A book I recently wrote a positive review of, I Am Not Jessica Chen follows Jenna Chen, who fails to get accepted to the Ivy League schools she’s applied to. This is made even more upsetting when she learns that her popular and beautiful cousin, Jessica Chen, was accepted to them. Jenna’s wishes to become her cousin come true one night, leaving Jenna trapped in her cousin’s body with her cousin’s secrets. With the pressure to be the best in school and a family who can’t even remember her, Jenna must learn to appreciate the life she had, even if she isn’t the smartest, the prettiest, or the perfect daughter her parents expect.
This book is not only written by a Chinese-Australian author, but tells a story about a Chinese immigrant family. This book allows the readers to see what typical Chinese family expectations are and to even learn about traditional food and culture. A must-read if you are a fan of contemporary romances or magical realism.
Releases January 28, 2025.
A new contemporary fantasy novel, (S)Kin is based on Caribbean folklore, and follows Marisol, who has the ability to shed her skin and become a fireball witch. This entails draining the lives of others, but is difficult to do in the bustling city of Brooklyn. Genevieve also lives in Brooklyn, taking care of her siblings and trying to maintain her worsening skin condition. She soon learns of a family secret, connecting her to Marisol and leaving the girls to wonder about the skin that keeps their flames locked beneath—and how powerful it can be.
This is an exciting and original new release from Ibi Zoboi, who was born in Haiti and raised in New York City. This story is based on traditional Caribbean folklore, which is rarely seen in the young adult market.
Releases February 11, 2025.
After Kirby Tan suffers an injury, she is no longer one of her school’s top rock climbers. Forced to join the newspaper club, she meets the tarot-loving Bex Santos, who recruits her for the astrology-based love column. Kirby begins to wonder if her own love could be written in the stars, despite pressures from the community and her church.
From Chinese-American author Laura Gao, this LGBTQ+ coming of age graphic novel appears to be an important read for young adults struggling with their own love life and balancing it with life outside of school.
Releases March 4, 2025.
This horror, thriller queer tale follows Hollis in his small town that he cannot afford to leave. One day Hollis stumbles upon a mysterious stranger who offers him a deal. This encounter leaves Hollis possessed with a ghost named Walt, who has unfinished business with the town Hollis has grown up in. A bond begins to form between the two, but this does not go unnoticed by Hollis’ friends. With an exorcism due for Hollis, he must get rid of his curse and protect the love he has found.
This queer tale from an award winning author who is passionate about diversity and representation in fiction offers a unique read for the month of April. This looks like an enticing read, especially for fans of the horror and speculative fiction genres, like myself.
Releases April 22, 2025.
Through the National Bollywood Dance Circuit Scholarship, Raina intends to prove to her mother that a career in dance can be financially viable and to her boyfriend, Aditya, that they are still a perfect match. Her plans change, however, when Aditya breaks up with her, ruining their dance and her dreams of winning the scholarship. A “miracle” occurs the next morning, and Raina believes she may have another chance, only to learn that she is trapped in a time loop of the same terrible day. Raina must follow the steps to break the time loop and get both the scholarship and her relationship back.
From young adult Indian-American author Ananya Devarajan, this story offers Indian-American representation and a fun contemporary romance for the spring.
Releases May 20, 2025.
Fans of Lovecraftian horror might enjoy this YA horror novel, which follows Gabi, who is forced to spend his summer in the Hamptons with his newly-rich best friend Ruth. While surrounded by mansions and Ruth’s new boyfriend, Gabi witnesses a woman drowning. As more and more people begin to drown—and the police show a lack of interest—Gabi must decipher what is under the water and how all the murders are interconnected.
Written by Puerto Rican author, Ann Dávila Cardinal, this horror read includes characters from the underrepresented group.
Releases June 17, 2025.
2025 offers a wide array of diverse and underrepresented voices in YA literature. These books, whether they are romance, magical realism, or even thrillers, offer a refreshing look at different cultural perspectives and are essential to supporting marginalized stories and authors. While your TBR is likely to fill up, engaging with stories with vibrant cultural experiences can allow you to stand in solidarity with authors who are pushing for representation and expand your own worldview.
Jenica Delaney, Pine Reads Review Writer