Is it too early to start talking about and hyping up some of my most anticipated YA books for 2023?
If it is, never mind, I’ll do it anyway. I’ve had this in my drafts for a little while, now and I just found so many books I’m very, very excited to read, sooooo I thought: why wait to share them with you all?
As always, I have WAY more YA contemporary books on my anticipated TBR than fantasy, for instance, because, well, I’m me. Still, I have some really cool-looking thriller/mystery reads here and yes, one fantasy and one historical YA book I’m looking forward to, as well. If you have any more recommendations, in these genres or any other, PLEASE I’d love to hear about them all in comments!
I hope you’ll enjoy this list!
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My Most Anticipated YA Books For 2023
2023 YA Contemporary Books
Seven Percent of Ro Devereux, Ellen O’Clover
This one’s easily one of my most, MOST ANTICIPATED reads. The main character, Ro, built an app predicting the future with 93 % accuracy. Ready to take on the world, she’s not so pleasantly surprised to learn that her former childhood best friend is supposed to be his soulmate. Starts then a fake dating scheme to prove her app is actually right… You know what, I’m already crying about this okay, I NEED IT.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Never Vacation With Your Ex, Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
If you’re not new here, you’ll know my love for all Wibbroka books. They’re some of my favorites of ALL times, therefore obviously I am SO EAGER to read their upcoming book. It’s about two exes having to spend their vacation together and it sounds SO fun and a little bit messy and obviously filled with LOTS OF FEELS and Wibbroka’s signature amazing characters. Here for it.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
This is Not a Personal Statement, Tracy Badua
Perla, the youngest graduating senior at her high school, is ready to get into the college of her dreams… until she doesn’t. Panicked, she forges her own acceptance letter and goes to the university for real, hoping to gather some intel to REALLY get in, this time. This sounds like such a unique, fun yet important story about expectations -the ones you and others put on you, too and I can’t wait to read it!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Plus One, Kelsey Rodkey
I LOVE Kelsey Rodkey’s books so obviously, I’m excited for this one! In this book, Lahey Johnson’s known for helping her classmates find love… despite never having had a boyfriend herself. For revenge, she’ll end up trying to prove she can get a date herself… If this is anything like the author’s previous work, I plan on reading a story with excellent characters, a whole lot of fun and heart. I can’t wait!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
All Alone With You, Amelia Diane Coombs
Amelia Diane Coombs is one of my favorite contemporary authors and this one sounds like another win to me. It’s about Eloise, having to do some volunteer hours with lonely seniors: a nightmare for her anxiety. Even more as she’s paired with Austin, a sunshine kind of person and her complete opposite… Sunshine/grumpy pair, unlikely match, anxiety rep: this sounds like my dream okay.
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Tilly in Technicolor, Mazey Eddings
This is a love story between two neurodivergent teens and it sounds absolutely wonderful. On one side, you get Tilly, spent and burned out after going through high school with flawed executive functioning… and very excited about the prospect of traveling in Europe, thanks to her internship. On the other side, there’s Oliver. His autism has always made it hard for him to connect with people, but he has everything he needs for the perfect summer… until he’s forced to spend it with Tilly, his complete opposite. This sounds SO GOOD.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Going Bicoastal, Dahlia Adler
Spending the summer with her Dad in New York (and the girl she’s crushing on) or spending it with her estranged mother in LA to fix their relationship… Natalya has a tough choice to make and this book explores these two, alternative timelines. I love this kind of story with dual timelines SO much and I’m so excited to read this one!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
This Time It’s Real, Ann Liang
Eliza wrote a viral essay about meeting the love of her life… even though she’s never been in a relationship. Desperate to hide the truth, she hires her classmate/famous actor to pretend to be her boyfriend… this sounds like the kind of fake-dating story I love okay!!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Everyone Wants To Know, Kelly Loy Gilbert
I always seem to fall for books dealing with reality tv and this one sounds EXCELLENT. It’s about Honor, growing up in front of the public eye with her entire family. Even now that their show’s off air, their private lives still are heavily scrutinized and ready to be torn apart… This sounds absolutely EXCELLENT and I’m here for it!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Imogen, Obviously, Becky Albertalli
First of all: I LOVE this book cover okay. Second of all: this is a bi-awakening story about Imogen, that straight friend surrounded by queer friends, that suddenly has to pretend she’d been dating one of her friends Lili… This sounds like such a fun AND important read and it’s been a while since I read a Becky Albertalli book, as well, so I can’t wait!
Find on Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
I’m Not Here To Make Friends, Andrew Yang
This book follows two teens, Sabine and Yoona, as they’re picked to appear on a teen reality TV show with an all-Asian cast. Sabine wants to use the opportunity to finally jump into the spotlight. Yoona’s eager to escape her bad reputation. The producers are ready to create drama at all costs… This sounds like so much fun and I love a good book with a reality tv show setting!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
The Boy You Always Wanted, Michelle Quach
I adored Not Here to be Liked by this author and this one sounds so good! It’s about Francine, willing to do anything for her dying grandfather… even ask Ollie, a family friend and former crush to be adopted and act like a grandson to him. This sounds like a really messy yet fun plan that will certainly turn even messier with ALL THE FEELS and I am here for it!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Every Time You Go Away, Abigail Johnson
I really fell for Abigail’s Johnson Every Other Weekend, and I have a feeling I’m going to cry about this book, as well. This is about two childhood friends finding each other again. They’re different people, now, though. Rebecca is racked with survivor’s guilt after a car accident that killed her father and left her in a wheelchair. Ethan’s now his mother’s caretaker. Will they find happiness together again? I’m just. Ready for the emotions.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
The Prince and the Apocalypse, Kara McDowell
I really enjoyed Kara McDowell’s previous books and I am REALLY excited to read more!! The Prince and the Apocalypse sounds like SO much fun, a mix of romance and a little bit of apocalyptic feels. It’s about Wren, stranded in London, 8 days away from a comet destroying Earth. She finds herself forced to ask the British prince she’d just met for a favor: to help her get back home in time. This sounds wildly fun!!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
2023 YA Thriller/Mystery Books
This is the Way the World Ends, Jen Wilde
STOP EVERYTHING, Jen Wilde has a new book soon and I’m SCREAMING. I adore this author with all of my heart and this is a thriller!! EXCITEMENT. This is about Waverly, an autistic scholarship student accepting to pose as the “it girl” in a masquerade party… only to stumble into a secret meeting and witness a murder. This sounds like such an exciting thriller and Jen Wilde can write a grocery list for me to read, I’ll be happy. I CAN’T WAIT.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
My Flawless Life, Yvonne Woon
Hana fixes everyone’s problems at her elite private school… but she can’t seem to fix hers after her father was arrested for an accident that nearly killed a woman. When an anonymous client hires her to follow her ex-best friend, she thinks it’s the ticket to get back her own life… I don’t know what it is about this book, but I just have this feeling that it will be absolutely thrilling and excellent okay.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Royal Blood, Aimée Carter
This is about Evan, the King of England’s illegitimate daughter, suddenly forced to spend the summer with a not-so-thrilled royal family. When Evan suddenly becomes the primary suspect in a murder investigation, she starts fighting to uncover the truth… and discovers some dark secrets about the royalty, as well. HERE FOR ALL THE ROYALTY scandal okay.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
Live Your Best Lie, Jessie Weaver
Social media influencer Summer has it all: millions of followers, the best closet, incredible friends… When she goes missing and an unscheduled post appears on her feed, saying she’ll die soon, those closest to Summer start investigating… This sounds like such an intriguing book and I always love stories that deal with social media and has mixed media (social media posts, here) and flashbacks!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
2023 YA Fantasy Books
Lucha of the Night Forest, Tehlor Kay Mejia
This is about a girl who’ll do anything for her sister. That’s it, I mean we can stop here and I’m adding this to my TBR. More seriously, though, it’s about this girl having to choose between the freedom she’s craved and her sister and apparently it has magic, queer romance and did I mention SISTERS? It sounds excellent.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
2023 YA Historical Books
The Davenports, Krystal Marquis
I rarely read historical ya books, but I’m always here for the ones with drama okay. This is set in 1910 Chicago and follows one of the few immensely wealthy Black families. It has endless parties, duties and falling in love and it sounds like the kind of book I’d really enjoy!
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Blackwell’s
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For more YA book recommendations, check out these blog posts:
- My Must-Reads YA Contemporary Authors: A Quick Guide To The Ones I Adore
- 10 Most Anticipated YA Books For The Second Half of 2022
- 10 YA Books to Read Based on Your Favorite Aesthetics
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What are some of YOUR most anticipated reads for 2023? Any of these books already on your list?
Do you have any recommendations for me? I’d LOVE to hear them in comments!!
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Ahh… I love this list. I haven’t kept up with upcoming releases so all these books were new to me!
Yes, the Imogen, Obviously cover is stunning and the plot sounds great 😍
This Is Not A Personal Statement and Tilly in Technicolour sound like such amazing premises! I hope we enioy them all.
Thank you for this list 💜
Ah so happy you enjoyed this list, thank you Sophie! I hope you’ll love these!! 😀
Wowo there are so many amazing sounding books to look forward to! I just added Plus One and Lucha of the Night Forest to my TBR. Thanks for the recs!
Ahh yay! Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
The Boy You Always Wanted sounds interesting, I also love the cover!
YES I love that cover so much! Thank you so much for reading! <3
I cannot believe that 2023 is so soon 😱 Whenever I see a new Kelsey Rodkey book I’m reminded that I still haven’t read anything by her … I really need to change that! This is Not a Personal Statement is also on my list, it sounds like such a great premise 😊 Of course I’m also very hyped for more Amelia Diane Coombs books 💕
Right?! I can’t believe how fast that year went by. Though I’m not mad it’s almost over ahah. I think you’d LOVE Kelsey Rodkey’s books, Caro, I hope you’ll try them out sometime! 🥺
I loved reading this post! I’m still in love with the cover of Imogen, Obviously. I can’t wait to read Jen Wilde’s new book, I love their work. Also, Ive preordered Ellen O’Clovers book because of this post 🙂
Ahh thank you so, so much! <3 I'm so happy I could make you pre-order a book, this one sounds EXCELLENT and I'm so impatient to read it! <3