Ivy continues to be an excellent protagonist and her character growth from the start of The Rose Bargain to the end of The Thorn Queen is spectacular. She is loving, passionate and determined to pursue justice no matter the cost. That naivety has well and truly been shattered by the ordeals she has faced and the grief that motivated her in the first book is complicated in the second. She is now driven by wanting to change the fate of the world and correct the mistakes she has made. For me, she is such an endearing and persistent character that you root for. I also enjoyed her dynamic with Lydia and how that moves throughout the book. It flips certain aspects on their head and brings a new texture to the story. I loved how at its heart this is a story about sisterhood and the complicated bonds between Ivy and Lydia. That dynamic is the beating heart of the duology and it can be fraught and full of secrets. Despite it all, you can feel the love the two of them share and how determined they are to protect the other. We get more layers to that relationship here and it deepens the story started in The Rose Bargain. Also, the new narrators in this story are inspired choices and offer new insights on previously held secrets.

The Thorn Queen takes us into new places and continues that darker territory of The Rose Bargain. I loved the expansion of the geography and settings of this world, we get to find new places and learn more about the history and mythos of the fae. This world is fascinating but every choice has a consequence and some of them are deadly. It delivers a wild ride of a story and there are plenty of twists and turns along the way. The Rose Bargain dripped blood but this oozes it. The stakes have gotten higher and the fates of worlds are in play now. It is a dark story that ups the tension and we delve into some very heavy topics, so do be aware of that while reading. In particular, it explores coercive control, manipulation and abusive relationships in really interesting and considered ways through this fantasy lens. The monsters here are recognisable in our own lives and I hope this reaches the readers who need it.

Peyton Smith nails that tricksy nature of the fae of legends. They can be impassive spectators of suffering or malevolent tricksters that are amused by it. That sense of complicity in violence and suffering is something that Ivy struggles with and I enjoyed the way we explored the nuances of living in this new kingdom, while also looking at how the effects rippled out across the population. The actions that characters took in book one have tangible consequences here and they must face the mistakes they made. It still has the beauty and glamour of the court and balls, but the mask is firmly off. The gilded cage’s bars are visible and Ivy must work to break them once and for all.

The Thorn Queen epitomises the excellence of sequels with an evolution of The Rose Bargain in characters, world-building and politics. It expands the fire started in the first book and builds to a wonderful conclusion.

The Thorn Queen is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up The Thorn Queen? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

Bridgerton, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince collide in this Victorian-inspired romantasy; the sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Rose Bargain.

Having won the hand of the faerie King Bram, Ivy is now Queen of England.

But with his ascension to the throne, Bram unleashed the fae into the human world. After hundreds of years of being kept from their favorite playthings, the Others are looking to make up for lost time—and they do, with wicked revelry that sweeps through the country.

To survive, Ivy acts the sweet, devoted wife. Behind the smile, she plots to banish her husband, save her sister Lydia, and reunite with the love of her life, Emmett.

Yet Emmet and Lydia are trapped in the Otherworld, where fae games are deadlier than ever—and a queen must play most viciously of all. Or see herself dethroned.

Forbidden romance, deceptive bargains, and lethal court intrigue intertwine in this mesmerizing, fae romantasy sequel that will captivate fans of Once Upon a Broken Heart and Belladonna.

The post Review: The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi Sasha, thank you for joining us today. Please could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your latest release The Thorn Queen?

Hi Nerd Daily! I’m Sasha and I’m the author of the Rose Bargain Duology—a YA romantasy series about an alternate history Victorian England where the queen is a faerie and a group of debutantes enter a competition to marry her son, the faerie prince (it’s a bit like Bridgerton if you wished Bridgerton had way more fae.) The Thorn Queen, the sequel to the Rose Bargain, follows our main characters beyond England, dealing with some consequences to some choices they made in book one.

The Rose Bargain was such an astounding book. What were some unique challenges with writing the sequel?

Readers reacted so kindly to the Rose Bargain, I couldn’t believe the reception it got! Writing a sequel that was labelled as “anticipated” was a lot of pressure. I didn’t want to let anyone down! Learning to drown out the voices (including the self-doubt one in my own head) and focus on remaining true to the heart of the story was my big task in writing the Thorn Queen. It was also my first time writing a true fantasy world! I had to learn a lot about world-building.

Did anything change with your approach to writing or writing routine between book 1 and 2 and how did you handle this?

I don’t know if my approach to writing changed, but the deadlines definitely felt faster! I was writing the Thorn Queen and promoting and touring for the Rose Bargain, simultaneously, so I had to get more comfortable working while I was traveling (and I toured ten states and five countries for the Rose Bargain, so I was travelling A LOT.)

Were there any particular characters, themes or parts of the world that you were excited to explore or revisit in the sequel?

I was excited to dive deeper into Ivy and Lydia’s relationship as sisters. They go through so much together in this book, and the love they have for one another is really at the heart of the story. Having a sister can be so emotionally complex. They’re really forced to confront the harm they’ve both inflicted on the other and come together as allies.

What is one message or lingering thought that you’d like readers to take away from this duology?

Love is always worth it, or, be nice to your sister!

What do you think keeps drawing readers and writers back to the world of the fae?

There’s something so alluring about the idea of a faerie bargain. The question; what would you give up in order to have everything you’ve ever wanted is such a fundamental theme across storytelling. I, personally, love writing these beautiful beings that are distinctly not human. There’s something so interesting about a gorgeous creature offering you your heart’s desire, but some animal instinct in your brain is still screaming “Danger! Run!”

What other periods of history would you like to retell with a speculative lens?

I’m currently working on a book loosely inspired by 1920s London! (more details coming soon…)

What books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?

I’m currently reading the Emma M Lion books by Beth Brower and finding myself so charmed. Releases on the horizon I’m excited for; The Long Con by Jenna Voris, The Queen of Lombard Street by Lisa Kleypas, and Hawk and Sparrow by Ayana Gray.

If possible, please can you share a little about what you are currently working on or any upcoming projects you have?

Unfortunately, the aforementioned 1920s-inspired project is still mostly a secret, but I’m excited to share more official details soon! I’m looking forward to calling it something other than my childhood-friends-to-arranged-marriage-book.

Finally if you could only use five words to describe The Thorn Queen, what would they be? 

Don’t go in the woods.

Will you be picking up The Thorn Queen? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Sasha Peyton Smith, Author of ‘The Thorn Queen’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi Sasha, thank you for joining us today! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and your book The Rose Bargain? 

Hi The Nerd Daily, thank you so much for having me! I’m Sasha! After ten years in D.C. I recently moved back to my hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah, into a 114-year-old house (the previous owners told me it was haunted, but I haven’t seen anything yet.) When I’m not writing, I’m usually watching reality TV with my husband or trying way too hard at my adult ballet class. I’m also trying to get back into painting this year.

The Rose Bargain is my new YA romantasy novel about an alternate history Victorian England where the queen is an immortal faerie who tricked her way onto the throne 400 years earlier. Our main character is Ivy Benton, the second daughter of a bankrupt marquess, whose sister has recently disgraced the family, ruining Ivy’s already slim marriage prospects. When the queen announces this is the season her son, the prince, will take a wife, Ivy is the first to sign up. But the prince’s brother approaches her with a deal; he’ll help make her his brother’s dream girl, ensuring her victory, if she’ll help him take down the queen.

It is such a fascinating and original story, I’d love to know what sparked the idea for The Rose Bargain? 

It was December of 2022, and I was back in my childhood home visiting my parents for the holidays. I was facing the biggest failure of my career, wondering, genuinely, if I’d ever write again.

And then the idea “what if the Queen of England was a faerie” struck me like lightning. Surrounded by all of my favorite novels from my teen years, I wondered what would happen if I tried to write something that gave me the feeling all of those novels did. I resolved to write the MOST fun, MOST self-indulgent book I could possibly think of. I threw everything my fifteen-year-old self would have loved into this book and I really hope I’ve made her proud.

I loved the depiction of the fae here as trickster beings, tapping into the darker mythologies surrounding them. What inspired this presentation and the choice to combine it with Regency England? 

I’m from the States, but my mother’s family is English, so I grew up with old-school faerie myths, where fae were portrayed as uncanny and malicious. Combining these fae characters who are driven by impulse and cruelty with the buttoned-up, sparkling world of 1800s London was such a fun push and pull. Both the the faeries and high-society England have shiny veneers that hide something rotten underneath.

I also, personally, also find the idea of immortality completely horrifying, and that really informed the queen’s character. I thought about what eternal life must to do someone’s sense of empathy, or generosity or compassion. I imagine so much of what makes someone altruistic would be whittled away. Above all things, the immortal queen is bored, and that was such a fun place to build a character from.

Another key aspect of the book is the dangerous and often grisly bargains made with the Queen. What would your bargain be? 

I’m so much less brave than my characters, I would try to avoid the queen at all costs! If forced to make a bargain, I’d make it for something small like always having my bag come out first at airport luggage claim or being able to find a parking spot at the mall.

Who would be your dream casting for an adaptation of The Rose Bargain? 

I feel so out of the loop with actors who would be young enough to play these characters!

Louis Partridge, Lily James, and Josh Whitehouse did make frequent appearances on my Pinterest board as Emmett, Ivy, and Bram, respectively but I don’t think they’re the right ages anymore.

What surprised you while writing this book? 

The Rose Bargain has already surpassed all of my wildest dreams, but the biggest gift it has given me is helping me rediscover my love of writing. I’d forgotten how fun it could be!

What songs would form the soundtrack to The Rose Bargain for you? 

I write in complete silence, but I love using playlists as tools for character building. It feels like cheating, but Ivy’s song has always been Ivy by Taylor Swift. Also on the playlist would be I Love You, I’m Sorry by Gracie Abrams, True Blue by boygenius, Guilty as Sin by Taylor Swift, and Francesca by Hozier.

What books are you excited for this year? 

So many! A few I’ve preordered are A Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid, I, Medusa, Ayana Gray’s adult debut, Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell, Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris, and I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew.

If possible, can you share a little about what you are currently working on or any upcoming projects you have? 

I’m currently writing the Rose Bargain sequel! One of the things I love most about sequels is getting to expand the world of the first book. Most of book two of the Rose Bargain takes place outside of London, and I’ve had so much fun exploring the world beyond Kensington Palace.

Finally, if you could only use five words to describe The Rose Bargain, what would they be?

Victorian, faeries, romance, balls, competition. Or perhaps more elegantly: Crap, his brother is hot.

 Will you be picking up The Rose Bargain? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Sasha Peyton Smith, Author of ‘The Rose Bargain’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

At the centre of it all, we have Ivy. She is passionate, loyal and deeply loving, though she can sometimes be a bit spiky or a bit too trusting. The mystery surrounding her sister’s disappearance pushes her to want to uncover the truth, at any cost. There is a social aspect, with her family relying on her to save them from ruin. This all weighs heavily on her shoulders and causes her to push everyone away from her. However, she is in a nest of vipers and trust is not always worth the price exacted. Something I really enjoyed was the relationship Ivy had with Lydia, which is complex and tangled up in secrets, but is ultimately one of love beyond everything. Ivy has her own guilt over what happened a year ago and this affects how she moves through the competition deeply. The twists and turns surrounding this were excellent and I look forward to seeing more in book two.

I would be remiss to not talk about the romance that weaves itself into the book. This is such a fun and complicated dynamic that is juicy and adds new elements into an already dramatic situation. It heightens the emotions involved with a few complications to boot. Not everything is at it may seem and this includes romantically entangled characters. Some of these scenes will make your heart flutter, others will break them. Sasha is great at creating chemistry that sparks off the page. It keeps you guessing, with several twists and turns along the way. Love is a weapon and a force for good within these pages. It is dangerous and all-consuming, but it may also set you free. Romance is also very much interwoven with the main plotline, as you would expect from a book all about a courtship competition. Watching different scenes gives you a glimpse into what might be and what may have been. It is deeply messy and rich. There are plenty of avenues left open with the final page, so we will see what develops in the next book.

Within the thorns of court, there is a sweet friendship that blooms. These suitors are in direct competition, with sky-high expectations weighing on their shoulders and stakes that are more dangerous than they initially seem. There is a tenuous truce formed at times, which is a nice reprieve, but you are keenly aware that it is all too temporary. As part of this, I loved the inclusion of chapters from every potential suitor‘s point of view. It just added a depth to them that moved them beyond the stereotypes they may fill at the start. You get to know a little about their motivations and beliefs, while also seeing how their dynamics shift and change.

A key concept of this book is the bargains made with the blood-thirsty Queen Mor. They are fascinating and I loved that Peyton Smith includes examples of them to flesh out the world-building around them. They are used in interesting ways, to advance the characters socially or to give them something they desperately need. Ultimately they are a question of sacrifice and exemplify the fae as the trickster beings they can often be presented as. There is a sense of cruelty and malice to them, but also of ambivalence and randomness. The bargains highlight how insignificant the mortals are to the fae—silly little playthings for amusement. This is continued in the trials within the courtship. These are brutal, mind-twisting games that add a darker element to the plot and add tangible stakes beyond the societal repercussions of failure.

The Rose Bargain sets a high price—you may lose your heart to this splendid story of deception, intrigue and cunning, wrapped up in a lavish bow of fantasy and romance.

The Rose Bargain is available from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of February 13th 2025.

Will you be picking up The Rose Bargain? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Every citizen of England is granted one bargain from their immortal fae queen.

High society girls are expected to bargain for qualities that will win them suitors: a rare talent for piano in exchange for one’s happiest childhood memory. A perfect smile for one’s ability to taste.

But Ivy Benton’s debut season arrives with a shocking twist: a competition to secure the heart of the Queen’s fae son, Prince Bram. A prize that could save Ivy’s family from ruin… and free her sister from the bargain that destroyed her.

Yet every glittering fae deal has a rotting heart—and at the center of this contest is a dark plot that could destroy everything Ivy knows.

Sweepingly romantic and deceptively enchanting, this alternate history romantasy will enthrall readers of Holly Black, Stephanie Garber, and Adalyn Grace.

The post Review: The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

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

JANUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon

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This outrageously charming and infuriatingly adorable enemies-to-lovers coffee shop romance is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Better Than the Movies.

Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough

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

Royal Heirs Academy by Lindsey Duga

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

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

Brewed With Love by Shelly Page

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

I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang

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

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

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

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

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Heartstopper meets Derry Girls in this wonderfully hilarious rom-com about finding your first love when your personality might be too big for the world around you.

The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley

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

Build A Girlfriend by Elba Luz

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

Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

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Dangerous magic. Fateful choices. Broken promises. The spellbinding series by New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer continues.

FEBRUARY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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

Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor

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

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

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

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban

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

The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah

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

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

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

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

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

Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft

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

Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

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

Unhallowed Halls by Lili Wilkinson

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

This Ends in Embers by Kamilah Cole

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

MARCH 2025 YA BOOKS

All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan

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

Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris

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

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray

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

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

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

When The Bones Sing by Ginny Myers Sain

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

Fable For The End of the World by Ava Reid

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

Hangry Hearts by Jennifer Chen

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

Lovely Dark and Deep by Elisa A. Bonnin

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

What Wakes the Bells by Elle Tesch

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

In The Company of Killers by Elora Cook

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

How to Survive a Slasher by Justine Pucella Winans

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

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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

APRIL 2025 YA BOOKS

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick

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

The Floating World by Axie Oh

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

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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

Boys with Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell

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

Pride or Die by C.L. Montblanc

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

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta

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

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

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

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

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

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson

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

Chaos King by Kacen Callender

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

Lady Knight by Amalie Howard

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

MAY 2025 YA BOOKS

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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

Audre and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams

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

Salvación by Sandra Proudman

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

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

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

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan

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

This Moth Saw Brightness by A. A. Vacharat

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

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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

Cruel is the Light by Sophie Clark

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

All-Nighter by Cecilia Vinesse

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

Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch

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

Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston

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Alien meets The Titanic in this tense YA science fiction horror series by #1 New York Times bestselling author E.K. Johnston.

Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala

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

JUNE 2025 YA BOOKS

Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim

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Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games in Roselle Lim’s dazzling YA fantasy debut, following a young noodle chef who competes in a cutthroat cooking competition for the gods.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

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

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

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

A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim

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A breathtaking romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast about a girl who paints the future and a cursed dragon lord, bound by love and deception in a plot to bring down the gods.

Nobody in Particular by Sophie Gonzales

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

Kill Creatures by Rory Power

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

A First Time for Everything by K.L. Walther

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

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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The beautiful and heartwarming new romance from Becky Albertalli, best-selling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek

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

Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman

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

If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

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

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

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

We chat with debut author Sasha Peyton Smith about The Witch Haven, along with book recommendations, writing, and so much more!

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

Hi Nerd Daily! Absolutely! I’m originally from Utah but ended up in DC for school and accidentally never left. In addition to being a writer I’ve worked as a scientist, a camp counselor, and for one single night, the world’s worst waitress.

I’m passionate about well-curated road trip playlists, soup recipes and stories about complicated girls. The Witch Haven is my debut novel.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love writing, but I never really identified as a writer. In high school I wrote truly terrible poetry about the boys who didn’t like me back and devoured every young adult novel I could get my hands on. I entered college as a STEM major, but spent my evenings secretly writing fanfic. It wasn’t until fanfic gave me my first taste of writing for an audience that I took a step back and finally had the lightbulb moment of “oh, this really matters to me. I want to do more of this.”

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!

The first book I remember reading by myself was the Dinosaurs Before Dark Magic Treehouse book. I lived for the Magic Tree House Books. I read what feels like one hundred of them.

The book that made me want to become an author was Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen. I read an interview where she said she wrote the book the summer after college, living at home with her parents. I was, in that moment, sitting in my childhood home after graduating college and feeling completely unmoored. I opened my laptop and started the first draft of what would become The Witch Haven. She gave me the courage to start.

I’ve thought about The Twilight Series every day since I was 13. It took hold in my brain and never let go. I could write a PhD thesis on my criticisms of the series, but still my goal as a young adult author is to somehow bottle the feeling Twilight gave me the first time I read it in the 8^th grade. It is my longest and most complicated relationship!

Your debut novel The Witch Haven is out August 31^st2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Witches, Friendship, Murder, Revenge, Twists

What can readers expect?

The Witch Haven takes place in 1911 New York and follows Frances Hallowell, a 17-year-old seamstress reeling from mysterious death of her brother 4 months prior. When her predatory boss ends up dead at her feet, her scissors in his neck and she can’t explain how they got there, she’s taken to Haxahaven Academy, a school for witches disguised as a tuberculosis sanitarium. Once there, she begins to suspect the magic underworld of the city may be related to her brother’s death and attempts to unravel the mystery. She finds herself in over her head pretty fast.

The Witch Haven is a book about angry teenage girls, grief, friendship, and the question of what true power is. My hope is that it feels vivid and exciting and keeps you guessing until the very end.

Where did the inspiration for The Witch Haven come from?

Strangely enough, the idea of a school for witches disguised as a tuberculosis sanitarium came from my own grandmother. Immediately after finishing nursing school in New York in the 1930s, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis and taken to a sanitarium where she stayed for 2 years. She spoke very little about her time in the sanitarium, but I thought about how strange it must have been to be locked up so near New York City. I wondered what the relationships were like between these women who must have felt so trapped. It was that nugget of an idea, combined with my lifelong love of YA fantasy novels that first spawned The Witch Haven.

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

I wrote The Witch Haven mostly in secret as a project just for me. I was terrified to tell anyone I was writing a book. Getting over that insecurity and sharing it with my friends and family was really heartening, they were universally supportive. Knowing people were rooting for me was huge.

I also had to teach myself how to write on a deadline. Learning to write not only when I was inspired, but because I had people counting on me and this book was a massive challenge. It felt like learning how to rewire my brain. Developing a routine and letting go of some perceived, unreachable level of perfection was really helpful.

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

I wrote my favorite scene in the book, a scene affectionately referred to as “magic fight club” in a coffee shop, sitting across from a friend of mine. I have the most distinct memory of looking up from my computer at her and saying “I think I understand what this book is now.”  It’s a scene that takes place in this creepy, candlelit basement and captures this atmospheric historical thing I was trying so desperately to achieve, but it was also just….fun. I let myself have fun and that was revelatory. It was in that moment, that I realized if I wasn’t having fun writing it, people probably weren’t going to have fun reading it.

What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

Surprising at every step of the way! I genuinely didn’t think the manuscript of The Witch Haven would ever go anywhere. I was back in my hometown, waiting in line for a book signing, talking with my little sister about the book, when a woman tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I’d ever heard of Pitch Wars. Pitch Wars is a mentorship program where un-agented writers apply, and if selected, work with a publishing industry professional to edit their manuscript. At the end of the three-month revision period, pitches for the manuscripts go in front of agents. I applied, got in (the woman who tapped me on the shoulder ended up being my mentor!) I got an incredible response and signed with my agent right after. From there, we edited the book for a few more months before sending it on submission to publishing houses. The book sold so quickly, I couldn’t believe it. I celebrated by eating takeout Cheesecake Factory on the floor of my tiny apartment. I spent so long in denial about wanting to be a writer. I still sometimes have moments when I’m writing and I have to stop and look around because I’m so thankful and amazed that this is my life.

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

My favorite piece of writing advice is to simply let first drafts be bad. There has never once, in the history of writing, been a perfect first draft. I once heard the metaphor that first drafts are like shoveling sand into the sand box, you can make castles with it later. That perspective is really helpful for the way my brain works. Comparing your first draft to the finished drafts of the books you love will make you think you’ll never measure up as a writer. I truly believe that the real magic comes when you edit.

I think the perennial “write every day” advice doesn’t work for a lot of writers. It’s an easy way to burn yourself out and if you trick your brain into thinking of writing as a chore, you won’t want to do it. Of course, I write every day when I’m on a deadline, but outside of that, I try to give myself space to breathe. Some days are reading days, some days are thinking days, some days I need to get out into the world and live a life so I have things to write about. All of those days are still productive days.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on the sequel to The Witch Haven which will be out next year! I can’t wait to expand the world of The Witch Haven and send readers into different parts of the magical world of the early 1900s.

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

We’re really in a Witch Renaissance right now! There are so many incredible Witchy debut novels out in 2021. Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury, Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart, Sweet and Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley, Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin and Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis. Each has such a unique take on the genre and what magic means. It’s an honor to be writing witchy books alongside them!

Will you be picking up The Witch Haven? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Sasha Peyton Smith, Author of ‘The Witch Haven’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.