Young Adult Novels You Can't Miss in 2025
Part 1: New YA books being released from January through April of 2025.
A new year means many new books! This will be a three-parter, as the list gets pretty long of the amazing new YA books being released this year.
This is a curated list of the YA books I am most excited about and while I tried to get a diverse group of books, the genres are leaning towards the ones I most enjoy reading. You won’t find any horror or science-fiction books on this list; I can’t recommend many of those books simply because I know I won’t read them! You will find plenty of romance, historical fiction, realistic fiction, some fantasy, and short stories though!
As always, please chime in the comments of the books (young adult or not) that you are most looking forward to being released in 2025!
After Life
Gayle Forman/ Quill Tree Books/ January 7
Fantasy
“One spring afternoon after school, Amber arrives home on her bike. It's just another perfectly normal day. But when Amber's mom sees her, she screams. Because Amber died seven years ago, hit by a car while on the very same bicycle she's inexplicably riding now.”
Royal Heirs Academy
Lindsey Duga/ Christy Ottaviano Books/ January 7
Romance
“ For fifty years, King Leander Eldana has ruled Ashland without naming an heir to the crown. After sending away his grandchildren to be raised out of the public eye, it's finally time to secure his nation's future by appointing one definitive heir. The best way to appraise his successor? In the halls of Almus Terra Academy, a boarding school infamous for breeding the world's next generation of leaders--and liars.”
All the Love Under the Vast Sky
Kip Wilson (editor) / Nancy Paulsen Books / January 14
Short Stories
“ Twelve short stories in verse by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the highs and lows of love - romantic, platonic, familial, and self-love.”
Biology Lessons
Melissa Kantor/ Feiwel & Friends / January 14
Realistic Fiction
“ … a heartfelt and profound contemporary young adult novel about the strength and importance of female friendship in a time when bodily autonomy is outlawed, from acclaimed author Melissa Kantor.”
Truth, Lies, and the Questions in Between
L.M. Elliott / Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/ January 14
Historical Fiction
“ Patty Appleton is making history. As one of the Senate's first female Congressional Pages, she's not only paving the way for other politically minded girls, she has a front-row seat to debates dividing the nation, especially around women's rights and roles. …The Watergate scandal is intensifying. As evidence mounts that the White House engaged in crimes, smears, and cover-ups to manipulate an election, Patty worries her dad, a fundraiser for President Nixon, could somehow be involved. Determining truth from lies becomes ever more essential for the nation's future--and for Patty's as well.”
The Queen’s Spade
Sarah Raughley/ HarperCollins/ January 14
Fantasy
“ In this riveting historical thriller inspired by true-life events, Belladonna meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England's royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.”
All Better Now
Neal Shusterman / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / February 4
Dystopian
“ A deadly and unprecedented virus is spreading. But those who survive it experience long-term effects no one has ever seen before: utter contentment. Soon after infection, people find the stress, depression, greed, and other negative feelings that used to weigh them down are gone…People in power--who depend on malcontents and prey on the insecure to sell their products, and convince others they need more, new, faster, better everything--know this new state of being is bad for business…”
The Rose Bargain
Sasha Peyton Smith / HarperCollins/ February 4
Fantasy
“ Vying for the hand of one brother. Falling in love with the other. A new Victorian-inspired romantasy, perfect for fans of Bridgerton, The Selection, and The Cruel Prince.”
Under the Same Stars
Libby Bray / Farrar, Straus and Giroux/ February 4
Historical Fiction
I’ve actually read this already- the story takes place in 3 different time periods. 1940’s Germany, Sophie and her best friend are sending messages in the Bridegroom’s Oak tree, which puts them in danger during resistance against the Nazis. In 1980’s West Germany, American teen Jenny is struggling to fit in until she meets punk-rock Lena and her mysterious neighbor, Frau Hermann. And in 2020 NYC, best friends Miles and Chloe begin to investigate a cold case somehow connected to Chloe’s grandmother while stuck in COVID lockdown.
Wicked Darlings
Jordyn Taylor/ Delacorte Press/ February 11
Mystery/ Thriller
“ Noa sets out to infiltrate the seedy underbelly of Manhattan high society to investigate her sister [Leah's] final days. Along the way she finds herself entangled with the glamorous Avalons and their close-knit circle of friends and frienemies. But will Noa be able to resist the allure of the Avalons' world and uncover a shocking scandal. Or will she find herself in over her head...like Leah?”
The Otherwhere Post
Emily J. Taylor/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers/ February 25
Fantasy
“ Seven years ago, Maeve Abenthy lost everything: her world, her father, even her name. Desperate to escape the stain of her father's crimes, she lives under a fake name, never staying in one place long enough to put down roots. Then she receives a mysterious letter with four impossible words: Your father was innocent. To uncover the truth, she poses as an apprentice for the Otherwhere Post, where she'll be trained in the art of scriptomancy--the dangerous magic that allows couriers to enchant letters and deliver them to other worlds. But looking into her father's past draws more attention than she'd planned.”
Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers' Rights
Ashley Hope Pérez (editor) / Holiday House/ March 4
Short Stories
“ A dazzling YA anthology that spotlights the transformative power of books while equipping teens to fight for the freedom to read, featuring the voices of 15 diverse, award-winning authors and illustrators.”
One Step Forward
Marcie Flinchum Atkins / Versify/ March 4
Historical Fiction
“ … a compelling debut YA historical fiction novel in verse about Matilda Young--the youngest American suffragist imprisoned for picketing the White House to demand women's right to vote.”
Say a Little Prayer
Jenna Voris/ Viking Books for Young Readers/ March 4
Romance
“ Riley quietly left church a year ago when she realized there was no place for a bi girl in her congregation. But … in order to avoid suspension, she has to spend spring break at church camp. The only saving grace is that she'll be there with her best friend, Julia. Even if Julia's dad is the pastor. If she can show the other campers that sometimes being a little bad is for the greater good, she could start a righteous revolution! What could possibly go wrong? Aside from falling for the pastor's daughter . . .”
Hangry Hearts
Jennifer Chen/ Wednesday Books/ March 18
Romance
“ Love, family, and food collide in this sparkling Romeo and Juliet-inspired romance. Julie Wu and Randall Hur used to be best friends. Now they only see each other on Saturdays at the Pasadena Farmers Market where their once close families are long-standing rivals… Could the Lunar New Year provide not only a second chance for Randall and Julie, but for their families as well?”
In the Company of Killers
Elora Cook / Little, Brown Children's/ March 18
Mystery/ Thriller
“ Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos in this fast-paced drama about a teenage mafia heiress who would do anything to avenge her family, even join forces with her handsome enemy.”
Sunrise on the Reaping
Suzanne Collins/ Scholastic Press/ March 18
Dystopian
“ As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes”. The fifth book in The Hunger Games series.
All the Stars Align
Gretchen Schreiber/ Wednesday Books/ April 1
Romantasy
“ All the women in Piper's family know their true love at first sight, complete with butterflies, heart eyes, and a gut instinct. The kind of fated love that lasts forever. Piper grew up with her ancestors' epic love stories repeated like fairy tales, and yearns for the day she'll start her own… will fate choose her love, or will love choose her fate?”
Huda F Wants to Know?: A Graphic Novel
Huda Fahmy /Dial Books/ April 1
Graphic Novel, Realistic Fiction
“ In the hilarious and poignant follow-up to National Book Award Finalist Huda F Cares?, Huda's life and worldview is turned upside down when her parents announce they're divorcing.”
Lady Knight
Amalia Howard/ Joy Revolution/ April 1
Romance
“ The daughter of a duke defies the rules of London high society with the help of the resident rake--who just so happens to be her brother's best friend--in this fun teen historical romance.”
Pride or Die
CL Montblanc / Wednesday Books / April 15
Mystery/ Thriller
“ In this delightful dark comedy debut, when the members of an LGBTQ+ club find themselves accidentally framed for attempted murder, it's up to them to clear their names before it's too late.”
If We Were a Movie
Zakiya N. Jamal /HarperTeen/ April 22
Romance
“ … enemies-to-lovers queer romance, set against the backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater, the quirky employees who work there, and the suburbs of Long Island.”
Murder Between Friends
Liz Lawson / Delacorte Press/ April 22
Mystery/ Thriller
“ Grace, Henry, and Ally grew up together on the same block. They used to be best friends--until Grace's testimony put Henry's brother, Jake, away for killing their English teacher. Now, two years later, Ally and Henry hate Grace, and Grace is doubting what she thinks she saw that night.”
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