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

I’m Stefany! Most people know me as the adoptee who found her bio mom while writing a book about an adoptee searching for her bio mom! But really, I’m just an avid birdwatcher who drinks too much coffee and occasionally keeps her indoor plants alive.

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

I’ve always loved storytelling! After I found my bio mom, she told me that my favorite thing to do when I was little was to listen to her tell stories. I don’t remember that, but I do remember being in elementary school and writing a 20 page story about killer whales.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Goosebumps—they were the books that got me into reading!
• The one that made you want to become an author: I’m not proud of this answer, but it was probably the Harry Potter series.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Lately, I’ve been obsessed with anything Sonora Reyes! Their soul just speaks to my soul!

Your debut novel, First Love Language, is out January 14^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Fake dates inspired by love languages! Technically that’s that’s six but “love languages” are one thing hahaha!

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a rollercoaster of emotions! There’s laughter on one page, heartache on the next. There’s a lot of exploration of the good and bad of complicated topics like adoption and religion. And of course navigating the ups and downs of first love!

Where did the inspiration for First Love Language come from?

The inspiration for FIRST LOVE LANGUAGE came from my lived experience, but it also came from the stories shared by other Asian Americans. When Covid hit, it gave me a chance to think about my own Asian identity and how complex my relationship to it has always been. As a biracial adoptee, I always felt estranged from my Asian identity. I was embarrassed at the fact that I didn’t speak my heritage language or know anything about Taiwanese culture. But I didn’t know I was even allowed to feel those things until someone else said it first and I wanted to write a book that tackles how complex all of this really is.

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

While Catie, the protagonist, and I have a lot in common, there were still things about her character that I needed to explore. By digging deeper into her character, I was able to learn things about myself, too. It was very therapeutic to write FIRST LOVE LANGUAGE.

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

The road to publication was a long one. I was in the query trenches for ten years before I finally got an offer of representation. By this time, I’d written 7 failed mauscripts. But I think the greatest lesson I learned from this was that each of the stories I wrote before was for the market. FIRST LOVE LANGUAGE was the first story I wrote for myself. I think the authenticity resonated with others which is what ultimately lead me to landing my first agent and later, a book deal.

What’s next for you?

My sophomore novel, LOVE MAKES MOCHI, is anticipated for release in Feb, 2026. From there, I might pivot into writing adult rom-dram-com. But YA will always have my heart and I have more stories up my sleeve.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?

THE FLOATING WORLD, Axie Oh

OATHBOUND, Tracey Dion

WATERMOON, Samantha Sotto Yambao

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING, Suzanne Collins

SAY A LITTLE PRAYER, Jenna Voris

BINGSU FOR TWO, Sujin Witherspoon

BETTER THAN THE MOVIES, Lynn Painter

Will you be picking up First Love Language? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Stefany Valentine, Author of ‘First Love Language’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover new books from Brigid Kemmerer, Megan Lally, Gayle Forman, Ann Liang, and many more!

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.

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.

All the Love Under the Vast Sky by Kip Wilson

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Twelve short stories in verse by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the highs and lows of love – romantic, platonic, familial, and self-love.

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.

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.

Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue by Kate Pearsall

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In this haunting companion to Bittersweet in the Hollow, a girl who can smell the lies of others uncovers the incendiary mysteries of her small Appalachian town.

The Rival by Emma Lord

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Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again.

No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally

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Some secrets just won’t stay hidden in this twisty new thriller from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Megan Lally!

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.

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.

After Life by Gayle Forman

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This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.

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.

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.

Recommended Reading by Paul Coccia

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In this opposites-attract YA rom-com inspired by Emma, a failed romantic gesture puts a damper on a queer teen bookseller’s summer of book matching and matchmaking until a handsome lifeguard and romance skeptic waltzes into his bookstore. Sometimes you get a second chance at happily ever after when you least expect it . . .

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.

First Love Language by Stefany Valentine

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For fans of Frankly in Love and Tokyo Ever After comes a romantic dramedy about finding love and reconnecting with your culture in the most surprising ways.

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.

The Scorpion Queen by Mina Fears

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Uprooted meets Children of Blood and Bone in this dark fantasy inspired by a Malian fairy tale about a princess whose suitors are challenged to gruesome trials.

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.

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

The post 20 New YA Books To Read In January appeared first on The Nerd Daily.