'Love, Simon' author Becky Albertalli announces new YA love story | Exclusive

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAYWed, July 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM UTC

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Get ready for “Something Unpredictable” from the author of “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.”

Becky Albertalli will return in spring 2027 with a new young adult novel about first loves and second chances set against a hallmark backdrop of teen experiences – the mall. “Something Unpredictable” comes out April 6, 2027, from Macmillan imprint Balzer and Bray, USA TODAY can exclusively announce.

Albertalli is best known for the book that inspired the 2018 movie “Love, Simon” starring Nick Robinson as a closeted gay high schooler who is nearly outed by a classmate after he begins emailing with another closeted peer. A spin-off series, “Love, Victor,” ran from 2020 to 2022.

See the cover for ‘Something Unpredictable’ by Becky Albertalli

“Something Unpredictable” promises a dual love story that converges in an unexpected twist. When rule-follower Ellie stumbles upon tomboy Ashley trapped in a Hot Topic at the mall, she becomes swept up into her world. Ellie has always considered herself to be straight, but there’s something undeniable about the pull she feels toward this girl.

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And Jane is no stranger to falling in love; it just always seems to be with straight girls. Her current prospects aren’t looking so good: Phoebe, her butterfly-inducing friend and Stella, the sister of her best friend’s crush. How many confusingly flirty texts from straight girls can she take?

“'Something Unpredictable' is definitely a love story, but it’s also a story about the ways cultural context can shape queer experiences. This cover perfectly captures that central tension, with its intimately drawn character art, set against a nostalgic mall backdrop,” Albertalli told USA TODAY in a statement. “It’s designed by Abby Granata, under the direction of Aurora Parlagreco, and it features art by the utterly brilliant Jeff Östberg (who created the art for ‘What If It’s Us’ and ‘Here’s To Us’). I’m so grateful for their beautiful work, and I can’t wait for readers to meet Ellie, Jane, and the rest of my pining, lovesick mallrats.”

"Something Unpredictable" is available to pre-order now.

Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at cmulroy@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Love, Simon' author Becky Albertalli announces new YA love story | Exclusive

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