Everything I Promised You
Sourcebooks Fire, February 4, 2025
Their love was written in the stars, but how is Lia to move on when death trumps fate?
When Lia’s mom was 17, she had her fortune told and learned her only daughter was fated to fall in love with her best friend’s son. Life unfolded exactly as predicted, and despite the army-brat lifestyle bringing them in and out of each other’s orbit, Lia and Beckett were meant to be. Or so they thought.
When a freak heart attack steals Beck’s life, Lia is devastated and unmoored. She lived her life by her mom’s old fortune; if she was fated to be with Beck, and Beck is gone, who is she supposed to be? And is there room in her broken heart for life, let alone another love?
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Kissing Max Holden
Macmillan, August 1st, 2017
After his father has a life-altering stroke, Max Holden isn’t himself. As his long-time friend, Jillian Eldridge wants to help him, but she doesn’t know how. When Max climbs through her window one night, Jill knows that she shouldn’t let him kiss her. But she can’t resist, and when they’re caught in the act by her dad, Jill swears it’ll never happen again. Because kissing Max Holden is a terrible idea.
With a new baby sibling on the way, her parents fighting all the time, and her dream of culinary school up in the air, Jill starts spending more and more time with Max. And even though her father disapproves and Max still has a girlfriend, not kissing Max is easier said than done. Will Jill follow her heart and allow their friendship to blossom into more, or will she listen to her head and stop kissing Max Holden once and for all?
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Full of wit, humor, and spine-tingling smooches, Kissing Max Holden combines the classic themes of contemporary romance with riveting family drama. I literally could not put this book down and would buy a physical copy for my shelf in a heartbeat. I can’t wait to read what Katy writes next.
~ Erin Bowman, author of Vengeance Road and the Taken Trilogy
Sarah Dessen fans rejoice — you are going to love Kissing Max Holden!
~ Lisa Schroeder, author of Chasing Brooklyn
In her debut, Kissing Max Holden, Katy Upperman weaves a story that crackles with romantic tension while exploring complex issues through real, flawed, lovable characters. Full of humor and heart, this one is sure to be a new favorite for contemporary lovers!
~ Jessi Kirby, author of Things We Know By Heart
A moving book with depth, Kissing Max Holden is perfect for readers wanting a strong female character in a realistic romance. Wonderfully written and swoony.
~ Miranda Kenneally, author of Catching Jordan and Jesse’s Girl
Kissing Max Holden is like the perfect slice of pumpkin pie: it’s equal parts sweet and spicy, and you can’t get enough of it! What a treat!
~ Jessica Love, author of In Real Life
Absolutely adorable. . . . Kissing Max Holden is an endearing story with raw and realistic characters that you will grow to love.
~ Good Choice Reading
Perfect for fans of Anna and the French Kiss.
~ Downright Dystopian
I was rooting for [Jillian] and Max from the get go. . . . A cute teenage love story, about best friends becoming more.
~ Lovely Alison Reads
The strongest element of the book is the ridiculous chemistry between Max and Jillian. It’s just super absurd how much tension there is between the two of them constantly… This book really, really worked for me. That’s the magic of good fiction right there.
~ A Reader of Fictions
Reading Kissing Max Holden is like reliving your first kiss: the pounding heart, the rushing pulse, the flushed cheeks and the goosebumps.
~ Northern Virginia Magazine
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The Impossibility of Us
Macmillan, July 31, 2018
Winner of the YAVA Award ~ For outstanding young adult literature by a Virginia author.
The last thing Elise wants is to start her senior year in a new town. But after her brother’s death in Afghanistan, she and her mother move from San Francisco to a sleepy coastal village. When Elise meets Mati, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Mati is new to town too, visiting the U.S. with his family.
Over the course of the summer, their relationship begins to blossom, and what starts out as a friendship becomes so much more. But as Elise and Mati grow closer, her family becomes more and more uncomfortable with their relationship, and their concerns all center on one fact—Mati is Afghan.
Beautifully written, utterly compelling, and ultimately hopeful, The Impossibility of Us asks—how brave can you be when your relationship is questioned by everyone you love?
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~ Gina Ciocca, author of Last Year’s Mistake, Busted, and A Kiss in the Dark
The Impossibility of Us is such a sweet story of tolerance, hope, and love. It’s a timely one too. As we mourn the rise of bigotry and xenophobia, stories like this offer reassurance that there is still goodness in the human spirit. Katy Upperman does not shy away from including problematic opinions among her characters, but she also shares intelligent, thoughtful and poetic responses to them. This is the age old story of star cross’d lovers retold beautifully for the challenging world we live in today.
~ Caroline Leech, author of Wait For Me and In Another Time
Tender, romantic and realistic, The Impossibility of Us is the story of a strong girl growing stronger and a boy surrendering to the power of a love that seems impossible… It will linger in your mind and your heart.
~ Huntley Fitzpatrick, author of My Life Next Door, What I Thought Was True, and The Boy Most Likely To
Katy Upperman’s The Impossibility of Us runs the gamut, from laughs to swoons, from goosebumps to tears. It’s a soaring, beautiful romance, for sure, but there are also so many powerful messages about loss, desertion, racism, tolerance, love, equality, selflessness, friendship, family, and kindness. Touching, well written, and impressively honest, The Impossibility of Us is not to be missed.
~ Marci Lyn Curtis, author of The One Thing and The Leading Edge of Now
What could have been a clichéd, tired romance novel will surprise readers with depth of character and a unique layout. This book tackles several heavy subjects as the author explores religious and ethnic intolerance, bigotry, fear, and lack of fairness. Though Upperman uses traditional romance tropes, readers will find the story meaty, satisfying, and enlightening. This surprising and worthwhile romance is a solid choice to add to any teen collection.
~ VOYA
Upperman crafted a great summer romance, combining the headiness of finding someone and falling in love over just a few months with the bittersweet of knowing summer—and possibly that relationship—has a definite end. I devoured this book in an evening and it left me with a smile by the end.
~ Forever YA for Kirkus
Don’t expect the same story that you read in Kissing Max Holden. Sure, the characters faced impossible odds (hence the title) like in KMH, but Upperman explored different avenues of her writing. I fell head-over-heels for the love interest, Mati. One of my favorite parts of the book was his voice. Instead of prose, he told his story through poetry. It was eloquent and beautiful, and it perfectly encapsulated Mati’s essence. Your heart will break reading this book, but it will also soar.
~ Moriah’s Musings
…an adorable story about falling for a boy and realizing what love really is, while also having to deal with your respective families and addressing the prejudices that they have against one another. If you’re looking for your next beach read that will grip you and have you flipping the pages quickly, laughing, crying, gasping and even swooning, then this is definitely the book for you!
~ TeenReads
There’s a lot to love in this beachy read about a summer romance, in which the two main characters face unusual complications due to circumstance, culture, and prejudice… I found myself rooting for Mati and Elise to make things work against all odds — and while the book is filled with plenty of heartache, I found it ultimately hopeful and uplifting.
~ Novel Novice
This sophomore offering was another huge hit from Katy Upperman, and at this point I’ll read anything this lady writes.
~ Pages and Pugs (this review’s GIF game is 👌🏼)
Katy Upperman has done it again. As much as I loved her debut novel, Kissing Max Holden, The Impossibility of Us has more depth, packs more of an emotional punch, and made a visceral impact that had me wiping away tears. Upperman managed to engage my mind and my heart in this beautiful tale of friendship and first love, tolerance and acceptance. She has deftly created a story that is timely and relevant and equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. The Impossibility of Us is one that is not to be missed.
~ Girl Plus Books
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How the Light Gets In
Macmillan, August 6, 2019
Since her sister’s tragic death, seventeen-year-old Callie Ryan has basically given up. Her grades have plummeted, she’s quit her swim team, and she barely recognizes the people her parents have become.
When she returns to her aunt’s run-down coastal Victorian one year after Chloe’s death, Callie resigns herself to a summer of guilt and home renovations. She doesn’t expect to be charmed by the tiny coastal town or by Tucker Morgan, a local boy brimming with sunshine.
But even as her days begin to brighten, Callie’s nights are crowded with chilling dreams, unanswered questions, and eerie phenomenon that have her convinced she’s being haunted. Will Callie be able to figure out what her sister is trying to communicate before it’s too late?
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Readers will be taken along this journey of grief, loss, and healing. Recommend to fans of realistic romances.
~ School Library Journal
Upperman skillfully combines a subtle mystery with the paranormal and the unbreakable bond between sisters. The sweet romance brings hope and lightens the tone of the novel. Recommended for high school libraries where compelling stories or romance are popular.
~ PSLA Lit Review
Packed with emotions, great characters to root and feel for and a soft, quiet yet heartbreaking and beautiful premise, How the Light Gets In is a wonderful little gem.
~ Drizzle & Hurricane Books
A novel that goes on a journey of hope, love, grief, forgiveness, and recovery. The characters are developed so well, it seems like they are standing right next to you, telling the story.
~ Belmont Books
Look, this book is wonderful. It’s signature Katy Upperman swoon and cute boys, only this time with GHOSTS and SCARY! What is not to like here??
~ Pages and Pugs
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Katy Upperman ~ Author 