About Final Cut: The set of a low-budget slasher film turns into a real-life horror movie in this twisty, wicked blend of Scream meets The Reappearance of Rachel Price from Olivia Worley. Out October 28th 2025.

It always opens with a dead girl. That’s the first line of my new YA slasher book, Final Cut, which launches us instantly into the POV of a deranged killer—who also happens to be incredibly well-versed in slasher movie conventions. Which, by now, is something we have in common.

When I first set out to write Final Cut, I was actually pretty new to the slasher genre: aside from Scream, I hadn’t really seen any of the classics. So, when I got the idea for the book—the set of a low-budget slasher movie becomes a real-life slasher as a killer hunts down the cast and crew—I knew I needed to do some serious research.

What followed was the most fun I’ve ever had while prepping to write a book. Over the course of a few months, I watched through all of the biggest blockbusters and even some weirder, deeper cuts. By the time Final Cut was finished, I was as much of a slasher buff as my main character, Haze—and even, perhaps, the book’s masked killer. While I’m definitely more partial to the final girls than the monsters, Final Cut is my love letter to slasher movies, and I can’t wait for y’all to read it! In the meantime, here are some of my favorite films that inspired the book.

Black Christmas (1974)

While many people think of Halloween and Friday the 13th as some of the earliest slashers, Black Christmas actually has them beat by a few years. Partly inspired by the urban legend of “the babysitter and the man upstairs,” Black Christmas stars Olivia Hussey as Jess, a college student whose sorority house is plagued by obscene phone calls…and eventually a killer. I love this movie because while it has plenty of slasher standards—a cast of teens hunted one by one, a final girl, and killer POV shots—it also turns some of those conventions on their head before the genre even really existed. For that reason, Haze cites it as her favorite slasher movie in Final Cut.

Profondo Rosso (1975) 

Profondo Rosso (or Deep Red, as it’s known in English) was my first introduction to the Italian giallo genre—a name derived from the yellow covers of a series of crime novels published starting in 1929—and boy, did it deliver. As Haze says in Final Cut, “This movie’s got all the hallmarks of the Italian slasher genre: weird dubbing, a killer in fabulous black leather gloves, and plenty of gratuitous violence. Also, most importantly, a soundtrack of absolute bangers by a band called Goblin.” She’s not wrong—look up the title track, “Profondo Rosso,” and thank me later. You’ll even hear notes of the Halloween theme, which came out just a few years later.

Halloween (1978)

Speaking of Halloween, of course I had to include one of the most enduring classics of all time! Everything about this film is iconic: Jamie Lee Curtis’s performance as final girl Laurie Strode, the hauntingly invincible Michael Myers, and a killer soundtrack (look out for the Final Cut scene where Haze and her co-star Cameron jam out to “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” on their way to confront a suspect—air cowbell included, naturally.)

Friday the 13th (1980)

Another all-timer, Friday the 13th is the quintessential summer camp slasher. It also has several elements that inspired both Final Cut and countless movies that followed: an isolated setting, a mysterious killer hunting down a group one by one, and a story haunted by the sins of the past. Also, not for nothing, Mrs. Voorhees might be one of my favorite slasher villains ever—who else can rock a chunky knit sweater while brandishing a knife?

The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

While not as massive a hit as the previous two on this list, The Slumber Party Massacre is one of my personal favorites—partly because of its unusual tone. As the story goes, author and feminist activist Rita Mae Brown wrote the screenplay as a parody of the slasher genre; however, when it was picked up by producers, they wanted to play it as more of a “straight” slasher. As a result, this movie has a lot more humor than some of the other classics. My particular favorite moment is when, after the titular slumber party has found the pizza delivery boy brutally murdered, one of the girls eats a slice anyway, insisting, “Well, life goes on, after all.”

Scream (1996)

Not only did Scream revitalize the slasher genre in the 90s, but it’s also earned its place as one of the most iconic horror franchises of all time. Like I mentioned before, Scream was the only slasher classic I’d seen when I got the idea for Final Cut—a book which, like Scream, is full of meta moments and characters who love and respect the genre. Scream also popularized the convention where the masked killer will be unveiled as one (or more!) of the characters we’ve already met—aka my favorite type of slasher, since the viewer gets to play detective. If you also love trying to guess the killer’s identity, then I won’t give any spoilers away…but you’ll probably have a lot of fun with Final Cut

The post The Slasher Movies That Inspired ‘Final Cut’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Olivia! Welcome back! How has the past 18 months been since we last spoke?

Hi! Thank you! Things have been really good—since our last interview, I feel like so much has happened: I published my second book, The Debutantes, and for the past year, I’ve been lucky enough to be a full-time author, which is a dream come true. I’m super excited to be back with The Nerd Daily!

Your latest novel, So Happy Together, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Ooh this is always tough…I’d say twisted, fun, obsessive, delusional, and wild!

What can readers expect?

So Happy Together follows Jane, a 24-year-old aspiring playwright in NYC, who’s certain that she’s found her soulmate, Colin—if she can just make him believe it. After 6 perfect dates with Jane, Colin suddenly breaks things off, leaving her devastated. Jane is sure they’re perfect together, and she just needs to prove it to him…until she realizes that Colin already has a new girlfriend, a beautiful Brooklyn artist named Zoe. But Jane is not deterred: she works her way back into Colin’s life by befriending Zoe—but then, after breaking into Colin’s apartment, Jane makes a shocking discovery that will ensnare them all in a twisted web of lies, obsession, and murder.

Where did the inspiration for So Happy Together come from?

This book was inspired by my very real experiences and frustrations with modern dating culture. I moved to New York City in my early twenties and, like Jane, started looking for love on the apps. Strangely, the hardest part wasn’t just searching for connection in a sea of pictures—it was the rare but gutting experience of meeting someone I felt excited about, only for them to end things just as I was starting to get optimistic. After one such experience left me feeling particularly down, I started to wonder: what if this happened to someone like me, only they refused to take no for an answer? Thus, Jane and her obsessive search for love were born!

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

I’ve never had more fun writing a character than I did with Jane. She’s delusional, obsessive, and a little unhinged—but also, I think, deeply relatable. In some ways, I feel like Jane is me, if I allowed all of my darkest, most impulsive thoughts to take over. At her core, she really just wants to love and be loved, even if she doesn’t always go about it in the most, shall we say, legal of ways

I also really loved writing Jane’s friendship with Zoe! At first, Jane sees Zoe as this perfect, idealized woman who is totally wrong for Colin; Jane only befriends her as a way of staying close to him. Very quickly, though, their relationship starts to become real, which creates more tension for Jane. She’s chasing this romantic love with Colin, but at the same time, Zoe is becoming the true friend that Jane has always wanted, so there’s a fun push and pull there. Who will Jane choose? Or will it all crash and burn?

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

Sometimes, So Happy Together feels like one of the easiest books I’ve ever written in the sense that once I locked into Jane’s voice, everything came out in an almost feverish rush. One challenge, though, was the fact that this is my first adult novel. In moving into a new age category, there’s a tricky balance of hoping my YA readers will still love the book while also wanting to reach new readers, too. In the end, I think the only way to overcome that challenge is to focus on the book itself—the truth and excitement of the story I’m writing—rather than how it will be received.

Can you tell us a bit about your timeline and process for working on So Happy Together?

So Happy Together might be the fastest I’ve ever drafted a book! I got the idea while I was working on my last book, The Debutantes, and in the lulls between deadlines, I worked on So Happy Together obsessively, finishing the first draft in just a few months. It was such a cathartic experience: through Jane, I was not only voicing so many of my own fears and frustrations, but taking them to the extreme. After writing the book, I went through a couple rounds of developmental edits with my agent and editor, but I feel like the heart of it—Jane and her voice—remained constant throughout.

What’s the best and worst writing advice you’ve received?

I think the worst advice out there is to try to predict what the market wants: if you’re writing certain tropes and genres just because they’re popular, chances are that by the time your book comes out, the trends will have moved on. On the other side of that idea is what I’ve found to be the best advice: write a book that you would love to read! Even if you are writing something trendy, which you totally can, make sure it’s because it truly excites you. If you’re obsessed with whatever you’re writing, then it’s more likely that your readers will be, too

What’s next for you?

My next YA thriller, Final Cut, comes out on October 28^th! It’s about a young actress shooting a slasher film in the small Louisiana town where, fifteen years ago, her father was convicted as the infamous “Pine Springs Slasher”—but when a new killer begins stalking the set, she’s determined to figure out if this is a copy cat, or if the wrong slasher is behind bars.

I also have another adult thriller coming out next summer, which I’m currently editing—hopefully I’ll be able to share more about that one soon!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

My last read was Gone Girl, and I’m so comically late to the party on that one, but wow, is it phenomenal! I’ve also just started Ashley Winstead’s This Book Will Bury Me, and so far, I’m loving it. Coming up, there are so many new releases I’m looking forward to: Megan Abbott’s El Dorado Drive, Stacy Willingham’s Forget Me Not, and on the YA side, Xan Kaur’s When Devils Sing, just to name a few.

Will you be picking up So Happy Together? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Olivia Worley, Author of ‘So Happy Together’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

It’s almost spring break and summer is right around the corner, so it’s time to start picking out your beach reads! Whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming of one, these young adult thrillers and romances will transport you to beautiful and unique locales from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

First stop, the City of Light with Under the Surface by Diana Urban. But readers won’t be lingering by the Eiffel Tower or strolling the Champs-Elysees in this spooky read. This excellent pulse-pounding thriller takes place in the catacombs, a series of tombs far beneath the streets of Paris. 

Hop a train from France to Italy and fall in love with All Roads Lead To Rome by Sabrina Fedel, a Roman Holiday-esque YA romance featuring an anxious introvert who thinks she knows all the gelato shops and picturesque ruins of the Eternal City. But when she meets a Scottish hottie and gets embroiled in a fake-dating scheme, will it be her heart that’s left in ruins?

Next, hop another flight to India for Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat (coming out in May) for a read with a rich backdrop of art and culture. In this romance, Archana Dhawan is looking forward to a semester abroad–without the distraction of boys. But at her museum internship near the palace in Rajasthan, her plans go awry when she meets a cute gardener and things heat up. 

If you’re all about the ocean, dip into the edge-of-your-seat thriller Seasick by Kristin Cast and Pintip Dunn, set aboard a luxury yacht en route to sunny Bermuda (where two ex-best friends find one of their privileged group murdered). Trapped at sea, the two girls realize a serial killer is closing in, and they have nowhere to run. 

If the yacht makes it back to the States, disembark in New Orleans, Louisiana for The Debutantes by Olivia Worley. This glittering thriller is set among the glamorous balls and colorful festivities of the Mardi Gras season, where a mysterious Jester appears and threatens to reveal secrets about the debutante that turned up dead the previous year. Three friends work to unearth the Jester’s identity and prevent another killing in this riveting mystery.

It’s not necessarily a vacation destination, but who wouldn’t want to visit a posh New England boarding school to soak up some dark academia vibes? In A Darker Mischief by Derek Milman, initiation rituals can be downright dangerous as a disadvantaged queer teen works to fit in… and stay alive. Come for the stained glass and manicured lawns of the lush campus setting, stay for the thrilling mystery. 

The post Armchair Vacation: YA Reads In Stunning Locations appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Olivia Worley is an author born and raised in New Orleans. A graduate of Northwestern University, she now lives in New York City, where she spends her time writing thrillers, over-analyzing episodes of The Bachelor, and hoping someone will romanticize her for reading on the subway. Her debut young adult novel, PEOPLE TO FOLLOW, was published by Wednesday Books in October 2023, with THE DEBUTANTES to follow this October. Her adult debut, SO HAPPY TOGETHER, will be published by Minotaur Books in 2025.

I’ll be honest—I haven’t always been an autumn girl. As a born and raised New Orleanian who now lives in New York City, I’m woefully unprepared for the cold, spurn hot beverages, and can’t help but think of fall as a harbinger of the freezing winter to come. Lately, though, I’ve been coming around. Fall in New York is undeniably beautiful: the fluttering leaves in Central Park, the big coats, that crisp, fresh feeling in air. But for me, there’s one saving grace that rises above them all: I love to get spooky. And I love a spooky read.

My first book, People to Follow—an And Then There Were None-inspired influencer slasher—released on Halloween of last year. My second book, The Debutantes—another YA thriller inspired by my own experience with the glamorous but haunting world of Mardi Gras debutante balls—will be out on October 29th. While these books aren’t set specifically during Halloween, there’s something about reading (and releasing!) a fast-paced, creepy thriller in October that I can’t get enough of.

So, without further ado, here are 6 more YA thrillers that are perfect for the Halloween season. They may not take place in October, but they all bring the thrills and chills—and go perfectly with a cozy sweater, a warm blanket, and your favorite fall treat.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

Charity has the perfect summer job: playing the final girl at Camp Mirror Lake, a live-action horror experience inspired by a classic slasher film. But when coworkers start to go missing, Charity realizes she might be living out a real-life slasher. This book is fast-paced and perfectly eerie, with LGBT rep and a killer twist.

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill

After a night of Mardi Gras partying, Amir wakes up to find Chloe—a popular, wealthy girl at his school—stabbed to death in her bedroom while he slept on the couch. Amir is innocent, but as a Black teen caught fleeing the scene of a white girl’s murder, he knows he’ll never get the benefit of the doubt. When he’s arrested as the only suspect, Amir and his half-brother Marcel must find out who really killed Chloe before it’s too late. Obviously, I love a thriller set in New Orleans, and this one is no exception: a pulse-pounding, razor-sharp exploration of racism, PWIs, and family in a city that’s swimming with secrets.

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould

Something is haunting the town of Snakebite, Oregon: teens are going missing, some found dead, and Ashley’s boyfriend was the first to disappear. When Logan and her parents come to town to film their hit ghost-hunting TV show, she and Ashley team up to uncover the secrets of Snakebite as both the danger—and their feelings for each other—intensify. Creepy, compelling, and deeply moving, this book has a perfect mix of ghosts and gutting prose.

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

From one of today’s biggest YA thriller voices, this book is a refreshing, unputdownable homage to Stephen King’s Carrie about a biracial teen discovering her own power as her small Georgia town hosts its first integrated prom. With a multimedia narrative following a full cast of complex characters, The Weight of Blood is powerful, poignant, and the perfect fix for your horror movie craving.

That’s Not My Name by Megan Lally

A girl wakes up on the side of the road with no memories and is soon taken to the police station by a passing officer. When a man claiming to be her father arrives, ready to take her home, she wonders if she’s gotten her life back…or if she’s in more danger than ever. Buckle up, because this one is full of twists—and there’s a very high chance you’ll read it in one sitting.

The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed

When her beloved grandmother suddenly passes away, Lily Rosewood feels alone and unmoored—especially when Gram’s massive fortune goes missing. Then, a final letter from Gram sends Lily and her friends on a high-stakes treasure hunt, offering them a chance at life-changing riches—if someone else doesn’t hunt them down first. Full of intrigue, adventure, romance, and found family, this book will warm your heart as it keeps it racing.

The post 6 YA Thrillers That Are Perfect For Halloween 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.

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

Hi! I’m an author and not-quite-recovered theatre kid who was born and raised in New Orleans. I studied musical theatre at Northwestern and now live in New York City, where I spend my time writing thrillers, working as a test prep tutor, and watching far too much reality TV.

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

Writing and stories have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember! Literally—I was recently home in New Orleans, and my mom and I went through some boxes she’d kept of my first “books” (all of which were basically just printer paper stapled together, including a “found document”-style murder mystery that I made when I was 10, which feels prophetic if mildly disturbing.)

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: I’ve been wracking my brain and honestly can’t remember the first novel I read, but as a little kid, I know I was a fiend for Bob Books—probably because I struck a deal with my parents where reading them would get me out of nap time.
• The one that made you want to become an author: I’m not sure if there was one specific book, but The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin was the first mystery that I ever became obsessed with, so that one is at least partially responsible for how much I love writing thrillers!
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie! People to Follow is sort of an homage to how much that book has haunted me since the seventh grade.

Your debut novel, People to Follow, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Fun, fast-paced, twisty, sharp, and funny!

What can readers expect?

People to Follow is a YA thriller about ten influencers who arrive on a remote island to film what they think is a new reality show about unplugging from their social media careers—until the producers leave them stranded, and one of the influencers meets a violent end. When their mysterious “Sponsor” starts threatening to expose their darkest secrets, the influencers realize they’ve been lured into a deadly game…and one of them might be pulling the strings. With the body count rising and cameras tracking their every move, the creators must figure out who is trying to get them canceled—like, literally—before their #1 follower strikes again.

Readers can expect a big cast of voicey, often unlikeable characters and plenty of twists, turns, and secrets. There’s also a healthy dose of dark humor, sharp commentary on influencer culture, a dash of romance, and an ending you won’t see coming.

Where did the inspiration for People to Follow come from?

I got the idea for People to Follow in late 2020, when I (like so many people) was coping with the pandemic by doing a deep, deep dive into reality TV and social media. At the same time, I was also rediscovering my love of Agatha Christie, particularly And Then There Were None. Combining the drama and juicy secrets of reality TV and influencer culture with the life-or-death stakes of an isolated murder mystery sounded too fun to pass up!

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

I had so much fun writing this book, especially since there were so many individual character voices to hone! People to Follow has four POV narrators: Kira, a child reality star turned fitness influencer; Elody, an Instagram model with an impulsive streak; Max, a documentary YouTuber set on filming an exposé of his fellow creators; and Logan, a TikToker with some skeletons in the closet. Of the four, Elody was probably my favorite to write because her voice is so specific—in her POV, everything is “literally” and everyone is “babe,” and her confidence borders on delusion, which was so fun to write as someone who can be more introverted.

This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

I’ve always been a writer, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that I started seriously thinking about getting published. People to Follow is technically my second completed novel and the first I ever queried. I wrote it during my time in the Author Mentor Match program, which I’d actually applied for with a completely different book (the aforementioned first book, which thankfully will never see the light of day.) When I told my wonderful mentor, Alexa Donne, about my influencer murder mystery idea, she encouraged me to write that one first, and I’m so glad she did! From there, I drafted the book in a few months, worked on edits, and then, about a year after first starting, I queried literary agents, which is how I found my fantastic agent Claire Friedman and my equally fantastic editor Sarah Grill at Wednesday Books!

What’s next for you?

I have a second YA thriller with Wednesday slated for next year! I’m not sure how much I can say about it yet, but while this one isn’t related to People to Follow, it’s equally full of twists, turns, and privileged teens behaving badly

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

Some recent YA thrillers I’ve loved are The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed and Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington! Outside of the YA thriller space, I’ve also recently loved The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore, Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.

Will you be picking up People to Follow? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Olivia Worley, Author of ‘People To Follow’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.