Jamie Pacton writes all sorts of books: dark, feminist YA fantasy; contemporary YA stories with a funny geeky bent; funny MG adventure-fantasy; and, even the occasional adult rom-com. She was a Pitch Wars mentee in 2015 and she mentored YA in 2016, 2017, and 2018. She grew up minutes away from the National Storytelling Center in the mountains of East Tennessee; she’s the oldest of ten kids; and, she currently lives in rural Wisconsin with her husband, their two kids, and a dog named Lego. The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly is her Young Adult debut.
The Sacred Space Between (2025) Kalie Reid "By turns heartbreakingly tender and devastatingly brutal, this story of saints, iconographers, magic, and passion absolutely ensnared me. Maeve and Jude, with his 'sharp edges and soft mouth' (good grief!), live rent free in my head and heart. Highly recommended if you've ever listened to Hozier's 'Work Song' and said, 'Yes, I absolutely do need a beautifully written, sinister-yet-hopeful romantasy that feels like that song."
Hazelthorn (2025) C G Drews "A beautifully written, modern-yet-gothic murder mystery full of wretched boys, tangled secrets, and a horrifying sentient garden. Devour it, lest it devour you."
Love At First Fright (2025) Nadia El-Fassi "This book is for everyone who's ever watched the lake scene in Pride and Prejudice with giddy yearning, and said, 'yes, please, but can you make it into a modern, rom com with steamy consensual BDSM that also feels like a warm hug?"
Vesuvius (2025) Cass Biehn "A smart, tender, queer love story set on the precipice of one of the greatest natural disasters in history, Vesuvius seethes with tension, magic, longing, and mystery. I loved the beautifully reimagined world of Pompeii, and I was absolutely rooting for Loren and Felix, two broken boys who find a home in each other, despite the apocalyptic times they find themselves in."
That Devil, Ambition (2025) Linsey Miller "Brilliant, meticulous, and viciously surprising, this is dark academia at its most devilish (literally). Perfect for fans of VE Schwab, The Magicians, and The Atlas Six."
Where Shadows Bloom (2025) Catherine Bakewell "By turns delightful, decadent, and dangerous, Where Shadows Bloom is a captivating sapphic fantasy full of heart and hope. I read it in a breathless gallop and was still shocked by the twists at the end."
Inferno's Heir (2024) (Inferno's Heir, book 1) Tiffany Wang "Full of court intrigue, assassinations, prison breaks, and heists, this is a dangerous and riveting story that's part Six of Crows, part Game of Thrones, and part The Poppy War. I adored Teia, the novel's relentlessly fierce, morally gray heroine, and rooted for her even in the most impossible situations. Absolutely recommend if you're looking for a book to devour in one sitting."
The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray (2024) Christine Calella "I absolutely adored this book for its brave heroines and cheered for them as they fought pirates, scoundrels, and their own deepest fears. Perfect for fans of Our Flag Means Death, Pirates of the Caribbean, and feminist takes on history that put swords in girls' hands and let them fight fiercely for what and who they love."
A Fragile Enchantment (2024) Allison Saft "Full of gorgeous prose, a captivating magic system, and lovable yet deeply flawed characters...Come for a romantic Bridgerton-esque escape into a beautiful fantasy world, but be prepared for danger, intrigue, and incisive political commentary at every turn."
By Any Other Name (2023) Erin Cotter "Elizabethan London-- complete with Shakespeare's plays, Kit Marlowe's murder, dazzling court masques, and deadly intrigue-- comes to life in this thrilling, high stakes, beautifully written story. Part galloping, bloody mystery and part tender, queer love story, By Any Other Name is all heart and will have readers up late into the night cheering for the characters and the many twists of their fates."
The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway (2023) Ashley Schumacher "Set in one of my favorite places in the world - a Renaissance Faire full of jousts, royalty, bards, and castles - this is a wise, beautiful, funny book with tremendous heart. Schumacher treats all her characters with compassion and artfully blends a tale of deep grief with joy, reminding readers that magic is everywhere and that none of our stories are truly over, even when it might seem like it. I absolutely loved it."
Lies We Sing to the Sea (2023) Sarah Underwood "Prepare to be utterly wrecked by this brilliant, lyrical, queer, feminist af book. Lies We Sing to the Sea grabbed my heart from the first pages and I couldn't put it down. Utterly breathtaking. I loved it."
Remind Me to Hate You Later (2023) Lizzy Mason "A triumph of a story that offers a tender yet blistering look at love, grief, relationships, and healing. Full of hope and heartache, this book will stay with you long after the last pages. I devoured it, wept frequently, and left with a full heart."
Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston (2022) (Sir Callie, book 1) Esme Symes-Smith "This warm hug of a book is a love letter to classic fantasy novels and a joyous celebration of found families, finding your place, and making your way in the world on your terms (and with your chosen pronouns). It's thoughtful, inclusive, and an absolute joy."
Accomplished (2022) (Georgie Darcy, book 1) Amanda Quain "A delightful gem of a book...In between all the winks to P&P, Accomplished also offers a smart rumination on privilege; a nod to fanfics and author life; and, a swoony slow burn romance. Highly recommended for P&P fans looking for a fresh (hilarious) take on the original and for YA contemporary readers who want to romp in a world that feels both familiar and original all at once."
The One True Me and You (2022) Remi K England "A smart, funny, joyously queer love letter to fandoms, first loves, and the freedom to be yourself. With their characteristic wit and insight, Remi K. England has created characters you'll root for from page one and presented a poignant and thought-provoking window into the complex worlds of fandom and beauty pageants. I devoured THE ONE TRUE ME AND YOU in an afternoon and then started re-reading immediately. Grab a cup of tea (hand blended loose leaf, of course), your favorite fanfic, and prepare to fall in love with Teagan and Kay."
A Sisterhood of Secret Ambitions (2021) Sheena Boekweg "I love this book. Full of adventure, sisterhood, secret societies, gorgeous poems, and revisionist history, it shows how genuinely inclusive feminism can (and should) be. It also has tremendous things to say about women in politics and finding your own path, even when it's different from the one laid out for you. A delightful, thought-provoking read that I finished in one sitting."
