I'll Pretend You're Mine (2025) Tashie Bhuiyan "Tashie Bhuiyan has done it again. I'll Pretend You're Mine is a gentle, affirming story about a fake relationship that grows so real, it helps these characters become braver, better, and more assured individuals. Underneath the flash and glamor of celebrity is a beautiful love story rooted in friendship and healing, written by an author who understands exactly what makes a romance truly shine."
And They Were Roommates (2025) Page Powars "And They Were Roommates perfectly blends the silly chaos of teenage shenanigans with the very real heft of social, romantic, and academic pressures of adolescence. This story is driven by an unconventional second chance romance that captures the highs and lows of learning to believe in love, and yourself, again. Just a genuinely entertaining time of a read."
A Banh Mi for Two (2024) Trinity Nguyen "A delicious treat of a debut, A Banh Mi for Two is filled with sweet romance, hearty familial love, and a rich exploration of the meaning of home. Vivi and Lan's respective arcs beautifully complement one another, creating the perfect recipe for them as a couple."
The Quince Project (2024) Jessica Parra "A fun, quirky story touching on perfectionism, grief, and searching for a happily ever after in the real world, The Quince Project reminds readers that the magic of love is always with us and never completely out of reach."
Dear Wendy (2024) Ann Zhao "Dear Wendy is a richly heartfelt story that celebrates the healing powers of newfound community and friendship. Zhao's debut is a unputdownable blend of timely humor, accessible queer theory, and dimensional platonic relationships all explored through the daily minutiae and chaos of early college life."
Where Sleeping Girls Lie (2024) Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé "Enthralling from the very first page, WHERE SLEEPING GIRLS LIE sinks you into a world flooded with deception and secrets. Unexpected but utterly earned twists and turns lead Sade deeper into this mystery, pulling the reader right alongside her. Àbíké-Íyímídé has expertly constructed a thrilling story anchored by pain and kept afloat by hope."
This Day Changes Everything (2024) Edward Underhill "Woven throughout Leo and Abby's charming adventures are beautiful notes on identity, destiny, and the thrill of being seen for who you truly are, even as you're still figuring that out."
Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment (2024) Arushi Avachat "Lovable and snarky Arya is the perfectly imperfect character to follow through the highs and lows of sisterhood, friendship, and romance. Avachat's endearing slice of life contemporary nails the energy of a classic teen coming of age story while still feeling delightfully fresh."
Our Cursed Love (2023) Julie Abe "Our Cursed Love is a compelling story of two best friends choosing themselves and their shared love over their assigned fates. Julie Abe has a talent for building whimsical settings and romantic chemistry that keeps the pages turning."
Everyone's Thinking It (2023) Aleema Omotoni "A Gossip Girl for the new age that's impossible to put down. Omotoni spins an intricate web of relationships ... all tangled in relevant questions of identity, oppression, and community. This is an absolute knockout debut, and once reading, everyone will be thinking it."
The Luis Ortega Survival Club (2023) Sonora Reyes "The Luis Ortega Survival Club impressively and realistically explores trauma and pain alongside joy and love. Refreshingly sincere and ultimately hopeful, this book oozes intentional care for its characters and readers."
And Other Mistakes (2023) Erika Turner "AND OTHER MISTAKES is a heartfelt slice-of-life story that beautifully captures the nuances of familial acceptance, sapphic first loves, and daily survival. Through Aaliyah's imperfect navigation of her complicated life, Erika Turner earnestly shows readers that mistakes are a part of the journey, not the end of one."
Deep in Providence (2022) Riss M Neilson "Equal parts haunting and healing, Deep in Providence takes an intricate look at grief, family, spirituality, and love through the lenses of three magical girls on the edge of adulthood. A bittersweet story that's sure to linger in readers' hearts."
