August 2025 Book Releases
I am so excited about the August 2025 book releases, and I cannot wait to get my hands on these books. It is always so much fun finding the upcoming new books.
This month, there are some fantastic picks from fantasy, thrillers, and mysteries. August is the time when these books are published to establish themselves before Halloween! I also have a list of July 2025 book releases by genre and summer 2025 book releases by date!
It is also exciting to see so many debut novels on this list. We also have favorite authors trying new genres (Like Louis Sachar with his first adult novel). I spent a lot of time looking through the August 2025 book releases (with tons of help from Kirsten) to pick only the books that Kirsten and I want to read.
You can help authors by going into your favorite reading app and adding these books to your To Be Read pile. You can also head to your local indie bookstore and pre-order the books you know you will love. This helps the authors a lot. All the books on this list are linked to Libro.fm and Bookshop.org. Both of these sites are associated with independent bookstores!
Most Anticipated August 2025 Book Releases
Most Anticipated Fiction
A Dog in Georgia by Lauren Grodstein- Click here to read the synopsis and see more of the August 2025 book releases
Most Anticipated Historical Fiction
The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin- Click here to read the synopsis and see more of the August 2025 book releases
Most Anticipated Fantasy/ Sci-Fi
The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown- Click here to read the synopsis and see more of the August 2025 fiction book releases
Most Anticipated Thriller
High Season by Katie Bishop – Click here to read the synopsis and see more of the August 2025 thriller book picks
Most Anticipated Mystery
Isabella’s Not Dead by Beth Morrey- Click here to read the synopsis and see more of the August 2025 mystery book releases
Most Anticipated Romance
Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings – Click here to read the synopsis and see more of the August roamnce books
Most Anticipated Nonfiction
Disney Adults by AJ Wolfe- Click here to read the synopsis and see more of the August 2025 nonfiction book releases
Most Anticipated YA
All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi – Click here to read the synopsis and see more of the Young Adult August 2025 book releases
*August 2025 Book Releases Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you.
August 2025 Fiction Book Releases
Plot
Amy Webb was a chef who somehow lost her way when she became a wife and stepmom. She has spent the last few months watching YouTube videos of a dog named Angel walking children to school in Tbilisi. When Angel goes missing, Amy goes to the Republic of Georgia to find the missing dog and perhaps find herself in the process.
The Incredible Kindness of Paper
Author: Evelyn Skye
Genre: Magical Realism
Release Date: August 12, 2025
More info: New York Times Bestselling author of The Hundred Loves of Juliet
Plot
Chloe Hanako Quinn starts writing to Oliver Jones, her pen pal partner in elementary school. She whispers a note into her letter, and he hears her, sparking the beginning of a friendship. But when a disaster strikes and Oliver and his family disappear, Chloe thinks she will never hear from him again. Twenty years later, Chloe is a guidance counselor who begins folding origami roses as acts of kindness. When Oliver finds one, his life will change forever.
Atomic Hearts
Author: Megan Cummins
Genre: Fiction
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: Debut Novel
Plot
Gertie and Cindy are bonded by the fact that their fathers are addicts. When an accident sends 16-year-old Gertie to the hospital, she must go to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to live with her father who is now sober. Now she is once again at the heart of drama and turns to a fantasy novel she is writing to escape.
Years later, Gertie is writing again about the summer of her 16th year, but with a narrative that she wishes were true.
People Like Us
Author: Jason Mott
Genre: Fiction
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: Author of Hell of a Book
Plot
Two Black writers are trying to find their place in a world filled with gun violence. One is on a global book tour, and the other is supposed to give a speech at a school that has a shooting. Their storylines come together in this story in which the characters have experienced great loss.
August 2025 Historical Fiction Book Releases
The Secret Book Society
Author: Madeline Martin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: August 26, 2025
More info: Perfect for our list of Best Books for Book Clubs
Plot
I cannot wait to read this book from the August 2025 book releases. Eleanor Clarke, Rose Wharton, and Lavinia Cavendish all receive a mysterious invitation to join Lady Duxbury for tea. What they find is a secret book club and a place where they can find friendship and freedom from society’s expectations
The Art of a Lie
Author: Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Plot
Hannah Cole is struggling after her husband’s murder. Her confectionery shop is at risk now that her suppliers do not want to deal with a woman, and the magistrate is threatening to take the money from her husband’s bank account. William Deveruax seems to have some answers when he tells her about ice cream. Soon, William and Hannah’s friendship draws unwanted attention and she is locked in a battle of wits for survival.
L.A. Women
Author: Ella Berman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: Author of Reese’s Book Club Pick Before We Were Innocent
Plot
Gala and Lane were writers and friends until Gala, a socialite, became famous. Lane was envious and made a choice that would change both their lives forever. Now, Lane has written a book about Gala, exposing everything. The problem is that Gala has been missing for months. This is a pick from the August 2025 book releases I cannot wait to get my hands on.
Plot
Charlotte Crowninsheild is on the run from a Boston society family and is desperate to disappear. Billie Mactavish is the oldest of nine children, and her family needs money. Both women become Harvey Girls, waitresses on the Santa Fe railroad. Hired on the same day, they became roommates. They dislike each other immediately, even though they both have secrets that will ruin everything.
The Lost Baker of Vienna
Author: Sharon Kurtzman
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: August 19, 2025
Plot
This is a novel inspired by Kurtman’s family. Chana Rosenzweig survived the Holocaust and is in Vienna with her mother and younger brother. She struggles to support her family by working in a hotel kitchen as a night dishwasher and uses the time to bake. She finds herself in a love triangle and is torn between her love of baking and her family’s security.
August 2025 Fantasy/ Sci-fi Books
The Society of Unknowable Objects
Author: Gareth Brown
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: August 12
More info: Author of the International Bestseller The Book of Doors
Plot
I cannot wait to read this pic from the August 2025 new releases. The Society of Unknowable Objects meets every six months to protect its archive from the outside world. When they hear of a new artifact in Hong Kong, they send Magda, the newest member, to investigate. Within hours of arriving, she is faced with a professional killer, who knows more than they should. Magda uses an artifact that the society doesn’t know about to save herself, and realizes she is not the only member keeping secrets. Now she must track down the killer and find the truth about the magical objects and her family’s legacy.
Katabasis
Author: R.F. Kuang
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: August 26, 2025
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Plot
Alice wants to be at the top in the field of Magick. She is studying with Professor Jacob Grimms, the best magician in the world, to make that happen. When he dies in a magical accident, she must go into hell to get him because she needs his recommendation. Unfortunately, Peter Murdocj, her rival, realized the same thing. The two must descend into Hell to save him so they can save their careers.
Warrior Princess Assassin
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Genre: Romantasy
Release Date: August 12, 2025
More info: Braided Fate #1
Plot
This is Kemmerer’s adult fantasy debut. King Maddox is a warrior who must marry to forge an alliance and save his kingdom. Princess Jory needs the protection of the warrior king for her people. But he does not know that her magic is fading. Asher is an assassin who was once a nobleman whose childhood friend is Jory. When he discovers that someone wants Ky and Jory dead, he must decide what he is willing to do.
The Magician of Tiger Castle
Author: Louis Sachar
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: Adult Debut
Plot
In the Kingdom of Esquaveta lives the Princess Tullia. In an attempt to save the kingdom, the king has arranged a marriage for his daughter. Unfortunately, she falls in love with someone else one month before the wedding. Now, the king turns to his magician and asks for a potion to ensure the wedding and alliance happen. This is Anatole’s chance at redemption and saving the kingdom. However, in doing so, he will betray Tullia, the only person who believes in him. I cannot wait to read this pick from the August 2025 book releases.
Thrillers for August 2025
High Season
Author: Katie Bishop
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Release Date: August 12, 2025
More info: Dual timeline
Plot
This thriller from the August 2025 book releases looks like a must-read. Tamara Drayton died in the family pool in the south of France. Her twin brother, Blake, was left with the shattered pieces of his family. Nina, their six-year-old sister, was the youngest person ever to testify in a murder trial in France. She saw the Babysitter push Tamara under the water and drown her. 20 years later, Nina is not sure what really happened that night. When a true crime documentary about her sister’s murder is announced, she thinks she might finally find answers, but at what cost?
The Locked Ward
Author: Sarah Pekkanen
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Plot
Georgia and Amanda Cartwright were adopted as newborns and lived a glamorous life until Georgia is locked in a psychiatric institution when she is accused of killing her parents’ biological daughter. When Amanda visits Georgia, she is adamant that she did not do it. Is Georgia the victim of a powerful family, or is she a master manipulator. This is a perfect thriller book for my list of books about sisters.
Plot
Maria Capello is a famous chef and television personality. When her husband is murdered, his body was never recovered and decades later, people assume that Maria did it. Now, decades later, Thea Woods is headed to Capello’s farm to help work on Maria’s memoir. She senses something is not right and feels increasingly trapped and afraid. There are reasons the body was never recovered and it might have something to do with the secret ingredient in her most famous recipe.
Plot
This book f from the August 2025 book releases is perfect for our list of domestic thriller books. Riddleton Road seems like the perfect neighborhood with perfect houses, but they all have dark secrets hidden in the walls. Iris has moved into number 23 to give her son the future he deserves, but they shouldn’t be there and someone knows her secret.
Mysteries for August 2025
Isabella’s Not Dead
Author: Beth Morrey
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: August, 29, 2025
More info: For fans of Where’d You Go Bernadette
Plot
Gwen is 53 and out of a job. Her kids do not need her like they used to. She decides its the perfect time to find Isabella, the friend who ghosted her 15 years ago. She is setting off across Englad and Europe to find herself and find Isabella. This book from the August 2025 book releases is perfect for our Friendship Books
The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective
Author: Jo Nichols
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: August 19, 2025
Plot
Mrs. B is the landlady for the Marigold Cottages which are a colleciton of bungalows in Santa Barbara. When an ex-con named Anthony moves in and a dead body is discovered, Anthony is arrested. Mrs. B is convinced he is innocent and turns herself in for the crime. Now to tenant band together to save their beloved landlady. This cozy mystery is at the top of my TBR
Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library
Author: Amanda Chapman
Genre: Mystery
Release Date: August 26, 2025
More info:
Plot
Tory Van Dyne is a book conservator and Manhattan’s Mystery Guild Library. When she find a woman in the room who says she is Agatha Christie and announces she is there to solve a murder that has not happened yet, Tory is not amused. When Toy’s cousin gets caught up in a murder scandel, Tory and Mrs. Christie decide to solve a murder together.
Plot
Natalie Campbell disappeared on her eighteenth birthday. The case was closed quickly, but her sister Claire has spent the last 22 years trying to recover from the trauma. Claire decides to accept a job at Galloway Farm, a vineyard close to where she grew up in South Carolina. At first, Claire feels the farm is the perfect escape. But when Claire finds a diary that describes unsolved crimes, she begins to feel like this has a connection to her sister.
Romance: August 2025 Book Releases
Well, Actually
Author: Mazey Eddings
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: Second-Chance Romance
Plot
Eva Kitt is the host of “Sausage Talk” instead of her dream job as a journalist. So when she calls out her college ex for ghosting her, it goes viral- especially because the ex in question is a social media personality. His shtick is calling out toxic masculinity. So he comes on an episode live and makes a deal to make up for his behavior. Will she be able to forgive him and will she fall for him again?
The Battle of the Bookshops
Author: Poppy Alexander
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 19, 2025
More info: Romeo and Juliet reimagining.
Plot
Jules leaves her position as a junior publishing agent in London to help her great aunt Florence. Florence can no longer run the bookshop on her own. When Jules arrives, she realizes the bookshop is close to bankruptcy and the rival Montbeau family is opening a big new bookstore right across the street. Roman wants nothing more than to prove the Caepthornes are a relic. Now the battle has begun.
For the Record
Author: Emma Lord
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 12, 2025
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Plot
Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze were rivals on the stage until their respctive bands fell apart. Two years later, Sam is raising a son and Mackenzie only sings under her pseudonym after an operation on her vocal cords. If they want to revive their careers, they will have to make a comeback album together. When they give up their old rivalry, Will Sparks fly?
Love’s a Witch
Author: Tricia O’Malley
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 26, 2025
More info: The Scottish Charms #1
Plot
Sloane needs to return to Scotland to break a curse that has haunted her bloodline so she can come into her magic. Knox is the mayor who has tried to make their magical town a Haven for people. The last thing he needs is somebody trying to break a curse. But Magic has plans of its own. This looks like an adorable romantasy from the August 2025 book releases.
Anywhere With You
Author: Ellie Palmer
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: Friends-to-lovers Romance
Plot
Charley has accepted that romance is not her thing after her divorce. When her sister announces she is going to marry her childhood sweetheart, Charley knows that she has to stop the wedding. This means she will need to be road tripping into the woods of Minnesota with her childhood best friend, Ethan. When the trip begins to remind Charley of old feelings, she wonders how it would ever work. Ethan is unreliable and she just divorced the most reliable person she’s ever known.
The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold
Author: Ally Carter
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: Blonde Identity book 2 of 2
Plot
Ten years ago, they were CIA recruits. Five years ago, they fell in love. One year ago, she disappeared without a trace.
Now, rival spies wake up handcuffed together, bloody and bruised, with no memory of how they got there—or who is hunting them. As they race against time to survive, old wounds and chemistry resurface. But to escape, they’ll have to do the one thing they never could before: trust each other.
This second-chance rom-com thriller is a must-read from the June 2025 book releases.
August 2025: Best Non-Fiction Book Releases
Disney Adults (Exploring (And Falling in Love With) A Magical Subculture
Author: AJ Wolfe
Genre: Nonfiction
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Plot
I had no idea that there are a large group of adults who are obsessed with Disney. They collect merchandise, cosplay in Disney inspired costumes and have a passion for all things Disney. This book looks into the Disney mania and the passion for all things Disney by adults. This book pairs well with our Beyond the Bookends Book Club pick for April- Queens of Animation– and I cannot wait to read it.
Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance
Author: Jane Harrington
Genre: Nonfiction
Release Date: August 19, 2025
More info:
Plot
This pick from the August 2025 book releases looks at the biographies of seven female authors from 17th-century Paris. These women called themselves conteuses (female storytellers) and used their stories to complain about their husbands, lack of freedom and the oppression of King Louis XIV. This book also contains 12 of their original stories. It is a delightful mix of fairytales and nonfiction.
Best YA August 2025 Book Releases
Plot
Winter Moon wanted to escape with her grandmother, but when her mother steals all the money she was saving, she turns to her father for help. Until recently, she had not seen him in more than a decade. They agree that she will spend time with him in exchange for money. Winter is faced with anger and sadness, and the only person who sees her for who she really is, is Joon. When winter discovers her father has been keeping secrets from her, she must learn about forgiveness. Can she move forward?
The Girls of Dark Divine
Author: E.V. Woods
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: August 5, 2025
More info: Debut Novel
Plot
This pick from the August 2025 book releases is perfect for my list of Books About Ballet. The New Kora ballet is legendary for the beauty of the dancers on stage. Emberlyn had dreamed of becoming one of the dancers until she began living the nightmare. The dancers are cursed by the show’s mastermind, Malcolm who controls every move the dancers make. They will dance until they turn to dust unless Emberlyn can break the curse. But with the help of a boy made of shadow, she might succeed.
We LOVE to support independent bookstores. You can shop our entire list of August 2025 book releases on Bookshop.org
Expert Tip
Looking through 30 books can be daunting if you are trying to add some books to your TBR. Remember that this list is for fun. You may add books to your TBR stack and never read them. That is OK! I have two tips to help narrow down the choices for you.
- If you do not want to look through 30 descriptions, I selected a top pick from each genre. I narrowed it down for you!
- If you have a favorite genre that you like to read, head over to that section and pick from those books.
What are the most anticipated August 2025 Book Releases?
There are so many book I canot wait to read. These are the most anticipated:
1. A Dog in Georgia by Lauren Grodstein
2. The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin
3. The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown
4. High Season by Katie Bishop
5. Isabella’s Not Dead by Beth Morrey
6. Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings
7. Disney Adults (Exploring (And Falling in Love With) A Magical Subculture by AJ Wolfe
8. All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi
Epilogue
Which August 2025 book releases are you most looking forward to reading?
