Young Adult Novels to Read in 2022
By: Hidden Gems on March 8, 2022
Hidden Gems ARC readers, regardless of age, appreciate young adult novels. As an adult, there’s something so nostalgic about sinking into a YA, and for teens there’s usually a relatable theme in the storyline, or at least an opportunity to escape to another world. We’re certain you’ll want to add these highly rated YA reads to your TBR list this year.
BFF: A Story About Bullycide by Lindsey Bell
With an astounding, 4.9 star rating on Amazon and well-loved by Hidden Gems ARC readers, this story comes with trigger warnings for bullying and suicide. It examines heart-breaking consequences of struggles that teens face. The characters in BFF will stick with readers.
Ann B. explains in her 5-star review, “This book ventures into areas that are hard to present to middle grade and young adult readers: bullying, suicide, sexual preference, race and culture. The tenderness and thoughtfulness put into the presentation of these real topics hit home for me and I am sure, will benefit young readers. As a mom, I am so happy these issues have been handled with such care and understanding.”
“This book creatively and emotionally draws the reader into the real struggles of tweens through a beautiful friendship,” writes AT in their 5-star review. “You will fall in love with the main characters and will truly feel the weight of the tragedy at the end. Lindsey Bell has a true talent of drawing you into the story and feeling all that young girls go through at that age. A must read for our youth in dealing with bullycide. Ms. Bell conveys a positive message which I believe should be included in all school libraries as a tool to talk about this difficult but all too real issue.”
Gates of Demons by Tamar Sloan
Book 1 in the Keepers of the Grail series, this is an edgy, epic new adult romance for fans of Richelle Mead and Jennifer Armentrout. This is a paranormal adventure that transports readers on a breathtaking journey.
Icr raves in their 5-star review, “Gates of Demons is the first book in the incredible Keepers of the Grail series. It is an action packed, fast paced read with a diverse range of characters who are somehow linked but do not yet know it. This is a new spin on good v evil, expertly written and totally absorbing. I could not put it down. Definitely worth five stars and absolutely essential reading if you like a good, original, well written paranormal mystery romance.”
“I AM IN LOVE so much that I dreamed about this book last night,” writes Katie Did It in her 5-star review. “How can a book make you dream about being surrounded by evil and NOT WANTING TO WAKE to the bitter reality that is your little small town life? I guess that’s why they call it fantasy. Gates of Demons is extremely well written from the first intense action packed chapter, and it doesn’t let up. It’s a rollercoaster ride into hell with no apologies! Author Tamar Sloan does a terrific job of blending real people with real issues into the destructive world of demons and the end of the world enabling me to view the two MC, Reign and Arielle as sort of anti-heros instead of making them infallible. I read this book straight through with only refrigerator and potty breaks which is unusual for me if it’s not an audio. If you are a fan of the show Supernatural or the movie The Devil’s Advocate, this story has whispers of those worlds and you’ll definitely fall in love like I did.”
Only You in Everything by Jennifer Ann Shore
From Hidden Gems reader favorite Jennifer Ann Shore, Only You In Everything is sweet, emotional, and filled with wonderful life lessons that can be appreciated at any age. This delightful young adult novel ends in a happily ever after.
“Only You in Everything is one of the best YA romances I’ve ever read,” says N.N. Light, Vine Voice in their 5-star review. “From the first page to the last, I couldn’t stop reading. I connected with Cameron in so many ways. The setting of a summer camp brought back so many memories for me. I loved summer camp as a kid and a teen. The last year of summer camp was bittersweet, just like it is for Cameron. The descriptive narration sucks the reader in and doesn’t let go until the very end. Jennifer Ann Shore is an award-winning bestseller with all the accolades, yet this book is her masterpiece. Everything about falling in love, moving from teen to adult, summer camp, stepping out of your comfort zone, friendships, and more is beautifully portrayed in Only You in Everything. The angst, the emotion, the conflict, the artistic inspiration moved me to tears. A heart-wrenching young adult story, Only You in Everything will remind you of the freedom of youth and exploring what really matters in life. Highly recommend!”
Jasc777 writes in their 5-star review, “Only You in Everything is the story of Cameron, an artist who is spending the summer before college working at a summer camp. And she just so happens to be working right alongside her childhood friend and longtime crush Will. Will this be the summer that Will finally returns Cameron’s feelings, or will her hopes remain unrequited as she enters her first year of college? Only You in Everything is the fifth book I have read by Jennifer Ann Shore and I think this one just might be my favorite so far. I adored the summer camp setting; it gave me some nice trips down memory lane and offered a fun escape. Cameron was great as a lead and I liked how the book focused on her as a whole person just as much as it did the romance aspect of the book. The relationship between Cameron and Will had a lot to it, and their road was definitely not straightforward. I am always in need of good YA books in my life, and Only You in Everything is definitely the kind of book that I look for.”
Illusions: Ravens of Darkness by Elle Preston
If you like character driven, paranormal romance sagas with supernatural elements, darkly dynamic love relationships, and a hint of magic and mystery, then you’ll love the Ravens of Darkness series with 4.8 star rated Illusions being the series starter.
“I don’t often give books a 5 star rating. This book really got to me,” raves Keith in his 5-star review. “The characters were believable and I had to know if things would work out in the end. Two nights up till 1am reading to find out. I wasn’t disappointed and you won’t be either! Looking forward to reading book 2!”
Paul S. writes in his 5-star review, “Loved the characters! I felt Evie’s evolution as a young woman. It seemed I was right alongside her, witnessing her learning about herself through her experiences in this story. It had me enthralled. I stayed up super late more than one night just to find out what happened next!”
Eden by C J Singh
Eden tells a mystical, but eerily realistic tale of a dystopian world in which the Fever has become a deadly contagion. This 2021 IAN Book Awards Finalist was popular with Hidden Gems readers and boasts an impressive 4.9 average star rating on Amazon.
Jessica H. explains in her 5-star review, “I really enjoyed reading Eden. I liked watching her relationship with Jace evolve through the novel. I liked the storyline and the way the story kept shifting to be told from different character’s perspectives. It was very clear who became the narrator at the beginning of each chapter. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good science fiction or pandemic novel.”
“Eden is a great fun read,” writes Katherine G. in her 5-star review. “The story builds well and keeps you questioning what will happen. You learn more and more as the story goes on and get really attached to the characters. As someone who loves YA and dystopian novels I really enjoyed it. If you like dystopian novels like The Hunger Games and Divergent I would definitely recommend it.”
Hidden Gems readers got to read these books first, so if you want to lose yourself in more young adult novels, sign up today! Subscribers to Hidden Gems receive invitations to read books like these – plus other titles from any of up to 15 other genres – for free. Authors send these out in the hopes that the readers will write an honest review on Amazon once they’re done!
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