New Adult Book Prize 2025
Sat Oct 18, 2025
12:30 - 13:30
Cheltenham Literature FestivalA new prize to celebrate new adult fiction addressing the joys and challenges of adulthood
The New Adult Book Prize is the first award of its kind to recognise and affirm new adult fiction as an established space for books.
The inaugural New Adult Book Prize showcases five debut and five established authors including fantasy phenomenon Rebecca Yarros, Women’s Prize-shortlisted author Aria Aber and 2024 Polari Debut Prize winner, Nicola Dinan. The list showcases some of the best writing in fantasy, romance and contemporary literary fiction.
The winner will be selected by author Lizzie Damilola Blackburn; Caley Routledge, managing director of The Pitch Agency; content creator Coco Omer; and Chloe Barsby, programming assistant at Cheltenham Festivals. The winner will be announced at Cheltenham Literature Festival as part of their VOICEBOX programme on 18th October 2025.
The full shortlist
- Good Girl (Bloomsbury) by Aria Aber
- Ghost Chilli (Fleet) by Nikkitha Bakshani
- Disappoint Me (Doubleday) by Nicola Dinan
- Sorcery and Small Magics (Orbit) by Maiga Doocy
- Human, Animal (Verve) by Seth Insua
- The Pairing (Macmillan) by Casey McQuiston
- Homesick (HarperFiction) by Silvia Saunders
- Heir (Atom) by Sabaa Tahir
- Under Your Spell (Simon & Schuster) by Laura Wood
- Onyx Storm (Piatkus) by Rebecca Yarros
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Shortlist
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Good Girl
Aria Aber
Bloomsbury
Aria Aber’s Women's Prize shortlisted novel Good Girl was described as “electric” by our judges. Aber’s tale of 19-year-old Nila, who is trying to carve her own path while navigating her family history, drugs and nightclubs, was called “urgent” and “punchy”. Will art help Nila discover who she is?
Ghost Chilli
Nikkitha Bakshani
Fleet
Muskan seemingly has it all – she's young, has a creative job, friends and no trouble finding dates. But something is not quite right, and as Muskan’s easy-going facade begins to crumble she is left contemplating a terrifying question. Our judges called Nikkitha Bakshani’s debut Ghost Chilli a turbulent dark comedy that vividly evokes the feelings of life in your twenties.
Disappoint Me
Nicola Dinan
Doubleday
Our panel hailed Nicola Dinan’s acute observations about modern dating, the struggle between personal identity and cultural traditions and the battle between how you are perceived versus how you feel. Disappoint Me follows Max who, following an accident on New Year’s Eve, wants to make a change and so she starts dating Vincent, a corporate lawyer, who cares deeply about her. However, Vincent’s past threatens to derail the relationship.
Sorcery and Small Magics
Maiga Doocy
Orbit
In Maiga Doocy’s cosy fantasy filled with forbidden magics, forests and monsters, rivals Leovander Loveage and Sebastian Grimm must work together to find a way to break the curse binding them together. However, as the pair venture further into the Unquiet Wood sparks begin to fly. Our judges called Sorcery and Small Magics a “delightful magical adventure”.
Human, Animal
Seth Insua
VERVE
Seth Insua’s debut examines the father-son relationship between dairy farmer George and Tom, newly returned from university. The farm is failing and when animal rights activists break-in the pair’s relationship becomes strained. Secrets begin to materialise that will either rip them apart or bring them closer together. Our judges were impressed by Insua's prose that challenges the line between familial tradition and external pressure. A “poignant” read
The Pairing
Casey McQuiston
Macmillan
Our panel called Casey McQuiston’s second-chance romance a “joyful story”. When two exes, Theo and Kit, accidentally book onto the same European food and wine tour, old wounds and feelings resurface as the pair take in some of the most romantic sights Italy, Spain and France have to offer. Our panel enjoyed the “witty” narrative that celebrates self-discovery, food and love.
Homesick
Silvia Saunders
HarperCollins
Silvia Saunders’ debut Homesick was declared “compulsively readable” by our panel, who agreed that it “perfectly encapsulates life in your mid-twenties”. Mara is living in London and struggling between journeys on the Underground and an insufferable housemate; when the chance to find her own place with her boyfriend arises, she takes it. But things do not go to plan.
Heir
Sabaa Tahir
Atom
Heir interweaves the lives of prisoner Aiz, tracker Sirsha and Quil, the crown prince of the Empire. All three characters must contend with the weight of power, love and the consequences of betrayal in Sabaa Tahir’s deliciously rendered fantasy. Our panel praised Tahir’s “beautiful writing, powerful social commentary and strong characterisation”.
Under Your Spell
Laura Wood
Simon & Schuster
Clemmie has just been dumped and been made redundant. To top it off, her furniture and her cat have been taken by her ex. Faced with moving home, Clemmie decides to take a temporary job offered by her music producer sister – living with global rock star Theo Elliott to make sure he finishes his new album. A funny, slow burn romance, Under Your Spell is a moving exploration of body image and sisterhood that perfectly captures the humour of the everyday.
Onyx Storm
Rebecca Yarros
Piatkus
Our judges called Onyx Storm a “high-octane continuation of the Empyrean series”. The third instalment in Rebecca Yarros’ fantasy world sees dragon rider Violet facing the dire consequences of Xaden’s decision. Violet must venture further than she ever has before to find allies and save her love. An epic tale that blends swoonworthy romance with adventure and intricate worldbuilding.
New Adult Book Prize Partners
About Us
Launched in 2025 in association with Cheltenham Literature Festival, the New Adult Book Prize is the first award of its kind to celebrate new adult fiction.
What is the New Adult Book Prize?
The New Adult Book Prize is a new award celebrating fiction that explores the lives and challenges of people in early adulthood. Launched by The Bookseller and Cheltenham Literature Festival, it highlights the growing space of new adult fiction—stories focused on the transition from adolescence to early adulthood. Open to all genres, the prize aims to showcase exceptional writing that speaks to the "quarter-life" experience, with the winner announced at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
When will the New Adult Book Prize winner be announced?
The New Adult Book Prize winner will be announced at the Cheltenham Literature Festival as part of their VOICEBOX programme. Tickets to attend the festival will be available soon
What books are eligible for the New Adult Book Prize?
The 2025 prize is open to an English language new adult fiction title first published in print form in the UK or Ireland, between 1st March 2024 and 28th February 2025. Self-published titles, non-fiction, anthologies and graphic novels are not eligible.
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Images from Voicebox at Cheltenham Literature Festival
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The Readers' Guild
The Readers’ Guild is an exclusive community of content creators dedicated to celebrating new adult fiction and supporting the New Adult Book Prize.
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Shortlist
Check out the shortlist for the 2025 New Adult Book Prize, in association with the Cheltenham Literature Festival. The winner will be announced at the festival as part of its VOICEBOX programme.
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Good Girl
Aria Aber
Bloomsbury
Aria Aber’s Women's Prize shortlisted novel Good Girl was described as “electric” by our judges. Aber’s tale of 19-year-old Nila, who is trying to carve her own path while navigating her family history, drugs and nightclubs, was called “urgent” and “punchy”. Will art help Nila discover who she is?
Ghost Chilli
Nikkitha Bakshani
Fleet
Muskan seemingly has it all – she's young, has a creative job, friends and no trouble finding dates. But something is not quite right, and as Muskan’s easy-going facade begins to crumble she is left contemplating a terrifying question. Our judges called Nikkitha Bakshani’s debut Ghost Chilli a turbulent dark comedy that vividly evokes the feelings of life in your twenties.
Disappoint Me
Nicola Dinan
Doubleday
Our panel hailed Nicola Dinan’s acute observations about modern dating, the struggle between personal identity and cultural traditions and the battle between how you are perceived versus how you feel. Disappoint Me follows Max who, following an accident on New Year’s Eve, wants to make a change and so she starts dating Vincent, a corporate lawyer, who cares deeply about her. However, Vincent’s past threatens to derail the relationship.
Sorcery and Small Magics
Maiga Doocy
Orbit
In Maiga Doocy’s cosy fantasy filled with forbidden magics, forests and monsters, rivals Leovander Loveage and Sebastian Grimm must work together to find a way to break the curse binding them together. However, as the pair venture further into the Unquiet Wood sparks begin to fly. Our judges called Sorcery and Small Magics a “delightful magical adventure”.
Human, Animal
Seth Insua
VERVE
Seth Insua’s debut examines the father-son relationship between dairy farmer George and Tom, newly returned from university. The farm is failing and when animal rights activists break-in the pair’s relationship becomes strained. Secrets begin to materialise that will either rip them apart or bring them closer together. Our judges were impressed by Insua's prose that challenges the line between familial tradition and external pressure. A “poignant” read
The Pairing
Casey McQuiston
Macmillan
Our panel called Casey McQuiston’s second-chance romance a “joyful story”. When two exes, Theo and Kit, accidentally book onto the same European food and wine tour, old wounds and feelings resurface as the pair take in some of the most romantic sights Italy, Spain and France have to offer. Our panel enjoyed the “witty” narrative that celebrates self-discovery, food and love.
Homesick
Silvia Saunders
HarperCollins
Silvia Saunders’ debut Homesick was declared “compulsively readable” by our panel, who agreed that it “perfectly encapsulates life in your mid-twenties”. Mara is living in London and struggling between journeys on the Underground and an insufferable housemate; when the chance to find her own place with her boyfriend arises, she takes it. But things do not go to plan.
Heir
Sabaa Tahir
Atom
Heir interweaves the lives of prisoner Aiz, tracker Sirsha and Quil, the crown prince of the Empire. All three characters must contend with the weight of power, love and the consequences of betrayal in Sabaa Tahir’s deliciously rendered fantasy. Our panel praised Tahir’s “beautiful writing, powerful social commentary and strong characterisation”.
Under Your Spell
Laura Wood
Simon & Schuster
Clemmie has just been dumped and been made redundant. To top it off, her furniture and her cat have been taken by her ex. Faced with moving home, Clemmie decides to take a temporary job offered by her music producer sister – living with global rock star Theo Elliott to make sure he finishes his new album. A funny, slow burn romance, Under Your Spell is a moving exploration of body image and sisterhood that perfectly captures the humour of the everyday.
Onyx Storm
Rebecca Yarros
Piatkus
Our judges called Onyx Storm a “high-octane continuation of the Empyrean series”. The third instalment in Rebecca Yarros’ fantasy world sees dragon rider Violet facing the dire consequences of Xaden’s decision. Violet must venture further than she ever has before to find allies and save her love. An epic tale that blends swoonworthy romance with adventure and intricate worldbuilding.
