Psst, There Are *So* Many YA Fantasy Reads Coming Out This Fall
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We’re halfway through 2023 and book lovers have, of course, one continued thought on their minds… What new books will I add to my TBR? School’s out, the beach is calling, and luckily, there are so many incredible YA books to pore over and pre-order for the rest of the summer. From fascinating fantasies to enchanting romances and spine-tingling murder-mysteries, your favorite authors deliver new and exciting titles to add to your growing book collection.
While exploring important subjects such as love, loss, identity, and race, the best young adult books tell stories that often impart poignant life lessons. So, where do you start in adding to your TBR list for the rest of the year? There are tons of titles, but we’ve narrowed it down for you. Here are the best and most anticipated young adult books of 2023.
Psst… looking for a community of book lovers just like you? Then look no further than Open Book: The Seventeen Book Club. Every winter, spring, summer, and fall, we pick a new YA book to read, discuss, ponder, and gush over. Join us on Discord, and at the reading period’s end, look out for a Seventeen exclusive interview with the novel’s author.
“The Stolen Heir” by Holly Black
Holly Black’s The Stolen Heir is the first book in a duology series from the author. The novel returns to Elfhame and chronicles the perilous adventures of a prince and a changeling queen.
Release date: January 3, 2023
“French Kissing in New York” by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
One night in Paris, Margot meets Zach and falls head over heels in love. One year later, she arrives in New York to start her career as a chef, and hopefully, reunite with Zach. But then she meets the line cook at her restaurant, Ben, and begins to question whether Zach is her one true love after all.
Release date: January 3, 2023
“Cool. Awkward. Black.” by Karen Strong
This multi-genre anthology edited by Karen Strong shares captivating stories that feature exclusively Black characters and per the book’s official description, “challenge the concept of ‘the geek.’” Contributors include Elise Bryant, Leah Johnson, Terry J. Benton-Walker, and Ibi Zoboi.
Release date: January 10, 2023
“Live Your Best Lie” by Jessie Weaver
Summer Cartwright is a high school student and social media influencer who chronicles her seemingly perfect life in beautifully curated posts. She’s even landed a book deal, but during her annual Halloween party, Summer is found dead — and it’s up to those closest to her to find out what happened.
Release date: January 24, 2023
“Begin Again” by Emma Lord
Andie Rose transfers to Blue Ridge State from community college, making her one step closer to her dream of becoming a self-help guru. But upon her arrival on campus, her plans fall apart when she learns that her boyfriend has transferred out of Blue Ridge, her roommate needs a major and Andie has no idea how to help, and her grumpy RA is seemingly determined to ruin her outlook on love and relationships.
Release date: January 24, 2023
“Promise Boys” by Nick Brooks
J.B., Ramón, and Trey attend the prestigious Urban Promise Prep School, where they adhere to high expectations and strict discipline. But when their principal is murdered, the three students become the prime suspects. To prove their innocence, they must unmask the true killer.
Release date: January 31, 2023
“The Davenports” by Krystal Marquis
This is a historical romance perfect for Bridgerton fans. Inspired by the real-life story of C.R. Patterson (the first African American automotive manufacturer) and his family, The Davenports follows four young Black women — Olivia, Helen, Amy-Rose, and Ruby — living in the United States in 1910 and learning how to forge their own path in following their dreams and finding love.
Release date: January 31, 2023
“Always the Almost” by Edward Underhill
Miles Jacobson is 16, trans, and determined to win back his ex-boyfriend, Shane McIntyre. He’s also intent on defeating his number one opponent in the upcoming piano competition. While Miles has never felt like enough, he then meets new kid Eric Mendez, who seems to understand him better than anyone.
Release date: February 14, 2023
“Chaos Theory” by Nic Stone
A thoughtful, realistic take on mental health as told through the lens of two teens, Andy and Shelbi, who form a friendship and find love while navigating their own sets of challenges.
Release date: February 28,2023
“The Next New Syrian Girl” by Ream Shukairy
This dual narrative takes the perspective of Khadija Shami, a Syrian-American high school student who cannot wait to escape her sheltered life, and Leene Tahir, a Syrian refugee who feels lost in her new suburban Detroit high school. Although their backgrounds are different, the two girls are bonded in the pressure they feel to be the perfect Syrian daughter and soon discover a life-changing truth that brings them even closer together.
Release date: March 14, 2023
“Stars and Smoke” by Marie Lu
Winter Young is a pop sensation who’s been recruited by a private intelligence company, The Panacea Group, to help take down a criminal billionaire. Sydney Cossette, the organization’s youngest agent, poses as Winter’s bodyguard for the mission, and what starts out as palpable tension between the two, soon develops into something more.
Release date: March 28, 2023
“Chaos & Flame” by Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton
Justina Ireland and Tessa Gratton team up to deliver Chaos & Flame, book one in a fantasy duology. After Darling Seabreak’s entire family is murdered by House Dragon and her adopted father is kidnapped in battle, she becomes intent on saving him. She soon comes across Talon Goldhoard, a War Prince for House Dragon. But rather than fight, the two learn that they must band together to save their world.
Release date: March 28, 2023
“Never Vacation with Your Ex“ by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Lauded as a book perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka’s Never Vacation with Your Ex follows 17-year-old Kaylee Jordan and the boy she recently dumped, Dean Freeman-Yu. Kaylee can’t wait for the sanctity of summer… the only problem? She and Dean will be together all summer, as their families vacation together.
Release date: April 4, 2023
“Not Here to Stay Friends” by Kaitlyn Hill
Reality TV lovers, this one is for you. Kaitlyn Hill’s Not Here to Stay Friends follows two childhood friends, Sloane and Liam, who reunite after five years when they both end up on a Bachelor-esque teen dating show.
Release date: April 4, 2023
“Queen Bee” by Amalie Howard
Another historical romance set in a Bridgerton-esque setting? Yes pls. After she was betrayed by her best friend and her reputation was ruined, Lady Ela Dalvi returns home under the guise of a mysterious heiress, intent on getting revenge on all who played a part in her downfall. But Ela’s reunion with her one true love, Lord Keston Osborn, makes her falter in her plans.
Release date: April 4, 2023
“Throwback” by Maurene Goo
Samantha Kang is the daughter of a first-generation Asian American immigrant. She and her mom, Priscilla, have never seen eye to eye. Then, after one particularly bad fight, Sam suddenly realizes she’s back in high school — in the ‘90s, with her 17-year-old mom.
Release date: April 11, 2023
“Viva Lola Espinoza” by Ella Cerón
Lola Espinoza sets off to Mexico City to spend the summer with her grandmother. There, she meets and falls for charming Rio — but soon discovers that she’s been cursed, and to truly fall in love, she must break it. So she enlists the help of Javi, who promises to help rid Lola of the curse once and for all.
Release date: April 11, 2023
“Imogen, Obviously”
Imogen Scott, “hopelessly heterosexual,” is a passionate queer ally to her little sister and her best friends, Gretchen and Lili. So during her spring break of senior year, she’s thrilled to visit newly-out Lili at the college she herself will be attending in the fall. There, she learns that Lili told a tiny lie: she and Imogen used to date. A ride-or-die friend, Imogen pretends to be bisexual for Lili, but the more time she spends with Lili’s new friend Tessa, the more she explores her true sexuality and identity.
Release date: May 2, 2023
“Flirting with Fate” by J.C. Cervantes
After missing the chance to be by her grandmother’s bedside the night she passed away, Ava Granados is determined to reclaim the mythical blessing she left behind — even it means befriending the mysterious boy she got into a fender bender with the night her grandma died.
Release date: May 2, 2023
“Liar’s Beach” by Katie Cotugno
Dubbed as a new take on Agatha Christie’s thriller The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Katie Cotugno’s Liar’s Beach takes place on idyllic Martha’s Vineyard, where Michael Linden’s been invited to spend the summer with his wealthy boarding school roommate, Jasper. But their carefree summer is cut short when a body is found unconscious in Jasper’s pool. No one will fess up, and Linden soon becomes convinced that the house is fraught with liars. The only person to crack the case is his best friend, Holiday Proctor, who’s poised to unmask the mysterious killer.
Release date: May 2, 2023
“Melt With You” by Jennifer Dugan
Former besties Fallon and Chloe hooked up last summer, and after multiple misunderstandings, haven’t spoken in several months. But their moms own a gourmet ice cream truck, which means that, one year later, Fallon and Chloe must work side-by-side all summer long — a conundrum made even more complicated when they’re tasked to drive (just the two of them) to prominent food festivals across the country.
Release date: May 9, 2023
“The Rules of Us” by Jennifer Nissley
Jillian and Henry were the ultimate power couple, but after they come out as gay to each other on the same night, they break up. Despite their split, they vow to stay best friends, even as new romances inevitably begin to pull them apart.
Release date: May 9, 2023
“Hollow Fires” by Samira Ahmed
Safiya Mirza, who dreams of becoming a journalist, uncovers the dead body of 14-year-old Jawad Ali. Jawad had recently built a cosplay jetpack, but when a teacher mistook it for a bomb, he was arrested, labeled a terrorist, then killed. With his voice helping her through her investigation, Safiya is intent on telling Jawad’s story — and unraveling the truth about those who killed him.
Release date: May 10, 2023
“Fake Dates and Mooncakes” by Sher Lee
While working towards winning a mooncake-making competition in memory of his mom, teen chef Dylan Tang meets cute, wealthy Theo Somers. Theo invites Dylan to be his “fake date” at a wedding in the Hamptons, and Dylan soon finds himself truly falling for Theo — until Theo’s family reveals their true selves and Dylan is caught between love and saving his family’s restaurant.
Release date: May 16, 2023
“Her Good Side” by Rebekah Weatherspoon
After a couple hiccups in dating, Bethany Greene and Jacob Yeun decide to “fake date” for a bit of practice in love and relationships and the chance to build their confidence. Their plan works, but things get a little complicated when their once-fabricated connection begins to feel... real.
Release date: May 30, 2023
“The Evergreen Heir” by A.K. Mulford
The fourth book in the Five Crowns of Okrith series finally arrives this June. Neelo Emberspear, a neurodivergent, non-binary heir to their kingdom’s throne, would rather live out their life in the library than adhere to their royal responsibilities — or their arranged marriage. But in their quest to save their ailing mother (and their empire), the heir finds themselves unexpectedly falling for their soon-to-be husband.
Release date: June 13, 2023
“Invisible Son” by Kim Johnson
After Andre Jackson is released from juvie — where he was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit — he’s counting on his friendships with the Whitaker kids, and his crush Sierra, to help him return to a sense of normalcy. But Sierra’s brother Eric is missing, and their adoptive parents seem to be hiding something. Andre decides to take matters into his own hands and in finding Eric, hopes he can unveil the truth about his arrest.
Release date: June 27, 2023
“I’m Not Here to Make Friends” by Andrew Yang
When Sabine Zhang and Yoona Bae get cast on teen reality show Hotel California, they can’t wait for the sunny escape and opportunity to make a name for themselves. But producers have a different idea, and the two girls soon find themselves struggling to control their own narrative as the season finale nears.
Release date: July 18, 2023
“One of Us Is Back” by Karen M. McManus
The third book in the One of Us Is Lying series is almost here. It’s been two years since Simon’s death, and a member of the Bayview Crew has disappeared. Everyone is a target, but when someone from their past suddenly resurfaces, things take a deadly turn.
Release date: July 25, 2023
“House of Roots and Ruin” by Erin A. Craig
Seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas and her older sister, Camille, live at their family’s estate until the Duchess of Bloem asks Verity to come to their home and paint a portrait of her son, Alexander. Despite Camille’s warnings, Verity heads off to Bloem... and falls into a romance with Alexander. But it’s not long until nightmares begin to plague the young artist.
Release date: July 25, 2023
“Everyone’s Thinking It” by Aleema Omotoni
At Wodebury Hall, an elite boarding school in the English countryside, cousins Iyanu and Kitan don’t run in the same circles. Iyanu prefers to observe life behind her camera, while Kitan hangs with the popular crowd. But a mystery unfolds when photos from Iyanu’s camera are stolen and scribbled with students’ secrets just a week before the Valentine’s Day Ball.
Release date: August 3, 2023
“Forged by Blood” by Ehigbor Okosun
Inspired by Nigerian mythology, Forged by Blood follows Dèmi, a young woman fighting to survive in a tyrannical society and seeking revenge for the murder of her mother and her people. Penned by debut author Ehigbor Okosun, Forged by Blood is the first book in the Tainted Blood duology.
Release date: August 8, 2023
“Foxglove” by Adalyn Grace
The sequel to Belladonna (a 2022 Seventeen Open Book Club pick!) arrives this fall and continues Signa and Death’s story after a duke is murdered and the lord of Thorn Grove, Elijah Hawthorne, has been framed. Signa and her cousin, Blythe Hawthorne, put their faith in Fate, but new mysteries and misdeeds make them question who they can truly trust.
Release date: August 22, 2023
“American Royals IV: Reign” by Katharine McGee
Book 4 in the American Royals series is almost here... and the Washington family is in crisis mode. Queen Beatrice is in a coma, Princess Samantha is missing, and Prince Jefferson has ascended to the throne. Where does the family — and the throne — go from here?
Release date: August 29, 2023
“Your Lonely Nights Are Over” by Adam Sass
When their high school Queer Club is targeted by notorious, at-large serial killer Mr. Sandman, besties Dearie and Cole must race to unmask the true killer before they’re framed as the murderers.
Release date: September 12, 2023
“The Society for Soulless Girls” by Laura Steven
Ten years ago, four students were murdered in the North Tower of the exclusive Carvell College of Arts. The school consequently closed, but now, its reopening and freshman student Lottie will stop at nothing to discover what truly happened that fateful night — especially since her roommate, Alice, just became the North Tower’s latest victim.
Release date: September 19, 2023
“My Real Life Rom-Com” by Carrie Berk
In this part-memoir, part-relationship guide, 20-year-old TikTok influencer and author Carrie Berk recounts the highs and lows of teen dating, from first love to first heartbreak and everything in between. Drawing from real-life experiences, Carrie details how to *actually* navigate makeups and breakups, situationships and relationships, but most of all, she imparts tried-and-true wisdom on how to build confidence and how to nurture the most important relationship in your life: the one with yourself.
Release date: September 19, 2023
“Check & Mate” by Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood’s latest, Check & Mate, follows burnt-out chess player Mallory Greenleaf, who’s ready to resign after one last match against current world champion, “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer. She defeats Nolan with ease, and suddenly, the game, the competition, and the much-needed cash prizes seem much more enticing.
Release date: November 7, 2023
“Artifacts of an Ex” by Jennifer Chen
After moving from New York City to Los Angeles and getting dumped via USPS, Chloe Chang is inspired to turn heartache into healing. She purchases other people’s break-up boxes, opens an art exhibition aptly named “Heartifacts,” and on opening night, meets Daniel Kwak. She falls head-over-heels, but there’s just one thing... Daniel refuses to be another rebound.
Release date: November 14, 2023
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