We’re Jess & Lauren, the best friends behind @bookreccos, the Instagram and podcast where we provide reading recommendations (or reccos!), and we’ve teamed up with Joanie to keep you all well-read and well-dressed.

Seeing as September is the return to school, this month we’re sharing two reccos of books which have Young Adult and Coming of Age storylines. For the crime junkies, we have A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, and for the romance readers, we have The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, two wonderful books which are coincidentally both the first of a wider series!

Imala Gingham Short Sleeve Boilersuit, Kurt Heart Print Denim Shacket

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the crime, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth . . .

This is the first book in a fantastic, gripping series that we urge you all to start reading this September. Holly Jackson uses clever storytelling techniques to keep the reader on top of solving the crime, but you’ll still be kept guessing until the final moment. We are so pleased that this book is part of a series, as each one becomes more intense and intricate than the last.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

One girl. Two boys. And the summer that changed everything… Every year Isabel spends a perfect summer at her favourite place in the world - the Fisher family's beach house. It has everything a girl could want: a swimming pool, a private stretch of sandy beach... and two (very cute) boys: Unavailable, aloof Conrad - who she's been in love with forever. Friendly, relaxed Jeremiah - the only one who's ever really paid her any attention. But this year something is different. This year, the boys seem to really notice Isabel for the first time. It's going to be an amazing summer - and one she'll never forget...

This fabulous series is a heartfelt drama (now available to watch on Amazon Prime, too!) which will leave you feeling nostalgic for your teenage years, and wistful for the final days of summer. Isabel is such an endearing protagonist and for Swiftie fans, we highly recco having this soundtrack playing to aid your reading experience. Once you’ve read the first, you’ll more than likely want to devour all three books and then the TV series too!

Each book is linked to a platform where you can buy the books online from indie bookshops, so make sure to click on those and support a small business!

Don’t forget to check out our Instagram and website for more reccos!

www.bookreccos.com