The Mortal Enemy Murder Club is a cosy mystery thriller and the second book in the Hu Done It series, so readers will need to have read The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club before picking up the sequel. The Mortal Enemy Murder Club is perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building as well as books like the Finlay Donovan series by Elle Cosimano, Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack, Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto, and The Maid by Nita Prose. The Mortal Enemy Murder Club explores themes and topics like revenge, cheating, secrets and lies, culture, social norms, fame, family, friendship, trust, right versus wrong, incarceration, and identity.

First off, this cosy mystery weaves together an interesting case, great female friendship, a dash of romance, and some laugh-out-loud moments, making for an enjoyable read! It was great that the mystery in The Mortal Enemy Murder Club was connected to the case in the first book and that it involved many of the same characters, so it made it really easy to dive into the book without a lot of preamble. I really enjoyed Kat’s quirky personality and found her love of idioms (and the history behind them) to be interesting. Lastly, there is definitely the potential for more books in this series so I cannot wait to see what’s up next for “the mortal enemy murder club”!

Even though I enjoyed book two, I was much more invested in and surprised by the case in book one; so in comparison, I didn’t feel like I was as engaged in the plot of The Mortal Enemy Murder Club.

Overall, I’m loving the Hu Done It series and am excited to see what other adventures await Kat, Olivia, and Elle! If you’re looking for a cosy and humorous mystery series, then I highly recommend the series!

The Mortal Enemy Murder Club is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 28th 2026.

Will you be picking up The Mortal Enemy Murder Club? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is back with a twist in this smart, hilarious mystery by USA TODAY bestselling author Gloria Chao.

Kathryn Hu is not getting into the business of solving murders. Yes, she and her friends Olivia and Elle figured out who killed their cheating ex-boyfriend. But now Kat can get back to her usual, murder-free existence.

Then she gets an unexpected plea for help. Mandy Thorne has ruined countless lives through her revenge podcast. She also did her best to frame the girls. Now, she claims, someone is trying to kill her. And the girls are the only ones who can save her.

But can the trio and Mandy put aside their mutual contempt long enough to prevent a murder and solve this case? Can they become…the Mortal Enemy Murder Club?

Filled with humor and shenanigans, The Mortal Enemy Murder Club is a romp of an adventure by USA TODAY bestselling author Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties and Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.

The post Review: The Mortal Enemy Murder Club by Gloria Chao appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from The Mortal Enemy Murder Club by Gloria Chao, which releases on July 28th 2026.

Kathryn Hu is not getting into the business of solving murders. Yes, she and her friends Olivia and Elle figured out who killed their cheating ex-boyfriend. But now Kat can get back to her usual, murder-free existence.

Then she gets an unexpected plea for help. Mandy Thorne has ruined countless lives through her revenge podcast. She also did her best to frame the girls. Now, she claims, someone is trying to kill her. And the girls are the only ones who can save her.

But can the trio and Mandy put aside their mutual contempt long enough to prevent a murder and solve this case? Can they become…the Mortal Enemy Murder Club?

Filled with humor and shenanigans, The Mortal Enemy Murder Club is a romp of an adventure by USA TODAY bestselling author Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties and Finlay Donovan Is Killing It.

EXCERPT

“You’re heeeeere!” Olivia ran up to me and squeezed me for so long I started to understand the appeal of a weighted blanket. “Thanks for coming.”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it!”

When I first discovered that my ex, Tucker Jones, had been cheating on me—when I walked in, half naked, on him proposing to Olivia—I never would have guessed that we’d become the closest of friends. But now, I couldn’t imagine my life without Olivia Valentina McCarthy, whose full name I first heard from Tucker’s lips following the words will you marry me. (Not to mention, less than ten minutes later, I’d heard those very same words followed by Kathryn Yushan Hu.)

Olivia let go of me and promptly grabbed my hand, leading me into the theater. “Come sit at my table.”

“It’s your first night! Don’t you want to try your act out on a stranger?”

“Of course not! That’s terrifying. You’ll clap and love me no matter what, right?”

“Do you even have to ask?”

We shared a smile as she pulled a chair out for me.

The Magic Lounge was aptly named, being more cozy lounge than theater, with tables throughout at different levels so that everyone could see the stage. The event began with appetizers and private shows for each table, followed by two headliner performances on the main stage. Tonight was Olivia’s first table show after training for months.

When we—the Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club—had been trying to clear our names by figuring out who murdered our shared ex-boyfriend, we had called Olivia Double-Oh-livia for her 007 skills in picking locks, breaking into safes and laptops, and just being a badass in general. Skills she had learned from the private investigator she often worked with at her law firm, and maybe also from YouTube. “You never know when you might need to save your own ass,” Olivia liked to say, and she had certainly saved my ass plenty of times. Sleight of hand was something she’d always wanted to add to her arsenal, and of course, if she was going to do it, she was going to go all out and become a full-blown paid magician, even if it was just a few nights a month. This exact personality trait was what made her so good at so many things, including her chosen expertise as a criminal defense attorney. I, on the other hand, would never be able to do what she was about to, mostly because I hated being the center of attention. I preferred hiding behind my chemicals and glassware.

A plate of sliders appeared on my table like magic—though not really, the waiter was just quiet and my eyes were on Olivia. But I was definitely in the right mood for tonight.

Olivia opened a new deck of cards and fanned them in front of me like a pro, which, after tonight, she technically was. “Pick a card.”

Even though the line felt cliché, I’d never heard it from someone one-on-one. The excitement bubbled through me like carbon dioxide.

I grabbed a card from the middle.

“Look at it,” she instructed. “You can show me. Okay, three of clubs. Do you want to keep this or switch?”

“Um . . . keep.”

“Okay.” She turned the card over, then gestured for me to open my hands, which I did. She placed the card face down in my left palm and instructed, “Hold that tight between your hands. Don’t let anyone get to it.”

“Who’s coming for it?” I joked, but I of course clamped my right hand on top.

“Okay, so . . .” She squared the rest of the deck in her hands, then began to slowly flip the top card over.

“No! Is that the three of clubs?” I asked

She finished the movement quicker to reveal a king of hearts. “No. That would have been cool, though. But here we have the king of hearts, which is symbolic. I don’t currently have a king of hearts in my life. But you do.”

I blushed thinking about Adrian, who was meeting me here soon, though he was running late due to a work emergency.

“Because of that, this”—Olivia flicked the king of hearts—“should be yours.”

She turned the card face down, then waved it over my hand.

“No . . .” I said, the word just an exhale.

She grinned mischievously—the same grin right before she broke into a safe or laptop or condo—and then she pressed the card she was holding, the king of hearts, into the back of my hand that was clamped on top of the protected card. A second later, she turned her card face up to reveal it was now the three of clubs.

“That means . . .” She gestured for me to open my palms, and when I turned the card in between over, my mind was blown that it was the king of hearts. As my mouth dropped open, Olivia didn’t seem to think much of it as she asked calmly, “Things still going well with McHottie, I assume?”

“Olivia!”

“What?”

“That was amazing! Like, just—holy shit.”

“Okay, you don’t have to patronize me.”

“No, seriously, how’d you do that?” My fingers flipped the king of hearts back and forth, examining it for Hu (doesn’t) know what.

Olivia smiled—wide, unabashed, and real—and my heart soared that I not only knew this smile but that it appeared often when we were together. Then she leaned close to me and whispered, “If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.” But she couldn’t even get through the whole sentence without giggling. “Just kidding, I’ll teach you later—it’s easy!”

She’d also been teaching me to pick locks, which I hadn’t used in any other setting, but I felt cooler just being able to do it.

Olivia leaned back and shuffled the cards. “Now, for my next trick—”

Someone slipped into the seat beside me. I turned, ready to greet Adrian with a kiss on the cheek, but thank god I didn’t because it was a stranger wearing a trench coat, a giant hat, and sunglasses.

“Oh, fun!” I exclaimed, turning so I was half facing Olivia and half facing the new arrival. “Another magician? Or your assistant?”

The newcomer’s head was tilted down so I couldn’t see their face beneath the hat. “Olivia McCarthy and Kathryn Hu?” a woman’s voice whispered.

“Yeah?” I responded automatically before asking myself, Why did she ask about Olivia’s name? And then I turned to see the confused look on Olivia’s face.

Before I could scoot backward or run off, the person whipped their disguise off. The woman before me looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her.

“Mandy?” Olivia said, her voice hesitant. “Mandy Thorne?”

“I need your help,” Mandy said, her voice desperate. “Someone’s trying to kill me.”

Excerpted from THE MORTAL ENEMY MURDER CLUB by Gloria Chao. Copyright © 2026 by Gloria Chao. Published by Park Row Books, an imprint of HTP/HarperCollins.

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘The Mortal Enemy Murder Club’ by Gloria Chao appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Gloria Chao’s The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, which is out June 24th 2025.

The body in the closet was going to be a problem. Kathryn Hu knew it. Yes, Tucker Jones was a cheating scumbag, and yes, she’d agreed to meet Olivia and Elle—Tucker’s other girlfriends—to exact revenge for all he’d put them through… But then they found him. Dead.

Do they look guilty? Yes.

Do they feel guilty for having wished him dead just hours before? Maybe a little.

But—solid motive and a crime scene covered in their DNA aside—they’re innocent. They swear.

To clear their names, Kat, Olivia, and Elle team up to find the real killer. But as they go undercover and lie to everyone, including the hot detective working the case, they realize that every person in their ex’s life had a reason to want him dead. Will they uncover the truth before they go down for a murder they didn’t commit?

Filled with humor and shenanigans, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club is a romp of an adventure by award-winning author Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It and John Tucker Must Die.

Hypothesis: Bad luck in motion stays in motion, even if another force acts upon it. Otherwise known as Kathryn’s First Law of Luck. Unlike Newton, I was using my first name because Hu’s First Law of Luck was the start of an Abbott and Costello bit.

I can already imagine it:

“Hu’s First Law.”

“Whose?”

“Exactly, Hu’s.”

I didn’t laugh at the jokes playing out in my head because of said Law and the fact that at only ten thirty in the morning, I was in the work bathroom for an unusual reason for the second time today. Trip number one had been two hours ago, when I’d spilled coffee on my favorite button-down shirt, which was pink, professional, and made my small boobs look bigger than they were. I didn’t even drink coffee normally—I was a tea gal through and through—but after lying awake last night worrying about today’s experiment, I needed an extra-large jolt of caffeine. Unfortunately, most of it ended up on my shirt, not in my stomach.

As for bathroom trip number two, well, I wish it had been a number two—that would have been cleaner, less smelly, and more pleasant. Instead, I’d just had another run-in with the lab tech who’s had it out for me since the first day of my Harvard chemistry postdoc, when he introduced himself and I misheard Johannes as Your Highness. Of course, when I called him that, he told everyone I made fun of his name, then stopped aiding me in the lab. It didn’t help that my attempt to apologize was a joke about name confusion that did not land. “Hu is sorry,” I’d tried to say, to which Johannes had said, “You! You should be sorry!” It also didn’t help that I have poor social skills and am maximally awkward when I’m uncomfortable. Needless to say, I’ve been the lab pariah since.

Johannes and I have had many incidents in the three months I’ve been here, and this particular time, he deposited a pile of dirty beakers in front of me, claiming I wasn’t following proper autoclave protocol and was thus banned—from using the autoclave or beakers, I wasn’t sure. In the process of shaming me, he spilled some of the beta-mercaptoethanol I’d just retrieved, which of course he then reprimanded me for, since I hadn’t brought it to the fume hood as I was supposed to. The stench of rotten eggs quickly permeated the air, and I frantically cleaned it up, then ran here to the bathroom to dry heave into the sink and also to escape the flaming daggers my lab mates were throwing at me. I was not doing my already abysmal popularity any favors; in a small shared space, bad smells travel even faster than the latest gossip, especially smells as revolting as beta-mercaptoethanol.

Today was so not my day. To be fair, most days did not feel like the universe was on my side, but this was worse than usual. After I opened a bathroom window for some fresh air, I retrieved my phone to text my boyfriend.

Terrible day with alkynes of bad luck.

Then I sent a close-up

photo of my shirt’s coffee stain.

As three dots popped up on my screen, I smiled, already feeling better. And a second later, I burst into laughter at his response.

Oh no! How can I help get rid of the unsaturated hydrocarbons containing a triple bond?

Tucker Jones wasn’t a science nerd like me, but he always looked up what he needed to—in this case, alkyne—so he could understand my jokes and make some of his own.

Then he added:

The stain looks like a fried egg, with the blobby shape and darker center. How perfect is that?

I looked down at the stain again. It did look like a fried egg. Which was perfect, as Tucker said. Because frying an egg was how I fell in love with chemistry when I was younger. I started learning to cook as a way to bond with my parents—whose main way of showing love was making Taiwanese dishes for me—and none of it made sense until I learned the science behind it. Frying an egg was simply changing the egg’s molecular structure irreversibly with heat energy.

How was Tucker so good at turning bad situations around? Hoping he could find a way to turn bathroom trip number two around, I responded:

That’s especially fitting because eggs seem to be a theme today; I spilled beta-mercaptoethanol and now the lab smells like rotten eggs and everyone’s mad at me.

His reply comes immediately:

Sorry, babe If it makes you feel better, it wouldn’t bother me in the least if I were there

I chuckled. Tucker was born without a sense of smell. Congenital anosmia.

I wish I could see you today, I texted back. With my postdoc and him working in private equity, we both had long, inflexible work hours that made it difficult for us to find time to spend together. Because of that, we decided early on in our relationship to carve out Wednesday nights and Sundays for each other. That way, I knew how to arrange my schedule without having to check in with him, making it easier for me to plan longer experiments where I had to stay late at the lab, like tonight.

He replies quickly with:

I wish I could see you too, but I get it, work comes first

I hope your day gets better and you manage to reduce disulfide bonds without it being too smelly

Also, your brain is really hot

Okay, Tucker may not know much about chemistry beyond

Google definitions of alkyne and beta-mercaptoethanol, but he was an expert at our chemistry. In about three minutes, Tucker had lifted my spirits and made it so that I now smiled when I looked at my fried-egg stain. Even if my hypothesis was true and bad luck stayed in motion, it didn’t matter because I had Tucker’s shoulder to lean on.

When I returned to the lab, everyone was still glaring at me.

“Sorry,” I tried to call out, but it was barely audible. I cleared my throat and tried again. “I’m really sorry about the smell. I’ll keep a better ion the beta-mercaptoethanol from now on, I promise.”

Not a single person laughed. Johannes rolled his eyes at me from where he was unboxing a new shipment of pipette tips.

Against my better judgment, I tried again. “No reaction?”

“Please stop,” begged my coworker Don. And he was even a dad.

Never, I thought but didn’t say. I couldn’t help wondering if they would have laughed if the joke had come from someone other than me.

Out of ideas, I sat back down and tried to work up the nerve to retrieve the beta-mercaptoethanol again so I could run my experiment.

An hour and a half later, I’d done every non-beta- mercaptoethanol item on my list and even not on my list, like reorganizing the glassware and testing the pens in my bag.

“I heard you all could use a pick-me- up!” called out a deep, familiar, and may I add, very sexy voice from the doorway.

I popped up from my seat so quickly I almost bumped my head on the cabinet above. When I turned, there he was, my knight in shining suit. My heart fluttered, and only in small part because of how hot he looked. The bigger part was what was underneath that suit, and no, my mind wasn’t in the gutter—I meant his heart. Because that giant heart of his had made him not only show up at lunchtime to cheer me up, but he was also carrying a giant Dunkin’ Donuts box.

He winked at me, and I wanted to run across the room and throw myself into his arms.

“Kat wanted to apologize to everyone for the accident with some donuts!”

The entire lab cheered. Well, the entire lab except for Johannes, who yelled, “No food in the lab!”

Everyone stood and rushed out, with Johannes grabbing the box to bring to the break room. A flurry of thank-yous was thrown in Tucker’s and my direction. And finally, we were alone.

I ran at him, and he was ready for me, scooping me up and twirling me in a circle.

“Hi,” I said, my grin so wide the edges of my face hurt. He booped my nose with his. “Hi.”

When he set me down, I squeezed him as hard as I could.

“Whoa, okay, killer!” he said with a chuckle. “I don’t need the Heimlich right now.”

“Wrong direction—Heimlich is from behind so you can activate the diaphragm muscle to expel any foreign objects in the trachea.”

A crooked smile appeared on his face, and with two fingers, he tapped my forehead twice—the gesture he always made to tell me how much he loved my brain.

“Is your day better?” he asked.

“It is now,” I said genuinely. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Well, you said you wanted to see me. And I thought maybe I could help with some damage control at the same time.”

I gazed at him fondly. “Thanks for buttering them up for me.”

“Ooh, um, Thanksgiving origin? Cooking a turkey?” he asked, and I laughed.

He knows I love to look up the origins of sayings. Before him, I never shared these tidbits with anyone—I’d learned the hard way in high school that most people weren’t interested in the weird stuff I liked—but on our third date, I’d accidentally blurted out to Tucker that “no dice” came from when gambling was illegal, and if authorities couldn’t find any dice, they couldn’t charge you with a crime. When I told him that some people went as far as to eat dice to vanish the evidence, he’d laughed and asked me what other expressions had unexpected origins.

“Buttering someone up comes from a religious act in India where they throw butter balls at statues of gods to seek favor,” I told him.

“I knew you’d have that one in the bag.”

I grinned—that one we’ve discussed before. In the 1910s, when the San Francisco Giants were in New York, they used to carry a ball bag off the field when the team was in the lead, hoping that the game was “in the bag” and couldn’t be lost.

Tucker took my hand in his. “I know you’re busy and have to work late tonight, but I figured you’d have to eat lunch?”

I nodded eagerly.

“Let’s go out. You need some fresh air. How about a fried egg? I’m suddenly in the mood for one, with a side of Kat.”

I laughed as he lifted our conjoined hands to twirl me in a circle.

How did he always know what I needed?

Maybe I was wrong about bad luck staying in motion. Because after Tucker left, I was floating on cloud nine (the highest type of cloud on the international cloud atlas). Thanks to a lunch full of laughter, kisses, and runny egg yolks, I returned to the lab with enough confidence to retrieve the beta-mercaptoethanol again.

No spills this time, thank god. Partly because Johannes was uncharacteristically leaving me alone, maybe because of the donuts.

Once my experiment was underway and I had a minute to relax, I retreated to the break room.

The Dunkin’ box was still there, but only jelly was left now.

No matter, it was still a donut, fried and covered in powdered sugar. And it had been brought here with love. I bit into it.

Pssht! A giant glob of bright red jelly squirted out and landed exactly on top of the coffee fried egg.

Kathryn’s Second Law of Luck: Lightning does strike in the same place twice.

And maybe my first Law of Luck wasn’t so off either. Because five hours later, the bad luck had not only continued in motion but had snowballed. My experiment did not yield the results I was expecting, just like all the other experiments I’d run in my three months here. I was back to square one, a failure. (Origin: when BBC Radio used to cover soccer games in the ’30s, the pitch was divided into imaginary squares, with square one being the goalmouth and “back to square one” being said by the commentators when the ball went out of play.)

Feeling wounded inside and out—the latter because my

coffee-and-jelly stain had set and darkened—all I wanted to do was lay my head down on the bench. But then I remembered that I’d spilled beta-mercaptoethanol there earlier today.

Right now, I needed a pick-me-up more than anything. As a personal rule, I kept my phone on silent and tucked away while in the lab, but this was an exception.

I ungloved and took my phone out to text Tucker, but there were already texts from him waiting for me.

Hope your day got better

Sending a hug

Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you

How did he not only know what I needed but also before I even knew?

That was when I realized: Why was I still staying late? No progress was being made, and I didn’t have it in me to keep going.

I needed to see Tucker. Maybe we could order in hot wings and have some messy but fiery kisses. Maybe he could rip my stained shirt off and throw it on the bedroom floor to be forgotten. It was Friday, not our usual date-night Wednesday or Sunday, but he hadn’t mentioned any plans earlier.

Thumbs flying, I texted back:

There IS something you can do. A real hug. And a hug without “u” is deadly, so I’ll be there soon!

I wasn’t sure if he knew Hg was the chemical symbol for mercury, but whatever. Screw today’s failed experiment, screw Johannes, and screw the fact that I’d been so embarrassed by the second stain I hadn’t even finished my donut. I had someone in my life who turned an ugly stain into an inside joke and showed up at the lab with bribe donuts for my coworkers. And I was on my way to see him.

A slight bounce appeared in my step as I exited the building.

On the familiar drive to his place, I tried to channel Tucker’s superpower that allowed him to find the fried egg in my stain. I needed to find the fried egg in my failed experiments. And then it hit me. I did prove a hypothesis today—my bad luck hypothesis. It wasn’t going to help my career, but it did make me giggle as I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel to the Taylor Swift song playing in the background. I couldn’t wait to tell that to Tuck. I could almost hear his deep, resounding guffaw filling the space and my heart. And we’d have a new inside joke after this: finding the fried egg.

I parked across the street from Tucker’s luxurious condo building, not having access to the garage. The anticipation bubbled up inside me like carbon dioxide tickling my throat. I punched in the code for the building, then took the stairs two at a time up to the third floor, not wanting to wait for the elevator.

My fist froze an inch away from knocking. There was a sign on the door.

Come in, my love!

My heart was beating so hard I could hear it in my ears. We’d just told each other I love you a few weeks ago, and it had felt so early—only three months into our relationship—but nothing about Tucker has felt normal. Everything with him has been out of this world, extraordinary, epic.

I turned the unlocked doorknob and had to stifle a gasp, actually covering my mouth with my hand when I saw the rose petals and lit candles lining the floor.

My day was about to turn around. Completely. Screw Kathryn’s First Law. This wasn’t just any force trying to disrupt the bad luck, this was a dinosaur-ending asteroid. This was Tucker freaking Jones, the best boyfriend in the world and the best person at turning bad situations around.

And this wasn’t an everyday pick-me- up.

This was an extraordinary, epic one my mind hadn’t wrapped itself around yet. Was this really happening? If movies, social media, and books have taught me anything, the answer was a hearty, romantic, resounding Yes!

This was wild. Ridiculous. Yet it also made so much sense.

Just last week, Tuck had asked me about my taste in rings. But it had been while we were watching a rom-com and discussing the lead’s princess-cut engagement ring, so I hadn’t thought much of it at the time. But now that I was thinking about it, he had chosen the movie. Had it been an incredibly clever way to ask my preferences without arousing suspicion? And a week before that, he’d asked me where to get his watch battery changed—had he been asking me for a jeweler recommendation?

Was this too fast, after only three months? But that was my brain talking. Repeating what society had deemed normal by arbitrary standards. And weren’t societal timelines based on an average? This relationship was not average. And my bottom line was: it didn’t feel fast. I wanted to see more of him, live together, not keep our worlds so separate.

My life was about to change. I was about to experience one of the biggest romantic moments of my life. And I was wearing a coffee-and-jelly shirt.

I silently snuck up the stairs to the master bathroom, hoping Tucker wouldn’t hear me from the kitchen or wherever he was, likely finalizing the setup. Thank goodness he hadn’t heard me come in. One of the many benefits of his having a massive condo with two floors.

Unfortunately, I didn’t keep any clothes here. Tuck was a bit of a neat freak, and everything in his condo had a place. Even everything on his person had a place; he wore these special expensive high-end underwear that had a separate pouch for each part. Seriously. The first time I took them off, he stopped kissing me to tell me about them. If it had been anyone else, it would have been weird, but with him, it was adorable how passionate he was.

Normally I appreciated his need for order—his condo was always spotless, a rare trait for a bachelor—but it meant I didn’t have anything to change into. My best plan was to clean my current shirt or find a scarf or pin or even a pretty handkerchief, though Tucker wasn’t a handkerchief kind of guy.

The rose petals led my way. Had he done this in the fifteen minutes I’d been driving? The petals did look haphazard and not all the candles were lit—a rushed job. I should have just waited to see him on Sunday as planned, not make him hurry to get everything ready now. Then I would have been wearing something cuter, too. But this was real life, not a social media post.

I had to stifle another gasp as I entered the bedroom and spotted the rose petals in the shape of a heart on the bed. Ducking into the bathroom and closing the door behind me, I tried to work fast. First, I used water to smooth the baby hairs sticking up near my part. Then I brushed my teeth quickly with some toothpaste on my finger. And finally, the stain. Why hadn’t I cared more when I was at the lab? I could have whipped up a solvent to get rid of it (which actually would have been fun if I hadn’t been in such a sour mood), but it hadn’t seemed important at the time.

I had just taken off my shirt and started scrubbing when…

Footsteps. Coming upstairs.

I held my breath. I hadn’t thought all this through, which was unusual for me, but everything about today was unusual. I’d messed up, though. I was supposed to come in the front door, gasp, and let Tucker see my reaction to all the effort he’d put in, not already be upstairs having seen the setup without him. I’d have to find a way to distract him, then sneak out.

Maybe I could text him? Say I needed him to come down because the building code wasn’t working? Or, wait, he didn’t know I had the code. I knew it simply from watching the pattern of his fingers punching it in all the times we came home together from dinner, the movies, the grocery store. Maybe I could just tell him I was waiting for him out front, then when he came downstairs, I’d text that someone had let me in and I’d taken the stairs up.

I threw my shirt back on. But before I could fasten a single button let alone take out my phone, from the other side of the door, Tucker began speaking. I jumped, startled, wondering if he knew I was in here. But as I pressed my ear to the door, I realized that wasn’t it.

“I fell in love with you the day I met you.”

He was practicing his proposal. So cute. I couldn’t interrupt. And besides, how many people were lucky enough to hear their proposal twice? A huge smile spread over my face as I leaned my upper body against the door, my ear flattened against it.

“I can’t imagine my life without you. I’ve waited long enough, and I think it’s time.”

I was going to be Mrs. Kathryn Hu soon. Not Mrs. Kathryn Jones; as an academic with a completed dissertation and a published paper, I didn’t want to change my name. But the Mrs. would be new. And, surprisingly, welcome.

“You are the love of my life.”

I was aching to repeat those words back to him. But I’d have the chance soon. And now I could prepare what else I was going to say. I could tell him how he’d changed me. How I didn’t even know what love was until I met him. How I couldn’t imagine my world without him. That he was the only goodthing in my life.

I spread my hand on the door, fingers splayed, as if the gesture could reach through the wood and touch his heart, let him know I was here, my own heart already bursting.

There was a pause. He must be gathering himself, taking a moment to appreciate the weight of the words he was about to say. An inhale, a smile, a beat before the final most important question.

I removed my hand and tried to press my ear even harder into the door. Then, dizzy with giddiness, I held my breath.

“So with that…”

Here it was. Now I was dizzy from a lack of O2.

“Will you—”

Maybe it was the lack of oxygen, but I suddenly couldn’t wait any longer. This was out of character for me, but I was a changed woman thanks to Tucker. On impulse, I burst through the door, blurting, “Yes! I’ll marry you!”

At the same time, Tucker finished his sentence: “—marry me, Olivia Valentina McCarthy?”

My mind blanked. My heart stopped beating. The world stopped spinning.

And then when everything started up again, I realized I was standing there, shirt still open, pink bra fully on display, and my arms spread open like freaking Maria from the beginning of Sound of Music.

Despite being nearly topless, I couldn’t move.

I wasn’t just witnessing him practicing. I was witnessing the actual goddamn proposal. Because as my eyes swept past him toward the rose-heart bed, there she was.

Olivia Valentina McCarthy.

The other woman.

No, I was the other woman.

Kathryn’s Third Law of Luck: When it rains, it fucking pours shit and beta-mercaptoethanol straight into the fan.

Excerpted from THE EX-GIRLFRIEND MURDER CLUB by Gloria Chao. Copyright © 2025 by Gloria Chao. Published by MIRA, an imprint of HTP/HarperCollins.

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club’ by Gloria Chao appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover new books from Brigid Kemmerer, Megan Lally, Gayle Forman, Ann Liang, and many more!

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

All the Love Under the Vast Sky by Kip Wilson

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Twelve short stories in verse by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the highs and lows of love – romantic, platonic, familial, and self-love.

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.

Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue by Kate Pearsall

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In this haunting companion to Bittersweet in the Hollow, a girl who can smell the lies of others uncovers the incendiary mysteries of her small Appalachian town.

The Rival by Emma Lord

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Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again.

No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally

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Some secrets just won’t stay hidden in this twisty new thriller from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Megan Lally!

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.

After Life by Gayle Forman

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This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

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In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

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From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin… then wakes up the next morning in her cousin’s body.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

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A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia

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In this opposites-attract YA rom-com inspired by Emma, a failed romantic gesture puts a damper on a queer teen bookseller’s summer of book matching and matchmaking until a handsome lifeguard and romance skeptic waltzes into his bookstore. Sometimes you get a second chance at happily ever after when you least expect it . . .

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

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This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary.

First Love Language by Stefany Valentine

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For fans of Frankly in Love and Tokyo Ever After comes a romantic dramedy about finding love and reconnecting with your culture in the most surprising ways.

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

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A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.

The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears

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Uprooted meets Children of Blood and Bone in this dark fantasy inspired by a Malian fairy tale about a princess whose suitors are challenged to gruesome trials.

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

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In this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete in order to inherit a European kingdom.

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

The post 20 New YA Books To Read In January appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

We apologise in advance to your TBR and bank account, but there’s so many fantastic upcoming young adult books hitting shelves between January and June 2025! There’s new releases from Brigid Kemmerer, Libba Bray, Neal Shusterman, Allison Saft, Tracy Deonn, Ava Reid, Jennifer Dugan, Dahlia Adler, Elizabeth Lim, Becky Albertalli, and many more, plus incredible debut novels!

Read on to discover new books hitting shelves in the first half of the year and be sure to check out our other 2025 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Fantasy & Sci-Fi and Fiction lists.

JANUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary.

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
In this story filled with “romantic tension, royal drama, and family secrets” (Kristy Boyce), four teens living in a glamorous boarding school must compete in order to inherit a European kingdom.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
A cozy sapphic romantasy about a teen witch trying to keep her family’s apothecary up and running, with a little help from her ex-best friend—and first crush.

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
From the bestselling, and award-winning author of If You Could See The Sun comes a new page-turning speculative YA about a girl who wishes she could be as perfect and successful as her cousin… then wakes up the next morning in her cousin’s body.

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance . . . Family secrets that can’t stay buried . . . A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve . . . This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.

FEBRUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

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From the author of The Revenge Game comes a twisty YA thriller about the underbelly of Manhattan’s high society, where nothing is off-limits—not even murder.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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From New York Times-bestselling author Libba Bray comes an evocative and groundbreaking young adult historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend’s disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades.

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban

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A vengeful female spirit with a thirst for justice ignites a teen girl’s rage in this new YA horror, perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting and House of Hollow.

The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah

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In this sapphic Snow White retelling, if Snow is to save her kingdom from being ravaged by the Blight, she’ll have to kill the Evil Queen’s daughter…if she doesn’t fall in love with her first.

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

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From New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman comes a young adult thriller about a world where happiness is contagious but the risks of catching it may be just as dangerous as the cure.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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The Cruel Prince meets The Selection in this captivating duology opener brimming with heart-pounding romance, vicious competition, and beautiful, cruel fae, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven, Sasha Peyton Smith.

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft

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Brimming with magic and romance, a young fairy queen must form an unlikely alliance or risk an unspeakable danger destroying all she holds dear in this fantasy adventure from New York Times bestselling author Allison Saft.

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

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Perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer and Lexi Ryan, this debut romantasy stand-alone novel blends an immersive world, unique magic system, and swoon-worthy romance to create an unputdownable read that explores the great and terrible lengths to which love compels us to go.

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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A teen girl travels to an exclusive boarding school after a deadly incident at her old school, but the wood-paneled halls of Agathion are built over centuries of secrets—including an ancient society which may have ties to demonic magic—in this dark academia fantasy perfect for fans of Curious Tides.

This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

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Perfect for fans of Raybearer and Fourth Wing, this astonishing sequel to the bestselling novel So Let Them Burn doesn’t hold back. After all, there are no easy endings in war—especially when sisters are forced to fight on opposite sides.

MARCH 2025 YA BOOKS

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

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With a crew so entertaining and unique―All the Hidden Monsters is funny, serious, scary―and you’ll never guess who did it. There’s a world below our own, but who is killing who in both of them?

Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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Saved! meets Casey McQuiston in this wry, heartfelt tale of a teen who’s taking her church camp by storm—one deadly sin at a time.

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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Filled with elemental magic, forbidden romance, and breathtaking twists, Nightweaver is a propulsive romantasy about an iron-willed heroine avenging her brother and discovering her destiny.

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

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Tracy Deonn’s #1 New York Times bestselling Legendborn Cycle continues in the sensational third book about a dazzling contemporary fantasy world that blends Southern Black Girl Magic with secret societies and the legend of King Arthur!

When The Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

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From New York Times bestselling author of Dark and Shallow Lies comes a new southern gothic supernatural thriller about a teen girl in a small Ozark town who can hear the bones of the dead.

Fable For The End of the World by Ava Reid

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The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything.

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen

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Jennifer Chen’s Hangry Hearts is a funny, big-hearted romance about friendship, family, and first love―and being brave enough to have it all.

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin

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From author Elisa A. Bonnin comes Lovely Dark and Deep, a YA dark academia novel exploring magic, loneliness, and the power of found family.

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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Inspired by an ominous Prague legend, What Wakes the Bells is a lavish gothic fantasy by debut author Elle Tesch that is perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Margaret Rogerson, and V.E. Schwab.

In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook

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Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos in this fast-paced drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family, even join forces with her handsome enemy.

How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans

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You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight meets Scream in this YA slasher that turns classic horror tropes on their heads.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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The phenomenal fifth book in the Hunger Games series. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

APRIL 2025 YA BOOKS

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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Bestselling Rebel of the Sands author Alwyn Hamilton is back with a glittering fantasy thriller about a glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Brian Selznick, a profoundly romantic YA novel about two boys finding each other and falling in love over one summer in Rome.

The Floating World by Axie Oh

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From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this lighthearted romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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From the National Book Award finalist and author of Pet comes a novel set in a magical West African world, about a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers.

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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We Were Liars meets The Raven Boys in this mind-bending YA debut about dark revenge, twisted desire, and the sinister secrets lurking behind the walls of an elite boarding school.

Pride or Die by C.L. Montblanc

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In this delightful dark comedy debut, when the members of an LGBTQ+ club find themselves accidentally framed for attempted murder, it’s up to them to clear their names before it’s too late.

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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Zoe Hana Mikuta delivers a bloody and unrelenting fantasy about young witches dangling on the edge of love and obsession, of magic and madness, of life and death (and death and death and death). . .

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

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Booksmart meets Phantom of the Megaplex in Zakiya N. Jamal’s debut enthralling enemies-to-lovers queer romance, set against the backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater, the quirky employees who work there, and the suburbs of Long Island. Perfect for fans of Leah Johnson and Today Tonight Tomorrow.

Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love by Jessica Lewis

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Giving the new girl lessons in romance so she can woo your best friend couldn’t possibly go wrong…right? Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston, this romantic comedy from Jessica Lewis is packed with heart.

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

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Two years ago, the murder of a neighbor tore three best friends apart–now the killer is going to walk free and the ex-friends are going to have to face the past–and each other–in another twisty thriller from the New York Times bestselling co-author of The Agathas.

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

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The explosive sequel to instant New York Times bestselling YA debut Infinity Alchemist by Kacen Callender.

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

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The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake—who just so happens to be her brother’s best friend—in this fun teen historical romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Queen Bee.

MAY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that “encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games” (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

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Scorching-hot summer. Scorching-hot chemistry. Two teens can’t forget they’re just friends in this sweet, funny, electrifying romance from New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams. Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Nicola Yoon.

Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it contains…if she doesn’t fall in love with one of his men first.

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

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A heroine like no other, ancient magic unleashed, a fated epic battle–the first book in an enchanting YA fantasy duology inspired by Vietnamese lore, weaving magic, sisterhood, and self-discovery.

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan

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From the author of Some Girls Do comes a YA sapphic romance about two girls from different sides of the tracks.

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat

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A weird and revelatory debut that vividly captures the dislocation of growing up BIPOC and neurodivergent in a country awash in both conspiracy theories and genuine conspiracies.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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Dahlia Adler’s Come As You Are is about refusing to accept less than you deserve, and realizing that the best relationships are with people who know exactly who you are.

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

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An epic new fantasy about a demon hunter and a foot soldier thrown together in a centuries-old war. . . and the forbidden love that could change the course of history.

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

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Booksmart meets Today, Tonight, Tomorrow in this page-turning romp about two archnemeses—the valedictorian and the class slacker—who band together for a whirlwind night after discovering that they need each other to achieve their very different sunrise goals.  

Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch

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Out of Step, into You is a sapphic contemporary romance following childhood friends turned cross-country team rivals who are forced to work together to win the state championship – for fans of She Gets the Girl.

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Alien meets The Titanic in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston.

Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala

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The young adult debut from the award-winning author of Arsenic and Adobo! When a high school tarot reader’s latest client goes missing after a troubling reading, she must apply everything she’s learned from her private investigator mother to solve a case of her own.

JUNE 2025 YA BOOKS

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games in Roselle Lim’s dazzling YA fantasy debut, following a young noodle chef who competes in a cutthroat cooking competition for the gods.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

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RED QUEEN meets SHADOW AND BONE in this explosive start to a YA romantasy trilogy about dangerous magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne in an empire where crowns are not inherited — they’re won.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes a haunting romantic contemporary fantasy about a teen navigating her family’s love curse that blooms with their enchanted tulips every year.

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
From the author of the instant New York Times bestseller I Hope This Doesn’t Find You, Never Thought I’d End Up Here is another hilarious and romantic romcom from Ann Liang, this time following a former model determined to get revenge on the boy who ruined her life.

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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Young Royals meets The Prince and Me when a disgraced princess falls for a new student at their all-girls boarding school, but the two must hide their forbidden love at all costs.

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

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From the bestselling author of Wilder Girls and queen of twisty narratives, Rory Power, comes her highly anticipated new Young Adult thriller.

A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther

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From the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules comes a fun new coming-of-age romance full of dating disasters, powerful firsts, and the importance of family.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
The beautiful and heartwarming new romance from Becky Albertalli, best-selling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Where the Dark Stands Still comes an atmospheric fantasy based on Swan Lake, following Odile as her plan to restore magic to her kingdom gets disrupted by a murder—forcing her to beg for help from the young woman whose identity she stole.

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

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Set in the world of New York Times bestseller Seraphina, a boy on the run from a dragon—among other dangers—seeks refuge in a haunted abbey in this wholly original ghost story about what haunts us, and what connects us.

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

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The Walking Dead meets Yellowjackets in If We Survive This, a tense and emotional young adult horror novel from award-winning author Racquel Marie about a teen girl leading a group of survivors on a perilous journey during the apocalypse.

What YA books are you looking forward to? Any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 72 Of The Most Anticipated YA Books Of 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and the first chapter from Gloria Chao’s Ex Marks The Spot in both print and audiobook format, which releases on December 31st 2024.

For Gemma’s whole life, it has always been her and her mom against the world. As far as she knew, all her grandparents—and thus her ties to Taiwanese culture—were dead. Until one day when a mysterious man shows up at her door with two shocking things: the news that her grandfather has just recently passed, and the first clue to a treasure hunt that Gemma hopes will lead to her inheritance.

There’s just one major problem: to complete the hunt, she has to go to her grandfather’s home in Taiwan. And the only way Gemma can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. But after swallowing her pride, she finds herself halfway across the world, ready to unearth her life-changing prize. Soon Gemma discovers that the treasure hunt is about much more than money—it’s about finally learning about her family, her cultural roots, and maybe even finding true love.

Filled with ingenious puzzles, a vibrant Taipei setting, and a delicious romance, Ex Marks the Spot is an exciting adventure by award-winning writer Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Loveboat Taipei, The Inheritance Games, and Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes.

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The post Read or Listen To The First Chapter From ‘Ex Marks The Spot’ by Gloria Chao appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

When You Wish Upon A Lantern is a cute best friend to lovers YA novel that involves two best teens granting wishes for the ones they love, whilst trying to understand the slow burning romance they have for each other.

For all my readers that loved Disney’s Tangled (*cue the floating lanterns scene*), mixed in with elements of Asian culture, delicious bakery food, and a dash of Romeo and Juliet family drama, this is one you will be sure to enjoy!

Liya and Kai have been best friends for a very long time, but a messy misunderstanding occurs between them. After Kai asks Liya to be his girlfriend, she throws up her bubble tea all over him and their relationship has been awkward ever since.

However, Liya comes to find out that that her family’s store has been struggling to keep up with rent and might be going out of business, so she takes it upon herself to start her late grandmothers tradition; granting people’s written lantern wishes. With a big job on her plate, Liya enlists help from Kai while rebuilding their relationship once again. But will the family drama between their families be the dealbreaker that keeps them apart for good, or will they find their way to navigate through it?

This book has its ups and downs, but was an enjoyable read for the most part. I thought that the misunderstanding between Kai and Liya was going to be a lot bigger, awkward, and negatively taken. However, come to find out it was more of silly mess was a bit of a let-down, but this is understandable between two teenagers. Something else I wished was different was Kai and Liya’s developing relationship because the both of them were always their feelings in their head, and not actually talking to each other. I think it would’ve done well if they had been more straightforward with how they felt because it felt like they were in this repetitive routine of going about their job granting wishes, and not actually talking about their personal situation together.

Some plot elements that I found enjoyable were elements of Chinese-Taiwanese family culture, immigration of Liya’s grandmother to build a new life in America, and the Asian community built into their town were very heartfelt not just for the main characters, but for the readers. As for the setting and worldbuilding, Chao does a nice job of writing scenes that are vivid and full of colour. Even the cover of the book is beautiful, and this is how I imagined the lanterns floating over the lake. It was also pretty easy to visualise most of the locations Liya and Kai were at, and especially all the bakery goodies Kai was making.

Something I think that was also important to address is how Chao really gives perspective on how toxic traits can exist among parents, siblings, and other people outside your family you might know. I thought this was refreshing to read because I think it’s a way of insuring readers they are not alone in how they feel, even in the most negative of situations.

Overall, this book has its magical touches, romance, and wholesome feel to it! Given this is a YA book, expect young adult tendencies, miscommunications, and experiences because it definitely gave off that energy!

When You Wish Upon A Lantern is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up When You Wish Upon A Lantern? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

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

Liya and Kai had been best friends since they were little kids, but all that changed when a humiliating incident sparked The Biggest Misunderstanding Of All Time—and they haven’t spoken since.

Then Liya discovers her family’s wishing lantern store is struggling, and she decides to resume a tradition she had with her beloved late grandmother: secretly fulfilling the wishes people write on the lanterns they send into the sky. It may boost sales and save the store, but she can’t do it alone . . . and Kai is the only one who cares enough to help.

While working on their covert missions, Liya and Kai rekindle their friendship—and maybe more. But when their feuding families and their changing futures threaten to tear them apart again, can they find a way to make their own wishes come true?

The post Review: When You Wish Upon Lantern by Gloria Chao appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

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

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

JANUARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FEBRUARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MARCH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

APRIL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JUNE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Game On is filled with fifteen stories by star-studded contributors: Gloria Chao, Sona Charaipotra, Kika Hatzopoulou, Katie Cotugno, Isaac Fitzsimons, Kathleen Glasgow, Shaun David Hutchinson, Kim Jones & Gilly Segal, Amanda Joy, Yamile Saied Méndez, Anna Meriano, Nina Moreno, Laura Silverman, Kayla Whaley and Francesca Zappia. And it’s of course the magic of anthologies that they bring you stories from your favourite authors while also introducing you to new voices you might not have heard about before. Need an example? I’d been itching to get my hands on this book because of well-known names like Francesca Zappia (and that story did not disappoint), yet after finishing all fifteen stories, I had an entire cart full of books to order at my local indie bookshop because I discovered authors like Sona Charaipotra and Anna Meriano I hadn’t heard much from before but now couldn’t wait to read more from.

What I absolutely adored about this collection is how diverse and inclusive it was. It might not seem like much to others, but for me to pick up an anthology (and believe me, I’ve read quite a lot this year) that’s not marketed directly as a queer anthology and yet for more than half of the stories to star LGBTQIAP+ characters? Chef’s kiss right there. On top of that, the characters came from a variety of different backgrounds, races and religions and I loved how, even if that wasn’t always the focus, it coloured the stories with so much authenticity and diversity.

Now, my reading experience turned out to be quite a nostalgic journey. Obviously, this book is about games and competition, about winning and losing and everything that comes with being on the right team—or the wrong one. I loved how, beyond the actual games in these stories—whether it’s Spin the Bottle, Settlers of Catan, or a fun scavenger hunt—there was always the sense of community that comes with playing games. Whether you’ve ever been part of a sports team or ever lost epically during an online gaming session, there’s usually that sense of camaraderie, which is the beauty of playing games. Games and competitions can bring people together in so many ways. And in the end, it’s not so much about winning or losing, it’s about who you’re winning or losing with. There’s also this theme of competition bringing out the best and worst in people and some stories in here discussed this so beautifully. While I obviously won’t talk about any of the stories in detail, I do want to mention one in particular.

One of the short stories follows a group playing a game called Werewolf. That story was such a throwback for me because it made me miss those summer days where my friends and I would get together after school and sit in the garden, eyes closed, waiting to be assigned “our roles” as a werewolf hunted us down, one by one. Truth be told, I hadn’t thought of that game in nearly a decade and that story just threw me back in time completely. That’s short stories at their best, in my opinion. When authors manage to momentarily transport you to this other place and remind you of the things you love(d). I hope that if you pick this up, there will be such a moment for you as well. Whether it’s in the short story that has two people falling for each other during a puzzle-filled scavenger hunt on campus, the one that finds a group of friends playing card games up on the roof during those lovely summer nights or even the one where two teams battle it out for Team Retro or Team Modern at an amusement park.

Game On is a love letter to games and competition. Whether you’re a fan of sports, board or video games, chances are there is at least one story in Game On will bring out your inner champion. With inclusive narratives and diverse characters, this anthology is a fun addition to any bookshelf!

Game On is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of January 18th 2022.

Will you be picking up Game On? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From the slightly fantastical to the utterly real, light and sweet romance to tales tinged with horror and thrills, Game On is an anthology that spans genre and style. But beneath each story is a loving ode to competition and games perfect for anyone who has ever played a sport or a board game, picked up a video game controller, or rolled a twenty-sided die.

A manhunt game is interrupted by a town disappearing beneath the players’ eyes. A puzzle-filled scavenger hunt emboldens one college freshman to be brave with the boy she’s crushing on. A series of summer nights full of card games leads a boy to fall for a boy who he knows is taken. And a spin the bottle game that could end a life-long friendship.

Fifteen stories, and fifteen unforgettable experiences that may inspire readers to start up that Settlers of Catan game again.

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