BOOKS

POV: You just finished your bestie's latest #BookTok rec and you're looking for a new novel. Just choose your book mood and snag a page-turner that matches your reader-girl aesthetic.

The trope: LGBTQ+ enemies-to-lovers romances

A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland (TOR, $28)
Kadou is the gentle, anxiety-prone prince of Arasht. After a spat with another royal, he tries to get back in good graces by solving the mystery of who broke into the guild. His bodyguard, Evemer, can barely stand Kadou—at first. This romantic fantasy is enticing, surprising and filled with unique characters.

How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy (G.P. Putnam's Sons, $19)
Shay, a junior at T.K. Anderson Magical Magnet School, is a gay witch. She wants to win the Brockton Scholarship so she can get a full ride to a witch-licensing university. But Shay has competition: Her rival Ana has a higher GPA. When the two snag the leads in the school musical, their hate for each other goes *poof.*

The trope: Swoon-worthy love triangles—with a spooky twist

Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez (Delacorte Press, $19)
This drama sucks you right in. Jake drags his girlfriend Jess to his ex's party in the final days of summer before senior year. Jess expects the worst from this get-together—and her intuition is spot-on. Jake does something sinister, a body turns up at the beach and friends turn on each other in this heart-pounding mystery.

Grave Things Like Love by Sara Bennett Wealer (Delacorte Press, $19)
Can you be a normal teen with dead bodies in your house? It's not possible when your family runs a funeral home. Most kids think Elaine is weird—except for Zander, the new bad boy/ghost hunter in town. He's promising, but so is her friend Miles. Meanwhile, a ghost lurks in the halls. An unexpectedly charming read.

The trope: Fierce females + major main character energy

The Midnighters by Hana Tooke (Viking, $17)
It's 1877, and Ema feels out of place in her family of scientists. When she's sent to Prague to stay with her eccentric uncle, she mets Silvie, who shows her the city at night. Together, they conquer Ema's worst fears—until Silvie goes missing, and it's up to Ema to find her. Darkness and light are well-balanced in this fun fantasy.

How to Heal a Gryphon by Meg Cannistra (Inkyard Press, $17)
Giada, 12, has amaze animal-healing gifts—so why does she feel like such an outsider in her magical family? When her brother Rocco is kidnapped, Giada must rely on her creature companions to rescue him before he's gone forever. You'll fall for this headstrong heroine and the mystical world around her.

The trope: Classic coming-of-age comedies

Seoulmates by Susan Lee (Inkyard Press, $19)
Hannah Cho is ready for the summer of her life...until her BF Nate dumps her. Worse? Her former BFF Jacob returns to San Diego for a visit after becoming a famous K-drama star. The catch: He and Hannah have totally grown apart during his absence, but the former friends' meddling moms are determined to get them together.

It Sounds Like This by Anna Meriano (Viking, $20)
Sophomore Yasmin wants first chair in the flute section even though her bestie holds the title. But after accidentally getting the entire low brass section suspended from marching band, Yasmin finds herself in hot water. Friendships are tested as Yasmin tries to save the band—and her relationships.

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our October/November 2022 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

All GIFs via Giphy | Slider image via @blissandbooks

by GL | 9/18/2022