karthik’s banter and sizzling chemistry won me over immediately. It was so lovely to watch Karthik convince Meghna that she deserves so much more for herself than the scraps she receives from her best friend/unrequited love.

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

Joy has secretly been in love with her best friend, Malcolm, for forever, but when he announces that he’s found the love of his life, she’s crushed. Even worse, he wants Joy to go on a weekend getaway with his newfound love and a man named Fox, who has a complicated relationship with Malcolm’s girlfriend. After forming a tentative bond, Fox proposes they pretend to have a fling to get make Malcolm jealous, but surprise themselves when they realize they might actually be right for each other.

Joy knows her approach to relationships is different from others because of her asexual identity, which is partly why she clings to the idea of Malcolm because of their shared experiences and years of friendship. But it isn’t until she meets Fox that she realizes she’s been doing herself a disservice by holding herself back from other opportunities for love. The complicated dynamics between these four characters are explored with humor and self-reflection, and it was incredibly beautiful how the resolution between everyone was handled with so much care.

The post Gabriella Gamez’s Favourite Messy Romance Books appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Most media that incorporates both supernatural and romantic plot lines, in equal measure, usually don’t end with happily ever after. Movies, TV, books—doesn’t matter! The lead pairing is doomed. Someone is likely to disappear under mystical circumstances. Or get their heart broken in a bittersweet ending. Or even get magically transformed into a tree for all eternity (I’m still bitter about that one). But what if it wasn’t that way?

As a lifelong lover of supernatural romance, I’ve also always had a soft spot for the expendable side characters in horror media. For example, the big hearted friend who dies protecting everyone or the overzealous expert who dies in the pursuit of truth. But what if they didn’t have to die?

With those questions in mind, I began researching, brainstorming, and writing what would eventually become my supernatural romance novel, Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places. It stars Lucky Hart, a parapsychologist who schemes her way onto a reality TV show to investigate an alleged haunted house with a notorious reputation. While there she meets the show’s host, Maverick Phillips, and chemistry instantly crackles between them. So much so, everyone on set notices… including the house itself, who wants Lucky to stay forever.

Ugh! I just LOVE it! This is the story teenage Claire always wanted to write. It’s a lifetime of inspiration crammed into 386 pages, and so, I thought it’d be fun to share some supernatural romances that helped get me here. I kept two criteria in mind while making this list:

Supernatural romance is exclusively for humans. I personally allow for special abilities like ESP as long as the pairing remains human at its core. In my potential hot take opinion, paranormal romances are when non-human pairings come into play. If you’re looking for recommendations with vampires, fairies, and shifters, you won’t find them here.

And by definition, if a love story doesn’t end with HEA or HFN (happily for now), then it’s not a Romance—capital R, genre approved.

Possible spoilers ahead!

Both Sides of Time by Caroline B. Cooney

The first book in the Time Traveler’s Quartet was released in 1995. I randomly found it in a library many years later as a teen. Ever since then, I’ve been fascinated with the idea of being separated from your loved ones by time and space. It’s a theme I definitely touched on in my novel, albeit with a special twist.

Verdict: HEA approved (in an interview with the author)

Similar titles: Kate & Leopold, Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds, Night for Day by Roselle Lim.

Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi

This show was the first time I saw a superpowered, crybaby, teenage girl save the world again and again because she truly believed in the power of love and compassion. The love story is pure fairytale magic, complete with repeated reincarnation and resurrection. Usagi and Mamoru are so end game, their future daughter literally shows up in the past to train with them. Haunted Places is very rooted in reality, but I couldn’t resist sprinkling in a little power of love magic here and there.

Verdict: HEA approved

Similar titles: Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play, Cinderella is Dead by Kaylnn Bayron

The Age of Adaline

What’s it like to outlive everyone you will ever love? I wouldn’t know, but it’s something I thought about constantly while crafting Hennessee House’s character. Adaline is functionally immortal and tries to live as normal a life as possible. She’s also unexpectedly drawn to a certain family line. Similar to her, Hennessee has been standing for over 200 years and will never die in the traditional sense. Lucky definitely isn’t Hennessee’s first love, but she’s so special it feels like the first time while simultaneously also being a reminder of everything it has lost over the years.

Verdict: HEA… in a way.

Similar titles: Tuck Everlasting (warning: no HEA)

Ghostbusters

Parapsychologists and psychics get a bad rap. They’re often portrayed as being so obsessed with their work, they neglect every other aspect of their lives, including romance (if it even comes up). This was the first movie that showed me it was possible to create a story that had it all: good character variety, worldbuilding, lore, smart supernatural investigations, and a compelling romance… Dana and Venkman are together at the end of this movie! We’re not talking about the sequels! I don’t want to hear it! Also, it’s no secret that Ray Stantz was the direct inspiration for Lucky. She really, really wanted that HEA for herself, though.

Verdict: HFN approved

Similar titles: Rose Red (HFN implied), Happy Medium by Sarah Adler

The post Author Claire Kann’s Favourite Supernatural Romances appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From fantastical tales of mysterious rings that cause mayhem, and highly anticipated sequels like Cameron Battle’s second adventure, all the way to insightful stories chronicling the famine of the Soviet Ukraine in the 1930s, 2023 is shaping up to be a marvellous adventure when it comes to middle grade releases! Check out our most anticipated novels from the first half of 2023 and find tons of new books to put on your (probably already messy) TBR!

Be sure to check out our other 2023 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Young Adult, Queer Books, and Romance lists!

JANUARY

The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine by Katherine Marsh
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the author of Nowhere Boy comes a brilliant survival story that traces a harrowing family secret back to the Holodomor, a terrible famine that devastated Soviet Ukraine in the 1930s. 

The Carrefour Curse by Dianne K. Salerni
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The Addams Family meets The Westing Game in this exhilarating mystery about a modern magical dynasty trapped in the ruins of their once-grand, now-crumbling ancestral home. 

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
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From award-winning author Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past. 

Suitehearts: Harmony and Heartbreak by Claire Kann
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The first in a new series about magical matchmakers, Suitehearts #1: Harmony and Heartbreak is a feel-good light romance about two 13-year-old cousins and their first solo attempts at creating enchanted love connections. Perfect for young readers who love Whatever After, The Jumbies, and The Princess Diaries.

Sincerely Sicily by Tamika Burgess
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From the Desk of Zoe Washington meets Lupe Wong Won’t Dance in Sincerely Sicily, Burgess’s debut follows Sicily Jordan as she learns to use her voice and find joy in who she is—a Black Panamanian fashionista who rocks her braids with pride—while confronting prejudice both in the classroom and at home.

FEBRUARY

Cameron Battle and the Escape Trials by Jamar J. Perry
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It’s time for Cameron Battle’s second epic tale! Inspired by West African and Igbo history and mythology, this middle-grade fantasy celebrates the triumphs and challenges of a boy finding his path to greatness.

Not an Easy Win by Chrystal D. Giles
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A powerful novel about family, forgiveness, and figuring out who you are when you don’t make the rules, Not an Easy Win is the marvelous story of young Lawrence who, after being involved in too many school fights, ends up spending his days at a rec center helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program and learning to bet on himself.

Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura
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Acclaimed young adult author Misa Sugiura makes her middle-grade debut with Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind, a thrilling and funny series about a girl who sets out to save her Shinto goddess mother—and the world—by facing down demons intent on bringing chaos. Perfect for fans of the Aru Shah and Fablehaven series.

Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros
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This exciting and adventurous start to a middle-grade trilogy follows a queer boy and his family as they try to halt the chaotic effects of a mysterious ring, drawing upon Jewish mythology to navigate magic, mayhem and the search for pride in one’s identity.

The Pearl Hunter by Miya T. Beck
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A stunning, Japanese-inspired debut fantasy in the vein of Grace Lin featuring twin pearl divers, in which one sister goes to the ends of the earth to rescue her twin, who’s been stolen by a ghost whale.

MARCH

Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca
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In Rajani LaRocca’s breathtaking follow-up to the Newbery Honor– and Walter Award–winning Red, White, and Whole, identical twin sisters with a complicated relationship do everything together—until one day, they break apart. Perfect for readers who love Amina’s Voice and The Lost Girl.

The Alchemy of Letting Go by Amber Morrell
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Twelve-year-old Juniper Edwards can’t stop chasing the endangered butterfly her sister died trying to catch. In her grief, Juniper finds comfort in her family’s study of insects, because science is based on logic, order, and control. But then Juniper’s search for the butterfly nearly kills her, too, and when she wakes up with newfound abilities, she discovers that the line between science and magic-and life and death-is not as solid as she thought.

The Palace of Dreams by Jodi Lynn Anderson
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This third book in the haunting and magical Thirteen Witches series from New York Times bestselling author Jodi Lynn Anderson follows Rosie in her last stand against the Nothing King—perfect for fans of Newbery winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon. 

Catch Me If I Fall by Barry Jonsberg
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Twins Ashleigh and Aiden have always promised to protect each other, but after an accident on a school trip, Aiden starts behaving strangely. Are they just growing apart, or is something more sinister going on? 

What Stays Buried by Suzanne Young
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Perfect for fans of Bone Hollow and The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street, this thrilling yet heartfelt ghost story—following a twelve-year-old medium facing an evil spirit and the loss of her supernatural gift—is New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young’s middle grade debut.

APRIL

The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto by Adrianna Cuevas
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The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto follows a Cuban American boy who’s sent to work on a ranch as punishment for a school prank gone wrong where he is confronted with a troubling supernatural mystery.

A Spoonful of Time by Flora Ahn
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When You Reach Me meets Love Sugar Magic in this unforgettable middle grade novel where time travel, family recipes, and family secrets collide.

The Rhythm of Time by Questlove and S.A. Cosby
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From the Academy Award–winning, Grammy-winning, and bestselling author Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and the New York Times bestselling author S. A. Cosby comes this thrill-a-minute middle grade novel, the first in a series of rollicking time-travel adventures that touch on themes of friendship, family, and otherworldly events.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas
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Internationally bestselling superstar author Angie Thomas makes her middle grade debut with the launch of an inventive, hilarious, and suspenseful new contemporary fantasy trilogy inspired by African American history and folklore.

Jude Saves the World by Ronnie Riley
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This fantastic debut follows 12-year-old, queer, nonbinary Jude as they navigate the complexities of identity and friendship after befriending the ex-popular girl at school and try to create a safe space club at their local library, all while juggling familial expectations as they’re planning coming out to their old-fashioned grandparents.

MAY

Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnson
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From award-winning author Leah Johnson comes a laugh-until-you-cry, cry-until-you-laugh story about friendship, change, and the power we have to love ourselves.

Vivian Lantz’s Second Chances by Kathryn Ormsbee
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Groundhog Day meets Eighth Grade in this time-loop story set on the first day of school, from the critically acclaimed author of Candidly Cline.

Skating on Mars by Caroline Huntoon
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A heartwarming debut about a young figure skater discovering who they are on and off the ice. Skating on Mars is a tender examination of grief and a hopeful middle grade tale of self-discovery.

The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson
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The Penderwicks meets The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street in New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson’s middle grade debut about a young girl who gets to know her mom’s side of the family and hunts for hidden treasure over the course of one chaotic summer.

Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno
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This humorous and heartfelt middle-grade novel by Nina Moreno with illustrations by Courtney Lovett is perfect for fans of Celia C. Pérez and Terri Libenson.

JUNE

Haarville by Justin Davies
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Welcome to Haarville – if you’ve arrived, you’ve survived! This darkly comic, quirky middle-grade mystery adventure is perfect for fans of Malamander and Lemony Snicket.

North of Supernova by Lindsey Leavitt
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Stella North has waited her whole life for a coveted birthday party invite that will guarantee a friend-filled summer in Washington. But those perfect summer plans implode when her Dad returns with a surprise from his business trip: his new fiancée, Whitney. Shaken up by her father’s announcement, Stella decided to take fate into her own hands and sets out to discover the future (and maybe even change it) through astrology, crystals and Magic 8 Balls.

Camp Sylvania by Julie Murphy
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ and Dear Sweet Pea comes a hilarious and spooky middle grade summer-camp story that takes a bite out of fat camp.

Nightmare Island by Shakirah Bourne
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From rising star Shakirah Bourne, author of Josephine Against the Sea, comes a mysterious adventure that explores one of the most chilling tales in Caribbean mythology: the faceless douen children.

Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit by Jesse Q. Sutanto
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Theo Tan doesn’t want a spirit companion. He just wants to be a normal American kid, playing video games, going to conventions, and using cirth pendants to cast his spells like everyone else. But, when his older brother dies, Theo ends up inheriting Jamie’s fox spirit, Kai. After inheriting the grieving fox spirit, Theo must learn to embrace his heritage to solve the mystery of his brother’s death.

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

The post You Need These Highly Anticipated 2023 Middle Grade Fiction Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Welcome to 2022, but more importantly, welcome to a whole lot of new book releases to look forward to over the next year!

In this round up, we take a look at an array of highly anticipated books releasing between the months of January and June. From new releases from favourite authors such as Rachel Lynn Solomon, Sarah J. Maas, Tahereh Mafi, Marlon James, Emily St. John Mandel, Holly Black, Christina Lauren, Ryan Sager, and many more, to absolutely dazzling debuts, you’re sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list!

Stay tuned as we’ll be releasing more 2022 lists for several genres!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite January to June 2022 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! 

JANUARY

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheme to reunite their divorced bosses with unforecasted results in this charming romantic comedy from the author of The Ex Talk.

Good Rich People by Eliza Jane Brazier
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A destitute woman deceives her way into the guesthouse of a Hollywood Hills mansion and inadvertently becomes a target in the twisted game of the wealthy family upstairs in the next intoxicating novel from Eliza Jane Brazier.

Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden
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Anything But Fine is a hilarious coming of age story about a gay ballerina who loses his dancing dreams, but finds his true self and his first love. 

The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
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Three years ago, Katrina Freeling and Nathan Van Huysen were the brightest literary stars on the horizon, their cowritten books topping bestseller lists. But on the heels of their greatest success, they ended their partnership on bad terms, for reasons neither would divulge to the public. They haven’t spoken since, and never planned to, except they have one final book due on contract.

Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi
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In his adult novel debut, Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and NAACP Image Award finalist and ALA Alex and New England Book Award winner Tochi Onyebuchi delivers a sweeping science fiction epic in the vein of Samuel R. Delany and Station Eleven.

Echoes and Empires by Morgan Rhodes
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From the New York Times bestselling author of the Falling Kingdoms series comes the first book in a brand-new duology about forbidden magic and dangerous secrets, for readers of Victoria Aveyard and Margaret Rogerson.

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover
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A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins
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From Rachel Hawkins, the New York Times bestselling author of The Wife Upstairs, comes Reckless Girls, a deliciously wicked gothic suspense, set on an isolated Pacific island with a dark history, for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.

A Thousand Steps by T. Jefferson Parker
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A Thousand Steps is a beguiling thriller, an incisive coming-of-age story, and a vivid portrait of a turbulent time and place by three-time Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker.

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
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Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
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The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut “that is both fantastically fun and crack your heart wide open vulnerable.” (Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate).

The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
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In this epic YA fantasy debut, magic, a prized resource, is the only thing between peace and war. When magic runs out, four estranged royal siblings must find a new source before their country is swallowed by invading forces. The first in an Indian-inspired duology that’s perfect for fans of There Will Come a Darkness, The Gilded Wolves, and We Hunt the Flame.

FEBRUARY

Ramón and Julieta by Alana Quintana Albertson
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When fate and tacos bring Ramón and Julieta together on the Day of the Dead, the star-crossed pair must make a choice: accept the bitter food rivalry that drives them apart or surrender to a love that consumes them—perfect for fans of Jane the Virgin!

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide… 

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
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Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—bestselling author Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.

Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist
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From debut author Kit Mayquist, a propulsive and atmospheric modern Gothic with all the splendor of The Great Gatsby . . . and all the secrets, lies, and darkness that opulence can hide.

The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson
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Three generations of abused women must navigate their chilling new reality as a mysterious epidemic of violence sweeps the nation in this compelling novel of self-discovery, legacy, and hope.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
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A gut-wrenching, startling historical thriller about communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray.

Moon Witch, Spider King by Marlon James
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Both a brilliant narrative device—seeing the story told in Black Leopard, Red Wolf from the perspective of an adversary and a woman—as well as a fascinating battle between different versions of empire, Moon Witch, Spider King delves into Sogolon’s world as she fights to tell her own story. Part adventure tale, part chronicle of an indomitable woman who bows to no man, it is a fascinating novel that explores power, personality, and the places where they overlap.

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour
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The debut adult novel by the bestselling and award-winning YA author Nina LaCour, following two women on a star-crossed journey toward each other. (Edit: Yerba Buena will now publish on May 31st 2022)

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas
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In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
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Axie Oh’s The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is an enthralling feminist retelling of the classic Korean folktale “The Tale of Shim Cheong,” perfect for fans of Wintersong, Uprooted, and Miyazaki’s SpiritedAway.

Lease On Love by Falon Ballard
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Beach Read meets The Flatshare in this warmly funny and delightfully sharp debut rom-com about a down-on-her-luck young woman who turns an innocent mix-up between a dating app and a roommate app into a new chance at love.

The Verifiers by Jane Pek
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Introducing a sharp-witted heroine for the 21st century: a new amateur sleuth exploring the landscape—both physical and virtual—of New York in a debut novel about love, technology, and murder.

MARCH

Sundial by Catriona Ward
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Sundial is a new, twisty psychological horror novel from Catriona Ward, internationally bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street.

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
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The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
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The much-acclaimed viral sensation from Olivie Blake, The Atlas Six—now newly revised and edited with additional content, is a dark academic debut fantasy with an established cult following that reads like The Secret History meets The Umbrella Academy.

The Night Shift by Alex Finlay
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From the author of the breakout thriller Every Last Fear, comes Alex Finlay’s electrifying next novel The Night Shift, about a pair of small-town murders fifteen years apart―and the ties that bind them.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir comes a brilliant, unforgettable, and heart-wrenching contemporary YA novel about family and forgiveness, love and loss, in a sweeping story that crosses generations and continents.

Lakelore by Anna Marie McLemore
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In this young adult novel by award-winning author Anna-Marie McLemore, two non-binary teens are pulled into a magical world under a lake – but can they keep their worlds above water intact?

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen
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The Golden Couple is the next electrifying novel from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author duo behind You Are Not Alone, An Anonymous Girl, and The Wife Between Us.

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
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Nisha Sharma’s hilarious new romantic comedy inspired by The Taming of the Shrew features a love-phobic TV doctor who must convince a love-obsessed homebody they are destined to be together.

When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
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A mythic love story set in Trinidad and Tobago, Ayanna Lloyd Banwo’s radiant debut introduces two unforgettable outsiders brought together by their connection with the dead.

The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St James
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A true crime blogger gets more than she bargained for while interviewing the woman acquitted of two cold case slayings in this chilling new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel.

A Novel Obsession by Caitlin Barasch
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A wry and bold debut novel, which is at once an irresistible catastrophe waiting to happen and an unflinching exploration of how we narrate the stories of our lives, as an aspiring novelist finds herself stalking—and writing about—her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend.

The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta
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A stunning YA fantasy inspired by ancient Mesoamerica, this gripping debut introduces us to a lineage of seers defiantly resisting the shifting patriarchal state that would see them destroyed―perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir.

APRIL

An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan
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Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology in this magical novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Astonishing Color of After.

Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough
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In this twisty, mind-bending thriller from the bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes, Emma Averell worries that her crippling insomnia is a sign that she’s slowly going insane—like the mother she’s worked so hard to leave in her past.

Reputation by Lex Croucher
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Bridgerton meets Gossip Girl with a dash of Jane Austen, in Reputation, a Regency-era historical romantic comedy with a deliciously feminist twist, from a hilarious new British voice, Lex Croucher.

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
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For fans of Caraval and The Night Circus, this decadent and darkly enchanting YA fantasy, set against the backdrop of a Belle Époque-inspired hotel, follows seventeen-year-old Jani as she uncovers the deeply disturbing secrets of the legendary Hotel Magnifique.

I Am the Ghost in Your House by Maria Romasco Moore
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From the author of Some Kind of Animal comes a wildly unique story about an invisible girl struggling to see herself in a world obsessed with appearances.

One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose
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Meet the women of Buckhead — a place of expensive cars, huge houses, and competitive friendships. Who amongst these women will be clever enough to survive Buckhead — and who will wind up dead? They say that friendships can be complex, but no one said it could ever be this deadly.

An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher
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This seething, gut-punch of a thriller can only have sprung from the fiendish brain of Tarryn Fisher, one of the most cunning writers of our time.

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
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A spellbinding debut novel tracing three generations of a Southern Black family and one daughter’s discovery that she has the power to change her family’s legacy.

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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A searing and compassionate new novel about a young Black nurse’s shocking discovery and burning quest for justice in post-segregation Alabama, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wench.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
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The award-winning, best-selling author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel returns with a novel of art, time, love, and plague that takes the reader from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a dark colony on the moon five hundred years later, unfurling a story of humanity across centuries and space.

The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
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The USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man is back with a hilarious rom-com about two strangers who get trapped in a lie and have to fake date their way out of it…

The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
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Thirty, flirty, and asexual Joy is secretly in love with her best friend Malcolm, but she’s never been brave enough to say so. When he unexpectedly announces that he’s met the love of his life—and no, it’s not Joy—she’s heartbroken. Malcolm invites her on a weekend getaway, and Joy decides it’s her last chance to show him exactly what he’s overlooking. But maybe Joy is the one missing something…or someone…and his name is Fox.

MAY

Book of Night by Holly Black
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black makes her stunning adult debut with Book of Night, a modern dark fantasy of shadowy thieves and secret societies in the vein of Ninth House and The Night Circus.

Hide by Kiersten White
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A high-stakes hide-and-seek competition turns deadly in this dark thriller from New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White.

Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
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The “reigning romance queens” (PopSugar) and New York Times bestselling authors of The Soulmate Equation and The Unhoneymooners present a charming and laugh-out-loud funny novel filled with adventure, treasure, and, of course, love.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
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From the New York Times bestselling author of One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue comes a debut YA romantic comedy about chasing down what you want, only to find what you need…

Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer
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New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer expands the Cursebreaker world in an electrifying new series.

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
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From Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of Reverie, comes a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat.

City of Orange by David Yoon
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This imaginative and affecting new novel is beloved, bestselling, and award-winning author David Yoon at his finest: thought-provoking and heart-piercing, by turns funny and challenging, and at all times deeply human. 

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
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Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches…

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
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An insightful, delightful new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.

My Summer Darlings by May Cobb
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Three lifelong friends plus a dangerous, sexy new stranger in town add up to a scorching summer of manipulation, obsession, and murder, from the acclaimed author of The Hunting Wives.

Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater
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Merida goes on an all-new, life-changing adventure in this original YA novel set several years after the close of Brave!

Boys, Beasts & Men by Sam J. Miller
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In Nebula Award-winning author Sam J. Miller’s devastating debut short-fiction collection, featuring an introduction by Amal El-Mohtar, queer infatuation, inevitable heartbreak, and brutal revenge seamlessly intertwine. Whether innocent, guilty, or not even human, the boys, beasts, and men roaming through Miller’s gorgeously crafted worlds can destroy readers, yet leave them wanting more.

JUNE

Daughter of Redwinter by Ed McDonald
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From the author of the critically-acclaimed Blackwing trilogy comes Ed McDonald’s Daughter of Redwinter, the first of a brilliant fantasy series about how one choice can change a universe.

American Royalty by Tracey Livesay
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In this dangerously sexy rom-com that evokes the real-life romance between Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle, a prince who wants to live out of the spotlight falls for a daring American rapper who turns his life, and the palace, upside down.

Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
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A dazzling epic of betrayal, love, and fate that spans five generations of an Indigenous Chicano family in the American West, from the author of the National Book Award Finalist Sabrina & Corina.

This Wicked Fate by Kalynn Bayron
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How much would you risk to save the ones you love? Would you tempt even the most dangerous fate?Bestselling author Kalynn Bayron continues the story of Briseis and her family’s deadly magic in the sequel to This Poison Heart.

Queerly Beloved by Susie Dumond
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A people-pleasing bridesmaid-for-hire falls for the crushable new lesbian in town. Will she finally find her happily ever after—and her own voice? 

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
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With his trademark blend of sharp characters, psychological suspense and gasp-worthy twists, Riley Sager’s The House Across the Lake will shock readers until the very last page.

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
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A Discovery of Witches meets The Craft in this the first installment of this epic fantasy trilogy about a group of childhood friends who are also witches.

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
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A furious, queer debut novel about embracing the monster within and unleashing its power against your oppressors. Perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth and Annihilation.

The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi
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In the first book of a visionary African and Arabian-inspired fantasy trilogy, three women band together against a cruel Empire that divides people by blood.

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
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Evvie Drake Starts Over meets Beach Read in this heartwarming and hilarious novel about a divorced romance channel screenwriter whose script about her marriage’s collapse just might help her reclaim her life and find love.

We All Fall Down by Rose Szabo
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The first book in a dark fantasy YA duology by the author of What Big Teeth, about the power and danger of stories and the untold costs of keeping magic alive, perfect for fans of Aiden Thomas and Marie Rutkoski.

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert
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She was the face that launched a thousand ships, The fierce beauty at the heart of Olympus, And she was never ours to claim. A scorchingly hot modern retelling of Helen of Troy, Achilles, and Patroclus that’s as sinful as it is sweet.

What 2022 book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Most Anticipated 2022 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Fools in Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales is a sparkling anthology that invites you to fall in love with romantic tropes, old and new, beloved and unfamiliar to you. With fifteen short stories by a star-studded group of fantastic authors, this one’s a must buy for any romance lover—and the perfect gift this holiday season!

The authors truly went all out in this anthology—there are beloved tropes that I bet no one can say no to: Laura Silverman, for example, offers a wonderful take on the fake dating trope in her story “The Passover Date” that’s set during a Jewish family’s celebration of Seder. Not your cup of tea? Then perhaps Amy Spalding’s take on the Mistaken Identity trope or Mason Deaver’s tale of “there’s only one bed” might just be the perfect fit for you. And if those aren’t the ones that make you fall head over heels, I can guarantee that you’ll find something to love in the stories dedicated to secret royalty, mutual pining, or even a love that transcend space and time! From hilarious to sweet and emotionally impactful, these fifteen stories highlight some of the best romance tropes that we all love for good reason. Truly, there’s such a variety (and diversity!) that absolutely enamoured me.

There’s also an astounding amount of depth to these short stories I wasn’t prepared for. It’s hard to make you ache, fear and cheer for your characters in such a short amount of time, but safe to say, these authors delivered! Additionally, beyond the romance themselves there’s also so much more to be discovered. Julian Winters, for example, offers an insightful discussion on what (or who) decides what makes a villain in his story “What Makes Us Heroes.”

While my favourite was Blake’s rendition of The Grumpy and the Sunshine One (another sapphic story!), I truly feel like there’s something for everyone in here. What surprised me perhaps the most—but really shouldn’t have—was how some stories were so good, they actually converted me to picking up certain tropes in the future that I wasn’t on board with prior to reading this anthology. I’m not the biggest fan of second-chance romance (it usually goes against my “resent and remember” approach to life) but Podos—who also co-edited this lovely anthology—delivered such a sweet, sapphic, summery depiction of it in “Disaster” that I’m now itching to get my hands on more tales that give lovers a second chance at a happily ever after.

Bottom line, whether you’re going to pick this up with a certain trope (or author) in mind, be ready to fall foolishly in love with a trope you normally wouldn’t seek out on your own!

Celebrating romance in all its forms and proving that no one can sweep you off your feet quite like fictional characters, Fools in Love is an enchanting, genre-bending anthology that will have you falling in love with romantic tropes all over again!

Fools in Love is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, as of December 7th 2021.

Will you be picking up Fools in Love? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Join fifteen bestselling, award-winning, and up-and-coming authors as they reimagine some of the most popular tropes in the romance genre.

Fake relationships. Enemies to lovers. Love triangles and best friends, mistaken identities and missed connections. This collection of genre-bending and original stories celebrates how love always finds a way, featuring powerful flora, a superhero and his nemesis, a fantastical sled race through snow-capped mountains, a golf tournament, the wrong ride-share, and even the end of the world. With stories written by Rebecca Barrow, Ashley Herring Blake, Gloria Chao, Mason Deaver, Sara Farizan, Claire Kann, Malinda Lo, Hannah Moskowitz, Natasha Ngan, Rebecca Podos, Lilliam Rivera, Laura Silverman, Amy Spalding, Rebecca Kim Wells, and Julian Winters this collection is sure to sweep you off your feet.

The post Review: ‘Fools in Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales’, edited by Rebecca Podos and Ashley Herring Blake appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

I was already emotional when I read the introduction of this anthology. I should have taken that as a sign that this book will truly have an impact on me, not just as a reader but also as a fat person myself.

Every Body Shines managed to hurt me and comfort me at the same time. It’s an anthology that spans across various genres, featuring a diverse cast, celebrating body diversity and fat acceptance. Throughout these stories, we see fat people face fatphobia and a lot of it (and please be careful, as it can be jarring). However, we also see them challenge other people and their prejudice, build confidence for themselves, and start to live their lives the way they want it. Reading these different stories was heartbreaking, and moving, and beautiful.

Guilt Trip by Claire Kann – This was really fun and nice! I loved that we see fat people singing, dancing, and being fashionable in this story. I also loved that family, even though not by blood, was highlighted here.

Shatter by Cassandra Newbould – This was really interesting! I love the blend of science fiction and drama, plus it was really symbolic in its own way. The sapphic characters and the subtle sapphic romance were also a nice addition.

Prom Queers by Alex Gino – Oh, this was so beautiful and so precious. I loved the nonbinary rep, and how this story showed how gendered our clothes are (which really shouldn’t be). This also highlighted how hard it is to find clothes that make us look and feel fabulous and we can work on that.

Dupatta Diaries by Nafiza Azad – This one hit hard. This one really hit close to home. It was hard for me to read this story, but at the same time it was necessary and affirming. The way family is our own enemy, the one who berates us the most about our weight.

Food is Love by Chris Baron – Oh, I wanted more of this! I love how food is the main theme here, and how the main character is trying to make new memories and start a new despite not-so-great memories from the past. There was pain in this story, and yet there was also hope.

Orion’s Star by Catherine Adel West – This was really precious. I love how it focused on family relationships and dreams, and how sometimes we have to work and put in an effort to achieve both.

Weightless by Sheena Boekweg – This has to be my favorite in this anthology! This was so cute, and precious, and otherworldly. The character development was awesome, the science fiction and math part was so cool (I can’t believe this made math cool for me!), and the subtle romance made it all fit together. I also loved how this just showed that fat people are more than just their weight, that they deserve to be everywhere they want to be, that their worth and their talent and skills have nothing to do with being fat.

Outside Pitch by Kelly deVos – This one was odd in its own way, but somehow still a very enjoyable and cute read about taking chances.

Filling the Net by Monique Gray Smith – I adored reading this one. Loved that the focus was a family coming together, even after grieving. And that fat, Asian girls also excel in sports so wonderfully.

A Perfect Fit by Jennifer Yen – This was really emotional. And probably hard to read. It’s a story that represents many fat girls and how we’re subjected to fatphobic comments even from our own family. That said, it was great to see the main character grow and overcome each and every unnecessary comment from other people.

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire by Rebecca Sky – This was really fun, despite tackling a touchy subject at first. Still, family and sportsmanship were main themes here, which was great!

Letters to Charlie Brown by Francina Simone – This had such a unique writing style and story telling technique. Told through letters to the fictional character, this was an interesting story. One that showed the innocence of the main character, and how she navigated childhood and pre-teens.

Love spells and lavender lattes by Amanda Lovelace – Well, this was interesting as well. The setting can be a bit confusing, but this took me on a small journey of love and magic.

Breathe You In by Hillary Monahan – Oh, this was brilliant! The Little Mermaid retelling with a dark, exciting twist? I loved it!

Unpleasant Surprises by Linda Camacho – This was an interesting one. Love that friendship and family were the main themes, and it also gives us an insight to coping with change and dieting, and more.

Letting Go by Renée Watson – The perfect ending to this anthology. Really short, but the sweetest.

I felt like crying reading this book. I’ve gotten so used to fatphobic remarks and microaggressions that reading about body positivity and seeing fat people celebrate their bodies, felt like an honest-to-god breath of fresh air. Like being cooped up in a very small house for so long and then finally stepping out, moving about, and seeing the sun. That’s how it was for me.

These stories try to show that fat people deserve to be here, that we deserve to take up space, and we do deserve the same respect and kindness. These stories speak of love and life, of friendship and family, and it’s just wonderful to see these different authors get together to write this anthology.

Every Body Shines is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of May 25th 2021.

Will you be picking up Every Body Shines? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

An intersectional, feminist YA anthology from some of today’s most exciting voices across a span of genres, all celebrating body diversity and fat acceptance through short stories.

Fat girls and boys and nonbinary teens are: friends who lift each other up, heroes who rescue themselves, big bodies in space, intellects taking up space, and bodies looking and feeling beautiful. They express themselves through fashion, sports and other physical pursuits, through food, and music, and art. They are flirting and falling in love. They are loving to themselves and one another. With stories that feature fat main characters starring in a multitude of stories and genres, and written by authors who live these lives too, this is truly a unique collection that shows fat young people the representation they deserve.

With a foreword by Aubry Gordon, creator of Your Fat Friend, and with stories by Nafiza Azad, Chris Baron, Sheena Boekweg, Linda Camacho, Kelly deVos, Alex Gino, Claire Kann, amanda lovelace, Hillary Monahan, Cassandra Newbould, Francina Simone, Rebecca Sky, Monique Gray Smith, Renée Watson, Catherine Adel West, Jennifer Yen

The post Review: ‘Every Body Shines’ Anthology appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

While Pride Month might be over, that is no reason to stop reading all those beautiful rainbow-y reads! And while the state of the world we live in is far from ideal and there is still a lot of hate going around, we have a small escape, a place we can go to unwind and recharge for all the battles that still lay ahead of us – BOOKS!

Sometimes we just need something heartfelt and cute, books without any tears (only happy tears allowed!), books that show us that YES, it is okay to be gay/bi/non-binary/trans/… and YES you can be happy no matter your sexual orientation, identity, and expression. So without further ado, here are five books that will make you cry only happy tears! And maybe swoon with all the cuteness going on in them!

Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

When we talk about hopeful and sweet LGBTQ+ books we can’t not mention the gem of 2020, an #ownvoices novel Date Me, Bryson Keller. This fluffy YA contemporary that combines the fake dating trope and hidden romance packs a real punch, but in the sweetest way possible! As Kai and Bryson enter a week-long secret relationship they start learning a lot about themselves and the world they grew up in! Beautiful themes of love, acceptance, and self-discovery mix perfectly with more serious topics such as religion and the pressure of coming out to create a swoon-worthy love story that is a true successor to the likes of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Red, White and Royal Blue!

The Love Hypothesis by Laura Steven
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This fun and sassy YA contemporary with a scientific twist will make you laugh out loud and simultaneously make you question some of the more ridiculous ideas of love and attraction our society pushes on us! As Caro decides to use drastic measures to get the attention of the popular boy she likes, this causes a domino effect that makes her question both the morality of her actions and what it means to love – and who she might actually be in love with! Steven’s snappy and masterful writing style combines witty one-liners with more serious topics, but at the end of the day The Love Hypothesis is a cute F/F love story with many entertaining twists!

Check, Please by Ngozi Ukazu
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If graphic novels are more your drift, then you need to check out this cute graphic novel about hockey, baking, and a beautiful queer love story! Check, Please is filled with funny pop references, relatable characters (yes, even if you are not a sporty person) that will steal your heart, and all the trials of college life. I especially recommend checking this out if you adored Heartstopper and are looking for something that will captivate you as much as Nick and Charlie did!

The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston
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This nerdy book filled with a convention, pop-culture references aplenty, and two adorable love stories will steal you heart in no time! When a case of mistaken identity throws together a star of a famous sci-fi TV show Starfield, Jessica, and a devoted fangirl Imogen things seem far from perfect! But as a curveball that threatens Jessica’s career is thrown their way, the girls are forced to work together and save both Jessica’s career and the whole fandom! The Princess and the Fangirl is a geeky The Prince and the Pauper retelling that is perfect for when your heart desires a fluffy pride read!

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann
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Did someone say a cutesy queer love story with amazing representation? If yes, than this book is perfect for you! In Let’s Talk About Love we follow Alice, a black asexual biromantic girl who is done with love! Until Takumi, a cooking-master-library-colleague-sweetness-incarnate walks into her life and she starts to wonder if maybe she can be in a happy relationship despite not wanting sex in her life. This gorgeous debut will make you question the traditional ideas of love that society pushes on us – and cry happy tears over the sheer cuteness that are Alice and Takumi! Prepare tissues for some happy tears!

And in case you have read all of these happy rainbow-y reads already, you can also check out some other sweet gems such as Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales, Rick by Alex Gino, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, and Camp by L.C. Rosen!

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Five Hopeful and Happy LGBTQ+ Books appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Guys, gals, and non-binary pals, we cannot believe that we’re already at the end of the acronym (since P for Pansexual was combined with B for Bisexual because a lot of books don’t explicitly state whether the characters identify with one or the other), but it’s been a fun ride! We hope you guys have found some new books to put onto your probably already too huge TBRs, and that you had the best time celebrating Pride! We know it’s a tough year to celebrate anything, but you know what? We deserve it because love is love. And in uncertain times, treating people with kindness will always be something worth celebrating!

Without further ado, let’s get into our recommendations for asexual fiction – these books cover everything from demisexuality to aromantic and asexual representation! Hopefully there’s a new favourite for you within this article!

Personal Favourite

Rick by Alex Gino
Rick’s never questioned much. He’s gone along with his best friend Jeff even when Jeff’s acted like a bully and a jerk. He’s let his father joke with him about which hot girls he might want to date even though that kind of talk always makes him uncomfortable. And he hasn’t given his own identity much thought, because everyone else around him seemed to have figured it out. But now Rick’s gotten to middle school, and new doors are opening. One of them leads to the school’s Rainbow Spectrum club, where kids of many genders and identities congregate, including Melissa, the girl who sits in front of Rick in class and seems to have her life together. Rick wants his own life to be that … understood. Even if it means breaking some old friendships and making some new ones.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi

Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor
A secret beats inside Anna Thatcher’s chest: an illegal clockwork heart. Anna works cog by cog — donning the moniker Technician — to supply black market medical technology to the sick and injured, against the Commissioner’s tyrannical laws. Nathaniel Fremont, the Commissioner’s son, has never had to fear the law. Determined to earn his father’s respect, Nathaniel sets out to capture the Technician. But the more he learns about the outlaw, the more he questions whether his father’s elusive affection is worth chasing at all. Their game of cat and mouse takes an abrupt turn when Eliza, a skilled assassin and spy, arrives. Her mission is to learn the Commissioner’s secrets at any cost — even if it means betraying her own heart.

Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland 
Kamai was warned never to open the black door, but she didn’t listen … Everyone has a soul. Some are beautiful gardens, others are frightening dungeons. Soulwalkers―like Kamai and her mother―can journey into other people’s souls while they sleep. But no matter where Kamai visits, she sees the black door. It follows her into every soul, and her mother has told her to never, ever open it. When Kamai touches the door, it is warm and beating, like it has a pulse. When she puts her ear to it, she hears her own name whispered from the other side. And when tragedy strikes, Kamai does the unthinkable: she opens the door.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere… else. But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children. Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced… they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.

Young Adult Contemporary

Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
Frances has been a study machine with one goal. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret – not even the person she is on the inside. Then Frances meets Aled, and for the first time she’s unafraid to be herself. So when the fragile trust between them is broken, Frances is caught between who she was and who she longs to be. Now Frances knows that she has to confront her past. To confess why Carys disappeared…Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.

Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann
Alice had her whole summer planned. Non-stop all-you-can-eat buffets while marathoning her favorite TV shows (best friends totally included) with the smallest dash of adulting–working at the library to pay her share of the rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she’s asexual). Alice is done with dating–no thank you, do not pass go, stick a fork in her, done. But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom com-grade romance feels she did not ask for (uncertainty, butterflies, and swoons, oh my!).

Tash Hearts Tolstoy by Kathryn Ormsbee
After a shout-out from one of the Internet’s superstar vloggers, Natasha “Tash” Zelenka finds herself and her obscure, amateur web series, Unhappy Families, thrust into the limelight: She’s gone viral. And when Unhappy Families is nominated for a Golden Tuba award, Tash’s cyber-flirtation with Thom Causer, a fellow award nominee, suddenly has the potential to become something IRL—if she can figure out how to tell said crush that she’s romantic asexual.

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Rumi Seto spends a lot of time worrying she doesn’t have the answers to everything. What to eat, where to go, whom to love. But there is one thing she is absolutely sure of—she wants to spend the rest of her life writing music with her younger sister, Lea. Then Lea dies in a car accident, and her mother sends her away to live with her aunt in Hawaii while she deals with her own grief. Now thousands of miles from home, Rumi struggles to navigate the loss of her sister, being abandoned by her mother, and the absence of music in her life.

Adult Fiction

How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune
Gustavo Tiberius is not normal. He knows this. Everyone in his small town of Abby, Oregon, knows this. He reads encyclopedias every night before bed. He has a pet ferret called Harry S. Truman. He owns a video rental store that no one goes to. Gus is not normal. And he’s fine with that. All he wants is to be left alone. Until Casey, an asexual stoner hipster and the newest employee at Lottie’s Lattes, enters his life. For some reason, Casey thinks Gus is the greatest thing ever. But Gus isn’t normal and Casey deserves someone who can be. Suddenly wanting to be that someone, Gus steps out of his comfort zone and plans to become the most normal person ever.

Upside Down by N.R. Walker
Jordan O’Neill isn’t a fan of labels, considering he has a few. Gay, geek, a librarian, socially awkward, a nervous rambler, an introvert, an outsider. The last thing he needs is one more. But when he realizes adding the label ‘asexual’ might explain a lot, it turns his world upside down.

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post LGBTQ+ Alphabet Recommendations: A for Asexual Fiction appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The world of YA literature has been getting progressively more and more diverse (*takes out a celebratory horn and blows on it excitedly*) – starting off with more gay, lesbian, and bisexual characters. But new releases over the last couple of years are also filled with better representation of other sexual identities and orientations, including trans , ace, and demi characters, to enby love stories! We still have a long way to go, but even these slight changes in representation in YA lit gives me hope!

And that’s why I decided to put together a short list of YA characters of different sexual orientations and identities and the books they come from, plus it’s a fantastic time to discover them with Pride Month!

Gay Characters

Jack from Jack of Hearts by L.C. Rosen

Jack is an out and proud gay guy who is through worrying about stereotypes! So what if he fits into one! He likes makeup, fancy clothes, and sex and is proud of that! Jack is a very iconic gay character because he is so unapologetic about being himself and he writes a very educational column about sex for his school. Jack of Hearts is not a coming out story – this is the story of everything that comes after that. If you are looking for a fresh and unique read with chilling twists, this one might be just perfect for you!

Ronan from Call Down the Hawk ­by Maggie Stiefvater

Now Ronan is a character you probably already heard about if you love YA as he is one of the most beloved characters in the subgenre of magical realism and his love story with a certain someone is one for the ages! There are many sides to Ronan, but one of the things I find most inspiring about his story is how he reconciles his faith with his sexuality. Pick this book up if you love lyrical writing, mind-blowing plot twists, and beautiful relationships. And a quick tip – read The Raven Cycle before jumping into Call Down the Hawk!

Griffin from History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

Silvera is well known for his heart-wrenching stories and this one is no exception! But while Griffin has to battle grief at losing his first love, we also get a front-row seat at him confronting both his past and present in order to move on with his life. Despite it being a sorrowful story of loss and pain that comes with it, History Is All You Left Me is also filled with hope and all the best things of being young and in love for the first time.

Lesbian Characters

Aline Penhallow from Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is well known for diversity in her books, but one of her latest series, The Eldest Curses, follows a M/M and a F/F couple making it her first with LGBTQ+ main protagonists! And one of the girls in the book, Aline Penhallow, is a true firecracker and an epic heroine! We met her for the first time back in The Mortal Instruments, but this book really makes her shine!

Cameron Post from The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Cameron’s story is basically a classic lesbian coming-of-age story at this point. When Cameron is shipped to a conversion therapy after being found with a girl, her life is turned upside down and she starts to dig deeper and question the expectations of life. This is not only a story of the damaging reality that is conversion therapy, but also an exploration of female sexuality and a hot-take on sex and sexuality in general.

Lei from Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

This series was one of the most hyped ones back in 2018 and rightfully so! Lei is a strong female protagonist that has to fight against injustice and tyranny of her world, but there is also a sweet component of forbidden love woven into this rather hard-hitting story. As you follow Lei on her journey and see as she slowly realises she has feelings for her fellow king’s consort, you won’t be able to not fall in love with their powerful love story!

Bisexual Characters

Levi from Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

Ace of Shades is a perfect read for any fans of epic plot twists and swoon-worthy characters! Levi is a leader of a notorious gang and the type of character you can’t help but adore! I sometimes jokingly say that he is basically Kaz Brekker and Jesper Fahey (both characters from Six of Crows) combined – witty, hella charming, but also cunning and ambitious. He is a joy to read about and he is a main, bisexual Black character.

Jesper Fahey and Nina Zenik from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

This duology is super diverse in different ways and basically anyone is able to find themselves in one of the characters! Two of the most beloved ones are naturally the bisexual legends Nina and Jesper, who slay not only with their weapons of choice but also with their charm and flirtatious ways! One of the other characters pointed this out even in the book: “…he sometimes suspected they could forgo all of Kaz’s planning and simply let Jesper and Nina flirt the entirety of Ketterdam into submission.” – Crooked Kingdom, Leigh Bardugo

Noam from The Fever King by Victoria Lee

This epic dystopian duology follows a story of a techopath Noam as he tries to navigate the treacherous ways of his corrupt government and save his people. But of course there is also a beautiful queer love story in the heart of The Fever King – a love between two boys who learn to trust and love each other despite the horrid world they grew up in.

Leah from Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Did someone say an epic and fluffy book about two epic bisexual queens?! If that’s what you are looking for, search no more! This beautiful Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda spin-off concentrates on Leah, Simon’s best friend, that is trying to come out to her friends and go after the girl she loves. Leah on the Offbeat is filled with cuteness interwoven with more serious topics, a mix we’ve come to expect and love from Albertalli! A perfect summer read if there ever was one!

Asexual and Demisexual Characters

Rick from Rick by Alex Gino

While not technically YA (it’s a middle grade story), Rick is the kind of story that will leave you full of hope for the better tomorrow! This middle grade book about a young boy who already knows that he is just not interested in people in that way is a wonderful and poignant story about sexuality and how there is no ‘right’ age to figure out who you are (or are not) attracted to. And how you and your feelings are valid no matter what others say.

Alice from Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann

Alice is prepping for a perfect summer when her girlfriend dumps her after finding out Alice is asexual. No more romantic star-gazing or bingeing favourite TV shows together, but then Takumi comes along and Alice realises she might not be as done with dating as she anticipated. There is beautiful intersectionality in this book as Alice is asexual, biromantic, and Black! Prepare to swoon with this cute YA rom-com that explains it is perfectly okay to want love but not sex. 

Felicity Montague from The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

Felicity fights for and then owns her sexuality (and her desire to become a doctor) in times when women were expected to marry young and stay quiet about it. As we follow Felicity on an adventure of her lifetime (Pirates! Dragons! Dogs!), we learn about the lives of women in the 1700s in a realistic yet hopeful manner. This is a feminist book your heart longs for with great representation as Felicity is on the asexual/aromantic spectrum!

Aled from Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Hands down one of the sweetest characters in modern YA lit is Aled Last, the secondary main characters of Radio Silence and the creator of the famous podcast Universe City. He explains in the book that he is demisexual and that that also makes sense in terms of his relationship. The author also said before that she believes that sometime in the future Aled will come to identify as non-binary.

Non-Binary, Trans, and Gender Fluid Characters

Ben from I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

Ben is a 17-year-old that gets thrown out of their house on Christmas day after they come out to their parents as non-binary. Ben is forced to move in with their estranged sister and finish their senior year at a new school, but everything is not as bleak as it seems. The main protagonists of I Wish You All the Best defy all the norms society forces on us, discovering a lot about themselves on the way, and coming out victorious! It is a realistic story of finding your voice and accepting it – sometimes sorrowful but with infinite possibilities for happiness and love.

Melissa from George by Alex Gino

Okay so I am cheating yet again by adding another gorgeous middle-grade book by Gino, but these stories of Rick and Melissa are too beautiful to pass up and perfect reads for anyone craving good asexual and trans rep! Melissa is a girl and she knows that despite what everyone else keeps telling her. And she will make other see her for who she really is… Melissa and not George! George is a truly stunning story that teaches about the power of friendship and acceptance that make even the hardest of situations bearable – especially when there are zoo and theatre and skirts involved!

Zee from The Disasters by M.K. England

The Disasters is a perfect read for all the fans of The Illumiane Files, a fast-paced space adventure with an amazing and diverse cast of characters (Bi rep! Trans rep! PoC characters! Muslim characters! Mental health rep!). I could go on and on about what a fun and adventurous book this is, but I’ll dedicate this time to screaming about the amazing trans girl medic called Zee. Her eyeliner is on point and she will kick you if you cross her. Hard.

Riley Cavanaugh from Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

This beautiful story of coming to terms with yourself will introduce you to a snarky and rebellious teen you will inevitably fall for – without worrying about their gender! Riley is a gender fluid teen in a conservative town, finding their solace in an anonymous blog. But when the blog goes viral and Riley’s anonymity is compromised, Riley will have to decide between standing their ground or running away from everything they built with it.

Do you have any other recommendations with queer characters? Tell us in the comments below!

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