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

By Lacy Baugher

You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao. Image courtesy St. Martin’s Press & Wednesday Books
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao. Image courtesy St. Martin’s Press & Wednesday Books /
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As If On Cue by Marisa Kanter. Image courtesy Simon & Schuster
As If On Cue by Marisa Kanter. Image courtesy Simon & Schuster /

Fall 2021 release: As If On Cue – Marisa Kanter

A YA enemies to lovers romance that’s secretly a love letter to the life-changing power of high school theater? Sign me up right the heck now.

Marisa Kanter’s As If On Cue has been touted as perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson, and if the description of the story is anything to go by, that feels pretty right. The book follows the story of Natalie and Reid, lifelong rivals with very different interests. (She’s into the theater; he’s in a band.)

But when their school’s art budget is suddenly facing cutbacks, they’ll both do everything they can to save their beloved extracurriculars. Including writing and directing a musical together. It’s their worst nightmare, but if it means they might get to save the day they’ll figure out how to quiet their competitive natures. Maybe. Or maybe, those feelings are about to turn into something more.

The official synopsis describes the story as follows.

"Lifelong rivals Natalie and Reid have never been on the same team. So when their school’s art budget faces cutbacks, of course Natalie finds herself up against her nemesis once more. She’s fighting to direct the school’s first ever student-written play, but for her small production to get funding, the school’s award-winning band will have to lose it. Reid’s band. And he’s got no intention of letting the show go on. But when their rivalry turns into an all-out prank war that goes too far, Natalie and Reid have to face the music, resulting in the worst compromise: writing and directing a musical. Together. At least if they deliver a sold-out show, the school board will reconsider next year’s band and theater budget. Everyone could win. Except Natalie and Reid. Because after spending their entire lives in competition, they have absolutely no idea how to be co-anything. And they certainly don’t know how to deal with the feelings that are inexplicably, weirdly, definitely developing between them…"

As If On Cue is available on September 21. 

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