In 2022, the ever-expansive YA genre [1] is continuing to serve up a fresh selection of reads [2] across every subgenre imaginable. Whether you're looking for a Persian folklore-inspired fantasy series, a charming LGBTQ+ rom-com [3], or a weighty exploration of what it means to be a young immigrant in the US, there's a book on this list for you. As usual, there are plenty of heavy hitters releasing new titles this year, including Tahereh Mafi, Emma Lord, Tracy Deonn, and Sabaa Tahir, but readers should keep an eye out for buzzy debuts as well, because there are some truly astounding ones hitting shelves.
One of the biggest highlights of 2022 is Casey McQuiston making their YA debut with I Kissed Shara Wheeler. The fast-paced rom-com proves the author can effortlessly move between adult and YA novels without missing a beat. But McQuiston isn't the only one: TJ Klune is also returning to the world of YA to wrap up his The Extraordinaries series, while writing team Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka are releasing both a YA and an adult rom-com this year.
With so many big releases coming your way, one thing is certain: there's no way you're going to be running out of YA books to add to your TBR in 2022 [4].
The Chosen One by Echo Brown
By adding a dash of magical realism to her real-life experience of being a Black first-generation college student in The Chosen One [5], Echo Brown weaves a story that's at once deeply honest and hopeful. As a freshman student at Dartmouth College, Echo immediately notices the campus isn't nearly as inclusive as she was told it would be. As she tries to adjust to her surroundings, she also discovers Dartmouth might just be a portal to different dimensions that only she can access in her role as the Chosen One. But before she takes that leap, she'll need to learn how to ask for help.
Out Jan. 4
The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
The Ivory Key [6] by Akshaya Raman is a fantasy debut about a quartet of estranged royal siblings who must unite to find a new source of magic before chaos overtakes their kingdom. However, each one of the siblings has their own agenda for wanting to find and control the magic, which complicates their task. If they have any hope of restoring order to their kingdom by finding the legendary Ivory Key, then they will first have to learn how to trust each other — and that might just prove to be the most difficult task of them all.
Out Jan. 4
The Kindred by Alechia Dow
The fate of an entire galactic kingdom rests on the shoulders of two teens in The Kindred [7] by Alechia Dow. Years ago, Kindred mind-pairings were created to ensure every person felt heard and seen. But Duke Felix Hamdi has never met his Kindred, and that's a situation he's determined to resolve, whether his family likes it not. Unfortunately for Felix, his wish comes true under the worst possible circumstances: his entire family is murdered, leaving him and his Kindred Joy Abara to steal a spaceship and solve the mystery of who wanted the royal family dead in the first place.
Out Jan. 4
One True Loves by Elise Bryant
One True Loves [8] by Elise Bryant is the book equivalent of a fun-filled holiday. The summer before she heads off to college at New York University, Lenore Bennett's parents take her on a Mediterranean cruise across Europe. For her part, Lenore is too nervous about her future to even contemplate the possibility of a summer romance, but it's not long before her parents befriend the parents of the seemingly (and annoyingly) perfect Alex Lee. Now the two appear to be stuck together, but as they make their way across Europe, Lenore begins to wonder if she may have misjudged her new friend.
Out Jan. 4
Salaam, With Love by Sara Sharaf Beg
Salaam, With Love [9] by Sara Sharaf Beg is an adorable rom-com about a young woman bonding with her family, exploring her faith, and falling in love for the first time. Dua imagined her trip to New York City would be a little more glamorous than just spending her days in a small Queens apartment with the cousins she barely knows. Instead, she's spending her Ramadan trying to connect with her conservative relatives and not become completely awkward every time she runs into Hassan, the gorgeous drummer for a Muslim band whom she keeps encountering at the most inopportune moments.
Out Jan. 4
When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
Emma Lord gender-flips Mamma Mia! in her latest novel, When You Get the Chance [10]. Theatre-obsessed Millie Price has been raised by her father since she was just a baby, but when he accidentally leaves open his 2003 LiveJournal page, the Broadway hopeful seizes the opportunity to find her birth mother. What she doesn't anticipate is just how hard it will be to track down the right woman and what it will ultimately mean to her family to make room for a new person. Still, Millie knows she would never forgive herself if she didn't at least try to solve her biological mom mystery.
Out Jan. 4
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
Sleeping Beauty gets a much-needed upgrade in The Bone Spindle [11] by Leslie Vedder. In this version of the story, Sleeping Beauty is a prince named Briar Rose who has been waiting hundreds of years for a kiss to wake him up. But instead of a kiss, he ends up with a no-nonsense treasure hunter named Fi, who pricks her finger on a bone spindle and suddenly gains the ability to see Briar Rose. Add in Fi's warrior best friend Shane, and you have a recipe for a fantastic fairy tale with just the right amount of modern flourishes.
Out Jan. 11
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang'e, Daughter of the Moon Goddess [12] by Sue Lynn Tan is a riveting fantasy novel about the lengths a daughter will go to save her mother. Xingyin lives on the moon, where her mother has hidden her away from the Celestial Emperor, but when her magic flares, she's forced to flee and leave her mother behind. Now Xingyin is on her own for the first time ever, and it's up to her to rescue her mother from the dangerous Celestial Emperor in the first book in this new fantasy duology.
Out Jan. 11
Love Somebody by Rachel Roasek
Debut author Rachel Roasek's Love Somebody [13] is a dazzling and emotional romantic comedy about what happens when two friends both fall for the same girl. Sam and Christian dated for six months before they realised they were better as best friends than they were as a couple. Since then, they've been inseparable, but when the shy Christian asks Sam to help him get to know his new crush Ros a little bit better, Sam discovers she has feelings for Ros, too. With their friendship and their hearts on the line, Sam and Christian will have to make some difficult choices if they want their relationship to survive.
Out Jan. 11
My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen
My Fine Fellow [14] by Jennieke Cohen is a delectable treat of a novel. In this gender-bent take on My Fair Lady, Helena Higgins and Penelope Pickering are determined to take the culinary scene of 1830s London by storm. When the duo meet Elijah Little, a penniless cook with an undeniable talent, they hatch a plan to turn him into a proper gentleman chef and shake up high society in the process. But first they'll have to show him how to navigate society life in order to pull off their grand plan to give the British food world an injection of flavour.
Out Jan. 11
Akata Woman by Nnedi Okorafor
The groundbreaking The Nsibidi Scripts series by Nnedi Okorafor continues with Akata Woman [15]. Since she realised she possessed a powerful mystical energy, Sunny Nwazue has worked hard to find balance in her life and control her powers. But now she will be tested as she's never been tested before. Along with her friends, Sunny has to venture into a strange realm to find a mysterious object that the fate of the world depends on, but the trials she faces could leave her changed forever. Unfortunately for Sunny, she has no choice but to face the perilous task ahead.
Out Jan. 18
Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei
Sports-romance fans are going to swoon over Icebreaker [16] by A.L. Graziadei. College freshman Mickey James III comes from a family of NHL players, which means he's basically guaranteed to be the first draft pick for the league. Well, he would be if it wasn't for Jaysen Caulfield, his gifted teammate and only real competitor for the top spot. In addition to being his nemesis, Jaysen also happens to be ridiculously attractive and charming, which makes it hard for Mickey to keep his game face on around him. In fact, Mickey is starting to suspect he might have caught a serious case of feelings for the boy he's supposed to be focussed on besting.
Out Jan. 18
Lawless Spaces by Corey Ann Haydu
Told entirely in verse, Lawless Spaces [17] by Corey Ann Haydu is about a young woman who is determined to connect with the women in her maternal family line in hopes of improving her own complicated relationship with her mother. In the wake of a sexual assault case that's dominating the news, Mimi's mother seems to be isolating herself even more than usual. In hopes of understanding what's going on, she starts writing poetry and reading the journals the women in her family used to chronicle the highs and lows of their fascinating lives.
Out Jan. 18
At the End of Everything by Marieke Nijkamp
At once chilling and timely, At the End of Everything [18] by Marieke Nijkamp is an engrossing read focussed on the teens whom the system often neglects. The story takes place at The Hope Juvenile Treatment Centre for delinquent teens, but the place offers little hope for its residents. However, things take an even darker turn when the guards stop showing up due to a plague that's ravageing the outside world. Now the teens have no choice but to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the nightmare scenario they've been forced to navigate on their own.
Out Jan. 25
The Red Palace by June Hur
June Hur's latest historical mystery, The Red Palace [19], follows a young woman named Hyeon in 1758 Joseon (Korea). Hyeon is an illegitimate daughter, which means there are precious few opportunities available for her in the capital city. But thanks to her hard work and bright mind, she has the chance to earn her father's approval if only she can learn how to navigate all of the backstabbing and manipulations that are a part of life at court. Just as she's beginning to get her bearings, four women are murdered in one night, and all eyes are on her best friend. Now Hyeon may be the only person who can clear his name.
Out Jan. 25
Horror Hotel by Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren
Horror Hotel [20] by Victoria Fulton and Faith McClaren will definitely keep you up at night. In this spooky novel, a group of teenage ghost hunters head to a haunted LA hotel to film an after-hours video for their successful YouTube channel. The group expect to find a setting that's just eerie enough to keep people entertained but, like every other place they've visited, is absent of actual ghosts. Instead, they encounter something unnerving in the room of a notorious serial killer that leads them on a quest to help the dead. Turns out, it's usually the living that people have to fear.
Out Feb. 1
This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
Tahereh Mafi continues her reign as a master of YA fantasy in This Woven Kingdom [21]. Inspired by Persian mythology, the first book in this richly drawn fantasy series follows Alizeh, the heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom who has been posing as a servant for years. When the king dies, the crown prince, Kamran, doesn't expect to have any rivals to the throne, despite the prophecies he and his father have long ignored. But he soon realises how wrong he was when Alizeh shakes up the status quo of not only the kingdom but also the world at large.
Out Feb. 1
Golden Boys by Phil Stamper
Golden Boys [22] by Phil Stamper is the charming, sun-soaked story of four queer best friends' summer holiday. The summer before senior year, longtime friends Gabriel, Reese, Sal, and Heath are about to embark on their own adventures. Reese is heading to Paris to take classes at a design school, Gabriel is volunteering at a nonprofit in Boston, Sal is interning for a senator, and Heath is spending the summer helping his grandmother at her boardwalk arcade in Florida. As they each go their separate ways, the friends will experience new challenges, first loves, and adventures while also working hard to maintain their friendship.
Out Feb. 8
No Filter and Other Lies by Crystal Maldonado
Kat Sanchez is living a double life in No Filter and Other Lies [23] by Crystal Maldonado, a thought-provoking story for the digital age. At 16, Kat leads a normal, if a bit boring, teenage existence, but she has a secret. She has created a glamorous online persona named Max Monroe. As Max, she has tons of followers and often serves up advice to her adoring fans. But when the woman whose photos Kat has been stealing for her fake account realises someone is posing as her, Kat's carefully cultivated second identity comes crumbling down around her.
Out Feb. 8
Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie
Ophelia After All [24] by Racquel Marie is a warmhearted story of self-discovery that will leave you grinning. Ophelia has long known exactly who she is: a Cuban-food-loving, gardening-obsessed, boy-crazy romantic. However, when she's left dateless for the prom, Ophelia is not only not bothered but also completely distracted by the sweet Talia Sanchez, whom she's pretty sure she has a crush on. Now Ophelia has to make a major decision — she can either cling to the idea of who she is or embrace her true self, even if it means having difficult conversations with the people she loves.
Out Feb. 8
You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen
You Truly Assumed [25] by Laila Sabreen is a moving and necessary novel about three Black Muslim teens confronting Islamophobia. In the aftermath of a terrorist attack near her home, Sabriya turns to her online journal You Truly Assumed to dispel myths and challenge the prejudices she faces for being Muslim. Soon, Muslim teens from around the world are reading her blog, and Sabriya joins forces with Zakat and Farah as her online presence grows. But in addition to the many people who find comfort in the blog, the young women also face trolls and threats that leave them wondering whether they can continue with their work or not.
Out Feb. 8
The Chandler Legacies by Abdi Nazemian
Set in the privileged world of an elite boarding school, The Chandler Legacies [26] by Abdi Nazemian focuses on a group of outsiders who are ready to upend the toxic age-old traditions plaguing their school. Each one of the teens has their own unique problems, from Ramin Golafshar, who is hazed after transferring to Chandler to escape the dangers of being gay in Iran, to Amanda Priya Spencer, who must face all the ways her family's name protects her from the abuse other students face. But while they suffer in silence when they're apart, a writing group known as the Circle has the power to bring them together.
Out Feb. 15
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Sabaa Tahir's contemporary novel All My Rage [27] spans decades and continents to tell an authentic story about the immigrant experience. Beginning with the story of Salahudin's parents' journey from Pakistan to the US and continuing into the modern day when Salahudin is trying to keep his family's motel afloat, this powerful novel tackles everything from systemic racism to the fragile bonds of friendship. As Sal focuses on the motel, his former best friend Noor is working equally hard to escape her alcoholic uncle. Can the two friends find their way back to one another after a falling out?
Out March 1
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
Gallant [28] is V.E. Schwab's latest dark fantasy novel, and it's one her fans are sure to love. At the heart of the story is the idea that everything casts a shadow, even the world itself. After spending years at the Merilance School for Girls, Olivia Prior is invited to return home to the gothic manor known as Gallant. Upon her arrival, Olivia quickly realises something isn't quite right at Gallant. Her sprawling home sits at the intersection of two worlds, and the darker world is beckoning Olivia. Now she must decide whether she should fight against the dark forces or give in and join them.
Out March 1
A Thousand Steps Into Night by Traci Chee
A Thousand Steps Into Night [29] by Traci Chee is a fantasy novel inspired by Japanese folklore. In the land of Awara, humans exist right alongside monsters and gods. Despite the strangeness of her world, Miuko has always lived a peaceful existence as a normal young woman. However, everything changes when she's cursed to turn into a demon who possesses a deadly touch. Now she must go on a quest to plead her case to the gods themselves in order to break the curse, but along the way, she begins to realise she may not be as prepared to give up her new powers as she initially thought.
Out March 1
Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
Deborah Falaye's Blood Scion [30] is a gripping fantasy tale about a powerful young woman who decides to use her gifts to destroy her enemy from within. Sloane is a Scion, a person who can incinerate others at will. If her powers are ever discovered, she will be put to death, but when she is forced to join the army of her enemy, Sloane seizes an opportunity to change her fate. Now that she has insider knowledge on those who wish to do her harm, she realises she can destroy them from the inside out, and no one will be the wiser.
Out March 8
Being Mary Bennet by JC Peterson
Poor Mary Bennet never gets any love, even though she's the Pride and Prejudice character many can relate to the most. That's definitely true for Marnie Barnes, the star of JC Peterson's Being Mary Bennet [31], a modern love letter to all things Jane Austen. Once Marnie realises she's definitely a Mary, she sets out on a mission to become the Lizzie Bennet of her own story with a little help from her friends. But along the way, Marnie begins to realise that it's far better to be herself than it is to try to emulate the Bennet sisters.
Out March 15
Right Where I Left You by Julian Winters
Right Where I Left You [32] by Julian Winters is a sweet and entertaining friends-to-lovers romance. Isaac is determined to make his last summer before college unforgettable. Step one is to get badges to the biggest comic-book convention around for him and his best friend Diego, but when he runs into his crush, Davi, his plans completely fall apart. Now he's stuck spending the summer with Diego's gamer friends, which isn't all bad since he's officially flirting with Davi. But the closer he gets to his crush, the more Diego begins to pull away, leaving Isaac to wonder if his friend might be harboring some secret feelings of his own.
Out March 15
Remember Me by Estelle Laure
How far would you go to remove the most painful memories from your mind? That's the thought-provoking question at the centre of Remember Me [33] by Estelle Laure. Blue Owens pays to have her memories removed, but when she wakes up feeling disoriented and confused, she realises she must piece together all of the moments she wanted so desperately to forget. With the help of Adam Mendoza, the person she was trying so hard to move on from, Blue will find the strength to delve into her past and finally confront the moments that broke her heart.
Out March 22
So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
What happens after the chosen one saves the day? That's the question at the centre of F.T. Lukens's witty romantic fantasy So This Is Ever After [34]. Arek never thought about what would happen after he fulfiled his prophecy to save the Kingdom of Ere from its evil ruler, and now he has no idea what he's supposed to do next. For the moment, his friends advise him to take the throne for himself, but that also means he has to marry someone before he turns 18 or risk withering away to nothing thanks to a bit of magic. With little time to choose a spouse, Arek turns to his closest companions in hopes that he might be able to fall in love with one of them.
Out March 29
She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick
She Gets the Girl [35] by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick is a hate-to-love rom-com that's sure to make readers swoon. Exes Alex and Molly have nothing in common. Alex is bold and an incorrigible flirt who always gets the girl. Meanwhile, Molly is bright and organised but has difficulty connecting with others. When Alex discovers her ex has a new crush, she decides that if she helps Molly, she can rehabilitate her own reputation. Molly doesn't want to trust Alex again, but if it means she can finally tell the girl of her dreams how she feels, it'll be worth it . . . right?
Out April 5
With and Without You by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Writing team Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka drew on their own experiences to write With and Without You [36], a charming story about a long-distance romance. High school seniors Siena and Patrick have been together so long, everyone in their school is certain they'll get married one day. But with college approaching, Siena begins to wonder if it's time for them to break up. Before she can work up the nerve to end their relationship, Patrick reveals his family is moving and he'll be spending his senior year in Austin, TX. At first, Siena believes their relationship will come to a natural end, but as they stay connected over the ensuing year, she realises absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
Out April 19
Family of Liars by E. Lockhart
E. Lockhart returns with a prequel to her bestselling thriller We Were Liars. In Family of Liars [37], Lockhart turns her attention to the previous generation of the Sinclair family. On a private island off the coast of Massachusetts, an unpredictable heiress with an addiction collides with a mysterious and alluring young man. What follows is an unforgettable summer full of secrets, mysteries, betrayals, and mistakes that will continue to haunt the Sinclair family for generations to come. If you've been impatiently waiting for more twisted stories set in the We Were Liars universe, then you should add this book to your TBR immediately.
Out May 3
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
Bestselling author Casey McQuiston is serving up their first YA rom-com in I Kissed Shara Wheeler [38]. Ever since her moms moved her to Alabama, Chloe Green has only dreamed of one thing: beating out prom queen Shara Wheeler for valedictorian. But before she can taste sweet victory, Shara does something totally unexpected: she kisses Chloe and then promptly disappears. Soon, Chloe finds herself teaming up the two other people Shara kissed to solve the mystery of her nemesis's disappearance, while also discovering there's more to the perfect prom queen than she gave her credit for.
Out May 3
I Guess I Live Here Now by Claire Ahn
Melody Lee is completely blindsided when her family decide to move to Seoul, Korea, in I Guess I Live Here Now [39] by Claire Ahn. While Melody has always been interested in getting in touch with the Korean side of her Korean American heritage, she never imagined her parents would opt for a full-scale cultural immersion after she made one tiny mistake. At first, she's bitter about the move, but it doesn't take long for her to fall in love with everything about Seoul, from the city's fashion scene to her new school. But with family secrets to be uncovered and a new romance blooming, Melody's fresh start is going to be more than a little complicated.
Out May 24
A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy
A Little Bit Country [40] by Brian D. Kennedy is an LGBTQ+ rom-com set at a country-music theme park — and yes, it's as delightful as it sounds. At 17, Emmett Maguire already has dreams of being country music's most famous gay star. But for now, he's happy to spend the summer in Jackson Hollow, TN, where he has a gig performing at an amusement park owned by country-music royalty Wanda Jean Stubbs. Meanwhile, Luke Barnes despises country music due to the painful dispute his grandmother Verna Rose had with Wanda Jean. But with his mom being inundated with medical bills, Luke has no choice but to take a job at the Wanda World restaurant, where he's destined to cross paths with Emmett.
Out May 31
American Royals III: Rivals by Katharine McGee
Katharine McGee's juicy American Royals series continues with Rivals [41], and things are heating up in the royal court. With a convocation of the world's queens and kings on the horizon, Beatrice is prepared to represent the American royal family. Things become complicated when she meets a glamorous princess who draws her into her exclusive circle of friends. Add in some royal intrigue, a battle over the heart of a prince, and some major feuds coming to a head as all of the royal families converge, and you have the recipe for another exciting instalment of this always-entertaining series.
Out May 31
Heat Wave by TJ Klune
TJ Klune's fan-favourite fantasy series The Extraordinaries comes to a thrilling (and funny) conclusion in Heat Wave [42]. Nick, Seth, Gibby, and Jazz all return once more to protect the people of Nova City by bringing justice and order to the city's streets. But when a hero unexpectedly returns and crash lands right in the middle of Nick's life, things get complicated fast. Soon Nick finds himself reevaluating everything he thought he knew about his family, his friends, his role as a hero, and even himself as the newcomer stirs up unexpected emotions and questions he's never contemplated before.
Out July 19
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
Tracy Deonn's bestselling Legendborn series continues with Bloodmarked [43]. In the aftermath of infiltrating the Legendborn Order, Bree is ready to embrace her destiny as a medium and bloodcrafter. With the war between the Order and the demons rageing on, Bree is eager to fight, especially after Nick is kidnapped. However, the Regents believe she's too important to their legacy to risk her life on the battlefield. With the life of the boy she loves on the line, Bree is willing to risk everything to bring him home safely, but before she can save Nick, she must learn how to control her own powers first.
Out Nov. 8