The 2019 Summer/Fall/Winter YA Buzz Books!

The 2019 Summer/Fall/Winter

Buzz Books!

From Book Expo

Young Adult books

From the mind of basketball legend and Academy Award–winning storyteller Kobe Bryant comes a new tale of finding your inner magic against all odds.

GAME. SET. MAGIC.

Game – Tennis means life and death for the residents of the magical kingdom of Nova, and for twelve-year-old Legacy, it’s the only thing getting her through the long days taking care of the other kids at the orphanage. That’s all about to change when she hears about Silla’s tournament.

Set – Silla, the ruler of Nova, hosts an annual tournament for the less fortunate of her citizens to come and prove themselves and win entrance to the Academy, where they can train to compete at nationals. The prize is Silla’s favor and enough cash to keep open the orphanage, and Legacy has her heart set on both.

Magic – What Legacy has yet to know is that the other players have something besides better skills and more money than she does. In Nova, tennis can unlock magic. Magic that Silla used to save the kingdom long ago and magic that her competitors have been training in for months already.

Now, with the world turned against her and the orphanage at stake, Legacy has to learn to use her passion for the game to rise above those around her and shine.

Coming June 25th from Granity Studios

Goodreads

The Larkin family isn't just lucky—they persevere. At least that's what Violet and her younger brother, Sam, were always told. When the Lyric sank off the coast of Maine, their great-great-great-grandmother didn't drown like the rest of the passengers. No, Fidelia swam to shore, fell in love, and founded Lyric, Maine, the town Violet and Sam returned to every summer.

But wrecks seem to run in the family: Tall, funny, musical Violet can't stop partying with the wrong people. And, one beautiful summer day, brilliant, sensitive Sam attempts to take his own life.

Shipped back to Lyric while Sam is in treatment, Violet is haunted by her family's missing piece-the lost shipwreck she and Sam dreamed of discovering when they were children. Desperate to make amends, Violet embarks on a wildly ambitious mission: locate the Lyric, lain hidden in a watery grave for over a century.

She finds a fellow wreck hunter in Liv Stone, an amateur local historian whose sparkling intelligence and guarded gray eyes make Violet ache in an exhilarating new way. Whether or not they find the Lyric, the journey Violet takes-and the bridges she builds along the way-may be the start of something like survival.

Epic, funny, and sweepingly romantic, The Last True Poets of the Sea is an astonishing debut about the strength it takes to swim up from a wreck.

Coming October 1st from Disney-Hyperion

Goodreads

There is more than one way to drown.

Coral has always been different, standing out from her mermaid sisters in a society where blending in is key. Worse yet, she fears she has been afflicted with the dreaded Disease, said to be carried by humans—emotions. Can she face the darkness long enough to surface in the light?

Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at Fathoms—a new group therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?

Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right?

When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive, and Coral might even catch a prince in the process. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?

Taking a new twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved—yet tragic—fairy tale, Coral explores mental health from multiple perspectives, questioning what it means to be human in a world where humanity often seems lost.

Coming November 12th from Thomas Nelson

Goodreads

"A vital addition to the YA race relations canon."―Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin

Lena and Campbell aren't friends.

Lena has her killer style, her awesome boyfriend, and a plan. She knows she's going to make it big. Campbell, on the other hand, is just trying to keep her head down and get through the year at her new school.

When both girls attend the Friday-night football game, what neither expects is for everything to descend into sudden mass chaos. Chaos born from violence and hate. Chaos that unexpectedly throws them together.

They aren't friends. They hardly understand the other's point of view. But none of that matters when the city is up in flames, and they only have each other to rely on if they're going to survive the night.

Coming October 1st from Soucebooks Fire

Goodreads

Quick-witted high school journalist Alaine Beauparlant gets booted from her elite private school after an intricate prank goes cruelly awry. She warily accepts an invitation from her aunt to spend her suspension at the family’s estate in Haiti--where her estranged mom is recuperating from a political fiasco. In her homeland for the first time, Alaine is immediately put to work at her aunt’s start-up helping native children in need. Alaine meets locals, interacts with kids connected to donors, and is shown the ropes by Jason, a fellow intern whose charming ways are making work a bit more challenging. What she doesn’t expect to find are letters, articles, emails, and diary entries that she compiles into a final project that will not only save her academic standing in school, but also help her finally know the mother she’s never really understood.

Coming September 3rd from Harlequin Teen

Goodreads

A dog’s world is a world of scents, of adventure. When a runaway West Highland Terrier named Harvey wanders out of his old life guided only by his nose and his heart, lives begin to converge.

Austin, a young volunteer at Brayside retirement home, quickly finds that the audacious Harvey inspires Mr. Pickering, a bitter resident coping with memory loss, to tell stories of his childhood. Moved by the elderly man’s Dust Bowl recollections of grinding poverty and the perseverance of his friends and family, Austin begins to trade his preconceived notions for empathy. But is it enough to give him the resolve to track down Harvey’s original owner?

Supported by striking illustrations from acclaimed artist Tara Anderson, Colleen Nelson immerses readers in a rich and unflinchingly human tale of struggle and hope—all inspired by one curious dog.

Coming September 19th from Pajama Press

Goodreads

Relatable, heartbreaking, and real, this is a story of resilience--the perfect novel for readers of powerful contemporary fiction like Girl in Pieces and Every Last Word.

Before, I was a million things. Now I'm only one. The Burned Girl.

Ava Lee has lost everything there is to lose: Her parents. Her best friend. Her home. Even her face. She doesn't need a mirror to know what she looks like--she can see her reflection in the eyes of everyone around her.

A year after the fire that destroyed her world, her aunt and uncle have decided she should go back to high school. Be "normal" again. Whatever that is. Ava knows better. There is no normal for someone like her. And forget making friends--no one wants to be seen with the Burned Girl, now or ever.

But when Ava meets a fellow survivor named Piper, she begins to feel like maybe she doesn't have to face the nightmare alone. Sarcastic and blunt, Piper isn't afraid to push Ava out of her comfort zone. Piper introduces Ava to Asad, a boy who loves theater just as much as she does, and slowly, Ava tries to create a life again. Yet Piper is fighting her own battle, and soon Ava must decide if she's going to fade back into her scars . . . or let the people by her side help her fly.

"A heartfelt and unflinching look at the reality of being a burn survivor and at the scars we all carry. This book is for everyone, burned or not, who has ever searched for a light in the darkness." --Stephanie Nielson, New York Times bestselling author of Heaven Is Here and a burn survivor

Coming October 1st from Delacorte

Goodreads

This isn’t my home. Haven’t had a proper home since . . . This is just somewhere I’ll be resting my bones for a week and maybe a bit. This time next year you’ll forget who I am. I haven’t got a diddly where I’ll be by then. But I’m used to it.

New from the UK-based best-selling black British author and winner of the Guardian Children’s Book Award, Home Girl is the story of Naomi, a teenage girl growing up fast in the foster care system. It is a wholly modern story which sheds a much-needed light on what can be an unsettling life—and the consequences that follow when children are treated like pawns on a family chessboard.

Home Girl is fast-paced and funny, tender, tragic, and full of courage—just like Naomi. It is Alex Wheatle’s most moving and personal novel to date.

Coming September 3rd from Black Sheep

Goodreads

Awake at Dawn by C.C. Hunter ~ Review

Step into the world of Shadow Falls, a camp that helps teens tap into their special... talents. Once you visit, you’ll never forget it—and you’ll never, ever be the same.

From the moment Kylie Galen arrived at Shadow Falls Camp, she’s had one burning question: What am I? Surrounded by vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, fairies and witches, Kylie longs to figure out her own supernatural identity…and what her burgeoning powers mean. And now she’ll need them more than ever, because she’s being haunted by a new spirit who insists that someone Kylie knows—and loves—will die before the end of the summer. If only she only knew who she was supposed to save. And how...

But giving Kylie the most trouble is her aching heart. Gorgeous werewolf Lucas left camp with another girl, but he’s still visiting Kylie in her dreams. And Derek, a sexy half Fae who’s always been there for her when she needed him, is pushing to get more serious—and growing impatient, especially when Lucas returns. Kylie knows she needs to decide between the boys, and it’s tearing her up inside.

Yet romance will have to wait, because something from the dark side of the supernatural world is hiding in Shadow Falls. It’s about to threaten everything she holds dear... and bring her closer to her destiny.

Amazon | B&N

I'm pretty sure I'm stuck in this series.  I picked up this book, the second in the series, as soon as I finished the first.  It's a continuous story from book one to two with Kylie still at Shadow Falls camp for the summer.  She's still trying to figure out what kind of supernatural she is.  She's still struggling to forgive her dad and to decide which boy she likes.  But this book has a new issue for her to deal with.

I like the overall world the author has created.  Despite being paranormal, it models themes that most young adults struggle with.  Who is she?  How does she fit into this world?  How does she deal with friends?  How does she decide between two boys she's attracted to?  All pretty normal questions for teens.  But add do that the spell mistakes of her roommate friend, the inability to understand what a ghosts wants from you and how to convince her mother that she really needs to stay at the supernatural school without telling her she is one.  Poor Kylie does have an overabundance of problems.  But she does a good job of navigating them. 

I enjoy these characters.  They're real and make mistakes like normal teens.  I laughed a lot as Kylie's kitten had a few struggles in this one.  And I care about her two roommates.  Mostly, I really like Derick and Lucas.  Both are good guys that try very hard to be there for Kylie.  I will admit that Derick surprised me with his choices in this one.  He can read emotions and I think he knows something more than he's telling.  I did admire his choice.  But Kylie was pretty frustrated with him.  As for Lucas, I think he needs to communicate more.  Yeah, it's a universal guy thing.  Strangely, I don't have an opinion on which boy she should choose.  I would be happy with either, though I do see a direction I think she's headed.

I enjoyed the story and did guess part of what the ghost wanted, but really not the whole thing.  There were a couple of other surprises for me.  I like when that happens.  The story definitely had hold of me and kept me very interested.

Overall, this is a good book two and I'm excited to move on to book three.  I definitely have missed reading YA.  Reading this series was good life choice for me. :)

                                    

Born at Midnight by CC Hunter ~ Review

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.

Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…

Amazon | B&N

This story is almost eight years old.  The same age my blog turns next month.  As a matter of fact, I bought this book almost eight years ago.  And it sat on my shelf waiting it's turn.  And I really wish it hadn't have had to wait so long.  Because it's a really good story.  And I'm not the only one that feels that way.  There are over 75K ratings and over 4K reviews on Goodreads for this book.  It averages above 4 stars after EIGHT years.  That's amazing.  But I'm also glad I waited to read this story.  Why?  Let me tell you.

First, I've been in slump.  I'm not sure it was slump so much as a streak of reading meh books.  I began to think it was me that had the issue and not all the really bad books I was reading.  So I called it a slump.  And I hid in the pages of old favorites to deal with my reading need.  I was afraid to read a new book for fear it would be just as bad as everything else I'd read lately.  Then I was wondering through the bookstore looking at YA books.  And I found this book.  This book that's eight years old.  And I remember that I owned this book.  And I went home and found it.  And I got stuck in it's pages.

Second, I'm really glad that the whole series is out and I can just beige read it.  AND there's a spin off series I can dig into after that.  

Finally, it's clear I've just been reading the wrong books.  I need to refocus my book choices to the things I really enjoy.  

You might wonder why this book is good.  I'll tell you.  It's got great characters.  I love the struggle that Kylie is facing as she tries to deal with who she really is.  I even love her indecision as she tries to decide which boy she likes.  I actually really like both Derick and Lucas.  I have a preference but I could be okay with either choice.  Derick is there for her a lot.  A good friend.  Lucas has the mystery about him and he's not everything Kylie thinks he is.  There's enough of a difference between them for her to be confused.  I like that struggle.  It feels real despite this book being paranormal.

I'm a very character driven reader so it's important that I see the characters as real.  But the story needs to be there too.  It's not just the beginning of a story.  There is a whole story here.  Yeah, I want more.  I have questions and the next book I read will be book two but this one ends in a good place.  And the important threads of this book have answers.  The mystery of who Kylie is evolves slowly and while there is no answer yet, a big question has been answered.  There's nothing left that I'm growling about not being answered.  It's clear they will be answered.

The pacing felt like it was right for this story.  Things unraveled as the characters could handle it.  I had a hard time putting the book down and read it over just a couple of days.  And like I said, I definitely want the next book now.

It's nice to stumble upon a book, a series that can draw you in and make you happy.  This one has that effect.  Books don't need to be just released to be good.  And I'm really glad I found this one at the exact time that I found it.  Maybe you need this book now too.

                                  

The Amateurs Series ~ New Book Coming & Giveaway

Coming November 6, 2018 for Freeform Disney Books

The stakes are higher than ever in this third installment of The Amatuers, as Aerin finds herself kidnapped by the killer she knows all too well, and her friends must work to solve a puzzle laid out by the villain in order to save her.

At first, the mystery they're tasked with seems to have nothing to do with Aerin or her kidnapper. But as Seneca, Maddox, and Madison hit the Jersey Shore to gather clues, they begin to uncover the true background of the killer and the horrors that shaped him into who he is. The scavenger hunt leads them to the family of a recently kidnapped boy, a serial child-snatcher, and dark secrets they could never have seen coming. As Aerin struggles to play nice with the person who killed her sister in order to buy herself time, her friends work feverishly against the ticking clock that could mean her life, and every clue they uncover leads Seneca to suspect she's more connected to the killer's history than she ever realized.
With nail-biting suspense, twisted secrets, and non-stop action, this final installment in #1 New York Times best-selling author Sara Shepard's The Amateurs series will shock even the savviest of readers with its big reveal.

Amazon | B&N

The series

 Click image to find more on Goodreads

Stuck In Books is pleased to host a giveaway from the publisher for the first book in this series!

US addresses only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YA Book Recommendations!

Hi, friends! So we're at the time of the year where I want to read some very specific things. Now, you'd think I mean that I want to read holiday books or winter books or whatever. But no, I just tend to have some somewhat random books come to mind this time of the year. So I figured I'd tell y'all a few of these and maybe if you haven't read them yet, you could pick them up and read them and love them too just like I do! Or not. It's up to you. 

So! Here goes.

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

This is actually the book that inspired this post. I am strongly considering re-reading this one soon because it will NOT get out of my head. This one has an actual reason that makes sense, though -- the first time I read this beauty, it was Christmas time. Like, I specifically remember reading it on Christmas Eve in 2012. Now it's just on my mind around Christmas every. single. year. :)

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

For me, this will actually end up being me reading The Raven King. But for this list, I say dive into the series! Why? Because this cast of characters will dig their way into your heart and it is amazing. Plus, Maggie Stiefvater's writing is lovely. And as a whole, it'd be such a cozy read!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Haven't read the Grisha trilogy yet? DOESN'T MATTER, PICK UP SOC. Seriously. This is the duology everyone needs in their lives. These cunning, stunning characters will worm their way into your soul and then I swear you will never be the same and it's the best experience. What better time to feel that love than the holiday season???

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Do you have a reading goal for the year you're trying to reach? Do you need a fun, quick read to help you reach it? BAM, right here is the book for you, my friend. This book is cute and funny and such a gem that I wish more people talked about! It's one of my absolute favorites and would be a great one to pick up right about now!

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I swear, I tried so hard to not put this one on the list because I feel like most of this list is me being a broken record telling you my favorite books but I can't help myself. If you need some cheering up, FANGIRL is the book for you. Or, more accurately, LEVI is the book boy for you. He's the biggest sweetheart you'll ever read. Ever. (Honestly, though, if you haven't read this book yet please do! It's a delight!)

Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

AKA my favorite Elizabeth Eulberg book. Oh, and back to that looking for a book to read to reach your goal thing? This is another one! It's short, it's sweet, and it is SO. FREAKING. GOOD. Give yourself the joy of reading about Emme and Ethan (and Carter and Sophie, but let's be honest -- Emme and Ethan steal the show). 

Those are just a few books I rec to all you lovelies who enjoy YA! What do you think? Have you read any of these, or do any appeal to you? Would you ever want me to make another list like this?? Leave a comment and let me know! :)

The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout ~ Review

Source: e-ARC provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Dead List by Jennifer L. Armentrout

It's Ella's senior year of high school and she and her best friend Linds plan to make it the best year ever. At Brock Cochran's end of summer pool party, the girls vow to have as much fun as possible before they head off to different colleges next fall. But when Ella is mysteriously attacked on her way home from the party, everything changes. Ella's carefree senior year plans disintegrate as she finds herself at the center of an attempted murder investigation.

Ella tries to move on, but her attacker isn't done yet. He shows himself in the form of horrifying signs and symbols: a clown mask strewn on her bed, a dead bird in her backpack, a shadow moving past her window in the night. And as the weeks pass, it turns out that Ella isn't the only one being tormented.

With the help of an old flame, Jensen Carver, and her friends and family, Ella tries to attain some sense of normalcy, but she can't seem to shake the feeling that there's a dark pattern hidden in the killer's every move. Suddenly, even those in her innermost circle seem suspicious. In her seemingly safe West Virginia town, Ella starts to wonder who she can trust.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

As a fan of both Jennifer L. Armentrout and horror movies, I was so excited to finally get a chance to read The Dead List -- aka the perfect cross between both of those two things. I hadn't gotten around to reading this novel when it was on Wattpad, but getting it in my hands now was well worth the wait because I so enjoyed The Dead List!

The whole vibe of the book is right out of a film like Scream. It was fun and mysterious and the perfect amount of creepy. I had a great time reading The Dead List, and flew right through it in less than a day. Especially around the end, where things got REALLY GREAT...yes, I am such a fan of this book.

Then there are the characters, who were written so well -- the main characters Ella and Jensen in particular. They weren't perfect, but they were fleshed out and I was interested in them just as much as I was into the mystery they were tied up in.

And of course there was romance. It took Jensen a bit to really win me over, but once he did I was so on board this ship. Ella and Jensen are cute and I'm very pleased without things panned out for them. They had sweet moments and hot moments and I loved them.

I was also surprised by the emotions certain aspects of this story brought out of me. It seriously wormed its way into my heart, adding another layer to everything that I absolutely did not expect. 

Overall, The Dead List is a satisfying YA thriller with the perfect doses of romance, creepiness, and emotion. I so enjoyed reading this book, and if you're a fan of JLA or YA thrillers or both I definitely recommend picking this one up!

5 stars - A satisfying, romantic YA thriller!

And don't forget that we have a giveaway right now where you can win a signed copy of THE DEAD LIST! 

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West ~ Review

Source:  Purchased.

When Gia Montgomery's boyfriend, Bradley, dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom, she has to think fast. After all, she'd been telling her friends about him for months now. This was supposed to be the night she proved he existed. So when she sees a cute guy waiting to pick up his sister, she enlists his help. The task is simple: be her fill-in boyfriend—two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. After that, she can win back the real Bradley.

The problem is that days after prom, it's not the real Bradley she's thinking about, but the stand-in. The one whose name she doesn't even know. But tracking him down doesn't mean they're done faking a relationship. Gia owes him a favor and his sister intends to see that he collects: his ex-girlfriend's graduation party—three hours, zero commitment, a few white lies.

Just when Gia begins to wonder if she could turn her fake boyfriend into a real one, Bradley comes waltzing back into her life, exposing her lie, and threatening to destroy her friendships and her new-found relationship.

Amazon | B&N

I love this author.  She has a great YA voice that rings true to this teacher.  I, also, love her depth.  Nothing is ever straight forward.  It's an experience, one that anyone can grow from.  Her characters grow and they always show that the mistakes people make help us become who we are.  But what's different is the lack (thank goodness) of perfect adults and the adult voice cutting through the growth of her characters.  She gets YA and creates funny, real and thought provoking stories that I just love to roll around in.

Gia gets dumped in the parking lot of her senior prom.  It may have been something she should have been able to cry with her friends with but their newest friend seems to have it out for her.  She grabs hold of the only guy in the parking lot and convinces him to pretend to be her college boyfriend.  Lies are usually a deal breaker for me but I do love pretending so I was excited to finally get the chance to see what this tangle of lies would lead to.  And it was fun tangle.  Truly.

Of course, the lies increase and grow no matter how Gia tries to get them under control.  It's ironic that the one person who accused of her lying is the one person that drove her to actually lying.  And while I don't condone the action of lying, it is what brought her to actually evaluate her life and determine she wasn't who she wanted to be.  

I so love FIB (Fill-in Bradley).  We don't learn his name for a good part of the book.  Gia takes to calling him Fill-in Bradley and he thinks the initials FIB are fitting.  He has a great sense of humor and a broken heart.  Eve, the breaker of his heart, is a &*#!*#* and I wanted to scratch her eyes out.  Bec, his sister, is funny and a great friend to both her brother and as it turns out Gia.  I loved the dynamics of their family and baseballs.  (Gonna have to read it for that one).  I could have used some baseballs when I was growing up as well.  

But FIB is a great guy.  One who can't leave a girl in the parking lot after another jerk, Bradley, breaks up with her outside of prom.  Who does that?? Seriously!  And then when Bradley called her afterwards to...never mind.  I DO NOT LIKE BRADLEY.  Back to FIB.  He's just a good guy with questionable taste in friends.  Adorable.  He's adorable with his shaggy hair and glasses but he cleans up nice.  I love it when Gia fixes his hair but then decides she likes it better his way in the end.

At the end, I just wanted it to go on - to know what happened when Gia left for college.  To know what happened with Bec.  To know what happened with Clair.  It was just a place I enjoyed being.

                                          

This is one of those books that anyone can read and enjoy.  It's funny.  It's thought provoking.  It's satisfying.