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21 upcoming YA book releases we can’t wait to read in 2021

By Lacy Baugher

Red Tigress by Amelie Wen Zhao. Image courtesy Penguin Random House
Red Tigress by Amelie Wen Zhao. Image courtesy Penguin Random House /
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You Have a Match book cover
You Have a Match by Emma Lord. Image courtesy St. Martin’s Publishing Group /

You Have a Match – Emma Lord

You Have a Match is the second novel from Emma Lord, author of last year’s buzzy rom-com Tweet Cute. This book is described as having serious Parent Trap vibes, which would be enough to get me to read it pretty much instantly, but also the story generally just sounds adorable.

When Abby does a mail-in DNA test on what is essentially a bet from her secret crush, she’s surprised by the answers she finds. Not about who she is – but who she’s related to. It turns out she’s got a sister she never knew existed, and that sister is famous Instagrammer Savannah Tully.

The two agree to meet up at a summer camp and figure out their family secrets together, but that turns out to be a bit more difficult than either of them imagined and the differences between them are made all the more stark by their close contact. (Plus, Abby’s crush is the camp chef, and that gets complicated fast.) Will the girls figure out how to be both sisters and friends?

The official synopsis describes the story in greater detail.

"When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front. But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister. When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself. The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything. But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones."

You Have a Match is available on January 12. 

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