Young Adult – Jill's Book Blog

Review: A Heart for Christmas

Title: A Heart for Christmas
Author: Sophie Jomain
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A teen reclaims her independence and opens her heart to Christmas with the help of a handsome ski instructor in this swoon-worthy young adult holiday romance told in a groundbreaking advent calendar format, with chapter-a-day reading making it a true slow-burn!

When eighteen-year-old April heads to the foothills of Mont Blanc in the Alps to spend her first Christmas at her father’s chalet, she’s hoping for a change. Ever since her heart operation two years ago, she’s lived as carefully as possible. Supervised exercise, green tea, rice cakes, focusing only on her studies. But now, she’s healthy and there’s a world out there that she’s missing.

When April’s ski instructor turns out to be her best friend’s older brother, Augustin, it feels like a sign. As Augustin encourages April to build up her strength, April feels drawn to him in ways she wasn’t expecting. Augustin is daring and gorgeous, and April doesn’t want to let her life pass her by any longer. But is her just-healed heart ready for a Christmas miracle?

With this book’s unique advent calendar format, each of the twenty-four chapters is sealed by its own perforated enclosure that readers can gently tear open—by hand or with the help of a ruler—to read a chapter a day in the weeks leading to Christmas!

Review:

This is an advent story, with 24 chapters. Each chapter is sealed so they can be opened and read in the 24 days leading up to Christmas. Each chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep reading. April had a heart transplant 3 years earlier so she had to protect her heart both literally and figuratively. This YA romance had a heartwarming holiday romance.

This is a great advent YA romance!

Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing a copy of this book.

Content warnings: heart transplant, hospital scenes, attempted suicide (mention), bullying (mentions)

Have you read A Heart for Christmas? What did you think of it?

Review: That Kind of Girl

Title: That Kind of Girl
Author: Natalie C. Anderson
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this gripping YA thriller perfect for fans of Jessica Goodman and Amber Smith, two girls from opposite worlds play a dangerous game of cat and mouse when a rich classmate is murdered and they’re both prime suspects. The race is on to find out which one is a killer.

Sixteen-year-old amateur sleuth Roxie is shrewd, nimble, cunning, and only a little bit damaged. She also has a real knack for finding things, making her the perfect go-to detective for her rich classmates at St. Margaret when they’re looking to retrieve the things they’ve “lost”— no questions asked. So when queen bee Kirsten Montgomery-Wiggins pays Roxie a hefty sum to track down a mysterious blonde who “stole” her phone, Roxie accepts. Although Kirsten is a bully and she and Roxie have bad blood between them, Roxie could really use the cash. But that same night, Roxie finds Kirsten murdered in her mansion, and police zero in on her as a prime suspect.

On the outskirts of town in a trailer park, Inez, a part-time maid and part-time sex-worker, keeps finding blood everywhere. Crusted in her earring, threaded into her shoelace. She should really toss her shoes so there’s nothing to tie her to the body, but these shoes cost her a few “favors” and several hours of cleaning houses. How could the night have gone so wrong? She really thought she was working her way to a better life, but now she could be headed to jail if the wrong someone puts two and two together.

Roxie doesn’t know who she’s looking for and Inez doesn’t know who she’s hiding from. But all roads seem to lead to Montgomery House, as Roxie works to clear her own name and Inez attempts to stay one step ahead of the law and the men who hurt her.

Review:

This was a thrilling and suspenseful story. The short chapters made this a quick read because I couldn’t put it down. There were a few mysteries that didn’t seem to be connected but they were interwoven by the end. There were also some tough subject matters, such as cults and the dangers of sex work.

That Kind of Girl is an intense and thrilling story!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book.

Content warnings: death of parent, murder, gun violence, sex work, sexual assault, drugging, cult

Have you read That Kind of Girl? What did you think of it?

Pub Day Review: Difficult Girls

Title: Difficult Girls
Author: Veronica Bane
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

A teen girl’s attempt at social reinvention takes a deadly turn when a co-worker disappears—and she learns she may have been the last person to see the missing girl—in this razor-sharp, murderously funny thriller debut.

After the incident last year, Greta Riley Green is looking for reinvention—a fresh start—and a job at Hyper Kid Magic Land, the local amusement park, seems like the perfect way to forge a new path . . . no matter what it takes.

So when fate pulls Greta into Mercy Goodwin’s orbit, it feels like things are looking up. Beautiful and confident, Mercy dazzles audiences daily. And at the first party of the summer, she picks Greta to confide in. Mercy has a secret to share, if Greta will just meet her the next day. It’s a sign that Greta’s truly fitting in.

Only, when the time comes, Mercy is a no-show—as she is everyday after that—and Greta knows something’s wrong. She can’t help thinking back to the night of the party. Did Mercy seem upset? Terrified, even? Could she be in trouble? It wouldn’t be the first time a talented young performer came to a sinister end at Hyper Kid. . . .

Of course, Greta has her own issues with the past, and the more she uncovers Hyper Kid’s secrets, the more her own threaten to surface. This job was meant to be a reboot, a summer without trouble. But trouble, it seems, finds Greta, and her past—and the bloody past of Hyper Kid—is about to catch up with her.

Review:

This was a creepy summer thriller. It had a great summer setting in a theme park. I liked that there was some suspense about what happened in Greta’s past. I couldn’t figure out the mystery of what happened to Mercy. There were some key clues that were held back until the end, but it was a satisfying ending!

Difficult Girls is a great summer thriller!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: divorce, bullying, murder, suicide, knife violence

Have you read Difficult Girls? What did you think of it?

Review: We Are Villains

Title: We Are Villains
Author: Kacen Callender
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary
Publisher: Henry N. Abrams
Source: Manda Group
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From bestselling and award-winning author Kacen Callendar comes a thrilling, dark academia YA about murder, blackmail, and the one person determined to discover the truth, no matter the cost

What happened to Arianna Reynolds?

Ari’s death was ruled an accident, but for her best friend Milo, it’s shrouded in mystery. Why was she in the woods on the night of the fire? Had she been alone? Figuring out what happened the night Ari died is the only reason Milo returns to Yates Academy, even knowing he’ll be in constant danger. . .

Liam is the King of Yates, a role he keeps hold of through his family’s old money—and the threat of violence. So when he begins receiving ominous letters from another student accusing him of murdering Ari, the suspect list is long. Desperate to prove his innocence before the accusation ruins his reign, Liam enlists Milo’s help to find the blackmailer. But the more Milo helps Liam, the more he becomes certain that Liam has something to hide.

As Milo comes closer to the truth, he uncovers secrets that everyone wants to keep buried . . . Featuring a cast of queer characters of color, We Are Villains is an electrifying mystery that will keep readers guessing.

Review:

This is a thrilling boarding school story. It followed multiple perspectives of different characters at school. I liked that Ari’s perspective was written in the second person, speaking directly to an unknown person who was important to her. The answer to what happened to Ari was revealed kind of early in the story, but it had a good ending!

We Are Villains is a great boarding school thriller!

Thank you Manda Group for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: sexual assault (off page), murder, fire (off page), bullying

Have you read We Are Villains? What did you think of it?

Review: The Price of Truth

Title: The Price of Truth
Author: Michele Clarizio
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Romance
Publisher: Ciao Bella Publishing
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: June 15, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Karis Russo is no stranger to pain. Still reeling from her father’s death, she’s weighted down by grief she can’t seem to outrun. But nothing prepares her for the night that upends her life once again.

After attending the grand opening of The Aragon Luxury Resort and Spa, Karis wakes up bloody and bruised with no memory of what happened. Determined to find the truth, she embarks on a relentless quest for answers.

Her investigation takes a surprising turn when she learns Mason Whitman, practically Duncan High “royalty”, has harbored a crush on her for years. His charm and their undeniable chemistry throw her into a tailspin. Caught between piecing together the night she lost and embracing the possibility of love she never saw coming, Karis convinces herself she can juggle both worlds.

But the deeper she digs into the mystery of that fateful night, the darker the truth becomes. As shocking betrayals surface and long-buried secrets claw their way to the light, Karis realizes the price of truth may cost more than she’s willing to pay.

Review:

This was a fast-paced and suspenseful YA story! There was a mystery around what happened with Karis one night when she was assaulted because she had lost her memory. She had to learn what happened to her along with the reader. The story was quite intense at the end, with a lot of twists. I really enjoyed this book!

The Price of Truth is a fast-paced YA book!

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death of parent (off page), suicide (off page), sexual assault, animal death

Have you read The Price of Truth? What did you think of it?

Review: Guardians of Glyndor: The Disappearing Creatures

Title: Guardians of Glyndor: The Disappearing Creatures
Author: Nicoleclaire C.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher: Independent
Source: Bookinfluencers.com
Format: Ebook
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Jesse is always counting—the forty-two tiles in his café, the 37.8 percent chance of rain on Thursdays, and the stubborn minutes that keep him stuck behind the counter. It’s how he makes sense of a world that’s never quite made sense of him. Halfway across the globe, Emilyfeels too much, drowning in emotions that don’t belong to her, in a world that always asks her to be less.

Their lives change when a mysterious green-haired woman appears with an invitation to Glyndor, a prestigious school hidden in Eldora—the First Earth. In this world, magic is deeply personal. Jesse and Emily train alongside students from all over Earth, where quirks, traits, and personalities shape the magic they wield.

But Eldora is dying. Its magic is fading. The wealthy hoard what remains, while the Blanched are left powerless. As the Three Moons align, Eldora’s guardians start to disappear. Strange creatures emerge. Whispers of an ancient darkness grow louder. And amid it all, Jesse and Emily find themselves drawn together by something neither of them can ignore.

In this coming-of-age tale of magic, love and friendship, Jesse and Emily must decide who they are and what they stand for—before all they hold dear is lost.

Review:

This is a fun fantasy story set in a magical school. There were a few main characters, including Jesse who was neurodivergent. One part of the book that I really liked was the illustrations of the characters throughout the book. I love being able to see exactly what the characters look like on the page. There were some exciting twists in the story too!

Guardians of Glyndor is an exciting YA fantasy!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warning: death, parental death (off page)

Have you read Guardians of Glyndor? What did you think of it?

Review: Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2

Title: Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2
Author: LambCat
Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Webtoon Unscrolled
Source: Purchased
Format: Paperback
Release Date: July 4, 2023
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Just because you’re cursed doesn’t mean you’re not special.

Gwendolyn, the youngest of the King’s three daughters, is living proof that princesses don’t always have it all. She isn’t like a typical fairy-tale princess, or other princesses in the Pastel Kingdom. Gwendolyn, with her big heart and love of baking, isn’t particularly attractive. Unlike her sisters who have woodland creatures do their hair and makeup, or have flowers blossom wherever they sleep, Gwendolyn is a bit…different. So when her father proposes marriage for her and her sisters to make an alliance with the Plaid Kingdom, it breaks Gwendolyn’s heart to hear that Prince Frederick thinks she’s “really ugly.” Overwhelmed and ashamed, she runs away into the forest and encounters the twisted world of the Cursed Princess Club, where her life will never be the same.

The Cursed Princess Club are a ragtag band of outcasts, misfits and cursed princesses who have created an incredible friendship circle. It is among these friends where Gwendolyn learns to embrace her uniqueness and find her people.

In this second book of the series, we learn low self esteem isn’t just for girls! Meet the Princels―princes who have shunned society not because of curses (although one has to wonder…) but because of their own insecurities about their physical appearance and their inability to find romantic partners. And then we have Prince Frederick, who starts to worry if he even deserves Gwen. Plus, you too can learn to be as pretty as a Cursed Princess!

Review:

This series is so fun! Gwen has joined the Cursed Princess Club because she is always treated differently from her traditionally beautiful sisters. Now, when Gwen looks in a mirror, she can’t see her face, so she has to figure out how to fix this problem. Even though there are some serious and emotional parts, with the way Gwen is bullied, there were many laugh out loud moments too!

Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2 is a fun graphic novel!

Other books in the series:

Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 1
Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 3
Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 4

Have you read Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 2? What did you think of it?

Review: Acception, Vol. 1

Title: Acception, Vol. 1
Author: Coco Ouwerkerk
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, LGBTQ
Publisher: Webtoon Unscrolled
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

For fans of high school comedy drama with quirky, lovable characters, this is a comic from debut author Colourbee about love, acceptance, and surviving high school (while keeping your secrets intact).

It’s the start of a new school year at Apollo High and Arcus just moved from England to the Netherlands. With his rainbow-colored hair and love of all things fashion, Arcus is anything but your average teenager.

He’s an upbeat independent thinker, proud fashionista, and like the rest of us, is looking for a few fiends to call his own. This won’t be easy for Arcus, because his best options for friends are prickly goth Maud and self-centered queen bee Iris.

Review:

This graphic novel is about Arcus, who doesn’t follow the status quo in his new school. Other students make assumptions based on his appearance. Arcus and his new friend Maud had opposite styles, with Arcus having rainbow hair and Maud dressing all in black, but they had a lot in common. They were both bullied by other students and they had to deal with some serious family issues at home. There were some funny moments though with students mishearing things when they eavesdropped or making completely wrong assumptions.

Acception, Vol. 1 is a great graphic novel with a mix of serious and funny moments!

Thank you Wattpad Books for providing a copy of this book!

Content warnings: bullying, transphobia, homophobia, alcoholism, cancer

Have you read Acceptation, Vol. 1? What did you think of it?

Review: Last Prom Standing

Title: Last Prom Standing
Author: R.H. Bird
Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Source: Publisher
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 21, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

After surviving the most insane prom day ever, Luca and Piper are madly in love. Only one problem. She’s going off to college while he’s still in high school. They swear to weather the challenges of a long-distance relationship. But on her first day, Luca notices the college guys already circling. When his senior-year starts, the new girl has her sights set on him. Meanwhile, he needs to win a state championship against an unbeatable opponent or kiss his wrestling scholarship good-bye.

Will Luca and Piper be dancing under the stars at his prom, or will the pressures of love and life tear them apart?

Review:

This book is a great sequel to Promposal. Even though it’s a sequel, it could be read as a stand-alone. I liked that these two stories are told from the perspective of the male love interest. I haven’t read many straight romances that are from the male perspective, so it’s an original POV.

Last Prom Standing is a great YA romance!

Thank you The Wild Rose Press and Bookinfluencers.com for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Other books in the series:

Promposal

Have you read Last Prom Standing? What did you think of it?

Review: Give Up the Night (Moonstruck #2)

Title: Give Up the Night (Moonstruck #2)
Author: P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Contemporary
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback arc
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

New York Times bestsellers P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast return with the astonishing conclusion to their new duology set in a dark and magickal world filled with incredible danger and irresistible romance.

Since becoming Moonstruck on her eighteenth birthday, Wren Nightingale has found herself thrust into a world filled with deception, danger, and murder. Uncovering that their magick was fractured and limited when the original Moonstruck ritual was broken by Selene, Wren is determined to find a way to restore it. But the Elementals are split into two factions―some want the ritual completed and their freedom―and others are so terrified of change that they’re willing to end Wren before she can reach the center of the island where the ritual Selene ruined can be completed.

Between his overbearing father’s arrival, Rottingham delegating him more and more responsibility, and Celeste taking a special interest in him, Lee Young has been struggling to find his own path. As much as Lee wants to take his place in the Moonstruck hierarchy, he knows something’s not right at the Academia de la Luna. He thinks if he can talk some sense into Wren and get her to return to the Academia, that everything will turn out alright.

As Wren and Lee both battle for what they believe is right, they’ll have to uncover who their true allies are…and if they’re even on the same side of this magickal fight.

Review:

This was an exciting sequel to Draw Down the Moon. It didn’t take long to get right back into the action. I liked the reminders of what happened in the last book because it’s been a while since I’ve read it. The beginning and ending were exciting and action packed, but throughout the middle of the book, the pace slowed because the two main characters were in separate places. I would have liked the ending to be longer so that we can see what happens after the final battle. However, the main plot had a great ending.

Give Up the Night is a great conclusion to the Moonstruck duology!

Thank you Wednesday Books for sending me a copy of this book!

Content warnings: death of parents (off page), death, blood, burns

Other books in the series:

Draw Down the Moon (Moonstruck #1)

Have you read Give Up the Night? What did you think of it?