Young Adult New Releases August 12th 2025
Happiest of book birthdays to all the YA releases hitting shelves today – you can see most of them below, and you can support our work by using our affiliate links to Bookshop or Libro.fm – two of the best alternatives and they both support indie bookstores with every purchase!
Marisol Acts the Part (Joy Revolution)
by Elle Gonzalez RosePublished by: Joy Revolution
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
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A teen actress lands a role on the same high-profile show as her ex-boyfriend—only for things to get messy when she falls for his cute scene partner—in a dazzling sapphic rom-com from the author of Caught in a Bad Fauxmance.
“A swoony celebrity romance sure to steal your heart.” —Jennifer Dugan, author of Some Girls Do
Actress Marisol Polly-Rodriguez might be entering her flop era. After wrapping up a hit show, she’s neither booked nor busy. Not to mention, her former costar turned boyfriend, Miles, recently dumped her for being an “unserious” performer. Can you imagine?
To prove to Miles—and online trolls—that she takes her craft very seriously, Marisol lands a role on the same upcoming drama series he does. But with the eccentric director constantly rewriting her lines and a snobby castmate trying to upstage her, Marisol quickly realizes that her hope of nabbing an award nomination might be a pipe dream.
The only person she doesn’t have to put on a performance for is the show’s leading lady, Jamila. Marisol hasn’t been able to look away from her since their first audition. Falling for Jamila wasn’t part of Marisol’s plan, but even the most dedicated actors go off script sometimes, right?
Woven From Clay
by Jennifer BirchPublished by: Wednesday Books
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
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In this fresh and imaginative contemporary fantasy, a golem must master the magic that binds her together and finds an unexpected ally in the mysterious boy sent to ensure her demise.
Terra Slater might not know anything about her birth family or where she comes from, but that’s never stopped her, and she fully intends her senior year to be her best yet. Until the dark and mysterious Thorne Wilder―a magical bounty hunter―moves to town, bringing revelations that wreck all of her plans.
When Terra learns she is a golem, not born but crafted from mud and magic by a warlock, her world is upended. Worse, Cyrus Quill, the warlock who made her, is a fugitive, on the run from the witches who want to hold him accountable for his past crimes. But Quill’s sentence is death, which would unravel the threads of magic that hold Terra―and all of the other golems that he crafted―together.
Desperate to save herself and her friends, Terra strikes a deal with Thorne and his coven to preserve the warlock’s life and his magic. If she can prove her worth to the coven by mastering the magic within her, the golems will survive. If she can’t, they’ll perish along with Cyrus. As Thorne helps her to see and manipulate the tapestry of magic that surrounds them, their unexpected alliance evolves into something more and Terra comes to understand the depths of her magic, her humanity, and her love for the people most important to her.
Water in Her Veins
by Shannon SchurenPublished by: Viking Books for Young Readers
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult
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A girl unravels a townwide conspiracy when she moves to her late father’s family estate in this dark small-town fireside mystery.
Sixteen-year-old Lola Boyd suffers from a mysterious disease. Her doctors have no explanation for the chronic lethargy, migraines, and lightheadedness that plague her. But when Lola and her mom and stepdad move to Claret Creek, a small rural Colorado town, to live in her late father’s family home, it’s a chance at a new start. Until her condition becomes even more complicated.
Lola begins having memories that aren’t her own—visions from another time that suggest a conspiracy of lies stretching back over one hundred years. The more Lola researches the town’s history, the local creek known for its ancient healing powers, and its revered Dr. Clarett, the more her suspicions begin to rise. Could these visions have something to do with her illness? And why does it seem that her new friends—and the entire town—are so keen to keep her from digging into their past and questioning their superstitions about the infamous Claret creek?
The more Lola discovers, the more she doubts who can be trusted—including her own mother. Now it’s up to Lola to untangle the web and get to the bottom of a multigenerational mystery. For her family, for the town, and for her future.
Tall Water: A Gripping Teen Graphic Novel Inspired by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
by S.J. Sindu, Dion MBDPublished by: HarperAlley
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Contemporary, Graphic Novel, Young Adult
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A coming-of-age teen graphic novel that follows one girl’s journey to Sri Lanka to reconnect with her long-lost mother during the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.
Ever since she turned sixteen, Nimmi has wanted to see her mother. Though she has a loving but overprotective father and a budding relationship, she yearns to travel to Sri Lanka to confront the mother who refused to leave the island during a war, not even for Nimmi’s sake. Her father is going back for the first time as a reporter on assignment, but he refuses to take her, deeming Sri Lanka too dangerous.
But then Nimmi's mother appears to her in a dream, asking her to come find her, and Nimmi knows she must go. Her father is livid when he sees her at baggage claim, but by then it’s too late, and he reluctantly agrees to help Nimmi make contact with her mother. In Sri Lanka, Nimmi tags along with her father and his guide, past checkpoints and armed soldiers and increasing hints of the war that rages there.
However, the day after Christmas, disaster strikes and a tsunami ravages the island. Stranded amid the devastation and destruction, can Nimmi reunite with her mother? Through her journey, Nimmi might just learn that the person she most needed to find was herself.
Songs for Ghosts
by Clara KumagaiPublished by: Amulet Books
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
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This genre-bending YA novel follows a boy who finds a century-old diary written by a young woman in Nagasaki, Japan—and becomes haunted by her vengeful spirit.
When Japanese-American teenager, Adam, discovers a diary in his attic, he is enthralled by its account of a young woman's life in Nagasaki. A hundred years separate them, yet she, like Adam, is caught between cultures, relationships, and heartbreak.
She also writes of the ghosts that have begun to seek her out, which Adam dismisses as fantasy—until he begins to be haunted by her terrifying spirit. Unravelling the mystery of her identity—and the wrong done to her—seems to be the only way to save himself.
With the help of his new crush on a summer trip to Nagasaki, the two boys race against time to untangle a story that has rippled through generations…
The Nefarious Nights of Willowweep Manor
by Shaenon K. Garrity, Christopher BaldwinPublished by: Margaret K. McElderry Books
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Graphic Novel
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Haley must return to Willowweep to solve the mystery behind her friends vanishing in this hilarious sequel to the “well-paced and humorous…delightfully spirited” (Kirkus Reviews) young adult graphic novel The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor.
Haley is summoned back to the Willowweep pocket universe to deal with a huge crisis: another pocket universe is collapsing, and the survivors are seeking refuge in Willowweep. Haley and herfriends discover that the newcomers are from a mystery-themed universe complete with a blustery colonel, a sweet old spinster, and a butler.
But shortly after their arrival, strange things start happening to Willowweep…the once-Gothic pocket universe is transforming into a whodunit! As the tropes of a detective story start to multiply, a murder rocks Willowweep. And when she searches for the culprit, Haley begins to suspect that one of the newcomers is trying to eradicate Willowweep. One by one, all her friends disappear, and it’s up to Haley to get to the bottom of this mind-boggling mystery. Can she grow past her Gothic romance roots to become a new kind of heroine?
Dream On (Deluxe Edition)
by Jennifer HartmannPublished by: Bloom Books
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
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*Preorder now to receive the limited deluxe edition with gorgeous printed edges*
From USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Hartmann comes an all-new standalone crossover romance filled with heartache and dreams.
Lexington Hall and I were never supposed to collide--he, the golden boy of Hollywood, and me, a small-town dreamer with stars in my eyes. But when we shared the stage in our high school musical, something ignited.
Then, just as quickly, it all fell apart, leaving my dreams in pieces.
Now, four years later, Lex is a household name, turning our past into a television sensation. He's spun our story for the world to see, while I'm still haunted by what we lost.
With millions obsessed over the "real" Stevie St. James, Lex reappears with an offer too tempting to turn down: a fake romance to keep the buzz alive, in exchange for the financial freedom I desperately need.
I convince myself I can play the part. But as old feelings resurface and new risks emerge, the line between fiction and reality begins to blur.
Dreams are easy to chase--but falling for the guy who shattered mine could cost me everything.
The Creeping
by Alexandra SirowyPublished by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Mythology/Folklore, Thriller, Young Adult
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Romance, friendship, and bone-chilling fear fill the pages of this “haunting modern-day folktale” (April Genevieve Tucholke, author of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea) about a teen whose repressed memories begin to surface when a body is discovered in her small town—now with updated text and a brand-new look!
Twelve years ago, Stella and Jeanie vanished while picking strawberries. Stella returned minutes later with no memory of what happened. Jeanie was never seen or heard from again.
Now Stella is seventeen and ready for everyone to move on already. Yes, she’s the lucky survivor of her town’s ugly legacy, but she’s looking forward, not back. This coming summer, Stella has a great best friend, a hookup with an irresistibly crooked smile, and two months of beach days stretching out before her.
Then the body of a little girl washes up in an ancient cemetery after a mudslide, and she has red hair just like Jeanie did. Suddenly memories of that haunting day begin to return, and when Stella discovers that other red-headed girls have gone missing as well, she begins to suspect something sinister is at work.
Before the summer ends, Stella may learn the hard way that when you hunt for monsters, you might find them.
Augmented
by Kenechi UdoguPublished by: Faber & Faber Children's
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Young Adult
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In a future where humans are enhanced to ensure the survival of society, Akaego fights to prevent her power to grow plants from being weaponised by a corrupt regime.
In a near future London where extreme weather has depleted plant life, sixteen-year-olds must surgically augment an ability to ensure humanity's survival. Having spent years training as a coder, Akaego moves to a music academy after the discovery of her rare ability - she can project a vocal frequency that accelerates plant growth.
As Akaego learns to use her new skill and is chosen for a prestigious internship with the Mayor she begins to feel like she can really make a difference to society . . . and it doesn't hurt that the Mayor's gorgeous son, Joon, seems to be flirting with her.
But all is not as it seems. When the Freestakers, an anti-enhancement group, warn Akaego not to get augmented, she must learn to trust her instincts as she discovers the terrible truth of her ability and the lengths people are willing to go to to control it . . .
Two Weeks to Fall in Love
by Kat FeatherlyPublished by: Wattpad Books
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
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For fans of contemporary, humorous, clean teen romance by Beth Reekles, Sarah Dessen, and Jenny Han comes a debut novel about uncovering secrets, challenging first impressions, and discovering that love—and people—are far more complicated than they seem.
Noah Archer dates girls for two weeks and then moves on—but none of his exes seem to mind. Skyler Fox can’t figure it out. When her best friend becomes Noah’s latest “victim,” Sky decides it’s time to expose him. Her plan? Be the next girl he dates.
Charming and confident, Noah accepts Sky’s unexpected dating proposal. Beneath his reputation, Noah is searching for something real, driven by a secret. Each short-lived relationship is his way of chasing a connection before it’s too late.
Sky sets out to expose Noah, but the closer she gets, the more she starts to question her motives… and her heart. As their two weeks unfold and Noah’s secrets begin to surface, Sky is forced to confront the one question she never expected: can she be the one to break his two-week streak?
Starstrike (Moonstorm #2)
by Yoon Ha LeePublished by: Delacorte Press
on August 12, 2025
Genres: Sci-Fi, Young Adult
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In this explosive sequel to Moonstorm, teen mecha pilot Hwa Young returns to her rebel roots to fight against the Imperial forces—but, as she grapples with her warring allegiances, who can she really trust? Perfect for fans of Iron Widow and the Skyward series!
Hwa Young and her pilot comrades have betrayed the Empire to save it from its own destruction—but what comes next? It’s been just two months since the lancer squad stopped imperial forces from deploying a devastating singularity bomb and taken shelter with the rebel clanners, who have kept them busy with raids against their ex-leaders. Their mission have helped numb the shock of recent battles… for now.
Meanwhile, Hwa Young’s best friend, technician Geum, has been left behind on the imperial fleet, imprisoned for aiding Hwa Young’s deceit against the Empire. Hwa Young is desperate to retrieve Geum—but Geum is slowly realizing that Hwa Young’s loyalties aren’t as clear cut as zie once believed.
As Hwa Young delves deeper into the rebels’ inner circles, she soon realizes that the clanners are just as cutthroat as the imperials, leaving her to wonder who she can really trust… and at odds with Geum, the one person she thought she could count on.
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