Anticipated Releases (April-June 2021)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And today I'm back with my Anticipated Releases for the next three months! I look forward to talking about all my anticipated every three months and somehow I never end up reading them! 

I swear, one month, all I'll be reading will be some of my past anticipated releases, because it's embarrasing how little I pick them up after they've been released! 

Hopefully these will be different, though at this point, I'm not very confident. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy. 

April Releases

1. Dead or Alive (Skulduggery Pleasant #14), by Derek Landy (1/4/21)

I've been following the Skulduggery Pleasant series for at least ten years now, so it should be a given that I will be anticipating this from the moment that it was announced. I am actually fairly nervous about this book being released though, because there will only be one other book after this in the Skulduggery Pleasant universe, so Derek Landy is sure to have started setting up what is going to happen in the final book. I've loved this series since I was a tiny 11 year old at secondary school and that hasn't changed over the years. I can't wait to jump back into this world. 

2. Between the Bliss and Me, by Lizzy Mason ((6/4/21) 

Between the Bliss and Me follows Syndey, when she decides to attend NYU, leaving her overprotective Mother devastated. She was hoping she could transfer to Rutgers, instead of off to the Big City, where guitar prodigy (and definitely not single) Grayson is attending Julliard. But while dreams of NYU fill her head, Syndey discovers a truth that blows her world apart: that her father- who left when she was little due to a drug addiction- that he has Schizophrenia and is currently living off the streets in New York. She seizes the chance to get to know him, to understand more about who he is, and what might be in store for her too, if she is diagnosed. But a question is still unanswered: should she stay close to her mother and the life she knows, or leave for NYU for a chance to discover who she is? 

This book feels like so many good themes thrown together that I wonder what it is I'm getting into with this. I don't think I've read any books that discuss Schizophrenia and I'm truly excited that there are books that are going to be released that discuss these kinds of themes. I don't know when I'll get my hands on a copy of this as it might just be out on Hardback at first, but I'm very excited about picking it up. 

3. House of Hollow, by Krystal Sutherland (6/4/21) 

If this cover isn't enough to draw my attention to this book, the blurb certainly is. House of Hollows follows the third Hollow sisters, Grey, Vivy and Iris, who went mysteriously missing as children, and couldn't remember a thing when they returned home a month later, with nothing to show for it but a scar across each of their faces. They've since gone their seperate ways, but when Grey goes missing, the two remaining Hollow sisters go off in search of her, even if it means stepping back into the terrifying past that could expose the truth of what happened to them, once and for all. 

Although this comes out next month, this sounds very much like a Halloween-ish book, kind of like The Call and The Chronicles of Alice duology. I'll most likely save it for October, but it certainly sounds like a book that will be a hit for readers. 

4. Between Perfect and Real, by Ray Stoeve (13/4/21) 

I'm kind of anxiously anticipating the release of this and also bursting at the seams to read it too because it feels like it's going to make me cry both happy and sad tears. Between Perfect and Real follows Dean Foster, who everyone thinks is a lesbian, but is actually Trans. Even his girlfriend and his thatre director, who has cast him as a "nontraditional Romeo". He wonders as for whether it'll be easier to come out when he's in college, but as he plays Romeo everyday in rehearsals, Dean starts to want everyone to know the person he is now- not just on stage, whilst playing a part. Dean knows what he needs to do. Can playing a part help Dean to show his true self? 

This sounds like such a simple concept, but it sounds like such an incredible novel, which really packs an emotional punch. Looking forward to reading this. 

5. Malice, by Heather Walter (13/4/21) 

A Sleeping Beauty retelling! If you've been following my blog for the past year, you know that these are my kryptonite. I read a Sleeping Beauty retelling late last year, and this is my second one to go on these anticipated releases post this year. From the blurb, this looks like a romance between a descentdant of Malificent and Princess Aurora. It sounds dark and creepy, and the cover looks simple and angelic. I'm certainly intrigued for this mystical release. 

6. She Drives Me Crazy, by Kelly Quindlen (20/4/21)

I've already heard a couple of Booktubers talking about this, so I know this'll be high on a lot of people anticipated releases list. After losing spectacularly to her toxic ex-girlfriend at their first head-to-head on the Basketball court, Scottie runs into the worst possible person: her nemesis and completely beautiful/mean Irene Abraham. After a fender bender leaves her without a car, things get a lot worse. Their nosey, do-gooders mothers force them to carpool together until it's fixed. Things slowly get worse, until an opportunity arised for Scottie to get back at her ex, and she ropes Irene into helping her out. Long story short, She Drives Me Crazy has hijinks, heartbreaks, and a gay fake-dating scheme for the ages. This kind of reminds me of The Falling Love Montage and I'm eager for another of these to read. Should be a fast and engaging read. 

May Releases

1. Take Me Home Tonight, by Morgan Matson (4/5/21) 

Another book my Morgan Matson! Although I've only ever read the one book (Since You've Been Gone- read it in one day, I enjoyed it that much) it's been a while since I've seen her release anything. This sounds amazing though. It sounds like a whirlwind book that takes place in one evening, following two best friends, theatre kids, that sneak out for a night in the city that never sleeps. What could go wrong? A lot, it turns out. As soon as they step out of the trains, they're dealing with broken phones, family dramas, unhelpful cab drivers, the lot. I've been meaning to pick up a Morgan Matson book recently, and this could be the perfect one. 

2. Meet Cute Diary, by Emery Lord (4/5/21) 

I love how many trans books are coming out in the next few months! Combine that and the fact that this story is written by Emery Lord and I am sold! 

Meet Cute Diary follows Noah Ramirez- love expert. He has to be, for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily ever after. There's one problem though- all the stories are fake. What started as the fantasies of a trans boy who was afraid to come out, because a beacon of hope for the trans community worldwide. That is, until a troll outs his blog as completely made up. As Noah's world unravels, his only chance is to convince the world that in fact, the stories aren't fake. Enter Drew, who agrees to fake date Noah, to save the Meet Cute Diary. What Noah will grow to realise is that real love isn't quite the same as finding it on the page. 

3. Heartstopper: Volume Four (Heartstopper #4), by Alice Oseman (13/5/21)

If you've been following this blog for the last couple of years, you'll know that I am a huge fan of the Heartstopper series, by Alice Oseman. I genuinely don't even need to read the blurb to know that I'm going to love the fourth installment of this fantastic series! From what I've seen, there's a certain phrase that will turn out to be a theme in this volume, as well as a very scary theme to do with Charlie that worries me deeply. But, Heartstopper is a mere couple of months away, and I know I'm going to love it as much as the rest of them! 

4. Tokyo Ever After, by Emiko Jean (18/5/21) 

Izumi has never felt like she's fully fit in at school. Raised by a single mother, in a mostly white, small town in California. she goes by Izzy, because "It's easier this way." But then Izzy discovers a clue about her unknown father, that he's none other but the Crown Prince of Japan. Thrown into a life of royalty, she finds that it isn't just gowns and glamour, it's having to learn a lifetime of rules and regulations, seemingly overnight, conniving cousins, and a bodyguard that might just be her soulmate. Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds- back home, she was never "American" enough, and in Japan, she has to prove she's "Japanese" enough. Will Izumi crumble under the crown, or will she live her own fairytale, happily ever after? 

I love everything about this book. I love these new and exciting themes that remind me of Crazy Rich Asians, I love the cover, and the premise. This sounds new and exciting and unique and I can't wait to sink my teeth into this. 

5. Off the Record, by Camryn Garrett (18/5/21) 

Ever since Josie can remember, writing has been her identity, the thing that keeps her grounded when everything turns horrid. So when she wins an exclusive competition to write a celebrity profile for Deep Focus magazine, she's both scared and excited, but she knows she's got this. Soon Josie is setting off to a multi city tour, meeting sparkly celebrities, fenetic handlers, stone-faced producers and eccentric stylists. She even finds herself somewhat falling for the subject of her profile, dazzling young newcomer Marius Canet. At first, she feels like she's in a whirlwind, not sure whether she's falling or flying, but when a young actress tells her something in confidence, she knows one thing for sure: she's in way over her head. As more women start to come forward, Josie worries whether she's the right person to tell this story. But if she doesn't, the question remains: Who will? 

This story sounds as ground-breaking to me as THUG did when I first read it. It sounds as enthralling as Grown did, and I finished that in one day. To say I'm excited for this would be an understatement. I really hope I manage to get to this soon because I'll be disappointed in myself if I don't. 

6. May the Best Man Win (18/5/21) 

The opening for the blurb on this book is "A trans boy enters a throw-down battle for the title of Homecoming King with the boy he dumped last summer" and so on. Although I like the premise for this, it paints the trans character as the bad guy in this face-off, and I don't know if I'm okay with that, especially as the dumpee is still coming to terms with the fact that his ex-girlfriend is now a boy. But, I'm interested in where this is going to go, what direction, so I'm anticipating it's release. 

June Releases

1. The Nature of Witches, by Rachel Griffin (1/6/21) 

In all honesty, it was the cover that drew me to this novel. It honestly didn't reveal itself as a fantasy novel, purely from the cover so, I started to turn away from it, once I realised it wasn't a contemporary fiction. But after reading the blurb, I knew I would have to give it a shot. 

The Nature of Witches tells a story of witches that have maintained the climate for centuries, whose power is strongest in the season they were born in. But as the weather becomes more erratic, the only person they can rely on is Clara, who is the only witch alive to have an affinity with every season.

 In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. Wild and undistructable, and the price of her magic- losing the ones she loves, is too high. In Winter, Clara accepts that she is the only one that can put a stop to all this chaotic weather, as storms surge around her. In Spring, she falls for the witch that has been training her, and she worries that she will be next. In Summer, Clara must choose between happiness and power, her duty and the people she loves, before she thrusts the world into chaos. 

2. We Are Inevitable, by Gayle Forman (1/6/21) 

Even if I wasn't super interested in the synopsis, when I see that Gayle Forman has written it, on it goes to my anticipated releases list. I don't think I've read any Gayle Forman novels since 2015, or 2016 at the latest, so when I saw that she was releasing another YA contemporary, I was so excited. We Are Inevitable follows Aaron, who works in a failing bookshop with his father after he missed his chance to go to college. Just when he realises he needs a lucky break, in comes Hannah. Funny, incredible, musical Hannah. Could she be the answer? And could they- their relationship, their friendship- possibly be the inevitable he's been waiting for? 

3. Down With This Ship, by Katie Kingman (1/6/21) 

Kole has one thing she excels at: writing on her fanfiction blog for her favourite show: The Space Game. Everything else makes her anxious: crushes, plans for after high school, the whole lot. So when Kole's fanfic, Spacer, wins a major fanfiction competition, her traffic soars. With a new and large fanbase comes a lot of criticism too, including the heat that comes with shipping characters within the show. And then, comes an invitation to speak at The Space Game convention arrives in her inbox. 

When some of her most competitive Creative Writing classmates find out Kole's writing Spacer, her blog is taken hostage and she risks them hitting ctrl+A+del on Spacer. To win it back, Kole must face both her inner demons and the ones at Crystal Lake High before they make the drama not just about her beloved fanfiction, but about Kole herself. 

This gives me the same vibes as Eliza and Her Monsters did, and I am totally here for it. Also, other than Fangirl, I don't think I've read another book about fanfiction, and I'm eager to change that, especially as it's been Donkey's years since I've picked that one up. 

4. Instructions for Dancing, by Nicola Yoon (1/6/21) 

Another book that I stuck on this list, because of who has written it. I've loved both of Nicola Yoon's works, and I'm excited to pick this one up, because I know her books are fun and easy to read quickly, and they're always different to other contemporary stories. 

Evie doesn't believe in love anymore. Especially as a surreal moment happens on an otherwise ordinary afternoon. When she sees a couple kissing, and is overcome with a vision of how it started... and how it ended. 

Completely and totally overwhelmed, she finds herself at the Dance Studio, learning to walts, foxtrot and tango with a boy named X. X is everything that Evie isn't: adventurous, passionate and daring. He is so much of these things in fact, that the pair find themselves entered in a ballroom dance competition with a person they've only just met. 

Falling for X certainly wasn't the plan, because if there's something Evie has learnt by her visions, is that no-one survives love unscathed. But as she and X dance around and towards eachother, Evie is forced to question all she thinks she knows about love. In the end, is love worth the risk? 

I haven't read many books about dance, and I definitely haven't read any about ballroom dancing, so I'm excited to read about something fresh and new by Nicola Yoon. I hope I love it as much as the other two, but I know that's nearly an inevitability. 

5. Trouble Girls, by Julia Lynn Rubin (1/6/21) 

When Trixie picks up her best friend Lux for a weekend getaway, she's looking to escape for a little while, to not have to think about the despair of being trapped in their dead end home and the eventual reality of caring for her ailing mother. She packs light: a supply of Diet Coke for Lux, her '89 Canon to help frame the world in a sunnier light, half a pack of cigarretts that Lux never uses, and a knife she's holding for a friend. 

When a night of violence leaves their trip derailed and forever changes the course of their lives forever, the girls are forced to run as they go from ordinary high-schoolers to wanted fugitives. Now trying to outrun the police and a hellscape of media attention, the girls are forced to make decisions in disasterous situations, whilst juggling fastly diminishing supplies. As they are transformed by the media as the face of the #MeToo movement they didn't ask to lead and the road ahead of them begins to run out, Trixie and Lux realise that the only people they can rely on is each-other, and that the love they share is the only thing that truly makes them free. 

This sounds so amazing. It's also giving me The End of the F-ing World vibes too, because of how similar the premise is to that. Like, to a tea. I love these kind of books, that take place in such a short space of times, but stay with you long after you finish the last page. 

6. The Ghosts We Keep, by Mason Deaver (1/6/21) 

This has such a simple premise, and that's definitely a good thing, because the subject matter is so sensitive, that it doesn't need to fill to the top with themes, it sounds amazing without a ton of events and characters. 

When Liam Cooper's brother Ethan is killed in a hit-and-run, Liam not only has to try and navigate the world without one of the people he loves the most, but also face his fading relationships with his two best friends. Feeling more alone and isolated than ever, Liam finds himself sharing more and more time with Ethan's best friend Marcus, and through him, Liam finds the one person that seems to be know exactly what they're going through, for better, for worse. 

This book is about grief. But it's also about why we live, why we have to keep moving on, why we Daufhshould. 

This book sounds like one that's going to rip my heart to pieces. And I'm ready for it. 

7. Daughter of Sparta, by Claire M. Andrews (8/6/21) 

I added this to the list because I wanted to read something different from the contemporaries I usually anticipate whenever I post one of these. That, and the cover is captivating and grabbed my attention as soon as I laid eyes on it. 

Daughter of Sparta follows Daphne, a warrior of seventeen, trained in body and mind, who has always hoped to be accepted to the unyielding people of ancient Sparta. But after an enexpected encounter with none other but the goddess Artemis- who holds Daphne's brother's fate in her hands- upends the life she's worked so hard for. Nine mysterious items have been snatched from Mount Olympus, and if Daphne fails to retrieve them, then the Mortal World will descent into chaos and Daphne's brother will be lost forever. 

With the help of Artemis' brother Apollo (entirely too-self-assured), Daphne's journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur, to the riddle-spinning Sphinx of Thebes, team her up with mythical legends such as Theseus and Hippoltya of the Amazons, and pit her against the Gods themselves. 

This sounds like just the type of epic mythological story I need to pick up this year. It'll be a nice change from all the Rick Riordan's novels I've pitted myself to read this year (though I've loved what I've read so far of his and can't wait to pick up where I read to a few years back.) 

This sounds incredibly fast paced and I can't wait to read it, Simple as that. 

Okay! That's all that I have for you all today! I hope you enjoyed it, and if there's anything on this list that you're looking forward to, share them in the comments! 

Although this post is long winded, I do love to talk about what I'm looking forward to being released! 

I hope you have a wonderful evening, and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx