Summer Teen Reads: 10 Must-Have Books for Your Summer TBR List

Summer Teen Reads: 10 Must-Have Books for Your Summer TBR List

Happy summer, besties! Now that school is out, it is time to tackle your summer book wish list! If you’re floating in the pool, hanging out in your room, relaxing at the lake, or killing time between softball games with a fresh iced coffee—this list is for YOU. We’ve rounded up the hottest books teens are reading in 2025, and trust us, you’re going to want these on your bookshelf, tossed into your beach bag, or downloaded on your phone for late-night binge-reading.

Here are 10 Teen-approved reads you’ll want to grab ASAP:

1. Let Them Stare – Jonathan Van Ness & Julie Murphy

A ghost, vintage glam, and gender identity? YES. Total heart and sparkle.

2. Dire Bound – Sable Sorensen 

Think Fourth Wing meets The Hunger Games… with sister drama and deadly magic.

3. If He Had Been With Me – Laura Nowlin 

Small town love + heartbreak = literal tears. Pack tissues.

4. The Rose Bargain – Sasha Peyton Smith 

Fae, secrets, royal competitions. Giving The Selection meets The Cruel Prince.

5. All Better Now – Neal Shusterman 

A twisty pandemic tale that’s weirdly hopeful and terrifying.

6. Where Shadows Meet – Patricia Caldwell 

Vampires, power, forbidden love. Twilight who?

7. The Girl You Know – Elle Gonzalez Rose 

Boarding school, a twin mystery, and big dark academia vibes.

8. The Wilde Trials – Mackenzie Reed 

A fierce Midwest girl takes on a deadly competition with real money  on the line.

9. Chaos King –  Kacen Callender
   Magic, politics, betrayal. It’s Shadow and Bone meets Scythe.

10. Thieves’ Gambit – Kayvion Lewis

Global heists, one bold teen thief, and a whole lot of drama.

Grab some girlfriends and take a trip to your local indie bookstore in your Indiana or Kentucky town, add to your cart, or download to your favorite e-reader.

Summers don’t last forever—so grab your sunnies, your favorite drink, a comfy shady spot, and get reading! 

Have a book to add? Include it in the comments!

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