Sometimes the most stressful part of being an avid reader is the worry about what book will be your next read. So to hopefully solve some of that worry, here are four of my favorite books that I don’t hear about a lot.
If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin
What’s it about: Autumn and Finn used to be inseparable, but times have changed. Autumn now has her close group of friends and her boyfriend, Jamie. Not many people pay attention to them. Meanwhile, Finn is the person everyone wants to be around. Even though they both try to avoid each other as much as possible, sometimes they are still forced to be around each other's presence at dinners since their moms are so close. Around August, things will change drastically forever, and Autumn can’t help but wonder that maybe things should be different. Maybe she should be with him.
Why I love it: Even though you might feel a little heartbroken, it is so worth it. This book will keep you reading just “one more chapter” every time you finish the last.
If He Had Been with Me - Amazon
The Lake by Natasha Preston
What’s it about: Best friends Esme and Kayla are back at Camp Pine Lake as counselors-in-training after being former campers a few years ago. Esme loves being around the little kids and helping-especially the girls in her cabin- but that brings back good memories gone bad for Esme. Esme and Kayla did something awful when they were campers, that they want nobody to ever find out. But when they get a message that says THE LAKE NEVER FORGETS. The terrible thing they do might just resurface along with the chaos happening around camp.
Why I love it: This book continuously throws shocking and (sometimes disgusting) things in the character's path the whole time, making you never want to stop reading.
The Island by Natasha Preston
What’s it about: Jagged Island is a private amusement park. Liams, James, Will, Ava, Harper, and Paisley are all social media influencers who have a large following on social media. They have been invited to this private amusement park to get the VIP treatment of a lifetime for an exclusive weekend before the park officially opens. When the teens arrive, they are ready to create posts and videos of their jam-packed itinerary for their loyal followers. But little do they know, that what is supposed to be an exclusive weekend at an island-amusement park for the wealthy (or highly influential) would turn out to be an “exclusive” horror story.
Why I love it: This book leaves your heart beating and wanting to know what move the influencers will make next in order to (hopefully) survive.
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
What’s it about: Libby Strout is ready for a new change. High School, new friends, love, and every single thing life has to offer for the new Libby Strout. But Libby hasn’t exactly had an easy past. She was once named “America's fattest teen”. Now she knows that all people see when they look at her is how she looks, and life hasn’t been a fun ride trying to cope with her mother's death, which sent a chain reaction of a heartbroken father and grief. Jack Masselin is also going through something confusing. Even though he acts cool, charming, and hilarious, he can’t shake past the fact that he can’t recognize faces-even his own family. All he can do is try to play it cool. But when a cruel high school game takes place, it results in Jack and Libby having to be in community service and group counseling together, forcing an unlikely pair to go through rough times together.
Why I love it: You will fall in love with Libby and Jack’s character and enjoy the friendship that they have together, even with the hard topics covered in the book.