| | | |

50 Young Adult Books I’m Excited to Read in 2026

Even as I’ve grown older, I still love curling up with an amazing young adult book—and 2026 already looks like an incredible year for young adult readers. If you’re searching for the best 2026 young adult books to read, this list is the perfect place to start!

While I tend to read more adult titles these days, there are still so many new young adult releases that make it onto my TBR every year. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of my teenage years, or maybe it’s because young adult books seem to improve with each passing year. Either way, my TBR continues to grow thanks to young adult books—and I’m very happy to help you grow yours, too.

On this list, you’ll find my most anticipated young adult books of 2026, releasing in the first half of the year. These books are perfect for readers, teachers, librarians, and anyone looking to discover new voices. Whether you love contemporary romance (my personal favourite), twisty thrillers, or lush fantasy worlds, there’s something on this list for every type of young adult reader.

From heartfelt coming-of-age stories to epic adventures and everything in between, these are the best 2026 young adult books to add to your reading list.

Browse the Books!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of my links, I may earn a very small commissionat no additional cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer.


Shop this post on Bookshop!


Like this post? Share on Pinterest!

2026 Young Adult Books Pinterest Image

January 2026 Young Adult Books

16 Forever by Lance Rubin Book Cover

16 Forever by Lance Rubin

There’s something about a time loop story that always catches my attention. 16 Forever is a heartfelt story that blends time loops, teenage angst, and a charming second-chance romance. On Carter’s 16th birthday, he finds out he’s been repeating the same year while his girlfriend remembers everything he’s forgotten. It sounds perfect for readers who enjoy emotional, quirky young adult stories about love, identity, and finding your way when time won’t let you.


Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet Book Cover

Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet

I’m a big fan of Little Women, so it’s no surprise that this reimagined version is on this list. In this gripping young adult thriller, readers can expect Little Women with a dark, modern twist. After Beth March is found dead, her sisters’ search for the truth uncovers secrets, motives, and betrayals that hit far too close to home. I think readers can expect a sharp, twisty mystery filled with family tension, unreliable narrators, and the kind of suspense that keeps you guessing until the very end.


Love Goes Viral by Alexander Berman, Camille Stochitch and Estelle Laure Book Cover

Love Goes Viral by Alexander Berman, Camille Stochitch and Estelle Laure

This one sounds like it will be such an enjoyable read. If you’re looking for a mix of celebrity drama, small-town charm, and slow-burning, swoony romance, you’ll also want to check out Love Goes Viral. Love is desperate to save her reputation after a viral scandal damages her rising pop career. To do so, teaming up with small-town Austin for a fake relationship seems like the perfect solution—until real feelings threaten to complicate everything.


Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past by Saadia Faruqi Book Cover

Ms. Marvel: Remnants of the Past by Saadia Faruqi

As both a Marvel fan and a Saadia Faruqi fan, there’s no way I could miss this release. This fast-paced adventure blends superhero action with cultural discovery and personal growth. When Ms. Marvel accidentally ends up with a pair of magical spectacles, her mission to return them takes her from Jersey City to Lahore—and into a mystery that tests everything she knows about right and wrong. I think this will be perfect for readers who enjoy action-packed stories and a heroine with heart.


Room to Breathe by Kasie West Book Cover

Room to Breathe by Kasie West

I absolutely love a contemporary romance from Kasie West—so there’s no way I would miss this one. This heartfelt story follows two best friends who are forced to face their broken relationship. After months of silence, Indy and Beau accidentally get locked in a bathroom together—bringing long-hidden truths and unresolved feelings to the surface. If you love second-chance friendships turned into romance, I think you’ll love this one.


We've Hit Turbulence by Jessica L. Cozzi Book Cover

We’ve Hit Turbulence by Jessica L. Cozzi

I’m a sucker for a great young adult contemporary romance, and I have a good feeling about We’ve Hit Turbulence. Olive is determined to survive a long-haul flight to Hawaii without thinking about her ex—until she discovers he’s sitting beside her for all 13 hours. Trapped at cruising altitude with unresolved feelings and nowhere to hide, she’s forced to confront the heartbreak she thought she’d left behind. I think readers will love the second-chance tension, the witty banter, and all the swoony moments that unfold.


Playing with Forever by Rebecca Jenshak Book Cover

Playing with Forever by Rebecca Jenshak

This story sounds so fun, but I also just love the cover! This swoony, feel-good young adult romance mixes academic rivalry, opposites-attract chemistry, and all the charm of a high school sports setting. When Lacey is roped into tutoring soccer captain Vaughn, their clashing personalities gradually give way to an unexpected connection. Playing with Forever will be perfect for readers who enjoy grumpy/sunshine dynamics, slow-burn tension, and sweet romance.


Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar by Anahita Karthik Book Cover

Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar by Anahita Karthik

There’s nothing better than a good road trip story. Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar is a lively young adult rom-com about a girl on a chaotic, funny road trip across India in pursuit of the perfect first kiss. Krishna sets out to track down her longtime crush, with her rival cousin and a charming boy, only to realize her heart might have other plans. I think readers can expect messy feelings, road-trip hijinks, and a swoony, slow-burn romance.


The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay by Ryan Douglass Book Cover

The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay by Ryan Douglass

Just like Beth is Dead, this is another reimagining featured on this list, and I can’t wait to read it! The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay is an atmospheric, emotional reimagining of The Great Gatsby, filled with romance, social tension, and high-stakes drama. Nick dreams of escaping his past and building a new future, but West Egg Academy quickly reveals itself as a place filled with prejudice and dangerous secrets. As his forbidden feelings for Jay Gatsby Jr. grow, Nick’s writing uncovers truths that put both of them at risk.


The Roommate Arrangement by Samantha Markum Book Cover

The Roommate Arrangement by Samantha Markum

I’m really looking forward to this new release from Samantha Markum. The Roommate Arrangement is perfect for readers who enjoy roommates-to-lovers vibes, witty banter, and irresistible best friend’s brother chemistry. When Blair ends up rooming with her brother’s best friend, Jamie, a secret living situation and a mutually beneficial arrangement bring them closer than either expected. It sounds like a charming story full of laugh-out-loud rom-com moments.


February 2026 Young Adult Books

A Stage Set for Villains by Shannon J. Spann Book Cover

A Stage Set for Villains by Shannon J. Spann

There’s something about a good fantasy that pulls me in, and I have a feeling I’ll be turning the pages with this one. In A Stage Set for Villains, Riven enters the Playhouse’s deadly competition hoping to steal a player’s immortality before her own curse ends her life. But striking a bargain with Jude, the Playhouse’s brilliant and ruthless lead player, pulls her deeper into a world where stories twist, magic deceives, and even the hero can become a villain. It sounds like a rich, atmospheric fantasy about power, survival, and rewriting your own fate. It also gives me Caraval vibes, so I can’t wait to pick this one up!


Carnival Fantastico by Angela Montoya Book Cover

Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya

Another fantasy I can’t wait to dive into! If you love magical carnivals, sharp heroines, and second-chance romance with a historical twist, then you’re going to adore this young adult romantasy. Set in a fictional 1920s world loosely inspired by the Prohibition Era, Esmeralda makes her living as a fortune-teller at the Carnival Fantástico—until Ignacio, the boy who once broke her heart, reappears with a warning that the carnival is far more sinister than it seems. Their uneasy alliance to expose corruption and secure her freedom soon brings new dangers and stirs up old feelings. I think this will be perfect for readers who love atmospheric magic, tangled loyalties, and magnetic chemistry.


Enchanted to Meet You by Cara Stout Book Cover

Enchanted to Meet You by Cara Stout

The cover initially grabbed my attention, and the nod to Taylor Swift in the title did too, but the summary convinced me to pick this one up. Imogen’s undercover role as a theme park Princess feels like the perfect distraction—until she starts falling for Tristan, the park’s genuine Prince Charming, who is eager to shape his own future. As pretend romance turns into something truly real, both teens must decide what happily-ever-after means to them. How fun does this one sound?


Lights Out by Jenni Fletcher Book Cover

Lights Out by Jenni Fletcher

I’m not someone who normally watches F1, but I’m definitely hopping on the bandwagon with F1 books. In Lights Out, Maisie focuses on her university studies until a twist of fate lands her in a fake relationship with Giovanni, Formula 1’s resident bad boy, who is desperate to fix his reputation. For Maisie, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with the sports world she once dreamed of, and for Gio, it’s his last shot at staying on the team. As travel, tension, and chemistry bring them closer, their staged romance begins to feel anything but fake. I can’t wait to read this one!


Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn Book Cover

Stolen Midnights by Katherine Quinn

This one sounds so intriguing! When Damien steals a locket meant for the beloved palace favourite, Wren, he accidentally unleashes a secret connected to his own past and the dangerous power of the ruling Fates. Forced into an uneasy alliance, Damien and Wren uncover the truth about the gifts that shape Andalay and the ruthless elite willing to keep control. Stolen Midnights sounds like a rich, romantic fantasy about destiny, unravelling lies, and two unlikely allies working together to save their world.


This Ain't Our First Rodeo by Liara Tamani Book Cover

This Ain’t Our First Rodeo by Liara Tamani

As I’ve mentioned, I love contemporary romance books—but there’s something about a western contemporary romance that truly draws me in. When Josie and Shawn cross paths years after their magical first date, they’re drawn back into each other’s orbit — this time dealing with family pressures, the high stakes of the rodeo scene, and a threat to Josie’s family land. As their bond deepens, they must decide if love can withstand the chaos around them. This one is perfect if you enjoy heartfelt second-chance romances, cowboy vibes, and sweet character chemistry.


Love on Ice by Sara Ney Book Cover

Love on Ice by Sara Ney

I love reading young adult books that feature hockey, so I’m excited to pick up Love on Ice when it comes out. When Harper catches hockey star Easton hiding a stolen mascot in her backyard, she offers him the perfect deal—her silence in exchange for one unforgettable prom night. But as their fake arrangement begins to feel real, neither of them is ready for what’s to come. Fake dating and hockey? Count me in!


Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young Book Cover

Paradise Coast by Suzanne Young

There’s nothing better than curling up with an engaging mystery. Noa has spent years aching for the truth, long before the hurricane drags the past into the light. When the storm uncovers the ruins of a legendary hotel and new clues about the night a young socialite died, she and her friends see their chance to clear their ancestor’s name and challenge the powerful families pushing locals out. Teaming up with Jamie, a rebellious rich kid with his own reasons to dig, Noa enters a dangerous battle where the wealthy control everything, including the truth. It kind of gives me some Outer Banks vibes, so I’m curious to pick this one up!


March 2026 Young Adult Books

Beast Becomes Her by Crystal Seitz Book Cover

Beast Becomes Her by Crystal Seitz

Beast Becomes Her is pitched as Wednesday meets Norse mythology, which sounds amazing. When Edith’s buried rage bursts out as claws, she discovers she’s a berserkr and is sent to Skallagrim Academy to learn to control the monster inside her. But the academy’s dark halls hide a deadly secret—someone is murdering students, and when Edith is found at the scene of one murder, she becomes the main suspect. To clear her name, she’ll have to team up with Amund, a relentless hunter who doesn’t trust her, and find the real killer before she becomes the next victim. It’s a captivating fantasy that blends mythology and mystery—and I can’t wait to read it.


Her Hidden Fire by Cliodhna O'Sullivan Book Cover

Her Hidden Fire by Cliodhna O’Sullivan

If you love high-stakes magic, forbidden love, and intrigue, I think you’ll be drawn to this romantasy just like I am. When Éadha discovers she possesses rare magic, she uses it to save Ionáin, the boy she loves, from public disgrace by secretly passing her powers as his during a crucial test. However, her sacrifice lands them both in an elite magical academy, where every Master and apprentice threatens her secret—especially Gry, the student who notices more than he should. As Éadha navigates dangerous politics, rising jealousy, and the true cost of magic, she must decide how far she’s willing to go for love and her own survival.


Hunting the Strange by Kaitlyn Cavalancia Book Cover

Hunting the Strange by Kaitlyn Cavalancia

I’m so excited for this magical sequel to Mystery Royale. Mullory was never meant to survive, let alone inherit Xavier’s volatile magic. But now she’s navigating powers she barely understands and a scavenger hunt her mother set in motion from beyond the grave. From the wintry glamour of the Stoutmire estate to a hidden magical pocket of Coney Island, Mullory must rely on unexpected allies as she uncovers her family secrets and a mystery more dangerous than before. I think it will be a twisty continuation that explores identity, legacy, and how far people will go to uncover the truth.


If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey Book Cover

If We Never End by Laura Taylor Namey

While I don’t often read emotional stories, If We Never End caught my attention. Sylvie is tired of being left behind until a mysterious gold watch grants her the one adventure she never could have imagined. When turning its dial summons Penn, the ghost of a boy with no memory of his death, Sylvie promises to help uncover the truth behind his life and his loss. But as their connection deepens and the watch’s magic reveals darker secrets, Sylvie realizes the answers she finds may cost far more than her heart.


Meet Me Under the Lights by Cassie Miller Book Cover

Meet Me Under the Lights by Cassie Miller

I really got into baseball this year, and even though I’m still dealing with the heartbreak of the Blue Jays losing the World Series, I can’t resist this baseball contemporary romance. Eliza plans to spend her summer shaking off her “princess of Fairfield” reputation and chasing her Broadway dreams until star pitcher Reed comes home and turns everything upside down. With their families locked in a decades-long feud and a championship baseball season on the line, childhood friends turned rivals find themselves drawn back to each other despite every reason to stay apart. I think this will be the perfect heartfelt small-town romance to curl up with in the spring.


Midnight at the Celestial by Julia Alexandra Book Cover

Midnight on the Celestial by Julia Alexandra

As a fan of cruising, there’s no way I could miss out on Midnight on the Celestial. After failing the realm’s magical trial, Roe is sentenced to work aboard the Celestial—a glittering cruise ship by day and a deadly nightmare by night. Competing for a retrial, dodging an infuriatingly captivating silks performer, and uncovering the ship’s bloody history, Roe soon finds herself framed for a crime she didn’t commit and running out of time to save her own life. I’m really looking forward to this magical, twisty, and atmospheric fantasy.


The Ruins Beneath Us by Sasha E. Sloan Book Cover

The Ruins Beneath Us by Sasha E. Sloan

The Ruins Beneath Us is another epic fantasy on this list that I can’t wait to read. After years of hiding her elven heritage, Lyria’s life changes the moment she rescues a dying boy in the forest—only to discover he’s the human kingdom’s crown prince, and he wants her to serve as his royal apothecary. Desperate to hide her magic, Lyria enters a court full of suspicion, especially from Cygnus, the cold and infuriatingly perceptive healer. But when the pair uncover a dark world beneath the palace, Lyria must decide who she can trust and how long she can keep her secrets buried.


In Time with You by Kristin Dwyer Book Cover

In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer

Nieve would give anything to undo the moment that cost Carter his life, until she wakes up a year earlier with the chance to do just that. Determined to keep her boyfriend safe, she distances herself from him, but the more she pulls away, the more she finds herself drawn to Max, Carter’s best friend, who is grieving just as much as she is. As Nieve navigates grief, fate, and a future she never expected, she must decide whether saving Carter means letting go—or risking everything all over again. I know this will be an emotional, heartfelt story that I’ll enjoy.


To Deal with Kings by M.K. Lobb Book Cover

To Deal with Kings by M.K. Lobb

To Deal with Kings sounds like a gritty, high-stakes sequel to To Steal from Thieves. Zaria never expected to see Kane again, but when a new threat emerges in London’s underworld, and an alchemological device appears inside the Crystal Palace, Zaria and Kane are forced into an uneasy partnership that could save them or destroy everything. Between rival kingpins, deadly secrets, and the law closing in, they’ll need to outsmart enemies on all sides before time runs out. I’m really looking forward to reading this one!


April 206 Young Adult Books

Adventure is Out There! by Liz Braswell Book Cover

Adventure is Out There! by Liz Braswell

As a fan of both the Twisted Tales series and anything Disney, I could miss Adventure is Out There. If you’ve ever wondered what Up might look like with Ellie in the pilot’s seat, this one delivers the adventure, heart, and depth you’re after. Sixteen-year-old Ellie dreams of reaching Paradise Falls, but small-town life and Carl, her kind, dependable best friend, pull her in different directions. When her internship at the zoo leads her into a high-stakes rescue involving a rare bird connected to explorer Charles Muntz, Ellie jumps at the chance for the adventure of a lifetime, even if it endangers everything she cares about. I’m so excited for this one!


The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss Book Cover

The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

As soon as I heard about this book, I immediately added it to my TBR. When The Escape Game returns after the on-set murder of contestant Alicia, her sister Sierra joins the new season—not just to compete but to uncover the truth. As she and her fellow contestants solve elaborate escape rooms, hidden clues begin pointing toward Alicia’s real killer, and the game quickly becomes far more dangerous than any of them imagined. I have a feeling this one will be packed with puzzles, reality TV-show drama, and twisty secrets.

Shop on Amazon Shop on Bookshop

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst Book Cover

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

There’s nothing better than curling up with a cozy young adult fantasy. Calisa desperately needs a fresh start after her heartbreak—she just never expected it to come in the form of a crumbling Vermont inn and a great-aunt who clearly doesn’t want her there. Determined to earn her place, Calisa throws herself into repairing the bed-and-breakfast with unexpected help from the groundskeeper’s charming son, only to realize the inn and its strange guests are hiding something magical. As she uncovers the truth behind Auntie Zee’s secretive behaviour and the inn’s otherworldly mysteries, Calisa must decide how far she’ll go to protect the place that’s slowly beginning to feel like home.


Wild Darling by Alexandra Moody Book Cover

Wild Darling by Alexandra Moody

Wild Darling is another contemporary romance on this list that features hockey. Can you tell I’m in my sports era? Parker is determined to lead the Ransom Devils to victory until a new coach with a grudge and his fiercely talented daughter, Kenzie, throw his season off balance. Stuck benched by her overprotective dad, Kenzie can only watch the team struggle with an unexpected opening, and Parker’s desperation to win pushes them into an uneasy alliance. As practices heat up and sparks start flying, the two rivals must figure out how to work together without repeating a mistake that changed everything once before. I think this will be such a fun, feel-good hockey romance full of witty banter and slow-burn tension.


The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith Book Cover

The Thorn Queen by Sasha Peyton Smith

If you love forbidden romance and deadly fae court intrigue, then you should be just as excited as I am to read this sequel to The Rose Bargain. Now wed to King Bram and crowned Queen of England, Ivy must play the role of devoted wife while secretly plotting to banish him, rescue her sister, and reunite with Emmett—the man she truly loves. But with Lydia and Emmett trapped in the perilous Otherworld and the fae wreaking havoc across England, Ivy is running out of time, and the next move she makes could cost her everything. I can’t wait to dive into this romantasy!


Flirting with Murder by Amanda Sellet Book Cover

Flirting with Murder by Amanda Sellet

Flirting with Murder is pitched as The Agathas combined with The Thursday Murder Club—how perfect does that sound? Theatre, cozy mystery vibes, and a touch of romantic rivalry collide in this whodunit, and I can’t wait to pick it up. Virginia expects nothing more than pretend dramatic murders when she joins her grandmother’s condo crew for their beloved role-playing game until the building’s owner dies, suspicious relatives arrive, and a real body appears mid-game. Teaming up with Felix, the charming musical-theatre boy she’s determined to outsmart, Virginia must follow clues, quirky retirees, and rising stakes before the community she loves is torn apart.


Gods & Comics by Kat Cho Book Cover

Gods & Comics by Kat Cho

This one sounds so interesting! Grace is doing everything she can to hold herself together when the gods from her anonymous webcomic suddenly step into her real life. What began as a way to cope with losing her halmeoni becomes something far more dangerous when Haemosu, the charming hero of her story, and his sworn enemy appear in the mortal world without their powers. As Grace races to send Hae home before an ancient feud turns deadly, her growing feelings for him complicate everything and humanity may pay the price if she fails. This is so different from what I normally read, but I’m excited to give it a try.


The Blind Date Agreement by Jessica Cunsolo Book Cover

The Blind Date Agreement by Jessica Cunsolo

We’ve already established that I enjoy young adult contemporary romance, but I also love that this story is set in a fictional town outside Toronto. Carina agrees to a series of blind dates to avoid being the perpetual fifth wheel—but hiding her secret crush on her best friend’s boyfriend is becoming more difficult. Each disastrous setup only complicates things further — until she meets Jay, who sees her in ways she never expected. Torn between loyalty, desire, and the possibility of something new, Carina must decide what kind of love she’s willing to fight for.


If You Were Here by Abigail Johnson Book Cover

If You Were Here by Abigail Johnson

This heartfelt summer romance with grumpy/sunshine chemistry sounds like the perfect story for me. When Lili returns to the island of Nantucket to finish her late father’s research and clear her family’s name, she turns to Wren—the prickly local historian who’s desperate to work on something meaningful, even if he claims to dislike tourists. As the two team up to uncover the truth about a long-maligned ancestor, their growing connection surprises them both and begins to heal old wounds. I’m excited that this is a blend of romance and historical mystery with a touch of summer.


May 2026 Young Adult Books

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen Book Cover

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

It’s been a long time since Sarah Dessen published a young adult contemporary romance, so I definitely won’t miss this one! Finley has always followed her boyfriend Colin’s lead, but a spontaneous summer trip to her mother’s long-estranged family pulls her into unfamiliar territory—new cousins, a mysterious past, and a group of teens at her aunt’s diner who quickly feel like family. As her relationship back home unravels and her bond with gentle, guitar-playing Ben deepens, Finley starts to uncover the truth about her mother’s history and the pieces of herself she never realized she had lost. I just know I’m going to love this one.


Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce Book Cover

Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce

I always enjoy Kristy Boyce’s books, so I’m looking forward to picking up her next release. Hazel is determined to keep her senior year on track—until Max, her former best friend and longtime crush, shows up and throws every carefully laid plan into chaos. Between colour guard, her very first D&D campaign, and her parents who won’t stop meddling, Hazel has little patience for Max’s attitude or the sparks that fly every time they argue. But when he gets involved in her campaign, their bickering turns into unexpected chemistry, and the fantasy world she created begins revealing truths she’s not ready to face.


Until Next Summer by Allison Ashley Book Cover

Until Next Summer by Allison Ashley

Until Next Summer sounds like a lovely seaside romance that’s perfect to pick up when the warmer months arrive. Amelia expects another carefree Cape Cod summer until her best friend leaves for tennis training, and the boy they always considered off-limits suddenly doesn’t seem so out of reach. Working at Pearl’s puts her directly in Myles’ path, and getting to know him for real complicates everything she and Kat once promised each other. Just as Amelia begins to sort through her feelings, a new boy in town pulls her in a completely different direction.


You're Dead to Me, Reed Walker by Gwenyth Reitz Book Cover

You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker by Gwenyth Reitz

You’re Dead to Me, Reed Walker sounds like the perfect mix of academic rivalry, supernatural antics, and witty banter with a ghostly twist. Tessa wakes up dead, and the only thing worse than being stuck haunting an abandoned mansion is discovering that her infuriating academic nemesis, Reed, is dead right there with her. As the two begrudging ghosts explore how they died, they realize they’ll need to team up to catch a murderer, even if working together might be the death of their pride. It sounds like a really fun story, and I can’t wait to pick it up.


Royal Summer by Kass Morgan Book Cover

Royal Summer by Kass Morgan

I love Scotland—I’ve visited several times over the years since my grandmother was born there. But a book set in Scotland? Count me in! When aspiring writer Hannah’s dream internship falls through, a chance encounter at a pub lands her an unexpected new job. But she soon discovers that the helpful stranger who assisted her is actually Finnian, the Prince of England, who is stuck in Inveresk as punishment for his latest scandal. As Finn pushes her buttons and pulls her into his world, Hannah starts to wonder whether this is just a distraction or something worth risking her heart for. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!


Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights by Celeste Dador Book Cover

Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights by Celeste Dador

As soon as I heard about this book, it gave me First Daughter and Chasing Liberty vibes, so I’m excited to see what it’s like when I read it. Abby just wants one night where she isn’t the First Daughter until a pizza mishap lands her in the tabloids and exiles her to a Wi-Fi-free country inn for the summer. Stuck far from the White House with her little sister, Abby finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Gabriel, the camera-obsessed boy whose family runs the inn and seems immune to her presidential status. Determined to make her getaway count, she throws herself into a real-teen summer bucket list. And as sparks with Gabriel grow, she discovers that the best surprises might be the ones she never saw coming.


I'm Gonna Get You Back by Eva Des Lauriers Book Cover

I’m Gonna Get You Back by Eva Des Lauriers

I’m Gonna Get You Back is another contemporary I can’t wait to read. Reid returns to his small mountain town for Legacy Weekend with a secret injury and zero desire to face Clara—the ex who broke his heart. Clara, meanwhile, needs one final project to get into film school, and a documentary about their scandal-filled senior year might be her ticket. But when an anonymous account starts exposing old secrets, Reid and Clara are pulled back into each other’s orbit and into the drama they thought they’d left behind. I’m expecting second chances, buried truths, and a seriously emotional love story.


Stops Along the Way by Anna Sortino Book Cover

Stops Along the Way by Anna Sortino

I really enjoy fun road-trip stories, and I already have a great feeling about it. Iris heads to the East Coast to help her sister move home for the summer, only to be unexpectedly paired with Declan, her board game rival, for a cross-country caravan back to Nebraska. As miles pass and issues arise, Iris begins to realize that probability can’t predict everything—especially her growing feelings for Declan. I think this book will be perfect for readers who love road trips, unlikely alliances, and slow-burn chemistry.


Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel by Arushi Avachat Book Cover

Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel by Arushi Avachat

Clearly, I can’t resist a good young adult contemporary romance, especially if it’s releasing during the summer months. Rani is determined to reset her life before transferring universities—complete with a checklist and no room for distraction. But when driving lessons with Kush, her aggravatingly perfect childhood crush, become part of the plan, Rani begins to see a different side of the boy everyone adores. Between internship goals, community expectations, and unexpected chemistry, her carefully planned summer starts shifting in ways she never imagined. It sounds like such a fun and charming summer romance!


We Could Be Anyone by Anne-Marie McLemore Book Cover

We Could Be Anyone by Anne-Marie McLemore

I’ve really enjoyed books by Anna-Marie McLemore, so I’m eager to pick up her next release. Lola and Lisandro are used to adopting new identities, but their latest scheme puts them more on edge than they’d admit. The sibling con artists have built a life haunting Hollywood’s elite, with Lola portraying the tragic ghost and Lisandro the charismatic spiritualist—until their biggest target yet, The Coterie, forces them to switch roles entirely. As they navigate the mansion of a powerful tycoon and his famous mistress, strange happenings begin to blur the line between performance and reality, testing their partnership and increasing the danger of their most risky job. It sounds so captivating, I can’t wait to read it.


June 2026 Young Adult Books

The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Book Cover

The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

This book has been on my TBR since I first heard about it. In The Heirs, five prodigies become prime suspects when their billionaire father is murdered during his annual Prodigy Ball. Each sibling, modelled after Leontes’ brutal “Button Method,” is forced to stay inside Button Manor as police unravel the truth. But with every sibling hiding something, and a mansion full of enemies their father made along the way, the investigation quickly turns into a twisted game of genius, rivalry, and survival. It sounds like it will be such a sharp and unputdownable story that also gives Knives Out and Agatha Christie vibes.


The Romance Rewind by Sarah Everett Book Cover

The Romance Rewind by Sarah Everett

We’ve already established that I love young adult contemporary romance and time loops, so I can’t wait to read The Romance Rewind. After Zadie’s anniversary night ends in a breakup and a car crash, she wakes to find Jason in a coma and herself suddenly transported back to their very first date. Stuck in a looping rewind of their relationship, Zadie tries to fix what went wrong, all while Jason’s cousin Marcus keeps tagging along and threatening to expose her secret. As the loops deepen and feelings become more complicated, Zadie must decide whether she’s truly meant to save her old romance or open herself up to something new. It sounds like it will be such an enjoyable book.


Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman Book Cover

Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman

Jessica Goodman is one of my favourite young adult mystery authors, so I can’t miss her next release. The Gold sisters and the Silver brothers have grown up side by side in their waterfront mansions, bound by years of friendship and shared history until a beach party ends in tragedy and suspicion fractures everything they thought they knew about one another. As Lucy hides a secret from her boyfriend, Millie wrestles with an impossible longing, and Frankie uncovers something explosive, the girls realize that even the closest families can be built on lies. I think this will be a gripping mystery, and I’m really looking forward to reading it.


The River She Became by Emily Varga Book Cover

The River She Became by Emily Varga

Pitched as The Mummy meets The Cruel Prince, I know I’m going to love The River She Became. Yaseema has spent her entire life pretending to serve the Empire while secretly fighting to save her dying homeland—and now she finally has the chance to change everything. As she crosses the River into a realm of beautiful monsters, ruthless magic, and a cold-eyed captain who sees straight through her lies, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance. She must then race to find an ancient fae crown, each needing it for their own people, each hiding secrets that could destroy the other. But as curses tighten, loyalties blur, and her own magic awakens, the most dangerous threat may be the feelings growing between them. I’m really looking forward to this one!


More Young Adult Blog Posts You Might Like


Like this post? Share on Pinterest!

Pin for Later!

2026 Young Adult Books Pinterest Image

Shop this post on Bookshop!

You'll Also Love...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *