Looking for an unforgettable collection of binge-worthy YA books so addicting you can’t stop readings? As an award-winning author and veteran blogger about issue-driven YA fiction, I’ve spent over a decade analyzing and recommending the most addictive and compelling novels that you won’t be able to stop reading.
You’ll find detailed reviews of these and more than 20 other amazing novels in the roundup below. Some are romance and others are thrillers. Some are standalone and some are series. All of them are worth a look.
Hollow Beauty by Khristina Chess
Genre
Contemporary & romance, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook & compelling pacing
What it’s about
Prom should be magic, but when her date tells her to lose weight, Olivia’s quest for perfection pulls her into a toxic spiral of extreme dieting and exercising.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I’d always called my body ‘athletic.’ Words like ‘stocky’ and ‘muscular’ described my figure. I was the fastest girl on the track and cross country teams. Muscular, stocky girls weren’t beautiful, though. Skinny girls were. Girls like Erica Miller.” ― Khristina Chess from Hollow Beauty
If you’ve ever suffered the pain of unkind criticism, Hollow Beauty is for you. This authentic YA novel explores the slippery slope of pro-ana culture and the brutal consequences of chasing perfection. What makes Hollow Beauty special is the realistic portrayal of how Olivia falls into the self-esteem trap of trying to change herself for someone else. I loved seeing her journey and choices as the events escalated toward the story’s climax.
The story starts with a casual criticism from a cute boy: maybe you could use the next two months before prom to lose some weight.
That’s right. When tall, gorgeous Brody asks Olivia to prom, she’s ecstatic—until he suggests that she go on a diet!
What starts as a few skipped meals spirals into a dangerous obsession—hours spent scrolling pro-ana and thinspo forums, tracking calories like a lifeline, and watching the number on the scale plummet. The more weight she sheds, the more she disappears.
Ross, the new prep cook at the diner, sees her differently. He doesn’t suffer the same suffocating self-doubt, and the only time Olivia feels like herself is when she’s riding dirt bikes and cave-hunting with him. But with Brody, romance feels more like devour or be devoured.
She’s almost perfect for prom. Almost thin enough.
Until the unthinkable happens.
I highly recommend this fast-paced and thought-provoking YA novel about the issue of eating disorders. It shines a harsh but necessary light on the world of anorexia and excessive exercise. Worth the read!
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Genre
Thriller, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional & psychological hook, compelling plot
What it’s about
A slow-boil novel about the abduction of a young girl by a stalker who woos her into caring for him.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“How long will you keep me?" I asked.
You shrugged. "Forever, of course.” ― Lucy Christopher, quote from Stolen
What a beautiful, unsettling, thrilling, complex, and emotional novel! I was mesmerized by the characters and the slow-boil situation. The author did an amazing job of making me emotionally invested in the outcome. I could feel the heat and dryness of the desert. The camel was a creature I could see and smell, and I love the way Lucy Christopher draws a parallel between what happens to Gemma and the camel. Wonderful! I have a very vivid impression in my mind of the setting.
I can’t say too much without giving spoilers, so I will only urge you to read it!!!
Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Genre
Fantasy & romance, series
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Immersive world-building and emotional hook
What it’s about
A classic, unforgettable series about first love between characters of very different worlds—human and vampire.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn’t know how potent that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.” ― Stephanie Meyer, quote from Twilight
Oh. My. Gosh.
Twilight was my introduction to YA as an adult reader, and I remember plowing through these novels at a breakneck pace. They’re part love stories, part vampire and werewolf fantasy world, and just full of all the great emotions. At one point I contacted my friend who’d recommended the series and asked, “When do they finally have sex?!” By this point I felt as frustrated about the situation with Edward as Bella.
“It’s young adult,” she said. “Remember?”
Right.
For readers who have never read them or even those who read them a decade ago, these books are highly addicting, binge-worthy, can’t-put-down, and worth another look. There’s a reason millions of people loved them, watched all the movies, and bought posters. The passion between Bella and Edward sizzles on the pages of this series. Even more, there is a love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob in the middle books that turns up the heat.
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
Genre
Magical realism, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Immersive world-building
What it’s about
A grieving girl goes on a search for her mother, who she believes has turned into a bird.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Believing is a type of magic. It can make something true.” ― Emily X.R. Pan, quote from The Astonishing Color of After
A young girl, Leigh Chen Sanders, is grieving the death of her mother, who committed suicide. Leigh believes that she turned into a bird, and she goes on a journey to visit her grandparents in Taiwan in search of her mother, the bird, and other family secrets.
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan is one of my top favorite YA reads. I discovered the novel after reading a Goodreads review so intriguing that I went hunting for the title during my next Barnes & Noble trip. The Astonishing Color of After was shelved under Teen Fantasy, a category where I never shop, so without seeing the great reviewer comments I might never have discovered this touching book about grief, culture, and family secrets.
This book wrecked me. The writing is so beautiful. Whether it’s the love story, the voice, the mystery, or the family culture aspect, there’s plenty of reasons why fans connect with this YA classic. I truly can’t say enough wonderful things about this amazing novel.
If you haven’t discovered it yet, you definitely want to make it one of the YA books on your list of binge-worthy YA books so addicting you can’t stop reading. And if you have already read it, here’s my list of other great books for fans of The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan.
Junior Missing by Khristina Chess
Genre
Psychological thriller, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Psychological hook with engaging characters
What it’s about
A seductive and chilling thriller about a runaway teen, drawn into an intoxicating relationship with an older man who takes her in—and won’t let her go!
Why I Love It - Book Review
“He kissed me again and again, and I began bargaining once more with the wind. I vowed to do better and try harder to keep this Quentin who loved me and kept me safe. The Quentin who I loved. Who loved me. Who didn’t treat me badly. Sex was the one place where he was always himself. His very best self. “― Khristina Chess, quote from Junior Missing
Wow! Readers who love the intense chemistry and unsettling seduction of a dark romance won’t be able to put Junior Missing down. What makes Junior Missing so special is the slow-boil depiction of how Grace’s forbidden attraction turns into a trap set by an older man who takes her in—and won’t let her go!
The story starts as sixteen-year-old Grace Keegan, darling of the child pageant world with a bright future, is missing. At first, police assume she ran away. But when they find her abandoned phone along the highway, the truth becomes far more terrifying.
No one knows about Quentin Brock—the musician she met online. He’s charming, funny, and perfect.
Until he isn’t. Until she’s trapped in another state with no way out.
She doesn’t even have shoes.
If you’re looking for a binge-worthy YA book so addicting you can’t stop reading, I recommend this mesmerizing, authentic novel about toxic relationships. Junior Missing will stay with you after the final page. Worth the read!
In fact, Khristina Chess is on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited because she has so many suspenseful novels.
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Genre
Speculative, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Compelling plot & immersive world-building
What it’s about
A teen girl dies in a drunk driving accident and must relive her last day in this YA version of Groundhog Day with a twist.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“The last laugh, the last cup of coffee, the last sunset, the last time you jump through a sprinkler, or eat an ice-cream cone, or stick your tongue out to catch a snowflake. You just don’t know.” ― Lauren Oliver, quote from Before I Fall
Samantha Kingston is dead.
In this YA-version of Groundhog Day, a “mean girl” gets a chance to relive her last day and the party she attended with her friends before the fatal car crash. She has an opportunity to make the same choices over and over, until she makes different ones.
This beautiful novel is a mystery about redemption. Samantha’s character arc really blew me away, and although I disliked her in the beginning, I was cheering for her by the end, and I love the way Lauren Oliver wrote the ending.
If you’re looking for a YA book so addicting you won’t be able to put it down, Before I Fall is worth a look.
Girl, Stolen by April Henry
Genre
Thriller, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Strategic pacing
What it’s about
A blind girl is accidentally kidnapped by a teen boy, putting both of them in danger.
Why I Love It - Book Review
"Sometimes people did this, closed their eyes for a few seconds and imagined it gave them insights into what it was like to be her. Only, at the end, they could still open their eyes and see." ― April Henry, quote from Girl, Stolen
This slender YA novel is a fast and engaging read!
The story is about sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder, daughter of a famous Nike CEO, who is accidentally kidnapped by a boy named Griffen. He's about her age, maybe older, and he soon regrets his actions because his abusive father decides to hold her for ransom. Cheyenne is in danger. She has pneumonia; she's blind; bad men at Griffen's house are interested in assaulting her; and she expects to be killed once money has exchanged hands.
The prose is simple and effective. The viewpoint alternates between Cheyenne and Griffen, and we learn backstories of both protagonists through the story. I especially liked learning so much about what a blind person might experience in such a situation. Cheyenne was clever and resilient.
I haven't read a book straight through and stayed up to finish in a long time. Well done! If you’re looking for a YA book so addicting you won’t be able to put it down, you don’t want to miss this YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults and YALSA Quick Pick winner.
Broken Things by Lauren Oliver
Genre
Mystery & suspense, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Compelling plot
What it’s about
Friends investigate an unsolved murder that impacted their lives and entire community.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Before we were the Monsters of Brickhouse Lane—before everyone from Connecticut to California knew us by that tagline, and blogs ran pictures of our faces, and searching our names led to sites that crashed from all the traffic—we were just girls, and there were only two of us.” ― Lauren Oliver, quote from Broken Things
Once there were three friends who were writers and obsessed with a fantasy novel about a magical world. But one of the girls was murdered, and everyone thought the other two killed her. They didn’t.
Five years after Summer’s death, the friends are reunited and put on a path to find out the identity of the real killer.
This addictive YA novel is a mystery told in alternating viewpoints. I wanted to know what happened to Summer. Who murdered her and why? What happened that day in the woods? The dark plot twisted and kept me guessing until the end.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Genre
Psychological thriller & mystery, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Compelling plot
What it’s about
A hypnotic, disorienting story about lifelong friends and a secret that threatens all of them.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Life feels beautiful that day. The four of us Liars, we have always been. We always will be. No matter what happens as we go to college, grow old, build lives for ourselves; no matter if Gat and I are together or not. No matter where we go, we will always be able to line up on the roof of Cuddledown and gaze at the sea. This island is ours. Here, in some way, we are young forever.” ― E. Lockhart, quote from We Were Liars
What an unexpected and beautiful story about summertime, friendship, coming of age, and sorrow!
I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, but I fell in love with this unexpected story. By the end it made me cry. We Were Liars is about a group of privileged young friends and their lies, family secrets, grief, and love. It’s a mystery. Its private island setting evokes all kinds of summer images: the beach, the heat, the sun. The beautiful and disorienting plot will leave you reader breathless until the very end.
It’s a classic, but if you haven’t picked this one up yet, do yourself a favor and add it to your list of binge-worthy YA books so addicting you can’t stop reading. It’s a whirlwind.
Lockhart's prequel to this one, Family of Liars, does not disappoint either! In Family of Liars, the narrator, Carrie, tells the story of the summer of the boys' visit to the island, but long before those events, there are ominous hints of what is to come. In her early teen years, for example, Carrie's father insists on a surgery to break her jaw, and an infection sets in. The pages are full of great details about summertime on the island. The lemon hunt was very vivid, as well as the details about clothing, food, and the picnic table. Lockhart painted a vivid sense of place, siblings, and privilege.
Against the Pack by Khristina Chess
Genre
Survival thriller, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook & compelling plot
What it’s about
After a brutal dog attack leaves them stranded in a remote ravine, a teenage girl must claw her way toward rescue to save her wounded mother before time runs out.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“And once you decided you were going in the wrong direction, how did you find your way back? What happened when you couldn’t go back?” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Against the Pack
What if survival meant leaving the one person you love the most behind?
Ignore the cover. Trust the story. Against the Pack is a pulse-pounding, emotionally charged YA novel that dives into deep themes of love and resilience.
It starts with a bang. While walking on a rural road, Melender and her mom are attacked by a pack of dogs—forced over a near-vertical hillside into a ravine. They’re trapped. Wounded. Stranded on a narrow ledge with no food, no water, no shelter. No phone. No way out.
No one knows where they are.
No one even knows they’re missing.
The only thing Melender has is her will to survive.
She doesn’t want to abandon her critically injured mom, but if she doesn’t find help soon, neither of them will make it.
Melender is gritty, determined, and unforgettable. What makes Against the Pack so special is that her fight isn’t just physical—it’s psychological and deeply personal. As the hours stretch into days, the novel doesn’t just test her endurance but also unravels complicated truths about her relationship with her mother.
If you love high-stakes wilderness survival stories with emotional depth, Against the Pack delivers in every way. Think Hatchet meets How to Make Friends with the Dark.
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart
Genre
Mystery, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Compelling plot & characters
What it’s about
A re-imaging of The Talented Mr. Ripley with a female protagonist.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“She believed that the way you speak is often more important than anything you have to say.” ― E. Lockhart, quote from Genuine Fraud
I picked up Genuine Fraud because I loved Lockhart’s book We Were Liars so much, and the premise sounded intriguing.
Genuine Fraud is a close re-imagining of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley (another binge-worthy series of books), but with female protagonists and a plot that has been lightly shuffled, so events are in different sequence but still end up being very, very familiar when you encounter them.
Because the book opens with a bang and gives a great big story question, I definitely wanted to find out what happened and how things were going to pan out. That made it a binge-worthy YA book. The ending, after all that, felt a little anti-climactic to me. Still, Lockhart is one of those authors whose writing is worth following, wherever it goes, and I'll be back for more.
Sadie by Courtney Summers
Genre
Mystery, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Strategic pacing
What it’s about
A girl leaves home and goes on a journey to seek justice against her sister’s killer.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“How do you forgive the people who are supposed to protect you? Sometimes, I don't know what I miss more; everything I've lost or everything I never had.” ― Courtney Summers, quote from Sadie
Sadie by Courtney Summers is another binge-worthy YA book so addicting you can’t stop reading. I felt instantly drawn into her story and liked the format of alternating podcast interviews and young Sadie’s viewpoint as she sought justice against her sister’s killer. She has plenty of personal reasons to hate him, and he deserves to die for his crimes.
This novel alternates between young Sadie, who is a missing teen, and a podcast show, where details of her disappearance are told through a series of interviews. I think I would have loved this book even more in audio format than paperback
Still, Sadie is a great read. The pacing increases as the story unfolds and Sadie gets closer and closer to her target. The conclusion to her quest for justice is a surprise. This thrilling YA book about teen runaways that will stay with you long after the last page. If Sadie sounds interesting, check out my list of Books You’ll Enjoy If You Liked Sadie.
I could keep listing other binge-worthy YA mysteries and thrillers that you won’t be able to put down. There are so many!
Breathless by Jennifer Niven
Genre
Romance, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook
What it’s about
The story of Claude's summer trip to a remote island off the coast of Georgia after graduation with her mom following the sudden separation of her parents, where she finds unexpected love.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“All these words and stories. My mom calls them the color of a human life: those little moments that are so uniquely ours.” ― Jennifer Niven, quote from Breathless
I might love this book even more than Niven’s All the Bright Places—and that's saying a lot!
Breathless is the story of Claude's trip to a remote island off the coast of Georgia after graduation with her mom following the sudden separation of her parents. She meets a boy and falls in love. So simple. Yet Jennifer Niven beautifully captures that lovely, breathless feeling of first love. Passionate kisses. Romantic trysts. Mosquito bites on sunburned skin.
There is so much growing up packed into this brief summer for Claude. She learns that parents have secrets and tell lies. She and her lifelong best friend grow apart even as they prepare to truly separate for fall college classes. And she has this deep relationship with Miah on the island that changes her in fundamental ways.
Breathless is the perfect book to pack for vacation reading because you won’t be able to put it down. In fact, Jennifer Niven is also on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited, so you might want to check out some of these others, too.
My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Genre
Romance, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook
What it’s about
A girl falls in love with the boy next door in this highly romantic summer love story.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“His bed’s really comfortable. And he never pees in it.” ― Huntley Fitzpatrick, quote from My Life Next Door
This adorable YA love story is compelling and has an unexpected ending. Everything about the messy Garrett house draws Samantha into it, but especially the good-looking son, Jase. He’s one of several children in the house. His little brother, George, has some of the best lines. I laughed out loud. The sneaking around teen love stuff was pretty wonderful. Samantha’s best friend is a jerk, and her sister is too. No wonder she’s so drawn to the loving family next door.
Samantha is keeping this relationship with Jase a secret from her mom and everyone else in her life, but eventually that blows up in her face. In the process, she learns some lessons about who she is and who she wants to be.
This dreamy YA romance will leave you smiling for days and is definitely addictive. It evokes all those light feelings of happiness, joy, and romantic love. You just can’t help sighing about that first kiss. You can’t wait for Samantha and Jase to take their relationship to the next level, and your heart breaks when things get rocky. This is such a sweet story. So cute!
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Genre
Romance, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook
What it’s about
A girl with a perfect summer plan is derailed by her father’s scandal and an unexpected romance.
Why I Love It - Book Review
In fact, if I’m going to include My Life Next Door for the YA romance category, I also have to include The Unexpected Everything in my recommendations of binge-worthy YA books. This was another light, sweet, happy, and satisfying vacation read. The characters and story were perfect for each other. At first I didn't like them, but they totally won me over. They fit their world, and they grew as a result of the summer events. I will definitely binge-read more of this author.
The Razorland Trilogy by Ann Aguirre
Genre
Dystopian, series
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Immersive world-building and compelling plot
What it’s about
Survivors of a toxic apocalypse must fight tribes and mutated creatures to survive and form new societies
Why I Love It - Book Review
The Razorland Trilogy was one of the first YA books like The Hunger Games that I read, and from the very first pages, I was hooked! The novels are set in a dark future where the cities are ruined by plague, war, “tunnel monsters,” and ongoing skirmishes between the surviving gangs that roam in this world. In the first book, Enclave, we meet the heroine, a fifteen-year-old girl named Deuce who lives in the New York subway in a community called an enclave. Life is hard. It becomes even harder when she and another teenage Hunter are exiled from their enclave and must go to the surface to live.
The next two books, Outpost and Horde, follow Deuce in her new life above ground, and all three novels are fast-paced, engrossing reads that I couldn’t put down. Each book was as good as the last, very immersive, and Deuce is a well-drawn, fighting heroine that I rooted for every step of the way.
Check out these binge-worthy YA books so addicting you can’t stop reading. You will love them.
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
Genre
Romance, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook
What it’s about
A girl and a boy become embroiled in a Twitter feud that begins with snarky Tweets but quickly escalates into a viral sensation.
Why I Love It - Book Review
Tweet Cute is a sweet YA romance told in alternating viewpoints of two teens who are engaged in a Twitter war for their family businesses. In a case of hidden identities, Pepper and Jack also are involved in a secret budding relationship through an app that conceals their identity from one another. What could possibly go wrong?
Plenty!
I loved all of the food in the book, and the world from Pepper's point of view felt very real to me. She has never left beyond the general radius of her NY apartment, and the adventure of getting on a train for her college interview seemed big and important. I could also get a real sense of Jack's neighborhood and the deli and its patrons. Both teens had very rich character development.
As a romantic novel, I had bigger expectations when the couple finally got together. It didn't feel quite as satisfying in that aspect as it might have been. Still, a can’t-put-down great read, and I definitely recommend it as a binge-worthy YA book!
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
Genre
Contemporary, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Psychological hook & immersive world-building
What it’s about
A girl is kidnapped by a pedophile at age 10, and as a "too old" teen, she's forced to help him select his next victim to replace her.
Why I Love It - Book Review
Three life lessons:
1. No one will see you.
2. No one will say anything.
3. No one will save you. ― Elizabeth Scott, quote from Living Dead Girl
Fifteen-year-old Alice is the kidnapping victim of a pedophile named Ray who took her at age ten. This haunting, horrifying, graphic, disturbing, and tragic book is about so much more than child rape, although that certainly happens. This novel shows how a person—a child—can lose their self-worth and believe their captor’s lies.
How someone can lose their own humanity.
This thin novel was a fast read, but Alice and her story have stayed with me long after I finished. It’s her voice. In her unflinching viewpoint, Alice shows us what happens to children who are taken and never found. She challenges us to look more closely at the people around us. To notice.
Pay attention. Speak.
The monsters prey on the mute.
This binge-worthy YA book is so addicting it makes my list of the best YA book recommendations for all ages (and why). Read it. You won’t be able to look away. It will break your heart.
The Cutting Edge of Friendship by Khristina Chess
Genre
Contemporary, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Compelling pacing & emotional hook
What it’s about
Two best friends hide dangerous secrets—one about sexual assault and self-harm, and the other unknowingly walking into the predator’s trap.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Sometimes my inside hurts so bad that I need to make the outside hurt worse so the inside will stop.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from The Cutting Edge of Friendship
Absolutely gripping! For readers drawn to the deep emotional connections formed between best friends, The Cutting Edge of Friendship is for you. This realistic novel explores the wounds of self-harm, shame, and redemption following a sexual assault. Sadie’s resilience is fierce and unforgettable, and the book’s raw, unfiltered pain hits hard. This story doesn’t shy away from the truth—it reveals, with painful honesty, how self-harm can become a desperate response to trauma.
From the very first page, it’s clear that although Sadie and Elana have always shared everything, now they’re keeping secrets that could destroy them. On the night of the fireworks, something terrible happened to Sadie—something she can’t even name. Instead, she turns to cutting, the only way she knows to cope.
But Elana has secrets too. She’s been texting Hunter, making plans to meet in secret, and never questioning why he insists on hiding their relationship.
As their lives spiral deeper into danger, Sadie must find the strength to fight back—not just for herself, but for Elana—before a predator can strike again.
I wholeheartedly recommend this poignant YA book about friendship and the trust involved in sharing our truest selves. It’s definitely worth a look. In fact, don’t miss Khristina Chess’s other binge-worthy YA novels, such as The Delinquent Hero and Hollow Beauty. This author is on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited because she tackles so many tough topics with heart.
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Genre
Contemporary, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook
What it’s about
A powerful story about a teen girl who falls for possessive and physically violent boyfriend.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“Sometimes, it was just a little rough: a blocking bruise. Other times, a hard foul. And if things were really bad—full contact.” ― Sarah Dessen, quote from Dreamland
I've read a couple Sarah Dessen books that were "okay," but wow, this one really, really grabbed me!
It starts when Caitlin's sister, Cass, runs away. I knew the story was about relationship abuse, and I was expecting the runaway sister Cass to be with a bad guy, but no. After she disappears, Caitlin falls for a guy named Rogerson who ends up being the abusive one. Caitlin's downward spiral is emotional, realistic, and heartbreaking. From the first time Rogerson hits her, I kept waiting for someone to intervene or for her to wake up, but it went on and on until the climactic moment when something had to shatter.
I felt really bad for Caitlin. She seemed invisible to everyone who supposedly loved her. She was hiding her pain in front of everyone. And people she loved kept leaving her: first her sister Cass and then her new friend Corinna.
If you like the tough topics and want to explore YA books about dating violence and abuse, Dreamland is great binge-worthy YA book to add to your list. It’s addictive. You won’t be able to stop reading until the final page.
After by Amy Efaw
Genre
Contemporary, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook & compelling pacing
What it’s about
After abandoning her newborn to die, a former “good girl” finds transformation in jail.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I'd rather be lucky than good. Good is just so overrated. Bad girls have the most fun.” ― Amy Efaw, quote from After
What kind of girl leaves her infant to die in the trash?
Devon Davenport is a “good girl” whose one misstep leads to an unplanned pregnancy. She’s so filled with denial about her entire situation that she cannot even admit to herself that she’s pregnant until she gives birth. The depiction of her detachment is incredibly real and heartbreaking.
During her stay in the juvenile detention center, Devon must face facts about herself and her situation. Her lawyer plays an important role in drawing the story out of her and helping to build empathy for this girl who has committed such a horrific act.
Devon’s transformation from the beginning to the end of book is heartfelt and moving. I couldn’t put it down.
If you’re looking for binge-worthy YA books, don’t miss this poignant YA book about teen pregnancy. It will especially appeal to fans of Jodi Piccoult. And if you enjoy it, Efaw’s other novel, Battle Dress, which depicts a seventeen-year-old girl’s experience as a cadet at West Point, is also a great read.
Heroine by Mindy McGinnis
Genre
Contemporary, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Emotional hook & compelling pacing
What it’s about
A powerful story of addiction and recovery after a teen girl wakes up to find all of her friends dead.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“When I wake up, all my friends are dead. I don’t know when they stopped breathing, or how long I slept while they dropped off one by one.” ― Mindy McGinnis, quote from Heroine
Those are the opening words of Heroine, the compelling novel about the slow slide of Mickey from Catalan from her position as a star student athlete to heroin addict. It begins with a terrible car accident and pain. Determine to make it back on the field, she uses the prescription painkillers to accelerate her recovery.
But then she’s out of pills and needs more.
What’s so compelling about Heroine is Mickey’s slow slide into addiction and her denial about her situation. She justifies every step of the way. The means justifies the ends, every time.
I did not watch my friends die.
I did not leave their bodies cooling in a basement.
I am not an addict.
If you like the tough topics and want to explore Important YA Books Featuring Characters Dealing with Substance Abuse, Heroine is great binge-worthy YA book to add to your list.
In fact, Mindy McGinnis is also on my list of Best YA Authors to Binge on Kindle Unlimited, so you might want to check out some of her other books, too. She writes some up-all-night page-turners!
Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall
Genre
Psychological thriller, horror & supernatural elements, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Immersive world-building
What it’s about
A teen girl and her friends embark on a journey to find a missing sister, but they encounter supernatural danger on “The Road.”
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I know Becca didn’t run away. That leaves one possibility and one impossibility, and I long for the impossible. Because if she isn’t dead, if she’s only been taken, she can be brought back.” ― Kate Alice Marshall, quote from Rules for Vanishing
Sara’s adopted sister Becca vanished a year ago.
Although everyone has given up the search, Sara is determined to find her because she believes Becca has gone into the woods and is lost on The Road. Sara convinces (tricks) a group of her friends to join her on this terrifying journey.
Not everyone comes home. Because at some point they break the rules:
Don’t leave the road.
Don’t let go.
Don’t follow other roads.
Rules for Vanishing is not a typical YA novel about teen runaways. It is dark, mysterious, creepy, and full of scary and supernatural stuff. I loved it and devoured it in a few days. The ending was an unexpected twist, especially because of the connection to Kate Alice Marshall’s other novel, Our Last Echoes, which I’d read first.
If Rules for Vanishing sounds interesting, check out my list of Books You’ll Enjoy If You Liked Rules for Vanishing.
Coywood Creek by Khristina Chess
Genre
Dystopian, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Compelling plot & engaging characters
What it’s about
A lighthearted dystopian thriller about teen battling anxiety and binge eating disorder, forced to adopt new coping strategies as society crumbles around her.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“With an unremarkable click, like a period at the end of a sentence, the world ended.” ― Khristina Chess, quote from Coywood Creek
This hilariously smart YA novel will wreck you—in the best way possible!
For readers drawn to the slow unraveling of society in dystopian fiction, Coywood Creek delivers a comical journey through the eyes of a teenager with binge eating disorder.
At first, Zoey brushes off the blackout, the dead cell service, and the eerie northern lights. But as reality sets in, she knows one thing: she can’t stay in her parents’ condo alone with no power. So she packs her snacks and sets out for Coywood Creek, hoping to find safety with her uncle and grandmother. Instead, she finds something else entirely.
What makes this novel so engrossing is Zoey’s sharp, relatable, and often humorous response to navigating the collapse of civilization with her signature sarcasm (and a bag of OREO cookies). Her delicious banter with Kent made me laugh out loud, even as the novel’s deeper themes—resilience, uncertainty, and survival—kept me hooked.
But more than anything, Coywood Creek forces you to ask: How fragile are we without our technology?
I highly recommend this YA novel about the end of the world. If you’re looking for binge-worthy YA novels, Coywood Creek is worth the read. You have to meet the sassiest survivor since Katniss—and don’t forget to bring snacks.
Z for Zachariah by Robert O’Brien
Genre
Dystopian, standalone
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Compelling plot & engaging characters
What it’s about
A resourceful and resilient teen who survived nuclear war in a protected valley lets her guard down to help a stranger—and this turns out to be a mistake.
Why I Love It - Book Review
“I am afraid. Someone is coming.” ― Robert C O’Brien, quote from Z for Zachariah
I remember reading this book in our school library in high school, and it was chilling. Now an adult, decades later, I bought a copy of it to see if it was really as good as I remembered.
Yes, yes it is!
Young adult fiction wasn't even "a thing" when this book was written, and yet, it's a thrilling, roller-coaster true YA novel about a 15-year-old girl (who turns 16 during the events) who believes she's the last person alive after a nuclear war. She's resilient, resourceful, wary, hopeful, and that mix of both childlike and wise that you would expect from a teen in this situation.
When a stranger arrives in the valley, a man, she is cautious, but as events unfold and he becomes sick, she lets her guard down to help him. This turns out to be a mistake.
The Hollywood movie version gets this book wrong: the female is older, and there are two men. If you love dystopian YA novels and haven't picked this one up, I highly recommend it!
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Genre
Dystopian, series
Why it’s Binge-Worthy
Immersive world-building & compelling plot
What it’s about
Characters fight to stay alive after being selected for "unwinding"--which is being cut up for parts and donated to others
Why I Love It - Book Review
“You see, a conflict always begins with an issue - a difference of opinion, an argument. But by the time it turns into a war, the issue doesn't matter anymore, because now it's about one thing and one thing only: how much each side hates the other.” ― Neal Shusterman, quote from Unwind
Unwind is Book #1 in a 5-part dystopian YA series in which teens may be sent to "Harvest Camps" to be chopped up for parts if their parents sign the papers. No part is wasted.
Some, like Connor, are signed over because of behavior problems. Others, like Risa, are wards of the state who simply don't make the cut in terms of protegee status. Lev begins as a religious tithe, a willing victim, but after being kidnapped and freed by Connor, he also changes.
The concept of this series and the plotting are great, and I'm interested to see where the rest of the books go. There were moments, though, where I thought the book fell short of greatness. For example:
If a parent is able to bring all the parts of their child back together again, can they recover their child?
Where do the souls of these children go?
There are some attempts at these questions, but I wanted the book to go deeper. The fact that I keep thinking about the unwinding process means that something important is being covered here.
The Unwind saga definitely belongs on the list of binge-worthy YA books.
Other Binge-Worthy YA Books So Addicting You Can’t Stop Reading Them
If you are looking for some other great suggestions for binge-worthy YA books so addicting you won’t be able to put them down, check out the YA Thriller Books and YA Books That Tackle Tough Issues on Goodreads. You may also be interested in my post on The Best YA Book Recommendations for All Ages (and YA) or my post, Other Good Reads, which has a comprehensive list of reviews of YA books by type of tough topic, including eating disorders, substance abuse, mental illness, and others.
Author Bio
Khristina Chess is an award-winning author of a dozen young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, The Delinquent Hero, and Junior Missing. Hollow Beauty, her book about eating disorders, was named a finalist in the Next Generation India Book Awards. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, and adventure.
In a recent interview from her alma mater, she described how her experience in the creative writing program prepared her for success.
