32 June 2026 Young Adult Books You Need to Read

Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk & Nicola Yoon

From the bestselling authors of Blackout and Whiteout, this twisty thriller blends high-stakes mystery, romance, and survival. It follows a group of elite teens who head to a private island resort for a spring break getaway—but when a storm traps them there, their dream trip quickly turns deadly. As bodies pile up, long-buried secrets and betrayals surface, threatening to tear the group apart.

How to Lose Yourself Completely by Peter Bognanni

After losing his brother, Case agrees to attend a wilderness adventure therapy program in hopes of getting his anxiety under control. But when their counsellor suddenly disappears, the trip takes a dangerous turn, forcing the group to fend for themselves. If you’re a fan of Jandy Nelson and John Green, you’ll enjoy this emotional story about grief, connection, and finding your way forward.

Lies Between Us by Jessica Goodman

When a summer beach party ends in a suspicious death, the tight-knit bond between the Gold sisters and the Silver brothers begins to unravel. As secrets surface and loyalties are tested, each sister is forced to confront truths that could shatter their world. This sharp, drama-filled mystery by the author of The Counselors is perfect for readers who love messy friendships and dark summer secrets.

My Roman Summer by Bruna De Luca

If you’re not travelling this summer, you might as well travel through a book! While spending the summer working at her grandmother’s bar in Rome, Livia is determined to avoid becoming the girl who falls for a local. But between family drama, new friendships, and her frustrating yet very cute co-worker, Giulio, that plan quickly falls apart. My Roman Summer is perfect for fans of Love & Gelato and Anna and the French Kiss.

Shadow Reaper by Lynette Noni

If you’re looking for a high-stakes enemies-to-lovers romance, you won’t want to miss the first book in a brand-new fantasy duology. With her city under threat from deadly blackmist and ruthless reapers, Viri is determined to stop the man who killed her parents. But when she’s forced to team up with his most dangerous follower, she’s drawn into a risky alliance of secrets, betrayal, and unexpected attraction. It’s perfect for fans of Fourth Wing.

The Heirs by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

If you’re a fan of The Inheritance Games and Holly Jackson, you won’t want to miss this mystery, packed with twists, tension, and high-stakes family drama. When a billionaire father is murdered at his own Prodigy Ball, his five brilliant and deeply secretive children become the prime suspects. Trapped in their mansion as the investigation unfolds, each sibling must confront the truth about their upbringing and the man who shaped them.

The League of Dangerous Young Ladies by J.A. Morgenstein

In a world of monsters and mystery, Rose Moriarty, the daughter of Sherlock Holmes’ greatest enemy, has built a reputation for solving crimes and hunting the supernatural. But when a new case pulls her into a dangerous quest filled with strange allies and powerful secrets, she’s forced to confront challenges she can’t outthink alone. With Enola Holmes meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes, this action-packed fantasy blends mystery, adventure and a touch of romance.

The Music of Us by Emerald Alexandrea

Lucy is trying to save her mom’s struggling cat café when she reaches out to her ex-best friend—now a famous boy band star. As they team up for a livestream event, old feelings resurface, even as Lucy tries to keep things strictly business. The Music of Us is a fun, flirty friends-to-lovers romance perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and sweet, feel-good love stories.

The Spiritualists by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

Haunted by her sister’s death, a gifted clairvoyant named Stella scrapes by in early 1900s New York, using her psychic abilities to survive. When a mysterious thief pulls her into a secret group of mystics promising revenge, she’s drawn into a dangerous world where nothing is as it seems. The Spiritualists is an atmospheric fantasy blending mystery, magic, and high-stakes secrets, with The Witch Haven meets Divine Rivals vibes.

Their Will Undone by R.K. Valldeperas

Their Will Undone is the first book in a new romantic fantasy duology. Chosen to become the emperor’s bride, Nina is taken from her home and sent on a dangerous journey to the palace—one that forces her into close quarters with her guarded escort, Kasik. As tension turns into something more, Nina must also grapple with a mysterious magic awakening within her.

Where You’ll Find Us by Jen St. Jude

After being disowned by their parents, Calla feels their future slipping away—until they discover a mysterious house outside of time that offers refuge to queer teens across history. There, they begin to explore their identity as Cal, free from the pressures of the outside world. But when time suddenly starts moving again, Cal must decide what it means to hold onto the past while still fighting for a future. Where You’ll Find Us is the perfect book to kick-start your June 2026 reading plans.

Her Sharp Embrace by Kate Koenig

Set in a New Orleans-inspired city, Noa trades her privileged life for a place among the Nightshades—a crew of magical outlaws fighting corruption. But as danger closes in and her past threatens to catch up with her, Noa must protect both her found family and the girl she’s falling for. The first in a queer fantasy duology, Her Sharp Embrace is perfect for readers who love lush settings, high stakes and sapphic romance.

I Am Not a Vampire (Anymore) by Darcy Miller

All Lily wanted was a normal senior year, but when a classmate turns into a vampire, her past comes back to haunt her. Suddenly, she’s dealing with immortal exes, supernatural chaos, and a life she thought she’d left behind. If you’re looking for something dark, funny, and a fresh take on vampire stories, this one is a fun ride!

Kingdom of Waves by Melissa de la Cruz

The first in a new fantasy duology, Kingdom of Waves is perfect for fans of Six of Crows and high-stakes, slow-burn romance. When two rival thieves set out to steal the same powerful relic, their paths and loyalties collide. But the treasure holds magic that could change the fate of their people, raising the stakes far beyond a simple heist. You won’t want to miss this new release from Melissa de la Cruz!

Such a Lucky Girl by Wendy Heard

If you’re a fan of Rory Power and Tiffany D. Jackson, you’ll want to pick up Such a Lucky Girl. Bella built her influencer empire by leaving her old life and her best friend behind. But when Kerry turns to dark, jealousy-fueled magic for revenge, things spiral into something far more dangerous than either of them expected. It’s an eerie thriller that explores obsession, power, and the cost of luck.

Tangled Roots & Wild Dreams by Angela Velez

With Never Have I Ever meets Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute vibes, this one is going to be a hit with so many readers! Ezzie is juggling secrets left and right, from her summer internship to her very off-limits crush, all while trying to avoid thinking about her future. But when she starts uncovering the hidden side of her late father’s life, everything she thought she knew begins to shift. It’s a heartfelt story that blends humour, identity and figuring out what comes next.

Tell Me My Future by Eileen M. Ruvane

Kess pretends to be a psychic to uncover the truth about a mysterious past, but things get complicated when her visions start coming true. As she digs into a long-buried murder, she begins to suspect her own mother may be involved. This twisty debut blends suspense, secrets and a chilling race against time. It’s perfect for fans of Krystal Sutherland and Courtney Summers.

Together We See by Ari Tison

If you loved Firekeeper’s Daughter, you won’t want to miss Together We See. After her father’s mysterious death, Ulá returns to her family’s Indigenous land in Costa Rica, determined to uncover the truth. What she finds pulls her into a dangerous fight against powerful forces willing to do anything to protect their secrets. It’s a gripping mystery that weaves grief, justice and environmental themes into one unforgettable story.

A Great and Powerful Tyranny by Victoria Carbol

If you’re a fan of retellings, you need to pick up A Great and Powerful Tyranny. After learning that her grandmother has been hiding the truth about her mother’s past, Thia is pulled into a dangerous, magical world through a mysterious mirror. There, she must navigate curses, power struggles, and an unexpected connection with a girl who may be just as lost as she is. It’s a dark, sapphic reimagining of The Wizard of Oz that’s perfect if you’re looking for something atmospheric, twisty, and a little haunting.

Ancient History Between Us by Kaitlyn Hill

Reunited in Italy after years apart, former best friends Cammie and West are forced to confront the fallout from the kiss that ruined everything. As they team up to uncover a family secret, their summer adventure quickly becomes far more complicated. Ancient History Between Us is a second-chance romance that delivers all the swoony Italian summer feels you could want!

Checking You Out by Jennifer Chen

Lizzie starts falling for a mystery reader who shares her favourite books—through notes hidden in library pages. But in real life, she can’t stand Dylan, the last person she’d expect to have anything in common with. With Dash & Lily meets XO, Kitty vibes, this sweet rom-com is about being yourself and finding love where you least expect it.

Doe by Rebecca Barrow

Doe is a chilling horror that explores ambition, power, and the price of a deal you can’t undo. When a fierce rivalry threatens her spot on the cheer team, Maris turns to a strange, dreamlike creature that promises to help her win. But as her connection to the ancient being deepens, she realizes the cost of victory may be far more dangerous than she imagined. Perfect for fans of Krystal Sutherland and Tiffany D. Jackson!

The Lovers, the Liars and Me by DeAndra Davis

Jaliya heads to Jamaica, determined to uncover the truth about her estranged mother—but the trip quickly becomes far more personal. As she navigates family secrets, new connections, and an unexpected love triangle, she begins to question who she’s always been. The Lovers, the Liars and Me is a coming-of-age story of self-discovery, romance, and summer vibes.

The Monsters We Made by Peyton June

To save her family’s ranch, Claire forges evidence of a local cryptid—but the lie spirals when a paranormal vlogger arrives, determined to uncover the truth. As strange events escalate and people start disappearing, the mystery becomes all too real. This eerie, queer thriller blends small-town secrets with something truly unsettling beneath the surface.

The Romance Rewind by Sarah Everett

After a breakup and a sudden accident leaves her boyfriend in a coma, Zadie is given an unexpected second chance—reliving their relationship from the very beginning. But as she tries to fix what went wrong, new complications and secrets make things even messier. Perfect for fans of The Do-Over and Check & Mate, this swoony time-loop romance is full of twists, second chances, and what-ifs.

The Vacation Shift by Lily Chu

Ivy’s summer trip to Japan is already off to a rough start—until she teams up with a fellow teen to keep their parents from falling for each other. What begins as a chaotic plan to play matchmaker quickly turns into something far more complicated. Full of banter, travel mishaps and unexpected romance, it sounds perfect for fans of The Parent Trap!

13 Little Love Stories: An Anthology Inspired by Taylor Swift Songs by Penguin Young Readers Group

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s most iconic songs, this anthology brings together thirteen authors to reimagine her lyrics as swoony, heartfelt love stories. From first love to heartbreak to self-discovery, each story captures a distinct “era” and emotional vibe. Perfect for Swifties, this collection is one you’ll want to revisit again and again. I can’t wait to read this one!

Cursed Ever After by Andy C. Naranjo

If you’re looking for something like Once Upon a Broken Heart meets The Princess Bride, I think you’ll like this one! Cursed with terrible luck, Risa is sent on a dangerous quest to escort a charming yet very annoying prince through a deadly forest. But what begins as a simple task quickly becomes a high-stakes adventure filled with assassins, magic, and a romance she didn’t see coming. It’s a witty fantasy packed with banter, danger, and heart.

The River She Became by Emily Varga

By day, Yaseema serves the empire that conquered her people, but by night, she secretly steals back the magic they’ve lost. When she ventures into the dangerous fae realm in search of a powerful relic, she’s forced into an uneasy alliance with a captain who hides secrets of his own. The first in a new romantasy duology, this action-packed story is perfect for fans of The Mummy, offering high-stakes adventure and slow-burn romance.

When Dealing with Dragons by Dana Swift

When Dealing with Dragons is a high-stakes romantasy that blends a rivals-to-allies romance with a story about protecting what matters most. Farren is determined to protect dragons from those who exploit them—especially her rival James, whose family is tied to their abuse. But when they’re forced to work together at a dragon sanctuary, secrets, tension, and unexpected feelings surface.

Winners & Liars by Aleema Omotoni

When a prestigious summer gathering turns into a cutthroat inheritance contest, Derin finds herself fighting for a life-changing prize—and uncovering dangerous secrets along the way. As rivalries intensify and the estate’s dark history comes to light, it becomes clear this game has far higher stakes than she imagined. With Knives Out meets Death at Morning House vibes, this twisty mystery is packed with secrets, ambition, and high-stakes drama.

You Jump First by Myah Ariel

Andie heads into summer determined to finally make things work with her longtime crush—until everything falls apart in the most unexpected way. Teaming up with his recently dumped brother, Tommy, they form a heartbreak pact that quickly turns into something more. This lakeside rom-com is full of messy feelings, banter, and second chances—perfect for your summer reading plans!