Holiday themed YA books can have quite a bit to do with the holiday or just a little. Although three new YA novels have holiday titles, they vary in their holiday involvement. In A Knight Before Christmas by Cara Stout the main character is the leading man of a teenage Bachelor-type reality show, set in a medieval themed park. New Year's Grieve by Elizabeth Foscue is a murder mystery set in North Carolina at a birthday celebration for the 90-year-old victim. Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane by Cassie Miller has the strongest holiday subplot. The main character is trying to save her town's beloved market during the Christmas season with many seasonal celebrations.
In A Knight Before Christmas Garrick Walsh is the leading man of a teenage Bachelor-type reality show. Juliet Ripley works on the production side, helping her mother who is trying to promote her company’s teenage dating app. Although the story takes place around Christmas, the reality show is the focus of the story. All set in a theme park with a castle, knights and royalty, there is some conflict between the contestants, but, of course, Garrick and Ripley fall for each other, creating the biggest conflict of all.
New Year's Grieve introduces Jojo, who is hoping to nurse a broken heart in the California sun, when she is forced to attend her grandfather’s New Year’s 90th birthday party on his estate in the North Carolina mountains. In addition to her annoying, privileged relatives, her ex, Fritz is at the party. Family infighting creates tension, prompting Grandad to threaten disinheritance and isolate himself upstairs. When he is found dead, probably from anaphylaxis, Jojo suspects foul play. He has a life-threatening nut allergy and a winter storm prevents him from getting medical attention. She enlists Fritz’s help to find the murderer. This country house murder mystery is page-turning fun.
Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane focuses on Gianna Mancini who has just been chosen for her last semester of high school in Italy, when the owner of the town’s beloved market dies, leaving its future in doubt. The new owner and his son James arrive from NYC and Gianna convinces James to fake date so that they can persuade his dad to save the market. Meanwhile, Gianna’s best friend Sam is showing her he would like to be more than friends. As the Christmas season, filled with a variety of celebrations, is in full swing, Gianna wonders who she wants to end up with under the mistletoe.
Any of these books would be a good holiday gift for the teen in your life.
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