The time has finally come for my annual anticipated releases posts! As the year comes to a close, this is prime time for favorite lists and anticipated releases posts, but I ALWAYS end up forgetting a few books or find out some more upcoming releases right after my list goes live. Fortunately, I write seasonal anticipated releases, so if there’s a book you thought I’d include here, odds are it’s probably not on my radar just yet. 

Today, I’ll be focusing on my most anticipated young-adult books slated to release in 2021. I’ve searched through round-ups, Goodreads, bookstgram, fellow bloggers’ lists, and bookish Twitter for this list. I’m so excited that some of my all-time YA favorite contemporary authors and some new-to-me favorites from 2020 are coming out with new books this year. However, as we all especially know after 2020 pushed so many release dates back, I do want to include a small disclaimer that some of these books’ release dates may change. 

Most Anticipated YA Releases 

You Have a Match by Emma Lord | Release Date: January 12 

Honestly, I don’t know anyone who DIDN’T fall in love with Emma Lord’s debut, Tweet Cute, last year. You Have a Match just might top my love for Tweet Cute because it screams so many things that I love in my books & in life in general: sisterhood, romance, summer camp, and a slightly Parent Trap inspired synopsis?? Add it on Goodreads

The Project by Courtney Summers | RD: February 2

I said that I would read more of Courtney Summers’ books after really enjoying Sadie two years ago… which hasn’t happened just yet, but at least now I have The Project to look forward to! I love Courtney Summers’ writing style, and I think her writing will bring something super unique to this book about a girl whose determine to figure out the true intentions of a cult that her sister joined years ago. Add it on Goodreads 

Anna K: Away (Anna K #2) by Jenny Lee | Release Date: April 27

Anna K: A Love Story swept me away this summer for its modern-day Anna Karenina re-telling. It was all just so glamorous and mature, not to mention that it’s ending left me craving MORE. I might just have to reread book #1 before picking up Anna K: Away, which takes place during the summer after book #1’s ending. Add it on Goodreads

What’s Not to Love by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka | RD: April 20

What’s Not to Love is another book that combines some of my favorite things: the enemies-to-lovers trope and a romance similar to one of my 2020 favorite Netflix shows, Never Have I Ever. What’s Not to Love follows high school senior rivals as they compete to plan a ten year reunion, in hopes of getting a Harvard recommendation letter from their principal. The book also has slight Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon vibes (aka one of my favorite books of 2020). I loved Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka’s first two YA releases – yell at me in the comments, but I still need to pick up Time of Our Lives– and I am SO anticipating their first adult romance, The Roughest Draft. Add it on Goodreads 

Kisses and Croissants by  Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau | RD: April 6

I’m always in the mood to read a YA contemporary about a summer abroad, which now includes Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau’s Kisses and Croissants. The book follows Mia’s summer adventure in Paris at an elite summer ballet program. Add it on Goodreads 

Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock | RD: April 20

Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock’s The Smell of Other People’s Houses is one of the best YA books I’ve ever read, so I literally screamed in excitement when I was looking at a list of 2021 YA releases and saw that she has a new book coming out in April. Add it on Goodreads 

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli | RD: April 20 

I admit that I’m a little behind on some of Becky Albertalli’s newer releases, but as soon as I read the synopsis for Kate in Waiting, I was hooked. The book follows best friends Kate and Anderson, who both end up falling for the same guy as they all work together on the school musical. Add it on Goodreads 

Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson | RD: May 4

I am ALWAYS ready for a new Morgan Matson book.  I’m super intrigued by Take Me Home Tonight, since it takes place over one night in New York City, and I already love that it follows two female best friends, Kat and Stevie. Add it on Goodreads 

Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey | RD: May 18

I knew from Last Chance Books’ cover reveal alone that I needed to pick this one up. This debut novel has so many You’ve Got Mail feels. The book follows Madeline, whose family has owned an independent bookstore for a long time, and her rivalry with Jasper, a guy who works as the newly opened chain bookstore across the street… who doesn’t turn out to be the villain Madeline keep imagining. So many early reviews are absolutely raving about Last Chance Books overall, but especially for its humor. Add it on Goodreads 

We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon | RD: June 1

You read it here first that Rachel Lynn Solomon’s We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This might just become my favorite YA book of 2021 because I am OBSESSED with everything about its synopsis (not to mention its gorgeous cover). The book follows two teens, Quinn and Tarek, whose parents work together as wedding planners and caterers. According to Rachel Lynn Solomon’s IG post about the book, We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This is filled with summer wedding shenigans (weddings are one of my FAVORITE contemporary settings), rom-com feels, and Sleepless in Seattle references.Add it on Goodreads 

Between You, Me, and the Honeybees by Amelia Diane Combs | RD: June 22

Between You, Me, and the Honeybees instantly caught my attention because it has such a unique setting I haven’t yet seen in YA contemporary: bee-keeping and a family-owned honey business! The book follows high school graduate, Josie, whose mom is so excited for her daughter to head off to college…but Josie hasn’t yet told her she isn’t going to school and plans on staying in their California hometown to run the family busniess. Add it on Goodreads 

As If on Cue by Marisa Kanter | RD: September 2021

I absolutely loved Marisa Kanter’s debut, What I Like About You. I have a feeling she’s going to become an auto-read author for me. There’s no official synopsis for As If on Cue just yet, but Marisa Kanter has revealed on Instagram has an enemeis-to-lovers arc and has a ton of references to theatre and musicals. Add it on Goodreads 

Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn | RD: Fall 2021

Given how much I loved More Than Maybe in 2020, Erin Hahn is officially one of my auto-read authors… but I’m also super interested in Never Saw You Coming’s synopsis. Instead of heading off to college after senior year, Meg ends up taking a gap year to meet the family she never knew existed after her conservative parents reveal that her childhood was a lie. The book sounds like it is going to capture some serious and complicated conversations surrounding family and religion. Add it on Goodreads 

Always Jane by Jenn Bennett | RD: Fall 2021

Does a reading year really count if there isn’t a new Jenn Bennett book on the way? There aren’t too many details for Always Jane just yet. The basic synopsis is that during a lake vacation girl develops feelings for a boy who believes she’s the daughter of a music producer, not his chauffeur. Add it on Goodreads 

Honorable Mentions:

A Pho Love Story by Loan Le | RD: February 9 

We Are Inevitable by Gayle Forman | RD: May 4

Sunkissed by Kasie West | RD: May 4

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean | RD: May 25

The Summer of Lost Letters by Hannah Reynolds | RD: June 15

Any Way the Wind Blows (Carry On #3) by Rainbow Rowell | RD: July 6

Once More with Chutzpah by Haley Neil | RD: Fall 2021

What books are you looking forward to in 2021? Do you have any recommendations for me? Share in the comments!