| It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly BourneHappily ever after? No such thing, as far as Audrey's concerned. After her parents' divorce and a painful breakup of her own, she begins a project to deconstruct rom-coms, all while trying to resist the charms of flirty cinema coworker Harry.
Who it's for: savvy romance fans who like to criticize well-worn tropes and savor them at the same time.
Reviewers say: "A wild ride that's high on drama and deep in self-reflection" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| These Violent Delights by Chloe GongWhat it is: a bloody and fantastical retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai.
Featuring: Juliette Cai, ruthless heir to the Chinese Scarlet Gang; her ex, Roma Montagov, leader of the rival Russian White Flowers; and rumors of a guài -- a monster -- inflicting madness on people across the city.
Why you might like it: Combining the intensity of Shakespeare's tragedy with an intriguing mystery and a cast of unrepentant criminals, These Violent Delights offers historical fantasy with an edge. |
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| Master of One by Jaida Jones and Dani BennettWhat it's about: After a sorcerer forces foul-mouthed thief Rags to steal a treasure from the trap-filled Lost-Lands of the extinct fae, Rags awakens the handsome, not-so-extinct fae prince Shining Talon, kicking off a chain reaction of revelations and revolution.
Why you might like it: Witty dialogue, winsome romance, an inclusive cast of narrators, and a fast-paced plot will keep you riveted to this series opener.
For fans of: Holly Black's faerie fantasies. |
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| The Cousins by Karen M. McManusWelcome to: Gull Cove Island, the luxe resort where cousins Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story have been summoned.
What happens: The cousins hope to learn why their reclusive grandmother, the resort's owner, disinherited their parents years ago. But will uncovering the disturbing truth about their family mean revealing their own secrets?
Author alert: Clear your schedule before reading this latest twisty tale from the author of One of Us Is Lying -- you won't want to put it down. |
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| Super Fake Love Song by David YoonOne tiny lie: Even though he prefers D&D and cosplay to loud music, 17-year-old Sunny Dae doesn't correct Cirrus Soh, the impossibly cool new girl, when she mistakenly thinks he's in a rock band.
One big mess: Getting closer to Cirrus leads Sunny to keep up the deception, and as he forms a makeshift band and pretends to be confident, he almost believes it himself...until his scheme falls apart.
Read it for: smart humor, authentic guy friendships, and hard-won self-realization. |
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| Love from A to Z by S.K. AliWhat it's about: When they meet on a spring break trip to Qatar, Adam and Zayneb discover that they have a lot in common: both Muslim, both mourning, and both harboring big secrets. Soon, they're taking turns sharing from their journals, leading to clashes and connection alike.
Why you might like it: This realistic romance captures not only the exhilaration and heartache of love, but also offers an insider's perspective on growing up Muslim. |
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| Love Letters to the Dead by Ava DellairaWhat it's about: First-year high school student Laurel is assigned to write just one letter to a dead person, but once she starts, she can't stop, because the journal-like letters help her handle her own grief for her older sister, May.
Who she writes to: Amy Winehouse, Heath Ledger, and Amelia Earhart, among others.
Is it for you? This emotionally intense read is best for readers who are, like Laurel, ready to confront pain and trauma in order to find healing. |
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| This Light Between Us by Andrew FukudaFeaturing: Japanese American Alex Maki and French Jewish Charlie Lévy, two long-time pen-pals whose connection is interrupted when World War II puts them both in danger and captivity -- Charlie at the hands of the Nazis, and Alex at the hands of his own government.
Why you might like it: Inspired by real events and filled with you-are-there historical details, this dramatic, thought-provoking story offers a compelling look at war, loyalty, and friendship. |
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| Technically, You Started It by Lana Wood JohnsonWhat happens: Haley happens to know two different guys named Martin Nathaniel Munroe II, and when one of them starts texting her, she thinks it's the one who wasn't a jerk to her best friend. Neither Haley nor Martin realize she's mistaken, and their fast-growing closeness might not survive the truth.
Why you might like it: Told entirely through text messages, this story keeps a tight focus on the two main characters, and lets you imagine what they mean and what happens between messages. |
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| Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite and Maritza MouliteWhat it's about: After a big mistake earns her a school suspension, ambitious high school journalist Alaine is sent to Haiti to work with a children's charity and spend time with her privileged mother and aunt.
How it's told: through letters, emails, diary entries, social media, lists, and more.
Why you might like it: Alaine's experience of contemporary Haiti is woven into the fascinating, complicated history of the nation and her family's place within it. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up!
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