We don’t care what anyone says, the YA novel is a true art form. Nobody does pining, brooding and slow-burning romances quite like the authors of these popular novels – and we simply can’t get enough.
Whether set within a dystopian wasteland, a fantasy world of kings and queens or a universe in which monsters really do exist, YA novels always find a way to weave a coming-of-age love story into ever-complicated, love triangle-wracked plotlines.
If ever faced with unwelcome criticism regarding your reading material of choice from some pompous pretender, we recommend reminding said wannabe that Jane Austen was writing spectacular popular literature for the young romance-loving girls and guys of her time. There’s a reason Emma was adapted into a popular 90s chick-flick (that’s right, Clueless is just Austen’s novel retold). Likewise, Shakespeare was a fantasy-loving poet and playwright who couldn’t get enough of a good, complicated love story.
We’ve put together a round-up of the most gripping and gut-wrenching YA novels that are making the rounds on BookTok right now. Keep scrolling.
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A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (Book 1) (Paperback)
This multimillion copy bestselling mystery series by Holly Jackson follows Pip, a high schooler in her Senior year, who re-examines a closed-case murder that occurred within her small town just a few years prior. This nail-biting mystery sees Pip risk her own life to uncover the truth about a ghastly crime that continues to haunt her town. It’s highly likely that you’ll devour this book in a few short sittings, so you might want to scoop up the other two novels that makeup the New York Times bestselling series – Good Girl, Bad Blood and As Good As Dead.
Buy now £6.99, Waterstones
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (Paperback)
Dubbed the hottest fantasy sensation of 2022, if you’ve entered the new year without reading this spectacular YA novel – you’ve started it off wrong.
A true, fiery fantasy romance, the tale follows a huntress names Feyre who suffers a terrible price for the unintentional killing of a faerie. Imprisoned by a masked captor, the story follows Feyre’s complicated feelings as they turn from hostility to passion. We won’t give too much away, but we’ll save you the inconvenience of searching for the next books in the series – which you’ll inevitably order. They’re called A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight and A Court of Silver Flames.
Buy now £8.99, Waterstones
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (Paperback)
Winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for YA, this debut novel by Angeline Boulley has certainly made the rounds on BookTok. The thriller follows a Native American teenager who is on a mission to root out the corruption that plagues her community. After witnessing a murder, 18-year-old Daunis agrees to go undercover with the FBI to help shed light on a series of drug-related fatalities.
An exploration of family, identity, racism and misogyny told through the eyes of a young girl on the brink of adulthood, this intricate and gripping novel is a must-read.
Buy now £8.99, Waterstones
How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow (Paperback)
If you enjoyed the TikTok viral Girl in Pieces by Glasgow, you won’t be able to put her next novel down. Delving into the complicated and gut-wrenching world of grief, the author provides an honest and fearlessly written account of 16 year old Tiger Tolliver, who is learning to cope with the unexpected loss of her mother. Rather than shying away from the difficult subject, Glasgow dives in head-first, revealing honest truths associated with the immediate impact of loss within a family.
Buy now £8.27, Amazon
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (Paperback)
If you recognise the name of this bestseller, it’s because it was recently adapted into a Netflix original film starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. If, like us, you’re always one to read the book before watching the movie – let us break it down for you.
The story follows two teenagers who meet one another at their lowest. Though it is unclear who exactly saves whom, Niven tackles issues such as depression with a sense of hope and comfort in a manner that is at once gut-wrenching and full of light. It’s been described as ‘the next The Fault in our Stars’ – so if you’re a big fan of the seminal YA novel by John Green, grab a copy of this wonder.
Buy now £6.29, Amazon
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (Paperback)
Yet another novel that tugs on just about every heartstring imaginable, Hoover explores complicated and triggering topics including domestic abuse and heartbreak through the tried and tested love-triangle plotline. She nevertheless manages to treat these incredibly emotionally vulnerable subjects with a gentle warmth that ultimately feels like a much-needed hug.
Buy now £4.50, Amazon
