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30 Best Young Adult Books of 2023 That You Don't Want to Miss

From fantasy to thrillers to romance, it's a big year from YA!

Headshot of Tamara FuentesBy Tamara Fuentes
best ya books of 2023
Courtesy of Publishers

Where you're browsing your local indie bookstore through the hundreds of tags on BookTok, you know that YA books are having a moment right now. Many new authors are making their debuts, while some fan-favorite series are coming to an end. And that still doesn't begin to cover the dozens of books coming out weekly. Although that may seem super overwhelming, we got some major reading done and picked out the best of the best that you 100 percent need to grab on your next book-shopping trip. So get your shelves ready, because you're gonna need all the space for these amazing reads.

Here are the Best YA Books of 2023.

'Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute' by Talia Hibbert

'Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute' by Talia Hibbert

'Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute' by Talia Hibbert

$19 at Bookshop
Credit: Joy Revolution

Talia's YA debut is a shining star as she takes her incredible romance chops and actually has us falling in love with the idea of a wilderness survival competition. If you're an academic rivals to lovers fan, then this is a must-read for you.

Release date: January 3, 2023

'The Stolen Heir: A Novel of Elfhame' by Holly Black

'The Stolen Heir: A Novel of Elfhame' by Holly Black

'The Stolen Heir: A Novel of Elfhame' by Holly Black

Credit: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

You don't need to be a fan of the original Folk of the Air series to still get excited about this release. As Holly brings readers back to Elfhame for a brand new adventure, the experiences of two different kinds of royals absolutely prove why she continues to be the book queen of faerie.

Release date: January 3, 2023

'Begin Again' by Emma Lord

'Begin Again' by Emma Lord

'Begin Again' by Emma Lord

Credit: Wednesday Books

Emma Lord continues her contemporary takeover with her latest novel. This time we're heading over to a community college campus that is filled with the ultimately slow-burn romance. And if that wasn't convincing enough, its title came from that Taylor Swift song so you know it's going to be good.

Release date: January 24, 2023

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'The Davenports' by Krystal Marquis

'The Davenports' by Krystal Marquis

'The Davenports' by Krystal Marquis

Part romance and part historical fiction, The Davenports follows one of the few prominent Black families in the 1900s. Three different siblings are ready to step up and find the person they're going to spend the rest of their life with. But will they listen to their hearts or to their families and the rest of society?

Release date: January 31, 2023

'Afterglow' by Phil Stamper

'Afterglow' by Phil Stamper

'Afterglow' by Phil Stamper

Graduation is never easy, but Phil somehow handles the mess of it all so beautifully as the four BFFs from Golden Boys get ready to go their separate ways.

Release date: February 7, 2023

'The Severed Thread' by Leslie Vedder

'The Severed Thread' by Leslie Vedder

'The Severed Thread' by Leslie Vedder

This Sleeping Beauty retelling continues to keep us wanting more with another fun adventure featuring one of the most badass heroines her found family.

Release date: February 7, 2023

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'Chaos Theory' by Nic Stone

'Chaos Theory' by Nic Stone

'Chaos Theory' by Nic Stone

Nic Stone continues to share their brilliance through one of the most important and poignant stories featuring mental health that anyone and everyone should read.

Release date: February 28, 2023

'Immortality: A Love Story' by Dana Schwartz

'Immortality: A Love Story' by Dana Schwartz

'Immortality: A Love Story' by Dana Schwartz

This gothic love story brings back Hazel and Jack as they get caught up with a secret society and a murder mystery that will definitely keep you up all night.

Release date: February 28, 2023

'These Infinite Threads' by Tahereh Mafi

'These Infinite Threads' by Tahereh Mafi

'These Infinite Threads' by Tahereh Mafi

The This Woven Kingdom sequel continues to bring to life one of the most magical and eye-opening fantasy stories through exciting love triangles and high stakes that only Mafi can make.

Release date:February 28, 2023

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'While You Were Dreaming' by Alisha Rai

'While You Were Dreaming' by Alisha Rai

'While You Were Dreaming' by Alisha Rai

Sonia's life gets turned upside down when she rescues her crush while dressed up in her comic-con costume and now she has to try to keep her secret from everyone or else risk bringing her family and her troubles into the spotlight.

Release date: March 21, 2023

'Brighter Than the Sun' by Daniel Aleman

'Brighter Than the Sun' by Daniel Aleman

'Brighter Than the Sun' by Daniel Aleman

Aleman continues to paint an honest picture of the Latinx-American experience, this time through the eyes of a young woman whose life gets split down the border. Stuck between her family and her future, she has to face the truth about her experience, which is a reality for many children in the United States.

Release date: March 21, 2023

'Silver in the Bone'

'Silver in the Bone'

'Silver in the Bone'

After tackling Greek mythology, Bracken is now taking a turn at Arthurian legend and completely succeeds in a book that feels like a mix of her past and present work is perfect for new and old fans.

Release date: April 4, 2023

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'Stars and Smoke' by Marie Lu

'Stars and Smoke' by Marie Lu

'Stars and Smoke' by Marie Lu

Credit: Courtesy of Roaring Brook Press

What happens when you put a secret spy and a K-pop star together in the same room? Just one of the most fun capers that you won't be able to put down from all the giddiness that Lu creates in her new series.

Release date: April 4, 2023

'Viva Lola Espinoza' by Ella Cerón

'Viva Lola Espinoza' by Ella Cerón

'Viva Lola Espinoza' by Ella Cerón

One of the most stunning and eye-opening reads, Cerón isn't afraid to tackle the Latinx-American experience as Lola heads back to Mexico City to spend time with her family. It brings familiar feelings to life while also bringing life and magic to an already vibrant city.

Release date: April 11, 2023

'Throwback' by Maurene Goo

'Throwback' by Maurene Goo

'Throwback' by Maurene Goo

A surprising time-travel twist of a novel, a Gen-Z teen is sent back to the 90s where she has to try to relate to her mother or else be stuck there forever.

Release date: April 11, 2023

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'Imogen, Obviously' by Becky Albertalli

'Imogen, Obviously' by Becky Albertalli

'Imogen, Obviously' by Becky Albertalli

Credit: Balzer + Bray

While visiting her friend in college, Imogen discovers a white lie about her that may hold some more truth than she thinks. Will this visit change everything for her?

Release date: May 2, 2023

Kelly McWilliams 'Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay' by Kelly McWilliams

'Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay' by Kelly McWilliams

Kelly McWilliams 'Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay' by Kelly McWilliams

A well-balanced novel that talks about grief, history, and cancel culture. McWilliams successfully tackles all of that and more as one teen seeks to teach the public right from wrong when it comes to preserving and honoring history and the power of Black women.

Release date: May 2, 2023

'Solitaire' by Alice Oseman

'Solitaire' by Alice Oseman

'Solitaire' by Alice Oseman

Credit: Courtesy of Scholastic

It's finally Tori Spring's turn in the spotlight as the hit book makes it way to the US for the first time. One day, she stumbles upon a mysterious post-it note that features the URL to a mysterious blog. Tori not only has to deal with school but now has to try to uncover who is behind the mysterious Solitaire.

Release date: May 2, 2023

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'Every Gift a Curse' by Caroline O'Donoghue

'Every Gift a Curse' by Caroline O'Donoghue

'Every Gift a Curse' by Caroline O'Donoghue

Caroline uses her own magical writing powers to create a fitting and successful ending for this trilogy featuring a coven of witches who are set to face their biggest foe yet.

Release date: May 9, 2023

'Girls Like Girls' by Hayley Kiyoko

'Girls Like Girls' by Hayley Kiyoko

'Girls Like Girls' by Hayley Kiyoko

Credit: Wednesday Books

Pop sensation Hayley Kiyoko brings one of her most iconic music videos to life through a stunning debut that feels more important than ever. Coley and Sonya have a love story for the ages and fans can enjoy Kiyoko's brilliant writing in another medium.

Release rate: May 30, 2023

Headshot of Tamara Fuentes
Tamara Fuentes
Entertainment Editor

Tamara Fuentes is the current Entertainment Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers TV, movies, books, celebrities, and more. She can often be found in front of a screen fangirling about something new. Before joining Cosmopolitan, she was the entertainment editor over at Seventeen. She is also a member of the Television Critics Association and the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram

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