Are you looking for your next perfect summer read releasing in 2023? You’ve come to the right place!
I’m super excited about all of these books and hope to get through each one by the end of the summer. Many of them I had the chance to read early, so my reviews are included with the listings below.
As a quick note, when you buy any of the books from this blog post, I receive a small commission from Amazon. I really appreciate your support as it helps me continue to bring you lists just like these and plenty of reviews to keep your classroom library stocked. To read more about my affiliate disclosure, click here.
#1: The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
This is the second story in the popular Agathas series. If you love well-written mysteries, you’ll love these books. I can’t wait to see what Alice and Iris are up to next!
“Last October, Alice Ogilvie’s ex-best friend, Brooke Donovan, was killed—and if it weren’t for Alice’s unlikely alliance with her tutor, Iris Adams, and her library of the complete works of Agatha Christie, the wrong person would almost certainly be sitting in prison for the crime. The Castle Cove police aren’t exactly great at solving crimes. In fact, they’re notorious for not solving crimes.
Which is why, on the night of Castle Cove High’s annual Sadie Hawkins dance, Alice takes the opportunity to explore Levy Castle—the site of one of Castle Cove’s most infamous deaths. Mona Moody—the classic film star—died there almost a century ago, and Alice is pretty sure the police got that investigation wrong, too. But before she can even think about digging deeper, she walks right into the scene of a new crime. Rebecca Kennedy, on the ground in a pool of blood. And standing over Kennedy? Another one of Alice’s ex-friends—Helen Park.
The Castle Cove Police Department thinks it’s an open-and-shut case, but Alice and Iris are sure it can’t be that simple. Park isn’t a murderer—and the girls know all too well that in life, and in mysteries, things are rarely what they appear to be. To understand the present, sometimes you need to look to the past.
Castle Cove is full of secrets, and Alice and Iris are about to uncover one of its biggest—and most dangerous—secrets of all.”
Release Date: May 30, 2023
#2: Never Vacation with Your Ex by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka
Sweet YA second chance romance written by a married couple. This looks absolutely perfect for the beach or poolside!
“Seventeen-year-old volleyball star Kaylee Jordan lives a life of player rankings, constant training, and a carefully curated social media full of followers watching to see if she’ll go pro out of high school like her famous mom. Her one refuge, and the thing she looks forward to every summer? The vacation her family spends in Malibu with the Freeman-Yus. This year, there’s only one problem: Kaylee and their son, Dean, dated for the past three months, and Kaylee just unceremoniously dumped him. Hoping to spare them the worst summer ever, Kaylee comes to Dean with her unconventional solution: she’s going to walk him through her rules for getting over an ex. When Dean grudgingly cooperates, Kaylee’s got her work cut out for her. But helping Dean follow her own rules starts becoming difficult when the pressures of Kaylee’s family legacy and perfect life start to feel less like a plan and more like a prison…and amid warm California nights and stolen laughs, Kaylee feels herself falling for Dean for the same reasons and some new ones. With their trip coming to an end, Kaylee has to make the complicated choice between doing what’s expected and taking a (second) chance on love.“
Release Date: April 4, 2023
#3: Bellegarde by Jamie Lilac
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of this book and it was delightful. If you’re looking for a mash-up of Bridgerton (the hypothetical clean version) and the 90s classic She’s All That, you’ll love this one. You can read my entire review here.
“Evie Clement has perfected the art of avoiding attention as she works at her family’s bakery and dreams of a life where she can trade dusting flour for designing dresses. Her focus is on honing her sewing skills—she doesn’t need to be fawned over by some teenage boy.
Least of all Beau Bellegarde—the playboy of Paris, the second son of the ultra-wealthy Bellegarde family, the most popular guy in their prestigious high school. Others may swoon over his rakish charm and winning smile, but not Evie.
Unfortunately for Evie, Beau needs her. His conniving step-brother has roped him into an impossible bet: turn the biggest wallflower they know into the winning Bellegarde Bloom at the annual Court of Flowers Ball, or lose his entire fortune.
Evie can’t understand why Beau has taken an interest in her, but she can’t help but be intrigued…
Can love bloom in the most unexpected of places?“
Release Date: July 11, 2023
#4: What Happens After Midnight by K.L. Walther
This is another one that I got to read early and loved. Walther was able to pour some really complex emotions into this one which is a rarity for YA romance. The prank-related shenanigans was just plain fun. Read my full review here.
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Lily Hopper has two more weeks until she’s officially finished with boarding school. With graduation quickly approaching Lily is worried that she’s somehow missed out on the fun of being in high school. So, when she receives a mysterious note inviting her to join the anonymous senior class Jester in executing the end-of-year prank, Lily sees her chance to put her goody-two-shoes reputation behind her.
When Lily realizes the Jester is none other than Taggart Swell, her ex- boyfriend, she’s already in too deep to back out. Lily might’ve dumped Tag, but she still has major feelings. Plus, his brilliant plan to steal the school’s yearbooks, targets none other than Lily’s prom date: the Senior Class President, Daniel.
As the group of pranksters hide cryptic clues across campus for Daniel to find, Lily and Tag find themselves in close quarters. As the exes dodge Campus Safety guards, night owl teachers, a troop of freshmen, and even Daniel himself, new sparks fly. But old hurts and painful secrets refuse to be ignored. And with graduation on the horizon, Lily can only hope that breaking the rules will help mend her heart.”
Release Date: June 27, 2023
#5: One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus
McManus is back with the third installment of the One of Us series. According to the author, this is the final book in the series. (Buttttt sometimes they say that and don’t stick to it, so who knows?) Either way, count me in for alllllll the drama back at Bayview. Any story by McManus is sure to keep us all on our toes!
“It’s been almost two years since Simon died in detention, and the aftermath has been hard to shake. First the Bayview Four had to prove they weren’t killers. Then a new generation outwitted a vengeful copycat. Now the entire Bayview Crew is back home for the summer, and everyone is trying to move on.
Only, this is Bayview, and life is never that simple.
At first the mysterious billboard seems like a bad joke: Time for a new game, Bayview. But when a member of the Bayview Crew disappears, it’s clear this “game” is serious—and whoever’s in charge isn’t sharing the rules. Or maybe there aren’t any.
Bronwyn. Cooper. Addy. Nate. Maeve. Phoebe. Knox. Luis. Kris. Everyone’s a target. And now that someone unexpected has returned to Bayview, things could start getting deadly.
The thing is, Simon was right about secrets—they all come out eventually. And Bayview has a lot it’s still hiding.”
Release Date: July 25, 2023
#6: Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
Mazey Eddings has been my author to watch this year. I fell in love with her adult read, A Brush with Love, and then continued through her (sadly too small) catalogue. (Fun fact: Eddings is also a practicing dentist! I find that so cool.) When I saw that she was releasing her first YA offering, I knew I had to get my hands on it. It did not disappoint. You’re going to fall in love with Tilly and Oliver so easily.
“Tilly Twomley is desperate for change. White-knuckling her way through high school with flawed executive functioning has left her burnt out and ready to start fresh. Working as an intern for her perfect older sister’s start up isn’t exactly how Tilly wants to spend her summer, but the required travel around Europe promises a much-needed change of scenery as she plans for her future. The problem is, Tilly has no idea what she wants.
Oliver Clark knows exactly what he wants. His autism has often made it hard for him to form relationships with others, but his love of color theory and design allows him to feel deeply connected to the world around him. Plus, he has everything he needs: a best friend that gets him, placement into a prestigious design program, and a summer internship to build his resume. Everything is going as planned. That is, of course, until he suffers through the most disastrous international flight of his life, all turmoil stemming from lively and exasperating Tilly. Oliver is forced to spend the summer with a girl that couldn’t be more his opposite―feeling things for her he can’t quite name―and starts to wonder if maybe he doesn’t have everything figured out after all.
As the duo’s neurodiverse connection grows, they learn that some of the best parts of life can’t be planned, and are forced to figure out what that means as their disastrously wonderful summer comes to an end.“
Release Date: August 15, 2023
#7: Viva Lola Espinoza by Ella Cerón
I don’t know about you, but I love my summer books with a dash of romance and travel. These two plus a heaping scoop of magical realism? I’m intrigued! Explore Mexico City with Lola to learn about her family’s “curse” and, of course, herself.
“Lola Espinoza is cursed in love. Well, maybe not actually cursed — magic isn’t real, is it? When Lola goes to spend the summer with her grandmother in Mexico City and meets handsome, flirtatious Rio, she discovers the unbelievable truth: Magic is very real, and what she’d always written off as bad luck is actually, truly . . . a curse. If Lola ever wants to fall in love without suffering the consequences, she’ll have to break the curse. She finds an unlikely curse-breaking companion in Javi, a seemingly stoic boy she meets while working in her cousin’s restaurant. Javi is willing to help Lola look into this family curse of hers, and Lola needs all the help she can get. Over the course of one summer — filled with food, family, and two very different boys — Lola explores Mexico City while learning about herself, her heritage, and the magic around us all.”
Release Date: April 11, 2023
#8: Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
Becky Albertalli delivers another sweet, thoughtful coming-of-age story about a girl figuring out who she is. This is where Albertalli really shines. Definitely worth a spot in your pool or beach bag this summer.
“Imogen Scott may be hopelessly heterosexual, but she’s got the World’s Greatest Ally title locked down.
She’s never missed a Pride Alliance meeting. She knows more about queer media discourse than her very queer little sister. She even has two queer best friends. There’s Gretchen, a fellow high school senior, who helps keep Imogen’s biases in check. And then there’s Lili—newly out and newly thriving with a cool new squad of queer college friends.
Imogen’s thrilled for Lili. Any ally would be. And now that she’s finally visiting Lili on campus, she’s bringing her ally A game. Any support Lili needs, Imogen’s all in.
Even if that means bending the truth, just a little.
Like when Lili drops a tiny queer bombshell: she’s told all her college friends that Imogen and Lili used to date. And none of them know that Imogen is a raging hetero—not even Lili’s best friend, Tessa.
Of course, the more time Imogen spends with chaotic, freckle-faced Tessa, the more she starts to wonder if her truth was ever all that straight to begin with. . .”
Release Date: May 2, 2023
#9: Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi
This one is slightly heavier in content than the others, but I couldn’t very well know that Ibi Zoboi was putting out another novel and not include it. If you haven’t read American Street or Punching the Air, you definitely should. Zoboi’s work is thoughtful and stunning. Definitely worth picking up a copy.
“Warrior Princess. That’s what Nigeria Jones’s father calls her. He has raised her as part of the Movement, a Black separatist group based in Philadelphia. Nigeria is homeschooled and vegan and participates in traditional rituals to connect her and other kids from the group to their ancestors. But when her mother—the perfect matriarch of their Movement—disappears, Nigeria’s world is upended. She finds herself taking care of her baby brother and stepping into a role she doesn’t want.
Nigeria’s mother had secrets. She wished for a different life for her children, which includes sending her daughter to a private Quaker school outside of their strict group. Despite her father’s disapproval, Nigeria attends the school with her cousin, Kamau, and Sage, who used to be a friend. There, she begins to flourish and expand her universe.
As Nigeria searches for her mother, she starts to uncover a shocking truth. One that will lead her to question everything she thought she knew about her life and her family.
From award-winning author Ibi Zoboi comes a powerful story about discovering who you are in the world—and fighting for that person—by having the courage to be your own revolution.”
Release Date: May 9, 2023
#10: Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
After reading Firekeeper’s Daughter, I knew that I’d read anything Angeline Boulley writes from then on. I’m sticking to my word. This is her second offering. Again, it’s probably a little bit heavier content-wise than the other books on this list, but still worthy of your beach or poolside reading time. If you loved Firekeeper, definitely check this one out. You can check out my review here.
“Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always known who she is – the laidback twin, the troublemaker, the best fisher on Sugar Island. Her aspirations won’t ever take her far from home, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. But as the rising number of missing Indigenous women starts circling closer to home, as her family becomes embroiled in a high-profile murder investigation, and as greedy grave robbers seek to profit off of what belongs to her Anishinaabe tribe, Perry begins to question everything.
In order to reclaim this inheritance for her people, Perry has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She can only count on her friends and allies, including her overachieving twin and a charming new boy in town with unwavering morals. Old rivalries, sister secrets, and botched heists cannot – will not – stop her from uncovering the mystery before the ancestors and missing women are lost forever.”
Release Date: May 2, 2023
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Happy reading!
