PLUS we have an excerpt for you to read at the end of the interview!

Hi, Skyla! Welcome back! How have the past two years been since we last spoke?

Wow! Two years already. I’ve simultaneously felt every minute and also no time at all. I feel like I’ve grown so much in my life since the launch of TOGETHER WE ROT. From personal heartbreaks to amazing career highs, I’ve come a long way since my debut.

Your latest novel, House of Hearts, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

• Romantic
• Haunting
• Whimsical
• Spooky
• Atmospheric

What can readers expect?

HOUSE OF HEARTS is a mix of Alice in Wonderland and dark academia. Readers can expect a story that reads like a modern-day fairytale—deadly curses, forbidden romance, and doomed lovers—all set against a haunted gothic backdrop.

Where did the inspiration for House of Hearts come from?

I was recovering from burnout and navigating “second book syndrome” and I needed a story that was purely for me.  HOUSE OF HEARTS was the perfect rabbit hole for me to fall into. It was sweepingly romantic and hauntingly eerie. Page by page, I found my love for writing rekindled.  

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

My absolute FAVORITE scene to write was the ghostly masquerade scene! I really feel like that moment perfectly encapsulates the “horromance” genre blend: there’s a thunderstorm raging in the background, a mysteriously handsome young man asking Violet to dance, and an undead girl weaving through the ballroom and luring Violet away from the party. It was such a treat to write!

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

Halfway through revision, personal tragedy struck and I lost my cat, Pyro, to lymphoma. I had no idea how I was going to write a book about heartbreak when my heart was shattered to pieces. Despite the difficulties I faced in the beginning, returning to the book’s world proved to be incredibly therapeutic. I needed a space to channel all the feelings of loss and anger I was experiencing, and Violet’s story was the perfect place for it. It also meant the world to me in the end to be able to dedicate the story to him. <3

Were there any key lessons you learned between your debut novel and House of Hearts?

Expanding on my last answer, I learned to accept my own grief. Violet and I went through a similar mourning trajectory (though I can’t say I enrolled into any cursed academies…) and it was so special to be able to heal alongside her.

As far as what I’ve learned between my debut and this book, I definitely figured out how to manage burnout and keep myself from getting into the same mental space as I was after the release of TWR. I truly feel like our debut years are pivotal learning periods for us and they teach us how to balance social media promotion, deadlines, and life without getting overwhelmed. I won’t say I never experience writer’s block or moments of exhaustion still, but I would say I’m far more equipped to deal with it now than I was in my debut year.

What a gorgeous cover! Can you tell us about the cover coming to life?

I owe Marcella Bolivar my life! She is the same artist who worked on the cover for TOGETHER WE ROT and she continues to amaze me each time.

Before I saw the initial sketch, I knew there were a couple elements I really wanted to see in a potential cover: I wanted an image that was both haunting and romantic, and I also wanted a strong red color scheme. Each book takes on a color palette in my head and while my debut was a mix of earthy and winter tones, HoH was very clearly blood red. We experimented back-and-forth with different edits for HoH and I LOVE what Marcella came up with! The dark blue backdrop provided the perfect pop for the creeping red vines and floating petals and the final image SCREAMED “Alice in Wonderland” in the best way!!

What’s next for you?

I’m working on two different projects right now–one I can openly scream about and the other I have to be aggressively vague about, haha.

The one I can discuss at the moment is an adult thriller called GOOD TASTE. It’s different from my typical YA books, but I hope readers will still enjoy it and see traces of my signature style on the page: an “unlikeable” female protagonist, zany/dark humor, and a heavy heaping of romance. It’s about a conwoman who meets her boyfriend’s rich family for the first time on their private Antarctic cruise ship, but quickly realizes that these foodies may be hungry for more than generational wealth—and she will be next on the menu, unless she can find an unexpected ally.

My second project is another adult book, but instead of being a thriller, it’s a gothic romantasy! I can’t say much about it yet because it hasn’t been taken out on submission, but I am crossing my fingers for it to sell so I can shout about it.

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

My favorites this year:

• THE GROUND THAT DEVOURS US by Kalla Harris
• DREAM BY THE SHADOWS by Logan Karlie
• GRAVE FLOWERS by Autumn Krause
• THIS RAGING SEA by De Elizabeth
• THE ROSE BARGAIN by Sasha Peyton Smith

I’m looking forward to reading:

 Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray, Hollow by Taylor Grothe, Gilded in Vengeance by Lyssa Mia Smith

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Will you be picking up House of Hearts? Have you already? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Skyla Arndt, Author of ‘House of Hearts’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover some of our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be picking up any!

The House of Quiet by Kiersten White

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide comes a dark fantasy about a girl who will risk everything—posing as a maid, confronting powerful enemies, and unraveling deadly secrets—all to save her missing sister from the enigmatic House of Quiet.

It Had to Be Him by Adib Khorram

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Heartstopper meets Eat Pray Love in this swoony, spicy, second-chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Adib Khorram about two former classmates unexpectedly reuniting in Italy.

Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron

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New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is back with a Frankenstein-tinged horror romance, creating a hauntingly beautiful exploration of body horror, family secrets, grief and loss and love.

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett

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Janice Hallett, “the new queen of crime” (Electric Literature), returns with a fresh, edge-of-your-seat mystery that takes place at a pub’s weekly trivia night, revealed through quiz categories, phone messages, and email correspondence.

Night & Day edited by Ellen Datlow

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A horror anthology edited by the genre’s greatest, Ellen Datlow, with one side featuring stories about what haunts the night while the other side showcases the terrors that can exist in the light of day in this new addition to the Saga Doubles series.

Soul Searching by Lyla Sage

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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series returns with a brand-new story, featuring a small-town upholsterer in need of a fresh start, a photographer whose life has come to a screeching halt . . . and the supernatural forces that bring them together.

The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman

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The unmissable new mystery in the Thursday Murder Club series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Richard Osman, now streaming on Netflix.

The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino

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The Second Death of Locke is a devastatingly romantic epic fantasy about the undying bond between a knight and their mage, perfect for fans of Rachel Gillig and Alix E. Harrow.

House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt

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Solving her best friend’s murder means infiltrating a secret society, resisting a forbidden love, and running from a vengeful ghost in this sophomore novel by the author of Together We Rot.

You Are The Detective by Maureen Johnson

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November 1933. London. Seven people receive mysterious letters. Someone knows their terrible secrets. They are summoned to a posh townhouse where one is stabbed right in front of the others, but somehow no one saw a thing. Can you help Scotland Yard solve the mystery?

A Blood as Bright as the Moon by Andrea Morstabilini

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A vampire, desperately torn between worlds, is hunted down by a secret society bent on his destruction, in this timeless and unsettling queer gothic horror, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Among the Burning Flowers by Samantha Shannon

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A story of human resilience in the face of dire circumstances, Among the Burning Flowers leads readers through the gripping and tragic events that pave the way for the opening of the million-copy bestseller The Priory of The Orange Tree.

Lady Like by Mackenzi Lee

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Two women set their sights on marrying the same duke, but instead of becoming enemies, they find themselves falling in love—though not with him.

When We Were Monsters by Jennifer Niven

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A simmering psychological thriller about a dead teacher at an elite boarding school, the students who had every reason to want her gone, and the tangled web of rivalry and romance concealing the truth—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places.

The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson

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From award-winning and USA Today bestselling author Kosoko Jackson comes his adult speculative debut, a stand-alone novel blending time travel and globe-hopping adventure, art history, and dark fantasy about magical paintings and the lengths people will go to collect them, destroy them…or be destroyed.

You Weren’t Meant to Be Human by Andrew Joseph White

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Alien meets Midsommar in this chilling debut adult novel from award-winning author Andrew Joseph White about identity, survival, and transformation amidst an alien invasion in rural West Virginia.

Hopelessly Teavoted by Audrey Goldberg Ruoff

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After the deaths of his parents, a witch returns to his spooky family manor and joins forces with his former crush when his parents’ spirits warn them of a sinister threat in this witty and lyrically unique rom-com in the vein of The Crescent Moon Tearoom andThe Ex Hex.

Seven Reasons To Murder Your Dinner Guests by KJ Whittle

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Told from the perspectives of each of the seven guests, Seven Reasons to Murder Your Dinner Guests is a spellbinding and mysterious exploration of mortality, begging the question: how would you live your life if you knew your number was up?

Holiday Ever After by Hannah Grace

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Clara Davenport wants to solve Fraser Falls’s biggest problem. According to Jack Kelly, Clara is Fraser Falls’s biggest problem.

What Fury Brings by Tricia Levenseller

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#1 New York Times-bestselling author Tricia Levenseller makes her adult debut in What Fury Brings, a sexy, empowering romantasy featuring a warrior general who must kidnap and train a husband in order to take her rightful place as queen.

Old Money by Kelsey Miller

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On the Fourth of July, a teenager dies at an exclusive country club. Twenty years later, her cousin returns to her hometown, seeking answers behind closed gates in this rich, atmospheric thriller for fans of Lucy Foley, Liz Moore and Ruth Ware.

A Mannequin for Christmas by Timothy Janovsky

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A Christmas romance for Barbie fans who wished Ken and Allan got their own love story.

Saltcrop by Yume Kitasei

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From the acclaimed author of The Stardust Grail comes the epic tale of two sisters who sail across oceans to find their missing third sister―and Earth’s environmental salvation.

The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala

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Stephen King meets Holly Jackson by way of We Were Liars in this action-packed story of queer horror from the acclaimed author of The Honeys!

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

The post 24 Anticipated Books Releasing In September 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you’re looking for more of the film’s quirky horror and romance, you’re in luck! This list of books is compiled of those that emulate some part of the movie whether it’s the macabre romance or the comedic horror or somewhere in between, this list has something for every to get you out of the post-Lisa Frankenstein slump.

The Confession of Hemingway Jones by Kathleen Hannon

After a deadly accident, Hemingway Jones does what no doctor has been able to do: revive his father from the dead. While the result isn’t entirely human, the billionaire owner of the research center will stop at nothing to repeat the experiment.

The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky

As the new girl at Manchester Prep, Rachel Chavez already struggled to fit it. After a prank goes awry, Rachel attracts the attention of the Mary Shelly Club—a secret club of students set on coming up with the scariest prank—but when someone targets the club itself, Rachel must track down the real-life monster in their midst . . . even if it means finally confronting the dark secrets from her past.

The Stricken by Morgan Shamy

Every day in Clara’s world, a dark cloud descends upon her town. The storm comes like clockwork, erasing everyone’s memories. Everyone except Clara. But after Clara’s father mysteriously disappears, things change.

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt

A teen girl looking for the truth about her missing mother forms a reluctant alliance with her former best friend…in exchange for hiding him from his cult-leading family.

Strange Unearthly Things by Kelly Creagh

Jane Reye is a psychic artist, and now that she’s of age, she can no longer return to the girls’ school she’s called home her whole life. When a mysterious invitation to partake in a study at Fairfax Hall, she takes it, but soon learns something is amiss. Turning to her art to unravel the mystery, Jane is shocked to find that her talents–and her growing affection for Elias–could be the key to saving him from a horrible fate.

Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Elizabeth Lavenza is on the verge of being thrown into the streets until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything–except a friend. She does everything to make herself indispensable, but her new life comes at a price. Behind Elizabeth’s blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham

Zoey, Celeste, Valeria, and Jasmine are all ghouls—people who, after an infection, now sustain themselves on synthetic human flesh—living in Southern California. As a last hurrah before their graduation, they decided to attend a musical festival in the desert. But on the first night of the festival Val goes feral and ends up killing and eating a boy. As other festival guests start disappearing around them the girls soon discover someone is drugging ghouls and making them feral. And if they can’t figure out how to stop it, and soon, no one at the festival is safe.

Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne

When Angelika runs out of suitors, she users her brother Victor’s ground-breaking experiment to build her own perfect man. Only, her resurrected beau has no memory and is hell bent on uncovering his true identity. As Angelika tries to ignore her feelings and help him, the quest brings them closer, but how will he feel when he learns what was done to him in the name of science, and love?

You may not be able to experience Lisa Frankenstein for the first time again, but these books will help you fill the gap!

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

The post Eight Books To Read For Your Lisa Frankenstein Fix appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover just a few of our YA picks and let us know in the comments if you will be reading any of them!

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A teen girl looking for the truth about her missing mother forms a reluctant alliance with her former best friend…in exchange for hiding him from his cult-leading family.

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid
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A globetrotting novel that takes a determined teen from Japan to Australia and to Argentina and Mexico on a quest to prove that humanity is more good than bad from the author of Let’s Get Lost and Before Takeoff.

Damned if You Do by Alex Brown
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Queer Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Filipino folklore in this horror comedy about a high school stage manager who accidentally sells her soul to a demon.

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim
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From the New York Times bestselling author of SIX CRIMSON CRANES comes a tale of two sisters—one as beautiful as the other is monstrous—who must fight to save each other when a betrothal contest gone wrong unleashes an evil that could sever their bond forever.

Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott
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From the New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart and She Gets the Girl comes a fresh and inventive sapphic romantic comedy that’s What If It’s Us meets Bridgerton.

Face the Night by Lani Forbes
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On a harsh frontier where good and evil contend for people’s minds, a young woman must fight for her true identity in this scintillating YA fantasy from the author of the award-winning Age of the Seventh Sun trilogy.

Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood
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From the award-winning author of It Sounded Better in My Head comes a deliciously entertaining enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy about two high school nemeses who end up sharing a house together their first year of college

Forgive Me Not by Jennifer Baker
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In this searing indictment of the juvenile justice system, one incarcerated teen weighs what she is willing to endure for forgiveness.

A Tall Dark Trouble by Vanessa Montalban
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Perfect for fans of Shea Ernshaw, Nina Moreno, and Elizabeth Acevedo, Vanessa Montalban’s YA debut is a dazzling Latine twist on Practical Magic that follows a family of Cuban American brujas entangled in love, magic, and murder.

Who Could Love You, Astor Price? by Amy Jane Lehan
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Set in a small Australian town and promising moments of heartache and hope, Who Could Love You, Astor Price? is the debut novel from Amy Jane Lehan.

I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea
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Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
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Tilly in Technicolor is Mazey Eddings’s sparkling YA debut about two neurodivergent teens who form a connection over the course of a summer.

My Father, The Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang
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A poignant coming-of-age story told in two alternating voices: a California teenager railing against the Vietnamese culture, juxtaposed with her father as an eleven-year-old boat person on a harrowing and traumatic refugee journey from Vietnam to the United States.

Rook by William Ritter
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This standalone adventure set in the world of the  New York Times  bestselling Jackaby series brims with humor, heart, and—of course—a hefty dose of supernatural mayhem.

The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach
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From Not Here to Be Liked author Michelle Quach comes a smartly funny, heartfelt story told in dual POV about a young woman roping in her childhood crush to act as an honorary male heir to fulfill her grandfather’s dying wish. A story about first love, familial duties, and finding yourself—perfect for fans of Emiko Jean and Loan Le.

The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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Four brothers. Two missions. One explosive read. Jennifer Lynn Barnes returns to the world of her #1 bestselling Inheritance Games trilogy, and the stakes have never been higher.  

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

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

While summer is often associated with relaxation, light-hearted books, and beach reads, it is also a great time to dive into the darker side of fiction! If you want to add some thrills to your summer reading list, consider these twelve young adult titles, ranging from summer camp mysteries to this year’s hottest new horror.

All The Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley

A summer nannying position goes awry when Marin discovers a dark secret about the family she is working for. Offered the job by her favorite author and her late mother’s childhood friend, Alice Lovelace, Marin is initially excited to work for the family. But as Marin spends more time with them, she starts noticing peculiar behavior and strange occurrences, which leads her to realize that the Lovelaces are not at all what they seem.

Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

After the death of her mother, Quinn, and her father relocate to the seemingly normal middle-of-nowhere town of Kettle Springs. What was supposed to be a fresh start turns deadly when a series of murders begin at a party celebrating the town’s founding.

The Counselors by Jessica Goodman

Ava, Imogen, and Goldie have been going to the elite Camp Alpine Lake since they were kids. Now they are back as counselors, ready to take on a new role. This summer is different, though, when a boy is found dead and Goldie knows she saw Ava nearby.

This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham

Three years ago, a new sickness known as the Hollowing grew rapidly, causing a portion of the population to have a craving for human flesh. Scientists were able to find a cure—fake human meat—that would cause the world to return to normalcy. To celebrate their high school graduation, Zoey and her four friends attend a music festival, but the fun ends when attendees drop dead and people affected by the Hollowing are unable to control their cannibalistic urges.

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury

Told from two perspectives through different timelines, this novel offers a different approach to the haunted house story. Daisy sees ghosts. It’s unavoidable, considering she lives in a city populated by millions of people. When Daisy’s mother calls, informing her that she has inherited a mansion, she gets to start fresh, but things take a turn when Daisy soon discovers that the property is haunted. A decade later, light is brought to the haunted mansion as horror podcaster Brittney decides to investigate cases about missing Black girls overlooked in the media.

Good Girls Die First by Kathryn Foxfield  

Thinking of going to a carnival this summer? You might want to rethink making plans after reading this murder-filled supernatural debut. Ava is among the ten teens who received an invitation to the abandoned carnival island, Portgrave Pier. Believing she is being blackmailed, she accepts this invitation without hesitation. Little does Ava know, the invitation is just the beginning of a twisted game where each teenager must fight to keep their deepest secrets hidden.

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

After the strange death of his twin sister, Mars visits the Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy, a place where his sister attended each summer. The camp is known for its strict and traditional ideas, which makes it a toxic environment for Mars, but he is desperate to find the answers surrounding his sister’s death. At the camp, he is introduced to a mysterious group of girls known as The Honeys, and he suspects they have just the answers he is looking for.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Grey, Vivi, and Iris mysteriously vanished when they were children, only to turn up a month later with no memory of what happened. They reappeared with their original hair turned white, their eyes black, and matching scars on their throats. When the oldest sister, Grey, disappears once again, Vivi and Iris are left with a sense of deja vu. The sisters will do anything to get Grey back, even if it means venturing into the depths of their dark and forgotten past.

House of Roots and Ruin by Erin A. Craig 

Twelve years have gone by since the events of “House of Salt and Sorrows”, and Verity, the youngest Thaumas sister, has spent her entire life confined within the walls of Highmoor Manor. Verity yearns for a taste of the outside world, so when she receives an invitation to paint a portrait of the Duchess’s son, she happily agrees. Her oldest sister, Camille, on the other hand, is hesitant to let her go and reveals that Verity has been seeing ghosts without her knowledge.

None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney

Emma Lewis is a sole survivor of an attack by the horrific young serial killer, Simon Gutmunsson. Travis Bell is the son of a murdered police officer. The teenagers both carry personal scars from their encounters with violence and are recruited by the FBI to interview young serial killers and study cold cases. When a killer targeting teens is on the rise, Emma and Travis find themselves caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, where their own lives may be at stake.

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt

In this slow-burn romantic horror set to be released on August 29, Wil Green wants nothing to do with her former childhood friend, Elwood. She’s convinced that his family is involved in her mother’s disappearance. When Elwood flees unexpectedly and seeks her help, Wil reluctantly agrees to meet with him. Together, they dig deeper into Elwood’s family’s history, and Wil realizes that there may be more to their strained friendship than meets the eye.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

For horror fanatic Charity Curtis, summertime means working at Camp Mirror Lake, where its visitors pay to get scared. As Charity prepares for the closing nights of the facility, she realizes her coworkers are nowhere in sight. What she doesn’t know, however, is that this summer will be different from any other, as the line between fiction and reality begins to blur and the horrors of Camp Mirror Lake become all too real.

The post Spooky Summer YA Book Recommendations appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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

Hi everyone! I’m a young adult horror writer who lives in the perpetually-frozen state of Wisconsin. My husband and I are proud cat parents and I spend way too much time watching horror movies and rooting for the monster to be the love interest.

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

I’ve been writing ever since the third grade! I was always a bit of an odd kid, super obsessed with ghosts and cryptids and scary stories. I was always drawn to the idea of a paranormal world running alongside ours and thought that if I simply looked hard enough, I could find it. That love for all things strange has really fueled my writing and follows me in every story I write.

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!

First book I ever remember reading as a little kid: Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree

The one that made me want to become an author: The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black

One I can’t stop thinking about: Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith

Your debut novel, Together We Rot, is out August 29^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Haunting, romantic, funny, mysterious, and atmospheric

What can readers expect?

Together We Rot is a horromance centered around two ex best friends, Wilhelmina “Wil” Greene and Elwood Clarke. The two of them had a massive falling out the moment Wil’s mother went missing and all signs pointed to his cultish parents’ involvement. Indoctrinated heavily into his family’s church, Elwood was prepared to defend their innocence until the bitter end—until he stumbled upon his father’s true plans for him on his upcoming 18th birthday. He doesn’t want Elwood as his predecessor…he wants him as his sacrifice. Fearing for his life and realizing that Wil might’ve been right all along, the two reluctantly join forces to take his family down.

Where did the inspiration for Together We Rot come from?

The story that you see today slowly appeared through each round of revision! I had a couple key ideas in the beginning: I knew I wanted a religiously tormented boy, a rebellious girl, and maybe a demon possession or two. Everything else came to me one draft at a time.

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

I loved being able to switch POVs between Wil and Elwood. They have such dramatically different personalities, so it made the drafting process so fun for me to ricochet back and forth. They could be in the same situation and while Elwood would be skittish and worried about every little thing around him, Wil would be far more headstrong and willing to go out fighting each time.

What a stunning (and spooky) cover! Do you know much about the creative process?

Thank you! I am obsessed with it. The cover art is by Marcela Bolivar and the jacket was designed by Kristie Radwilowicz—they are both so incredibly talented. As far as the creative process goes, it started with me sending over a pitch deck filled with ideas (possible color schemes, favorite covers, important symbolism) and then the rest was them working their magic behind the scenes!

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

I owe a ton to my two mentors, Allison Saft and Ava Reid. They chose me as their mentee in the now-retired Pitch Wars program and helped me revise my novel and get it ready for querying. I learned so much about plot structure and character arcs and after a lot of hard work and revision, I was able to land my agent and eventually my book deal.

What’s next for you?

Hopefully more horror to come!

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

I do!

• The Library of Shadows – Rachel Moore
• The Rosewood Hunt – Mackenzie Reed
• I Feed Her to the Beast- Jamison Shea
• A Study in Drowning – Ava Reid

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Hello second half of 2023 and hello to all the incredible upcoming book releases we can look forward to!

In this round up, we take a look at some of the most exciting titles to be released between the months of July and December with releases from the likes of Rachel Lynn Solomon, Temi Oh, Chuck Wendig, VE Schwab, Cassandra Clare, Rebecca Yarros, Christina Henry, and many more, along with delightful debuts from new authors you should keep on your radar!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite July to December 2023 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! Looking for our January to June releases? Check them out here.

JULY

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
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A ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk.

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
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Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Immortal Longings is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
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From bestselling author Darcy Coates comes Dead of Winter, a remote cabin in the snowy wilderness thriller that will teach you to trust no one. There are eight strangers. One killer. Nowhere left to run.

Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
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Jenny Han meets CODA in this big-hearted YA debut about first love and Deaf pride at a summer camp.

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
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A searing and earnest horror debut about the demons the queer community faces in America, the price of keeping secrets, and finding the courage to burn it all down.

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
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Gideon the Ninth meets the Game of Thrones White Walkers in this dark young adult fantasy about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince.

Light Bringer by Pierce Brown
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Darrow returns as Pierce Brown’s New York Times bestselling Red Rising series continues in the thrilling sequel to Dark Age.

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey
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Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
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An exhilarating and expansive new novel about fathers and sons, faith and friendship from Caleb Azumah Nelson, the no.1 bestselling, award-winning author of Open Water.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
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From New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center comes Hello, Stranger, a novel about finding love, confronting a haunting past, and figuring out what, and who, really matters…

The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons
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From the USA Today bestselling author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett comes a heartwarming story of found family, love, and making connections through books set against the bombing of London during WWII.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
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A fugitive queen strikes a bargain with her greatest enemy that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever in this unmissable Egyptian-inspired epic fantasy debut. 

AUGUST

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt
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A teen girl looking for the truth about her missing mother forms a reluctant alliance with her former best friend…in exchange for hiding him from his cult-leading family.

I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto
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Some friends–and friendships–are worth killing for in this dark, twisty suspense novel by national bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto.

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

Accidentally in Love by Danielle Jackson
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A delightful rom-com where grumpy-meets-sunshine collides with enemies-to-lovers in this perfect summer novel, written for fans of Kate Stayman-London, Olivia Dade, and Denise Williams.

Guardians of the Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
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Sailor Moon meets Cinder in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara, the start of a new, richly imagined fantasy series from S. Jae-Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong.

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
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The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she’s the identical twin sister of a rogue spy… and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive.

More Perfect by Temi Oh
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A reimagining of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, for fans of Becky Chambers and William Gibson by Alex Award–winning author Temi Oh.

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
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The Push meets The Silent Patient in a gripping thriller that follows a woman convinced a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens—while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says.

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid
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A globetrotting novel that takes a determined teen from Japan to Australia and to Argentina and Mexico on a quest to prove that humanity is more good than bad from the author of Let’s Get Lost and Before Takeoff.

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
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From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Marriage of Opposites and the Practical Magic series comes an enchanting novel about love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the enduring magic of books.

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
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From USA Today bestselling author T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways.

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
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Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.

SEPTEMBER

This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin
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Fake dating gets a magical twist in this enchanting queer romantic comedy where a witch worries that the real feelings brewing between her and her crush were sparked by an accidental love potion, and the only way out of the disastrous spell is a healthy dose of the truth–drink up, witches.

The Fragile Threads of Power by V. E. Schwab
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V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, opens another door to a new fantasy series set in the dazzling world of Shades of Magic.

Dreambound by Dan Frey
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In this thrilling contemporary fantasy novel, a father must uncover the secret magical underbelly of Los Angeles to find his daughter, who has seemingly disappeared into the fictional universe of her favorite fantasy series.

The September House by Carissa Orlando
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A woman is determined to stay in her dream home even after it becomes a haunted nightmare in this compulsively readable, twisty, and layered debut novel.

The Salvation Gambit by Emily Skrutskie
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A hotheaded hacker must outwit the AI at the heart of a rogue warship–turned–penal colony if she and her crew of con women want to escape with their lives in this electrifying sci-fi thriller from the acclaimed author of Bonds of Brass.

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
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A small town is transformed by dark magic when a strange tree begins bearing magical apples in this new masterpiece of horror from the bestselling author of Wanderers and The Book of Accidents.

The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie
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A spellbinding YA fantasy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Purdie, where fairy tales come to life with dark, deadly twists.

The Long Game by Elena Armas
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A disgraced soccer exec reluctantly enlists the help of a retired soccer star in coaching a children’s team in this smalltown love story in the vein of Ted Lasso and It Happened One Summer —from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception.

The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan
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The first adventure in the Mirror Realm Cycle, a Spanish Inquisition-era fantasy trilogy inspired by Jewish folklore, with echoes of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden.

Mermaids Never Drown: Tales to Dive For
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14 Young Adult short stories from bestselling and award-winning authors make a splash in Mermaids Never Drown – the second collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker – exploring mermaids like we’ve never seen them before!

Fly With Me by Andie Burke
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A sparkling and steamy opposites-attract romance, Fly with Me by Andie Burke is filled with sharp banter and that sweet, swooping feeling of finding “the one” when and where you least expect it.

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake is back with an epic duology starter that follows a young woman training to join a fabled order as she attempts to lead a hero to his critical first victory. A must-read for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Victoria Aveyard.

OCTOBER

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender
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The National Book Award-winning author of  Felix Ever After  delivers a beautifully tender story of two grumpy/sunshine, fake-dating actors navigating their love story both on and offscreen—perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall.

Making It So: A Memoir by Patrick Stewart
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A revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself

Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone
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Midnight Is The Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead
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From the critically acclaimed author of In My Dreams I Hold A Knife and The Last Housewife comes a gothic Southern thriller about a killer haunting a small Louisiana town, where two outcasts—the preacher’s daughter and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks—hold the key to uncovering the truth.

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
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The adult debut of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco, Throne of the Fallen is a seductive new standalone novel set within her fan-favorite Kingdom of the Wicked world, perfect for readers of fantasy, romance, and mystery alike.

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
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Two outcasts find themselves caught in a web of forbidden love, dangerous magic, and dark secrets that could change the world forever in the start of a riveting epic fantasy series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles.

Wildfire by Hannah Grace
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The latest in the TikTok sensation and deliciously “swoonworthy” (Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author) Maple Hills series follows two summer camp counselors who reconnect after a sizzling one-night stand.

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
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New from the author of The Keeper of Night comes a YA fantasy duology set in an alternate Tang Dynasty China, where a poor biracial girl with the ability to raise the dead gets caught up in the dangerous political games of the royal family.

The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey
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Bestselling authors Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey have teamed up to deliver a dark new story with magic, monsters, and mayhem, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Joe Hill.

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros
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Frankenstein meets Inglourious Basterds in this stunning Jewish historical horror novel from the award-winning author of The City Beautiful.

The Intern by Michele Campbell
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A young Harvard law student falls under the spell of a charismatic judge in this timely and thrilling novel about class, ambition, family and murder.

Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer
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From acclaimed, mega-bestselling author Eoin Colfer comes a Christmas classic-in-the-making–a beautifully illustrated novel about an eleven-year-old girl’s wild adventure to find her mother, protect a public park, and save Christmas.

NOVEMBER

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
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In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life’s moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.

Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper
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Amara’s journey has taken her far; from a slave in Pompeii’s wolf den to a high-powered courtesan in Rome… though her story is not over yet. While Amara plays for power in Rome’s imperial palace, those dearest to her remain in Pompeii. But it is AD 79, and mighty Mount Vesuvius is about to make itself known…

Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry
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A sharp-edged, supremely twisty thriller about three women who find themselves trapped inside stories they know aren’t their own, from the author of Alice and Near the Bone.

The Future by Naomi Alderman
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From the award-winning, bestselling author of The Power comes a white-knuckle tour de force and dazzling exploration of the world we have made and where we are going.

Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares – Publication has now changed to February 20, 2024
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Rumor has it on the streets of sixteenth-century New Spain, there’s a new vigilante in town serving justice. This reimagining of Zorro–featuring a heroic warrior sorceress–weaves Mesoamerican mythology and Mexican history two decades after the Spanish conquest into a swashbuckling, historical debut fantasy with magic, intrigue, treachery, and romance.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
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Murtagh by Christopher Paolini
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Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. Join Dragon Rider—and fan favorite—Murtagh and his dragon as they confront a perilous new enemy!

Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
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A hilariously fresh and romantic send-up to You’ve Got Mail about a gamer girl with a secret identity and the online bestie she’s never met IRL until she unwittingly transfers to his school, from the bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties, The Obsession, and Well, That Was Unexpected.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
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The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in What the River Knows, Isabel Ibañez’s lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt and filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng
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Yellowjackets meets She Is a Haunting in this debut speculative thriller that follows a disgraced teen idol who comes face-to-face with the demons of her past in a glittering, cutthroat K-pop competition.

The Fascination by Essie Fox
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The estranged grandson of a wealthy collector of human curiosities becomes fascinated with teenaged twin sisters, leading them into a web of dark obsessions. A dazzlingly dark gothic novel from the bestselling author of  The Somnambulist.

Emmett by L. C. Rosen
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A modern-day gay YA Emma, with the spikey social critique of Austen plus the lush over-the-top romance of Bridgerton.

DECEMBER

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
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Rival archaeologists must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, or it could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.

The Ruined by Renée Ahdieh
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The stunning conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling quartet that began with The Beautiful.

A River of Golden Bones by A.K. Mulford
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From bestselling author and TikTok sensation A.K. Mulford comes the first riveting, enchanting book in the all-new Golden Court romantasy trilogy–A River of Golden Bones begins a journey of self-discovery, romance, and adventure for a young heir as she/they comes out of hiding to save her sister from a malicious, powerful sorceress and her dangerous sleeping curse.

Perfect Little Lives: A Novel by Amber and Danielle Brown
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Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson
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Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Abigail Johnson draws a searing and lyrical portrait of grief, forgiveness, and the kind of love that blooms in the aftermath.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander
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A trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames, only to cross paths with his high school ex in this charming rom-com about family and second chances from the author of the “delectable” (Time) Chef’s Kiss.

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
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Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this steamy paranormal romantic comedy by Lana Ferguson.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra
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A woman learns to follow her own road in this heartwarming novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz by New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.

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

The post Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2023 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.