The best YA books of July [1] are an eclectic mix of rom-coms, touching family dramas, and hair-raising tales of horror. But the one thing every book on this list has in common is that once you pick them up, you won't be able to put them down until you reach the last page. Whether you're a seasoned YA fan or just dipping your toes into the genre, these books are all enthralling must-reads and this time around, there truly is a YA book for everyone [2] to fall in love with. (And if you're looking for even more YA recommendations, don't forget to check out our list of the best YA books of June [3], too.)
If You Then Me by Yvonne Woon
Young app designer Xia is terrific with technology, and unsure about pretty much everything else in Yvonne Woon's If You, Then Me [5]. But when Xia is accepted into a prestigious app incubator, her boring life suddenly becomes full of intrigue (and at least two new potential love interests).
Out July 6
Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson
Leah Johnson's Rise to the Sun [6] is an ode to the healing power of music and love. Set against the backdrop of a music festival, the story follows Olivia, who is desperately trying to escape for one magical weekend before her senior year starts, and Toni, who is following in her late father's footsteps in hopes of processing her grief. Soon, these two young women realise they're in a unique position to help each other process the traumas of the past of year, and maybe even find the strength to forge a fresh start for themselves, too.
Out July 6
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Inspired by East Asian folklore, Six Crimson Cranes [7] by Elizabeth Lim is a gripping fantasy novel about a princess with a stolen voice on a quest to save her brothers. After losing control of her magic during her betrothal ceremony, Shiori'anma's stepmother steals the young woman's voice and turns her brothers into cranes. Now, she'll have to form an alliance with a paper bird, a dragon, and her ex in order to rescue her brothers and bring her stepmother down.
Out July 6
Summer in the City of Roses by Michelle Ruiz Keil
Summer in the City of Roses [8] by Michelle Ruiz Keil is a beautiful story steeped in magical realism and the heady reality of self-discovery. During their first summer apart, brother and sister Orr and Iph discover what they're passionate about as they go on a quest to find their way back to each other.
Out July 6
Where It All Lands by Jennie Wexler
Where It All Lands [9] by Jennie Wexler is the teen version of Sliding Doors. Told in two different timelines, the story reveals how one coin toss could drastically change the course of three people's lives is this tantalizing story that asks what might happen if you could go barreling down the road not taken.
Out July 6
The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney D. Grandison
The Right Side of Reckless [10] by Whitney Grandison is a star-crossed teen romance about second chances and defying expectations. After making a series of bad choices, Guillermo Lozano is ready to stay on the straight and narrow, but when sparks fly between him and perpetual good girl Regan London, all bets are off.
Out July 13
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
Between being a medium and dealing with the racist teachers at his school, Jake Livingston's life is more than a little bit complicated in The Taking of Jake Livingston [11] by Ryan Douglass. Jake thinks things might be getting better when Allister, a new student who catches Jake's eye, arrives at the school, but the presence of a vengeful ghost quickly makes crushing on the new boy the least of his problems.
Out July 13
XOXO by Axie Oh
An aspiring cellist spends one magical night exploring Los Angeles with a boy from Korea in Axie Oh's XOXO [12]. But what Jenny doesn't realise until her mother moves her halfway around the world, is that the boy in question is actually an international K-pop star — which means their romance could jeopardize both of their careers if word gets out.
Out July 13
The Silver Blonde by Elizabeth Ross
The Golden era of Hollywood provides the backdrop for Elizabeth Ross's lush YA historical fiction tale The Silver Blonde [13]. At 18, Clara wants nothing more than break into movie editing and score a date with the young screenwriter Gil, but life becomes complicated when she stumbles across a murder scene and becomes embroiled in a mystery.
Out July 27
Small Favours by Erin A. Craig
Small Favours [14] by Erin A. Craig will give you chills no matter how hot it is outside. The small town of Amity Falls is isolated from the outside world, which leads to quite a bit of boredom for Ellerie Downing. However, when the long-rumoured creatures that lurk in the woods surrounding Amity Falls begin making their presence known to the residents, Ellerie will yearn for the quiet days of boredom she used to loathe.
Out July 27
When We Were Strangers by Alex Richards
In When We Were Strangers [15] by Alex Richards, a young woman named Evie struggles to process her grief after her father's passing. Complicating matters further is her discovery that her father planned to leave her mother for his pregnant receptionist. In hopes of clearing her mind, Evie joins a photography class that leads her to confront her family's secrets so she can truly begin to heal.
Out July 27