THIS IS A SPOILER ALERT. VERONICA MARS SEASON 4 SPOILERS BELOW. BE WARNED. SPOILERS. 

We’re absolutely not over what happened at the end of Veronica Mars season 4. Honestly, we’re never going to be over what happened at the end of season 4. We’re going to weep every single time we hear “I Hear the Bells” or the word “epic.”

A long time ago, we used to be friends, Rob Thomas!

We could go on like this forever, but instead we’re going to try to bury ourselves in as many other stories as we can–you should too.

Veronica Mars/An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

With all of her wit, anger, and tenacity, teenage detective-turned-licensed private eye Veronica Mars is the bright spot in Neptune’s seedy, criminal darkness. And of course, let’s not forget that Sabaa Tahir is as ruthless with her characters as Veronica is with her cases.

About the book:

Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother in the brutal Martial Empire, where defiance is met with death. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Logan Echolls/Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Rich bad boy with a heart of gold? Neptune’s resident bad boy has more in common with Adrian Ivashkov than you think–you know, besides that whole hot vampire thing.

About the book:

When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Timesbestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive–this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood.

Eli “Weevil” Navarro/Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay 

Oh Weevil, the unsung hero of Neptune, we see you! While Weevil and Veronica may not always see eye-to-eye when it comes to their methods, Weevil is always there to help–or get revenge for–the people he cares about.

About the book

Jay Reguero plans to spend the last semester of his senior year playing video games before heading to the University of Michigan in the fall. But when he discovers that his Filipino cousin Jun was murdered as part of President Duterte’s war on drugs, and no one in the family wants to talk about what happened, Jay travels to the Philippines to find out the real story.

Hoping to uncover more about Jun and the events that led to his death, Jay is forced to reckon with the many sides of his cousin before he can face the whole horrible truth — and the part he played in it.

Matty Ross/Trouble is a Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly

Determined and more than a little reckless (you saw what she did at the Fitzpatricks’ place of business, right?), Veronica’s protege Matty would certainly give Digby a run for his money as the newest teen detective in town.

About the book:

Of course Zoe Webster didn’t like Philip Digby when she first met him. No one does! He’s rude and he treats her like a book he’s already read and knows the ending to. But Zoe is new in town and her options for friends are . . . limited. And before she knows it, Digby–annoying, brilliant, and somehow attractive?–has dragged her into a series of hilarious and dangerous situations all related to the investigation of a missing local teen girl. When it comes to Digby, Zoe just can’t say no. But is Digby’s manic quest really worth all the trouble he’s getting Zoe into?

Penn Epner/Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall

As a true crime fanatic (as well as a lot of other things we can’t actually say in polite company), Penn Epner would take great pride in poring over the case files presented in Rules for Vanishing and trying to figure out just what is happening to the people who keep disappearing from Lucy’s road in Briar Glen.

About the book

Once a year, a road appears in the forest. And at the end of it, the ghost of Lucy Gallows beckons. Lucy’s game isn’t for the faint of heart. If you win, you escape with your life. But if you lose….

Sara’s sister disappeared one year ago–and only Sara knows where she is. Becca went to find the ghost of Lucy Gallows and is trapped on the road that leads to her. In the sleepy town of Briar Glen, Lucy’s road is nothing more than local lore. But Sara knows it’s real, and she’s going to find it.

When Sara and her skeptical friends meet in the forest to search for Becca, the mysterious road unfurls before them. All they have to do is walk down it. But the path to Lucy is not of this world, and it has its own rules. Vengeful spirits and broken, angry creatures are waiting for them to slip, and no one is guaranteed safe passage. The only certainty is this: the road has a toll and it will be paid. Out September 24th.

Nicole Malloy/Seafire by Natalie C. Parker

With her witty, ruthless nature and appreciation for vengeance, bar owner and resident badass Nicole Malloy would fit in perfectly with the all-female crew of the Mors Navis.

About the book

After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric’s armed and armored fleet.

But when Caledonia’s best friend and second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all…or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for?

Wallace Fennel/Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Wallace kept a low profile in season 4, mostly keeping to himself and his family–a choice we completely understand, given the circumstances. If you want to retreat into the safety of a great love story, why not pick Frank Li’s?

About the book

Frank Li has two names. There’s Frank Li, his American name. Then there’s Sung-Min Li, his Korean name. No one uses his Korean name, not even his parents. Frank barely speaks any Korean. He was born and raised in Southern California.

Even so, his parents still expect him to end up with a nice Korean girl–which is a problem, since Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams: Brit Means. Brit, who is funny and nerdy just like him. Brit, who makes him laugh like no one else. Brit . . . who is white.

As Frank falls in love for the very first time, he’s forced to confront the fact that while his parents sacrificed everything to raise him in the land of opportunity, their traditional expectations don’t leave a lot of room for him to be a regular American teen. Desperate to be with Brit without his parents finding out, Frank turns to family friend Joy Song, who is in a similar bind. Together, they come up with a plan to help each other and keep their parents off their backs. Frank thinks he’s found the solution to all his problems, but when life throws him a curveball, he’s left wondering whether he ever really knew anything about love—or himself—at all.

Cindy “Mac” Mackenzie/Warcross by Marie Lu

Yes, we know that Mac wasn’t in the fourth season of Veronica Mars. If you missed her and her legendary hacking skills as much as we did, you need to dive into the world of Warcross immediately and get to know Emika Chen.

About the book:

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. To make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.

Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.

Pony/Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins

Honestly, after getting through the stress–and absolute heartbreak–of this season, we all deserve a comfort read. Royal romances are the perfect balm to heartache, so let Millie and Princess Flora soothe your frazzled nerves with their adorable, hate-to-love story.

About the book:

Millie Quint is devastated when she discovers that her sort-of-best friend/sort-of-girlfriend has been kissing someone else. Heartbroken and ready for a change of pace, Millie decides to apply for scholarships to boarding schools . . . the farther from Houston the better. Soon, Millie is accepted into one of the world’s most exclusive schools, located in the rolling highlands of Scotland. Here, the country is dreamy and green; the school is covered in ivy, and the students think her American-ness is adorable.

The only problem: Mille’s roommate Flora is a total princess. She’s also an actual princess. Of Scotland.

At first, the girls can’t stand each other, but before Millie knows it, she has another sort-of-best-friend/sort-of-girlfriend. Princess Flora could be a new chapter in her love life, but Millie knows the chances of happily-ever-afters are slim . . . after all, real life isn’t a fairy tale . . . or is it?

Looking for more great reads? Check out every book hitting shelves in August here!