New year, new books: 15 YA releases to watch out for this January

The Meet-Cute Project by Rhiannon Richardson

If you’re looking to snuggle up with a rom-com this month, Rhiannon Richardson’s debut might just fit the bill. The Meet-Cute Project is being touted for fans of books like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Save the Date — but its rom-com-hating protagonist makes it sound even more fun than your typical romance:

"“Mia’s friends love rom-coms. Mia hates them. They’re silly, contrived, and not at all realistic. Besides, there are more important things to worry about — like how to handle living with her bridezilla sister, Sam, who’s never appreciated Mia, and surviving junior year juggling every school club offered and acing all of her classes.”"

Of course, for someone who doesn’t buy into the whole romance thing, finding a wedding date isn’t going to be an easy feat. But that’s exactly what Mia’s tasked with doing in The Meet-Cute Project, or else she’ll need to brave Sam’s big day alone.

With no idea who to bring as her date, Mia turns to her friends, and they present an idea only romance lovers would come up with: a meet-cute.

How exactly Mia is going to arrange a meet-cute for herself is a question for when Richardson’s book arrives on January 12. It sounds like just the uplifting and fun story readers need during these times, so keep an eye out for it.