Welcome to our list of the 10 Best Teen and Young Adult Books of 2023! This year, we’ve seen an incredible selection of novels that capture the hearts and minds of young readers. From thrilling adventures to poignant coming-of-age stories, these books explore themes of identity, friendship, love, and self-discovery that resonate deeply with teens and young adults. Our picks include titles that have garnered critical acclaim, captured the imaginations of readers, and left a lasting impact on those who’ve read them.
List of Best Teen and Young Adult Books of 2023
The Davenports
Author: Krystal Marquis
The Davenports are a wealthy and influential Black family in 1910 America, with a fortune built by their formerly enslaved patriarch. The family is surrounded by luxury and privilege, but the daughters are determined to forge their own paths in life and love. Elder daughter Olivia must choose between her duty to marry well and her desire for a forbidden love. Her sister Helen is more interested in cars than romance unless it’s with her sister’s suitor. Their maid Amy-Rose dreams of starting her own business and marrying John, the Davenport son, but faces competition from Olivia’s friend Ruby. Inspired by a true story, this novel follows four strong-willed young women as they navigate love, family, and societal expectations.
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love
Author: Lex Croucher
Gwen and Arthur, descendants of King Arthur, have been betrothed since birth but can’t stand each other. Forced to spend the summer together before their wedding, they discover secrets about each other – Arthur kisses a boy, while Gwen has a crush on a female knight. They form an uneasy alliance to protect each other’s secrets and soon find themselves caught up in romantic entanglements with others. Set against the backdrop of a medieval tournament, this book features action, humor, and unexpected love stories.
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Warrior Girl Unearthed
Author: Angeline Boulley
Perry Firekeeper-Birch, a laid-back and troubled youth from Sugar Island, must confront her family’s involvement in a high-profile murder investigation and the growing number of missing Indigenous women. With the help of her friends and allies, including her overachieving twin and a charming newcomer, Perry takes matters into her own hands to reclaim her ancestral inheritance and uncover the truth. Against the backdrop of old rivalries, sisterly secrets, and botched heists, Perry fights to preserve her culture and bring justice to her community.
Check & Mate
Author: Ali Hazelwood
In this young adult romance book Mallory Greenleaf, a former chess prodigy, is coaxed into playing in a charity tournament where she defeats the current world champion, Nolan Sawyer. Despite her reservations, she finds herself drawn to him and decides to continue playing, hoping to win enough money to support her family. As she rises through the ranks, Mallory must navigate the cutthroat world of competitive chess while keeping her family safe from the sport that previously destroyed their lives. Meanwhile, her feelings for Nolan grow complicated as they face off both on and off the board.
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Murtagh: The World of Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
After helping topple an evil king, Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon Thorn are ostracized and forced to flee. They embark on a dangerous quest to find and defeat a powerful witch who threatens their world. With their skills and loyalty tested, Murtagh must discover what he stands for in a world that has rejected him. This novel, set in the Inheritance Cycle universe, offers a thrilling adventure for both new and returning fans. If you are a fan of “The Inheritance Cycle” series this book is for you.
The Stolen Heir
Author: Holly Black
Lady Nore, a powerful faerie, has taken over the Ice Needle Citadel and is using an ancient relic to create monstrous minions. Suren, her daughter and the rightful queen escaped to the human world but is now being pursued by a vengeful storm hag. Suren is rescued by Prince Oak, her former fiancé, who needs her help on a dangerous mission into the north. As they journey together, Suren must navigate her conflicted feelings for Oak and confront the horrors of her past.
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Betting on You
Author: Lynn Painter
Bailey, a 17-year-old girl, starts a new job at a hotel waterpark and is surprised to find her coworker is Charlie, a guy she met on a plane a year ago. Despite their initial dislike for each other, they become friends and bond over gossiping about their coworkers, including a couple they suspect are romantically involved. Charlie makes a bet that the couple will never get together, while Bailey is determined to prove him wrong. As they fake date to annoy Bailey’s mom and her boyfriend, Bailey starts to develop feelings for Charlie, but he has a secret that may ruin their relationship before it even starts.
Artifice
Author: Sharon Cameron
Isa de Smit, raised in her parents’ art gallery in Amsterdam, must resort to selling forgeries to the Nazis during WWII to save her family’s business and help fund the resistance. She teams up with a young Nazi deserter who wants to help her create convincing copies of famous paintings. Together, they risk everything to sell a forgery to Hitler himself and use the proceeds to rescue Jewish children from certain deaths. Based on true events, this historical thriller explores the intersection of art, identity, and courage in the face of oppression.
One of Us Is Back
Author: Karen M. McManus
One of Us is Back is the third novel in the series “One of Us Is Lying”. You can read these books as a stand-alone novel too. In the third book of the One of Us Is Lying series, the Bayview Four are back home for the summer, trying to move on from the traumatic events of the past. However, a mysterious billboard appears, hinting at a new game, and soon a member of the group disappears. As the game intensifies, it becomes clear that everyone is a target, and the consequences could be deadly. Secrets that were thought to be buried begin to surface, and the truth could change everything.
Divine Rivals: (Letters of Enchantment Book 1)
Author: Rebecca Ross
Iris Winnow, an 18-year-old aspiring columnist, writes letters to her missing brother and slips them under her bedroom door, where they disappear. Unbeknownst to her, Roman Kitt, her rival at the newspaper, has been writing her back. As the two exchange letters, they form a connection that takes them on a journey to the front lines of battle, where they fight for their loved ones, humanity, and love itself. Set in a world where gods are at war, this enemies-to-lovers fantasy novel blends elements of Shadow Bone and Lore, offering a story of hope, heartbreak, and the transformative power of love.