Best of
Young-Adult-Romance

2016

Get in the Car, Jupiter


Fisher Amelie - 2016
    CATFISHED AT SANTA'S. ROBBED AT THE FALLS. SHAKESPEARE OR DIE. DRIVER PICKS TUNES. I'm weird. This isn't news to me or anything. I have lived in a UFO my entire life. This wasn't a coincidence. My parents believe in extraterrestrial life. You know, phone home and all that crap, and they dragged my sister Mercury and I into their mess when they named us what they named us. So it wasn't a surprise, when after getting accepted to UW and expressing my desire to actually attend, they lamented that college is "just another ploy for the government to keep tabs on you, man." In other words, we won't be helping you out, Jupiter. That's fine, though, because my best friend Frankie and I can be pretty clever chicks when we want to be. We found a way up there and it was in the form of a longtime crush, his equally cute cousin, and a kickin' set of wheels. Buckle up, Buttercup, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Capture the World


R.K. Ryals - 2016
    He didn’t see a breakdown. He saw me." I see people. The way they travel through life like a blurred stream of light. I am one of them, these people, and we’re all light blasting together from one place to another. We’re all trying to be a part of the world, and yet not be a part of it. Like we’re trying to ball the world up into our hands and hold onto it. That’s me. Trying to capture it. The world. To keep it with me awhile before it goes away. My mom is a traveler, and she takes me with her everywhere. I am ashamed. I am proud. I want to catch her and make the world stop spinning. Maybe make it spin backwards, so that she is changed. The worst part is the fear I see when people look at me. As if I’m her. As if I’m going to be her. I’m not. But I wish I was. Because she doesn’t see our world. She has her own, and it’s beautiful. Her life. Her extraordinary world. My name is Reagan Lawson, a seventeen-year-old seasoned traveler without a passport. My life. My origami world. His name is Matthew Moretti. Senior basketball star, handsome, and as far from my complicated world as he can get, he surprises me with his interest, with the way he pulls me into a world I didn't want any part of. Until now. His life. His surprising world.

The Opposite of Ordinary


Jessica Sorensen - 2016
    But a lot can change in a day.In one day, I went from being Ashlynn Wynterland, one of the most popular girls in school to being the girl who spends lunchtime hiding out in Mr. Chester’s classroom and watching Maxon Harter and his science obsessed friends mess around with experiments. All because Queeny Harlington thinks I made out with her crush.Queeny Harlington is the queen of Fareland high. And up until a day ago, she was my best friend. Now she’s my worst enemy who’s threatening to tell the entire school all of my secrets.Being the friendless, social outcast has its downsides. So, when Maxon Harter invites me to hang out with him and his mad scientist friends, I accept his offer, even though they all seem to despise me. Which is fine. Sort of…The truth is I’ve always thought Maxon was cute in a weirdly unordinary way. And the more I get to know him, the more I find myself crushing on him badly. Which makes me wonder if I’ve always been a weirdly unordinary kind of girl, but was too afraid to admit it.But when Queeny decides to tell everyone my darkest secret of all, I doubt Maxon and my new friends will accept me anymore. I need to stop her, and the only way to do that may be to figure out who made up the rumor that I kissed her crush.

Bad for Me


Cheryl F.M. - 2016
    The youngest child of one of the world’s richest family, all her previous relationships only wanted her for her money. Now working as an air stewardess, she is happy and contented until one particular flight… One of the world’s hottest men(or so he likes to think), Drake Henderson is a successful race car driver and a notorious womanizer. He has long given up on finding a woman who would make him feel something more than what happens in one night until one particular flight... What will happen when two people with personalities that completely clash meet? And what if they meet again in the most unusual circumstance? Will Olivia and Drake finally learn to let go of their fear of falling in love? Grab a copy and find out!

The Chronicles of Winterset


K.G. Reuss - 2016
    When the charming, enigmatic, and devastatingly handsome Calix Night shows up at the school, Ana finds herself suddenly and quite unexpectedly the subject of a rivalry between Kellin and Calix as the two vie for her affection. But Ana has more pressing problems in the form of blinding headaches, strange dreams, visions, and possible hallucinations, including something flitting through her mirror and her hands bursting into flames, all making her fear she has a brain tumor. After Calix saves Ana from an army of shadowy, supernatural creatures, he relates a story that sounds like a fairy tale, complete with evil kings, warring knights, and a princess named Analia. Is it mere coincidence that his tale is nearly identical to Ana's frightening dreams and visions and that her name is so similar to the princess in the tale? Could Ana really be royalty from another world who is being protected by-or perhaps is the prey of-two others from that world in the form of Kellin and Calix? And if so, why? Could it be true that she was sent to Earth Realm to keep her from a man who is almost literally her other half, the darkness to her light and the death to her life, because their union would create unimaginable powers that could be used for evil-and maybe good? Stylish, atmospheric, and fast-paced, Oracle is a true page-turner that will keep you up all night, eager to uncover the next clue to Ana's destiny.

Seventeen Wishes


Erica Alexander - 2016
    Between the lies and the truths.Between hope and finality.This is the place I’ve created for us.For Lilly and me.A place without expiration dates.A place where I can be me and where the promise of tomorrow exists, even if it’s a lie I tell myself.Our time is limited, so I’ll make the most of it and hope she’ll forgive me for the lies I told us both.***Previously a part of Between Hearts: A Romance Anthology*** *Stand Alone Novella.*Not recommended for readers younger than 18.

The Crush Dilemma


Susan Hatler - 2016
    Peterson, the newspaper head, to write an online advice column for the school. She’s found the perfect name for her alter ego: Aubrey. It means someone who rules with “magical wisdom.” She’ll be in control of her online experiment, online identity, and divvy her wisdom to the masses while tracking the results for her mini-thesis.Now, protected by a secret identity, she’s got the popular crowd clambering to know what she thinks about fashion, homework, and eek . . . even sex! And the best part is, her parents and best friends don’t know anything about it. Finally, she can let loose a wild side and speak her mind—right or wrong, without having to meet anyone’s expectations.Soon, however, dishing out advice leads to more than Poppy can handle on her own and she must make a choice. Hide behind her alter ego or take the chance that everyone, including the new boy at school, will like her for everything she is.

Bride to the Sun


Lia Patterson - 2016
    Now she is the most insignificant member of an imperial court seething with intrigue. Shay, firedancer and bride to the sun, faces punishment for the crimes of her dead father: she has her magic bound and at the emperor's whim finds herself handed over as concubine to a barbarian lord. However, Lord Medyr of the Hawk doesn’t particularly fancy such a dubious gift – proving a surprise both to Shay and to the man who wants to use them as pawns in his ruthless bid for power. The reserved, self-controlled firedancer is bewildered by the task of having to deal with that strange creature, a male. Yet with enemies threatening on all sides, Shay and the hot-headed warrior from the north must build a fragile bridge of trust. But will they realise in time that the growing attraction between them is also their deadliest danger? A tale of elemental magic, perilous intrigues, a tortoise and pond slime.

Back of Beyond


Neeny Boucher - 2016
    And then there’s the moment that changes everything.Dina’s beautiful, smart, and has the voice of an angel. She also doesn’t see herself that way. The mean girls at high school remind her every day that she’s weird and unpopular. This is her norm until her best friends come up with a plan to change it.It’s daring. It’s risky. It hinges on her brother’s band and the approval of a boy who hates her.Riley’s the leader of the Outcast Crew and toughest boy in school. His ticket out of the life his wealthy parents have planned for him is the band. They’re looking for a new singer and Riley’s determined it won’t be Dina… until he hears her sing.Back of Beyond is realistic YA. "It was perfect- perfect- perfect !!!! The story line is amazing. You will actually be able to relate to what these kids goes through in their young lives." Christy McCurry (Radical Book Reads)"The author has the ability to write characters that make you fall in love with them." Moxxley@Platypire Reviews"This book is about love. And heartache. And I LOVE IT." CC Ravanera"No one does quirky characters quite like Neeny Boucher, which is kind of a shame since she only has three books available that I know of at this time, and I simply cannot get enough." Backstage Blogs"This is one of those stories where even though it is two weeks since I read the book the characters have continued to live in a corner of my mind." Mandy

A Soldier Finds Grace


Katherine St. Clair - 2016
    One dark, cloudy night, with everything to lose, they face an enemy-populated Hürtgen Forest. But Matthew has brought a weapon more powerful than any gun could ever be. He has brought his faith. Matthew’s sister, Grace, is a combat nurse working in a fast-paced field hospital along the front lines. Her body is tired and bruised, and her mind is exhausted from the non-stop barrage of new patients, but her spirit has held steady. She finds herself constantly saying small prayers for the men in her care. She always feels that her prayers are heard, until one day when she gets two letters with life-changing news. As William and Matthew plot out coordinates for a special mission, the two men are walking ever closer to a moment that can never be changed. Under the cover of trees, William’s life is about to change forever. But, as William will soon find out, one ending is only the spark to a new beginning. Grace has lived to see the end of the war in Europe, but the war in her heart is still going on. Staying on to help the last soldiers get home, Grace finds a handsome soldier with his head wrapped in bandages sitting in her final hospital. When William leaves Europe for US soil, he is certain he will never see the beautiful nurse again… Scroll back up and grab your copy now!

This is What Goodbye Looks Like


Olivia Rivers - 2016
    As the only eye-witness to the accident, if she tells the truth in court, the drunk driver will go to prison and the dead boy’s family will have justice.But Lea lies.If she had told the truth, Lea would have put her own mom in prison for causing the accident. With the trial over and her mom set free, Lea attempts to rebuild her shattered life as she waits for her little sister to wake from her coma.When Lea transfers schools, she finds herself in the same senior class as Seth Ashbury, the brother of the boy her mom killed. As Lea gets to know the person buried underneath Seth's grief, she quickly falls for his quick wit and passionate soul. But Seth remains completely oblivious that Lea is the same girl who robbed his family of justice.As their relationship deepens, Lea finally gets a taste of the love that’s been missing from her life since the accident. But soon she’s faced with a choice: she can continue her lies and accept the comfort it gives them both. Or she can tell Seth the truth about everything, and risk destroying both her family and her newfound love.

Simone's Ghosts


Roberta L. Smith - 2016
    Fifteen-year-old Simone is not your typical California teenage girl-although she'd like to be. She believes her secret abilities make her weird. While it might be cool to move things with your mind, see ghosts, and sometimes read other people's thoughts, it isn't when those things get you into trouble because you can't control them. Starting sophomore year at a new high school where she knows no one, Simone tries to keep to herself. Those efforts go awry when a couple of ghosts (Kim and Jimmy) befriend her. And, a popular boy in her English class (Dalton) asks to study together. Dalton's ex-girlfriend (Jenna) isn't happy about that. She and her friends do everything they can to make Simone's life miserable. On top of that, Simone learns some troubling information about Kim that turns the dean of girls against her. As Simone grows closer to Dalton, she worries about what will happen when he finds out about the things she can do. Ultimately she must learn to accept herself, as well as trust him, if she's to shut down Jenna and solve a mystery that will put a stop to the dean's efforts to ruin her life.

See No Evil


Jordan Ford - 2016
    Now a key witness in a murder trial, she’s been hidden away in the one place no one will think to look for her: Eton Preparatory School for Boys.It’s a stupid move. Insane. But she doesn’t have a choice.Instead of completing her senior year with the popular crowd, she’s being forced to hide in a school with exactly zero XX chromosomes. Even worse, she’s somehow supposed to act like the Neanderthals walking the halls.But then she meets the guys next door—the smoking-hot ones. And it doesn’t help that one in particular could unravel her in a heartbeat… and potentially blow her cover. How’s she supposed to resist Trey Calloway, the star hockey player who never backs down from a fight…and who never takes no for an answer?She’s supposed to be focused on staying safe, not on the guy who’s getting under her skin. Her chilling past isn’t going to suddenly disappear.In fact, it might just be catching up with her.