What to Read

Debut YA Romances To Read This Summer

There are so many YA romances that are being released the first half of the year, and some of them are authors’ first published books! With more free time in the summer, readers should definitely check out these debut YA romances. These eight books are perfect for reading at the beach!

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles

Magicians come together in a city of ice and ruins to compete to become the next headliner of the Conquering Circus. Kallia is a showgirl who is determined to prove that she is the best. Jack is the keeper of the club who is shadowed in secrets. Demarco is a judge with a dark past. While each magician tries to prove their worth, they must survive to the next round as many start to go missing.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

When Malik’s younger sister, Nadia, is taken by a vengeful spirit, he strikes a deal to kill Karina, Crown Princess of Ziran, for Nadia. Karina’s mother, the Sultana, has been assassinated and Karina is determined to raise her from the dead – but she needs the beating heart of a king, one she will offer her hand in marriage to during the Solstasia competition. When Malik joins the competition, the two start to fall for each other and put their deadly aspirations on hold – or do they?

The Best Laid Plans by Cameron Lund

When Keely becomes the only virgin left in her friend group, she becomes determined to experience it too with a guy she trusts and generally likes. But it’s hard to choose a guy from her small high school when she’s known them since kindergarten. When Keely meets Dean, she feels like it’s straight out of a movie – except Dean is in college and Keely is worried he’ll drop her when he realizes that she is inexperienced. So Keely decides to learn the ropes with her childhood best friend Andrew before she goes all the way with Dean – that is if she and Andrew can continue to be friends and not accidentally become more than they are.

Anna K: A Love Story by Jenny Lee

Anna K. is at the top of Manhattan and Greenwich society. She has a perfect boyfriend and always has made her father proud – especially as her brother and his girlfriend are weathering a sexting scandal. Anna always seems to be able to handle any teen drama that has come her way, but when playboy Alexia “Count” Vonsky walks into her life, Anna wonders if she has ever fallen in love before and how much she would be willing to risk for a relationship with him.

The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park

Nate Jae-Woo Kim is determined to become rich. When his co-worker Kate Anderson tells him about a local tech company hosting a weekend-long survivalist competition with a huge cash prize, it could help Nate support his family. But as Nate and Kate work together through the competition, they just have to win – without them falling for each other.

I Kissed Alice by Anna Birch

Rhodes is a gifted artist even though she is secretly suffering from a bout of creative block. Iliana is a new transfer who has a super competitive work ethic. Only one of them can receive the Capstone scholarship, and the competition between them is fierce. Their only escape? Unknowingly collaborating together on a graphic novel for a fanfic site. While their feud continues in real life, the girls happen to fall for each other online. But what happens when they realize who each of their anonymous online identities really are?

Stay Gold by Tobly McSmith

Pony is not interested in any form of attention his senior year – especially when he received so much when he came out as transgender at his previous high school. Georgia is starting to wonder if there is more to life beyond cheerleading, and as graduation looms around the corner, she’s decided dating is a no-go. But on the first day of school, the two lock eyes. Pony wonders how he can stay low as he falls for Georgia, and Georgia is starting to regret her no dating decision when she gets to know Pony.

The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper

Cal is a famous social media journalist whose pilot dad has just been selected to be a part of NASA’s mission to Mars. When Cal and his family move to Houston, he meets other “Astrokids” including the sensitive Leon. While sparks fly between Cal and Leon, Cal happens to uncover secrets about the Mars mission. He will have to tell those that matter most to him about his discoveries without hurting them.

What are you waiting for? Check out one of these great debuts today.