Walls, Cullings, and Pretend Boyfriends: Free YA Picks for Readers Who Never Quite Fit In

by Tricia Wentworth

James has a neat life plan: qualify for the Culling, find a woman, win the presidency, until two women wreck it. It sits at 4.44 with over 300 readers, the highest of the dystopian bunch. One reviewer called it a setup book that's still fun to return to, though another wanted more speed and action, so go in expecting character work over chases.

“Definitely a book that sets up everything to come, but well written and fun to jump back into the story line.”

by Kate L. Mary

Drea Young lives in the shadow of a wall that supposedly protects the United Society of the Reestablishment, and she still feels trapped. It's a classic everyone-is-happy-so-something-is-off setup. At 4.26 from 276 readers, it's a solid pick if you miss the early-2010s dystopian wave, though nobody has left a written review yet.

by Taylor Blackthorne

Ember gave up a baby at seventeen to escape an abusive situation, and fifteen years later she's trying for a second chance with the one man who made her feel safe. This is a divisive one. It has a 4.18 across 119 ratings, but one reviewer bluntly called out plot holes and instalove, while another fell for the cover art before page one. Read the sample first, and note the abuse backstory.

“I saw the artwork for this book and i was invested!! We have Ember who had to do something in her teen life give up a child now she's grown and still dealing with her ex who degrades her and stalks not in a good way. She remeets a old boyfriend Harley at her sisters BBQ. And things sorta pick up...”

by Lisa Morrow

This is book four of The Order of the Cursed, so don't start here. Our narrator is being pushed by the witches' order to do awful things while she wrestles with Asher, her fated soul mate. A reviewer called it a fab conclusion, and another liked that the story was cut into four novellas you can read in one sitting. It holds a 4.13 with 124 ratings, best for paranormal romance fans who like short installments.

“This was a fab conclusion to the awesome series! From the start I have been hooked and eagerly read each book as it came out. It’s exciting and so full of twists and turns and I am sorry that it has come to en end. Some Questions have been answered in this incredible adventurous and epic ending...”

by LeTresa Renee

Lacey Kikelomo has recurring dreams about a family that isn't hers, and she's stuck in a squalid trailer in the woods with only her mom and little sister. That mix of isolation and mystery is what pulled me in. It's at 4.33 with 86 ratings and no reviews yet, so it's a bit of a gamble, but a free one.

by Kalon Michaels

Seventeen-year-old Cami shows up to a comic convention in cosplay and leaves in a fake relationship with her brother's best friend, because she needs to win and he refuses to lose. Pretend dating is an old trope, but the competition angle gives it some bite. It has the highest rating of the week at 4.5, though only 56 readers have weighed in. Perfect for a light weekend read.