Young Adult New Releases June 13th 2023

Happy New Release Tuesday, check out most of today’s YA new releases below! If you want to see what’s next check out most of June’s YA releases on our Bookshop page. And remember, our original Signed Books page is no longer working it stops with early May – so if you bookmarked it or linked to your blog – please update your links to our new SIGNED BOOKS page – which includes June releases and more!!

Going Bicoastal

by Dahlia Adler
Published by: Wednesday Books
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
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A queer Sliding Doors YA rom-com in which a girl must choose between summer in NYC with her dad (and the girl she's always wanted) or LA with her estranged mom (and the guy she never saw coming).

In Dahlia Adler’s Going Bicoastal, there’s more than one path to happily ever after.

Natalya Fox has twenty-four hours to make the biggest choice of her life: stay home in NYC for the summer with her dad (and finally screw up the courage to talk to the girl she's been crushing on), or spend it with her basically estranged mom in LA (knowing this is the best chance she has to fix their relationship, if she even wants to.) (Does she want to?)

How's a girl supposed to choose?

She can't, and so both summers play out in alternating timelines - one in which Natalya explores the city, tries to repair things with her mom, works on figuring out her future, and goes for the girl she's always wanted. And one in which Natalya explores the city, tries to repair things with her mom, works on figuring out her future, and goes for the guy she never saw coming.

Wolfpack

by Amelia Brunskill
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Thriller, Young Adult
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This shocking, suspenseful novel about a group of teenage girls living in a cult shows the terrifying paranoia and suspicion that emerges when one of them goes missing--perfect for fans of We Were Liars.

Nine girls bound together
in beautiful, virtuous Havenwood,
a refuge from an unsafe world.
Then there are eight,
one of them gone --
departed with no warning.
Did this member of their pack
stray willingly,
or did something more sinister occur?
The girls seek answers
not knowing if they should be angry
or frightened
or perhaps,
they should be both.

Everyone Wants to Know

by Kelly Loy Gilbert
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
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This ripped-from-the-tabloids young adult drama by the critically acclaimed author Kelly Loy Gilbert about a girl's famous-for-being-famous family fracturing from within as their dirty laundry gets exposed.

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--threatening the aspirational image the Los' brand (and livelihood) depends on.

After one of her best friends leaks their private conversation to a gossip site, bruised and betrayed Honor pours all her energy into reuniting her family. With her parents 3,000 miles apart, her siblings torn into factions, and all of them under claustrophobic public scrutiny, this is easier said than done. Just when Honor feels at her lowest, a guarded yet vulnerable boy named Caden comes into her life and makes her want something beyond the tight Lo inner circle for the first time. But is it fair to open her heart to someone new when the people she loves are teetering on the edge of ruin?

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.

Something Close to Magic

by Emma Mills
Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal, Young Adult
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A baker’s apprentice reluctantly embarks on an adventure full of magic, new friendships, and a prince in distress in this deliciously romantic young adult fantasy that’s perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Gail Carson Levine.

It’s not all sugar and spice at Basil’s Bakery, where seventeen-year-old Aurelie is an overworked, underappreciated apprentice. Still, the job offers stability, which no-nonsense Aurelie values highly, so she keeps her head down and doesn’t dare to dream big—until a stranger walks in and hands her a set of Seeking stones. In a country where Seeking was old-fashioned even before magic went out of style, it’s a rare skill, but Aurelie has it.

The stranger, who turns out to be a remarkably bothersome bounty hunter named Iliana, asks for Aurelie’s help rescuing someone from the dangerous Underwood—which sounds suspiciously like an adventure. When the someone turns out to be Prince Hapless, the charming-but-aptly-named prince, Aurelie’s careful life is upended. Suddenly, she finds herself on a quest filled with magic portals, a troll older than many trees (and a few rocks), and dangerous palace intrigue.

Even more dangerous are the feelings she’s starting to have for Hapless. The more time Aurelie spends with him, the less she can stand the thought of going back to her solitary but dependable life at the bakery. Must she choose between losing her apprenticeship—or her heart?

Part of Your World: A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel

by Stephanie Kate Strohm, Liz Braswell, Kelly Matthews, Nichole Matthews
Published by: Disney-Hyperion
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Graphic Novel, Retellings, Young Adult
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What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula? Discover a new side of The Little Mermaid in this darkly romantic reimagining of the classic Disney film--now available as a graphic novel!

Five years ago, Ariel defied her father, King Triton, and traded her voice for the chance to meet Prince Eric. But when Ursula attacked and defeated Ariel, the sea witch took everything: the little mermaid's voice, her prince, and her father's life. Now, Ariel rules as the silent queen of Atlantica, while Ursula, disguised as a beautiful human woman, runs Prince Eric's kingdom on land.

But when Ariel discovers that her father might still be alive, she finds herself returning to a world--and a prince--she never imagined she would see again.

On land, Ariel learns that Ursula has been making the most of her role as princess: plotting, scheming, and waging outright war with neighboring kingdoms. And after Ursula catches wind of Ariel's resurfacing, she threatens to obliterate both land and sea. Will Ariel be able to overthrow the murderous villain bent on destroying her home--along with the world she once longed to be a part of?

In this adaptation of one of the most popular books in the New York Times best-selling Twisted Tale series, brilliantly adapted by Stephanie Kate Strohm, illustrator duo Kelly and Nichole Matthews breathe new life into this story of power, love, and a mermaid's quest to reclaim her voice.

Legends and Liars (Echoes and Empires, #2)

by Morgan Rhodes
Published by: Razorbill
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
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This riveting sequel to Echoes and Empires sees Joss and Jericho team up with some of their greatest enemies—including two of the most powerful mages in the world—to bring an end to the queen’s empire of lies, from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes.

Josslyn Drake is in over her head—again. After fleeing the Queen’s palace with Prince Elian in tow, she’d hoped to finally find a way to solve both of their magical problems in one fell swoop, with the help of criminal-turned-ally Jericho Nox. But Valery, Jericho’s boss—and a notoriously powerful mage—has other plans.

It soon becomes clear that Valery can’t, or won’t, provide assistance. And with her relationship with Jericho more confusing than ever, Joss realizes that she’ll have to find her own way out of this magical mess, with or without help from those around her.

Amid high tensions, Joss sets out to learn to control the memory magic—along with her own natural powers. As the struggle between Lord Banyon and the Queen threatens the people Joss cares about, she stumbles onto hints of a monumental royal secret. Her unwanted power just might hold the answers she needs to solve all her problems—but she’ll have to work quickly, because the fate of an empire hangs in the balance.

Borrow My Heart

by Kasie West
Published by: Delacorte
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
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When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day—and pretends to be his online crush. A young adult romance from the critically acclaimed author of Places We've Never Been.

Wren is used to being called a control freak. She doesn’t care; sticking to the list of rules she created for herself helps her navigate life. But when a cute guy named Asher walks through the door of her neighborhood coffee shop, the rulebook goes out the window.

Asher is cute, charming . . . and being catfished by his online crush. So Wren makes an uncharacteristically impulsive decision—she pretends to be the girl he's waiting for to save him from embarrassment. Suddenly she’s fake-dating a boy she knows nothing about. And it’s . . . amazing.

It's not long before Asher has her breaking even more of her own rules. But will he forgive her when he finds out she's not who she says she is? Wren's not so sure. . . . After all, rules exist for a reason.

Kismat Connection

by Ananya Devarajan
Published by: Inkyard Press
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult
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In this charming YA debut, a girl who’s determined to prove her star chart wrong ropes her longtime best friend into an experimental relationship—not knowing that he has been in love with her for years.

Is it possible to change your fate?

Madhuri Iyer is doomed. Doomed for her upcoming senior year to be a total failure, according to her astrology-obsessed mother, and doomed to a happily ever after with her first boyfriend, according to her family curse.

Determined to prove the existence of her free will, Madhuri devises an experimental relationship with the one boy she knows she’ll never fall for: her childhood best friend, Arjun Mehta. But Arjun’s feelings for her are a variable she didn’t account for.

As Madhuri starts to fall for her experimental boyfriend, she’ll have to decide if charting her own destiny is worth breaking Arjun’s heart—and her own.

What She Missed

by Liara Tamani
Published by: Greenwillow Books
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
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Sixteen-year-old Ebony Jones is devastated when her family moves from Houston to her grandmother’s house in the country. There’s absolutely nothing for Ebony in Alula Lake, Texas. So she thinks.

Award-winning author Liara Tamani’s What She Missed is a rich and emotional novel that celebrates change, nature, friendship, growing up, and love, for readers of Sarah Dessen’s The Rest of the Story and Elizabeth Acevedo’s Clap When You Land.

When Ebony and her parents move from Houston, Texas, to her grandmother’s house in a small lake town, Ebony is sure her life is doomed. And to make matters worse, the ghost of Ebony’s beloved grandmother—a strong swimmer who tragically drowned in the lake—is everywhere. Alula Lake does offer one perk: reconnecting Ebony with her childhood friend, Jalen.

But as Ebony settles into life, she finds herself drifting away from Jalen and gravitating to his older sister, Lena. Lena is chaotic, disorderly, and rebellious, yet she offers a reprieve for the anger and sadness Ebony feels about losing so much.

An ode to nature, art, friendship, history, family, and love, this lyrical coming-of-age story explores one girl’s summer of self-discovery as she reimagines the world and her place in it. What She Missed is for fans of Sarah Dessen, Nina LaCour, and Nicola Yoon.

After the Sirens

by Sharon Farrell
Published by: Blackstone Publishing
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult
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When Cate's parents derail her perfect NYC life with their monumentally ill-timed divorce, she kind of loses it.

By the time she gets it together, she's in Miami with no friends and none of the classes and activities she imagined for her senior year of high school. So, she decides to blow it all up. Do something that defies everyone's expectations.

A chance encounter with an EMS crew at the scene of an accident leads her to start training as an EMT while riding the city ambulances at night. Admittedly, she doesn't understand any of this world. Not the people, not the rules, not the sense of humor. But she hangs in and surprises herself with some previously unknown talents and even a little gut instinct.

The more EMS takes over her life, the more she questions whether going back to New York and back to her old life is really what she wants. Until her complicated relationship with Adrian, a high school classmate and fellow EMT, leads her to take bigger and bigger risks to find the life she was meant to lead.

Together they try to figure it all out--high school, friends, parents, the future... and how to be an EMT and not kill anyone.

Fatima Tate Takes the Cake

by Khadijah VanBrakle
Published by: Holiday House
on June 13, 2023
Genres: Contemporary
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Fatima Tate wants to be a baker AND enjoy some innocent flirting with her hot friend Raheem—but her strict Muslim parents would never approve of either...

Seventeen-year-old Fatima Tate, aspiring baker (100% against her conservative parents’ wishes), leads a pretty normal life in long drives with BFF Zaynab, weekly services at the mosque, big family parties, soup kitchen volunteering (the best way to perfect her flaky dough recipe!), stressing about college. But everything changes when she meets a charming university student named Raheem. Knowing the 'rents would FREAK, Fatima keeps their burgeoning relationship a secret... and then, one day, her parents and his parents decide to arrange their marriage. Amazing! True serendipity!

Except it's not amazing. As soon as the ring is on Fatima’s finger, Raheem’s charm transforms into control and manipulation. Fatima knows she has to call the whole thing off, but Raheem doesn’t like to lose. He threatens to reveal their premarital sexual history and destroy her and her family’s reputation in their tight-knit Muslim community. Fatima must find the inner strength to blaze her own trail by owning her body, her choices, and her future.

Combining the frank authenticity of Elizabeth Acevedo and the complex social dynamics of Ibi Zoboi, FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE is a powerful coming-of-age story that gives a much-needed voice to young Black Muslim women.