New Release Books You Must Read
Want to see our picks for the best new release books? We have them all right here. You will not want to miss a single page of these books! Sometimes it can be intimidating looking through dozens of books. That is why I have chosen only a handful of books from each month to give you a preview
Of course, there are so many amazing books that come out each month, but these new book releases are the ones that we have read or will be reading (so you can always find a review soon). We have done all the hard work for you!
Be sure to come back often as we will be updating the page as soon as we find books we cannot wait to get our hands on!
New Release Books 2025
New November Books
The Burning Library
Author: Gilly Macmillan
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: November 18, 2025
More info: Internationally bestselling author of The Nanny and What She Knew
Plot
I cannot wait to read this thriller book set in Scotland. Two rival organizations (The Order of St. Katherine and the Fellowship of the Larks) are trying to find a medieval manuscript, and a scrap of embroidery may be the key. When Dr. Anya Brown is picked to join the Institute of Manuscript Studies in St. Andrews, she does not know that her recruiter is a high-ranking member of the Fellowship and she is in danger.
Detective Cleo Spicer from Scotland Yard is investigating the death of Eleanor Bruton, a middle-aged woman who had been keeping a secret- the scrap of embroidery.
Like Family
Author: Erin O. White
Year: 2025
Genre: Fiction
More info: Debut Novel
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This debut novel is the story of the interconnected lives of three couples. Ruth and her wife, Wyn, are raising their four children on their farm, which has always been Wyn’s dream. But Ruth has a secret. Caroline is Ruth’s best friend, whose husband, Mike, donated sperm so his cousin, Tobi, and her wife could have kids, and now the kids have questions.
When Ruth’s oldest daughter finds out her unknown biological father has died, it sets off a series of events that impact all three families. Each set of families struggles with personal problems that are interwined in surprising ways.
Why Kirsten likes it
At times, the plot felt like it contained too many people to keep track of, but the various struggles from each family were moving and personal. I also deeply respected the queer family representation. I can’t think of many family dramas that revolve around issues unique to queer families, like sperm donors, top surgery, finding inclusive schools, and other marital struggles.
Despite the struggles each family was overcoming, it was wonderful to see the relationships handled in a healthy, accepting way. It didn’t all get wrapped up in a bow either, there were messy complicated decisions that made the story all the more real. #gifted by PRHAudio
Find this book in: Family Drama Books
Plot
Kirsten and I love Jamie Brenner’s book and are so excited for this November 2025 book release. Maggie and her daughter, Piper, are so excited to head to New Hope, Pennsylvania, for a knitting retreat. When they arrive, they find a loud bachelor party. Maggie suggests a battle of their crafts that sparks a friendly rivalry. However, there are also some old secrets and mistakes that threaten Maggie and Piper’s relationship.
Plot
Chloe is not excited for her ten-year college reunion. She was voted most likely to succeed, and yet, she hates her job, lives with her parents, and just had a break-up. She decides to use a dating service so she shows up to the reunion in style (and to save herself the embarrassment of facing the guy who got away).
When she meets Rob, she questions what she thought she wanted and may finally be able to move forward.
Making Mary Poppins: The Sherman Brothers, Walt Disney, and the Creation of the Classic Film
Author: Todd James Pierce
Genre: Nonfiction
Release Date: November 11, 2025
Age Range: 12+
Plot
Mary Poppins is a Disney movie that still resonates today. This is the book that tells the story of how brothers, Robert and Richard Sherman, came to Disney studios to write the music for Mary Poppins.
The book delves a little bit into the childhood of Bob and Dick Sherman, and weaves the story of how the incredible masterpiece of Mary Poppins came to be. The brothers worked closely with Disney and Traverse, navigating hurdles before the movie was made.
Why Jackie loves it
I had no idea that the Sherman brothers were the artists behind so many of the musical masterpieces from Disney that I loved as a child and still love to this day. “Let’s Get Together” from The Parent Trap is just one example. This book was so easy to read, I breezed through it. There was so much information, but it never felt like too much. I could not read this book fast enough.
Find this book in: Pop Culture Nonfiction Books
New December Books
Ain’t Nobody’s Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton
Author: Martha Ackmann
Genre: Biography
Release Date: December 30, 2025
Plot
This biography dives deep into the life of Dolly Parton. She is a singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist who came from poverty as a child. Dolly is an amazing woman and I cannot wait to read this book from the December 2025 book releases.
Before I Forget
Author: Tory Henwood Hoen
Genre: Fiction
Release Date: December 2, 2025
More info: Coming of Age Story
Plot
Cricket is stuck and unhappy with her life. So when he father is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she decides to head home to become his caretaker. She hopes that she will be able to repair their relationship. As her father’s memories fade, he gains the ability to predict the future. But, Cricket is now the one to face the past. She realizes that she cannot move forward without facing her history.
We Who Will Die
Author: Stacia Stark
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: December 30, 2025
More info: Empire of Blood #1, Deluxe limited edition
Plot
This is a slow-burn romantasy set in a Roman-inspired world that is ruled by vampires. Need I say more? Arvelle has been forced to make a vow to kill the emperor, an ancient vampire. To do that, she must enter the Sundering, an area where the best are chosen to be in the emperor’s guard. This is a pick from the December 2025 book releases I cannot wait to read.
Friends and Liars
Author: Kit Frick
Genre: Thriller
Release Date: December 2, 2025
More info: New Year’s Eve Book
Plot
Clare Monroe died on New Year’s Eve five years ago as a result of a horrible accident at her parents’ Italian palazzo. But Clare’s closest friends, Luca, Harper, Sirina, and David, are responsible for her death. When the friends are invited to a memorial at the estate, they cannot refuse. But as soon as they arrive, it is clear someone knows what they did and wants to make them pay.
The Mating Game
Author: Lana Ferguson
Genre: Romance
Release Date: December 2, 2025
More info: Steamy
Plot
Tess Covington is a contractor determined to complete the renovation job in Denver. When she winds up in the hospital with flu-like symptoms, she is shocked to discover she is a wolf shifter. Alpha wolf, Hunter is determined to stay away from female wolves after he has his heart broken. So when he comes home and smells a wolf in his lodge, he knows it will make things more difficult. Can these two navigate their time together without falling for each other?
Something Wicked
Author: Falon Ballard
Genre: Romantasy
Release Date: December 2, 2025
More info: Steamy Romantasy
Plot
Avon has overthrown the monarchy and will hold its first presidential election. To be a candidate, a person must kill the former monarch of their province. Callen is determined to be president. All he has to do is murder the former king, his father. In order to alleviate his guilt, he needs to find Lady Caterine, a courtesan with a gift. She can manipulate the emotions of anyone in her presence if they have an orgasm. Can the two of them work together or will they betray each other to get what they want?
New Release Books 2026
New January Books
Dandelion is Dead
Author: Rosie Storey
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Genre: Fiction
More info: Debut Author
Plot
Poppy makes a split second decision to respond to a stranger on her late sister’s dating app. She chooses to meet him on what would have been Dandelion’s 40th birthday and tell Jake the truth. But when they meet, the connection is palpable. Poppy becomes stuck living a double life and will have to decide if she can risk telling Jake the truth or keep her sister’s memory alive. This book is on my TBR.
Meet the Newmans
Author: Jennifer Niven
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: For fans of Lessons in Chemistry
Plot
The Newmans, Del, Dinah, and their sons, have been America’s Favorite Family on television for two decades. By 1964, the ratings were dropping, and the picture-perfect family seemed to be out of touch with real family life. When Del is in a car accident, Dinah has to hire someone to help write the final episode. Juliet is young and full of ideas that are very different from what Dinah envisions. Will the Newmans be able to change TV history, or will they be canceled before they have a chance?
The Charmed Library
Author: Jennifer Moorman
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Genre: Magical Realism
More info: USA Today bestselling author
Plot
Stella works in a library in Blue Sky Valley, North Carolina, where she feels frustrated, overqualified for the job, and in emotional turmoil over the loss of her father. She hasn’t yet noticed that in this library, the fictional characters jump off the page and into the real world.
When she burns her journal, everything changes. Words begin to appear to her, and she bumps into Jack Mathis, a fictional character who also happens to be Stella’s first book crush. When Stella realizes Jack only has a limited time out of his book, she will have to figure out what the words are telling her before it’s too late.
The Water Lies
Author: Amy Myerson
Release Date: January 1, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: International bestselling author of The Book of Yesterdays
Plot
Tessa is pregnant with her second child when her son starts having a meltdown in a coffee shop, calling to a woman Tessa has never seen before. When that same woman is found dead the next day outside of Tessa’s Venice Beach home, Tessa does not think this is a mere coincidence. Barb Geller does not believe that her daughter’s death was an accident. Now the two mothers work together to find answers.
My Husband’s Wife
Author: Alice Feeney
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Plot
I love Alive Feeny’s books, so I cannot wait to read this pick from the January 2026 book releases. Eden Fox comes home to Spyglass from a run to find that the key to her house doesn’t fit in the lock. When a woman who looks like her answers the door, her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.
Six months earlier, Birdy inherited Spyglass from a long-lost grandmother. She finds a clinic that can predict anyone’s date of death. Secrets begin to spill, and Birdy wants to right some past wrongdoings.
The Elsewhere Express
Author: Samantha Sotto Yambao
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Genre: Romance magical realism
More info: Deluxe edition from the Nationally bestselling author of Water Moon
Plot
I can’t wait to read this book from the January 2026 book releases. Raya is a lost soul who dreamed of becoming a songwriter until her brother died. Since then, she has been living out his dreams. One day, she finds herself on the Elsewhere Express, a special train that carries a sense of purpose and peace. There, she meets Q, someone who also lost his purpose. They will travel through the train cars together to find their true purpose.
Nothing Random: Bennet Cerf and the Publishing House He Built
Author: Gayle Feldman
Release Date: January 13, 2026
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: The Ultimate Book About Publishing
Plot
This is the amazing true story of Bennet Cerf, the founder of Random House. He signed some of the greatest writers of all time and made Random House into an institution in the publishing world. This is a must-read book from the January 2026 book releases.
Beth is Dead
Author: Katie Bernet
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Genre: YA Thriller
More info: Retelling of Little Women
Plot
This is a retelling of Little Women from the January 2026 book releases. When Beth March is found dead, the sisters vow to find her killer. But as they search for who could do such a thing, they realize that there is more than one person who would benefit from her death, including each one of the March girls. Beth’s story is told in flashbacks next to Meg, Jo, and Amy.
New February Books
Plot
Tilly is trying to navigate life without her husband Joe, who died five months ago. When she gets a call from a local bookstore saying a birthday gift from her husband is waiting for her, she is shocked. Alfie, the owner of the bookshop, explains that her husband left her a year’s worth of books. He carefully chose one book a month to help her navigate the first year without him and included a note with each one.
The Fourth Princess
Author: Jamie Chang
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestselling Author
Plot
A gothic novel set in old Shanghai? Sign me up! It’s 1911 and Lisan Liu is the newly hired secretary for wealthy American, Caroline. She’s moved into Lennox Estate, which will be Caroline and her husband, Tom’s, new home. But the estate holds dark secrets, and both women soon get caught up in its deadly history.
The Red Winter
Author: Cameron Sullivan
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Deluxe Edition
Plot
I keep hearing about this debut fantasy everywhere, and with a huge first-run printing as part of a two-book deal, I knew I had to read this book. It is a twist on history! In 1785, the beast of Gévaudan has returned to the French countryside. Professor Sebastian Grave, a monster slayer, knows the beast and its bloody history.
The centuries-old Professor has his own inner demon, literally, named Sarmodal, and yet, the beast nearly cost him his life. Now the beast is leading the continent into war.
Cameron reimagines European history from Rome to Joan of Arc and the French Revolution.
Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter
Author: Heather Fawcett
Release Date: February 17, 2026
Genre: Fantasy
More info: Bestselling Author of the Emily Wilde series
Plot
If you have been following the blog for a while, you know that I love Heather Fawcett. I am so excited to read this book about a cat rescue in Montréal in the 1920s and the magician who helps save the shelter. Many of you may know that I was born in Montreal and my son is living there. But add in some magic and cats and I am sold on this cozy fantasy book.
How to Get Away With Murder
Author: Rebecca Philipson
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: Debut Novel
Plot
Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen has been on leave from Scotland Yard for six months. When a 14-year-old is murdered, she knows it’s time to return to work and find the killer. The only clue leads to a self-help book in the victim’s backpack called “How to Get Away With Murder” by a man named Denver Brady. He claims that he is the most successful serial killer of all time. Each chapter in his book describes his perfect murders. Sam knows she needs to find him before someone else dies.
Little One
Author: Olivia Muenter
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Genre: Thriller
More info: Bestselling author of Such A Bad Influence
Plot
Catharine grew up on the farm she loves, surrounded by her family, with her charismatic dad as the center of her universe. But when her community-focused farm turns into something more sinister, Catharine is forced to leave the home she loves. Now, she’s getting questions from a reporter asking if she knew about her former home turning into a cult – can Catharine go back to get answers and rescue the sister she left behind?
Super Nintendo: The Game-Changing Company That Unlocked the Power of Play
Author: Keza MacDonald
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Genre: Nonfiction
Plot
Nintendo, the video-gaming company, was the cornerstone of many a childhood. This book dives into the history of Nintendo, game by game, as it looks at where the company started and where it’s going in the future.
Expert Reading Tip
- Looking through a big list can be difficult so I narrowed down the choices to my top picks every month.
- Look for books that are in genres you love to read to help decide which new release books to add to your TBR
- Do you have an author you love? Check to see if they have new books coming out and add those to your TBR
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Epilogue
I hope I have narrowed down some choices to help you pick your next book. Are there new book releases that you are interested in reading? Let us know and we can give you more info!
