Summer is HERE, and whether you’re visiting the beach, sitting by the pool, or just sitting inside in the AC, you’re bound to need a few new books to add to your summer reading list. From the swooniest of romances to a chilling thriller set in Jamaica you’re sure to find something on this list to add to your TBR!

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Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

They fell for each other in just twenty-four hours. Now Rowan and Neil embark on a long-distance relationship during their first year of college in this romantic, dual POV sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow.

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Better Must Come by Desmond Hall

Barely Missing Everything meets American Street in this fiercely evocative, action-packed young adult thriller that looks at the darker side of light-filled Jamaica and how a tragedy and missing drug money helplessly entangle the lives of two teens who want to change their fate.

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Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong

Now in paperback! Shanghai is under siege in this “tightly paced” (School Library Journal, starred review) and searingly romantic sequel to These Violent Delights, which New York Times bestselling author Natasha Ngan calls “deliciously dark.”

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Love, Off the Record by Samantha Markum

The Hating Game meets Alex, Approximately in this smart, chemistry-filled teen rom-com about two rival journalism students competing for the same position on their university newspaper.

Queen Bey’s newest album, COWBOY CARTER, is here and clocking in at an expansive 27 songs, there’s SO much to love (and so much to dive into) in this amazing addition to Beyoncé’s discography. This album is unique and entirely original in its unique mix of sounds, and redefines the genre of country music. If you’re like us and can’t stop listening, you’ll definitely want to add these books to your TBR!

 

 

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Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington

"AmeriIcan Requiem"

Themes: Gossip. Doubt. Haters

Adina Walker has known this the entire time she’s been on scholarship at the prestigious Edgewater Academy—a school for the rich (and mostly white) upper class of New England. It’s why she works so hard to be perfect and above reproach, because even one slip can cost you everything. And it does. One fight, one moment of lost control, leaves Adina blacklisted from her top choice Ivy League college and her only chance to regain the future she’s sacrificed everything for is the Finish, a high-stakes contest sponsored by Edgewater’s founding family. But when she arrives at the Finish, Adina quickly realizes that the Finish’s stakes aren’t just make or break…they’re life and death.

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Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron

"BlackbIird"

Themes: Passing the torch. ushering in a new era. waiting for a chance.

In the Jim Crow South, white supremacy reigns and tensions are high. But Evalene Deschamps has other things to worry about. She has two little sisters to look after, an overworked single mother, and a longtime crush who is finally making a move. On top of all that, Evvie’s magic abilities are growing stronger by the day. Her family calls it jubilation—a gift passed down from generations of black women since the time of slavery. And as Evvie’s talents waken, something dark comes loose and threatens to resurface…

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Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

"16 carriages"

Themes: Coming of age. taking care of family. growing up fast.

After years of waiting for her Calling—a trial every witch must pass to come into their powers—the one thing Voya Thomas didn’t expect was to fail. When Voya’s ancestor gives her an unprecedented second chance to complete her Calling, she agrees—and then is horrified when her task is to kill her first love. And this time, failure means every Thomas witch will be stripped of their magic. Voya is determined to save her family’s magic no matter the cost. With mounting pressure from her family, Voya is caught between her morality and her duty to her bloodline. If she wants to save their heritage and her love, she’ll have to find something her ancestor wants more than blood. And in witchcraft, blood is everything.

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King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness

"protector"

Themes: family. protection.

Eli doesn’t know who he is or who he came from. Three years ago, he was found by his now-best friends, Sunny and Max, who gave him a home in a magical sanctuary doubling as a Caribbean restaurant. Malcolm would do anything to forget where he comes from. Desperate to escape his estranged father’s shadow and plagued with an inherited death magic he doesn’t fully understand, Malcolm has just one priority: save his mother, no matter the cost. Malcolm and Eli’s paths collide when Eli and his friends are sent to track down the fang of the leopard god Osebo, a deadly weapon that can eat magic. In a job filled with enigmatic nine nights and Caribbean legends, the teens must face their own demons as they race through the magical underbelly of London to retrieve the fang…before an ancient and malevolent power comes back to life.

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Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle

"smoke hour I" / "smoke hour II"

Themes:

Prince Jones is the guy with all the answers—or so it seems. After all, at seventeen, he has his own segment on Detroit’s popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, where he dishes out advice to the brokenhearted. Until he meets Dani Ford. Dani isn’t checking for anybody. She’s focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and move to New York City to become a famous author. Prince is smitten, but Dani’s not looking to get derailed. She gives Prince just three dates to convince her that he’s worth falling for. Three dates for the love expert to take his own advice, and just maybe change two lives forever.

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Hot Boy Summer by Joe Jiménez

"TExas hold 'em"

Themes: ode to texas. dance party. feel good.

Mac has never really felt like he belonged. Not on the baseball team, and definitely not at home. At least, not until meets Flor and Mikey. Over the course of one hot, life-changing, Texas summer, Mac will stand face-to-face with desire, betrayal, and letting go of shame, which will lead to some huge discoveries about the realness of truly belonging.

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Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

"bodyguard"

Themes: good girl. bad boy. protecting one another.

In Legendborn, Bree successfully infiltrated the Legendborn Order, a secret society descended from King Arthur’s knights—only to discover her own ancestral power. Now, Bree has become someone new, but the ancient war between demons and the Order is rising to a deadly peak. Bree wants to fight, but the Regents who rule the Order won’t let her. To them, as the living anchor for the spell that preserves the Legendborn cycle, she must be protected. But enemies are everywhere, and if Bree has any hope of saving herself and the people she loves, she must learn to control her powers from the ancestors who wielded them first—without losing herself in the process.

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Burn for Burn by Jenny Han

"jolene"

Themes: heartbreak. insecurity.

Postcard-perfect Jar Island is home to charming tourist shops, pristine beaches, amazing oceanfront homes—and three girls secretly plotting revenge. Kat is sick and tired of being bullied by her former best friend. Lillia has always looked out for her little sister, so when she discovers that one of her guy friends has been secretly hooking up with her, she’s going to put a stop to it. Mary is perpetually haunted by a traumatic event from years past, and the boy who’s responsible has yet to get what’s coming to him. None of the girls can act on their revenge fantasies alone without being suspected. But together…anything is possible.

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And Don’t Look Back by Rebecca Barrow

"daughter"

Themes: revenge.

Harlow Ford has spent her entire life running, caught in her mother’s wake as they flit from town to town, hiding from a presence that Harlow isn’t even sure is real. But when Harlow and her mom set off on yet another 3 a.m. escape, they are involved in a car accident that leaves Harlow’s mother fatally wounded. Before she dies, she tells Harlow two things: where to find the key to a safety deposit box and to never stop running. Harlow realizes she has two choices: keep fleeing her mom’s ghosts or face down the nebulous threat that’s been hanging over her for her entire life.

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Miles Morales Suspended by Jason Reynolds and Zeke Peña

"spaghettii"

Themes: genre-bending. embodying multiple things at once.

Miles Morales is just your average teenager. He has unexpectedly become totally obsessed with poetry and can never seem to do much more than babble around his crush. Nothing too weird. Oh! Except, just yesterday, he used his Spidey superpowers to save the world (no biggie) from an evil mastermind called The Warden. And the grand prize Miles gets for that is…suspension. But what begins as a long boring day of in-school suspension is interrupted by a little bzzz in his mind. Soon he finds himself in a fierce battle with an insidious…termite?! His unexpected foe is hiding a secret, one that could lead to the destruction of the world’s history—especially Black and Brown history—and only Miles can stop him.

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Everyone Wants to Know by Kelly Loy Gilbert

"alliigator tears"

Themes: going above and beyond for your manipulator.

The Lo family sticks together. That’s what Honor has been told her whole life while growing up in the glare of the public eye on Lo and Behold, the reality show about her, her four siblings, and their parents. Their show may be off the air, but the Lo family members still live in the spotlight as influencers churning out podcasts, bestselling books, and brand partnerships. So when Honor’s father announces that he’s moving out of their northern California home to rent an apartment in Brooklyn, Honor’s personal upset becomes the internet’s trending B-list celebrity trainwreck. As increasingly terrible secrets come to light about the people Honor thought she knew best in the world, she’s forced to choose between loyalty to her family and fighting for the life she wants.

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The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

"just for fun"

Themes: moving on. heartbreak. resignation.

Ashley Bennett and her friends are living the charmed life, but everything changes one afternoon in April, when four LAPD officers are acquitted after beating a black man named Rodney King half to death. Suddenly, Ashley’s not just one of the girls. She’s one of the black kids. As violent protests engulf LA and the city burns, Ashley tries to continue on as if life were normal, but with her world splintering around her, Ashley, along with the rest of LA, is left to question who is the us? And who is the them?

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The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

"II Most wanted" ft. miley cyrus

Themes: living on the run. best friendship and love.
Iris has discovered a terrifying secret, the world is ending, and a mysterious committee has the power to decide who lives... and who doesn't. To choose a leader for the impending apocalypse, the Enlightenment Committee is holding the Tournament of Freaks, a macabre competition made up of vicious fighters with fantastical abilities. All Iris wants is the freedom to choose her own future, but the cost might be everything Iris holds dear—including the world itself.
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Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

"levII's jeans" ft. post malone

Themes: first love. female empowerment.
Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning, but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses. Together with her parabatai Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn’t lead her in treacherous directions…
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Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter

"flamenco"

Themes: growing up. losing people you love.
For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: strong-willed girl-next-door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off to UCLA to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process. Flash forward months and months later and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.
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SLAY by Brittney Morris

"yaya"

Themes: reclamation. pride. black contribution.
By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is an honors student, a math tutor, and one of the only Black kids at Jefferson Academy. But at home, she joins hundreds of thousands of Black gamers who duel worldwide as Nubian personas in the secret multiplayer online role-playing card game, SLAY. No one knows Kiera is the game developer, but when a teen in Kansas City is murdered over a dispute in the SLAY world, the game is labeled a racist, exclusionist, violent hub for thugs and criminals. To save the only world in which she can be herself, Kiera must preserve her secret identity and harness what it means to be unapologetically Black in a world intimidated by Blackness.
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Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi

"oh lousiana" / "desert eagle"

Themes: beauty of natural womanhood.
Eat. Dance. Fight. This is the life of the girls who compete in the Isle’s elite, all-female fighting sport of Bowing. But it isn’t really Dirt’s life anymore. At sixteen, she is old and has retired from competition. Instead, she spends her days coaching the younger sisters of the Mud Fam and dreading her fast-approaching birthday, when she’ll have to leave her sisters. But when an attack from a powerful rival leaves the Mud without their top Bower, Dirt is the only one who can compete in the tournament. She has never wanted to be a leader. Victory seems impossible—yet defeat would mean the end of her beloved Fam. And no way is Dirt going to let that happen.
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Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

"riiverdance"

Themes: water imagery. second chances.
Emory might be a student at the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics, but her healing abilities have always been mediocre at best—until a treacherous night in the Dovermere sea caves leaves a group of her classmates dead and her as the only survivor. Now Emory is plagued by strange, impossible powers that would ruin her life if the wrong person were to discover them. To gain control of these new abilities, Emory enlists the help of the school’s most reclusive student, Baz. Determined to find the truth behind the drownings and the cult-like secret society she’s convinced her classmates were involved in, Emory is faced with even more questions when the supposedly drowned students start washing ashore—alive—only for them each immediately to die horrible, magical deaths.
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Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

"II hands II heaven"

Themes: space imagery. earned rest. seeing the best in someone.
“Make a way out of no way” is just the way of life for Rue. But when her mother is shot dead on her doorstep, life for her and her younger sister changes forever. Rue’s taken from her neighborhood by the father she never knew, forced to leave her little sister behind, and whisked away to Ghizon—a hidden island of magic wielders. Miserable and desperate to see her sister on the anniversary of their mother’s death, Rue breaks Ghizon’s sacred Do Not Leave Law and returns to Houston, only to discover that Black kids are being forced into crime and violence. To save her neighborhood (and her sister) before the gods burn it to the ground. Rue must embrace her true identity and wield the full magnitude of her ancestors’ power.
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Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

"tyrant"

Themes: morally gray. vigilante.
Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption for her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country. But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed. To reduce suspicion, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried...
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For All Time by Shanna Miles

"sweet * honey * buckin'"

Themes: missing someone you love. multiple genres, same story.
Together, Tamar and Fayard have lived a thousand lives, seen the world build itself up from nothing only to tear itself down again in civil war. But in each life one thing remains the same: their love and their fight to be together. One love story after another. Their only concern is they never get to see how their story ends. Until now. When they finally discover what it will take to break the cycle, will they be able to make the sacrifice?
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Where the Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek

"amen"

Themes: finding beauty where people said there was none.
Liska knows that magic is monstrous, and its practitioners are monsters. She has done everything possible to suppress her own magic, to disastrous consequences. Desperate to be free of it, Liska flees her small village and delves into the dangerous, demon-inhabited spirit-wood. There she is caught by the demon warden of the wood—called The Leszy—and strikes a bargain with him: one year of servitude in exchange for the mythical fern flower that can be used to banish her powers. If Liska wants to survive the year and return home, she must unravel her taciturn host’s spool of secrets and face the ghosts—figurative and literal—of his past. Because something wakes in the woods, something deadly and without mercy. It frightens even The Leszy…and cannot be defeated unless Liska embraces the monster she’s always feared becoming.

If you’re a competitive person, reading about fierce rivalries and challenges that will keep you on the edge of your seat is a fun way to tap into that side of yourself (without scaring off your friends and family members thanks to a heated board game competition). You are probably familiar with the iconic competitions found in the YA classics, but if you’re looking for something new, here are some heart-pounding recs we know you’ll love!

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Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Powerless has taken the world of YA fantasy by storm, and for good reason! This romantasy read has EVERYTHING you could want in your fantasy read, a forbidden romance between a powerful prince and an ordinary girl, immersive worldbuilding, and the Purging Trials, a brutal competition that exists to pit the powerful Elites against one another.

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The Revenant Games by Margie Fuston

If there's one thing we love as YA readers, it's vampires! The Revenant Games takes us beyond the traditional vampire/human romance and throws us in the middle of warring witch and vampire kingdoms, both of which buy human blood (either for food or spells). Once a year the uneasy truce between kingdoms is dissolved as they hold the Revenant Games, a contest that allows humans to compete for the life-changing prize of either raising one person from the dead or immortality, depending on which side you play for.

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The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley

Iris has discovered a terrifying secret, the world is ending, and a mysterious committee has the power to decide who lives... and who doesn't. To choose a leader for the impending apocalypse, the Enlightenment Committee is holding the Tournament of Freaks, a macabre competition made up of vicious fighters with fantastical abilities. Will Iris survive?

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Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
Adina has always know that she has to work twice as hard to get half as much, which is why she's worked so hard to pe perfect and above reproach at the prestigious (and mostly white) Edgewater Academy. But when one slip leaves her desperate to regain her Ivy League acceptance, she enters the Finish, an elite competition sponsored by Edgewater's founding family, only to discover the stakes are deadly.
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Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston

Ever since a vampire murdered her mother, Ava has been determined to get revenge. But it’s been ten years since anyone’s seen a vampire, and Ava has lost hope that she’ll ever find one…until she stumbles across a hidden magic show where she witnesses impossible illusions. The magicians reveal they’re part of an ancient secret society with true magic, and Ava has the same power in her blood that they do. But there’s a catch: if she wants to keep the power they offer, she needs to prove she’s worthy of it by entering a sinister and dangerous competition where illusion and reality blur, and the stakes are deadly.

If you’re a fantasy fan looking to explore something a little darker, or just want a moody read that doesn’t quite step into thriller or horror, dark fantasy is the perfect subgenre to explore! The definition of this type of fantasy read is a little tricky to pin down, but whether they feature humans wrestling with supernatural forces, an anti-hero as the main character, or a heaping dose of moral ambiguity in your characters, there’s something for everyone on this list.

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Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw
Winterwood is the perfect read for you if you want dark, witchy vibes! Some say the woods surrounding the town of Fir Haven are magical. Rumored to be a witch, only Nora Walker knows the truth. One night, her special connection to the woods leads her to Oliver Huntsman, who disappeared over a month ago. But Oliver is hiding secrets of his own…  
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The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
Does anything scream dark fantasy more than a blood-witch? Ranka's dark powers put her at the center of a brewing war that she wants no part of, right in between the only family she’s ever known and the enemy who makes her question everything.
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A Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen
Pulse pounding action and a deadly magical world collide in A Door in the Dark as Ren fights to survive in the punishing wilderness after a portal spell malfunctions and lands her and her classmates in the dark woods. This thrilling fantasy thriller is a must-read (especially before the sequel hits shelves in 2024)!
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A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
The Hollow Star Saga (which kicks off with A Dark and Hollow Star) is chock full with dark magic, an amazing queer cast of characters, and... a serial killer? This fantasy series combines moody vibes with an urban setting and is a must-read for any fan of the genre!
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Where the Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek
SO... this upcoming release isn't out until February, but it 100% deserves a spot on your 2024 TBR so we couldn't leave it off this list! When Liska makes a risky bargain with a demon called The Leszy to be free of her monstrous power, the consequences take her on a journey beyond her wildest imaginings.
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The Voice Upstairs by Laura E. Weymouth
This eerie historical mystery is absolutely perfect for cozying up with and chilly evening! If you're a fan of creepy, atmospheric ghost stories you'll want to meet Wilhelmina Price, a working-class girl in 1920s England who must work with a lord's son to solve mysterious deaths in a local manor.
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Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
Warrior nuns + evil spirits + Margaret Rogerson goodness = the PERFECT entry point into the world of dark fantasy! Vespertine will fully immerse you in a world of sinister magic, secrets, and ancient spirits and will leave you wanting more.
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Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle
This moody, atmospheric read deserves a top spot on your TBR this season! A magical school, dangerous ocean caves, and a little romance make this dark fantasy debut a must read!
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Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
This new release is PERFECT for dark fantasy fans! After all, what could be more perfect than a book about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince? (The answer: nothing.)

No matter what season it is, sometimes you just need a feel-good read, and that’s exactly what cozy fantasy is! These reads are the perfect choice if you’re in the mood for a fun fantasy adventure but not in the mood for super high stakes, complex worldbuilding, or cliffhanger endings. If you need a book that feels like a warm hug on a rainy day, add these cozy fantasies to your TBR!

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Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens

Grab a mug of hot tea and your favorite blanket as you enter the world of Otherworldly, where winter has reigned for five long years. Ellery doesn't believe in the supernatural, so you can imagine their surprise when they cross paths with Knox, who claims he is a familiar from the Other World and has abilities that can't be explained by logic. Even alternate realms can't break their bond, and you won't be able to help "aww"-ing at every arm brush, deep convo, and shared smile between the grumpy/sunshine pairing.

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Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

The books in Elisabeth’s world are not like ours, they're dangerous and can transform into terrible monsters if given the chance, and she’s spent her entire life protecting the kingdom from their power. When the library’s most dangerous book is released, Elisabeth finds herself framed for the crime, and the only person she can turn to for help is her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn! Once you've read Sorcery of Thorns find out what happens next for Elisabeth and Nathaniel in their sequel novella, Mysteries of Thorn Manor!

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Something Close to Magic by Emma Mills

Something Close to Magic is such a PERFECT cozy fantasy! In this deliciously romantic read Aurelie, a baker's apprentice, reluctantly embarks on a magical adventure that leads her to new friendships and a prince in distress! 

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So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

This queer cozy fantasy is a delightful blend between Carry On and Arthurian legend and shows us what happens after the chosen one wins the kingdom and has to get married to keep it…and to stay alive. So This Is Ever After is a total romp and we DARE you not to fall in love with Arek, his best friend Matt, and their whole ragtag group of quest companions!

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An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

In An Enchantment of Ravens painting prodigy Isobel is well-accustomed to her immortal and infallible clientele, until the Autumn Prince, Rook, commissions her. But she makes a fatal mistake in painting mortal sorrow in his eyes, a crime she must stand trial for in the Autumnlands. They quickly find trouble on their journey are driven closer than they ever thought they could be!

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In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens

Prince Tal is finally going on his long awaited coming-of-age tour to see his family’s kingdom after spending most of his life secluded in the palace hall, keeping his forbidden magic a secret. Early on in his tour, Tal meets a rogue-ish mystery boy, Athlen, who he can’t deny his connection to. In Deeper Waters is a delightful story about magic, pirates, and young love!

2024 is shaping up to be a BIG year for amazing new reads! From swoony romcoms and epic romantasy reads to heartwrenching nonfiction and mind-bending thrillers, there’s something for everything on this list. Be sure to preorder and save your faves to Goodreads so you don’t miss out on any of this year’s new releases!

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Diary of a Confused Feminist by Kate Weston

Out 1/2!   The Field Guide to the North American Teenager meets Derry Girls in this hilarious and relatable young adult novel in diary entries about a British teen determined to be a good feminist and her charming, embarrassing, and inspiring journey to figuring out how.

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Forever . . . by Judy Blume

Out 1/2!   Judy Blume’s groundbreaking novel about first relationships, first love, and…the first time—now with a stunning new look!

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Clarion Call by Cayla Fay

Out 2/6!   Neve faces her vengeful cousin, the leader of the legions of hell, forcing her to decide where her loyalties truly lie in this thrilling sequel to Ravensong that’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Celtic mythology.

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A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic by Yi Shun Lai

Out 2/13!   A teen’s fight for suffrage turns into one of survival when her crew’s Antarctic expedition ship gets stuck in the ice in this historical novel told in journal entries perfect for fans of Gary Paulsen and The Downstairs Girl.

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Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley

Out 2/13!   A painfully average teen’s life is upended by a magical apocalypse in this darkly atmospheric and sweepingly romantic novel perfect for fans of The Raven BoysBuffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Rest of Us Just Live Here.

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Conditions of a Heart by Bethany Mangle

Out 2/20!   For fans of Talia Hibbert and Lynn Painter comes a funny and unflinchingly honest story about a teen who must come to terms with her disability and what it means for her identity, her love life, and her future.

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Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury

Out 2/27!   After her private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother’s name in this psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Taking of Jake Livingston and Ace of Spades.

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Where the Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek

Out 2/27!   A girl with dangerous magic makes a risky bargain with a demon to be free of her monstrous power in this young adult fantasy perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens and House of Salt and Sorrows.

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The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall

Out 3/5!   Julie Murphy meets Casey McQuiston in this unforgettable queer romance about a teen girl whose foray into fantasy tabletop roleplaying brings her new confidence, true friends, and a shot at real, swoon-worthy love.

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The Revenant Games by Margie Fuston

Out 3/19!   All of Us Villains meets Kingdom of the Wicked in this action-packed fantasy following a teen determined to win the competition held by warring vampire and witch kingdoms, only to develop complicated feelings for the vampire she’s supposed to hand over.

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Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens

Out 4/2!   A skeptic and a supernatural being make a crossroads deal to achieve their own ends only to get more than they bargained for in this lively young adult romantic adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of Spell Bound and So This Is Ever After.

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King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness

Out 4/16!   For fans of Legendborn, Neil Gaiman, and Leigh Bardugo, this urban young adult fantasy steeped in Afro-Carribbean folklore follows two Black teens searching for a powerful artifact in the hidden magical side of London.

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Wild Dreamers by Margarita Engle

Out 4/23!   In this stirring young adult romance from award-winning author Margarita Engle, love and conservation intertwine as two teens fight to protect wildlife and heal from their troubled pasts.

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Finally Fitz by Marisa Kanter

Out 4/23!   A bisexual teen girl tries to make her ex jealous by faking an Instagram romance that leads to surprisingly real feelings in this hijinks-filled rom-com perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and She Gets the Girl.

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A Whisper in the Walls by Scott Reintgen

Out 4/23!   In this sequel to the New York Times bestselling, “pulse-pounding” (Publishers WeeklyA Door in the Dark, Ren’s intellect and cunning are stretched to the limit in her quest to take down the system that stole her father’s life.

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Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather

Out 4/30!   A teen girl searches for closure after her brother dies by suicide in this breathtaking novel from the author of Learning to Breathe and Facing the Sun.

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The Lady of Rapture by Sarah Raughley

Out 4/16!   Penny Dreadful meets The Gilded Wolves in this breathtaking finale to the young adult historical fantasy Bones of Ruin trilogy!

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The Ballad of Darcy & Russell by Morgan Matson

Out 5/7!   From New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson comes a sweeping romantic novel about love, fate…and that one night that can change everything.

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Hot Boy Summer by Joe Jiménez

Out 5/7!   Four gay teens in Texas have the summer of their lives while discovering important truths about realness, belonging, and friendship in this joyful young adult contemporary novel for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.

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Better Must Come by Desmond Hall

Out 5/7!   Barely Missing Everything meets American Street in this fiercely evocative, action-packed young adult thriller that looks at the darker side of light-filled Jamaica and how a tragedy and missing drug money helplessly entangle the lives of two teens who want to change their fate.

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Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton

Out 5/7!   Now with a beautiful new look, this sweet summer romance about “the floaty happiness of first love” (BCCB) between a girl living in a beachside island town and a city boy is perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson.

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Another First Chance by Robbie Couch

Out 5/28!   They Both Die at the End meets You’ve Reached Sam, in this heart-stopping speculative young adult novel from New York Times bestselling author Robbie Couch that explores all the different ways love can live on after tragedy.

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Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Out 6/4!   They fell for each other in just twenty-four hours. Now Rowan and Neil embark on a long-distance relationship during their first year of college in this romantic, dual POV sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow.

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Love, Off the Record by Samantha Markum

Out 6/11!   The Hating Game meets Alex, Approximately in this smart, chemistry-filled teen rom-com about two rival journalism students competing for the same position on their university newspaper.

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Reckless by Lauren Roberts

Out 7/2!   Paedyn and Kai battle with duty and desire in this highly anticipated second installment in the sizzling and epic romantic fantasy trilogy that’s packed with spicy tension and edge-of-your-seat betrayal.

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Powerful by Lauren Roberts

Out 4/30!   Set during the time of the New York Times bestseller Powerless, fan favorite Adena gets a story all her own in this captivating novella as she attempts to survive on the streets of Loot…and falls for a mysterious—and dangerous—Elite.

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Ready or Not by Andi Porretta and Andi Porretta

Out 7/2!   An anxious teen hopes that a summer of adventure and offbeat dares will keep her friend group together after graduation in this luminous coming-of-age graphic novel with the feel-good vibes of Booksmart and Morgan Matson’s Since You’ve Been Gone.

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Unbecoming by Seema Yasmin

Out 7/9!   Two Muslim teens in Texas fight for access to abortion while one harbors a painful secret in this funny and heartfelt near-future speculative novel perfect for fans of Unpregnant.

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Ghostsmith by Nicki Pau Preto

Out 8/13!   In this action-packed finale to the House of the Dead Duology, Wren and her friends put everything they know to the test as they battle the living and the undead to save their world.

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A Magic Fierce and Bright by Hemant Nayak

Out 7/9!   A young technomancer teams up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this propulsive, magic-filled young adult fantasy that is perfect for fans of Gearbreakers and Iron Widow.

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The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

Out 7/30!   A group of friends fight to choose their own fates in this trope-savvy, self-referential young adult thriller from the acclaimed author of Their Vicious Games, about a demonic force that acts according to horror movie rules in the spirit of the Scream movies.

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House of Thorns by Isabel Strychacz

Out 8/20!   In the vein of The Haunting of Hill House, a teen returns to the mysterious house from her past to search for her missing sister and uncover the truth of Brier Hall in this atmospheric and eerie modern gothic novel.

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Inheritance of Scars by Crystal Seitz

Out 10/1!   House of Roots and Ruin meets The Darkest Part of the Forest in this gorgeous dark fantasy debut steeped in Norse mythology that follows a teen who accidentally awakens an imprisoned draugr and must follow him into a deadly magical forest to rescue her grandmother.

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With Love, Echo Park by Laura Taylor Namey

Out 8/27!   From the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, this novel follows two Cuban teens in LA’s Echo Park neighborhood who clash over their visions for the future, the secrets between their families…and the sparks flying between them.

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Bridge Across the Sky by Freeman Ng

Out 8/27!   A raw and honest historical novel in verse about a Chinese teen who immigrates to the United States with his family and endures mistreatment at the Angel Island Immigration Station while trying to navigate his own course in a new world.

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How to Lose a Best Friend by Jordan K. Casomar

Out 9/10!   This “important and necessary book for our time” (Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be) confronts the myth of the friendzone as a boy in love with his best friend feels he’s owed a chance at romance—and she’s the only one in their lives who disagrees.

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

Out 9/24!   An all-girls school is struck with mysterious cases of screaming hysteria in this chilling dark academia thriller haunted by a deeply buried history clawing to the light.

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Make My Wish Come True by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

Out 10/1!   ‘Tis the season for holiday hijinks in the newest sapphic rom-com about a rising star and a small town girl going on twelve fake holidates from the New York Times bestselling authors of She Gets the Girl, Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick!

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Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter

Out 10/1!   In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling Better than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being a college student.

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The Ballerina of Auschwitz by Edith Eva Eger

Out 10/1!   In this young adult edition of the bestselling, award-winning memoir The Choice, Holocaust survivor and renowned psychologist Dr. Edith Eger shares her harrowing experiences and gives readers the gift of hope and strength.

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Stranger Skies by Pascale Lacelle

Release date TBD!   Ninth House meets The Hazel Wood in this riveting sequel to the New York Times bestselling dark academia fantasy Curious Tides, following Emory, Baz, Romie, and Kai on their desperate quests through space and time!

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A Wild and Ruined Song by Ashley Shuttleworth

Out 11/12!   Arlo and her friends struggle to rally against an overwhelming foe before time runs out in this gripping final book in the Hollow Star Saga, the urban fantasy series about fae in Toronto that’s The Cruel Prince meets City of Bones!

Pretty much everyone on the team here at Simon Teen is a HUGE fan of romance tropes. From forbidden love to love triangles and everything in between, you can often find us discussing (or debating) about all of the amazing books that feature these beloved tropes. To celebrate the staples of the romance genre we’ve rounded up a few examples of our favorite YA romances that feature them!

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Forever . . . by Judy Blume

FIRST LOVE

Katherine and Michael are ready—for each other, for love. Katherine is ready for her first time. They are both ready for this to be forever. They are perfect together, inseparable. Until the summer separates them, and Katherine meets Theo. But she and Michael are truly in love. That means forever. Right? Is this really the love of a lifetime, or the very beginning of a lifetime of love?

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Scythe by Neal Shusterman

enemies to lovers

If you're a fan of this trope, you have to read Neal Schusterman's Scythe. In a world where death has been eradicated, the population is controlled by Scythes — a mysterious group of people with the power to “glean,” or permanently kill, anyone they want. When Citra and Ronan are chosen to be apprentices to Scythe Faraday, they’re in for more than they bargained for — especially when their apprenticeships turn into a competition that only one of them can survive.

find more enemies to lovers romances here!

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How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

enemies to lovers

One of our favorite enemies to lovers romances is How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe. When her twin sister reaches social media stardom, Moon Fuentez takes a job as the “merch girl” on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and meets her bunkmate and new nemesis, Santiago Phillips, who is grumpy, combative, and also the hottest guy Moon has ever seen. Moon is certain she hates Santiago and that he hates her back. But as chance and destiny (and maybe, probably, close proximity) bring the two of them in each other’s perpetual paths, Moon starts to wonder if that’s really true.

find more enemies to lovers romances here!

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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

fake dating

See this classic trope play out in Jenny Han’sTo All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, when Lara Jean’s crushes are inadvertently revealed to the world, and she must pretend to date a former friend in order to save face. Bonus! To All the Boys I've Loved Before is now to a movie on Netflix! 

find more fake dating romances here!

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Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

fake dating

Foul Lady Fortune puts SUCH a fun spin on the fake dating trope, following an ill-matched pair of spies posing as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders in 1930s Shanghai. 

find more fake dating romances here!

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Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

love triangle

After Bree is inducted into a secret society made up of descendants of the Round Table, she and Nick, the classic "good guy," get very close. In the meantime, Sel, the bad boy, doesn’t trust Bree and actively tries to make her disappear—cute, right? This love triangle perfectly exemplifies the age-old debate: nice guy or bad boy? Once you've read Legendborn find out what happens next for Bree, Sel, and Nick in Bloodmarked!

find more love triangle romances here!

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Briar Girls by Rebecca Kim Wells

love triangle

Lena has a secret: the touch of her skin can kill. When Miranda offers Lena a deal to break her curse, she cannot refuse this opportunity. Along the way, they meet Alaric, and Lena can’t help but catch feelings for both of her companions. Alaric is a comfort, and Miranda makes Lena want to dream. She is stuck with not only who to pick, but who to trust.

find more love triangle romances here!

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These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

forbidden love

There's no forbidden love story more beloved than the story of Romeo and Juliet, and this imaginative retelling of the classic tale is a must-read. These Violent Delights follows eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal. 

find more forbidden love romances here!

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The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

forbidden love

Two centuries ago, three sisters living in Sparrow were sentenced to death for witchery and drowned. Now Sparrow is cursed, and for a brief time each summer, the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three weak-hearted girls so they may seek their revenge. Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But this year, on the eve of the return, a strange named Bo Carter arrives. And as Penny and Bo start to fall for each other, someone else starts to fall for Bo as well — one of the Swan sisters. And so Penny must choose: save Bo, or save herself.

find more forbidden love romances here!

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The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

friends to lovers

Belly lives for the summers she spends at the beach house. The only thing better than the ocean is staying next door to Conrad and Jeremiah, two brothers who have been her friends since birth. She’s had feelings for brooding Conrad for as long as she can remember, but he’s never returned her affections. But this summer, they’re all a year older and their relationships feel different. Even easygoing Jeremiah is catching her eye in a way he hasn’t before. Full of transportive descriptions of a beach getaway and young love, this is the perfect breezy summer read.

find more friends to lovers romances here!

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The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch

friends to lovers

Sky is determined to ask his crush, Ali Rashid, to prom, even though he’s not sure whether Ali is into guys. Might as well shoot his shot, right? But when Sky’s plans get leaked to the school in a cyberbullying attack, he and his friends (and Ali!) band together to show the bullies that homophobia has no place in their small town. Ali is interested in someone else, but one of Sky’s friends might be interested in him. It’s delightful to pick up on the clues even while Sky remains completely clueless.

find more friends to lovers romances here!

Some books are SO good that you just want to read them over and over again, and some books take that goodness to a different level with a fun twist: time loops! These swoony romances might just make you want to get stuck in a time loop of your own (or at least read about another one)! 

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The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

In this hilarious rom com from Lynn Painter, author of the ADORABLE Better than the Movies, Emilie Hornby has the worst Valentine’s Day ever—only to relive it over and over again. Emilie finds herself stuck in some sort of time loop nightmare that she can’t wake up from as she re-watches her boyfriend, Josh, cheat on her day after day. Plus, she can’t get away from the enigmatic Nick, who she keeps running into—sometimes literally—in unfortunate ways. The Do-Over is sure to be a new fave, and it's out 11/15!

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See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

From the author of Today Tonight Tomorrow comes a magical time loop romance about Barrett Bloom, who is forced to relive her disastrous first day of college—only to discover that her nemesis is stuck in the time loop with her. When her attempts to fix her timeline fail, she agrees to work with Miles to find a way out. Soon they’re exploring the mysterious underbelly of the university and going on wild, romantic adventures. As they start falling for each other, they face the universe’s biggest unanswered question yet: what happens to their relationship if they finally make it to tomorrow?!

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If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch

Robbie Couch, the author of The Sky Blues and Blaine for the Win, is BACK with a romance about Clark, who is stuck in a time loop of endlessly monotonous Mondays until he meets the boy of his dreams. When shy, reserved Clark decides to throw caution to the wind and join effusive and effervescent Beau on a series of “errands” across the Windy City, he never imagines that anything will really change, because nothing has in such a long time. And he definitely doesn’t expect to fall this hard or this fast for someone in just one day. Be on the lookout for the latest from Robbie Couch when it hits shelves on 4/18!

Lynn Painter is undoubtedly the QUEEN of YA romcoms, and with three books to choose from (so far, at least!), how can you choose which one to read (or re-read) first? If you can’t decide, take this quiz and let us choose for you!



I LOVE getting book recs from TikTok. After hours of careful curation (aka watching way too many videos), BookTok knows exactly what kind of books I like and will recommend them with videos filled with brilliant reviews. Below you’ll find some of the Simon Teen books that BookTok is recommending you pick up this year!

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Where the Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek
If you're a fan of dark fantasy combined with romantasy, this debut is a must-read! Plus, it's PERFECT for fans of Howl’s Moving Castle, Uprooted, and Margaret Rogerson!
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Tender Beasts by Liselle Sambury
There are few things that BookTok loves more than a stunning cover, and Liselle Sambury’s latest has a BRILLIANT one that fans are obsessed with, and an amazing, mind-bending story to match! Tender Beasts has a murder mystery, delicious twists and turns, and plenty of family drama.
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Otherworldly by F.T. Lukens
F.T. Lukens has built themselves a die-hard fanbase on BookTok with In Deeper Waters, So This is Ever After, and Spell Bound which are all swoony, fantasy romances filled with amazing LGBTQIA+ casts! Their latest is Otherworldly, a magical, romantic adventure with an ADORABLE romance and incredible world-building!
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Another First Chance by Robbie Couch
Robbie Couch's latest book, Another First Chance, is BookTok catnip. This queer romance comes with a dash of heartbreaking tragedy, a little sci-fi intrigue, and a STUNNING cover!
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Reckless by Lauren Roberts
Powerless was THE YA BookTok fantasy of 2023, and the highly-anticipated sequel, Reckless, is hitting shelves in Summer 2024! We can't wait to reunite with Paedyn and Kai as they face edge-of-your-seat betrayal... and spicy tension.
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Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon
This year we're getting sequels to fan favorites that we couldn't have even dreamed of, and Past Present Future is one of them! Today Tonight Tomorrow was an instant hit, and this romantic, dual POV sequel follows Rowan and Neil on a new adventure: a long-distance relationship during their first year of college!
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The Ballad of Darcy & Russell by Morgan Matson
Iconic YA romance author Morgan Matson is back and better than ever with her new novel, The Ballad of Darcy & Russell! This book has ALL of the good things you want in a Morgan Matson romance:  swoony romance, an adorable dog, a huge, wild family, and plenty of friendship!
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The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington
Joelle Wellington hooked readers with Their Vicious Games, and her next book, The Blonde Dies First, will give readers even more of those thriller vibes they've been craving! If you love the Scream movies, tropes, and main characters that break ALL the rules, this read is for you!
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Love, Off the Record by Samantha Markum
Fans of Lynn Painter will want to add this smart, hilarious, and chemistry-filled rom-com to their TBR immediately! Wyn and Three are one of our FAVE couples of 2024, and their enemies-to-lovers, competitive, slow-burn relationship is on that will have you giggling and kicking your feet from their first interaction.

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