Ones to Watch 2025

There are so many great books published that it's easy to lose track through the year.  

Each month we'll be choosing some of our favourite new UK YA book releases and highlighting books to look forward to later in the year.

Keep checking back!

February

Til Death
Busayo Matuluko

True-crime-obsessed Lara Oyinlola is heading to Lagos for her favourite cousin, Dérin’s, wedding. It’s going to be a holiday filled with glitzy dress-fittings, glamorous parties and, of course, the star-studded event of the year.
But everything isn’t perfect in Dérin’s world. She’s been receiving anonymous threats telling her to cancel the wedding . . . or face dire consequences.

This is the moment Lara’s been waiting for: put her sleuthing knowledge to work and solve a real-life mystery. As Lara investigates, what she doesn’t expect to uncover is a web of secrets, malicious crimes, and near‑death encounters which promise to tear the family apart for good . . .



Island of Influencers
Monique Turner

Harper wants to be an influencer. Badly. She’ll do anything to be like her famous cousin, Belle.

When Belle is the latest 'victim' in a string of influencer kidnappings, and is put on an island for a new reality show, Harper wants in too. 

It's her chance to join the greatest talents and finally make a name for herself. 

But with demeaning tasks and the constant pressure of a live audience judging their every move, it's not long before cracks begin to appear in the influencers' shiny veneers . . .


January

Let the Light In
Jenny Downham and Louis Hill

Leah and Charlie are handling their family's loss in very different ways. Their choices push them down difficult and perilous paths which eventually collide, sending shockwaves through their community. This astounding, compulsive novel explores love, power, money, art, and asks: what matters most in the end?

Loverboy
Ben Tomlinson

Alfie thinks Maya might be the One, and he's desperate to tell her ... until she reveals she's got a new, cooler boyfriend. Crushed, Alfie starts hanging out with Maya's shy best friend Gwen – and develops feelings for her. But Gwen's hiding something, and Alfie's confused.

As Alfie looks for love within his friendship group, things get complicated – until Alfie makes a big mistake. Can he score with the girl of his dreams – or is he onto a losing streak?


The Boy I Love
William Hussey

At just nineteen, Stephen has already survived a year at the front. Now he is returning to the trenches to lead a platoon, despite his wounds. Broken-hearted from the loss of his first love, Stephen wonders what he's fighting for. Then he meets Private Danny McCormick, a smart, talented young recruit. From their first meeting, there's something undeniable between them – something forbidden by both society and the army. Determined to protect Danny, Stephen must face down the prejudices and ignorance of his superiors as well as the onslaught of German shells and sniper fire.

As the summer of 1916 ticks down to one big push on the Somme, can Stephen and Danny stay together – and will their love save them – or condemn them?