by 
January is bringing in a fresh wave of young adult books, and let me just say—your TBR pile is about to grow a lot!
There’s something for everyone this month: swoony romances, thrilling adventures, and heart-stopping stories you’ll want to binge in one sitting.
I’ve been counting down to these January 2025 releases because YA books just have that magic.
They make you feel all the feels, remind you of the best (and maybe most chaotic) parts of growing up, and keep you glued to the pages.
So, grab your coziest blanket and get ready to meet your next favorite read! Let’s check out some of the exciting new YA books hitting the shelves this month!
1. Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue by Kate Pearsall (January 7)
Rowan James can smell lies, and she’s spent her life hiding from the truth.
When her old rival Hadrian Fitch arrives, hurt and asking for help, Rowan’s instinct is to distrust him.
But strange things are happening in Caball Hollow—things are disappearing, memories are being lost, and a neighbor is dead.
Rowan must figure out the link before more lives are taken.
2. This Is the Year by Gloria Muñoz (January 7)
Juli Villareal is determined to leave her crumbling Florida home behind after losing her twin sister.
When she’s recruited by a private space program to help establish a sanctuary on the Moon, Juli sees it as her only chance.
But as she navigates her senior year, Juli learns to find hope and healing with new friends, love, and her community.
3. The Afterdark by E. Latimer (January 7)
At Northcroft boarding school, strange things happen after dark—turning the surrounding forest into a nightmare.
Evie and Holland are drawn to each other despite their dark secrets and dangerous attraction.
They must decide whether to resist the shadows or embrace the darkness calling them.
4. Biology Lessons by Melissa Kantor (January 14)
Grace Williams plans to move to New York and study biology, but after a secret hookup with star baseball player Jack, she ends up pregnant in a state where abortion is illegal.
With the help of her friends, Grace plans to escape to another state for help, but with so much at risk, she must fight for her future.
5. Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough (January 14)
Carmela Tofana wants to work at her mother’s apothecary in Rome, but when she learns about a deadly secret potion, Aqua Tofana, she realizes her family’s business is not what it seems.
This historical novel weaves a tale of danger and powerful women risking everything for those in need.
6. Brewed With Love by Shelly Page (January 14)
Sage Bishop, a teen witch, is trying to save her family’s apothecary from competitors, but things get complicated when her ex-best friend,
Ximena, is hired to help. When their shop is broken into, Sage and Ximena must work together to uncover the truth while dealing with their growing feelings for each other.
7. All the Love Under the Vast Sky by Various Authors, edited by Kip Wilson (January 14)
This anthology features twelve short stories in verse that explore all kinds of love—romantic, platonic, familial, and self-love.
From a forbidden love between two princes to a girl finding self-love after grief, these stories span genres and cultures, celebrating the beautiful complexity of love.
8. Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias (January 14)
Carina Marshall runs away to Jamaica to escape her past and take a job as a nanny for a wealthy family.
But things take a creepy turn when strange events start happening at the family estate.
With the help of a charming new friend, Carina must uncover the truth before it’s too late.
9. I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang (January 28)
After being rejected by every Ivy League school and failing to meet her parents’ expectations, Jenna Chen wishes to become her cousin Jessica.
To her shock, her wish comes true—she’s now trapped in Jessica’s body.
As Jenna tries to live up to Jessica’s perfect life, she risks losing herself in the process.
10. Bemused by Farrah Rochon (January 7)
This YA fantasy tells the untold story of the five Muses from Hercules.
As teenage sisters in a small village, they long to pursue their dreams.
When their mother reveals she’s actually the goddess Mnemosyne, their lives take an unexpected turn full of myth, music, and sisterly bonds.
11. The Wishless Ones (Dark Ascension, #3) by Hafsah Faizal (January 8)
The Wishless Ones by Hafsah Faizal explores the origin of Jafar from Aladdin.
Before becoming Agrabah’s grand vizier, Jafar and his brother Rohan struggled under their father’s cruelty.
After a fire destroys their home, Jafar tricks Rohan into believing their only chance is to join the dangerous House of Wisdom.
As they get involved in political schemes, the brothers must decide if ambition is worth sacrificing their bond.
Which book are you most excited to dive into?
Let me know in the comments below!
And don’t forget to check back for more YA book recommendations and updates—there are always more exciting reads on the horizon!
Happy reading!
