Best YA Books of January 2025

If the world was ending, we know where we’d want to be. With the world left in ruins after the last Storm, Liz spends her days in the bookstore she used to work in trading books for supplies with the few remaining souls left in her town. When Maeve breaks into the store looking for a safe place to spend the night, Liz has to figure out if she can really be trusted — especially with a second Storm imminent. Dystopian, haunting and stunningly original, The Last Bookstore on Earth explores life and love on the brink of survival. 

This D&D group is all fun and games until Quinn realizes she has a crush — and there’s nothing she can do about it. She joined this campaign determined to make friends, not to fall for a cute co-member while they’re both under a strict no-dating-within-the-group rule. Feel-good, cozy and sweet, Dating and Dragons is perfect for fans of Lynn Painter and Ali Novak.

Podcasting and football might not go hand-in-hand, but Finley is determined to best her ex in both — with a little help along the way. After teaming up with his arch nemesis, Finley is sure this will royally tick off her ex, but what happens when she discovers his nemesis might just be the one she’s been looking for all along? With new love and a healthy dose of sweet revenge, this swoony tale is a perfect 10 for readers of Alice Osman and Casey McQuiston.

Calling all Ava Reid and Lauren Roberts fans: we have your next read. Tycho, Jax and Callyn are all on separate journeys with one goal in mind: hone the magic that is dividing their kingdom. The captivating story that began in Forging Silver into Stars picks up with a sweeping story of love, royalty and loyalty from one of our favorite authors. 

For readers who loved Song of Silver, Flame Like Night and A Magic Steeped in Poison, this is the start to a brand-new, sharp and dazzling series from an epic duo. Jun is determined to prove his worth in the brutal Guardian’s Tournament that only happens every six years. With his father’s reputation and a potential family reunion on the line, Jun knows he must win the tournament — or die trying. 

This novel is a story of living beyond labels from the bestselling author of If He Had Been With Me. Best friends and bandmates, Sam and Ramona are both pining for each other, but don’t want to risk ruining their friendship — and neither of them knows how the other really feels. A high school soundtrack with a rock-and-roll heart, you’ll want to make notes in the margins of this one.  

Brook has been perfect throughout her schooling — well, except for “the incident” that threatened the entire façade. When Brook starts being followed on her way home from a party by someone threatening to out “the incident” and ruin her picture-perfect reputation, she knows she just needs to survive the night. With the tension of Natasha Preston and the twists of Karen M. McManus, No Place Left to Hide asks, how far would you go to keep the truth hidden? 

Slow-burn, fake dating and opposites attract? We can’t get enough. River just started a job at run-down café and after a spectacularly disastrous string of events (even for him), the last thing he needs is a difficult co-worker who seems determined to make his life hell. Bingsu for Two is sweeter than your favorite pastry — get ready to share this one with all your friends.

London, 1923 in an entirely different universe where dragons and humans live alongside each other with a fragile truce between them. A whirlwind story of friendship, love and linguistics, one girl risks everything to secure a future for her sister — even if it means accidentally starting a civil war. If you love the complex characterization of Tahereh Mafi or the vivid worldbuilding of V.E. Scwhab, this one is for you.