13 new YA releases that belong on your May reading list
By Lacy Baugher
May 2021 release: Sunkissed – Kasie West
A lighthearted and swoony contemporary YA romance by fan-favorite author Kasie West about a girl who finds that a summer spent at a family resort isn’t as bad as she imagined…and that falling in love is filled with heartache, laughter, and surprises.
Avery’s family typically spends summers away from Los Angeles – this year that means two months at a remote family camp in the woods. But for once, Avery doesn’t actually mind so much as she’s got plenty of drama back in the real world, including a best friend who kissed her ex-boyfriend.
Sunkissed will remind readers of nothing so much as the classic film Dirty Dancing, as Avery embarks on a whirlwind romance with a cute but off-limits camp staff member and in doing so learns to find her voice. (Both literally and figuratively, as Brooks is in a band and you know that Avery’s going to end up singing in it without my even telling you, right?)
A sparkly, low-stakes beach or poolside read, this is a YA title that will definitely get you in the mood for summer.
The official synopsis describes the story as follows.
"After being betrayed by her best friend, Avery is hoping for a picture-perfect summer. Too bad her parents have dragged her and her sister to a remote family camp for the entire summer. And that’s not even the worst part. Avery also has to deal with no internet, a cute but off-limits staff member, and an always-in-her-face sister. But what starts as a disaster turns into a whirlwind summer romance as Avery embarks on an unexpected journey to figure out what she truly wants and who she wants to be."
Sunkissed is available on May 4.