What YA' Reading: Not What I Planned
Have you ever had the perfect plan for your life, then seen it go completely awry? That’s what happens in these books. Sometimes it's dangerous, sometimes scary, sometimes completely hilarious. Check out what these characters did when things did not go as planned.
Thorn Season by Kiera Azar
Alissa is the heiress to an important family and she has a secret that could ruin everything. She has the ability to use magic. If this is discovered, her death is assured. When Alissa goes to the royal court for her debutante season, intrigue and betrayal are hiding around every corner. Alissa’s chances of discovery are greater than ever. Will she be able to keep her magic hidden or will she be found out?
Thorn Season is full of suspense, romance and magic. Alissa’s magical abilities manifest in interesting ways. She is smart, feisty and daring. You can’t help but root for her.
“A tension-filled, twisty journey full of surprises. Azar’s vivid, compelling writing and cleverly unfolding magic system make this a smart, sexy, and dark addition to the romantasy genre, ideal for readers hungry for complicated love triangle and lots of juicy drama.” - Booklist
If you like the suspense, romance and fantasy of Thorn Season, check out Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber.
Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier & Anthea Bell
Liv’s life has always been a little crazy. But when her mother moves them to a new country, Liv’s life is upended again. She thinks she might just get to settle into her new life when her dreams start to take on qualities she never thought possible. She starts having dreams about boys at her new school. Then in real life these boys know things about her they shouldn't know unless they are actually in her dreams. She’s always loved a good mystery, but what do you do when you find yourself in the middle of one?
Kerstin Gier has a flair for blending fresh, irresistible combinations of comedy and romance and even twisting in a little horror into this first book the Silver trilogy.
If you like the unusual magic of Dream a Little Dream, check out Fruits Basket, a graphic novel series by Natsuki Takaya.
My Roommate from Hell by Cale Dietrich
Owen Greene is determined to succeed in life. One thing he didn’t count on: his college roommate being the prince of Hell. Zarmenus is part of the first ever exchange program between Earth and Hell. Zarmenus needs to represent the demon world well. Owen needs an internship. To reach their goals, they decide to fake a relationship. One more thing Owen didn’t count on: falling for his roommate.
My Roommate from Hell is a fun rom-com that shows just because your plans don’t turn out, doesn’t mean things aren’t going to go exactly how they need to. Owen and Zarmenus learn important lessons, like first impressions can be deceiving or sometimes all you need is a little courage and to take a chance. Their relationship is a joy to watch grow and become something neither of them ever thought possible.
"As a slow-burn romance, the story is tender, undeniably electric, and charmingly innocent, and the examination of the often-fraught first year of college is superb...Delightfully messy." ―Kirkus
If you like the combination of romance and comedy in My Roommate from Hell, check out Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce.
