This week is one of those rare instances where you may be reading the title of this piece and wondering what happened to the last slate of YA book releases for June. The answer is that they are here – all of the books in this week’s roundup were published on June 30, but you’re learning about them a day later, which happens to be a month too. Times are fun, flexible and sometimes a little mind-bending.
As we wrap up one of the busiest months of YA publishing, we’ll continue to see books being stocked on shelves for the rest of the summer. The pace won’t be as fast and furious, but in contrast to what is historically one of the quietest seasons in publishing, the summer season has seen a surge in YA releases over the past several years. This is not a bad thing; In fact, if the target audience for YA books are teens, publishing books during the season when teens may be most free from obligations makes a lot of sense.
This week’s releases, as you’ll probably notice, are less representative in their authorship than other weeks. Although it definitely seems like there have been less inclusive YA titles in 2026, they are still appearing, but they are a little more spread out throughout the year than in previous years. We’ll definitely see more inclusive YA hitting shelves over the summer, especially with the start of fall. Still, it is worth being mindful of the fact that book bans are having a direct and meaningful impact on the books being published and promoted in America right now.
So what should we be excited about this week? You’ll find two brand new compilations, one of which takes inspiration from the global singing sensation; You’ll find a satirical and joke-filled romance; And you’ll find a teen activist fighting to conserve clean water in her community. It features dragons, love stories, and much more.
New hardcover YA releases this week
13 Little Love Stories: An Anthology Inspired by Taylor Swift’s Songs
If you’re a Taylor Swift fan, you’ll want to add this collection to your to-read list. The collection features an all-star roster of writers, each of whom has written a love story inspired by one of Swift’s songs. Contributors include Alice Bryant, Jennifer Dugan, Julie Murphy, Crystal Maldonado and others.
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forever cursed By Andy C. Naranjo
Risa Porto has always been the person who is blamed for anything bad that happens in the city. She has been cursed with bad luck since her birth and all she wants to do is run away from the city of Barrow.
When she turns 17, her wish comes true, but there are a million (dangerous, weird, uncertain) strings attached to it. Risa is indebted to a witch for the favor of taking Javi, the kingdom’s youngest and least important prince, into the dark and deadly forest for his wedding.
This journey is not only extremely dangerous, but filled with tyrants and murderers eager to take down both Risa and Javi. It’s also a journey that Risa is making very difficult for Javi.
for the greatest good by blair hanson
Gavin lives in Pondville, which has struggled with unsafe water for years. They worry that any day now it will become completely undrinkable. Gavin wants to do something, even if it means teaming up with his best friend Mackenzie and contacting his estranged father. He is a board member of Peter Crispwater, which provides grants to improve public facilities and buys failing water systems from local communities, then privatizes them.
Gavin’s estranged father agrees to help Gavin and Mackenzie secure grant funding for Pondville. But it won’t be done through ethical means—and it may mean that Gavin and McKenzie need to make some dirty deals through their work in city government to land Crispflow new business.
This looks like a book that would be worth reading like Carolina Ixta some blue skies.
this kind heart Shari B. Edited by Pennant
The second of two anthologies available to YA readers this week is for readers who either can’t get enough romance or are curious about the genre and want to dip their toe in it. This collection features 17 different authors offering a wide range of romantic texts. From cozy tales to high-stakes thrillers, there’s something for everyone, and the range of authors is fantastic. There are YA authors as well as well-known romance authors who are trying it out for the first time. Authors include Nia Davenport, Kalin Byrne, Kwame Mbaliya, Maggie Tokuda-Hall and others.
winners and liars By Alima Omotoni
pitched as knives out meeting of Death in the Morning HouseOmotoni’s novel focuses on a literary-inspired competition, and seems to be a read for those who like lonely mysteries laced with elements of dark lore.
Deryn arrives at Cambridge, and when she and her prep group are invited to Professor Darnley’s summer ball, they are ready to celebrate all of their hard work and accomplishments so far. But what was supposed to be a party turns into a reading of the professor’s will. The professor’s children have been disinherited, and now the present students will compete in a Victorian literary-themed contest to name the new heir to the Darnley estate.
Darin sees this as an opportunity to finally help her working-class family. But the competition will not be easy, especially as Darnley’s children will do everything they can to claim their inheritance. And when Darrin finds a mysterious note that hints at her family’s dark secrets, she worries things are about to get extremely difficult. They may also be bleeding.
Hardcover YA Series Releases This Week:
More hardcover YA releases this week:
New paperback YA releases this week
Beware the Abbott Boys By Chelsea Ichaso
Henry, Bram and Adam are Abbott triplets, who live in a mansion on the banks of Silver Creek. His family and the town never really got along, and it got even worse when last year, Mariana Flores died in an accident on their property. Although the Abbott family has been acquitted of wrongdoing, it has not changed their reputation. Many people in Silver Creek think that one of the boys actually killed her.
Hayden, the girl who lives next door to the Abbotts, also confirms their innocence. She is romantically involved with at least one, if not two, boys, and she also cares deeply for a third brother, Adam, who was injured in the same accident that killed Mariana.
So when the new school year begins with another girl being found dead in the woods, fingers are once again pointing towards the Abbotts. Obsessed with clearing their names, Mariana also decides to take part in the investigation, but now, she’s getting more questions than answers about who could have murdered these girls.
you jump first by Maia Ariel
Here’s a title that’s getting a dual release: You can pick it up right now in paperback or hardcover.
Andi’s parents are getting divorced this school year, and even though it’s now just her and her mom at the summer lake house, she’s going to make the most of it. Even though she and her longtime crush Patrick had a bad experience attempting to kiss for the first time last year, Andi is confident that it’s behind them, and they can start fresh.
Tommy is planning the perfect summer with his girlfriend Chloe while they are staying at the lake. He’s eager to finally join the summer crowd, as his brother Patrick has always done with an ease that makes Tommy jealous.
Too bad the summer will start in a way no one expected. Patrick has got a new girlfriend, and Tommy is left messages. Good news, can it be called that? Andy and Tommy discover they have a lot in common that may help them survive a summer they never imagined possible.
Paperback YA series releasing this week:
More paperback YA releases this week:
Do you want to increase your TBR? You’ll also want to check out these excellent YA thrillers about friendship, as well as this huge roundup of new quirky YA books.
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