Young Adult New Releases December 2023
December has the least amount of new releases every year, but there are some really great titles hitting shelves this month, just not enough for us to post every week, especially due to holidays! So every book listed below is out this month, and I highly recommend preordering now, or add some to your wishlists, and remind everyone books make the best presents! You can peep what you may have missed in November on our Bookshop page!
Every Time You Go Away
by Abigail JohnsonPublished by: Inkyard Press
on December 5, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Abigail Johnson draws a searing and lyrical portrait of grief, forgiveness, and the kind of love that blooms in the aftermath.
Eight years ago, Ethan and Rebecca met, two trouble-making kids sharing secrets and first kisses in a treehouse, until Ethan’s mom returned to take him away. Each and every visit, his only goodbye was a flower on Rebecca’s windowsill.
Three years ago, Ethan left for the last time to take care of his mother, who’s struggled with addiction his whole life.
Two years ago, Rebecca was in a car accident that killed her father. She’s been learning to navigate life as a wheelchair user ever since.
Now, they discover if their hardships have torn them apart…or will bring them closer than ever.
Make Me a Liar
by Melissa LandersPublished by: Disney-Hyperion
on December 5, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
Veronica Mars gets a fantastical twist in this novel about a girl with a transferrable consciousness, who uses her power for good, only to have it turned on her when someone uses her body to commit murder. Now she must solve the crime before the killer comes after her.
Caught red handed... for a crime she didn't commit.
Within the secret circles of Harvey Davis High School, everyone knows Tia Dante is worth her weight in hall passes. Using her genetic gift of transferable consciousness, she can slip inside your mind and do your dirty work—humiliate your cheating boyfriend, bring a bully to his knees, tell your boss where to stick it—and then return your body with no one the wiser. No task is too awkward, and unlike the competition, she takes care of business without peeking at your goods.
But while Tia is occupied during a routine payback mission, someone uses her body for a few dirty deeds of their own…like murdering the town prosecutor. With the crime caught on camera and no concrete alibi, Tia is forced to ask her infuriatingly gorgeous ex—Nash Brock--to help unravel the mystery. The heat is on, in more ways than one, and a few stray bullets later, Tia is in a frantic race against the clock to find the killer before they find her.
Caught in a Bad Fauxmance (Joy Revolution)
by Elle Gonzalez RosePublished by: Joy Revolution
on Dec 5th 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
A fresh, fun contemporary rom-com from debut author Elle Gonzalez Rose, about an aspiring artist who agrees to fake date one of his family’s longtime enemies in the hopes of gathering intel good enough to take down their rivals once and for all.
Devin Baez is ready for a relaxing winter break at Lake Andreas. That is, until he runs into his obnoxious next-door neighbors the Seo-Cookes, undefeated champions of the lake’s annual Winter Games. In the hope of finally taking down these long-time rivals, the Baezes offer up their beloved cabin in a bet. Reckless? Definitely.
So when annoyingly handsome Julian Seo-Cooke finds himself in need of a fake boyfriend, Devin sees an opportunity to get behind enemy lines and prove the family plays dirty.
As long as Devin and Julian’s families are at war, there’s only room for loathing between them. Which is a problem because, for Devin, this faux game of love is feeling very real.
This Cursed Light (The Last Finestra, #2)
by Emily ThiedePublished by: Wednesday Books
on December 5, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
The highly-anticipated sequel to the epic romance hailed as one of the best fantasies of the year!
When the gods make the rules, the players must choose: Sacrifice their love to save the world, or choose love and let it burn?
Six months after saving their island from destruction and almost losing Dante, Alessa is ready to live happily ever after with her former bodyguard. But Dante can't rest, haunted by a conviction that the gods aren't finished with them yet. And without his powers, the next kiss from Alessa could kill him.
Desperate for answers, Dante enlists Alessa and their friends to find the exiled ghiotte in hopes of restoring his powers and combining forces with them to create the only army powerful enough to save them all. But Alessa is hiding a deadly consequence of their last fight--a growing darkness that's consuming her mind--and their destination holds more dangers than anyone bargained for. In the mysterious city of the banished, Dante will uncover secrets, lies, and ghosts from his past that force him to ask himself: Which side is he on?
When the gods reveal their final test, Dante and Alessa will be the world's last defense. But if they are the keys to saving the world, will their love be the price of victory?
In This Cursed Light, Dante and Alessa face their most daunting challenge yet when the Gods demand they prove their worth by choosing the ultimate sacrifice to save humanity, once and for all.
Missing
by Savannah BrownPublished by: Sourcebooks Fire
on December 5, 2023
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
A brooding, atmospheric novel about the mysterious vanishing of a singer from a remote island, and the teenage runaway determined to uncover the truth.
When promising young singer Roxy Raines vanishes from the tiny resort of Sandown, the island locals refuse to speak about it to anyone they deem outsiders, instead proclaiming Roxy a teenage runaway.
Thirty years later, seventeen-year-old Mona Perry comes to the island resolute in her search for the real reason behind Roxy's disappearance. Armed with a suitcase and a microphone, Mona only has one hot summer to get to the bottom of Roxy's story and record it all for her podcast and fans.
But as Mona gets drawn deeper into the strange, isolated community, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems--least of all Mona's own past and the disappearance of someone close to her.
The Ruined (The Beautiful, #4)
by Renée AhdiehPublished by: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
on December 5, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
The stunning conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling quartet that began with The Beautiful.
The Sylvan Vale and the Sylvan Wyld are at war. Now that the unsteady truce between them has been broken, lines must be drawn. In an effort to protect the weakened Winter Court, Bastien rallies powerful allies and friends in New Orleans to come to their aid.
Meanwhile, under protection alongside her injured mother in the Summer Court, Celine is uncertain of whom to trust. She cannot get word to Bastien, and does not understand why he has not returned. When she realizes war between the fey courts is imminent, she journeys with Ali in an effort to find the time traveling mirror and change their fate.
But when Celine's rivals realize Bastien has rallied his allies in the mortal world, they decide to take the fight to him.
Our Cursed Love
by Julie AbePublished by: Wednesday Books
on December 12, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
Six days to remember.Love or lose him forever.
Remy Kobata has always wished she was destined to be with her best friend, Cam Yasuda. All the way from being neighbors from birth to mixing up magical prank potions together to their “just friends” homecoming date during their senior year in high school, nothing’s a secret between Remy and Cam—except for how much she is in love with him.
Remy is trying to work up the courage to confess her feelings during their winter break trip to Japan, when she gets selected for a mystical tea leaves reading and it reveals that they’re not meant to be together. After they stumble upon a secret magical apothecary in the back alleys of Tokyo, Remy and Cam are offered an ancient soulmate elixir, created before all love potions were banned by the magical government. They each have their reasons for wanting to take it, but what could go wrong with finding your soulmate a little earlier?
Except, after they drink up, their senior year trip flips into the worst vacation ever: Cam has forgotten who she is. If Remy can't help Cam remember her by midnight New Year’s Eve, they’ll both be cursed to forget each other. To unravel their past and rewrite the future, Remy and Cam must travel through Tokyo to rediscover Cam’s memories and make new ones—and maybe even fall in love all over again.
Her Dark Wings
by Melinda SalisburyPublished by: Delacorte Press
on Dec 12th 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Retellings, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
In this powerful, passionate reimagining of the Persephone myth for fans of Lore Olympus and Melissa Albert, two former best friends--split apart by betrayal--find themselves reunited in the Underworld. But will either one make it out, or will the darkness that's growing in each of them consume them whole?
For all of Corey's life, it's been Bree and Corey, Corey and Bree. Best friends, the girls are inseparable--until a devastating betrayal leaves Corey shattered and alone. Corey is sure nothing could hurt more, until Bree suddenly dies. Now Corey is heartbroken and furious. How can she mourn her one-time friend when she is still so angry at her?
Yet Corey and Bree's tale is far from finished. When Corey accidentally catches a glimpse of Bree's spirit passing into the afterlife, she finds herself face to face with a god pulled from the darkest myths of her girlhood: Hades, lord of the dead.
Turns out, the legends are real. But Hades is different from what Corey imagined--and so are the Furies, terrifying and beautiful creatures who encourage Corey to embrace her rage. The more Corey discovers about the Underworld, the more her own power stirs. But can she resist the lure of the darkness within?
Where There's Smoke
by E.B. VickersPublished by: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
on December 12, 2023
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
In this fast-paced thriller, eighteen-year-old Calli finds herself alone after the loss of her father--until a bruised and broken girl shows up on her property, forcing her to face the present, rethink her future, and unearth the skeletons of her own past.
Life has never been easy in the small desert town of Harmony, but even on the day Calli Christopher buries her father, she knows she is surrounded by people who care about her. But after the funeral, when everyone has finally gone home, Calli discovers a girl on her property. A girl who's dirty and bruised and unable to speak. And petrified.
Calli keeps the girl secret--well, almost secret. She calls her Ash and begins to nurture her back to health. But word spreads in a small town, and soon a detective comes around asking questions about a missing girl from another town. But these only raise more questions--about Ash and about the people Calli knows well. Still, she must ask: is Ash in danger...or is she the danger?
Seven Minutes in Candyland
by Brian WassonPublished by: Quill Tree Books
on December 12, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
"A debut with razor-sharp wit and irresistible charm. Get ready to be swept off your feet by this heart-stopping rom-com that will have you falling head over heels with Wasson's fresh voice." --Kim Johnson, author of This Is My America
This multilayered YA rom-com about follows Kalvin, a guy navigating his parents' impending separation, racial dynamics in his mostly white high school, and a side hustle as a relationship therapist who also sells candy to his patients in need...one of whom is his crush.
Sophomore Kalvin Shmelton has finally perfected his underground candy-selling hustle at school. He keeps his prices reasonable, his inventory fresh, and himself out of the drama. But when a heartbroken Sterling Glistern--Kal's longtime crush--barges into the storage closet where he keeps his candy supply, a new source of income unexpectedly presents itself: relationship therapist. He only meant to help Sterling realize she's dating a jerk--and maybe win her over--but news spreads fast that Kalvin's not just the master of sweets...but hearts, too! And as the son of two famous therapists, he leans into this newfound reputation and the money that comes with it.
The truth, however, is that Kalvin's parents' "perfect" marriage is crumbling. He was supposed to woo the girl of his dreams, fix his parents' relationship, and lend a listening ear to a school full of heartbroken teens. But a jealous boyfriend, a vengeful competitor, and Kalvin's own growing ego threaten those plans, forcing Kal to rethink all he thought he knew about friendship, family, and love.
Heartstopper #5: A Graphic Novel
by Alice OsemanPublished by: Graphix
on December 19, 2023
Genres: Graphic Novel, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
*Now an acclaimed live-action Netflix series!*
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved HEARTSTOPPER series, featuring gorgeous two-color artwork.
Nick and Charlie are very much in love. They've finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick's house... but with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?
By Alice Oseman, winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper encompasses all the small moments of Nick and Charlie's lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.
Contains discussions around mental health and eating disorders, and sexual references.
Lucero (Nocturna, #3)
by Maya MotaynePublished by: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
on December 26, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
The thrilling finale to the #1 Sunday Times and Los Angeles Times bestselling Nocturna trilogy—a sweeping and epic Dominican-inspired fantasy about a face-changing thief and a risk-taking prince who must save their kingdom in the final battle between good and evil magic. Perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi, Sabaa Tahir, and Roseanne A. Brown.
In the aftermath of Sombra’s return, the balance between light and dark magic has been destroyed and chaos has broken out in Castallan and around the world. Sombra’s shadows have taken over to create monstrous versions of everyone Finn and Alfie love, and with war between Castallan and Englass looming, the prince and the thief must band together one last time—to save their entire world.
To stop the magical imbalance, they must find the stone relics of Sombra’s body before the god can unite the pieces and regain his full strengthonce more.
But the laws of magic no longer apply, and with their own magic—and even the laws of time itself—drastically changing at every turn, Finn and Alfie are left on their own to stop Sombra and fulfill their prophecy before it is too late and the darkness reigns.
Will they restore balance to their world or will its light be gone forever?
Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment, #2)
by Rebecca RossPublished by: Wednesday Books
on December 26, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Bookshop
Goodreads
The epic conclusion to the intensely romantic and beautifully written story that started in Divine Rivals.
Two weeks have passed since Iris Winnow returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over. Roman is missing, and the city of Oath continues to dwell in a state of disbelief and ignorance. When Iris and Attie are given another chance to report on Dacre’s movements, they both take the opportunity and head westward once more despite the danger, knowing it’s only a matter of time before the conflict reaches a city that’s unprepared and fracturing beneath the chancellor’s reign.
Since waking below in Dacre’s realm, Roman cannot remember his past. But given the reassurance that his memories will return in time, Roman begins to write articles for Dacre, uncertain of his place in the greater scheme of the war. When a strange letter arrives by wardrobe door, Roman is first suspicious, then intrigued. As he strikes up a correspondence with his mysterious pen pal, Roman will soon have to make a decision: to stand with Dacre or betray the god who healed him. And as the days grow darker, inevitably drawing Roman and Iris closer together…the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.
