Summer Time Reading: Books of the Week: June 13th, 2025 for YA, Teens and Young Adults

THE BUSYBODY BOOK CLUB by Freya Sampson (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; on sale May 27, 2025)

They can’t even agree on what to read, so how are they going to solve a murder?

Having recently moved from London to a small Cornish seaside village, Nova Davies started a book club at the local community center, but so far it’s a disaster. The five members disagree on everything, and to make matters worse, a significant sum of money is stolen during one of the meetings, putting the much-loved community center at risk.

Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when he disappears and a dead body turns up at his house. But the book club has their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove Michael’s been framed, while romance reader Arthur believes there’s a mystery woman involved, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play. 

While trying to locate Michael, solve the murder and recover the stolen money, each of them has their own secrets to protect. But despite the danger closing in, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and gotten everyone safe at home with a book, where they belong.

This is a real fun Summer read!

About the Author

Freya Sampson works in television as a creator and executive producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British royal family as well as a number of factual and entertainment series. She studied history at Cambridge University and in 2018 was short-listed for the Exeter Novel Prize. She lives in London with her husband, two young children, and an antisocial cat.

WHAT IF YOU FALL FOR ME FIRST? by G.F. Miller (on sale 6/10/2025). 

Sofia has had enough of everyone thinking she’s sooo nice. “Sweet,” “innocent,” and “goody two-shoes” are how her classmates would describe her, but there’s more to her than that. She wants everyone—especially her forever crush, Mark Chen—to see that she has other sides.

To help her level up to Official Cool Girl, Sofia enlists trendy and confident Holden—the guy who everyone else has written off as a total player and a first-class jerk. Under Holden’s guidance, Sofia learns to revamp her style, ride a skateboard, and stand up for herself. At the same time, Holden learns that when he’s alone with Sofia, it’s safe to drop the cool guy act and just be himself.

When their efforts start to pay off, Sofia is faced with a choice. Should she stick with the plan—and risk losing herself in the process—or take a chance on the person everyone says will break her heart?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

G. F. Miller absolutely insists on a happy ending. Everything else is negotiable. She is living her Happily Ever After with the love of her life, three kids, two puppies, and some chickens. She cries at random times. She makes faces at herself in the mirror. She believes in the Oxford comma. And she’s always here for a dance party.

YA literature/debut book by Arriel Vinson

Arriel Vinson’s debut novel in verse, Under the Neon Lights (on sale June 3), is a sparkling and heartfelt story that follows a young Black girl as she navigates the complexities of first love, the path to self-discovery, the gentrification of her Black neighborhood, and the empowering world of roller skating. Through Vinson’s lyrical and evocative verse, readers are invited into a vibrant and dynamic world where neon lights illuminate the struggles and triumphs of adolescence.

Happy Summer reading!

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to facilitate this featured book post. Images were also provided.

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