The Reunion Dinner by Jesse Q. Sutanto

⭐️

CW: death, murder

This was a fun and sharp short story with a delightful sting in its tale.

Pretending by Holly Bourne

CW: rape, sexual violence, sexual harassment, assault, abusive relationships, PTSD

🧠🏳️‍🌈

This asked a lot of great questions and had wonderful complex characterisation for its central protagonist. Unfortunately the ending didn’t feel like it completely made sense in the fabric of the story.

All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, grief, violence, homophobia, racism, PTSD, traumatic flashbacks, injury

This was a sweet and heartfelt story set in the aftermath of the apocalypse – it explored grief and survivor’s guilt really well.

Yardsticks for Failure by Ivo Graham

🧠

CW: grief, death

This brings Ivo Graham’s wonderful comedic stylings to the page with an unexpected emotional vulnerability and a gut-punchingly honest exploration of grief. 

Full review here.

Never Thought I’d End Up Here by Ann Liang

⭐️

CW: bullying, racism, sexual harassment

Ann Liang is a shining star of YA contemporary stories and this smashes it out of the park yet again. It is a wonderful romantic book to escape into and learn to love yourself first.

Full review here.

Brat: A Ghost Story by Gabriel Smith

🧠

CW: grief, death, substance abuse, ableism, homophobia, self-harm

I think elements of this were really strong and worked for me, particularly the surrealism and blurred lines & realities. However others really clashed and were too discordant for me. The casual use of slurs was also horrible.

A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish

CW: death, violence, murder, blackmail, manipulation, sexual harassment

The ending really pulled this back for me – I was enjoying the slower burn cat and mouse style where you weren’t sure who to trust though. Candlish always knows how to deliver a twisty and engaging story.

The Hideaway by Nikki Allen

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, cancer, medical treatments

This was a fantastic debut – twisty and thrilling with this luxurious location turning into a nightmare. Great characterisation as well.

Full review here.

Venus Fly Trap by Emma Medrano

🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, violence, abusive relationship, toxic relationship, manipulation, classism, obsession

This was a twisted nightmare – a spiralling tale of toxic relationships, obsession and manipulation. Compulsive reading.

Full review here.

Murder High by Lauren Muñoz

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, murder, poisoning, grief, fire, blackmail, manipulation

This built on its phenomenal premise to deliver a tight and enthralling YA mystery with plenty of great twists and turns. I’d love a sequel or spin-off as well.

Full review here.

The Love Interest by Helen Comerford

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: anxiety, sexism, misogyny, panic attacks, violence, manipulation

This was such a fun and entertaining YA read with this corporate world of superheroes and prophecy. It is so well-imagined with great characterisation. I loved the way Comerford sets up these specific roles and then plays around with them wonderfully.

The Hero Complex by Helen Comerford

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: anxiety, sexism, misogyny, violence, panic attacks

This sequel was a great step-up with everything I loved from book 1 being built on further.  Jenna is very much the beating heart of this duology.  I really liked how she just felt like a normal teenager in this extraordinary world.

Full review here.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

CW: emotional abuse, physical abuse, forced confinement, child abuse, religious bigotry, Magdalene Laundry

This was such a beautifully written and compelling snapshot of a moment that will define Bill’s life forever. Keegan should be celebrated for highlighting these topics and shining the spotlight on these atrocities. I just wanted a bit more complexity and edge – the form didn’t seem to match the story being told.

How The Other Half Die by P. C. Roscoe

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: murder, death, violence, sexual assault, harassment, abuse, classism

This was a pulse-pounding YA thriller with plenty of excellent twists and turns. I love a book that is basically rich people behaving badly but facing the consequences.

Full review here.

Rebel Hearts by Tanya Byrne

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠

CW: death, grief, anxiety, manipulation

This was a really interesting YA contemporary focusing on activism in different forms – an always timely issue that Byrne explores with nuance. The characterisation is stellar as usual too.

Real When I’m With You by Lucy Powrie

⭐️🏳️‍🌈🧠💙

CW: ableism, misogny

This was such a heartfelt and tender book with a strong message of learning to love yourself. It was achingly sweet and full of wonderful characterisation.

Full review here.