If your TBR is craving stories that hit hard, swoon deeply, and linger long after the final page, this upcoming slate delivers on all fronts.

From true-crime–inspired thrills to chaotic fake-dating romance and a haunting Gothic mystery rooted in cultural reckoning, these YA standouts are ready to spark conversation.

"I Don’t Wish You Well" by Jumata Emill Release Date: 1/20/2026

Dark, urgent, and unflinchingly real, this Southern thriller centers Pryce, a queer Black journalism student who reopens a notorious murder case through his true-crime podcast.

What begins as an investigation quickly exposes institutional corruption, homophobia, and secrets that powerful people would kill to keep buried. Drawing from his background as a crime reporter, Emill delivers a razor-sharp story that feels chillingly plausible, and impossible to put down. A must-read for true-crime fans who want their mysteries layered with purpose.

"We’re a Bad Idea, Right?" by K.L. Walther Release Date: 3/3/2026

Fake dating, best-friend chemistry, and one wildly chaotic weekend, this rom-com is pure delight.

Audrey is a rule-follower with a secret plan, Henry is her charming best friend with unfinished business, and together they agree to pretend they’re a couple…what could possibly go wrong?

Bursting with humor, heart, and just the right amount of mess, Walther’s latest is a feel-good romance about risk, reinvention, and learning to trust what your heart has been trying to tell you all along.

"That Which Feeds Us" by Keala Kendall Release Date: 5/26/2026

Moody, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling, this Gothic thriller reimagines paradise through a Native Hawaiian lens.

When Lehua’s twin sister disappears, her search leads to a luxury resort on Kōpaʻa Island, a place that is beautiful on the surface, but steeped in a violent plantation past.

As ghostly visions blur the line between history and the present, the novel becomes a powerful exploration of colonization, privilege, and what it means to reclaim buried truths. This is a haunting, thought-provoking read that stays with you long after the final reveal.

Whether you’re in the mood for pulse-pounding suspense, laugh-out-loud romance, or richly layered Gothic mystery, these upcoming releases prove that YA continues to push boundaries, and hearts, in all the best ways. Happy Reading!