Attention readers, this is the month you've been waiting for. June is packed with highly anticipated new releases from fan favourite authors across every genre, including the latest from Casey McQuiston [1], Riley Sager, Nicola Yoon, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Alex Michaelides. And that's just for starters — there are also plenty of exciting debuts coming your way, including one that will take you along on a murder investigation set against the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance, and another that's all about a young woman owning her power in hopes of saving the world. Whether you love YA [2], non-fiction, thrillers, or a little bit of everything, these June books are all must-reads [3].
The 2000s Made Me Gay by Grace Perry
Grace Perry's The 2000s Made Me Gay [4] will instantly transport you back to the aughts via all of the most unforgettable pop culture moments from the decade, including the premiere of Gossip Girl [5] and the rise and fall of Lindsay Lohan [6]. Through a series of hilarious and insightful essays, Perry shares how the pop culture of her teen years helped her come out and become the witty writer she is today.
Out June 1
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's debut Ace of Spades [7] is part nail-biting thriller, part Gossip Girl [8] homage. Set at Niveus Private Academy, the book centres on Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo, who are both chosen to be class prefects. Unfortunately for them, someone who goes by the name of Aces is determined to expose all of their secrets to the world, and bring their plans for their futures crashing down around them in the process.
Out June 1
Anne of Manhattan by Brina Starler
Anne of Green Gables gets a modern update in Brina Starler's Anne of Manhattan [9]. In this version of L.M. Montgomery's beloved classic, Anne and her dearest friend Diana are headed to New York City for college. But what Anne doesn't expect is her former arch nemesis and sort of crush Gilbert to be attending the same school.
Out June 1
Beneath Devil's Bridge by Loreth Anne White
True crime fans, Beneath Devil's Bridge [10] by Loreth Anne White is the one thriller you need to read this month. True crime podcaster Trinity Scott is on the verge of major success when she decides to delve into the case of Clayton Jay Pelley, a former guidance counselor who confessed to murdering one of his students. Now, two decades later, Clayton is recanting his story, and putting Trinity in a dangerous situation in the process.
Out June 1
The Checklist by Addie Woolridge
After showing up her boss, Dylan Delacroix is exiled to her hometown of Seattle in Addie Woolridge's charming rom-com The Checklist [11]. Despite her less than ideal situation, Dylan has a plan to come out on top — unfortunately, she forgot to factor in her incredibly hot and distracting new neighbour.
Out June 1
Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia
Dead Dead Girls [12] by Nekesa Afia is an engrossing noir novel set against the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance. It's 1926 and Louise Lloyd is doing an excellent job of escaping her past, even though her girlfriend wishes she would confront her demons head on. However, when a girl ends up dead in front of the café where she works, Louise will have no choice but to confront her past if she has any hope of solving the mystery she's stumbled upon.
Out June 1
An Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi
An Emotion of Great Delight [13] by Tahereh Mafi is a searing story about everyday life for a Muslim family in 2003. With the Muslim community facing more harassment than ever before, Shadi is trying her best to avoid the spotlight. But with her family falling apart around her and the world proving to be a hostile place, she won't be able to keep her emotions bottled up forever.
Out June 1
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
Hannah Whitten weaves a wonderfully eerie dark fantasy tale in For the Wolf [14]. As the first second daughter born in centuries, Red's only purpose in life is to be sacrificed to the Wolf in exchange for him freeing her community's gods. But something strange happens when she's left in the Wilderwood: Red discovers the Wolf is just a normal man, and it's up to her to save the world.
Out June 1
Freed by E.L. James
Can't get enough of 50 Shades of Grey? Then E.L. James has you covered. In Freed [15], she's retelling every steamy moment from Fifty Shades Freed from the perspective of Mr. Christian Grey himself — and yes, that includes the couple's long-awaited and unforgettable wedding night.
Out June 1
Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy
Girl One [16] by Sara Flannery Murphy is a supernatural thriller about nine women who hold the distinction of being the first babies conceived without male DNA. At first, the girls and their mothers lived together on a commune, but when a fire destroyed their home they were all separated. Now, Josephine Morrow, the firstborn of the group, is on a mission to reunite her family after one of the girls goes missing.
Out June 1
Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
Bestselling author Nicola Yoon is back with another stunning YA romance. Instructions for Dancing [17] follows Evie Thomas, who loses her faith in love when she discovers she can tell how people's relationships will end just by looking at them. Still, even though her faith in love has been rattled, she can't stop herself from falling for her dance partner, X, at the La Brea Dance Studio.
Out June 1
A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams
A Lowcountry Bride [18] by Preslaysa Williams is a perfect summer read. Maya Jackson is delighted to find work at a local bridal gown shop when returns home to Charleston to help out her father after an injury, but the last thing on her mind is romance. The same is true for the shop's owner, a veteran and single dad who definitely doesn't have time to fall for a woman who won't be sticking around.
Out June 1
The Lucky List by Rachael Lippincott
Rachael Lippincott's The Lucky List [19] is a coming of age story that deftly balances heartbreak and grief with the thrill of a new beginning. Emily and her mom were always lucky, especially when it came to Bingo. But since her mother's death, Emily's world has been in a tailspin, and the only thing that could possibly pull her out of her spiral is completing her mom's summer bucket list. Luckily for her, she'll have a little help from a girl who might just show Emily how to be happy again.
Out June 1
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid is back with a new novel that's perfect to take along on your next trip to the beach. In Malibu Rising [20], four children of a famous rock star prepare for their annual summer blowout, but what they don't know is by the end of the night family secrets will be spilled while their house goes up in flames.
Out June 1
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
There's a powerful parable at the heart of Rachel Griffin's lyrical novel The Nature of Witches [21]: If we don't take care of our planet, we're going to lose it. No one knows that better than Clara, an Everwitch whose powers are tied to the changing seasons, for better or worse.
Out June 1
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
After the blockbuster success of Red, White and Royal Blue, Casey McQuiston's highly anticipated second novel, One Last Stop [22], is finally here. This dazzling romance centres on the cynical August who doesn't believe in love until she falls for a time traveller from the '70s whose stuck riding her train in New York City.
Out June 1
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Zakiya Dalila Harris's debut The Other Black Girl [23] is a razor sharp thriller that speaks directly to the current social climate. As the only Black employee at a New York City publishing house, Nella Rogers is tired of dealing with the microaggressions and loneliness that come with her job. As a result, she's delighted when Harlem resident Hazel joins the company — at least she is until a series of frightening occurrances suggest someone is determined to make her leave her job behind.
Out June 1
The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary
The Road Trip [24] by Beth O'Leary is an enchanting ride across Great Britain that doubles as an ode to second chances. When exes Dylan and Addie literally crash into each other on the way to a wedding, they end up with no option but to cram themselves into an overcrowded car if they have any hope of making it to the event on time.
Out June 1
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Tia Williams's sultry love story Seven Days in June [25] is a beautiful ode to Black joy. It's been 15 years since authors Shane and Eva fell in love across seven magical days, and now that circumstances have brought them together again, they might just have a second chance at making their romance last.
Out June 1
Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
In her debut memoir, Somebody's Daughter [26], Ashley C. Ford shares the most intimate details of how her childhood and young adulthood were impacted by the incarceration of father. From growing up in poverty to her complex relationship with her mother, Ford's memoir is an unflinching, heartbreaking look at the impact a family member's incarceration can have on the family left behind.
Out June 1
Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous by Suzanne Park
Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous [27] by Suzanne Park is a hilarious YA novel about a teen who is shipped off to a digital detox camp for the summer after she accidently films a PG-13 rated cooking tutorial. Now Sunny's carefully crafted summer plans have all been tossed out of the window in favour of getting in touch with the real world beyond her phone's screen, whether she likes it or not.
Out June 1
Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts by Rebecca Hall
Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts [28] by Rebecca hall [29] is a graphic novel-memoir hybrid that uncovers the untold stories of the women who have been at the forefront of slave revolts across history. Through careful research, Hall is shining a spotlight on these unsung heroes, while also delving into her own family's past, too.
Out June 1
The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer
Inspired by a true story, The Warsaw Orphan [30] by Kelly Rimmer is an epic historical novel set in 1942 Warsaw. It's there that Elzbieta Rabinek is desperately trying to hide her true identity to avoid the attention of the Germans. However, when faced with atrocities beyond the walls of her home, she has no choice but to wade into the growing conflict.
Out June 1
White Teeth by Kristen Arnett
Kristen Arnett's White Teeth [31] delves into the dynamics of a queer family, while shining a light on the complexities of motherhood. Sammie Lucas tries her best to give her son Samson everything he needs, but as he becomes more sullen and dangerous, she begins to resent her unflappable wife Monika and fear for her family's future.
Out June 1
A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams
A Dark and Secret Place [32] by Jen Williams is a twisty thriller about mothers and daughters, and the secrets they keep. In the wake of her mother's suicide, Heather Evans returns home to discover her mom had been corresponding with a notorious serial killer for years. What's even more concerning is that even though the killer is still behind bars, someone seems to be copying his ritualistic murders.
Out June 8
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
One tweet forces Julián Luna to come out before he's ready in Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun [33] by Jonny Garza Villa. And heartbreakingly, his worst fears about his family's response come true. However, the one upside to Julián's situation is that he can now embrace his true self, which includes embarking an epic journey to meet his Twitter crush.
Out June 8
Girls at the Edge of the World by Laura Brooke Robson
An apocalyptic flood forms the backdrop for Laura Brooke Robson's inventive fantasy novel Girls at the Edge of the World [34]. With the waters rising, Natasha Koskinen will do whatever it takes to save her troupe of aerial silk performers including courting a royal. But when her newest recruit's quest for revenge threatens everyone's safety, Natasha will be forced to reevaluate her plan and everything she thought she knew about herself.
Out June 8
Haven Point by Virginia Hume
Virgina Hume's Haven Point [35] is the book equivalent of a beach getaway. Told across seven decades, this multigenerational novel follows one family's fraught relationship with the beautiful Maine seaside town where they have vacationed for generations, while also unpacking the years of baggage each member of the clan can't stop holding onto.
Out June 8
Love and Other Natural Disasters by Misa Sugiura
Love and Other Natural Disasters [36] by Misa Sugiura is a warm-hearted queer rom-com with a fake dating plotline that will leave you grinning. Nozomi Nagai wasn't looking for a fake summer romance, but she embraces her role as Willow's new girlfriend in order to make Willow's ex jealous. But Misa might just have an ulterior motive in mind: to make Willow see that she's the perfect girl for her (for real).
Out June 8
The Missing Treasures of Amy Ashton by Eleanor Ray
The Missing Treasures of Amy Ashton [37] by Eleanor Ray is a bighearted novel about starting over after a tragedy. A heartbreaking event in her past left Amy more inclined to collect objects than to allow herself to open up to people. But when a little boy with his own passion for collecting moves in next door, Amy might finally find a way to open up her heart again.
Out June 8
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian
Cat Sebastian's The Queer Principles of Kit Webb [38] is a rollicking historical romance with plenty of adventure thrown in for good measure. Former thief Kit Webb owns a perfectly respectable coffee shop now, but when an entrancing nobleman walks in hoping for Kit's assistance with a crime, he finds it hard to say no.
Out June 8
Sisters of the Resistance by Christine Wells
Inspired by the true story of Catherine Dior, Sisters of the Resistance [39] is the story of two sisters who are swept up in the French resistance movement in 1944 Paris. As the sisters are pulled deeper into this underground world of spies and deception, they'll risk everything to make a difference.
Out June 8
We Can't Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Rachel Lynn Solomon's adorable We Can't Keep Meeting Like This [40] is being released just in time for wedding season. This confection of a rom-com follows Quinn Berkowitz and Tarek Mansour, whose families have been in the wedding business together for years. Last summer, Quinn finally revealed her feelings for Tarek in a long letter, and now that he's back home, she's bracing for awkwardness to go along with the usual stream of wedding mishaps.
Out June 8
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
In Blood Like Magic [41] by Liselle Sambury, a modern day witch must make the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect her family's magical bloodline. Voya Thomas only has one more shot of receiving her powers and protecting her family from losing theirs — she has to sacrifice her first love. There's just one problem: Voya has never been in love before.
Out June 15
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
Anyone who has ever fallen down a rabbit hole of Manson family documentaries has likely pondered the question of why people join cults, and Amanda Montell's Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism [42] offers up a surprising explanation: It's all about the language. Through careful research and compelling writing, Montell breaks down how the right words can draw people into cults, as well as how none of us are as immune to cult-like thinking as we'd like to believe.
Out June 1
The Layover by Lacie Waldon
A mechanical malfunction strands a flight attendant in paradise with her worst enemy in The Layover [43] by Lacie Waldon. After 10 years of jet-setting as a flight attendant, Ava is ready for a fresh start, but she has to make it through one last flight first. Unfortunately for her, the cocky ex-pilot Jack Stone is also on her flight, and when the plane is forced to make an emergency landing, she'll be stuck with him for the entire weekend.
Out June 15
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Alex Michaelides's latest thriller The Maidens [44] will draw you into the world of a university secret society and a charming professor who might also be a killer. At least that's what group therapist Mariana believes, and she's prepared to do whatever it takes to bring him down.
Out June 15
She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson
Comedy queen Quinta Brunson's first collection of essays, She Memes Well [45], is every bit as vibrant and hilarious as the acclaimed writer/actress herself. From diving into the experience of going viral on Instagram to getting candid about dealing with depression, no topic is off limits in Brunson's must-read collection.
Out June 15
Shutter by Melissa Larsen
Shutter [46] by Melissa Larsen makes an excellent case for not accompanying a mysterious filmmaker into the woods. After losing her father, Betty Roux packs up her whole life and moves to New York where she lands the lead role in indie director Anthony Marino's latest project. For one month, Betty is supposed to live in an isolated cabin on a remote island with just the small crew, but it doesn't take long for her to realise Anthony isn't telling her everything about her role.
Out June 15
Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey
Very Sincerely Yours [47] by Kerry Winfrey is a cosy rom-com about a woman who runs a vintage toy shop and can't stop crushing on a children's TV presenter. When Teddy finally works up the nerve to write her crush a letter, the duo begin a correspondence that will change both of their lives forever.
Out June 15
Dream Girl by Laura Lippman
Laura Lippman's Dream Girl [48] is a chilling novel that will make you question everything. After an accident leaves author Gerry Andersen housebound with no one for company but his assistant and his nurse, he finds himself rattled by a call from a woman who claims to be the lead character in his book. But that character isn't real, and when he tries to get to the truth behind who made the eerie call, he quickly discovers his sanity may depend on him unraveling this mystery.
Out June 22
A Hand to Hold in Deep Water by Shawn Nocher
Shawn Nocher's A Hand to Hold in Deep Water [49] is an insightful story about what it takes to make a family. It's been 30 years since Lacey's mother abandoned her and her stepfather, and she's now a single mother herself. When her daughter is diagnosed with a terrible illness, Lacey heads home to be near her stepdad and finally reckon with the pain her mother caused them both.
Out June 22
Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
If you're looking for a thriller that never lets up on the tension, then look no further than Hostage [50] by Clare Mackintosh. Set entirely on a 20 hour non-stop flight from London to Sydney, the story follows a flight attendant named Mina who is faced with an impossible choice: comply with the demands of an anonymous passenger who doesn't want the plane to make it to its final destination or let her daughter and husband die in order to save a plane full of strangers.
Out June 22
Love Scenes by Bridget Morrissey
After losing her TV gig, actress Sloane Ford agrees to step in as a producer on her family's World War II epic in Love Scenes [51] by Bridget Morrissey. What her family doesn't tell her is the movie stars her former roguish co-star Joseph Donovan, who Sloane had hoped to never see again.
Out June 22
The Road to Roses by Desiree Hartsock Siegfried
Fans of The Bachelor [52] have to read Desiree Hartsock Siegfried's The Road to Roses [53], which offers up a behind-the-scenes look at her time in Bachelor Nation. From the heartbreak of being broken up with on national TV to her journey after the cameras stopped rolling, Hartsock Siegfried tells all in this page-turning summer read.
Out June 22
Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza
Fabian Nicieza, the co-creator of Deadpool, has written a darkly comedic and timely detective novel with some serious grit. Suburban Dicks [54] follows Andie Stern, a very pregnant former FBI profiler, and a down on his luck journalist named Kenneth Lee who are the only two people who can track down a killer terrorizing the small town of West Windsor, New Jersey.
Out June 22
Yoke by Jessamyn Stanley
Jessamyn Stanley's Yoke [55] is a thought-provoking collection of essays about the author's pursuit of finding "yoga in the everyday." From taking on the whiteness of Western yoga practices to sharing the hard work that goes into fostering self-acceptance, Stanley's essays are eye-opening, informative, and always a joy to read.
Out June 22
Disquiet by Zülfü Livaneli
Disquiet [56] by Zülfü Livaneli is a moving novel set entirely in the modern day Middle East. The story focuses on Meleknaz, a Yazidi Syrian refugee, and Hussein, whose passion for helping others leads to him falling in love with Meleknaz, much to his family's disapproval.
Out June 29
Eat Your Heart Out by Kelly deVos
Why yes, you do need a body positive YA zombie apocalypse novel in your life, especially if it's Eat Your Heart Out [57] by Kelly deVos. This darkly hilarious tale of a young woman whose trip to a weight loss camp becomes even more nightmarish with the addition of zombies is a sharply observed slice of social commentary mixed with edge of your seat apocalyptic action.
Out June 29
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Gearbreakers [58] by Zoe Hana Mikuta is even more entertaining than a big summer blockbuster. The story follows two girls on opposites sides of an ongoing war involving mechanized weapons know as Windups. When the unlikely duo is forced to work together, they quickly realise they have more in common than they first thought.
Out June 29
The House Guests by Emilie Richards
The lives of two women grappling with their pasts intersect in The House Guests [59] by Emilie Richards. After her stepdaughter's reckless actions leave a mother, Amber, and her son homeless, Cassie invites them to move into her home. However, it doesn't take long for her to realise Amber has secrets she's trying to hide.
Out June 29
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen by Inger Burnett-Zeigler, PhD
Clinical psychologist Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler's Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen [60] is a potentially life-saving book that candidly discusses the emotional and physical struggles many Black women face. At the heart of this powerful book is a message about addressing the needs of Black women, and the importance of discussing topics like self-care and mental health.
Out June 29
Pug Actually by Matt Dunn
A love story told from the perspective of a pug? Yes, please! In the sweetly funny Pug Actually [61] by Matt Dunn, the wise Doug plays matchmaker for Julie, his beloved rescuer who keeps making terrible romantic decisions. Doug is determined to steer Julie away from her married boss and into the arms of the recently divorced Tom.
Out June 29
To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne
To Sir, With Love [62] by Lauren Layne will give you You've Got Mail vibes in the best possible way. By day, Gracie is trying to keep her father's champagne shop afloat while avoiding the annoying Sebastian Andrews's attempts to buy her out. But by night, she's spilling all of her problems to a man known only as Sir, who she meets on a blind dating app. What she doesn't know, is she has already met Sir in real life, and it was loathe at first sight.
Out June 29
Something Wild by Hanna Halperin
Something Wild [63] by Hanna Halperin is a story of sisters and mothers, and the secrets they keep. When they return home to help their mother move, Tanya and Nessa discover their mom is in an abusive relationship. As they try to convince their mother to leave, each woman will be forced to confront memories they would rather forget.
Out June 29
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
Riley Sager's new thriller Survive the Night [64] is a claustrophobic story about a woman who might be trapped in a car with a serial killer. Set in 1991, horror movie fan Charlie Jordan agrees to ride home from college with a guy she barely knows. But as their trip gets underway, she begins to wonder if the man sitting next to her is the campus killer who murdered her best friend.
Out June 29
When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
An opera singer and a football player are forced to go on a promotional tour together in Susan Elizabeth Phillips's hilarious When Stars Collide [65]. Thaddeus and Olivia are opposites in every way, and they're determined to make each other miserable on their trip. However, it doesn't take them long to realise that deep down they might just have something in common after all.
Out June 29
Mona at Sea by Elizabeth Gonzalez James
Set during the Great Recession, Mona at Sea [66] by Elizabeth Gonzalez James is a warts and all depiction of what it was like for millennials searching for work post-college during that difficult era. When Mona's first real job ends up disappearing due to the recession, she heads home with no clue what she's supposed to do next. Luckily, her mom has a few ideas, including joining a job-seekers support group which throws Mona a lifeline when she needs it the most.
Out June 30