From hilarious romances to gripping thrillers, there are many great YA stories to choose from for your summer #TBRs. Regardless of which young adult novel you end up picking, we know you should get excited for the most anticipated YA books of summer 2021.

Sunkissed by Kasie West (May 4, 2021)

Avery always used music and the help of the internet to escape. After falling out with her best friend and being dragged to a remote family camp, Avery soon realizes she’ll need a new outlet. When her chances at a fun summer seem impossible, Avery meets Brooks. But Brooks is a staffer which means he’s off-limits. As Avery’s summer progresses, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the opportunity to go as far as possible to figure out who she is and who she wants to be.

Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson (May 4, 2021)

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off meets Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist in this romp through the city that never sleeps from the New York Times bestselling author of Since You’ve Been GoneKat and Stevie—best friends, theater kids, polar opposites—have snuck away from the suburbs to spend a night in New York City. They have it all planned out. They’ll see a play, eat at the city’s hottest restaurant, and have the best. Night. Ever. What could go wrong? Over the course of a wild night in the city that never sleeps, both Kat and Stevie will get a wake-up call about their friendship, their choices…and finally, discover what they really want for their future.

From Little Tokyo, With Love by Sarah Kuhn (May 11, 2021)

On the outside, Rika’s life seems like a fairytale. However, Rika would be the first to tell you that her life is anything but—she’s an orphan living with two bossy cousins, works hard for her aunt’s business, and doesn’t fit the princess mold. But then Rika begins to rethink her mindset when she locks eyes with Grace Kimura, America’s Rom-Com sweetheart. Rika thinks Grace is her birth-mother and embarks on a journey to prove this true. Deep down though, Rika knows real life doesn’t have fairy-tale endings and she wonders if her search will provide the happy ending she wants. 

Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler (May 11, 2021)

When Lara finally gets cute, cool, jock Chase to fall for her, she doesn’t understand why she’s not happy with it. After all, he is the guy of her dreams. But Lara is haunted by the memory of a summer spent loving a girl named Jasmine. When Jasmine enters the door to Lara and Chase’s school, despite her current state of perfection, all Lara can do is think about Jasmine. 

Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass (May 11, 2021)

Reyna has been all alone in what used to be a paradise for two years. After her mom died and her best friend and first love left, her home at the island resort her family owns began to feel like purgatory. But when that same best friend, Aiden, returns to the resort as a VIP guest, he’s not the same person who he was when he left. Aiden is part of a Grammy-winning music group and maybe dating one of the socialites he brought back with him…

Off The Record by Camryn Garrett (May 18, 2021)

Josie Wright’s childhood dreams came true when she was chosen to write a profile on up-and-coming celebrity Marius Canet. She’s ecstatic for the opportunity, but soon realizes she’s in over her head when she catches feelings for Marius and learns a terrible secret about him. Soon, the accounts of various women build up and Josie’s unsure if she should release the story and potentially ruin her career before it’s even begun

Misfit In Love by S.K. Ali (May 25, 2021)

In this fun and fresh sequel to Saints and Misfits, Janna Yusuf is so excited for the weekend: her brother Muhammad’s getting married, and she’s reuniting with her mom, whom she’s missed the whole summer. Janna hopes her brother’s wedding will be the perfect start to her own summer of love, but attractive new arrivals have her more confused than ever. After all—it wouldn’t be a wedding if everything went according to plan.

Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai (May 25, 2021)

Mini knows way more about computers and calculus than planning the perfect Desi wedding. Still, she’s determined to make her older sister Vinnie’s wedding exactly the way their late mother would have wanted it. With two months to go, Mini won’t let anything, not even charming hot boys or looming thunderstorms ruin her sister’s perfect day. 

The Love Song of Ivy K. Harlowe by Hannah Moskowitz (Jun 1, 2021)

Told through the perspective of the titular character’s best friend, Ivy K. Harlowe follows a lesbian’s budding romance. It’s no surprise Ivy’s best friend is falling in love. Ivy is gorgeous and fiery but never intended to settle down. That is until she meets Dot. Ivy’s best friend is jealous and must watch the romance unfold through her sad shadows. 

Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson (Jun 6, 2021)

In the wake of her roadie father’s death, Toni goes to the music festival that taught her to love music in the first place in a means to rediscover herself. At the festival, she collides with Olivia, a heartbroken romantic desperate to be in a place where she fits. When something goes wrong at the festival, Toni and Olivia take to each other to find what they need.

You’re So Dead by Ash Parsons (Jun 15, 2021)

Inspired by Agatha Christie, You’re So Dead is a story of an influencer convention gone wrong. Plum Winter intercepted her influencer sister’s invite to a glamorous convention on an island and brought her two best friends with her. But when they get to the island, it’s run down and nothing like what was promised. When people start to die off, Plum and her friends take to finding the killer before it’s too late. 

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (Aug 8, 2021)

Teenagers are disappearing and dying in a remote Oregon town. The event coincides when the Oritz-Woodleys, TV’s most famous ghost hunters, show up. Everyone wants to blame them—but their daughter Logan thinks there’s more going on underneath the surface. She teams up Ashley Barton, who is haunted by the ghost of her boyfriend, to investigate the truth. 

Love YA? Don’t miss our roundup of the Best YA Books of 2020.