Fall 2026 Book Releases
The fall 2026 book releases are fantastic, and I cannot wait to dive into these amazing books. This is the post where we divide the book releases by publication date for the entire season!
If you are looking for new release books divided by genre, I put those in a separate post divided by month. You can find the most anticipated book releases for June 2026, July 2026, and August 2026. I have proclaimed that 2026 is the year of books about books. This is a trend that I am still seeing.
I know that it can seem like a lot, but feel free to jump around. There are so many books that Kirsten and I cannot wait to read, it’s hard to pick which to read first.
The books on this list are divided by release date, so you will know when the books are coming out. Have a look around. And as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Kirsten or me!
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Fall 2026 Book Releases: September 2026
September 1, 2026
Under Story
Author: Chloe Benjamin
Release Date: September 1, 2026
Genre: Speculative Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling author of The Immortalists, September 2026 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Laurel is a mycologist (study of fungus) who flees to Antarctica to work as a dishwasher. She is drawn to the strange life of 6 months of daylight followed by 6 months of darkness. She hopes that she will be able to start to heal after the loss of her son. When a strange light appears across the ice, a group of physicists comes to investigate, and Laurel is shocked to see that her ex-husband, Eli, is one of them. He initially thinks she followed him there to reconcile, but quickly realizes that Laurel has been there for months.
Laurel is convinced that the arc is the exact concept her husband had thought of years ago: a duoverse, and that it will allow them to turn back the clock and relive their lives a second time. The purpose? To find their son.
What follows is a trip into an alternate universe where fungi are the beginnings of life, and time works backward. Life begins at the end and moves forward, so people grow younger.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death, Suicidal Thoughts
Why Jackie loves it
I cannot believe that Benjamin does not have advanced degrees in physics and biology. This book is so creative and unique; at times, I had to put the book down to absorb the information and the brilliant world Benjamin created. This book has elements of Benjamin Button and parts of Interstellar as well. Benjamin’s creativity has no limit.
Find this book in: Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time / Best Fantasy Books of 2026 / The Best Good Morning America Books / GMA Book Club List 2026
The Three Graces of Pearl Street
Author: Elizabeth Wellington Rollins
Release Date: September 1, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Debut Novel
Plot
Graziella is a 96-year-old former nun who runs the parish’s food kitchen. Her daughter Grace is a psychology professor, and her granddaughter Ella is brilliant, but is having trouble finding where she really belongs. When the Three Graces come back together to live under one roof, they may find out what it means to really be known by somebody else. This is perfect for my list of Books About Mothers and Motherhood.
Mother Daughter Sister Stranger
Author: Hank Phillippi Ryan
Release Date: September 1, 2026
Genre: Thriller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
Elisa and Bea Ramsey are the sole survivors of a plane crash that killed their parents. On the 11th anniversary of the accident, Bea does not come to get her daughter, Piper, from a sleepover at Elisa’s house. She does not show up at the cemetery, and she is unreachable by phone. Where is Bea?
Elisa knows that Bea would never abandon Piper. Did Bea plan her disappearance or did something happen to her? Something is not quite right. The alarm codes are changed on Bea’s house, and they don’t know who they can trust. Eliza and Piper have to work together to find Bea.
Trigger Warnings
Missing Parent
Why Jackie loves it
This book was filled with twists and turns I never saw coming. Piper is such a great character- smart and on the ball. I read this quickly because I had a hard time putting it down. Thank you, @Minotaurbooks for my copy of this book.
Find this book in Domestic Noir Books
Oxford Guide to Scandals and Lies
Author: Kate Westbury
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Mystery
More info: Debut Novel
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Ginevra Bishop and Sidney Braithwaite both attend Oxford in 1951. Ginerva wants to prove she is more than a debutant. Sidney is trying to get far away from his childhood mining village and memories of the war. The British Secret Service wants to pair her charm with his spy experience to catch the Soviet spy at the university. The previous agent was poisoned, and MI5 wants the two of them to pair up and find him before sensitive information is sent to the enemy.
Why Kirsten likes it
This was a fun mystery set in a favorite historical location of mine – Oxford University. The ancient buildings and creepy alleyways make for the perfect setting, while Ginevra and Sidney’s tension went from enemies to something more in a believable way. I think we will be seeing more of this duo in the future. Gifted by MacMillan Audio.
Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / Books About Female Spies
Plot
This fall 2026 book release had me at cozy Fae romance! We have changelings, Faye, hobgoblins, and forbidden romance. I’m not sure how spicy this one will be, but it seems like a perfect pick for fall.
The Sugar Maple Inn
Author: Laura Bloom
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: Solace Springs Book #2
Plot
Grace Sullivan wants to buy the historic Inn on Maple Island so she has something of her own. She has an anonymous online mentor who gives her business advice. Reese Spencer is a billionaire who also wants to buy the remote island because there are family secrets buried there. Neither of them knows they have been chatting to the other online for months until they become trapped in the ends honeymoon suite. Will they fight for the inn or fight for something bigger?
September 8, 2026
Taipei Story
Author: R. F. Kuang
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author of Yellowface
Plot
Lilly Chen is spending her summer in Taipei at an intensive language program. She hopes to connect with her culture. But her classes and roommate are nothing like she thought they would be. Rather than bring her closer to her past, she begins to feel even further away and more like a foreigner in a country she hoped would feel like home. When she finds out her grandfather has passed away, she begins to piece together the stories and memories in an attempt to make a connection. This is perfect for my list of coming-of-age novels. It asks many questions about connecting with family and looking for answers.
The Pirate Queen
Author: Ariel Lawhon
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times bestselling author of The Frozen River. Inspired by the life of Grace O’Malley.
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Grace O’Malley is the daughter of a powerful chief. Although she is born with a gift for the sea, her role as a woman in the 1500s is to secure strong alliances and have children.
Grace is forced to marry a brutal warrior who shares a name with her half-brother, Donal. Because of the love for her brother, she will never call her husband, who she detests, by his name. She is eventually ousted from his lands.
This finally allows Grace to return home with her children and lead Clan O’Malley’s fleet of ships. Queen Elizabeth becomes bolder with her incursions into Ireland; Grace defends her land, her ships, and her people.
Trigger Warnings
Rape, Torture, Confinement, Murder
Why Jackie loves it
Grace was known as the pirate queen of Ireland, something unheard of in the 1500s. Lawhon’s research is unparalleled. This is an epic saga over multiple timelines, and yet I could not devour this book fast enough, while simultaneously wanting to slow down so I would not finish it too quickly. I had no trouble keeping up with the characters. To me, they were fully formed people. I am very thankful to have listened to this book ( thank you #PRHaudio for my copy of this book) because otherwise, I know I would have pronounced all the names incorrectly.
Find this book in: Best Pirate Books / Ariel Lawhon Books in Order / Best Historical Fiction Books of 2026
The Witches of Cambridge
Author: Alice Hoffman
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Genre: Fantasy
More info: September 2026 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Ava is from a small town in Maine with a strict family and a rural upbringing. When she arrives at Radcliffe for her first year, she meets Lauren, who is from a prominent Cambridge family.
On their first night, they are both recruited by the Lilith society, a secret society of witches. When girls from the Lilith society begin to go missing, they begin to question their own safety.
Filled with witch lore and dark omens, Ava and Lilith must navigate friendship and love in the 1950s.
Trigger Warnings
Historical reference to trauma/ murders during the witch trials
Why Jackie loves it
This book is unlike the books in the Practical Magic Series. It is much darker, with references to black blood, the eleventh finger, etc. I wish I had been aware when I started the book so that I could enjoy it more. Like Hoffman’s other historical fiction books, this one is heavily researched, but it includes references to magic that are so realistic that it feels like it could be fact. #SimonAudioInfluencer
Find this Book in: Alice Hoffman Books in Order / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2026 / Dark Academia Fantasy Books Like Ninth House / The Best Witch Books
Tempest
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Year: 2026
Genre: Fantasy
More info: The Lyrian Sea #1
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Cat Rose was once a noblewoman trapped in a loveless marriage. Now, she is a widow who is the owner of a pirate Tavern in the Lyrian Sea. The empire gives her a choice. Deliver Valerian Kane, the legendary pirate captain, or risk all the pirates being destroyed. The problem? He is the only man Cat has ever loved.
Why Kirsten loves it
This was such a fun story that had me feeling like I was reading Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired fiction. I adored Red Queen, but didn’t love Aveyard’s next series, so I’m glad to see her back in top form! The setting was unique, the love triangle was juicy, and the cliffhanger had me so frustrated in the best way. Thanks to Libro.FM for my review copy!
Find this book in: Best Pirate Books
Big Bad Wolf
Author: Laurie Gilmore
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Genre: Fantasy Romance
More info: Maple Hollow Book 1
Plot
Here is the scoop. If you have read A Curse of Blood and Wolves by Melissa McTernan, you know what this story is about. Laurie and Melissa are the same person. Everything that was dark in ACOBAW has been replaced with the small-town charm we have all come to love Gilmore for. She took the opportunity to think about this Red Riding Hood retelling and rework the story and characters.
I am really looking forward to reading this book. I admit that I read ACOBAW and did not like it. It was too dark for me. This one seems right up my alley. You should also be aware that if you have ACOBAW on your Kindle, it will not be available once this book is published.
September 15, 2026
Hollow Bones
Author: Jodi Picoult
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: September 2026 Katie Couric Book Club Pick, Number one New York Times bestselling author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Molly Fitzgerald lost her mother when she was two months old in the attack on the World Trade Center. Now, she runs the Rhode Island Department of Emergency Preparedness. Her husband, Jesse, is a police polygraph expert who also has a history of crisis of his own.
When Molly discovers she is pregnant, it sets off a chain of events that leads them to question everything.
This is a dual-timeline narrative that looks at Molly’s life as an adult as well as her mother, Eloise, pre 9/11. How much do we inherit from our parents, and how much do we learn?
Trigger Warnings
9/11 and post 9/11, Postpartum depression, disaster preparedness, sexual and physical abuse of a child, rape, suicidal thoughts, Psychosis
Why Jackie loves it
This is a compulsively readable book that I could not put down. It deals with many complex issues but in a way that brings awareness rather than stoking fear. There are difficult topics central to the plot of this book, but somehow, Picoult makes them approachable. I love how quickly this story moved and how much I felt for the characters. I finished this book with a feeling of hope and I loved every minute. Thank you @prhaudio #partner #gifted
Find this book in: Fiction Books about Mental Illness & Mental Health / Books About Mothers and Motherhood
Hollow Bones
Author: Jodi Picoult
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: September 2026 Katie Couric Book Club Pick, Number one New York Times bestselling author
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Molly Fitzgerald lost her mother when she was two months old in the attack on the World Trade Center. Now, she runs the Rhode Island Department of Emergency Preparedness. Her husband, Jesse, is a police polygraph expert who also has a history of crisis of his own.
When Molly discovers she is pregnant, it sets off a chain of events that leads them to question everything.
This is a dual-timeline narrative that looks at Molly’s life as an adult as well as her mother, Eloise, pre 9/11. How much do we inherit from our parents, and how much do we learn?
Trigger Warnings
9/11 and post 9/11, Postpartum depression, disaster preparedness, sexual and physical abuse of a child, rape, suicidal thoughts, Psychosis
Why Jackie loves it
This is a compulsively readable book that I could not put down. It deals with many complex issues but in a way that brings awareness rather than stoking fear. There are difficult topics central to the plot of this book, but somehow, Picoult makes them approachable. I love how quickly this story moved and how much I felt for the characters. I finished this book with a feeling of hope and I loved every minute. Thank you @prhaudio #partner #gifted
Find this book in: Fiction Books about Mental Illness & Mental Health / Books About Mothers and Motherhood
Falling for Peachtree Bluff
Author: Kristy Woodson Harvey
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author Peachtree Bluff Book 5
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Kirsten and I are so excited to read a book by Kristy that is perfect for fall. Harvey is one of our go-to summer authors. Emerson is planning her dream wedding, but it becomes complicated when she begins to think about having another child. Sloane, the middle sister, is pregnant, and her dream house has turned into a nightmare.
Caroline, the eldest sister, has started to fall for Emerson’s co-star when her soon-to-be ex-husband decides he wants a second chance. And Ansley, the matriarch, becomes caught in a scandal that seems to be centered around her new husband, Jack. She starts to question if he is who she thought.
Trigger Warnings
Fertility, miscarriage
Why Jackie loves it
Kristy Woodson Harvey never fails to write a family drama that feels authentic. Her characters are well-rounded and perfectly imperfect. The characters feel relatable and the nuances of family relationships are unmatched. Even if you have not read other books in the Peach Tree Bluff series, you can read this book. Harvey reiterates the important plot points to bring new readers up to speed and reminds familiar readers of what happened with their favorite Peach Tree characters.
Find this book in: Cozy Fall Books
Our Noble Selves
Author:
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: #1 International bestselling author of Life After Life
Plot
Harry Flynn has just returned to Britain from Singapore in 1945, and takes a job with the Festival of Britain. It is a government-funded endeavor to create a positive identity for Britain after the Second World War.
When a French woman goes missing, Flynn becomes the primary suspect because he was the last person to see her alive. He has no memory of that evening. He is surrounded by people who have their own agendas and may benefit if he is to blame. I cannot wait to read this fall 2026 new release from Atkinson.
The Palace Beneath the Sea
Author: Lauren Wiesebron
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Mermaid-inspired
Plot
Nolwenn has devoted her life to defending her city of Ys as its lighthouse keeper. When she is attacked by deadly monsters who are trying to destroy the city, she is saved by a mermaid named Morvan. He takes her below Ys, into the ocean, against her will. But as she spends time below, she feels less sure about what she wants and has to decide between her heart and her home.
We Chase Shadows
Author: Richard Osman
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Genre: Mystery
More info: We Solve Murders Mystery
Plot
Amy, Rosie, and Steve are ready for their first case at We Solve Murders HQ. Their first client seems a little sketchy, but they are happy to take the case anyway. When they start digging, suspects start piling up. The murderer is very good at hiding. The team travels all over once again to catch a killer.
Plot
Mattie is a copywriter at an independent ad agency vying for a promotion. When she is given the opportunity to get a big new account, she knows that this could be her opportunity. The only thing standing in her way is Campbell Porter. He is a senior copy editor at Chicago’s biggest ad agency and Mattie’s rival since their time as interns together.
They are thrown together, and a four-week trip is required to make the pitch. As they start to get to know each other, Mattie realizes the story she made up about Campbell might need a different ending. Might this fall 2026 book release be a pick for road trip novels?
September 22, 2026
Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel
Author: Lucy Foley
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: Book 1 in the new Miss Marple Series
Plot
This is perfect for my list of Mysteries and Thrillers set at a hotel, but even better because it is Miss Marple, written by the great Lucy Foley. The Grand Alpine Hotel is in the Swiss Alps. It is the perfect place for a holiday until a guest turns up dead, and nobody can leave with a blizzard cutting off an escape. Can Miss Marple find the killer before they choose their next victim?
It’s Not What You Think
Author: Clare Mackintosh
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Plot
Nadeeka is certain Jamie is having an affair and is determined to catch him in the act. But when she arrives home to catch and confront him, he is dead. The entire house is a crime scene. From one of my favorite mystery thriller writers comes one of the most anticipated fall 2026 book releases.
Hollywood, Ending
Author: John Green
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Bestselling author
Plot
This is a story told through two points of view- Kai and Juniper. They have been cast in a biopic movie, Andy Warhol never gets old. The book follows the two of them from their first days on location to the movie’s premiere while they’re falling in love. But it also shows the contrast to the parts they are portraying on screen. This book will make you think about the private versus public lives of celebrities.
The Wretched Divine
Author: Adalyn Grace
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling Author
Plot
Aurelie Chantelune was raised as a night who slays monsters in the kingdom. She is trying to inherit her legacy by making a soulbond with the angel Yuriel. When she realizes that humans are being turned into monsters, she forms a second bond with Severin, a demon. The three of them must team up to find a cure and turn the demons back into humans, but she will need to make a choice. Will she stand with the angels or risk everything by trusting a demon?
Well Versed
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Author: Jen DeLuca
Genre: Romance
More info: Well Met #5
Plot
Caitlin Parker used to love the Willow Creek Renaissance faire until she had her heart broken there when she was 18. Now, she is 24 and unemployed, so she has no choice but to go back to the faire and work. Alexander Wright is the last person she wants to see. When he broke up with her, he thought he was ending a summer fling, but didn’t realize how much he liked her until it was too late. He is determined to fix his mistakes and bring them back together again.
Plot
Gloria Steinman is one of the world’s most famous feminist icons, and in her new memoir, she shares her early life and her journey to becoming the woman we all know. She talks about decades of activism and setbacks and reflects on victories, one for women and human rights. This is the memoir we all need to read in 2026.
The Little Shop of Merry and Bright
Author: Jenny Bayliss
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Genre: Christmas Romance
More info: A Contemporary Christmas Carol Retelling
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
When Casey declined her boyfriend’s marriage proposal three years ago, she never dreamed that it would go viral, and she would still be dealing with the backlash years later. Now, she has chosen a job with no potential for humiliation. But there is no potential for a boyfriend either.
When Casey meets Margo, the spirit of Christmas present, they make a bargain. Margo will use her powers to erase the video, but Casey must first witness five alternate realities. If she still wants the video erased, Margo will do it. Casey will have to decide what she really wants from life.
Why Kirsten likes it
This story wasn’t so Christmassy, but it was a fun, light-hearted fantasy about the paths not taken. I loved Margo’s antics and the funny glimpses of Casey’s other potential futures, but mostly I loved her current life – warts and all. It wasn’t my favorite Jenny Bayliss, but I did enjoy it. It would be a good first book to transition to the Christmas season. Gifted by Putnam Books.
Find this book in: Fantasy Christmas Books
Christmas at Honeycomb Bay
Author: Lilac Mills
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Genre: Christmas Romance
Plot
Ok. I love a great Christmas romance. This one fills all the cups with a small-town, later-in-life, forced-proximity holiday situation. Eloise needs to get away for the holidays because they are always so lonely for her. Bartholomew has not opened his guest house to visitors since his wife passed away.
When Eloise contacts him about renting his guest house, she assures him that she dislikes Christmas as much as he does. When Bart is forced to give shelter to a single mom and a child whose holiday has been devastated by a fire, Eloise finds herself playing the role of Mrs. Claus to Bart’s Santa. But the more they get into their roles, the more they realize its not so bad to have some Christmas spirit. Sometimes the best way to escape Christmas is to open your heart.
A Curse for Christmas Past
Author: Morgan Lockhart
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Genre: Christmas Romance
More info: Spell of Midwinter Heart #2
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Hayleigh has been cursed. She lost her job, her bank account has been hacked, her horse is sick, and she is seeing things! The only way she can think of to break it is by going to Elk Ridge, Washington, for the winter festival with a clan of witches. She is positive that one of them is responsible for the curse. There, she bumps into Stephan Midwinter, who assures her that nobody from Elk Ridge cursed her and offers to help break the curse.
As Hayleigh and Stephan try to find the real culprit behind the curse, she learns to ask herself what kind of life she really wants. Was her old job really what she wants, and what is she willing to sacrifice to get it back>
Why Jackie loves it
I knew I would get my HEA with this book, but getting there was delightful. I love the nod to Baba Yaga and the other characters from Russian Folklore.
September 29, 2026
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman
Author: Deesha Philyaw
Year: September 29, 2026
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Scharisse Freeman never quite fit in after she married a man 15 years older than her who also happened to be the pastor of a mega church. Her old friends thought she had become too holy and the church members thought her not holy emough.
On her 40th birthday, she is finally invited to participate in the First Lady USA pageant. These first ladies are the pastors’ wives, but are actually just religious mean girls. When a scandal breaks with Schar at the center, her curated life implodes all around her, and secrets from her childhood are revealed.
Trigger Warnings
Rape, Religious bigotry
Why Kirsten loves it
I wanted to be Shar’s friend after reading this book. It started as an over-the-top, Real Housewives-esque novel about a beauty pageant, filled with silly antics and so many fashion looks, but it ended up covering some incredibly serious topics, including the hypocrisy in the church, the rape of a minor, the shame around AIDS, and more.
Shar kept her shrew and fun personality through it all, addressing the various scandals, lies, and backstabbing in a way that had me gasping and cheering in equal measure. I loved this debut and can’t wait for more from this author! Gifted by Mariner Books and HarperAudio
Find this book in: Novels About Fashion / Hawaii Novels
The Weight of Angels
Author: Historical Fiction
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s Life
Plot
When Oscar Wilde received a card with the words “For Oscar Wilde, posing somdomite”, he sued the Marquess of Queensbury for libel. The result was that he was arrested and sent to prison. In this fall 2026 book release, Boyne reimagines what Wilde’s life would have looked like if he had simply ignored the insult. What would his life have looked like?
Mestra: A Short Story
Author: Madeline Miller
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Genre: Mythology
More info: #1 New York Times bestselling author
Plot
Mestra, the daughter of King Thessaly, is granted the ability to transform into any being she can imagine by Poseidon. Her father is cursed with insatiable hunger. She wants to help her father, but how much will he take from her? She has to decide if she will keep helping him survive or break free.
The Vanishing Family
Author: Robert Kolker
Year: 2026
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Valley Road, Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick for November 2026
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Robert Kolker is the author of Hidden Valley Road, which was the story of one family and schizophrenia. In this book, Kolker looks at one family and their fight against frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The family has a genetic mutation in which there’s a 50-50 chance the children will have this form of dementia as well.
Barb, the youngest of the nine children, watched as her mother became someone she didn’t know in her 40s. Slowly, four of her siblings began to change too. Interspersed throughout the story is a look at the science behind trying to find a cure for dementia, done with Kolker’s captivating writing style.
Trigger Warnings
Dementia, Alcoholism, Cancer
Why Kirsten loves it
I couldn’t stop reading this story. Barb, Jenny, Sue, and the rest of the siblings felt like people I knew from my own neighborhood, and their story brought up so many questions about the impact of dementia on one’s family and self. I can’t wait to talk more deeply about this one with our book club and Bob. It should be a fascinating discussion. Gifted by Doubleday.
Find this book in: Best Nonfiction Books of 2026 / Math and Science Nonfiction Books
Trust Fall
Author: Lynn Painter
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Genre: YA Rom Com
More info: #1 New York Times bestselling author
Plot
When Julia’s next-door neighbor passes away, she learns he is a secret multimillionaire who has left everything to her and her family. Soon after, Julia moves to New York City to attend an elite private school. But what should be an amazing opportunity turns into a nightmare when Julia doesn’t fit in and is failing her classes. Damion says that he will tutor her, but he has an ulterior motive. His great uncle was the man who left everything to Julia, and he is determined to figure out why. As they get to know each other, they start to see past their differences, and sparks fly.
The Twelve Loves of Christmas
Author: Alexandria Bellefleur, Elise Bryant, and more
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Genre: Advent Romance Short Story Collection
More info: Twelve Holiday Love Stories
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is a Christmas advent calendar, and it should be on everyone’s list for the holiday. There are twelve SEALED love stories from favorite authors like Sarah Hogle. There is a forced proximity, a few second-chance romances, and more.
Why Kirsten likes it
I think these advent books are just the smartest thing! A story every day leading up to Christmas? GENIUS. The representation within each story was lovely. Some end in a kiss, some are quite steamy. There are all kinds of love stories represented, and while I liked some stories more than others, the collection as a whole is dreamy. Thanks to Atria for my review copy!
Snowed Inn
Author: Valerie Bowman
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Genre: Holiday Romance
More info: Honeycrips Orchard Romance #2
Plot
When publicist Maria is snowed into the Honeycrisp Orchard Inn over the holidays, the last thing she wants is her nemesis, Jesse, to be stuck there with her. But with the holidays around the corner and small town festivities all around, Maria might find hot chocolate, snow drifts, and romance where she least expects it.
Fall 2026 Book Releases: October 2026
October 6, 2026
Bad Words
Author: Rioghnach Robinson
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: Debut, Romance Books About Books, January 2027 Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Parker’s debut novel was supposed to be the book of the decade. He even earned a 7-figure advance. But when Selina Chen, a renowned book reviewer, trashed the book, it became the flop of the decade.
When he publishes his sophomore novel, Selina reviews it again. However, this time, when she bashes it, it starts a literary feud unseen in the industry. The debate begins between writers, reviewers, publishers and fans: What is fair game in a review and what is too personal?
When Parker and Selina start to chat privately, outside the public sparring matches, they begin to see a different side of each other.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved the way this story developed. The conversation about what a review is, and what people should be writing in a review- love it or hate it. This novel is beautifully written by someone who clearly loves the power of the written word. I cannot wait to discuss this book with everyone.
Find this book in: Fiction Books about Writers / Novels About Publishing / Best Romance Books of 2026
Every Story is a Love Story
Author: Imbolo Mbue
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author and Oprah Book Club author of Behold the Dreamers
Plot
Three years ago, Wolo’s pregnant wife died in a car accident just before finishing her Ph.D program. He has been trying to rebuild a life after the insurmountable grief when he receives a letter from Victoria, the woman who was driving the other car. Despite protests from his friends, family, and pastor, he reads the letter and agrees to meet with her. When he realizes how much the accident affected her life as well, he begins to wonder if there is a chance at healing if they do it together. This looks like a book Oprah might choose for her book club. It will be beautifully written and there will be much to discuss.
Partita
Author: Barbara Kingsolver
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre:
More info: Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Demon Copperhead
Plot
This is a dual timeline story that follows Livia from her past as a music conservatory student to the present, in which she is married and living on the farm she grew up on. When she receives a phone call from an old lover from her conservatory days, it shakes up everything in her life. She has to decide if she is going to meet with the man from her past who broke her heart and altered the course of her life.
Life Out of Order
Author: Audrey Niffenegger
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Magical Realism
More info: The Time Traveler’s Wife #2
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Alba DeTamble was born with the same Chrono-Displacement disorder as her father, Henry. She involuntarily travels through time, without control over where and when she will go. Alba is a talented violinist who tried to maintain a normal life. She has Zach, the one she can always count on, and Oliver, a fellow time traveler. Alba also has a stepsister named Isadora, who becomes important in Alba’s life, if only for the danger she may represent.
Jackie’s Thoughts
This book has an entirely different vibe than The Time Traveler’s Wife. It is much more of a dystopian novel than the charming love story of the first book. I love the way Alba is able to time travel back to the 30s, as well as into the future as well. The story jumped around a lot, with multiple Albas in many parts of the story. I found it took me out of the story when I was trying to figure out which was the Alba of the present and which Alba was chronodisplaced.
What Happens at Nightfall
Author: Lauren Willig
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Gothic Romance
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Plot
Jess is separated from a nighttime cemetery tour and finds a group of strange boys and an ancient key instead of the tour group. She also finds Gree-Wood arborist, Adam. He has been recently widowed, and his children have been acting strangely. It seems there is a haunting, and Jess knows more than she is saying. Jess and Adam uncover the cemetery’s history, which includes a Gilded Age curse, a ghostly socialite, and a demonic pack that goes back for generations. Jess will have to confront her connection with the past if she wants to live happily ever after.
The Pools
Author: E. Lockhart
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: New York Times bestselling author of the We Were Liars series
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
Lexie is the new girl in high school in a small town. She moved in with her aunt, along with her mother and sister, after her mother is unable to properly take care of the two girls. She immediately connects with Chester, the town golden boy. She will not talk about her past life, and he has secrets of his own.
The town has an urban legend about the hot springs on the outside of town. One winter morning, five people go for a swim in the pools and their lives are changed forever.
Trigger Warnings
Depression
Why Jackie likes it
This book is not what I was expecting, but I found it strange and delightful. It feels like a modern fairy Tale.
Find this book in: Fairy Tale Retellings for Adults
Wondrous
Author: Heather Fawcett
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: YA Sequel to Alice in Wonderland
Plot
Timed with the 75th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, this is the story of teenage Alice taking another trip down the rabbit hole. Once down there, Alice meets another girl who claims she is the true Alice. When the Queen of Hearts captures them both, they realize there have been many Alices in Wonderland.
Wonderland has been invaded by dragons and whoever can stop them will be named “The Alice” while the reast will be exhiled, never to return. Alice sets out on a quest to become the one and meets a boy who has a connection to the jabberwocks. Will be be the true Alice or just a supporting character for someone else’s story?
Counting Down to You
Author: Emily Stone
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Christmas Romance
More info: Bestselling author of Always, in December
Plot
Ali is grieving the loss of her best friend this Christmas. The two had a tradition of exchanging advent calendars every December. This year, before Robyn died, she gave Alione last calendar. It starts with a seasonal job at a ski lodge. They always planned on visiting together. A challenge leads to her fake dating a man named Leo, who has also experienced loss.
Mistletoe All the Way
Author: Lauren Blakely
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Holiday Romance
More info: Bestselling Author
Plot
Noah Lennox avoids cheerful people, his hometown, and Christmas. When his grandfather announces he’s retiring and is handing down his sleigh ride Farm to Noa or his cousin Stephan, he has to go home to Feith for the Farm that means everything to him. The only problem is that the town isn’t exactly welcoming to him because of his Scrooge behavior. He needs the help of Eloise, a tourism bureau, hopeful. The two may be able to help each other.
October 13, 2026
The Mother-in-Law Book Club
Author: Kate Hash
Release Date: October 13, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Perfect for our list of Books About Book Clubs
Plot
Andi is a consultant who will be living in Durham for the next little while. She is soon to be divorced and gets into an argument on the plane about the impossible expectations of mothers-in-law. When the 70-something-year-old invites her to a book club, andi says yes. Soon, Andi is giving the book club suggestions on how to repair their relationships with their grown children.
Andi loves her job, her new friends in the book club, and the new romance she has with a college professor. But when her past comes through her front door, she has to decide what her future holds.
Peck & Peck
Author: Bonnie Garmus
Release Date: October 13, 2027
Genre: Fiction
More info: Bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry
Plot
Batter Grey has been hired by Peck & Peck, a poetry journal in NYC. He is an identical twin who lost his brother at birth. He understands duality and knows there is more than one side to every story. This October 2026 book release is the sophomore novel of Bonnie Garmus.
The Museum of Modern Love
Author: Mariko Turk
Year: 2026
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Miki has concocted a plan to reveal to her crush that she’s interested in him by taking him on an evening tour of the Met – following the same path of art that was in her grandparents’ origin story. But Miki’s plans go awry when she’s stuck touring her ex through the museum at night instead.
Why Kirsten loves it
This was such a fun listen with a cute romantic element as well. I enjoyed hearing about the art and the love story behind Miki’s plan. The Met is a favorite museum of mine, so it was fun to explore it through someone else’s eyes. Gifted by MacMillan Audio
Find this book in: Novels About Art / Books Set in Museums / Best YA Romance Books
Samantha: The Next Chapter
Author: Fiona Davis
Release Date: October 13, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestselling Author of Lions of Fifth Avenue
Plot
This fall 2026 book release is about American Girl Samantha Parkington, who is 25 years old. She is a suffragette who is trying to get women to vote. When he childhood home, Mount Bedford, is stolen from her family in a scheme, she loses everything overnight. Now a shopgirl, she is looking for the clues to help her family get their legacy back, even if it means infiltrating a criminal family!
Please Enjoy Your Stay
Author: Tara Goedjen
Release Date: October 13, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: Perfect for our list of Thrillers and Mysteries Set in Hotels
Plot
Mia’s cousin was murdered during their stay in a Castle in the Austrian Alps. Mia was a witness, and her testimony put the killer in jail. However, her aunt, who was a controversial true crime author, was rumored by the media to be involved in the murder. Now, it is a decade later, and the murder case is being appealed. Mia is desperate for answers, so she returns to Austria, where the castle has been redone to be a luxury hotel. She gets a job as a nanny at the hotel to get answers, but soon realizes she may have accused the wrong person.
Look What the Cat Dragged In
Author: Jason Rekulak
Release Date: October 13, 2026
Genre: Thriller Horror
More info: New York Times Bestselling author of Hidden Pictures and The Last One at the Wedding
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Penny is a twenty-seven-year-old cartoonist in Philadelphia who loves cats. She agrees to pet-sit Godfrey in her home. He seems to be an affectionate cat who follows Penny around the house and sleeps next to her at night.
But soon, strange things start happening. Penny is troubled with terrible nightmares; there was an insect invasion in her basement, and her cartoons are becoming dark – and she doesn’t remember drawing them. When her health starts failing, she begins to think Godfrey may not be a normal cat.
Trigger Warnings
Gore
Kirsten’s Thoughts
This started great. As usual, I was fully invested in Jason’s writing as well as the hunt for Popcorn the cat during a blizzard. But then things took a turn for the creepy and then the gory, and I realized this might not be the story for me. I persevered through the gore because I was so invested in Penny, Godfrey, and Popcorn, but I could have done without the eyeball popping and nasty cat food descriptions.
So if you are like me and love Jason’s writing but you have a weak stomach, pass. If graphic descriptions don’t bother you, dive into this thoroughly unique story. Gifted by MacMillan Audio.
Find this book in: Thriller Horror Books / Halloween Thriller Books / Nonfiction & Fiction Books About Cults
An American Girl: How a Billion-Dollar Doll and Its Unlikely Founder Changed Girlhood Forever
Author: Amanda FitzSimons
Release Date: October 13, 2026
Genre: Nonfiction
More info:
Plot
This is the story of Pleasant Rowland, the founder of the American Girl indutry, a woman who changed girlhood for more than four decades. This book explores the creative process and the legacy of the creation. It touches on the debates over the historical accuracy and examines the brand’s relationship with race, class, and diversity.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder
Author: Ally Carter
Release Date: October 13, 2026
Genre: Christmas Mystery
More info:Stenciled edged paperback!
Plot
Ella Chambers didn’t kill Liam Montgomery. He is missing, but alive. She just has to prove it. But someone wants Liam dead and he needs to figure out who. Can these two childhood rivals (the grandson of a billionaire and the housekeeper’s daughter) trust each other to catch a killer?
Back Where We Started
Author: Becca Freeman
Year: 2026
Genre: Holiday Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Katie is a Hollywood actress, like she always dreamed she would be. She doesn’t go home to Dutch Ridge, PA, unless she has to because everything reminds her of her ex, Drew. When a promise to her sister forces Katie home for Christmas, she runs into Drew. She begins to wonder if the Hollywood life were everything she thought it would be. Will she get a second chance at love?
Why Kirsten likes it
I liked the dual-timeline way this was told; it was nice to see Drew and Katie’s past alongside their present. I struggled with two things while reading though. First, the story is cute as a celebrity second-chance romance, but it felt like the Christmas part was a total afterthought – almost as if someone insisted she put it in for marketing reasons. Second, I did not like the choices Katie made at the end regarding the town that treated her poorly in the past. #gifted by Penguin Books.
Find this book in: Celebrity Romance Books
Home for the Homicides
Author: Elle Cosimano and Hannah Morrissey
Year: October 13, 2026
Genre: Holiday Mystery
More info: Book 1 of The Holly and Mark Mystery Series
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Holly and Mark are both gunning for the same position in Major Crimes and are both on thin ice after making some mistakes. When they are paired together to solve a murder, it is their chance to redeem their reputations. They are headed to the small town of Christmas- yes, Christmas to solve a murder.
The town’s Jingle Bell Jubilee is in 12 days, and they need to solve the murder before then so the town festival can go on. However, after a drunken tryst at the holiday party, there is as much chance that they work together to solve the murder as there is of killing each other instead.
Trigger Warnings
murder
Why Jackie loves it
This book is a spicy, hilarious murder mystery perfect for the holidays. Holly and Mark made me laugh, and they could not be more different.
Find this book in: Christmas Mystery Books
October 20, 2026
Miss Wolcott’s Ghost
Author: Louise Penny
Release Date: October 20, 2026
Genre: Mystery
More info: Chief Inspector Gamache Book 21 or 21
Plot
I look forward to reading Louise Penny’s books as soon as they are released. She has become my favorite mystery writer. In this book, Gamache receives a phone call in the early morning saying, “There’s a body in Lost Nation”. Gamache does not know where Lost Nation is. And so begins the mystery that Gamache, Lacoste, Beauvoir, Reine Marie, and other villagers from Three Pines rush to solve before more bodies pile up. If you want to be reminded of the Characters from the previous Louise Penny book, you can check out my posts to remind you before release day.
Land of Ghosts
Author: EL James
Release Date: October 20, 2026
Genre: YA Romance
More info: Bestselling author of Fifty Shades of Grey
Plot
In this YA paranormal romance, the main character is living in London after losing her family. Life feels so heavy, until she meets a young man who is a ghost. Only she can see him and she begins to have feelings for him.
A Knight Before Christmas
Author: Cara Stout
Release Date: October 20
Genre: Holiday Romance
More info: Christmas Romance for 13+
Plot
A dating show leads to a real romance in this YA Christmas romance. Juliet agrees to help run a dating show. Garrick is fake royalty at his family’s fairtale theme park. When the two of them meet, sparks fly!
October 27, 2026
The Brightness
Author: Chad Harbach
Release Date: October 27, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: from the author of The Art of Fielding
Plot
This pick from the fall 2026 book releases is a story about Pella and her best friend Irma as they navigate life in their 20s. Pella just graduated and is engaged when her plans begin to spiral, and she finds herself living in NYC. Irma is involved in a school prank that goes wrong. This threatens her future. The two women navigate love and loss together.
Untitled (A Court of Thorns and Roses 6)
Author: Sara J. Maas
Release Date: October 27, 2026
Genre: Romantasy
More info: ACOTAR book 6 of 7
Plot
This is book six of seven in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. It is currently unnamed, and we are not sure what it will be about. If you want a reminder of the previous books in the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses Books in Order will remind you of the plot of each book before this release.
To Dream in Darkness
Author: Ann Liang
Release Date: October 27th, 2026
Genre: Historical Fantasy
More info: Bestselling Author of A Song to Drown Rivers
Plot
Death God has always collected souls on time until he goes to collect Rujia, the god of healing. She is also a god that he is fated to kill with his own hands. When she offers him a chance to lift a curse placed on him in exchange for one more month, he cannot refuse the offer. Rujia is trying to figure out a way to escape Death, but her plan causes the collapse of the Celestial Palace and the disappearance of the crown prince. Now, Death and Rujia must travel together across the realms to find the prince and return him safely.
The Seventh Ribbon
Author: Gus Krieger
Release Date: October 27, 2026
Genre: Speculative Fiction
More info: Perfect for readers of In Five Years, Debut
Plot
Caroline is mourning the loss of her husband in her oceanfront cottage. When she discovers a typewriter in the attic, she begins writing her story as a “what if “. She is shocked when it comes true. Caroline begins rewriting her story in which her husband never dies in a hit and run accident. But every wish has a cost and how far is she willing to go?
Eight Ways to Say I Love You
Author: Amanda Elliot
Release Date: October 27, 2026
Genre: Hanukkah Romance
More info: USA Today bestselling author
Plot
I cannot wait to read this pick from the fall 2026 book releases. This is a romance that follows Shira and Leo over eight years at Hanukkah. Their lives drift and come back together, but if the timing is right, they might be able to find love.
Christmas Trees and Weak Knees
Author: Katrina Emmel
Release Date: October 27, 2026
Genre: Holiday Romance
Plot
Music, and a Christmas tree farm come together in this holiday romance. Paisley is happy to work at her family’s Christmas tree farm. When Kash Murray shows up looking for inspiration after his band breaks up, sparks fly between them. Is love worth the risk of heartbreak?
Fall 2026 Book Releases: November 2026
November 3 2026
Plot
Paulette left her grandmother, who called her Sweet Pea and taught her about love and forgiveness, in St. Kitts when she moved to England. Now, twenty years later, she thought she would have it all- a home, a husband, and a child. When tragedy strikes, she is left with her son, Bird. When another child the same age as Bird appears and calls her Sweet Pea, she will find love and connection in unexpected places.
The Friday Bookshop
Author: Sawako Natori
Translator: Yui Kajita
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Perfect for Books about Bookstores
Plot
Fumiya is trying to find a book for his father and heads to the Friday Bookshop. He discovers that it not only includes a cafe, but an underground vault of books in a converted, abandoned subway platform. Fumiya learns about the joy of reading and finds that books can help people understand life.
Beyond the Bath of Stars
Author: Schneider K. Rancy
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: The Odyssey retelling
Plot
Eurick Ulysse is trapped by poverty and him imimgrant parents’ expectations. When he drags Ana Maria Cortez out of the water and saves her life, everything changes for him. She takes him into a world he has never known, which makes him desperate for an escape.
Whale Harbor
Author: Mary Beth Keane
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Books Set in Ireland
Plot
This pick from the fall 2026 book releases is inspired by the author’s own family history. In Ireland in the 1960’s a father has to make a choice for his eleven sons. One will go to England for work, and the second eldest goes to Montana to work on a cattle ranch. Rian begs to go to Montana as well. Mac agrees to bring him as soon as he’s old enough. But Rian goes missing, and the disappearance will follow the family for decades to come.
Defy the Dusk
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Book 1 of The Sundering Suet
Plot
This is the first book in a post-apocalyptic fantasy duology. Twenty years ago, Lirien unleashed her magic, which fractured the world and unleashed creatures that decimated humanity. The survivors were invited to board a high-speed ship that would deliver them to safety while the rest of humanity was left to die.
Since then, Lianne has used her magic on the ship while plotting a way to overthrow the tyrant who rules it. When she is abducted by the king of the feralists, she has to choose to live or die, fight or be fed to the creatures.
Queen of Foxes
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: November 10, 2026
Genre: Romantasy
More info: Robin Hood Inspired
Plot
A master thief must confront her power when she attempts to steal a world-changing relic. She must also evade the man trying to kill her for the relic’s return. This November 2026 book release has a stunning cover!
The Art of Organizing Thoughts: Slow Wisdom for a Fast World
Author: Shigehiko Toyama
Release Date: November 3, 2026
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: Translation of Japanese bestseller
Plot
We live in a world that is filled with AI. It is becoming increasingly clear that we are raising gliders rather than airplanes. This is a book that helps explain how to move forward from overload. I cannot wait to read this book from the November 2026 Book Releases/
November 10, 2026
Peregrine Hill
Author: Nina de Gramont
Release Date: November 10, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author of The Christie Affair (Reese Witherspoon Book Club Author)
Plot
Kirsten and I love a Gilded Age Book, so we cannot wait to read this pick from the November 2026 book releases. Isabelle Bishop has lost her husband and three of her children in a shipwreck. The only chance she has to save her family- now her daughter and mother- is to marry a wealthy man. But it is her daughter, Mariah, who captures the attention of John Whitten. He knows that Mariah had a romantic scandal and uses that as his bargaining chip to ensure Mariah marries him.
Now, Maria is in her husband’s home under his watchful eye. She finds an ally in her maid, and the two of them work together to try and claim some self-determination.
The Last Prince of Florence
Author: Zoe Sivak
Release Date: November 17, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Based on the life of Alessandro de’ Medici
Plot
This historical fiction pick from the fall 2026 book releases is based on the true story of Alessandro de’ Medici. Simonetta arrived at the Santo Spirito hospital with a bronze dagger strapped to her chest and refused the life of a nun or wife. Years later, Prince Lorenzo de Medici owes Simonetta his life after a brawl, and she makes her way into the Medici family. When she becomes pregnant with Alessandro, she is determined to put him on the throne.
Prudence Marsh is Not a Nobody Anymore
Author: Emily Krempholtz
Release Date: November 10, 2026
Genre: Cozy Fantasy Romance
More info: Author of Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore
Plot
Prudence March is determined to get out of her small town and become a famous bard. She is determined to be the violinist at the royal wedding. When Pru has a run-in with Callum and his thieves, they break her violin. She insists on traveling with them until they replace it. But the bandits have their eyes on a heist that will happen the same night as the wedding. She will have to choose between her old dreams and new possibilities. This book from the Movember 2026 book releases is perfect for my list of Novels About Thieves.
Plot
Annie Fagan is one of Ireland’s first female electronic DJs and producers, but spent her twenties playing at illegal raves all over Ireland. When he friend Sean disappeared without a trace, Annie stopped the raves forever.
When Sean’s body is found years later, it is clear that his death was not an accident. Moreover, it was caused by someone at the party- one of her friends. Now, Annie knows that the killer will stop at nothing to remain anonymous and stop anyone who gets too close to answers.
Murder of a Merry Gentleman
Author: Celeste Connally
Release Date: November 10, 2026
Genre: Holiday Mystery
More info: Lady Petra Inquires Book 4
Plot
Lady Petronesses of Almack is having a series of bachelor auction dances in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Over five nights, the families of unmarried ladies will bid for their daughter to be the evening’s hostess and Dance with five eligible bachelors, called the Merry Gentlemen as an ode to the season.
But after the first evening, one of the bachelors is found dead. Everyone thinks it is an accident until another of the bachelors nearly loses his life the next day. Petra must investigate from within by pretending to be one of the ladies. Can she find the killer before the killer finds her?
Bad Company
Author: Sara Paretsky
Release Date: November 10, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: International Bestselling Author
Plot
Lily Sedako is a septuagenarian living in Chicago who appears to be unexceptional in every way. But she is a former CIA field agent who spent her career in Central Asian countries. In 2002, she was removed from Hayalistan after there was a coup and the newly elected President was presumed dead.
When she finds an anonymous package with a magazine article with a picture of her in it, she knows somebody is trying to expose her more than two decades after her extraction. She is determined to find out who is behind this and what really happened in Hayalstan more than 20 years ago.
Revenge Plot
Author: Stephanie Wrobel
Release Date: November 10th
Genre: Thriller
More info: Mystery and Thriller Novels About Writers
Plot
Arnie has written the perfect book, and he is determined to get it into the hands of Claudia Connley. She rejected him once, and he has never forgiven her. He was never able to move on from the rejection. He finds out where Claudia is spending our holidays and makes the trip to the remote house in the Catskill Mountains. He is not going to take no for an answer this time.
Plot
I cannot wait to read this romance set in Venice from the fall 2026 book releases. Fen gets to go on a Venetian vacation with her grandmother, Disa. She does not know that Disa received a letter a few weeks ago with information about her dead husband. She wants answers.
Jamie is used to girls falling for him rather than his friend Leon. But what happens when the girl he wants only has eyes for his kind-hearted and less good-looking friend?
You, Me, and the Conspiracy
Author: Emma Barry
Release Date: November 10, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: Books About Secret Societies
Plot
In this romance from the fall 2026 book releases, two historians try to unmask a secret society. Jessica Wilson discovered a coded message, and she wants answers. She turns to Cal Morgan, a Harvard PhD student who was forced to leave graduate school after presenting theories about a secret revolutionary organization. Jessica thinks he might have been onto something, and the two of them set out to uncover secrets that want to stay hidden.
Take My Word for It: A Memoir
Author: LeVar Burton and Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
Release Date: November 10, 2026
Genre: Memoir
Plot
LeVar Burton shaped my childhood with Reading Rainbow and then Star Trek: The Next Generation. This is a memoir that celebrates his mother and his calling as a storyteller that defined a generation. This is at the top of my TBR!
The Sign of the Raven
Author: Pippa Dunn
Release Date: November 10, 2026
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
More info: Set in 19th-century London
Plot
I am so excited for this pick from the fall 2026 book releases. Ashlyn works as a government messenger during the day, but every night she escapes into lucid dreams in the Stream- a world of lucid dreaming that may be hiding secrets. One night, Ashlyn sees her long, dead mother in a dream. As she searches for answers, she joins a secret society of dreamers fighting to protect the stream from those who wish to manipulate people’s thoughts and seize control of London.
November 17, 2026
Tiger’s Mouth
Author: Lucy Tan
Release Date: November 17, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Friendship Books
Plot
Jack Chen has landed an internship at a tech giant and is prepared to fake it til he makes it. His officemate is Jack Owens, the son of the company’s billionaire founder. They connect immediately and admire each other for what they each do not have. But by the end of the summer, they cannot evade the lies they have been telling themselves and each other.
Peculiar Stars
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Release Date: November 17, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Plot
Callista and Darren have only just been engaged when a sailing trip goes horribly wrong and leaves Callista stranded on an island for 18 months. While she is there, she finds a strength she did not know she had and a love she didn’t know existed. She finds true love with Dominic. When they are found, everything has changed for them and the world has gone on without them.
Alma Vampires
Author: Elena Armas
Release Date: November 17, 2026
Genre: Romance
More info: Icarus University Series
Plot
This is the first book in a new paranormal romance series. Valle was an Ivy League scholarship student until she inherited a fortune from a mother she never met. An entire fashion empire, Alma, is now in her hands. She must enlist the help of Hadrian, a vampire who can provide her with the protection that she needs from those who would try to take Alma away from her.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most anticipated fall 2026 book releases?
There are so many books this season in our TBR stacks, we could not pick just the top 5. Here is a list of the books we cannot wait to read!
Under Story by Chloe Benjamin
Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon
Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman
Mother Daughter Sister Stranger by Hank Phillippi Ryan
The Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker
Every Story is a Love Story by Imbolo Mbue
Partita by Barbara Kingsolver
ACOTAR #6 by Sarah J. Maas
Miss Wolcott’s Ghost by Louise Penny
The Pools by E. Lockhart
Counting Down to You by Emily Stone
Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane
Sweet Pea by Kit de Waal
Party in the Woods by Fiona McPhillips
Epilogue
Did you find any fall 2026 book releases to add to your to-read list?
The Best New Release Books You Must Read in 2026
Are you looking for all the new book releases for 2026? We have them all in one place.
The Beyond The Bookends 2026 Reading Challenge
The Beyond the Bookends 2026 reading challenge is here. Join thousands of subscribers for your best year of reading yet!
