Hi, Jen! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke three years ago for the release of If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come?

Hello! I feel like I’ve lived ten lives since then, ha. It’s strange and exciting to have another book out in the world, and I’m so grateful for all the support. I’ve been going by Jude these days as well .

Your latest novel, Where You’ll Find Us, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Queer teens find magical sanctuary.

What can readers expect?

Although there are many cozy elements to this story (magical farm house, found family, animals, rainbow sprinkle cakes!) the plot also addresses many types of trauma, prejudice, illness, and isolation. I urge readers to visit my website for content warnings to make sure it’s a good fit for them. Having said that, I always do my best to take care with all of the content and readers’ hearts, and to lead the characters to a brighter place.

Beyond that, readers can expect a story centering gender identity exploration, queer history, and plenty of love of all kinds. I like to think it’s a little funny too, ha. And the last few chapters might make you cry, but I hope in a good way.

Where did the inspiration for Where You’ll Find Us come from?

As I struggled to figure out my own identity, I started to ask myself what it was exactly that allowed someone to do that. Was it easy and obvious for most people? How did people arrive at their labels, their bodies, their identities, with such confidence? Did I just need more time? Or was I not asking the right questions? Or was I really just confused? Or making things up, even?

But I realized I have found myself, and continue to find pieces of myself, in others’ stories. And I’ve discovered fluidity, nuance, and compassion for myself and others by studying queer history. The language and contexts are always evolving, and so are we. I wanted this book to be a love letter to our LGBTQIA+ ancestors, and for their lives to demonstrate how we can survive this current moment in time we are all living through. I wanted to dream up a place that felt magical and safe, and I wanted to bring readers there too.

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

The ending is my favorite part of the whole book. For all my many messy, chaotic drafts (in one, they all got into a battle with wild turkeys), I knew how I wanted it to end, and that was my guiding light through all of my wandering, musing, and doubting. These characters feel like real people to me perhaps because they’re based on so many very real people with very real stories. I wish all queer people could have time to heal in a house so far from this world, with people to hold them in this one when they inevitably return to it.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Oh, so many. The research felt so daunting so I tried to be resourceful with my sources, and leaned on the work of many others. I talked for hours to Hugh Ryan (author of My Bad, Women’s House of Detention, and When Brooklyn Was Queer). I perused oral histories, watched documentaries, and read widely, from books including (but not limited to) works like Before We Were Trans by Kit Heyam, Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton, Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments by Saidiya Hartman, and Coming Out Under Fire by Allan Bérubé.

I also really struggled with tight deadlines since it had taken me ten years to write my first book. And although there was much angst, believe me, the limited time was a gift in its own way (spoiler? Ha). I had to learn to trust myself and my editor, Alex [Borbolla], to not overthink things, to be economical with my time and research, and keep the plot tight and intentional. I am frankly shocked it all came together in the end, but I think it did.  I’m proud of this story and grateful to Alex for helping me get there.

This is your second published novel! Were there any key lessons you learned between working on the two?

So many! I have a better handle on the relationships between character, plot, and theme. I
learned more about what excites me as a writer, and naturally, what it feels like to share a story with the world (incredible! And terrifying). Perhaps most of all I learned that I have to be very vulnerable in my writing for the story to feel worth writing. Which is unfortunate, because it’s really hard, and there are sometimes costs involved.  And it’s beautiful, too. What a gift to be seen and known. What a privilege to publish queer stories in this moment. I will never stop feeling lucky.

What’s next for you?

The half-true answer is I have an idea for a slightly outlandish adult literary novel, but the truest answer is: a bit of a break. I will always write, and I certainly hope to publish another book one day. But one thing about writing is that it inherently pulls you out of your own life a bit, or even out of your own body. You’re living in your head, in the world of your book, and it demands a lot of time sitting at a computer alone. I have always thought being a dreamy space cadet is a strength of mine, and it is; so much creating happens in that dreaming. But being more grounded, intentional, and present in my life will help me care for myself and the people around me. It will help me become the person who will be able to tell another story that feels worth telling. And I’ve realized I am just now learning how to build a home in myself the way Cal does in Where You’ll Find Us. It’s not easy. I know I need to do it.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?

I read across a lot of age levels and genres, so some recent favorites/most-anticipated include YA books like Devils We Know by L.T. Thompson, This Must be the Place by Kelly Quindlen, There Are Ghosts Here by Adrienne Tooley (forthcoming), Espíritu by Aiden Thomas (forthcoming) and The Divinity Thieves by Aislinn Brophy (forthcoming). And then adult books like My Bad by Hugh Ryan, All This Want and I Can’t Get None by T. Clark, I Love You Don’t Die by Jade Song, How We See the Gray by Rachel León, Crawl by Max Delsohn, and Public Access Afterworld by Jane Schoenbrun (forthcoming).

Will you be picking up Where You’ll Find Us? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Jen St. Jude, Author of ‘Where You’ll Find Us’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Her short fiction has been both Locus Recommended and Hugo nominated, and her first full length novel, At the End of the River Styx releases on September 24th 2024

My debut novel At the End of the River Styx is about conquering grief and learning to love again, set on a mythological river of death. It is meant to highlight mental health: the pain of growth after trauma and loss, and the love that can still bloom and exist along the way.

I’ve been a huge reader my entire life, devouring chunky fantasy novels, hiding in my room pretending that I was each character, and creating my own universes. Here, I could dive deep within the immersive worlds on the page, rather than face the mundane human world, where every breath I took came with near crippling anxiety. Here, I could lead quests and make decisions with the ease and confidence. Here, I could become the hero.

It may come as no surprise that I’ve struggled with my own mental health. I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, medicated for both, only to years later be re-diagnosed with bipolar 2. I’ve taken medications, stopped medications, switched medications, restarted medications. Gone to therapy, not gone to therapy, gone to therapy again. My lows are devastating, my highs are thrilling, and both of them are something I’ve learned to live for better or worse. For so long, books were my safe haven, even if the heroes were nothing like me.

These were the attributes I wanted to give my MCs. This was who I wanted my readers to relate to. And I so badly hope they do, that they see themselves in Bastian’s struggle with his anxiety, depression, and severe PTSD. He goes to therapy on the page, he listens, he tries, and sometimes? It’s still not enough. Bastian will deal with his mental health struggles for the rest of his life.

That doesn’t mean his life won’t be beautiful.

And with the surge of incredible mental health rep across young adult novels, and the care and tireless attention authors who share these traits give their protagonists, so many other characters have the chance to show their beautiful lives, too. Books will always remain my safe place. But this time, the main characters look more like me. Think more like me. Act more like me.

It’s my absolute privilege to share a few of my very favorite titles from recent years.

The Mirror Season by Anna-Marie McLemore

Mental health representation: PTSD, anxiety

When two teens discover that they were both sexually assaulted at the same party, they develop a cautious friendship through her family’s possibly magical pastelería, his secret forest of otherworldly trees, and the swallows returning to their hometown, in Anna-Marie McLemore’s The Mirror Season…

Graciela Cristales’s whole world changes after she and a boy she barely knows are assaulted at the same party. She loses her gift for making enchanted pan dulce. Neighborhood trees vanish overnight, while mirrored glass appears, bringing reckless magic with it. And Ciela is haunted by what happened to her, and what happened to the boy whose name she never learned.

But when the boy, Lock, shows up at Ciela’s school, he has no memory of that night, and no clue that a single piece of mirrored glass is taking his life apart. Ciela decides to help him, which means hiding the truth about that night. Because Ciela knows who assaulted her, and him. And she knows that her survival, and his, depend on no one finding out what really happened.

The Hollow and the Haunted by Camilla Raines

Mental health representation: Anxiety

Sixteen-year-old Miles Warren hails from a long line of psychics. Resigned to a life in the (not especially profitable) family business, Miles is perfectly happy, thank you very much―except for the part where he’s constantly exhausted from long nights digging up graves, hiding his sexuality from his family, and unable to fulfil his dream of going to art school one day. Perfectly happy.

But Miles’ comfortable routine is interrupted when has a premonition of a violent supernatural murder. He soon discovers that the victim is none other than Gabriel Hawthorne, whose family have a mysterious, decades-long feud with Miles’ own. Gabriel is everything Miles expects from a Hawthorne―rude, snobbish, and irritatingly good-looking―but Miles isn’t just going to stand by and let someone murder him. The two form an uneasy alliance, trying to solve Gabriel’s murder and prevent it from taking place.

The odds are against them; death premonitions are notoriously hard to alter. As they uncover secrets about their families’ feud and dark magic swirls around the pair, Miles is horrified to realize that he doesn’t hate Gabriel as much as he’s supposed to. He might even like him.

Too bad Gabriel is almost certainly going to die.

This is Why they Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves

Mental health representation: Depression, Anxiety, Mania

Enrique “Quique” Luna has one goal this summer—get over his crush on Saleem Kanazi by pursuing his other romantic prospects. Never mind that he’s only out to his best friend, Fabiola. Never mind that he has absolutely zero game. And definitely forget the fact that good and kind and, not to mention, beautiful Saleem is leaving L.A. for the summer to meet a girl his parents are trying to set him up with.

Luckily, Quique’s prospects are each intriguing in their own ways. There’s stoner-jock Tyler Montana, who might be just as interested in Fabiola as he is in Quique; straight-laced senior class president, Ziggy Jackson; and Manny Zuniga, who keeps looking at Quique like he’s carne asada fresh off the grill. With all these choices, Quique is sure to forget about Saleem in no time.

But as the summer heats up and his deep-seated fears and anxieties boil over, Quique soon realizes that getting over one guy by getting under a bunch of others may not have been the best laid plan and living his truth can come at a high cost.

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude

Mental health representation: Depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt

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.

Avery Byrne has secrets. She’s queer; she’s in love with her best friend, Cass; and she’s suffering from undiagnosed clinical depression. But on the morning Avery plans to jump into the river near her college campus, the world discovers there are only nine days left to an asteroid is headed for Earth, and no one can stop it.

Trying to spare her family and Cass additional pain, Avery does her best to make it through just nine more days. As time runs out and secrets slowly come to light, Avery would do anything to save the ones she loves. But most importantly, she learns to save herself. Speak her truth. Seek the support she needs. Find hope again in the tomorrows she has left.

The Light Between Worlds by Laura Weymouth

Mental health representation: Depression, self-harm, PTSD, suicidal ideation, disordered eating

Five years ago, Evelyn and Philippa Hapwell cowered from air strikes in a London bomb shelter. But that night took a turn when the sisters were transported to another realm called the Woodlands. In a forest kingdom populated by creatures out of myth and legend, they found temporary refuge.

When they finally returned to London, nothing had changed at all—nothing, except themselves.

Now, Ev spends her days sneaking into the woods outside her boarding school, wishing for the Woodlands. Overcome with longing, she is desperate to return no matter what it takes.

Philippa, on the other hand, is determined to find a place in this world. She shields herself behind a flawless exterior and countless friends, and moves to America to escape the memory of what was.

But when Evelyn goes missing, Philippa must confront the depth of her sister’s despair and the painful truths they’ve been running from. As the weeks unfold, Philippa wonders if Ev truly did find a way home, or if the weight of their worlds pulled her under.

The post Five Young Adult Books With Mental Health Representation appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

I’m a queer writer living in Chicago with my family and catlike dog. I (probably unsurprisingly) love reading, and am also a big fan of women’s sports; especially basketball and soccer. I’m an Aquarius through and through.

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

I’ve really always loved stories! I played dolls for hours and hours as a kid, and in first grade they let us write and illustrate little books they bound with plastic spirals. I was so proud of them! I mostly wrote about Mary Kate and Ashley, I think. My illustrations left much to be desired. It wasn’t until high school, though, where I realized I might be kind of good at it. And it wasn’t until college when I thought it could actually be a permanent part of my life.

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

a) The Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner
b) More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
c) Cantoras by Carolina de Robertis

Your debut novel, If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Emotional, questioning, yearning, crushing, hopeful.

What can readers expect?

This is a really important question for this story, which has thriller elements but is more of a quiet story. It also grapples with heavy concepts. Content Warnings: Mental illness, depression, suicidal ideation, suicide (not on the page), homophobia, sexual harassment, gun violence, religious bigotry.

However, my team and I put a lot of care into the book to make it a soft place to land. In this story’s pages, you also find humor, love, light, and so much hope. And, in my opinion, my marketing and publicity teams have done a really wonderful job promoting it to the right audiences with nuance and awareness of its content. Despite all our efforts, I can’t promise it’s for everyone. My wish is for readers to take care of themselves and make sure they’re checking in with themselves if it starts to feel like too much.

Where did the inspiration for If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come come from?

There were many things that inspired this book, but perhaps biggest of all was my own depression and mental illness. I started writing with only questions. I found some answers, and more questions still. This novel grew with me through my own healing and self-discovery. I’ll add the very first version of this was a one act play about a young family on a beach, trying to have one perfect day before an asteroid hits. That’s still in there, though not at the center of it all.

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

I truly do love all my characters in their own way (well, almost all of them), but my favorite scenes to write and re-read are the ones with Avery and Cass. Though I love them together, I almost love the scenes where Avery is hopelessly in love with Cass most of all. It shows her wanting something, and loving her even when she doesn’t expect anything in return. I think that’s really beautiful and hopeful.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey of getting If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come published?

I spent six years trying to write a first draft (with many breaks in between), and once I had one, I started querying. I had a hard time with that, in part because it needed polishing (this book would see five or six more drafts before it got an agent) but also because I was unsure which genre it fit in best, or if it was a book for young adults or adults. Ultimately, I think it’s for both audiences, but in publishing you have to really learn the existing markets and figure out what their boundaries are. (Whispers: And then maybe push them a little once you’re in the door).

What’s next for you?

I’m working on my next book, scheduled to come out from Bloomsbury in 2025. It’s about climate change, mental health, friendship, and a hot headed soccer player pretty much always in fight mode.

Lastly, are there any 2023 book releases our readers should look out for?

This is always the best question! I’ve been pretty loud about a lot of my so-far favorites but how about I list some I haven’t read yet and am super excited for: If I Have to Be Haunted by Miranda Sun, All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley, Field of Screams by Wendy Parris, It All Syncs Up by Maya Ameyaw, The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson, The Wheel of the Year by Fiona Cook, and This is the Way the World Ends by Jen Wilde.

Will you be picking up If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Jen St. Jude, Author of ‘If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Long-lost twin princes tackling coming out, frenemies-with-benefits at magical boarding schools and sapphic crushes forever trapped underwater—2023 is bringing us some truly magical, whimsical and heartfelt queer stories! With a focus on learning to love yourself, standing up for your right to love and eschewing antiquated gender norms, we’re ready to let these brand-new stories take over our hearts and minds!

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

JANUARY

Brighter Than the Moon by David Valdes
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
From the author of Spin Me Right Round, a fresh, modern story about learning how to love–starting with yourself–as three teens who know each other online meet up and find themselves questioning everything.

A Tale of Two Prince by Eric Geron
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When Edward, Crown Prince of Canada, and Billy, small-town boy with a big heart, meet by chance in New York City and discover that they are long-lost twins, their lives are forever changed. Will the twin princes—“twinces”— be able to take on high school, coming out, and coronations together? Or will this royal reunion quickly become a royal disaster?

Sorry, Bro by Taleen Voskuni
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An Armenian-American woman rediscovers her roots and embraces who she really is in this vibrant and heartfelt queer rom-com by debut author Taleen Voskuni.

The Minus-One Club by Kekla Magoon
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From the Coretta Scott King and Printz Honor-winning author of How It Went Down, Light It Up, and Revolution In Our Time comes a moving contemporary YA novel about the bonds between a group of teens whose lives have been upended by tragedy. Kermit finds a mysterious invitation in his locker, signed anonymously with “-1.” He has no idea what he’s in for, but he shows up to find out. Dubbed the “Minus-One Club,” a group of his schoolmates has banded together as a form of moral support. The members have just one thing in common—they have all suffered the tragic loss of someone they loved.

Then Everything Happens at Once by M.E. Girard
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Girard offers a stand-alone sex-positive coming-of-age story about a teen named Baylee who’s torn between her heart and her hormones as she navigates her feelings for her best friend, Freddie, and new friend, Alex. Perfect for fans of Fat Chance, Charlie Vega.

The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai
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From debut author Hadeer Elsbai comes the first book in an incredibly powerful new duology, set wholly in a new world, but inspired by modern Egyptian history, about two young women–Nehal, a spoiled aristocrat used to getting what she wants and Giorgina, a poor bookshop worker used to having nothing–who find they have far more in common, particularly in their struggle for the rights of women and their ability to fight for it with forbidden elemental magic

FEBRUARY

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.

Afterglow by Phil Stamper
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After a summer of life-changing, these four friends are finally ready for senior year. As graduation nears and the boys prepare to enter the real world, it’s clear their friendship will never be the same. Can they find a way to stay connected and pursue their dreams? Don’t miss the conclusion to Stamper’s duology!

Always the Almost by Edward Underhill
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A trans pianist makes a New Year’s resolution on a frozen Wisconsin night to win regionals and win back his ex, but a new boy complicates things.

If I Can Give You That by Michael Gray Bulla
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For fans of Kacen Callender and Mason Deaver comes a heart-tugging coming-of-age YA debut that takes a poignant look at gender identity, sexuality, friendship, and family–both the one we’re born into and the one we find for ourselves.

Planning Perfect by Haley Neil
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In this charming, heartfelt YA romcom about being on the asexual spectrum, a girl tries to craft the perfect wedding for her mother but discovers that sometimes the best parts of life can’t be planned.

Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues by H.S. Valley
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What happens when your enemy becomes your friend … with benefits? Tim Te Maro and Elliott Parker – classmates at Fox Glacier High School for the Magically Adept – have never gotten along. But when they both get dumped the day before the big egg-baby assignment, they reluctantly decide to ditch their exes and work together.

MARCH

Into the Light by Mark Oshiro
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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.

Something Wild and Wonderful by Anita Kelly
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From the author of Love & Other Disasters comes a sparkling grumpy-meets-sunshine romance featuring two men’s sweeping journey across the Western wilderness.

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K.J. Charles
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Bridgerton meets Poldark in this sweeping Regency romance of smugglers, adventure, mystery, and life-changing love from celebrated author KJ Charles.

The Immeasurable Depth of You by Maria Ingrande Mora
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In the devastating but uplifting tradition of Adam Silvera and Nova Ren Suma comes a queer supernatural coming-of-age story from acclaimed author Maria Ingrande Mora.

Ravensong by Cayla Fay
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A demi-god who refuses to cohabitate with humans accidentally falls in love with one in the first book of a pulse-pounding teen duology that’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Celtic mythology.

Solomon’s Crown by Natasha Siegel
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Two destined rivals fall desperately in love—but the fate of medieval Europe hangs in the balance.

APRIL

Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
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Finding home. Falling in love. Fighting to belong. Andi & Santi Were Here is a love story about a Mexican-American teen who falls in love with an undocumented Mexican boy.

Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar by Jessamyn Violet
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Acclaimed musician Jessamyn Violet’s debut LGBTQA+ novel sizzles with a coming-of-age story set in an industry of ambition, secrets, lies, and utter joy.

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune
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A queer retelling of Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio starring an inventor named Victor, a mysterious android called Hap (Hysterically Angry Puppet), an anxiety-riddled Roomba vacuum named Rambo, and a sociopathic nursing machine, the Registered Automaton To Care, Heal, Educate and Drill (Nurse Ratched, for short), this is the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.

Becoming a Queen by Dan Clay
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A vibrant and emotional novel from debut author Dan Clay about a boy who turns toward love, self-acceptance, and drag performance when the unthinkable happens.

Sizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald
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An unputdownable queer coming-of-age rom-com about life and love in Hollywood. For aspiring cinematographer Luna Roth, coming out as bisexual at twenty-four is proving more difficult than she anticipated.

No Boy Summer by Amy Spalding
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Lydia and her younger sister Penny make a pact to avoid boy drama for the summer—but Lydia can’t help looking for a loophole when she falls for a cute girl.

MAY

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

You Don’t Have a Shot by Racquel Marie
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A queer YA romance about rival soccer players from author Racquel Marie, perfect for fans of She Drives Me Crazy.

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.

No Perfect Places by Steven Salvatore
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Jandy Nelson’s I’ll Give You The Sun meets Dawson’s Creek with a dash of HBO’s Euphoria in this story that follows twins who have different ways of dealing with their father’s incarceration—and then his untimely death—and the complications that arise when one discovers a secret third sibling and keeps them from his sister, even after they move to their Adirondack lake-side town.

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
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With humor and insight, #1 New York Times bestseller Becky Albertalli explores the nuances of sexuality, identity, and friendship.

The Song of Us by Kate Fussner
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This stunning debut and wholly original queer middle grade novel-in-verse retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice adds a new chorus to the songs of great love, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home and Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World. 

JUNE

Love Letters for Joy by Melissa See
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Less than a year away from graduation, seventeen-year-old Joy is too busy overachieving to be worried about relationships. She’s determined to be Caldwell Prep’s first disabled valedictorian. And she only has one person to beat, her academic rival Nathaniel. 

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository
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.

The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson
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The First Bright Thing is a spellbinding debut for fans of The Night Circus and The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue.

Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler
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A queer Sliding Doors YA rom-com in which a girl must choose between summer in NYC with her dad (and the girl she’s always wanted) or LA with her estranged mom (and the guy she never saw coming). In Going Bicoastal, there’s more than one path to happily ever after.

Darkhearts by James L. Sutter
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Perfect for fans of Red, White, & Royal Blue and Perks of Being a Wallflower, Darkhearts is a hilarious, heartfelt novel about fame, romance, and what happens when the two collide.

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
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Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang’s The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, dangerous philosophies, and ungovernable gender who are ready to make history—or tear it apart.

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

The post Must-Have 2023 Queer Book Releases 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
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

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.