Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Justin Arnold’s Keep It In The Dark, which is out December 3rd 2024.

Rowan Young knew where his life was heading. The headmaster’s son and golden boy of elite Vermont boarding school Mockingbird Prep, Rowan was set to inherit a legacy passed down through generations of forefathers. Until a strange new student arrives to derail those plans.

Casper Belamy didn’t ask to be a vampire. But now that he is one, all he wants is to travel the world looking for more of his kind. Before he can do that, he must accomplish an impossible task set forth by his adoptive family of vampiric royals: prove he can keep their kind safe and finish high school without being discovered.

If controlling his thirst wasn’t hard enough, he is forced to share a dorm with the headmaster’s son. And despite their instant dislike for one another, Casper can’t ignore the mouth-wateringly delicious scent of Rowan’s blood.

When bitter fights become late night rendez-vous, forbidden romance blossoms in the shadows. Facing a fearful world that would rather they stay hidden, Rowan and Casper contend with an onslaught of troubles: Rowan’s father is breathing down his neck, the safety of Casper’s new-found family is on his shoulders, and a secret society of slayers threatens to destroy everything.

If love blooms in the dark, will it survive being brought into the light?

Chapter One

Rowan

Senior year starts with blood on my pillow. Then a scream.

Breathe in, I urge through pain. Breathe out. This is what I get for being careless while hanging the second fencing sword on the wall above my bed.

Daring a look at the cut, I hiss through clenched teeth. I cut my right index finger on the tip of the blade, deep. Blood stains my finger. I barely manage to hop off the bed before it drips onto the sheets.

“Are you dead?!” a voice calls from the doorway. I spin around to face Diego, my best friend. “Because if you’re not, I’ll kill you for scaring the crap out of me.”

I show him my finger. “Cut myself.”

“You got a Band-Aid in here?”

I nod to the cardboard box that sits on the brand-new futon I shoved where another student’s bed would usually be. Diego wastes no time in digging through it.

“Are you supposed to have those swords in the dorms?” Diego asks. “They’re weapons.”

I shrug. “No, but I doubt the headmaster is going to write me up.”

“Yeah, yeah, your dad’s the headmaster; you’re very special.” Diego tosses the box of Band-Aids at me as hard as he can. It hits my stomach, and I double over as though he’s truly wounded me. “Let’s have five minutes before Golden Boy Rowan comes back to school.”

“I have concerns.” Reed, our third musketeer, swaggers in and hops atop the futon to perch on the backrest. He scrolls through his phone with an exaggerated shake of his head. “I’m looking at your guest list, and it’s all over the place.”

“How?” I fish a Band-Aid from the box. “I only invited the most elite seniors.”

“Sophie Campbell isn’t one of us,” Reed says. “She’s out-of-state and not going to add to the atmosphere.”

“If we didn’t invite a few randoms, it would just be half the dorm,” I say.

Reed twitches his lips in thought. “Okay, that’s fair. Also, why isn’t Dakota on here?”

I set about applying the Band-Aid. “Uh, we haven’t hung out in a while.”

Diego and Reed gape at me.

“Dude,” Diego says. “The hell did you do?”

“Nothing!” It’s true: I did not do a thing. Besides, she’s talking to the guy down the hall now. “Tell Quentin to bring her.”

Reed types a text to whom I’m assuming is Quentin. Today is move-in day, and tonight is the night the three of us have been planning off and on since we were freshmen.

Tonight, we’re throwing the party of the year right here in Club Rowan. Since Mr. Abadi, our house dad, keeps his apartment on the first floor, we won’t be heard way up here on the fourth. We just have to keep the noise down. Even quiet, it’s going to be wild, highly secretive, and only open to seniors who are the best of the best. We’re going to do so much stupid stuff we’ll never be able to run for office.

This is just the start. It’s my year, and I’ve got it all planned out. Homecoming king. Prom king. Captain of the fencing team. Quarterback. Oh, and model student, I guess. Then it’s on to Cornell, where every man in my family has gone, then right back here to take over and be the headmaster so my dad can play golf to his heart’s content.

No one’s going to ruin this for me.

My phone buzzes in the pocket of my uniform chinos, and when I pull it out, I see a text from Dad.

Where are you?

“Uh-oh,” I say. “It’s half past seven. The usurper’s almost here.”

In the excitement of moving in and thinking about how to get the club vibe just right, I’d forgotten I have to use what little free time I’ve got to show around the new senior coming in. I don’t get why—Mockingbird Preparatory gets new students every year, on all grade levels. Apparently, this one is important enough to warrant VIP treatment, which means he’s probably richer than all of our families combined.

“You’re not inviting him tonight, are you?” Reed asks.

“I might have to,” I say.

“Don’t do it.” Reed shakes his head. “The whole family’s sus. I spent all summer working at Dad’s realty office. I met his mom and his aunt when they came in. Both hot, by the way. Beautiful. But weird. They didn’t even want to see the house. They just bought it, insisting they knew what they were doing. Dad even had to get them investigated to make sure it wasn’t some mafia thing. But everything came out legit.”

That tracks. The boarded-up old manor house at the end of Main Street was empty for decades. One night, the lights turned on. No one’s seen the whole family at once, but a series of electricians, cleaners, and carpenters have been going in and out at all hours—mostly at night. Rumors about it have been tossed around Mockingbird like footballs.

“Okay, it’s suspicious.” I nod. “Either way, I’m stuck with him for the afternoon. Now I’m really late. Thanks, Reed.”

Diego perks up. “Can we watch while you polish his shoes with your tongue?”

I respond with my middle finger before pulling a royal blue blazer with the little red emblem featuring a mockingbird off its hook. “See you tonight.”

They drift into a debate about music, and I rush down the stairs of my dorm. I check the time again. With the dorm being at the furthest back edge of campus, I’ve got quite a way to go. Dad will not be pleased.

I push my way out onto the tree-lined path that leads to the main campus and break into a full run. Across the athletic field, the main campus, with all its gothic buildings, looks like it ought to be somewhere in Europe, not upstate Vermont. Above it all, at the front gates, is the white-lit clock of Gorham Tower, the highest structure on campus.

That’s my destination. When I finally reach it and zoom around to the front steps, I come face to face with the man who could be my double except for the three‑piece suit, gray hair at his temples, and crow’s feet.

“You’re late,” Dad says.

“Sorry.” I show him my finger. “Had an accident.”

He grabs my hand and inspects the cut. “You should’ve been more careful. I don’t want you to get an infection.”

“I’ll be fine.”

He opens his mouth to say something else but is cut off by the sound of an approaching car. “They’re here,” he says. “Look smart.”

I do my best to stand exactly like Dad, pulling my shoulders back and clasping my left hand around my right wrist. A long black car pulls through the gate and lumbers along the horseshoe drive that winds around the statue of our mascot, Mocky, a monstrous, Sasquatch-like beast.

“Remember,” Dad says, never taking his eyes off the car, “the Belamy family is very important.”

“Got it.”

The car parks yards from us. A gruff-looking man with a shock of white hair steps from the driver’s seat, and for a moment, I think he’ll never reach his full height. He could easily be a champion weightlifter or professional wrestler because he’s huge. A black T-shirt pulls tight against his chest, with a light black jacket covering his probably terrifying biceps.

Also, he’s the palest person I think I’ve ever seen.

He steps around the car and opens the back door. Another man steps out. He’s tall, though not as tall as the first man, with wavy dark brown hair smoothed back in a style that reminds me of a hero from an old black-and-white movie. He wears a high-end black suit that would look at home on a red carpet. What’s really impressive, though, is that he looks nowhere near old enough to have a son my age. This guy has to be early thirties maximum.

“That’s Malcolm,” Dad murmurs.

The man, Malcolm Belamy, smiles at my father with closed lips and reaches to the open car door. A delicate hand takes his, and a woman who I assume must be the mom steps out. She opens a small black umbrella and holds it over herself as the setting sun paints her white dress orange.

Camille, as Dad tells me, has thick dark hair that falls in curls down her back like you’d see on an antique porcelain doll. Reed was right: she’s capital B Beautiful but odd. An umbrella? In dry weather?

And then . . . there he is.

“Casper Belamy.”

“Casper,” I whisper back to myself. All I can think of is a ghost, with his pale complexion offset by dark sunglasses protecting his eyes from the sunset. Like the others, his face is almost too perfect, with high cheekbones and lips so pink and full they’d pop if you put a needle to them. His hair is as black and glossy as licorice, thick with curls falling in perfect cascades, pushed back from his face.

He pulls back his broad shoulders that fit nicely under his black jacket, which pulls over a tight satin shirt and tucks into his tailored pants. He’s tall as well, especially in the black boots he’s wearing, accentuating the fact that his legs are long and his torso is short, and that’s not fair.

Seriously, he’s seventeen years old. So am I, and I have acne on my shoulders. The least he can do is have one flaw.

“Mr. Belamy.” Dad extends his hand to the too-young father. “Welcome to Mockingbird Preparatory.”

“Malcolm, if you please,” he responds with a diplomatic tone that I’ve never heard my father attempt. “And this is . . .?”

“My son, Rowan.” Dad pats me on the back before gripping my shoulder—the command button to turn on the charm.

I flash my best smile and offer a hand, but I can’t stop staring at Casper, who has yet to look my way. When his dad takes my hand, the smile drops from my face. I fight the shiver that creeps up my spine. It has to be the unusually cool air because this man has the coldest skin I’ve ever felt.

Dad finishes welcoming Camille, so I shake her hand as well, and—okay, I was starting to worry they’d all be freezing, but her hand is warm. Actually, it feels too warm, like the world’s worst fever rages through her.

I glance at Casper again, prepared to greet him. He pouts as he scans the administration building and the campus. I can’t tell if he’s upset or just thoroughly unenthused.

“Casper,” Dad addresses him, and at first, he doesn’t answer. Does he not realize my dad is talking to him? “Casper?”

Camille jabs his shoulder.

“Oh,” he says, and that single syllable makes my knees shake. His voice is smooth, deep, and sure. I have to outdo him before he completely alpha-dogs me.

“I’m Mr. Young, headmaster of Mockingbird Preparatory Academy,” Dad says. “I’m so glad you’re completing your senior year with us.”

Casper forces a half-smirk before looking away.

“Well,” Dad says, his voice suddenly tight, “shall we step inside?”

Casper’s parents and the huge driver join Dad, making their way into the building and out of the sunlight, which is taking its sweet time hiding behind the horizon. But Casper seems unwilling to follow, opting instead to appraise his surroundings as though they’re works of art he has no intention of buying. When his eyes fall on me—or I assume they do, considering his sunglasses— his perfectly bored face is disrupted by his nose wrinkling and his lips pursing.

Wow.

I clear my throat, puff out my chest, and make my way toward him so he has no choice but to speak to me. “Hello, Casper,” I say, giving him the grin reserved for school pictures, Christmas cards, and students who need to watch their attitude. “I’m Rowan Young. Nice to meet you, man—”

He shuts me up by lowering his sunglasses and revealing the most ethereal, ungodly, and angry blue eyes. I feel so exposed and vulnerable and—

“Get that away,” he snarls, rolling those blue eyes at my hand. He slides his sunglasses back up before pushing his way around me and disappearing inside, leaving me rejected.

Chapter Two

Casper

He. Smells. Delicious.

I can’t get away from him fast enough, and there are several reasons why. First, his face. The arrogant smirk, the fraternity-brother gleam in his ivy-green eyes, and that well-rehearsed offer of a handshake, pretending like he wouldn’t throw me to the wolves.

Second, he looks expensive, from his sand-colored hair, carefully maintained with every strand perfectly placed, to the remaining tan of whatever exotic location his parents whisked him away to this summer.

But the third and most important reason is that he. Smells. Delicious. Woodsy, with traces of vanilla and something so sweet and potent it makes my jaw lock up: the scent of pure, untasted blood, a flavor every vampire loves but seldom indulges in. He’s a walking, smirking bottle of it. My tongue is watering, my lips twitching, and my fangs are begging to descend in my mouth for just one drop from the cut on his finger.

This is dangerous. Very dangerous.

“Come in.” Mr. Young extends a welcoming arm over the threshold of his office. “We’ll get Casper on track and allow him to get settled.”

Oscar, my ever-stoic bodyguard, leads Malcolm and Camille to the door, but I hang back, flicking my eyes over the foyer for something to grab my attention before I drool at the memory of that boy’s blood.

At least the school is antiquated, all polished oak and black-and-white tile, the walls lined with sconces that seem as though they could be the originals. Portraits of previous headmasters and important figures in the school’s history line the walls, and a quick glance at the plaques reveals that most of them have the surname Young. A generational position, then.

“Casper?”

I stiffen as that forbidden sweet, cozy, woodsy smell slips into my nostrils. A weight shifts behind me. My fangs, hidden in my gums, descend as the urge to drink him returns, and subtly, I reach into my mouth and push them back up before I whirl around and his eyes snap to mine—but not fast enough for him to mask that he’d been eyeing me up and down.

He cocks his head toward the office, folding his arms.

Oscar, from his place next to the office door, coughs to get my attention. He would never dare to order me, but if I remember anything from my feral days, it’s that I shouldn’t test him unless I want to be tossed like a baseball. I meander to the office and almost gasp with relief as Rowan’s scent fades behind me.

I’m so thirsty.

“Shall we?” Mr. Young asks as I enter a room that might as well be carved inside of a tree. Everything is oak: the desk, the chairs, the window trim, the shelves. Beneath my feet, a thick rug with a depiction of the school seal, a mockingbird alighted on a branch, peeks from beneath two large blue-and-silver Victorian-patterned sofas, upon one of which my “parents” have seated themselves, making sure to leave a gap for me. I sit between them as Oscar follows me in.

Mr. Young reaches for the door, but before he can close it, Rowan’s expensive-looking face appears. Thankfully, his father whispers, “Wait out here,” and shuts him out. Now I’m the one who gets to smirk.

Malcolm pulls my sunglasses off, dropping them in my lap. I squint. The sunset’s last rays are shooting straight through the large, latticed window, and I fight the urge to hiss. They tell me my sensitivity to sunlight will fade with time, but right now, it’s awful.

To help my eyes adjust, I focus on the wall ahead. A large oil painting, an old ship barely weathering a storm, hangs on the wall behind Mr. Young’s desk. I tilt my head, trying to focus my eyes. The plaque on the bottom of the frame reads Voyage of the Attercop—Artist Unknown.

By the time I’ve memorized this, the muscles around my eyes have eased a bit, but I still have to squint as Mr. Young reaches across his desk for a file.

“Now then,” he says, taking his seat on the opposite sofa. His eyes drift to the figure looming behind us, only just noticing that Oscar has joined us. “Oh. Hello.”

“Evening.” Oscar’s voice is as emotive as a dial tone.

“This is Oscar.” Camille gestures to him. “He’s part of the family. We wanted to ensure Casper was settled safely.”

Mr. Young raises an eyebrow, not understanding.

“He’s my bodyguard,” I offer. Malcolm and Camille stiffen, and I remember I wasn’t supposed to explain that. No one’s supposed to know we’re that important.

Mr. Young nods. “Okay. I’ll admit, I knew you were a very”—he tilts his head—“special student, but . . . Mr. Belamy, remind me, what is it you do?”

“Government,” Malcolm says, and Camille half-snorts, which makes me want to laugh. Monarchy would’ve been the more accurate answer. “International relations, but we wanted Casper to complete his education stateside.”

“You couldn’t have chosen better than Mockingbird Preparatory Academy.” Mr. Young grins, and I resist rolling my squinting eyes. When Camille showed me pictures of the school, a cluster of caste‑like structures perched atop Mount Constant like a tiny medieval city, I was excited. I thought I’d be among brilliant, if mortal, peers. We would debate literature and the beauty of life and death while strolling through cobblestone alleys and dusty libraries. But that boy out in the hallway, if he’s their best example, doesn’t leave me much hope.

Mr. Young goes through my previous education, and I only half-nod while Camille confirms everything: how well I did at my last school, how my test scores are excellent. It’s all fabricated. There is no Prince’s American Academy in Belgium. I’ve never been out of the country, though that will change, hopefully sooner rather than later. Everything about Casper Belamy was invented in the three months since they found me feral in a New York subway tunnel.

I don’t remember who I was before I was this.

Malcolm came up with Prince Academy because the Belamy clan is the royal vampiric family of the American East, which makes me, of course, the so-called prince.

That’s the thing I really love about being a vampire: I choose who I get to be.

“I’m sure you’ll have several questions as you continue to acclimate,” Mr. Young says after speeding through my schedule. The only thing I really cared to know was that my dorm number is 410. I can’t wait to get there and shut the world out. “You’ll find everything in this folder, but for now, are there any questions?”

Camille doesn’t waste a second. “How are students kept safe? What is security like? Cameras? Gates locked? Are the whereabouts of students known at all times?”

Mr. Young’s expression tightens, no doubt because of the urgency in her voice. But he must be used to handling parents, because he paints on a smile and says, “Student safety is our top priority. That said, we take the phrase ‘young adult’ seriously, and we trust our students to keep on their best behavior.”

“So he isn’t surveilled every minute,” Camille presses.

Mr. Young’s expression darkens. “Not unless he breaks our trust.”

My shoulders relax. It was a trick. Camille wasn’t concerned about how I’d be protected; she was ensuring I wouldn’t be filmed feeding outside at night or caught brushing my fangs. Part of this whole scheme is for me to learn how to live undetected among mortals.

“Camille is a worrier,” Malcolm says, trying      to ease the tension. He claps me on the back. “But Casper has always been a model student, and I’m sure you’ll agree once the semester has begun.”

“Of course.” Mr. Young nods. “I’m certain he’ll make an impression. Well! I believe we have everything in order. If you like, Casper, I’ll have Rowan show you the ropes.”

My eyebrows knit together as I process what he said. Rowan. Will show me the ropes. As in I have to follow him around school? Alone?

“Christ.” I pinch the space between my eyes.

“I’m sorry?” Mr. Young asks.

Camille grabs my shoulder and digs her fingers in so hard her nails pinch. “I think it’s a lot for Casper,” she says. “Might we have a private moment before he continues?”

“Oh.” Mr. Young stands. “Of course. I was just about to step out.”

When he does, leaving us with a soft thud and the echo of his son whispering a slew of questions outside, Camille turns to Oscar. “Shut the damned curtains.”

“I’m so thirsty,” I grumble.

Camille reaches into her purse and produces a silver flask. She thrusts it into my hand, and my fingers shake as I fumble to get the lid off. A second later, lukewarm blood is pouring down my throat. It’s not sweet, flat from being in the flask too long. But it’s all I have for now.

“The first rule of going undetected is not giving in to the irritability that comes with your thirst,” Malcolm says.

I breathe in through my nostrils as the blood does its work. The veins in my temples relax, and my shoulders unclench. My hands stop trembling. The edge is gone, but it’ll be back with a vengeance the minute I’m around that boy again.

“Don’t leave me in this zoo for the overprivileged,” I say.

“It’s temporary,” Malcolm says, pacing. “You are over your initial thirst, and you must hone it, along with your discretion. Every vampire across the East looks to us. It’s up to you to show them you won’t endanger us.”

“Right,” I say. “Let’s rest the future of a vulnerable population on my eternally seventeen-year-old shoulders.”

“Malcolm, perhaps he isn’t ready,” Camille muses, one arm draping around my shoulders while the other pulls me closer so my cheek rests against her collarbone. “He’s still a newborn. What are we doing, throwing him to these cruel, pubescent wolves?”

“Very well,” Malcolm says. “If Casper doesn’t want to stay here, he doesn’t have to.”

My heart twitches with microscopic hope, but I sense a catch. Still, I ask, “Really?”

“Although you won’t be allowed to go on the tour if you don’t.”

There it is. Malcolm and Camille’s promise of sending me on a grand old-fashioned world tour—provided I don’t murder anyone or expose our secret—has been dangled like a carrot in front of me since I could form a coherent sentence. The chance to get out of my attic room in Belamy Manor and see the world, to walk the same streets bohemians and revolutionaries once walked, where history was made and twisted. To see other vampires!

“That’s unfair,” is the best argument I have.

Camille runs her long fingernails over my cheek. “Your father has a point, and I agree with him. You have to complete the obstacle before the reward. But if you aren’t ready, we will wait.”

“But sooner or later,” Malcolm adds, “you must do this. It’s important to experience first-hand how our subjects get by. You might not always have the luxury of your casket, a bodyguard, and an endless supply of blood acquired for you. If you’re going to mess up, it’s better on this small playing field than in front of the entire world.”

No choice; only do.

Camille and Malcolm must sense my resolve because they wrap me in a hug. I wince, unsure why I do whenever they show me affection. I make myself lean into it.

“You are our son now,” Malcolm says. “We believe in you.”

Though I’m not entirely sure how to think of them, they’re all I remember knowing, and I’m about to be without them. Alone. The only one like me in the entire school.

I’m scared. And angry. And already tired of it.

My throat dries up, and my chest tightens. It would be a nice relief to cry a little in this moment. Even if it was only a break in my voice or a misting eye, it might make me feel a little less angry. But vampires don’t have tears, so it all stays bottled in my heart.

The door swings open, and my nostrils flare with the smell of wood, vanilla, and horrible temptation. I pull from Malcolm and Camille’s arms.

“Sorry,” Rowan’s irritating voice almost burns my ears off. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

The school year cannot end fast enough.

The post Read The First Two Chapters From ‘Keep It In The Dark’ by Justin Arnold appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Your TBR better watch out because there are so many spectacular YA books hitting shelves over the next few months! With new releases from Amie Kaufman, Lexi Ryan, Karen M. McManus, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Henning, Lynn Painter, Danielle Paige, Kalyn Josephson, and Courtney Gould, along with a few debut novels, there’s something for every reader to pick up and enjoy between July and December!

Read on to discover just a few of our picks and also be sure to check out our Most Anticipated and Swoonworthy Romance lists for more releases!

JULY 2024

The Heart of the World by Amie Kaufman

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Magic and sacrifice will collide as lovers and gods, enemies and allies vie for the fate of the world in this heart-pounding sequel to THE ISLES OF THE GODS, which Stephanie Garber called “deliciously diabolical and full of heart.” (Now publishes in September 2024)

Our Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith

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A teen girl’s attempt to make amends with her former friend group takes a sinister turn during a weekend getaway at an ancestral Irish estate in this atmospheric, literary horror from the author of Those We Drown.

Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass

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A swoony contemporary romance from Adam Sass following a boy who is cursed to doom any romantic relationship—and the summer that changes everything.

A Darker Mischief by Derek Milman

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The Honeys meets The Secret History in a work of dark academia like no other — a boarding school thriller about a queer teen from Mississippi who finds himself swept into a world of old money, privilege, and the secret society at the heart of it all.

A Magic Fierce and Bright by Hemant Nayak

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A young technomancer teams up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this propulsive, magic-filled young adult fantasy that is perfect for fans of Gearbreakers and Iron Widow.

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

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A group of friends fight to choose their own fates in this trope-savvy, self-referential young adult thriller from the acclaimed author of Their Vicious Games, about a demonic force that acts according to horror movie rules in the spirit of the Scream movies.

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a romantic fantasy in which a human princess armed with death’s kiss and a fae shifter on the run become unlikely allies when a mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

Ready or Not by Andi Porretta

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An anxious teen hopes that a summer of adventure and offbeat dares will keep her friend group together after graduation in this luminous coming-of-age graphic novel with the feel-good vibes of Booksmart and Morgan Matson’s Since You’ve Been Gone.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus

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The newest mystery from the author One of Us Is Lying, the Queen of thrillers, Karen M. McManus! When mother-daughter grifters set out on their final job, the heist gets deadly and dangerously personal.

Break to You by Neal Shusterman, Debra Young and Michelle Knowlden

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Bestselling author of Scythe and Challenger Deep Neal Shusterman, here with coauthors Debra Young and Michelle Knowlden, tells an intense yet tender story of two teens, trapped in impossible circumstances and unjust systems, willing to risk everything for love—no matter the consequences.

So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky

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A queer, feminist spin on Stephen King’s The Mist, this ode to female-rage is a perfect pick for fans of She Is a Haunting, and a reminder that if “boys will be boys”, girls will fight back.

Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean

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Set sail with this banter-filled rivals-to-lovers romance between a STEM-loving girl and a jock guy that will fill you with wanderlust…and have you rooting for love in the great outdoors!

AUGUST 2024

Ami by S. Jae-Jones

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Filled with adventure, romance and a race against time, Guardians of Dawn: Ami is the next book in the richly imagined Guardians of Dawn series.

The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Lee

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From Gillian Flynn Books, a lyrical young adult horror by debut author Wen-yi Lee that’s perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting, Stephen King’s IT, and The Haunting of Hill House.

Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

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From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

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The first book in a decadent fantasy duology set in Jazz Age Harlem, where at night the dance halls come to life―and death waits in the dark.

A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen

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In this sweet sapphic romance about two foodies in love, Vivi meets Lan while studying abroad in Vietnam and they spend the semester unraveling their families’ histories―and eating all the street food in Sài Gòn.

Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

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From the author of the National Book Award finalist Patron Saints of Nothing comes an emotionally charged, moving novel about four generations of Filipino American boys grappling with identity, masculinity, and their fraught father-son relationships.

The Empire Wars by Akana Phenix

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The Empire Wars is a powerful new YA fantasy in which magic may be a young woman’s only hope for survival.

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace delivers a sensational conclusion to the deathly and decadent Belladonna trilogy, with dramatic twists and a seductive new romance that will set readers’ hearts ablaze.

Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker

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A spine-tingling LGBTQIA+ YA horror about queer teens who accidentally invoke a twisted spirit who promises help but delivers something sinister.

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

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The must-read suspense novel of the summer about a mysterious sister’s disappearance, her biggest betrayal and a deadly truth screaming to come out.  

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham

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From the New York Times bestselling author of My Dearest Darkest comes a sapphic fantasy adventure about a teen witch who must complete her magical training by breaking a powerful family’s curse. But her own affliction—to never find true love—gets in the way when she falls for the girl she’s trying to save.

Under The Surface by Diana Urban

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An epic survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days—a gripping and propulsive story of love, danger, betrayal, and hope… even when all seems lost.

SEPTEMBER 2024

Payal Mehta’s Romance Revenge Plot by Preeti Chhibber

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This laugh-out-loud debut romance introduces perfectly imperfect Payal Mehta, whose plan to get her long-time crush to finally notice her is destined for success, but only if she ignores her budding feelings for her archnemesis…

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

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A queer Appalachian thriller that pulls no punches—following a trans autistic teen who’s drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them.

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning

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Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly whodunit.

The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig

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From the astonishing mind of Erin A. Craig comes the breathtaking fairy tale retelling readers have been waiting for— what does a life well-lived mean, and how do we justify the impossible choices we make for the ones we love?

Everything Glittered by Robin Talley

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In this queer historical thriller from a New York Times bestselling author, society girls try to find a murderer in a city filled with secrets and stunted by shame. Perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club.

When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao

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From the New York Times bestselling author Dustin Thao, We Are Okay meets Wandavision in this novel about loss, and learning to let go.

The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic

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An atmospheric, haunting, romantasy inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, set in a Regency England about two sisters fighting to hold on to their manor while deadly monsters prowl along its perimeters—perfect for fans of House of Salt and Sorrows and Anatomy: A Love Story.

The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s by Hanna Alkaf

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An all-girls school is struck with mysterious cases of screaming hysteria in this chilling dark academia thriller haunted by a deeply buried history clawing to the light.

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter

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In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling Better than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being a college student.

To The Bone by Alena Bruzas

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This moving and tragic love story is also a starkly honest look at Colonial America, set during the “Starving Time” in Jamestown.

Spells To Forget Us by Aislinn Brophy

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A witch and a non-magical girl get stuck in an endless cycle of meet-cutes and breakups in this heart-stopping romantic young adult fantasy.

Faeries Never Lie, Edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker

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Faeries Never Lie, the next young adult collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, is filled with fourteen short stories to revel in, that center faeries of varying genders and cultures!

OCTOBER 2024

Tangleroot by Kalela Williams

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In this debut novel, chosen by booksellers as an Indies Introduce selection, a girl must face hard truths about blood and family, history and mystery.

Inheritance of Scars by Crystal Seitz

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House of Roots and Ruin meets The Darkest Part of the Forest in this gorgeous dark fantasy debut steeped in Norse mythology that follows a teen who accidentally awakens an imprisoned draugr and must follow him into a deadly magical forest to rescue her grandmother.

Spell of the Sinister by Danielle Paige

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In New York Times bestselling author Danielle Paige’s wickedly fresh take on beloved tales, the fairy godmothers make the rules. Be careful what you wish for . . .

Make My Wish Come True by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

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‘Tis the season for holiday hijinks in the newest sapphic rom-com about a rising star and a small town girl going on twelve fake holidates from the New York Times bestselling authors of She Gets the Girl, Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick!

The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones

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Dive into a lush, standalone fantasy, set in the same world as The Drowned Woods and The Bone Houses, about a deadly competition—perfect for fans of Holly Black and Erin A. Craig.

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds tackles it—you know…it—from the guy’s perspective in this unfiltered and undeniably sweet stream of consciousness story of a teen boy about to experience a huge first.

Eleven Houses by Colleen Oakes

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Midnight Mass meets The Vampire Diaries in this epic romantic tale of a mysterious island and the houses who have stood for centuries to guard against the dreaded nightmare of beings waiting to strike from the ocean’s depths.

For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga

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A sweeping, Pakistani romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, where one girl seeks revenge against those who betrayed her—including the boy she used to love.

The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew

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Serpent & Dove meets Arcane in this dystopian romance debut that follows a cunning memory merchant who deals a little extra happiness on the side and the handsome rookie officer on her tail!

Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution by S. K. Ali

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The first book in a gripping duology from acclaimed author S.K. Ali introduces a fractured world on the brink of either enlightenment or war.

Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang

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Fearing for her life, an outcast princess joins the rebellion against her own kingdom and family. . . but when playing with fire, someone always gets burned. 

The Debutantes by Olivia Worley

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Jessica Goodman meets The Agathas in this taut, twisty YA thriller set in the glittering world of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where secrets–and bodies–never stay buried.

NOVEMBER 2024

Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis

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The new Gambit takes Ross and her crew into the intoxicating casinos of Monte Carlo and across treacherous snow-covered slopes in Antarctica as Ross competes against Devroe in a fight for her life. Loyalties will be tested, backs stabbed, hearts broken. May the best thief win.

Darkly by Marisha Pessl

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A seemingly ordinary high school student. A mysterious summer internship. And a legendary game designer, now dead, leaving a dark legacy. The New York Times bestselling author of Night Film spins a twisted web in this masterful YA psychological thriller.

I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea

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Jamison Shea’s sharp and unflinching voice will bring readers to terrifying new heights in this vicious sequel to the “relentlessly gory and almost euphoric in its embrace of the horrific” (NPR) I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me.

The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard

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The forest is more dangerous than ever in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.

Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar

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In this sapphic dual POV Young Adult romance by Adiba Jaigirdar, Meghna and Rani (ex-best-friends-turned-rivals) realize they’re dating the same guy, so they team up to beat and expose him at a big science competition!

When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar

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The splintered relationship between two Indian American cousins is at the center of this dark, twisty YA mystery—perfect for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Karen McManus, and Angeline Boulley.

Midnights With You by Clare Osongco

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Fans of Susan Lee and Dustin Thao will be enchanted by this soulful YA romance about how we love, how we heal, and how we find the strength to go on.

Our Deadly Designs by Kalyn Josephson

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The Shadows Between Us meets The Scorpio Races in the epic conclusion to NYT bestselling Kalyn Josephson’s This Dark Descent, called “a fierce and darkly magical thrill ride” by acclaimed author Ava Reid.

Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart

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Jessa has been raised to be the “perfect girl”, but things go south. A killer looking for the perfect girl has targeted Jessa, and she’ll have to reject everything she’s been taught if she wants to keep herself―and her friends―alive until sunrise.

If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner

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The twisty, intricate mystery of I Killed Zoe Spanos meets the whip-smart sleuthing of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder in the newest novel from acclaimed author Faith Gardner, in which a club of misfits must come together to solve a dangerous mystery—and learn to lean on each other all the while.

Dead Girls Don’t Dream by Nino Cipri

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There are rules for Voynich Woods: Always carry a whistle. Never go alone. Always come home before dark. And if anyone calls your name, don’t answer. Because everyone who wanders from the path is never seen again.

Flopping in a Winter Wonderland by Jason June

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Sparks are flying in Winter Wonderland this Christmas in this LGBTQ+ young adult rom-com from Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Blue, Jay’s Gay Agenda, and Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball!

DECEMBER 2024

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

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A fledgling vampire and a headstrong vampire huntress must work together–against their better judgment–to rid the world of monsters in this irresistible romantic fantasy.

Dust by Alison Stine

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In this haunting, speculative coming-of-age novel about finding your place in an unforgiving environment, a partially deaf teen questions everything she knows about family, love, and her future.

Keep It in the Dark by Justin Arnold

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In this unashamedly queer, supernatural romance, Justin Arnold, author of Wicked Little Things, challenges the institutions that have sidelined queer love to the shadows, and brings it into the light.

We Are the Beasts by Gigi Griffis

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Deaths and disappearances pile up as a mysterious beast stalks the French countryside and two girls seize an unlikely opportunity that just might save them all—or serve them up on a platter.

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

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Yellowjackets meets Girl, Interrupted when a group of troubled teens in a wilderness therapy program find themselves stranded in a forest full of monsters eager to take their place.

You’re Dead to Me by Amy Christine Parker

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Gossip Girl meets Happy Death Day in this YA horror novel following high school outcast and anonymous social media gossip Ruby, who comes face-to-face with her own ghost dressed in a blood-splattered prom dress. With less than a week until the dance, Ruby must unmask her killer—or die trying.

What YA books are you looking forward to hitting shelves between July and December? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 66 YA Books Hitting Bookshelves Between July and December 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Releasing on December 3rd 2024, Keep It In The Dark is available to pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as to add to your Goodreads!

Rowan Young knew where his life was heading.

The headmaster’s son and golden boy of elite Vermont boarding school Mockingbird Prep, Rowan was set to inherit a legacy passed down through generations of forefathers. 

Until a strange new student arrives to derail those plans.

Casper Belamy didn’t ask to be a vampire. But now that he is one, all he wants is to travel the world looking for more of his kind. 

Before he can do that, he must accomplish an impossible task set forth by his adoptive family of vampiric royals: prove he can keep their kind safe and finish high school without being discovered. 

If controlling his thirst wasn’t hard enough, he is forced to share a dorm with the headmaster’s son. And despite their instant dislike for one another, Casper can’t ignore the mouth-wateringly delicious scent of Rowan’s blood.

When bitter fights become late night rendez-vous, forbidden romance blossoms in the shadows. Facing a fearful world that would rather they stay hidden, Rowan and Casper contend with an onslaught of troubles: Rowan’s father is breathing down his neck, the safety of Casper’s new-found family is on his shoulders, and a secret society of slayers threatens to destroy everything. 

If love blooms in the dark, will it survive being brought into the light?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Justin Arnold is the author of Wicked Little Things, The Prince and the Puppet Thief, and the forthcoming Keep It In The Dark. He’s a storyteller, occasional comedian, and junk food connoisseur. He lives in the bluegrass region of Kentucky, where gnarled woods and abundant ghost stories fuel his inspiration.

The post Exclusive Cover Reveal: Keep It In The Dark by Justin Arnold appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

I’m an author and playwright from the bluegrass region of Kentucky, where urban legends and ghost stories fuel my inspiration. My stage adaptations of children’s classics are available through Heuer Publishing, and my first novel, The Prince and the Puppet Thief, is available through Midnight Tide Publishing.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

For the bulk of my childhood, I wanted to be a film director. I didn’t realize for a long time that my favorite part of that was coming up with the plot. Storytelling has been an obsession for me since I can remember, be it through one medium or another, and I loved entertaining people (whether they wanted me to or not). By the time 7^th grade rolled around, I became a lot more self-conscious. I had a difficult time continuing to connect with classmates, so I spent that time with books. Somewhere in that time frame, it occurred to me that I just needed paper to make stories exist. I still have an interest in film and theatre, but I’m only wholly content when I’m writing.

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!

Charlotte’s Web by EB White, A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, and The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

Your latest novel, Wicked Little Things, is out November 15^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Campy. Bloody. Fun. Witchy. Smooshy.

What can readers expect?

Expect some scares, found family, and a whole lot of witchcraft. There’s also a healthy dose of romance, and a lot of humor. A few early readers have referred to the book as a “ride” rather than a read. I love that way of putting it, because there are a lot of gears moving throughout. So, I think readers can expect a fun, spooky ride.

Where did the inspiration for Wicked Little Things come from?

Witches were always my go-to. I wished hardcore for magic powers when I was a kid, and I think the appeal was because I grew up gay at a time when I didn’t feel safe to say that. When you feel powerless and alone, witches are so empowering and relatable. So of course, I had to write a book about a gay witch.

As for the world of the story and where this gay witch fits inside of it, I think I was heavily influenced by American Horror Story and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which were the two shows that first got me binge-watching and into the campy horror genre. I wanted my protagonist to be in a world full of horrific, macabre things, but still have time for romance. And of course, for him to have the ability to kick butt at both.

Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?

For about four or five years, I kept getting in my own way. I would change plot points and characters based on arbitrary “writer rules” and what was “popular”. This led to a whole of lot nothing.

In July of 2019, I was house-sitting without any other commitments and decided that I should use that time to write. But I wouldn’t let myself look over any old notes or outlines. I ended up writing the first three chapters that day. I wrote about 20k thousand words in this way, but found it challenging to find time to continue. In July of 2020, I, like many people, ended up with a lot of free time, so I got it to 40k words, and then got stuck. I hadn’t figured out the second half of the book.

In the fall of 2020, I moved to a new home. The pandemic was still at its height, and I found myself alone, a bit scared, and with a lot of time on my hands. I sat down and figured out the rest of the story, and added the remaining 70k to the draft in about 3 weeks during NaNoWriMo. I’m sure I did other things that month, but when I look back, I only picture scenes from the book. I think, because I lived alone during a pandemic, I finally felt ‘unwatched’ and was able to finally get out of my own way.

That first draft was a sprawling mess and was over 500 pages long. But having all of that sand in the proverbial sandbox made it a lot easier to sculpt out the finished product that readers will receive.

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

I had a blast with all of the characters, but I think my favorite to write was Hannah, Dane’s surviving cousin. She’s so off-the-cuff and deadpan. I also really love Robyn, Dane’s mother. She came with a hefty backstory that we don’t get to fully see in this book, but coming up with it drew me close to her. And a sequence set around a fall-themed carnival has always been my favorite part of the book to work on.

What’s next for you?

I have a few projects in different stages and don’t want to tease anything that isn’t sold. I think that would be bad luck. But— I can say that all of them involve spooky happenings and, of course, queer teens.

Lastly, what have been some of your favourite 2022 reads? Any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?

Every Word You Never Said by Jordan Greene and A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy both live rent-free in my heart right now. The Hex Next Door by Lou Wilham was fantastic. I also thoroughly enjoyed My Name Is Magic by Xan Van Rooyen.

For 2023, I’m really looking forward to Monstersona by Chloe Spencer, and Against The Stars by Christopher Hartland. These are both Tiny Ghost Press titles, so I can’t wait to cheer on my publishing house siblings.

Will you be picking up Wicked Little Things? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Justin Arnold, Author of ‘Wicked Little Things’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard
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From Susan Dennard, the New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series, comes a haunting and high-octane contemporary fantasy, about the magic it takes to face your fears in a nightmare-filled forest, and the mettle required to face the secrets hiding in the dark corners of your own family.

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth
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White Horse is a gritty, vibrant debut from Erika T. Wurth about an Indigenous woman who must face her past when she discovers a bracelet haunted by her mother’s spirit.

The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
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Love and duty collide in this richly imagined, atmospheric young adult debut about a witch whose dark powers put her at the center of a brewing war between the only family she’s ever known and the enemy who makes her question everything.

The Personal Assistant by Kimberly Belle
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USA TODAY bestselling author Kimberly Belle returns with a deeply addictive thriller exploring the dark side of the digital world when a mommy-blogger’s assistant goes missing.  

Better Than Fiction by Alexa Martin
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Love isn’t always by the book in this charming romantic comedy about a bookseller discovering how to be the main character in her story.

Wicked Little Things by Justin Arnold
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A campy teen horror novel that follows Dane as he returns to his hometown of Jasper Hollow intent on solving his cousin’s grisly murder with the help of a coven of mean girls intent on making him over.

Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse
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Celeste, a card sharp with a penchant for trouble, takes on the role of advocatus diaboli, to defend her sister Mariel, accused of murdering a Virtue, a member of the ruling class in the mining town of Goetia, in a new world of dark fantasy.

Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
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The author of the “swoon-worthy debut” (Harper’s Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord…only to fall for his sister.

When Franny Stands Up by Eden Robins
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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel meets A League of Their Own in this inspiring story Buzzfeed calls “a warm hug of a novel.”

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
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When their now famous ex-boyfriend asks them to participate in a teen reality show, two eighteen year old girls―one bent on revenge, the other open to rekindling romance―get tangled up in an unexpected twist when they fall for each other instead in Never Ever Getting Back Together by nationally and internationally-bestselling and Indie Next Pick author Sophie Gonzales.

Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli
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Someday, Maybe is a stunning, witty debut novel about a young woman’s emotional journey through unimaginable loss, pulled along by her tight-knit Nigerian family, a posse of friends, and the love and laughter she shared with her husband.

A Matter of Happiness by Tori Whitaker
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A cherished heirloom opens up a century of secrets in a bittersweet novel about family, hard truths, and self-discovery by the author of Millicent Glenn’s Last Wish.

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

The post November 2022 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Heat Wave by T.J. Klune
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Nick, Seth, Gibby, and Jazz are back in action bringing justice, protection, and disaster energy to the people of Nova City. An unexpected hero returns to Nova City and crash lands into Nick’s home, upturning his life, his family, and his understanding of what it means to be a hero in the explosive finale of the thrilling and hilarious Extraordinaries trilogy.

Youngblood by Sasha Laurens
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For fans of Vampire Diaries and dark academia, two queer teen bloodsuckers at an elite vampire-only boarding school must go up against all of Vampirdom when they uncover a frightening conspiracy on campus.

The Comedienne’s Guide to Pride by Hayli Thomson
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The Comedienne’s Guide to Pride is a queer coming of age story with biting humor about a young lesbian striving to win a spot on SNL. Taylor Parker isn’t out yet, but she’s keeping an even bigger secret: she entered a sketch contest where the grand prize is an internship at SNL.

The Witchery by S. Isabelle
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Haelsford, Florida, is a hellmouth. Or at least, that’s what Logan, a new witch struggling to control her powers, thinks when she arrives at Mesmortes Coven Academy. She is immediately taken under the wing of the infamous Red Three: Iris, a deathwitch, who wants nothing more than to break the town’s curse; Thalia, the talented greenwitch, on the run from her religious family and a past that still haunts her; and Jailah, one of the most extraordinary witches at the academy whose thirst for power may lead her down a dark path.

In the Event of Love by Courtney Kae
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Offering a steamy, queer spin on the feel-good tropes of a Hallmark movie, this sweet, funny #OwnVoices rom-com is perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexandria Bellefleur!

Husband Material by Alexis Hall
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Boyfriend Material, Luc and Oliver met, pretended to fall in love, fell in love for real, dealt with heartbreak and disappointment and family and friends…and somehow figured out a way to make it work. Now it seems like everyone around them is getting married, and Luc’s feeling the social pressure to propose. But it’ll take more than four weddings, a funeral, and a bowl full of special curry to get these two from I don’t know what I’m doing to I do.

The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver
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From the bestselling author of I Wish You All the Best, comes a new kind of love story, about the bad decisions we sometimes make… and the people who help get us back on the right path.

This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves
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This fun, irreverent summer romp is Netflix’s Never Have I Ever meets What If It’s Us about a high school senior determined to get over his unrequited feelings for his best friend by getting under someone else.

Aces Wild by Amanda DeWitt
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Six of Crows goes to Las Vegas in debut author Amanda DeWitt’s suspenseful casino heist, starring an entire crew of asexual teens.

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna Marie McLemore
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Three teens chase their own version of the American Dream during the Roaring 20s in this YA remix of The Great Gatsby. 

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
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Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where teen semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this electric new Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys.

Fraternity by Andy Mientus
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A queer, dark academia YA story about a mysterious boarding school, a brotherhood that must stay in the shadows, and an ancient evil that could tear it all apart. 

Destination Unknown by Bill Konigsberg
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From Stonewall Award winner Bill Konigsberg, a remarkable, funny, sexy, heartbreaking story of two teen boys finding each other in New York City at the height of the AIDS epidemic.

Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One by Maggie Horne
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A funny, feminist, and queer contemporary middle grade debut that follows twelve-year-old loner Hazel Hill, who, after one of her classmates is harassed online, devises a plan to catch the school’s golden boy in the act.

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen
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A delicious story from a new voice in suspense, Lev AC Rosen’s Lavender House is Knives Out with a queer historical twist.

The First To Die at The End by Adam Silvera
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In this prequel to They Both Die at the End, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Silvera tells the story of new star-crossed lovers facing down Death-Cast’s first day. It’s the night before Death-Cast goes live, and there’s one question on everyone’s mind: Can Death-Cast actually predict when someone will die, or is it just an elaborate hoax?

You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
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An “effervescent” (Rachel Lynn Solomon) Christmas LGBTQIA+ New Adult RomCom, perfect for fans of Schitt’s Creek and Red White & Royal Blue.

This Is Our Place by Vitor Martins
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Three teens — in three different decades — navigate life, love, and family in Vitor Martins’ heartfelt new novel that spans generations. Perfect for fans of Tales from the City and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Love and duty collide in this richly imagined, atmospheric young adult debut about a witch whose dark powers put her at the center of a brewing war between the only family she’s ever known and the enemy who makes her question everything.

We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds
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Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in We Deserve Monuments, a YA debut from Jas Hammonds that explores how racial violence can ripple down through generations.

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
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An interior designer who is never without the perfect plan learns to renovate her love life without one in this new romantic comedy by Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn’t Care.

Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A girl enters a reality dating competition to get revenge on her cheating, royal-adjacent ex-boyfriend, and ends up falling for another girl on the show—in fact, the girl he cheated on her with.

Wicked Little Things by Justin Arnold
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Silver in the Mist by Emily Victoria
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Eight years ago, everything changed for Devlin: Her country was attacked. Her father was killed. And her mother became the Whisperer of Aris, the head of the spies, retreating into her position away from everyone… even her daughter.

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Adiba Jaigirdar, author of one of Time‘s Best YA books of all time, gives Titanic an Ocean’s 8 makeover in this nail-biting heist set onboard the infamous ship.

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

The post You Need These Upcoming 2022 Queer Book Releases To End The Year appeared first on The Nerd Daily.