Stops Along the Way by Anna Sortino - ADVISABLE

Stops Along the Way by Anna Sortino. 256 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2026. $20.

Language: PG (15 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

17yo Iris has recently graduated from high school and is looking forward to college in the fall. Her sister, Amelia, is coming home from college so Iris can have the car. Iris has flown to Amelia's to road trip back with her. Iris loves board games and belongs to a gaming group that meets weekly. She always seems to have to play with Declan. She finds him irritating - he's always recording all her moves in a notebook and thinks he knows everything about board games. They are even competing against each other in an upcoming Board Game creation competition. So, when Iris arrives to pick up Amelia, she is shocked to find Declan there, too, to drive home with his brother, who happens to go to the same college as Amelia. Now it looks like the 2 sets of siblings are driving home together. 

This was a sweet love story. Sortino tends to weave in hearing-impaired characters into each story, and I love that, even though Iris is losing her hearing and wears hearing aids, that's not the focus of the story. The romance is a slow burn with a lot of "Stops Along the Way". There's a long afterward, which would have been a nice book two - I think it covered too much time - but with it, it wraps up nicely and is a standalone. The characters are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

The Christmas Wish by Lee Heart - ADVISABLE

The Christmas Wish by Lee Heart, 130 pages. Simon, 2026. $8 (pb)

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Joy Holly Rudolph was not only born on Christmas Day, but it is her favorite holiday. However, this year for her birthday she wants a day and place that is not decorated for Christmas. And she wants to invite Kris, the boy she has a crush on, who happens to be born on Christmas Eve - how perfect! However, her fixation on her birthday and on Kris is having a negative effect on her relationships and her Christmas spirit. 

A nice little first romance book for our young readers. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter - OPTIONAL

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter, 416 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2026. $22. Kiss me

Language: R (719 swears, 137 “f”); Mature Content: PG13 (drug and alcohol use, including underage drinking, illegal activity, kissing, innuendo, and mentions of sex); Violence: PG (assault and for mentions of guns and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Julia and her family only learn that their friend Lou was a rich man from New York when the executor of Lou’s estate informs them that Lou left them an inheritance. The catch is that the family must move to the home Lou left in New York and Julia and her brother must attend the local exclusive academy for at least six months or else the millions of dollars will no longer be theirs. Sounds easy, but Lou’s great-nephew, Damion, has other plans.

Painter writes well, and the story is sure to be enjoyable for those who are fans of the tropes Painter chose to use. Damion hides a lot of truths from Julia, and it’s easy to empathize with him when readers get his thoughts and point of view. However, his actions towards Julia were very irritating, and I found myself more stressed reading their story than not. It all works out with a happy ending that is satisfying only because I know it is in the fictional world—I would not be as okay with the ending if Julia was a real-life friend.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Room to Breathe by Kasie West - ADVISABLE

Room to Breathe by Kasie West, 272 pages. Random House, 2026. $13 (paperback) 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Kissing, making out); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

High school junior Indy is constantly trying to be the best - she competes for grades against her best friend Beau, she tutors at an education center and is a model citizen. Until, her family begins to implode when her father seems to be in trouble with the FBI, and her mother has forbidden Indy from telling anyone. Suddenly her perfect world isn't spinning right, her studies suffer, her friends are mad and even her relationship with Beau is on the rocks. 

Told in alternating chapters between Now - when Indy is locked in a restroom at school with Beau - and Then - the story of how everything went wrong. West masterfully arranges these chapters so the reader is just barely ahead of the reveals happening in the now. I was thoroughly entertained. I also loved the stress of Indy doubting her father, and how everyone is fighting in her home and it spills into her whole life. Although Indy is in High School, Room to Breathe will appeal to 8th and 9th graders as well. The characters default white.

Lisa Librarian 

Vacation Shift by Lily Chu - OPTIONAL

Vacation Shift by Lily Chu, 352 pages. Harper, 2026. $20

Language: R (18  swears, 6 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Ivy Yu is on a bonding trip to Japan with her mother. Unfortunately their curated trip is populated mostly by senior citizens - except a boy her age and his dad, who is near Ivy’s mom’s age. Since her parents separated, Ivy has been harboring hope that they will get back together and she is also battling depression on her own, as her mother feels Ivy can just “get over herself". Keith, the other teenager on the trip, agrees with Ivy that their parents shouldn’t get together.  Will the pair be able to sabotage their elders?

Chu focuses mostly on Ivy and her relationships with her parents and gives us beautiful looks around Japan.  And the growing relationship between the two teens will satisfy romance readers.  

Lily is Asian American.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Kissing Cowboys by Meg Cabot - ESSENTIAL

Kissing Cowboys (Kissing Cowboys #1) by Meg Cabot, 336 pages. HarperCollins, DECEMBER 2026. $20.

Language: PG13 (37 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (making out, reference to breasts); Violence: PG (fight, accident with injury)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

When 16yo Winn is forced to move cross-country from New York to Montana for her mom's job, she finds herself attending her brother's school. An all-boys ranch school "for intellectually gifted boys, with emotional, behavioral or academic challenges." She's the only girl, allowed to attend classes because her mother is teaching there. She's actually delighted (and a bit scared - what if one of them is a serial killer?) and is quickly, literally embraced by the student body. But she has her eye on a couple of them, and she's hoping she doesn't fall in love. As fresh and funny as Princess Diaries,

I couldn't put it down. I loved her displacement, Winn describes her outfits, which are usually terrible for the winter weather in Montana, and true to Meg Cabot gets herself into some awkward situations. I loved this romance; there's some making out that doesn't go too far, and a lot of sexual tension - of course - there are 80 boys at the school! The characters default white.

Lisa Librarian - 

Jin Young In Between by Ellen Oh - ADVISABLE

Jin Young In Between (Colliding Worlds #2) by Ellen Oh, 248 pages. Crown (Random House), 2026. $20

Language: PG (19 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G (some danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

High schooler Mina is back in her world, but while everyone else has forgotten her, Jin remembers everything. Then one day he crosses over to Mina’s world, unknowingly starting a chain reaction that may have devastating consequences for his world. But Jin’s heart can’t stay away from Mia. The pair hopes that with the help of a physicist from Jin’s world that they can figure out how to be together.

I had no idea there was going to be a sequel! Oh mixes in the interdimensional physics with a deft hand - you can tell she did her research. The danger from a rogue scientist who wants to capture Jin for study was also a great addition. Jin and Mina’s Asaian culture doesn’t add any plot points.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Rebel Heiress by Amalie Howard - ADVISABLE

Rebel Heiress (The Diamonds #3) by Amalie Howard, 347 pages. Joy Revolution (Random House), 2026. $20

Language: G (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (passionate kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Lady Rosalin desperately wants the same kind of chance at an education that her cousin, Lord Ansel, is happy to throw away for a year of travel on the continent. Since the two of them are so similar in features, Rosalin convinces Ansel it is in both their best interests to trade places of a sort. Ansel can roam Europe, while Rosalin spends her weeks at Cambridge learning from the best and brightest, and her weekends please her mama at the balls and parties of her fourth London season. What she doesn’t bank on is a college tutor who is also devilishly handsome and has progressive views of a woman’s place in society - someone she is quite willing to fall in love with despite the obstacles.

Howard finishes off the Diamond series with a classic plot device with some fun twists thrown in. You also see the characters from the first two books. While post-Regency in time period, all of the glitter still exists, too.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce - ADVISABLE

Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce, 358 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2026. $14

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G (some kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

As the color guard captain, Hazel is looking forward to a great school year. She’s even toying with finally starting her own D&D campaign like the weekly one her parents have run for years. Who shows up at the first day of band? Max! Her former best friend and now a hottie member of the drumline - the same drumline which causes the color guard so much grief every band season. Hazel has a lot of disparate pieces to fit together if she is going to salvage her senior year.

Boyce’s D&D related romance series is a solid choice. This one is heavy on the band drama and less so the the D&D, but still a good romance.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

13 Little Love Stories by Elise Bryant and co - OPTIONAL

13 Little Love Stories by Elise Bryant and co, 336 pages. SHORT STORIES. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books (Penguin Random House), 2026. $13.

Language: R (114 swears, 16 “f”); Mature Content: R (alcohol use (including underage drinking), kissing, innuendo, illegal activity, sexual harassment, nudity, and mentions of drugs, STDs, and sex); Violence: PG (assault and mentions of murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

In this anthology, thirteen authors each offer readers one short love story based on different Taylor Swift songs. Most of them are realistic fiction, though there is a little magic thrown in for good variety, and all of them center around matters of the heart.

Each chapter starts by naming the song the author took inspiration from, and I enjoyed listening to the song and reading the lyrics before diving into each story. The possibilities of interpretation are endless, and it was fun to see which words and feelings from each song got incorporated into the stories. They range from cute and funny to heartbreak and betrayal, from platonic to romantic, from one great night to years of longing.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

Love Makes Mochi by Stefany Valentine - SEVERAL

Love Makes Mochi (Love in Translation #3) by Stefany Valentine, 320 pages. Penguin Random House, 2026. $13 Language: R (21 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing); Violence: PG (body shaming)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Lilyn Jeong has the opportunity to study abroad in Tokyo with a famed tailor, which will be just what her future college applications need. However, she almost loses her mentorship before it starts, is experiencing a creative slump, and must design a collection in 10 days. She needs to focus, and her mentor’s daughter Yua offers to help. But once she starts spending time with Yua, Lilyn finds herself falling for her even though Lilyn has sworn off summer flings.

Initially, I found Lilyn’s often critical character hard to like, but I warmed up to her as the story progressed and her character developed. The inclusion of Lilyn’s gothic and Japanese inspired fashion designs and Yua's tattoos are fun. The novel also tackles topics like self-doubt, taking chances, first-romances, and being yourself. While it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. A fun fashion-forward travel romance for upper middle school and high school students.

Lilyn and Yua are LGBTQ+. Lilyn is Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean American. Yua is Japanese. 

Ms. Megan, HS Librarian 

Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson - OPTIONAL

Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson, 384 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. $19.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (mentions of drugs and alcohol, kissing, partial nudity, and innuendo); Violence: PG (medical emergencies and discussions of death)

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Olivia spent half of her senior year of high school hospitalized, waiting for someone else to die so that she could have a heart transplant. Seven years later, Olivia (25yo) enjoys her job with the family business and spends quality time with her friends, but Olivia is scared that she won’t find her person before her shortened lifespan ends. Then Hunter (28yo) moves in next door, and Olivia admits a new fear—what if she does?

A misunderstanding between the main characters is blown way out of proportion, giving the book an eye-rolling beginning, though it is tolerable due to the characters’ backstories. I enjoyed watching Olivia and Hunter break down their walls and help each other to grow despite the pain caused by their heartbreaking experiences with life and death. And then my least favorite “heart transplant trope” came into play, which I didn’t think was going to be an issue from the initial description of the book. It was written as a big reveal, so I won’t say which one it is, but I wasn’t thrilled about it. However, while it includes tropes I don’t love, Larson wrote the story well, and I enjoyed the characters and their book overall—eyerolls and loud complaints to empty rooms notwithstanding. Olivia has Swedish heritage, and Hunter is described as “tan.”

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Fangirl Project by Beth Reekles - OPTIONAL

The Fangirl Project by Beth Reekles, 350 pages. Delecorte (Random House), 2025. $13 (pb)

Language: R (39  swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (kiss, some drinking); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

16yo Cerys has never watched the tv shows, hasn’t read the books, done none of the fan stuff, but she is determined to stay best friends with Jake, who moved to a new school and has way less time for her now. Plus, she’d like to unfriend-zone herself and move to girlfriend status.  Thus here she is on  sSaturday, headed to Worlds Beyond fantasy con to join Jake in his love of the Of Wrath and Ruin sphere. But she also has to put up with his new friend and soccer teammate, Max, who is way into all of this fandom stuff.  But Cerys is determined to persevere and joins an online chat group where she and Jake really seem to be connecting, or should she say @runicrascal, his online name. 

I don’t want to give things away here - you’ll have to figure out the truth I did.  There is some great interplay between Cerys and her new group of friends also - very much kicking against the stereotypes. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Lady Knight (The Diamond Series #2) by Amalie Howard - OPTIONAL

Lady Knight (The Diamond Series #2) by Amalie Howard, 337 pages. Joy Revolution (Random House), 2025. $20

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO:  SOME

Zia is a Duke's daughter, a diamond of the season and lives a secret life.  She reads controversial books, attends school, fences and robs wealthy men of the ton to try and save an orphanage.  Zia and her friends, The Lady Knights, as they call themselves, are trying to make a difference in their community while finding their voices in a world that is determined for them.  No one knows what they are up to until her brother's best friend, a handsome rogue, finds out and inserts himself in every way, into Zia's life.

This is a clean, Regency romance for teenagers.  I like that Zia bucks the trend whenever she can, and that her mother is a strong female role model to her and others; however, at times, I felt myself rolling my eyes at the obvious "women can do anything" undertone of some scenes. It was a fun, playful story with just enough romance and intrigue.  Overall, it is an enjoyable book and would be a great introduction to Regency romance books for young adults.

Variety of ethnicity, but not specific.

Karen Cutchen, Library Aide

You Had Me at Hello World by Rona Wang - OPTIONAL

You Had Me at Hello World by Rona Wang, 307 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2025. $20

Language: R (61 swears, 4 ‘f'); Mature Content:  PG-13 (underage drinking, making out, intense kissing, some crude talk, cyber sex, not descriptive, off page sex); Violence: PG (mild family conflicts and verbal abuse)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME

16yo Char feels her life is out of control.  Her mom is working a lot of hours so she never sees her, and she knows her stepdad has PTSD from his time in the military, but he is so mean and he took all the money she had been saving for herself to "help out with the family bills"  It's so infuriating because he spends all his time and money gambling.  With no money, college is out and she can't see any other way out of her small Oregon town.  Her school counselor suggests she apply to a prestigious computer summer camp and reminds her that she has been running the school's website for over a year.  Char doesn't think she will be accepted, but much to her surprise she makes it, and is off to MIT for the summer.  Camp is filled with so many students from all over that are far more qualified than she is, but Char is determined not to get distracted, even when she meets Khoi, a cute boy from another school.  Now she is torn between wanting to do well on her project and wanting to get to know Khoi better.  Can she do both?    

Take a typical romance with a nice guy, a good mom, and tech camp, combine it with a cute cover, and you have a story that may appeal to readers looking for a light summer read.  On the other hand, Char is hard to like, the endless pop culture references, which can be clever, were too much and calling out everyone for sexism, racism, privilege, etc. without any character development reduced almost everyone to a stereotype and discerning readers will notice.  I would have liked to see Char mature, and a little more depth to the story, but it didn't deliver and I lost interest.  

Char is Chinese American. Her best friend, Lola is a lesbian. Other characters are from different backgrounds, ethnicities and orientations.

Rebel B - librarian

Someone to Daydream About by Sydney Langford - OPTIONAL

Someone to Daydream About by Sydney Langford, 368 pages. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan), 2026. $21

Language: R (100+ swears, 15 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (drinking, very implied sex, passionate kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Natalie desperately wants to save her father’s life’s work - their family run Deaf Center - but since her dad died, her Mom has not been willing to listen to Natalie and her sister. When Natalie is offered $40,000 to travel with the lead singer of Daydream, the hottest new boy band, for their summer tour to work on his ALS skills (his little sister is rapidly losing her hearing), she feels backed into a corner.  While she is not at first interested in him beyond signing, as she gets to know him beneath his public image, she becomes more and more drawn to him. Dynamics within and around the band, however, seem determined to keep them apart.

I am mystified by the large amount of swearing in a teen romance book; most of it is casual use, not actually angst driven. Romantics at heart will love the boy band setting and seeing “behind the scenes” of a touring band is always interesting. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Love at Full Tilt by Jenny L. Howe - OPTIONAL

Love at Full Tilt by Jenny L. Howe, 369 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2025. $13 (pb)

Language: R (72 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing, mentions of sex and of lost virginity; stranger grabs her butt); Violence: PG (zombie walkthrough attraction)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Lia has landed her dream trip to Fableland as a participant in their 50th anniversary scavenger hunt. Her two best friends are along, but they are there for the park, not for the hunt, so rearrangements have to be made. Lia meets Mason, who is pretty dreamy and also in the contest, but has a hard time believing he is into her, as Lia is a plus-sized girl. As the game goes on, their chemistry seems to be getting hotter - can she trust Mason with the game and with her heart?

Howe does a great job of writing Lia as a big girl, but not letting her being big be the only “interesting” thing about her. And Fableland doesn’t feel like a Disney ripoff, either; I wanted to understand Fableland so that I could figure out the clues too. 

Characters cue white; Lia’s best friends are LGBT.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne - OPTIONAL

You and Me on Repeat by Mary Shyne, 224 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2025. $18 

Language: R (35 swears 9 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (Illustration of girls intimately touching, kissing) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

High school senior Chris is reliving his graduation day every day - he can't get past it, he's caught in a time loop. Good thing, too, because he hasn't yet kissed his girlfriend and now he has the ability to keep trying new things to achieve his goal - but to no avail. Then he realizes Alicia, a girl he has history with - they used to be friends - is also caught in the same time loop, in fact it's her fault he's there. 

I liked the story, discovering along with Chris - and also Alicia - what their truths were and what needed to be resolved. Interesting use of the color palate which I have only figured out some rationale for - (the past is blue) - it begs a re-read if only for that. Alicia is Mexican, Chris is white. 

Lisa Librarian

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory - ADVISABLE

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, 320 pages. Hyperion Avenue, 2022. $16

Language: R (85 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (alludes to sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

25yo Isabelle takes a leap of faith when her boss is wrestling with getting a memoir out of a high profile client.  She is quickly on her way to California to meet with Beau, the handsome, but very grumpy author. Izzy inserts herself into the author’s reclusive life and together they work out ways to get Beau to do the work - and as he confronts the hard parts of his life, the sparks between Izzy and Beau also start to fly.

The references to Beauty and the Beast are nicely subtle, but still there for someone looking for a modern take on a fairy tale. While the characters are older, and sex is alluded to, everything is off page. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Queen's Game (Queen's Game #1) by Katharine McGee - ADVISABLE

A Queen's Game (Queen's Game #1) by Katharine McGee, 355 pages. Random House, 2024. $21

Language: PG (11 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (intense kissing and non-descriptive sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

In the late 1800’s, amidst the courts of Queen Victoria, three royal princesses  are trying to find their own destiny.  Alix is beautiful, shy and Queen Victoria's favorite granddaughter.  She is also prone to panic attacks, a secret she hopes to keep hidden.  Helene is the daughter of a banished French king.  She has a wild streak and does all the things a royal princess shouldn't do until she catches the eye of a powerful royal.  Lastly, there is May, who is living on the outskirts of court and is mostly invisible to everyone.  Her parents squandered their fortune so she knows she will have to do whatever is necessary to find a good match. All three are desperate to secure their futures, but in royal courts it is sometimes hard to tell if someone is friend or foe. All three princesses are in their early 20's.

The story takes place during the later years of Queen Victoria's life and includes actual historical figures, but it's more about romance and palace intrigue. It was a bit of a slow start setting up characters and events of the time, but it morphed into an intriguing story with secrets, misunderstandings, lying and blackmail.  I was surprised to find the characters so likeable and thought the author did a good job bringing historical figures alive.  I would have liked a more settled ending, but with a sequel, I'm sure there is more intrigue to come.   

The characters are mostly English or French.

RBenson - Librarian