98 New Books You Need to Add to Your Reading List This Year

Referencing real-life historical figures, Zadie Smith's "The Fraud" challenges the conceptions of authenticity and truth when a man presumed to be dead returns, or so he claims. It is Eliza Touchet's ability to be observant that has helped her in her 30 years as housekeeper to her cousin William Ainsworth. It is how she knows that when a man claiming to be English aristocrat Roger Tichborne, who everyone believed to be deceased, is someone to watch closely. Andrew Bogle, a Jamaican man who backs Tichborne's story, also intrigues Eliza, but for a different reason. Rather than playing the political and social games of London society, Andrew seems to be different from everyone else . . . or is he? It's anyone's guess what is fact and what is fiction, and for those who don't know of the case's real-life conclusion (and even those who do), Smith's novel offers a powerful novel on conceptions of truth.

Release date: Sept. 5

Victoria Lee makes her adult debut with "A Shot in the Dark," a New York City love story between two queer artists struggling to face down their past to create a future with one another. Bisexual photographer Ely Cohen hasn't been to New York in 10 years, but pursuing her dream has brought her back to the place she used to call home. To stave off her first-day jitters before meeting renowned artist Wyatt Cole, Ely hits up a bar and has a one-night stand with a stranger. Only in class the next day does she learn that the stranger is Wyatt himself, and he can't deny their attraction either. Wyatt is still grappling with his fallout with his family following his coming out as trans, and moving forward with Ely threatens to open on fresh wounds. Between their physical attraction, artistic connection, and genuine understanding of each other, Ely and Wyatt have a chance at love, but are they ready to take it?

Release date: Sept. 5

Stephen King's "Holly" brings a beloved supporting character to the forefront of her own case in this chilling investigation into a seemingly innocuous couple. Holly must take the reins at the Finders Keepers detective agency when she receives a call about a woman looking for her missing daughter. Her inquiries lead her to professors Rodney and Emily Harris, who — despite their social status and power — continue to come up in regard to the many missing children in the area. Holly's first solo mission brings her up against a team whose innocent looks veil a deeply disturbing secret, and to get justice for the victims, she uncovers just how far she's willing to go.

Release date: Sept. 5

"The Vaster Wilds" is Lauren Groff's adventure following an unnamed girl's escape into the wilderness and how she survives. The unnamed narrator of Lauren Groff's "The Vaster Wild" lives in the wild, but she once had a very different life. One with restrictions, rules, and little agency. As the protagonist revels in the beauty of her freedom and the open forest that has granted it to her, she reminisces on the life she once had with her colony — the trials she faced, the betrayals she lived through, and the daring escape that almost cost her everything, and still could.

Release date: Sept. 12

In 2019 Mona Awad's "Bunny" delightfully frightened readers, and with "Rouge," she continues on her literary path of delivering deliriously horrific tales. Belle has only ever been close to her mother, Noelle, because of their shared love of skincare, which Belle picked up from her in childhood. Noelle's recent death forces Belle to return home for the funeral, facing all the ways in which she and her mother failed one another. Belle discovers her mother has a strange new group of friends, who all share her mother's obsession with remaining beautiful, and invite her to their luxurious spa. There, Noelle discovers the cost of chasing desirability, forcing her to confront her relationship with her mother, and how far she will go to love the woman she sees in the mirror.

Release date: Sept. 12

There's no better author to turn to when thinking about gratitude than Ross Gay, and his latest collection, "The Book of More Delights," offers readers a bright spot amid a busy world. Gay writes over the course of one year, observing the unexpected moments that truly exhibit human joy. Delight can be found anywhere, including in your favourite meal cooked by a loved one, hearing an old song on the radio, unexpectedly falling in love with a pet, and more are highlighted in this collection highlighting the importance of human connection and gratitude.

Release date: Sept. 19

In Jessica Knoll's biting thriller "Bright Young Women," two women in the pursuit of justice join forces when they learn they have both suffered at the hands of the same man. Everything in Pamela Schumacher's life changed on a horrific January night in 1978, when a man broke into her sorority house and killed two of her sisters, leaving her with scars beyond repair. Tina Cannon knows Pamela's pain, because the same man murdered her best friend years ago. Today, he's known as the All-American Sex Killer, and Tina and Pamela have spent their lives gathering evidence to ensure that he doesn't get away with what he's done to their loved ones. Confronting the killer may earn them justice, but it will uproot past traumas as well.

Release date: Sept. 19

"Cleat Cute" is Meryl Wilsner's joyous sapphic ode to the sport of football. Grace Henderson and Phoebe Matthews could be considered rivals. Grace is a veteran of the game, struggling to get over an injury, and Phoebe is a rising rookie with plenty of star power and lots to prove. What neither expects from their confrontations on the field is how their chemistry boils over to the bedroom, starting a teammate-with-benefits situation. With spots on the U.S. National team limited and the World Cup approaching, it takes only one miscommunication for the women to find themselves back at odds. Together they'll learn if their goals will keep them apart, or if they're playing for keeps.

Release date: Sept. 19

"The Unsettled" traces the trials of generations of one Black family stemming from the tumultuous relationship between a mother and daughter. 1985 meets mother Ava and her young son Toussaint arriving at a Philadelphia shelter with less-than-ideal living conditions. Despite the shelter's grim offerings, Ava is determined not to return to her hometown in Alabama, where a haunted past with her mother, Dutchess, awaits. Ava's resolve to have a different relationship with her son leads her to a commune with a former lover who might bring more danger than she thought. Meanwhile, Dutchess remains in Alabama, determined to keep their town — the only thing she believes she has left after her daughter's abandonment — from falling into the hands of white ownership. Dutchess's promise to preserve her town and Ava's commitment to protect her son lead the two on a blistering spiral toward one another that will force them to confront their past in order to save the people and the places they love.

Release date: Sept. 26

Eliza Clark's sophomore novel, "Penance," deftly examines the horrors of young girlhood. 10 years ago, the brutal murder of 16-year-old Joan Wilson was all the world could talk about, despite never getting real answers about exactly why Joan's schoolmates were motivated to hurt her. Today, down-and-out journalist Alec Z. Carelli is hoping to reclaim his literary fame by writing an exposé on the night in question, seeking answers from those who knew most about the incident — Joan's mother, witnesses, and even from the killers themselves. Will Alex offer an insightful revelation about the horrors of a young woman's death, or will his investigation rehash the trauma of the community, leaving more scars than they started with?

Release date: Sept. 26

Elizabeth Acevedo is known for her standout YA books like "Clap When You Land" and "Poet X," and now she's making her adult debut with "Family Lore," an intergenerational tale of a Dominican American family. Flora has invited her sisters home for a surprising reason: she wants to have a living wake. She has long held the power to know when someone is going to die and invites her family to celebrate her life, though she hasn't disclosed if she has seen her own death or the death of someone else. The wake calls back home her sisters, Matilde, Pastora, and Camila, all hiding their own secrets that threaten to bubble to the surface around those who know them best. And the youngest of the family, cousins Ona and Yadi, grapple with their own struggles. Acevedo's heartfelt adult debut is a story of connection, family secrets, and love.

Release date: Aug. 1

A scorned wife makes a deal with her cheating husband in Regina Black's delightfully messy debut, "The Art of Scandal." As Rachel Abbott celebrates her politician husband Matt's 40th birthday, she receives a sexy text message from him that she quickly realises was not meant for her. Despite her hurt, the public crumbling of their relationship would destroy Matt's chances of winning his campaign to become president, so the pair agree that Rachel will continue to play the doting wife throughout Matt's campaign in return for $1 million. The only problem is Rachel might just have a crush on the hot 20-something artist who rolled into town, and she can't afford for her love life to be the talk of the town.

Release date: Aug. 1

Romance readers will be thrilled to read the playful "Tastes Like Shakkar" by Nisha Sharma, the author of "Dating Dr. Dil." There are a lot of expectations riding on wedding planner Bobbi Kaur as she prepares for her best friend's wedding. Not only is this the chance to give her friend the day of her dreams, but it's also her shot at proving to her uncle she's ready to take on more responsibility at his wedding-planning business. But the perfect wedding seems unreachable, considering someone has begun anonymously sending threats about ruining the wedding. Plus, working with the arrogant chef Bunty is seriously grinding her gears. It won't be easy for Bobbi to pull off a win, but she's determined to put on a perfect wedding, and maybe even snag a chef with a heart of gold as a date along the way.

Release date: Aug. 1

Brandon Skyhorse paints a dystopian world forcing citizens to prove their identity according to a high-tech bracelet in "My Name Is Iris." Titular star Iris Prince is settling down after a divorce from her husband and a move to the suburbs with her daughter. One morning, she looks at her front yard, and a wall has appeared, followed by the announcement of a new trendy technology called "The Band," which will soon replace state-issued IDs. Iris finds herself unable to get a band because, as a second-generation Mexican, she cannot prove her family's citizenship. Lack of access sends Iris spiraling into a desperate chase to gain proof that she belongs, no matter the cost.

Release date: Aug. 1

Emily Habeck's unique premise about a man turning into a great white shark gives way to a tender story about the endurance of a married couple's love. "Shark Heart" follows a recently married couple, Wren and Lewis, who are devastated by the news that Lewis has a rare condition that will slowly transform his body into that of a shark. Wren struggles to face the reality that her husband will soon exist in another form, and when his transformation becomes dangerous, she's forced to confront a childhood she has long repressed. Lewis, an artist who feels he hasn't fulfiled his purpose, tries to come to terms with the legacy he will leave behind once he has changed and how to grieve the life he will no longer have. With the clock ticking on the time this married couple have left, their attempts to grapple with an epic life change is, at once, vulnerable and devastating.

Release date: Aug. 8

Isabel Cañas follows up last year's supernatural thriller "The Hacienda" with the gothic story "Vampires of El Norte," set in 1840s Mexico. Years ago, Nena and Néstor were best friends growing up on her father's ranch. But then, one night, a fanged monster attacked them both, and Néster fled, abandoning Nena, who he thought had been killed. Years later, Néster now prepares to enter a war against the Americans and is stunned to find that the girl he grieved his whole life had not only survived but also rose in the ranks as a healer. Their reunion, though, is not a happy one, with Nena still stung by Néster's betrayal, but hard feelings will have to wait as the monsters from their past prepare to make a bloody return.

Release date: Aug. 15

"Tilly in Technicolor," the YA debut from adult romance author Mazey Eddings, sees a neurodivergent teen grapple with making big life decisions as her high school career comes to an end. Graduation is supposed to be a time full of excitement for the future, but for senior Tilly Twomley, all she wants is to escape high school. When her cousin offers her a job as an intern aboard a cruise ship, Tilly jumps at the chance to see some fresh faces and make her own decisions. Fellow shipmate Ollie doesn't quite understand Tilly's fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants mentality but cannot deny how drawn he feels to her. Their romance at sea helps them both develop new ways of looking at their futures, but are they just too different to make their newfound love work on dry land?

Release date: Aug. 15

The power of literature offers a mother and daughter a chance to live in Alice Hoffman's enchanting tale of survival, "The Invisible Hour." As a young mother, Ivy Jacobs ran away from home and found safety with a commune that took her in and helped raise her precious daughter, Mia. As Mia grows up, she grows more and more aware of the commune's tyrannical ways and manipulative tactics and fears that she will never be able to leave. Her discovery of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" rescues her, whisking her into a different world when hers becomes too overwhelming to face. Gaining strength from Hawthorne's words, Mia begins to find hope that there is another way of life — if she can only find the courage to fight for it.

Release date: Aug. 15

Musician Melania Luisa Marte makes her authorial debut with a riveting poetry collection, "Plantains and Our Becoming." Marte writes of her experience as an Afro-Latina and uprooting her life to live in New York, Texas, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. Tracing the history of colonialism and its effects on generations of Afro-Latine, Marte not only shines a light on painful experiences but also centres the joys of shared community, belonging, and sisterhood. "Plantains and Our Becoming" is an ode to ancestors and hometowns, making it an unmissable debut.

Release date: Aug. 22

"He Who Drowned the World" is Shelley Parker-Chan's explosive sequel and the closer to her historical fantasy series, She Who Became the Sun, set in an AU version of China. Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, wants to be emperor but knows that she will never get there without a brutal battle. The courtesan Madam Zhang is eyeing the throne for her husband, and the only way Zhu can stay on top is by risking an alliance with rival general Ouyang, who is pining for his own shot at revenge. The powerful royals may have underestimated scholar Wang Baoxiang, who, after being humiliated and abandoned by his family, has managed to rise in the ranks, and there will be no sweeter comeuppance than sitting on the throne his family had forsaken him for. Chan closes the Radiant Emperor Duology with a bloody, violent battle that never shies away from the depravity of war and the destabilizing journey for power.

Release date: Aug. 22

Those who thought they'd seen the last of the calculating Hawthorne family of the Inheritance Games series will be pleased to revisit Hawthorne Manor in Jennifer Lynn Barnes's "The Brothers Hawthorne." Billionaire patriarch Tobias Hawthorne is dead, and both of his grandsons, Grayson and James, are vying to prove they are worthy to carry on his legacy. Grayson, ever the responsible brother, knows how to take care of a problem. When his sisters run into trouble, it's him they call on to clean up their mess, which he plans to do with as much ruthlessness as is required. Meanwhile, Jameson has never been one to step down from a challenge. When his father asks him to infiltrate one of the most exclusive gambling clubs in London, Jameson will need to rely on his charm and wits to get in and out without getting caught. Both Hawthornes have their family's reputations on the line, and neither has ever been good at failing.

Release date: Aug. 29

A ghostwriter tries to teach an actor on the rise how to be a better lover in Rachel Lynn Solomon's "Business or Pleasure." Chandler is used to no one really paying any attention to her, since she's never able to take credit for her work as a ghostwriter. She does, however, expect way more attention in bed, and the stranger she just had a one-night stand with didn't seem to know that. When she discovers that same stranger, actor Finn Walsh, is her newest client, Chandler knows it's best to keep his lack of expertise to herself, but when Finn learns Chandler wasn't impressed by their rendezvous, he asks her to teach him how to pleasure her. Their sexual intimacy lessons pave the way to emotional intimacy, and Chandler has to choose between keeping it all business or accepting some pleasure.

Release date: July 4

"Sunshine Nails" by debut author Mai Nguyen follows all the passionate and humourous drama that emerges while on one family's journey to keep their nail salon open. Family nail salon Sunshine Nails is run by Vietnamese refugees Debbie and Phil Tran, and their business was steadily on the rise until they were hit with a slew of problems all at once. A new chain nail salon is opening next door, threatening to steal their clients, and now the landlord is hiking up the rent. Debbie and Phil turn to their daughter Jessica, who has just returned home after a breakup, to help save their business. But as the Trans become embroiled in schemes of sabotage, and growing mistrust, Debbie will have to choose between saving her nail salon and keeping their family together.

Release date: July 4

Beth Nguyen's poignant memoir "Owner of a Lonely Heart" opens with a surprising fact about Nguyen's relationship with her mother: the two have spent less than 24 hours together. From there, Nguyen unravels her life and the stories behind why there's so much distance between them. From her childhood as a refugee leaving Saigon for America and her family leaving her mother behind, Nguyen recounts a childhood without the woman who gave birth to her. As adults with the physical distance that once separated them now replaced by an emotional one, Nguyen struggles to define their dynamic and her expectations from a woman she loves but does not seem to really know.

Release date: July 4

"Give Me a Sign" is Anna Sortino's joyous YA summer camp romance highlighting Deaf culture. 17-year-old Lilah, who uses hearing aids due to hearing loss, isn't quite sure where she fits in, but knows that, this summer, she's changing that. She's heading to Gray Wolf Camp, where, as a counselor to Deaf children, she plans on brushing up on her American Sign Language and feeling more connected to the Deaf community. It's at Gray Wolf where Lilah meets many new friends who finally help her feel seen, including charming fellow counselor Isaac, who Lilah can't help but be drawn to. When the counselors learn that the camp is at risk of closing, Lilah will do whatever it takes to save the safe haven that has given her cherished memories, beloved community, and maybe even a shot at love.

Release date: July 11

Ruth Madievsky's "All-Night Pharmacy" is a tale of two sisters trapped in a toxic relationship with each other and drugs. The unnamed narrator of this story has always followed in the steps of her older sister, Debbie. Though their relationship is fraught, she is unable to turn down another drug-fuelled night of partying with Debbie. But things take a turn when Debbie disappears. A new job as an emergency room secretary lines her pockets with drugs to sell, and it's where she meets a new lover who claims she's meant to help spiritually guide the narrator. What's left is a hazy mix of love, sex, guilt, and the trip to the novel's big question: what happened to Debbie?

Release date: July 11

Sarah Rose Etter's "Ripe" follows Silicon Valley tech employee Cassie, who has grown miserable in her position. She's drowning under the weight of her job's long hours and her boss's bullying, but she has worked too hard to achieve this life. As the world around her continues to decay, she finds herself pregnant with a baby whose father is an unsuitable partner and her boss making demands that could cost her everything. But in the distance, a small black hole follows Cassie, and what it's capable of, she is not entirely sure she wants to find out. Etter dives deep into the promises of capitalistic pursuits and their terrifying, if not deadly, costs.

Release date: July 11

Readers familiar with Silvia Moreno-Garcia's "Mexican Gothic" and "The Daughter of Doctor Moreau" will enjoy the thrill ride of her latest horror "Silver Nitrate." Set in 1993 Mexico City, lifelong friends Montserrat and Tristán find themselves at a crossroads in their film industry careers. Montserrat is tired of the manipulative male-run editing rooms, and Tristán is a washed-up soap opera star. When Tristán meets once famed but now down-on-their-luck director Abel Urueta, Abel ropes Montserrat and Tristán into helping him complete the final scene of a film he claims will bring them all luck and break the curse a Nazi occultist placed on him — bringing them all success. But when spirits begin appearing in both Montserrat and Tristán's lives, the pair worry that they've signed onto a film that could end with their demise in the closing credits.

Release date: July 18

"Crook Manifesto" marks the return of Harlem furniture dealer Ray Carney, who holds an array of secrets. Carney claims that he's no longer a part of the gangster life of Harlem and only wants to keep his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, May, safe and happy. It's May's desire for Jackson 5 tickets that brings Carney back to the doorstep of his old police contact Munson. When Munson pulls Carney back into the life of Harlem's underground world of crime, he has no choice but to go along. Meanwhile, Carney's old partner Pepper is getting caught up in the life of Hollywood stars when he takes a gig as security on a film, and he has no plans of leaving without a little something extra for himself. Carney and Pepper reunite when a fire causes a loved one to get hurt, and with the duo together again, everyone in Harlem better be on the lookout.

Release date: July 18

Caleb Azumah Nelson dazzled readers with his debut novel "Open Water," and he makes an equally riveting story revisiting London in "Small Worlds." The story begins with 18-year-old British Ghanaian Stephen, whose love of music and dance differs from the life his parents have laid out for him. The pressure to make his parents proud battles with his dream to pursue music alongside his brother, Raymond. Stephen must face the consequences chasing his dreams may cost, including the rupturing of the family that has sacrificed everything. Set over the course of three summers, Stephen navigates the intertwining relationships between his family and his future in this quintessential coming-of-age tale.

Release date: July 18

Chuck Tingle's horror story "Camp Damascus" peeks behind the curtain of a Christian camp's conversion camp to reveal terrifying secrets. Rose Darling has never had to question the preachings of the Kingdom of the Pines, a Christian community in the mountains of Montana. The Kingdom has the most successful gay conversion therapy camp in the country, and Rose knows her attraction to her friend Martina goes against everything she's been taught. However, her entrance into the program proves to be more daunting than she could have ever imagined, and she learns that everything she thought she could trust about the Kingdom has deeply sinister roots.

Release date: July 18

Chloe Gong, author of the These Violent Delights series, makes her adult debut with "Immortal Longings," a cutthroat fantasy novel inspired by Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. The city of San-Er knows the city games are coming. 86 will enter, and only one will survive, earning them the riches of a lifetime and a way out of the crumbling city. Calla is entering the games with one goal only: to kill the king. Meanwhile, Anton is entering to earn enough money to save a loved one, and Prince August is manipulating the games with hopes of catapulting himself onto the throne. In a world where one can leave your body behind in exchange for another, and the only way to survive is competing in a fight-to-the-death game, no one can be trusted, especially not other competitors. But when Calla and Anton strike up an alliance, they soon realise that the only person standing in the way of getting everything they've fought for is each other.

Release date: July 18

Readers will have to say farewell to the beloved Bayview Crew in "One of Us Is Back," Karen M. McManus's series finale to the One of Us Is Lying series. Bronwyn, Cooper, Addy, and Nate have survived plenty as the Bayview Four, and are hoping that, finally, summer in Bayview can just be fun with their friends. When a billboard with the announcement of another game appears in town, it's enough to make our heroes worry, but it's the disappearance of one of their own that sends them into full-blown panic. Someone from the past has returned to bite, and they've set the Bayview Four and their friends in their sights. Can the Bayview Crew pull off one final investigation, or have they finally met their match?

Release date: July 25

Elliot Page has lived a life in the limelight starring in films such as "Hard Candy," "Whip It," "Inception," and one of his most notable films, "Juno." In "Pageboy," the actor highlights his rise to stardom and a life of being seen by an audience yet feeling unseen in his own life. With stories bearing truth to the abuse of Hollywood, navigating his identity while playing roles that weren't right for him, and the pursuit of true love, Page's literary debut allows him to be seen exactly the way he demands.

Release date: June 6

"All the Sinners Bleed" by S.A. Cosby is a devastating American crime thriller that readers won't be able to put down. Titus Crown has made history. As the newly appointed sheriff of his hometown of Charon County, VA, he's the first Black person to ever hold the position. On his one-year anniversary on the job, a horrific tragedy takes place: a student kills a teacher, and his deputies kill the student. As Crown investigates what could have led to such a violent incident, he discovers that a serial killer connected to his town's past is in his midst. Shining a light on his beloved town will unravel decades of community tensions, and what will be left in the aftermath is Crown's responsibility.

Release date: June 6

In Lisa See's historical fiction "Lady Tan's Circle of Women," a childhood friendship between young nurses in training may be the only thing to save a woman trapped by society's expectations. Yunxian and Meiling's friendship was born of their shared passion for saving lives. Together, the girls grew up practicing to become midwives, performing the many tasks male doctors could not, and bonding over the immense difficulties and joys of medical care. As an adult, Yunxian has drawn the attention of a male suitor, forcing her to relinquish her job in exchange for a traditional life of marriage, having children, and living within the family compound. Yunxian, never suited for life as a housewife, must find a way to continue helping the women of society with her knowledge, and her friendships may be what save or destroy her efforts.

Release date: June 6

"The Whispers" by Ashley Audrain, author of the equally intense thriller "The Push," follows the fallout of four families after a tragic accident. Whitney Loverly is the mom everyone in the neighbourhood wants to be, manageing a high-stress job and family life with ease. However, the Loverly family are struck by devastation when their 10-year-old son, Xavier, falls out of his window and winds up in critical condition. The neighbourhood becomes consumed by gossip surrounding the circumstances leading to Xavier's fall, including rumours about infidelity in the Parks' marriage; the Goldsmiths, who are struggling to conceive; and even the seemingly quiet Alvaroses, whose constant presence on their porch feels omnipresent. Alternating perspectives between the families during the week leading up to Xavier's fall reveal the silent horrors within motherhood too many don't speak about.

Release date: June 6

Known for her lush historical fiction novels imbued with magical realism, Isabelle Allende intertwines the lives of two runaways across generations in "The Wind Knows My Name." In 1938 Vienna, 5-year-old Samuel isn't fully aware of why he's leaving his home, but he's hurt when he gets on the train, and his mother doesn't come along with him. In 2019, 7-year-old Anita Diaz faces a similar harrowing situation when her mother is deported on their flee from El Salvador to the United States. Told in alternating timelines, Samuel and Anita face the brutality of the world as young refugees left to fight for themselves until their stories converge for a moment of reckoning and hope.

Release date: June 6

Ali Hazelwood, known for playing up the academic-rivals trope in her STEMinist books such as "Love on the Brain," centres on a physicist with a double life in "Love, Theoretically." Elsie is a physicist, but she's got other things going on. When she's not solving near-impossible equations, she's acting as a fake girlfriend to help make up for the money her job doesn't fulfil. However, when rival physicist Jack, who stands in the way of getting her dream job at MIT, catches on to Elsie's double identities, Elise expects nothing less than all-out war. Instead, she finds that spending more time with Jack reveals a different, more vulnerable side to him, and she may have to consider that her theories about him may be wrong.

Release date: June 13

J.R. Dawson's "The First Bright Thing" features a world full of literal magic amid the dangers of a looming war. Rin is the ringmaster of the Circus of the Fantasticals, a troupe composed of beings with magical capabilities called Sparks, and following the devastation of World War I, Rin hopes to offer the public a night of good fun during their upcoming performance. However, the threat of another war hangs heavy over everyone, and when a new circus arises with a sinister ringmaster at the reins, Rin struggles to keep her audience and her troupe safe.

Release date: June 13

Dahlia Alder plays off of the 1998 film "Sliding Doors" in her double-timeline rom-com "Going Bicoastal." There are two ways Natalya Fox's summer can ultimately play out: she can try to reconcile her relationship with the mother who abandoned her for a new job in Los Angeles, or she can stay in New York with her father and finally make a move on the girl she's had a crush on forever. But making that choice doesn't come so easy. Adler sets off two alternate timelines, playing out Natalya's summers in New York and in Los Angeles, allowing Natalya to discover a new life in a new city and revel in the comforts of home.

Release date: June 13

Queen of the feel-good summer read, Elin Hilderbrand sets her latest beachy endeavour, "The Five-Star Weekend," on Nantucket, with four friends escaping the tensions of their lives. Despite the shiny exterior of Hollis Shaw's life, she's struggling with the grief of suddenly losing her husband and the deepening distance growing between her and her daughter. When she learns of a "Five-Star Weekend," a weekend with a close friend highlighting phases of their lives, Hollis sets out to plan one with her best friends Tatum, Dru Ann, and Brooke. However, when the women arrive at Nantucket, the private struggles they hide from one another begin to reveal themselves, forcing them all to confront them alongside women who love them as they are.

Release date: June 13

At the core of Haley Jaokbson's punchy debut, "Old Enough," 20-something Sav Henry is entering her sophomore year of college trying to figure out who she is. She's recently come out as bisexual, finding her place with the queer community at her school, and having her big dating "firsts." But an invitation from her childhood friends brings up memories of an incident she'd rather not ruminate on, and returning home would mean facing the trauma she thought she had moved past. Both heartfelt and heart-wrenching, Jakobson explores finding your chosen family, falling in love, and facing the past in this unmissable debut.

Release date: June 20

Fall into the seductive trappings of Jessie Gaynor's "The Glow," about one woman's descent into an influencer's wellness retreat. Jane, 29, has stumbled across the Instagram account of FortPath, a weekend getaway led by the stunning Cass. Struggling with a job she's not passionate about, the wash-and-repeat cycle of bad dates, and a growing pile of medical bills, Jane books a weekend at FortPath, in hopes that a fulfiling weekend might be what can put her back on track. Jane is entranced by Cass, her beauty, her power, her ability to speak only by way of Pinterest-board inspiration quotes. Even if the treat is a little cult-like, Jane can't help but feel the draw, but she eventually begins to question the idea of buying into wellness, and whether this place's true intention is peacefulness or profits.

Release date: June 20

Recently selected as a 5 Under 35 by the National Book Award Foundation, Jenny Xie makes her debut with "Holding Pattern," a novel about a mother and daughter grasping at their fraying relationship. Kathleen Chang has moved back in with her mother, Marissa, after being unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend and abandoning her graduate program. Life for Marissa is looking up as she's preparing to marry a Silicon Valley big shot, and Kathleen is left in charge of planning her bachelorette. With Kathleen's life on the fritz and Marissa's on the rise, the two confront the old wounds of Kathleen's childhood and the new challenges of their adult dynamic.

Release date: June 20

No one does summer thrillers quite like Riley Sager, and his newest book, "The Only One Left," doesn't disappoint. The grizzly 1929 murder of the Hope family has haunted a local Maine town and turned into small-town lore. Decades later, the supposed killer — the daughter of the family, Lenora — is in her 70s and in need of a caretaker at her isolated mansion. Home health aide Kit McDeere is Lenora's newest aide, her last having made a sudden exit. Lenora, unable to speak, wants to relay the truth about what happened that terrible night through a typewriter. As she tells her story, Kit must decide if he is willing to bear witness to Lenore's truth, if she's even telling the truth at all.

Release date: June 20

Gabi Burton's glimmering debut, "Sing Me to Sleep," is perfect for fans needing more bite in their mermaid media. The Kingdom of Keirdre believes that sirens are extinct, but they don't know about Saoirse Sorkova. Playing a soldier for the kingdom by day, Saoirse uses her abilities to capture men's minds to benefit her as a mercenary at night, always keeping her identity as a siren a secret. When Saoirse's sister's identity as a siren is revealed and she's blackmailed, the only way to keep her safe is for Saoirse to accept a job as a bodyguard to Prince Hayes. Her investigation into finding the blackmailer cannot be derailed, not even by Prince Hayes's surprising kindness, and when Saoirse learns the prince is looking for the assassin wreaking havoc on the city, she'll have to hide the fact that she's the one they're looking for.

Release date: June 27

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's "Chain-Gang All Stars" gives a riveting account of two prisoners fighting for their survival and their freedom from within a corrupt prison and entertainment system. The Criminal Action Penal Entertainment, CAPE, has managed to turn the prison system into a channel for revenue and entertainment for the masses by having prisoners fight gladiator-style for a chance at early release. Loretta Thurwar and Hamara "Hurricane Staxxx" Stacker are both stars of the show and lovers. Surviving as "links" in their Chain Gang, the two have seen the consequences and loss this deadly show has on the real lives of prisoners, and Thurwar has a shot at getting out in just a few weeks. But CAPE has no intention of letting one of its best stars go without a fight that will draw the attention of millions, and getting out might just cost both Thurwar and Staxxx everything.

Release date: May 2

Tembe Denton-Hurst's "Homebodies" follows Mickey Hayward, a writer who feels like she's on her way to achieving her dreams. She lives in New York City, has a writing job at a reputable media company, and has a loving girlfriend waiting for her at home. When she's suddenly ousted from her job, and her open letter revealing instances of racism is met with silence from the media, Mickey returns to her hometown in Maryland to recoup. While she's home, Mickey's assumptions about her life are challenged as she falls back into the comforting ways of her old life, and when New York suddenly comes calling again, Mickey will have to make a choice about what kind of life she truly dreams of.

Release date: May 2

Janika Oza's sprawling family epic "A History of Burning" kicks off in 1898 when a teenage boy, taken from his family and community to work for the British, commits an act of violence that will affect generations of his family to come. In 1972, the man's three grandchildren, Latika, Mayuri, and Kiya, are grappling with coming of age in Uganda. Latika has dreams of her own that require a commitment to candor. Mayuri wants nothing more than to escape and become her own woman outside of the confines of her family's rigid definitions. The youngest, Kiya, struggles to remain loyal and keep secrets that could shatter their entire family. When a letter arrives, it uproots generations of family secrets, and everyone is forced to make choices for their own survival.

Release date: May 2

The star of Becky Albertalli's "Imogen, Obviously" has always been a strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community despite not being a part of it herself. When Imogen's best friend Lili comes out, Imogen is beyond excited for her — until she learns that Lili has told her new college friends that she and Imogen are exes, that is. Careful not to ruin the ruse, Imogen goes along with Lili's lies, despite her guilt about cosplaying an identity that isn't hers. But then she meets Tessa, and Imogen realises she might be developing feelings for her, making her reconsider her identity and what love could look like for her.

Release date: May 2

"The Half Moon" by Mary Beth Keane centres on married couple Malcolm and Jess Gephardt, new owners of the Half Moon bar in New York City. Malcolm has been a longtime bartender working at the Half Moon, and when his boss retires, he decides to buy it in hopes that success might bring him and his separated wife back together. Lawyer Jess is struggling with the realities of potentially not becoming a mother and, with her relationship with Malcolm barely staying afloat, questions what the future looks like for her. When powerful storms hit the city, Jess and Malcolm are both drawn back to the bar, and over the course of a week, they rediscover what could be left in their relationship.

Release date: May 2

Angeline Boulley gives fans another chance to step into the "Firekeeper's Daughter" universe with "Warrior Girl Unearthed," a companion novel taking place 10 years later. While working at the tribal museum, Perry Firekeeper-Birch uncovers a devastating secret that would upset her community. A university has been stealing the remains of deceased Anishinaabe, and Perry intends to get them back and put them in their rightful place. With the help of fellow interns, Perry plans the heist of a century, but her meddling in adult affairs reveals even more dangerous violence happening against Indigenous women.

Release date: May 2

R.F. Kuang's "Yellowface" delivers a biting commentary on the idea of what we deserve. Author June Hayward is happy for her friend and fellow author Chinese-American Athena Liu, even if June's career is nowhere close to Athena's success. When Athena has a sudden random accident that leads to her death, June discovers Athena's unfinished manuscript and decides to pass it off as her own. With Athena's final project under June's belt, she meteors into the kind of literary success she's always dreamed of, until evidence emerges that proves June is not the true author of the book. As June tries to stamp out any question of her literary genius, she goes further and further to protect what she believes is hers.

Release date: May 16

This year marks 10 years for Christina Lauren, the writing duo behind romance favourites such as "The Unhoneymooners," and their latest romantic romp, "The True Love Experiment," centres on a hopeless romance novelist and a charming filmmaker. Fizzy Chen knows all about writing the perfect romance, but she never seems to be able to conjure that visceral passion in her own life. That's why when documentary filmmaker Connor Smith approaches her about a reality-TV show featuring her dating life as an experiment, she's curious enough about what potential connections the show could lead to to say yes. However, none of the magic on screen can match the chemistry Connor and Fizzy share off screen, and the only way they'll create a successful experiment is to open up to each other.

Release date: May 16

In her collection of hilarious essays in "Quietly Hostile," Samantha Irby uses humour to bring laughs to the mundane and surreal experience of being human. In "What If I Died Like Elvis," Irby breaks down her deep-seated need to make others' life experiences — even in inappropriate scenarios, like during a medical crisis — her own. In "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," she gives an intimate glimpse into her connection with her brother and their reconnection after the loss of their father. Dotted with references to her favourite pieces of media, like "Sex and the City," Justin Bieber, and strip malls, Irby's collection will be a bright spot in any reader's day.

Release date: May 16

The characters of Jenny Fran Davis's "Dykette" explore the love, jealousy, desires, and obsessions between three queer couples on a lavish holiday. On the exterior, Sasha and Jesse are the perfect couple. They're both creative, charming 20-somethings, and when a rich lesbian couple invite them away for a 10-day retreat, they leap at the opportunity for a new adventure. Never mind that the third party in attendance is Jesse's best friend, who's dating an enigmatic legend within their social circles. Over the course of their stay, Sasha and Jesse begin to notice the cracks in their relationship brought out by their desire to be seen by the other couples, and by each other.

Release date: May 16

Brandon Taylor hones in on the inner lives and revelations of a small group of friends over the course of a year in his latest literary fiction novel, "The Late Americans." In Iowa City lives a group of four friends: Seamus, a poet struggling with his work; Noah, who can't help but attract people into his bed despite never earnestly looking for anything serious; Fatima, who is struggling to maintain a relationship with her mentor; and Ivan, a banker whose night job interferes with his relationship. When the crew all gather with their partners for a cabin getaway, the secrets between them threaten to burst and destroy the relationships they've worked so hard to cultivate.

Release date: May 23

Kate Morton's "Homecoming" begins on Christmas Eve in 1959, when Percy Summers makes a horrifying discovery that shatters the lives of everyone living in the idyllic town of Adelaide Hills. In 2018, journalist Jess Turner returns to Adelaide after her beloved grandmother took a fall. While taking care of her, Jess discovers a book, the 'Turner Family Tragedy of 1959,' tying her family back to the horrific events never resolved by police. Jess begins her own investigation into the 1959 case, dredging up family history and secrets along the way.

Release date: April 4

Sally Hepworth's electrifying mystery "The Soulmate" questions who one can trust if not the love of one's life. Pippa loves the view from her cliffside home, but loves her genial partner Gabe even more. But with the beauty of their new home also comes visitors aiming to die by suicide on the cliff's edge. Gabe's gentle demeanour has soothed many into reconsidering, but one night, a woman appears on the cliff's edge and falls to her death. The couple is devastated, Pippa even more so when she learns Gabe knew the woman in the past. Pippa begins to question what truly happened out on the cliff that fateful night.

Release date: April 4

The celebrations around Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation sets the backdrop for Jennifer Robson's historical fiction novel "Coronation Year." As London prepares to welcome its new Queen, the residents of the Blue Lion hotel are bursting at the seams with new opportunities. Edie Howard, the owner of the Blue Lion, could save her family from financial ruin because of the hotel's optimum location during the Queen's parade. Italian photographer Stella Donati has found a new source of inspiration amid London's bustling crows and high energy. War hero James Geddes is embracing his Indian heritage among the warm welcome at the Blue Lion. But on Coronation Day, an anonymous bomb threat to the hotel threatens to upend the lives of Blue Lion residents and the Queen herself. This trio of unexpected allies must work together to save their hotel and country.

Release date: April 4

Terry J. Benton-Walker's highly anticipated magical YA debut "Blood Debts" features siblings with opposing views on magic coming together to save their family and reputation. Clement and Cristina Trudeau may be the heirs to the powerful dethroned monarch many years ago, but that doesn't mean they see eye-to-eye. While Clement embraces the power his magic grants him, Cristina abstains after an accident harms someone she loves. While caring for their mother, the twins discover that her sickness is the result of a curse cast by one of their trusted allies. To save her life, they'll have to trust one another and the power of their magic.

Release date: April 4

"Romantic Comedy" is Curtis Sittenfield's ode to the classic genre that also confronts its problematic beauty standards and gender roles at the same time. While at work for The Night Owls, a late-night live comedy show, sketch writer Sally Milz notices her coworker Danny has started dating a celebrity actress who recently guest-hosted the show. It's a phenomenon she's familiar with: average men dating women significantly hotter than them — so she turns it into a scathing bit for the show. When pop star Noah Brewster appears on the show to guest host, he and Sally hit it off, but Sally questions if the desirability dynamics she notably made fun of ever work the other way around.

Release date: April 4

Cassidy Bent, the protagonist of Megan Miranda's "The Only Survivors," has never been able to outrun the effects of the tragedy that took place during her high school years. When she and other students crashed into a Tennessee ravine, only eight other students survived the ordeal. 10 years later, Cassidy is unsure of whether or not she wants to attend the annual reunion, but when she hears news of the deaths of two other survivors, she flocks toward the only people who understand her pain. Surrounded by fellow survivors should be where Cassidy feels safest, but when someone else disappears, she's forced to confront the fact that someone here is dangerous, and they may have been just as dangerous all those years ago, too.

Release date: April 11

In the time-travelling YA novel "Throwback," Maurene Goo is a nod to classic '90s culture full of "Back to the Future" callbacks. Sam and her mother, Priscilla, have never really been able to get on the same page when their priorities differ greatly. After a blowout fight about homecoming, Sam calls a ride from the Throwback rideshare app, and it drops her off in 1995, the same year her mother was running for homecoming queen in high school. The only way to return to the future is for Sam to help her mother win homecoming and avoid a fight with Priscila's mother (aka, her grandmother) that will destroy their relationship. Brimming with cultural nostalgia, Goo delivers a hilarious mother-daughter duo that readers will root for.

Release date: April 11

Poet and author Maggie Smith's memoir "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" details the breakdown of her marriage and entry into divorce. Smith harkens back to the discovery of her husband's affair and the devastating markers of a marriage on the fritz: money disappearing from shared accounts, separation, and then her husband moving across the country. But Smith draws incredible insights from her heartbreak, spotlighting the grief, anger, secrets, and forgiveness that she went through to emerge with a new sense of self. Smith's work expands into the larger cultural conversation of gender roles, motherhood, and being a woman in the modern era.

Release date: April 11

Genevieve Wheeler's poignant debut, "Adelaide," follows a 20-something U.S. ex-pat after falling for a man who doesn't love her back. In London, Adelaide Williams has just ended things with her abusive boyfriend and is not looking for anything new when it comes to love . . . until she meets Rory Hughes. She is taken with him almost immediately, but their relationship goes cold when Rory's ex-girlfriend is killed in an accident, and he abruptly cuts things off with her amid his grief. Adelaide's mental health begins to deteriorate as she suffers through a devastating heartbreak, clinging desperately to a relationship that no longer exists.

Release date: April 18

Sarah Penner, author of "The Lost Apothecary," takes readers on a thrilling ride in "The London Séance Society," a team-up mystery following a spiritualist with ties to the occult and a woman investigating her sister's death. Known for her ability to speak with the dead to bring their killers to justice, Vaudeline D'Allaire's name is on the lips of everyone in Paris. On the other hand, Lenna Wickes believes in cold, hard facts, and that's what she's looking for regarding her dead sister. Despite their differences, Vaudeline and Lenna head to London together to solve a new case and require the assistance of London's exclusive Séance Society. But while Vaudeline and Lenna are hunting down answers, it looks like someone else is hunting them.

Release date: March 7

Debut author Krystle Zara Appiah's "Rootless" is a tender navigation of one woman's journey through the troubles of motherhood, marriage, and belonging. Efe is missing. Or at least, that's what Sam believes, since 1,300 euros are missing from their shared bank account, and he cannot find his wife anywhere in their apartment. How could they end up like this? When Efe first met Sam in secondary school, he seemed to be a part of the perfect plan her parents envisioned for her when they sent her to London from Ghana. And when they had their baby, their plan seemed to forge ahead, another role for Sam to play and a new struggle for Efe to keep up with. With the fractures of their marriage pushing them further away from each other, another revelation pushes Efe to leave behind the life she once dreamed of and figure out who she is and where she truly belongs.

Release date: March 7

Three generations of Weyward women with paranormal abilities and fighting for their independence dazzle in Emilia Hart's debut novel, "Weyward." In 1619, a man is trampled by his herd, and Altha Weyward awaits trial for the crime. Taught by her mother how to use magic to connect with the land, Altha knows her community will not stop coming after her until she's dead. In 1942, Violet Ayres lives trapped inside her family estate with her father, who worries for her well-being when Violet shows similar frightening behaviour as her now-deceased mother. In 2019, Kate Ayres is the descendent of the Weyward women who's on the run from an abusive boyfriend and searching for answers about who she is and the power she feels within her.

Release date: March 7

"There Goes the Neighbourhood" is Jade Adia's engrossing YA debut about three friends attempting to save their friendship amid the gentrification of Los Angeles. Rhea, Malachi, and Zeke have spent their entire lives in LA, but recently they don't recognise the community they call home, as it's filled with luxury apartments and hipster coffee shops. When the ugly effects of gentrification threaten to force Zeke and his family out of their home, Rhea comes up with a plan: they'll invent a fake gang to scare off newcomers. However, when a resident turns up dead, all eyes are on their fake gang, and to escape real consequences, they'll have to find the truth.

Release date: March 7

"The Golden Spoon" from Jessa Maxwell follows renowned chef Betsy Martin as the host of the elite baking competition "Bake Week." Despite her nurturing onscreen demeanour, Betsy is as sharp as a knife and expects the best of her food show and its contestants. With six new competitors ready to fight for bragging rights, the competition is off to an electrifying start, with sabotage and tricks aplenty. But the death of one contestant is no trick, and suddenly this game show is no game but a murder investigation where everyone in the kitchen is a suspect. Maxwell's mystery is a delicious blend of cutthroat competition, questionable loyalties, and shocking reveals.

Release date: March 7

"What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez" by Claire Jiménez follows one family's journey to either healing or devastation when they believe they've found their missing relative. Twelve years ago, Ruthy Ramirez never came home. Her disappearance left her mother, Dolores, and her two sisters, Nina and Jessica, devastated by the loss. But then, one day, Jessica spots a familiar-looking beauty mark on a reality-TV contestant with shocking red hair. Could it be Ruthy? Hopeful that their Ruthy could be alive after all this time, Jessica, Nina, and Dolores take off on a road trip, hoping to find the truth. Answers about this red-haired woman's identity could bring their family together again or break their hearts all over again.

Release date: March 7

Ann Napolitano's "Hello Beautiful" depicts the lengths one will go to for one's family. William Waters knew nothing of warm houses filled with laughter and love until he went to college and met Julia Padavano and her three sisters: hopeful romantic Sylvie, aspiring artist Cecelia, and silent guardian Emeline. When Julia and William get married, William is embraced into the Padavano family with open arms until a secret from William's past threatens their bonds. When a harrowing incident drives a wedge between the once unbreakable bond between sisters, the family question if there's any way to come back together after broken boundaries.

Release date: March 14

The stars of Lynn Painter's witty rom-com "The Love Wager" make a bet on who can fall in love first, and they risk losing it all when they start falling for each other. After hooking up once at a wedding, bartender Hallie and perpetual bachelor Jack decide it's time to take love more seriously. In an effort to up the ante in their pursuit of true love, the friends make a bet: whoever falls in love first wins. When Hallie takes Jack to a wedding as her fake boyfriend, their bet grows complicated when they realise pretending to be in love isn't very hard at all. Who will come out on top of Hallie and Jack's biggest gamble on love?

Release date: March 14

Esther Yi's haunting novel "Y/N" explores one woman's parasocial relationship with a K-pop idol. An unnamed Korean American narrator finds meaning in her life once she discovers Moon, the youngest star of a K-pop boy band. Online fandom culture is what she lives for, crafting "Y/N" fan fiction so readers can place themselves into her stories about developing a relationship with Moon. But when Moon announces his departure from the band and his desire to step away from the spotlight, the narrator feels called to fly to Seoul to find Moon, where her fantasy and reality collide in an explosive finale.

Release date: March 21

What is inside Adelaide Henry's steamer trunk that must always remain locked? That question is central to Victor LaValle's eerie historical horror novel "Lone Women." It is 1915, and Adelaide finds herself in a world of trouble. Her parents are dead, it's her fault, and she must escape with her steamer trunk before anyone else can get hurt. When she learns of a government law granting ownership to acres of land so long as the owner can tame it, she heads off to Montana, trunk in tow, hoping to secure a home. But running from her past might not be the solution, especially when the secrets within her trunk are devastating enough to destroy everything around her.

Release date: March 28

The author of "Me Before You" charms in "Someone Else's Shoes," the story of an enjoyable mixup between two women that sparks rejuvenating revelations in their lives. Sam Kemp and Nisha Cantor don't share anything in common besides one serendipitous visit to a London gym. When Sam, who struggles to connect with her husband and a boss who makes her life miserable, accidentally grabs Nisha's gym bag containing a pair of Louboutin heels, she finds herself far more confident with these red bottoms than without. Her newfound self-assurance causes an upward shift in her attitude and life. Meanwhile, Nisha's husband announced a sudden divorce that turned the life she knows upside down. Stuck with Sam's flats, she must find her expensive shoes to get a cut of her divorce settlement.

Release date: Feb. 7

Natalie Haynes's feminist retelling of Medusa's tragic backstory in "Stone Blind" will excite and challenge fans of Greek mythology. This tale of the snake-headed woman refuses to turn Medusa into a villain. Instead, Haynes revisits the classic story from Medusa's perspective, highlighting how she was once a beautiful mortal who Poseidon — a powerful god — harmed, then she was punished by Athene for her own assault. Faced with turning her loved ones to stone with a single look, Medusa disappears into a life of isolation. Readers will question her reputation as a "monster" as they follow her journey of solitude and preparations when Perseus is appointed to kill her. Haynes develops a razor-sharp critique of society's dedicated pursuit of condemning a woman to protect a dangerous man.

Release date: Feb. 7

Sadeqa Johnson's riveting historical fiction novel "The House of Eve" follows the trajectories of two 1950s Black women living in Philadelphia and Washington DC. Clawing her way out of Philadelphia poverty, 15-year-old Ruby Pearsall is the first in her family to go to college and won't let anything stop her from making a name for herself. Eleanor Quarles is a Howard University student struggling to adjust to the social hierarchies of her school. When both girls become pregnant, upending their plans for their lives, it presents a new wave of troubles between themselves, their lovers, and their families. Johnson's portrait of young women with sharp wit and big dreams is powerful and honest.

Release date: Feb. 7

Stephen Graham Jones's final girl Jade Daniels continues to fight for her life in "Don't Fear the Reaper," the intense follow-up to "My Heart Is a Chainsaw." A survivor of her hometown's Independence Day Massacre, Jade (now going by Jennifer) is ready to put her blood-filled past behind her. But a failed prison transfer in the middle of a snowstorm accidentally releases famed serial killer Dark Mill South, and he's selected her town as his next target. Pulling from her extensive knowledge of slasher-film survival rules, Jade attempts to skirt the reign of violence fallen upon her hometown once again, but even she knows surviving a slasher twice is one of the hardest tropes to break.

Release date: Feb. 7

"Just My Type" is Falon Ballard's charming ode to writers' passion and love. Relationship columnist Lana Parker has never not been in a relationship. When a sudden breakup with her longtime boyfriend leaves her single and without ideas for her work, her boss challenges her to write about being single. To up the incentive, he invites her ex and writing rival Seth to a similar trial: write about settling down after years of articles about the single life. He offers the most successful of the two a dream job to sweeten the deal. The new coworkers are ready to rise to the challenge, but as their feelings begin to get in the way of their success, Lana and Seth's race to the finish line might cost them a real shot at finding love.

Release date: Feb. 7

Set during WWI, Janie Chang's "The Porcelain Moon" is a captivating historical fiction novel following two women escaping from societal expectations and the lengths they'll go to to protect their freedoms. Camille is preparing to leave her abusive husband when she meets Pauline, a young Chinese woman who recently ran away from home to avoid an arranged marriage. The pair's quick connection leads Camille to offer to house Pauline, but soon enough, they both realise their quick friendship and newfound proximity threatens to unearth their dark secrets. When their secrets threaten to upend both of their lives, Camille and Pauline will do anything to protect themselves, resulting in an act that will ultimately affect both of their futures.

Release date: Feb. 21

Debut author Trang Thanh Tran intends to make readers' skin crawl with "She Is a Haunting." Bisexual Vietnamese American 17-year-old Jade Nguyen travels to Vietnam to spend time with her estranged father, hoping that if she performs as the dutiful straight daughter he's always desired, he'll pay for her college tuition. But the French colonial house she's staying in has a sinister energy that gives her sleep paralysis, the horrifying feeling of bugs crawling over her body, and visions of a bride bearing warnings. Jade's investigation into the house's history may uncover dark family secrets she and her family may never recover from.

Release date: Feb. 28

In Kristina Forest's "The Neighbour Favour," an anonymous email exchange transforms into a real-life shot at love for two unsuspecting new neighbours. Lily Greene's correspondence with her favourite author was a highlight in her life. That is, until he suddenly ghosted her without a word. When she meets her new neighbour Nick, she's determined to break out of her shell and meet someone new and enlists Nick to help, unknowingly roping her former pen pal into a romance scheme. However, Nick has figured out exactly who Lily is and hopes to rekindle things with her. If only he could tell her who he really is. This is one favour that may be impossible to get done.

Release date: Feb. 28

Revisiting the "The Priory of the Orange Tree" universe, Samantha Shannon centres the journeys of four young women with the power to define the world in this stand-alone prequel "A Day of Fallen Night." Tunuva Melim aims to prove her worth to her people by chasing after a runaway citizen whose allies could harm her sanctuary, while mother-daughter duo Sabran the Ambitious and Glorian Berethnet struggle under the weight of rising responsibilities as women connected to the throne. Meanwhile, Dumai's quiet life on the mountainside is interrupted when ghosts of her family's past come back with expectations Dumai fears she cannot meet.

Release date: Feb. 28

Rachel Hawkins's electrifying mystery "The Villa" takes place in an Italian manor with a murderous backstory. Lifelong best friends Chess and Emily have felt a growing fracture in their friendship since hitting adulthood. In an effort to revive their friendship, they decide to take a trip to Italy together. Upon arrival, Emily is enthralled by the villa's history: it's where the grizzly 1974 murder of up-and-coming rockstar Pierce Sheldon took place. As Emily's investigation sparks ideas for her writing, Chess struggles to hit her stride in her own work, bringing tension to their would-be idyllic trip. Emily's suspicions of foul play in Sheldon's death might be put on hold, because with her star on the rise and her friendship fraying, the villa may see history repeating itself.

Release date: Jan. 3

In Deepti Kapoor's seductive novel "Age of Vice," a fatal car crash sets off a remarkable chain of events within the wealthy society of New Delhi. With five killed in the accident, the police accuse Ajay, a servant of a powerful, wealthy family who can't explain the events of the evening. Meanwhile, Ajay's employers enjoy the spoils of power and influence. They include Sunny Wadia, India's wealthiest heir who hopes to step out of his father's shadow. Neda, a journalist, gets pulled into Sunny's opulent lifestyle while writing an exposé about the corruption of the rich. When she uncovers Sunny's role in the horrific accident, she sees just how far the Wadia family's power reaches — and how quickly they could take down people like her and Ajay. Kapoor invites readers to question how far they're willing to go for their vices in this seductive crime novel that tackles themes of greed, power, and integrity.

Release date: Jan. 3

After finding massive success on #BookTok with her STEM-centreed romances, Ali Hazelwood combines her three best romances into one collection in "Loathe to Love You." At the core of Hazelwood's romances are three women in STEM careers finding unexpected love with their competitive peers. "Under One Roof" boasts a charming tale of an engineer and a lawyer stuck as roommates, "Stuck With You" traps academic rivals in a New York City lift, and "Below Zero" brings high stakes as it follows an engineer trapped in a freezing research centre with only her nemesis willing to make the dangerous journey to find her. Hazelwood gives readers an extra treat, adding an exclusive bonus chapter to the special release.

Release date: Jan. 3

"Friday I'm in Love" is an absolutely joyous YA coming-of-age novel from Camryn Garrett. Mahalia Harris always wanted to have a big sweet 16, but since that never came to be, she plans something even better: a big coming-out party! Coming out to her friends and family as bisexual at a massive party wearing a cute dress is now all Mahalia can dream of, but reality is getting in the way. She's struggling to make money and to discuss financial disparities with her best friend, all while desperately trying to get the new girl, Siobhan, to notice her. Altogether, the party is feeling less like a celebration and more like a failure by the day. But no matter what's in her bank account or who is by her side, Mahalia is determined to come out and make the special moment perfect.

Release date: Jan. 10

"All the Dangerous Things" by Stacy Willingham follows a grief-stricken mother willing to put her pain on display in exchange for answers about her missing baby. One year ago, journalist Isabelle Drake went to bed and woke to find her baby missing from his crib. Despite telling the police everything she knows, they have no leads, and — growing desperate for answers — she accepts an offer from a true-crime podcaster hoping to shine new light on the case. Questions about her past awaken truths Isabelle has tried to ignore and reveals the answer to her biggest question may have been with her all along.

Release date: Jan. 10

Heather Darwent's hair-raising debut, "The Things We Do to Our Friends," calls into question who one can really call an ally. When Clare arrives at school in Edinburgh, she plans to bury her past and reemerge a shinier new version of herself. This version of Clare is drawn to the enigmatic Tabitha and her circle of popular and equally mysterious friends. When they invite her to be a part of her circle, Clare can't refuse the alluring request. But Tabitha and her friends are working on something and need Clare's assistance. Once Clare realises the insidious intentions hidden behind their perfect smiles and rich clothes, it may be too late for her to leave. Besides, if this is the life she's always dreamed of, she will have to pay for it.

Release date: Jan. 10

Prince Harry, Duke of Essex, offers readers an earnest look into his life as part of the British monarchy in his memoir, "Spare." The death of his mother, Princess Diana, was a devastating world event, but it was a moment of immense loss for Harry. Opening up about that vulnerable period in his life and its long-lasting effects on him and his family, Prince Harry gives readers a look into the life of a royal, including navigating overwhelming media presence, immense grief under the limelight, and learning to love after loss. In a rare and intimate peek behind the curtain, Prince Harry highlights his extraordinary upbringing and how it shaped his character today.

Release date: Jan. 10

"Really Good, Actually" by Monica Heisey follows a young woman trying to keep up appearances as she tackles dating and sex as a recent divorceè. 29-year-old Maggie never expected to be divorced at such a young age, but her husband, Jon, took his things and hasn't been in contact with her since he left. Struggling with the sudden heartbreak, Maggie attempts to find herself by taking on a plethora of hobbies, scrolling dating apps, going out with whomever she wants, and staying up until the wee hours of the night eating her favourite foods. But no matter where Maggie goes, the ache of loneliness is there to find her. With the help of her friends, Maggie will navigate the first year after her divorce with humour and tenderness. Heisey's comedic and sage depiction of life and love's unexpected pitfalls is heartwarming.

Release date: Jan. 17

Helena Hunting will break your heart and put it back together in her romance "Make a Wish." When Harley Spark was still a nanny, she made a massive mistake in almost kissing her widowed boss, Gavin Rhodes. When he suddenly moved away without a trace, Haley took that as her cue to start moving on with her life and is now working with her sisters at the Spark Hotel. However, a serendipitous meeting at one of Harley's events brings her and Gavin back together, and all of the feelings she thought she'd long buried come flooding back. Despite changing so much, Gavin still recognises everything he loved about Harley back when she nannied for him, and this time he won't let past hurts and fears let this perfect woman get away.

Release date: Jan. 24

"Georgie, All Along" by Kate Clayborn is a unique love story. Former celebrity assistant Georgie Mulcahy is back in her hometown after she loses her job. Struggling to come up with hopes and dreams of her own, Georgie is reinvigourated by the discovery of her teenage diary, and she plans to use it to help forge a new direction in her life. A series of mishaps lands her with a new roommate, Levi, the school bad boy-turned-solemn homebody, who surprisingly is willing to help Georgie on achieving the activities on her list. As Georgie works through her childhood self's aspirations, she comes to realise what present Georgie needs to thrive, which might include her solitary new friend.

Release date: Jan. 31