Hello book lovers! A new year is here, and you know what that means- new books are just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to dive into fresh releases from your favorite authors or discover some talented new writers. If you’re a fan of character-driven stories that pull you in, thrilling psychological twists, heartwarming romances, or thought-provoking women’s fiction, keep an eye out for these gems.
”That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.”
— F. Scott Fitzgerald
We pulled together the best new books of 2026, so you don’t have to dig for the releases everyone’s talking about. Here are the standout new releases by month.
May 2026 Book Releases
May leans into thoughtful, character-driven stories with a few lighter picks mixed in, making it a great month to find your next book club read.
The Midnight Train by Matt Haig
A reflective, thought-provoking story that blends emotion with a touch of wonder.
Viking| May 26, 2026 | 304 pages | ISBN-978-0593833377 | Science Fiction
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
A quiet, deeply observant novel about relationships, communication, and what’s left unsaid.
Random House | May 5, 2026 | 224 pages | ISBN-13:79-8217154746 | Fiction
Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel
A warm, imaginative story that mixes humor with deeper questions about identity and belonging.
Henry Holt and Co. | May 5, 2026 | 304 pages | ISBN-13:1250423771 | Fiction
Coyoteland by Vanessa Hua
A vivid, immersive story that explores culture, place, and the search for home.
Flatiron Books | May 12, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN-13:78-1250395511 | Fiction
Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey
A breezy, feel-good read with heart, perfect if you’re in the mood for something lighter.
Gallery Books | May 5, 2026 | 384 pages | ISBN-13:978-1668074909 | Women’s Fiction
Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister
A gripping, fast-paced thriller that hooks you early and doesn’t let go.
William Morrow | May 5, 2026 | 52 pages | ISBN-13:978-0063338470 | Thriller
The Shippers by Katherine Center
A heartfelt, uplifting story with strong characters and just the right amount of romance.
St. Martin’s Press | May 19, 2026 | 36 pages | ISBN-13:978-1250408051 | Women’s Fiction
April 2026 New Book Releases
A strong mix this month, with page-turning suspense, heartfelt historical fiction, and a few standout picks, book clubs will have a lot to talk about.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
A woman is pulled into the past and forced to face a life very different from her own. It’s emotional, and thought-provoking.
Berkley | Mar 3, 2026 | 320 pages | ISBN-13:978-0593952993 | Mystery
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth
Centered on a bold, unpredictable woman, this story mixes family tension and secrets, with a touch of mystery.
St. Martin’s Press | Apr 21, 2025 | 352 pages | ISBN-13:978-1250284549 | Mystery
The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer
A magical story about books, second chances, and finding your place with a touch of whimsy.
Ballantine Books | Apr 07, 2026 | 320 pages | ISBN-13:978-0593983584 | Fantasy
Love by the Book by Jessica George
A heartfelt story about relationships and figuring out what love really means. It’s warm and very relatable.
St. Martin’s Press | Apr 7, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN-13:978-250282545 | Women’s Fiction
Go Gentle by Maria Semple
A sharp, slightly offbeat look at family and life’s unexpected turns, blending humor with deeper emotional moments.
G.P. Putnam’s Sons | Apr 14,2026 | 384 pages | ISBN-13:979-8217176632 | Women’s Fiction
The Mountains We Call Home by Kim Michele Richardson
Set in a close-knit Appalachian community, this story explores resilience, hardship, and the strength of women.
Sourcebooks Landmark | Apr 21, 2026 | 384 pages | ISBN-13:978-1464239335 | Women’s Fiction
March 2026 New Book Releases
March leans into emotional storytelling and big conversation starters, with a mix of romance, historical fiction, and a few darker, twisty reads.
The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives by Elizabeth Arnott
This story explores wives facing the truth about their husbands, focusing on their emotional struggles.
Berkley | Mar 3, 2026 | 320 pages | ISBN-13: 978-0593952993 | Mystery
Served Him Right by Lisa Unger
A smart and twisty story about revenge and justice: Expect tension and morally gray choices.
Park Row | Mar 10, 2026 | 384 pages | ISBN: 978-0778360056 | Psychological Thriller
How to Write a Love Story by Catherine Walsh
A warm, charming story about two writers forced to work together-and maybe rewrite their own love lives.
Dutton | Mar 10, 2026 | 352 pages | SBN-13 : 979-8217043781 |Rom-com
The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez
A story about love and moments that change everything: it explores how one night can stay with you.
Dutton | Mar 10, 2026 | 352 pages | ISBN-13 : 979-8217043781 | Rom-com
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
A complex take on a familiar villain. This story gives depth and backstory to Lady Tremaine.
St. Martin’s Press | Mar 3, 2026 | 352 pages | SBN-13: 978-1250396341 | Women’s Fiction
Once and Again by Rebecca Serle
A woman can revisit her past to possibly change it, focusing on what truly matters.
Atria Books | Mar 10, 2026 | 256 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-1668025918 | Women’s Fiction
This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
A story about starting over and finding connection in unexpected places: discovering memorable moments.
Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar | Mar 10, 2026 | 368 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-1250395238 | Mystery
Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict
A look at a woman navigating ambition and survival in ancient Egypt. Great if you love bold female leads.
St. Martin’s Press. | Mar 24, 2026 | 352 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-1250280732 | Historical Fiction
The It Girl by Allison Pataki
This story takes you into a world of fame while exploring the ups and downs of life in the spotlight.
Ballantine Books | Mar 10, 2026 | 416 pages | ISBN-13 : 978-0593873410 | Literary Fiction
The Beheading Game by Rebecca Lehmann
Dark, sharp, and a little unsettling, this story digs into obsession and control. Not light, but very compelling.
Crown | Mar 24, 2026 | 320 pages | ISBN-13: 979-8217086481 | Historical Fiction
February 2026 New Book Releases
February leans into emotional, character-driven stories, with a mix of literary fiction, suspense, and a few picks that feel tailor-made for book club discussions.
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn
A young girl discovers a secret door in a library that leads her into her favorite book and into a new life.
William Morrow | Feb 17, 2026 | 304 pages | ISBN-13: 978-0063244788 | Magical Realism
Kin by Tayari Jones
This story follows two young black girls in the South as they face struggles and seek friendship while dealing with the loss of their mother.
Knopf | Feb 24, 2026 | 368 pages | ISBN-13:978-0525659181 | Literary Fiction
Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
This emotional novel spans different timelines and explores themes of found family, race, and identity.
37 Ink | Feb 10, 2026 | 464 pages | ISBN-13:978-1668069912 | Historical Fiction
The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods
A lost violin at an airport becomes the center of a magical realism story, with three characters seeking to uncover its mysterious origins.
HarperCollins | Feb 24, 2026 | 416 pages | ISBN-13: 978-0008777678 | Magical Realism
This is Not About Us Allegra Goodman
This family drama follows a Jewish family coping with the death of a sister, with the two surviving sisters becoming estranged.
The Dial Press | Feb 10, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN-13: 978-0593447840 | Contemporary Fiction
It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica
This twisty thriller takes place while a family is on vacation at a lakeside resort, where a brutal murder takes place.
Park Row | Feb 3, 2026 | 352 pages | ISBN-13:978-0778387992 | Thriller
January 2026 New Releases
January kicks off the year with a strong mix of suspense, relationship drama, and a few buzzy picks that are easy to get pulled into.
Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
Dark secrets and revenge surface when a self-help columnist, “Dear Debbie,” life begin to fall apart.
Poisoned Pen Press | Jan 27, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN13: 978-1464264832 | Thriller
The Seven Daughters of Dupree
This sweeping family drama spans seven generations of women and explores family bonds, trauma, and resilience.
Gallery/Scout Press | Jan 27, 2026 | 336 pages | ISBN-13: 978-1668051948 | Women’s Fiction
My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
A woman returns home and discovers another woman living her life posing as her husband’s wife. A twisty, fast-paced story.
Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar | Jan 20, 2026 | 320 pages | ISBN-13: 978-1250337818 | Thriller
The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave
This is the second book in the Hannah Hall series; the first was The Last Time I Saw Him, which is an Apple TV series. The story begins in this action-packed thriller when Owen resurfaces.
Scribner | Jan 6, 2026 | 288 pages | ISBN-13:978-1668002964 | Thriller
The Storm by Rachel Hawkins
Deadly hurricanes, murder, secrets and lies abound in this Southern Gothic story set in St. Medard’s Bay, Alabama.
St. Martin’s Press | Jan 6, 2026 | 288 pages | ISBN-13: 978-1250341884 | Thriller
Woman Down by Colleen Hoover
A struggling author attempts to revive her career, but complicates matters by starting a relationship with a police officer involved in a local case.
Montlake | Jan 13, 2026 | 315 pages | ISBN-13:978-1662539374 | Thriller
Happy reading,
Andrea + Linda
