29 Most Anticipated New January 2023 Book Releases by Genre
Can you believe it is already 2023? The January 2023 book releases are the perfect mix of books for winter 2023. We know that we cannot possibly read all the books on this awesome list but, these are our most anticipated January new books.
Whether literary fiction is your thing or you love historical fiction, this list has a little something for everyone.
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Most Anticipated January 2023 Book Releases: Fiction
Small World by Laura Zigman
Small World is a novel about sisterhood and hope. Joyce has been divorced for a year and is looking forward to being single when her newly divorced sister comes to live with her. Living together will force them to reconcile the loss of their sister years ago when she was just 10 and deal with their family history that has secrets.
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
A young Indian woman finds the false rumors that she killed her husband surprisingly useful—until other women in the village start asking for her help getting rid of their own husbands—in this razor-sharp debut.
A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kristen Mei Chase
Genre: Thriller
Plot: When Grace’s husband asks for a divorce, she has no excuse not to grant her mother her 70th birthday wish and take a road trip to Graceland. On the trip, Grace starts to understand her mother better, repair their relationship, and find a second chance at love.
Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn
Genre: Fiction
Plot: With writing Jasmine Guillory has described as “emotional and real,” the acclaimed author of Love Lettering and Love at First weaves stories both transporting and relatable – modern love stories that readers immediately identify with and take to heart. Wise and witty, threaded through with a complex, emotionally fulfilling romance, Kate Clayborn’s unforgettable new novel echoes with timely questions about love, career, reconciling with the past, and finding your way.
Ultimate List of Contemporary Fiction Novels to Love in 2024
For more contemporary fiction books like these, check out our ultimate list for dozens of recommendations.
Historical Fiction January 2023 Book Releases
The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: Probing the torrid political climate in the lead-up to World War II and the ways that seemingly sensible people can be sucked into radical action, The Mitford Affair follows Nancy’s valiant efforts to stop the Nazis from taking over Great Britain, and the complicated choices she must make between the personal and the political.
The Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: The USA Today bestselling author of The Gown returns with another enthralling and royal-adjacent historical novel—as the lives of three very different residents of London’s historic Blue Lion hotel converge in a potentially explosive climax on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation.
Love Historical Fiction? We do too! That’s why we created the Ultimate List of Historical Fiction carefully divided by time period.
Most Anticipated January 2023 Book Releases: Fantasy/ Sci-fi
Phaedra by Laura Shepperson
Genre: Fantasy
Plot: Debut novelist Laura Shepperson offers a powerful feminist retelling of Phaedra and her unyielding quest for justice, perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
Genre: Fantasy
Plot: This is the much anticipated second book in the Alex Stern series (Ninth House) by best-selling author Leigh Bardugo. Alex is determined to Darlington out of purgatory even if it means the end of her time at Yale and her future at Lethe. This book is one of the January 2023 book releases I really hope to get my hands on!
The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone by Audrey Burges
Genre: Fantasy
Plot: Myra Malone blogs about a dollhouse mansion and has thousands of followers. But the mansion is more than it seems as rooms disappear and reappear overnight. Across the country, Alex is shocked to see someone recreating his bedroom. Alex and Myra correspond to trace the stories that entwine them.
Love Fantasy Books? We do too! That’s why we created the Ultimate List of Fantasy for Adults and the Ultimate List of YA fantasy!
Most Anticipated Thrillers and Mysteries for January 2023
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Thriller
Plot: This is a gothic suspense novel set in an Italian villa. It is inspired by Fleetwood Mac, the Mansion murders, and Percy and Mary Shelley’s time with Lord Byron at a lake Geneva castle. Emily and Chess are reconnecting and spending a summer together at an Italian villa with a history that includes not only being the place of inspiration for art and music but the site of a murder as well. This is one of the January 2023 book releases we cannot wait to read.
Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor
Genre: Thriller
Plot: This fast-paced thrillers shifts through time and perspective in this story centered around corruption, romance, wealth, and violence. The Wadia family is loved, loathed, and feared and are at the center of this thrilling family saga.
Ghost 19 by Simone St. James
Genre: Thriller (Short Story)
Plot: From the best-selling author of The Book of Cold Cases comes a new short story about a women who is stuck inside her house. She spends the day looking out the window but cannot leave the house because of a ghost or her own madness. Jackie read and loved this Ghost Book and it is a perfect quick read in this list of January 2023 book releases.
Just The Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
Genre: Thriller
Plot: Nina has had a fight with her husband Jake so when he doesn’t come home, she thinks he is just calming down for a night. When he doesn’t return, Nina will not stop looking for him until she finds out what happened. Nina’s coworker, Lily, thinks she was the last person to see Jake before he went missing and when she confesses to her husband, they decide nobody can know. Two couples are linked in this twisty thriller.
Locust Lane by Stephen Amidon
Genre: Thriller
Plot: For fans of Mystic River by Dennis Lehane and Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Stephen Amidon’s Locust Lane is a taut and utterly propulsive story about the search for justice and the fault lines of power and influence in a seemingly idyllic town. Can anyone be trusted? We have this book from the January 2023 book releases on our list of books to read!
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
Genre: Thriller
Plot: I am so excited to read this book from the January 2023 book releases and think it will go perfectly on our haunted house book list. When Louise finds out her parents have died, she does not want to pack up the house of the people who loved her the most. She also does not want to ask her brother for help with the house. But, some houses do not want to be sold.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (Finlay Donovan #3) by Elle Cosimano
Genre: Mystery
Plot: From USA Today bestseller and Edgar Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun―the hilarious and heart-pounding next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.
Dating. Diapers. And dodging bullets. Who said single moms can’t have fun?
Exiles by Jane Harper
Genre: Mystery
Plot: Aaron Falk is a Federal Investigator headed to Southern Australia for a christening. When Kim’s daughter makes a plea to help find Kim on the one-year anniversary of the day she went missing, Aaron beings his investigation that may show cracks in Kim’s friend group. What happened to Kim Gillespie? Harper’s book, The Survivors kept us guessing until the last page. I am sure this mystery from our list of January 2023 book releases will not disappoint.
Love Thrillers? We created The Ultimate List of Best Thriller Books carefully divided by sub-genre. These will definitely keep you on your toes.
Romance Book Releases for January 2023
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Genre: Romance
Plot: From the best-selling author of the Brown Sisters Trilogy comes this new rom-com. Bradley Graeme is a football player, top of his class, and managing his OCD. Celine is a content creator/ conspiracy theorist who has a ton of followers but isn’t cool enough to sit at the popular kids table. The two used to be best friends and haven’t spoken in years. When they find themselves forced to work as a team in a survival course in the woods, they might find a whole new type of relationship.
Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen
Genre: Romance
Plot: Olivia is excited to take over her grandmother’s matchmaking business which is based on the traditional Chinese zodiac. When she finds out that La’s most eligible bachelor has taken this idea and turned it into an app, Liv is furious. The two go head to head in this enemies-to-lovers romance by a debut author.
A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan
Genre: Romance
Plot: Hailey Sharp has one goal and she doesn’t want any distractions. Work is what is important. Wes does not want a relationship because they all end badly. When the two meet, they start a friendship because that is all it can be. We loved How to Love Your Neighbor and think this romance from our list of January 2023 Book Releases will be a great romance.
Make a Wish by Helena Hunting
Genre: Romance
Plot: Harley Spark has tried to move on from the time she nearly kissed the widowed father of the girl she nannied. Now, seven years later, Gavin Rhodes and his 9-year-old daughter come to spark house for a princess-themed party, and Harley is forced to deal with her error from those years ago. Only it seems that Gavin is oblivious to her inner turmoil. Helena Hunting’s Starry-Eyed Love is on our list of Hot Office Romances You Need to Read. And we are sure this book from January 2023 Book Releases is one you will not want to miss.
For more books like these, check out our Holiday Hub with all things Valentine’s Day.
Is Romance your favorite genre? We created the Ultimate List of Romances carefully divided by sub-genre so you can find your next favorite read.
Non-Fiction: Best January 2023 Book Releases
The Spare by Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
Genre: Non-Fiction
Plot: Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex is telling his story in his words. The entire world saw William and Harry walk behind their mother’s coffin at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. But never before have we heard how the lives of her sons have continued since. This is that story and we have already pre-ordered a copy. This is the book from the January 2023 Book Releases that Kirsten is most looking forward to reading. If you love all things royal, check out our Royal Reads: Ultimate List of 42 Books about Royalty.
Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America’s Most Dangerous Female Spy and the Sister She Betrayed by Jim Popkin
Genre: Non-Fiction
Plot: This is the true story of Ana Montes, an officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency, and double agent working for Cuba. Her father was a US Army colonel and bother her brother and sister-in-law were FBI agents. Her sister also worked for the FBO. This is the ultimate story of betrayal.
The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mencsh
Genre: Non-Fiction
Plot: From best-selling author, Josh Meltzer comes a true story about the nazi plot to assassinate FDR, Stalin, and Churchill during WWII. This assassination would have changed history. If you want to read more WWII books, you can check out our list.
Best YA January 2023 Book Releases
The Love Match by Priyanka Taslim
Genre: YA Romance
Plot: To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before meets Pride and Prejudice in this rom-com. Zahra Khan is basically a Bangladeshi princess but her mother needs to secure her a match for the family’s financial security. When Zahra’s feelings become mixed up between who she is supposed to be with and who she wants to be with, she must choose.
Stolen Heir by Holly Black
Genre: YA Fantasy
Plot: Return to the opulent world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires, with this first book of a captivating new duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black.
A runaway queen. A reluctant prince. And a quest that may destroy them both.
Queen Among the Dead by Lesley Livingston
Genre: YA Fantasy
Plot: This is a Celtic YA fantasy inspired by the first queen of Ireland. Neve is the King’s youngest daughter and Ronan is a Druid’s apprentice who makes a living selling stolen spells. The king has outlawed magic which is horded by his priests. Now, Neve must take her place at the thrown and rely on Ronan for help.
The Fraud Squad by Kyla Zhao
Genre: YA Fiction
Plot: Samantha Song has dreamed of becoming part of Singapore’s social scene but her dream is impossible as a working-class woman. With the help of two friends, Samantha borrows designer clothes to infiltrate the elite but will her fraud be discovered and end everything she is working toward?
Begin Again by Emma Lord
Genre: YA Romance
Plot: This is a YA romance about finding yourself, finding love, and starting over. Andie Rose has a plan and she intends to follow it through but, even the best plans can be set off course and soon, Andie learns that sometimes going off course may be for the best.
The Davenports by Krystal Marquis
Genre: YA Historical Fiction Romance
Plot: The YA Historical fiction is inspired by the life of C.R Patterson and his family. Set in Chicago in 1910, the story is about the Davenports, one of the few Black families of immense wealth. This is the story of four young Black women navigating life and love.
