Spring is here! And with it comes some amazing YA books. I’m so excited about SO MANY titles coming out this season. This list contains authors I’ve been following closely, plus some authors I’ve wanted to read PLUS debut or new-to-me authors. All I can say is that I’m going to spending a lot of time reading this season. We have a hammock under the trees in the backyard, and I can tell I’m gonna be using it! Here are my top 30 most-anticipated young adult books coming spring 2023.
30 Most-Anticipated Young Adult Books Coming Spring 2023
My Dear Henry: A Jekyll and Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review
What you need to know: A retelling of the story of Jekyll and Hyde set in 1880s England with queer Black main characters. I really enjoyed her middle grade novel, THE VANQUISHERS, last year, so I was excited to read more of her books. I think she knocked it out of the park with this one.
Release Date: March 7, 2023
Missing Clarissa by Ripley Jones
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review
What you need to know: A missing girl who was never found. A true crime podcast featuring the case. Two girls who must decide whether the secrets they uncovered would destroy an innocent man or identify Clarissa’s murderer. Twisty and intense! Read if you loved SADIE or THE AGATHAS.
Release Date: March 7, 2023
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher
What you need to know: A Renaissance Faire under new management. A girl who liked the old faire better. A boy who pulls her into the new theatrical experience. I have loved both Ashley Schumacher’s other novels, so I’m dying to read this one.
Release Date: March 14, 2023
Stateless by Elizabeth Wein
What you need to know: A girl chosen to represent Britain in Europe’s first air race for youth. Sabotage and secrets. Maybe even… murder?? I’ve loved both the books I read by this author before, so I’m expecting the same great storytelling and unforgettable characters here.
Release Date: March 14, 2023
Castelon (Wraithwood #3) by Alyssa Roat
What you need to know: CASTELON is the final book in the Wraithwood series, which I’ve really been enjoying. It’s got some Merlin-based lore and magic. A slow-burn romance. I have to know how it all ends.
Release Date: March 15, 2023
You Wouldn’t Dare by Samantha Markum
What you need to know: A best friendship nearly wrecked by a summer fling. A surly new stepsister. A community theater production in jeopardy. Sounds like Junie is juggling a lot of big things, and they’re all about to come crashing down. I loved Markum’s debut, and this one looks like it’ll deliver the same sparky tension and hilarity.
Release Date: March 28, 2023
Last Sunrise in Eterna by Amparo Ortiz
What you need to know: This looks like magical realism or maybe a portal story? A girl who supports her family by scavenging elf corpses. The elf prince whose fate is tied to hers. Looks like it could have some THE LUMINARIES vibes?
Release Date: March 28, 2023
Greymist Fair by Francesca Zappia
What you need to know: Described as “a suspenseful and inventive murder-mystery inspired by the lesser-known fairytales of the Brothers Grimm.” I read KATZENJAMMER last year and absolutely loved Zappia’s vivid, powerful writing. As soon as I saw her name on this cover, I was in.
Release Date: March 28, 2023
The Paper Daughters of Chinatown (Adapted for Young Readers) by Heather B. Moore and Allison Hong Merrill
What you need to know: Based on the true story of two friends who help rescue immigrant women and girls in San Fransisco’s Chinatown in the late 1890s. I love the trend lately of novels inspired by little-known female heroes in history. I’m super excited to read this one.
Release Date: April 11, 2023
The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith
What you need to know: A girl with a gift of foreknowledge uses it to save a life… and inadvertently puts the rescuer’s life in danger. Described as “THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END meets THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT.” I liked both, so I’m super excited to read this one.
Release Date: April 25, 2023
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley
What you need to know: A team of teens determined to return ancestral remains from a museum to their tribe amid mysteries and secrets possibly connecting to missing women. I love that this story draws attention to a very real issue, and I’m excited to read the book.
Release Date: May 2, 2023
The Last One to Fall by Gabrielle Lepore
What you need to know: Six teens were present when someone was murdered, but which one is guilty? I really enjoyed Lepore’s debut, THIS IS WHY WE LIE, which came out last year. This looks like one to read if you loved ONE OF US IS LYING.
Release Date: May 9, 2023
Beauty Reborn by Elizabeth Lowham
What you need to know: Beauty and the Beast retold with Beauty as an assault survivor, who retreats to the Beast’s castle following her attack. I’m always interested in reimagined fairy tales, and I am really curious about this one.
Release Date: May 9, 2023
If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude
What you need to know: A girl in love with her best friend and clinically depressed (undiagnosed) finds her plans to take her life thwarted by an announcement that there are only 9 days left before a life-ending asteroid strikes the Earth. Looks like one that will plumb the depths of the heart.
Release Date: May 9, 2023
Julieta and the Romeos by Maria E. Andreu
What you need to know: Described as “YOU’VE GOT MAIL meets a YA BEACH READ” which sounds like lots of fun. A writer trying to uncover the identity of a mysterious online collaborator. Sounds super cute and just what I need after some of the more serious titles on here!
Release Date: May 16, 2023
The Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall
What you need to know: Two people, two timelines, connected by a magical conch shell…. communicating across time, and falling in love. I love a good timetravel/time-pretzel romance, so I can’t wait for this one.
Release Date: May 16, 2023
Don’t Ask If I’m Okay by Jessica Klara
What you need to know: Complicated grief. A boy who’s desperate to prove he’s not grieving when he absolutely is, and what happens when his broken heart is truly laid bare. There’s something really special and brave about a book that explores a soul-crushing grief. I really want to read this.
Release Date: May 16, 2023
All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley
What you need to know: A girl escaping her own grief takes a job as a governess in a haunted house. The description of this one reminds me a lot of THE TURN OF THE SCREW by Henry James. I loved McCauley’s last novel, so when I saw her name, I couldn’t wait to read this.
Release Date: May 16, 2023
Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie and Elliott McLemore
What you need to know: A transgender prince doubling for his brother. A queen’s lady-in-waiting who is also a boy assassin, determined to destroy the prince’s brother. Looks like this is packed with political drama and identity exploration, and no one could do it better than this author duo.
Release Date: May 16, 2023
Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra
What you need to know: A girl desperate to keep up appearances for the high-achieving expectations of her parents faces a crossroads when a baking competition she’s sure she could win comes to town. This reminds me a little bit of SALT AND SUGAR by Rebecca Carvalho, and looks like tons of fun!
Release Date: May 16, 2023
Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland
What you need to know: A high school election campaign leads to the discovery of a pattern of harassment within the student government. From Goodreads: SOMETHING LIKE POSSIBLE is a love letter to ambitious girls, queer solidarity, and how to keep moving forward when the world seems set on pushing you back.
Release Date: May 23, 2023
The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
What you need to know: The sequel to THE AGATHAS! Alice and Iris are back to solve another murder mystery in Castle Cove when a school dance at the site of an infamous unsolved murder is interrupted by a violent assault. I loved the first book in this series, so I’m thrilled about this one.
Release Date: May 30, 2023
No Perfect Places by Steven Salvatore
What you need to know: From the cover copy: A thought-provoking novel about grief, family secrets, and figuring out how to belong against the odds. Salvatore is an auto-buy author for me. I’ve loved both their previous books, and this one hits a lot of elements I tend to love, namely grief and siblings.
Release Date: May 30, 2023
What are your most-anticipated young adult books coming spring 2023?
Are you looking forward to any of the titles on my list? What’s coming out that I didn’t list but absolutely must add to my TBR? Leave a comment and let me know! I’d love to add more books to my list.
