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Best New Books Releasing in July 2021

54 Must-Read July Book Releases That'll Make Your TBR Pile a Lot Larger

Jun 30 2021

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The scorching hot book releases just keep on coming this summer! July's list of must-read books is a perfect collection of bestselling authors, romances that will turn the heat up, thought-provoking literary fiction, and thrillers that will keep you turning the pages way past your bedtime. With fresh titles from the likes of Jasmine Guillory, Megan Miranda, and Grady Hendrix hitting bookshelves (and e-readers!) this month, there's absolutely zero chance of you running out of amazing books to read. However, if you're looking for even more inspiration, don't forget to check out June's stacked list of hot reads, too.

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1. Have We Met? by Camille Baker

Have We Met? by Camille Baker is as much a story about the lasting power of friendship as it is a charming rom-com. In the wake of her best friend's death, Corinne discovers a mysterious dating app called Met on her phone. The app claims she has already met her soulmate, which sends her on a journey through her past that might just lead to a new beginning.

Out July 1

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2. The Mixtape by Brittainy Cherry

Brittainy Cherry's The Mixtape is a rockstar romance with a whole lot of heart. At the centre of the story are two lost souls: a struggling single mother named Emery, and a famous musician named Oliver who is trying to grieve the death of his twin in private. When the unlikely duo cross paths in the bar where Emery works, they quickly realise they're in a unique position to help one another.

Out July 1

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3. The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry

The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry is not your typical thriller. This fast-paced story tracks a serial killer across time and space as he kills the same women over and over again. However, what the killer hasn't realised yet is that an intrepid journalist named Felicity Staples is on his trail — even though pursuing the truth means leaving the only reality she's ever known behind.

Out July 6

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4. Bolla by Pajtim Statovci

Tragedy, love, and war all collide in Pajtim Statovci's exquisite Bolla. The novel begins in 1955 when newlywed Arsim meets a man named Miloš at a café in Kosovo. Soon, the men begin an affair that is swiftly complicated by a war that tears both of their worlds apart.

Out July 6

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5. Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

Spanning more than half a century, Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith mixes Vietnamese folklore with a time-bending narrative to reveal the connection between two women who disappeared decades apart. Along the way, the book introduces a vivid cast of characters who are all connected, even if they don't realise it yet.

Out July 6

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6. Easy Crafts For the Insane by Kelly Williams Brown

The bestselling author of Adulting is back with a new memoir about what happens when everything in your life seems to go horribly awry all at once. In Easy Crafts For the Insane, Kelly Williams Brown gets candid about her depression, feelings of imposter syndrome, and spending time at an inpatient facility. During this complicated time in her life, Brown turned to crafting to help piece her own life back together, one tiny project at a time.

Out July 6

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7. Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin

Emily Austin's darkly funny Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead is already a contender for the best book of 2021. That's thanks in large part to the story's wonderfully complex protagonist Gilda, a lesbian and atheist who inadvertently ends up working as a secretary for a Catholic church after showing up for a free counseling session. Soon, Gilda's perpetually anxious mind can't stop fixating on her deceased predecessor — which becomes even more troubling when she begins impersonating the woman via email.

Out July 6

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8. Falling by T.J. Newman

If you're looking for a summer thriller that will get your heart pounding, then Falling by T.J. Newman is the book for you. Set aboard a plane piloted by a man whose family has been kidnapped, the lives of 144 passengers hang in the balance as the pilot must decide between crashing the plane to save his family, or landing it safely knowing his family will be murdered if he does so.

Out Juy 6

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9. The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel is a unique World War II novel about a woman whose life spent in isolation puts her in a unique position to help a group of Jewish people fleeing the Nazis. However, when one of her new friends betrays her, she ends up escaping to a German-occupied village where she'll be forced to face her past.

Out July 6

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10. The Grandmother Plot by Caroline B. Cooney

Bestselling author Caroline B. Cooney has been perfecting the fine art of thriller writing for decades now, and her latest novel, The Grandmother Plot, will grip you from page one. When a murder occurs in his grandmother's nursing home, a man named Freddy becomes frightened that his grandma could be next — which would result in his income being cut off and the police nosing around where they don't belong. And he simply can't have that.

Out July 6

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11. If You, Then Me by Yvonne Woon

Young app designer Xia is terrific with technology, and unsure about pretty much everything else in Yvonne Woon's If You, Then Me. But when Xia is accepted into a prestigious app incubator, her boring life suddenly becomes full of intrigue (and at least two new potential love interests).

Out July 6

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12. Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev

Sonali Dev's Jane Austen-inspired series continues with Incense and Sensibility. This time around, the story focuses on Canada's first ever Indian-American gubernatorial candidate, Yash Raje, who needs help centreing himself after a hate crime at one of his rallies. Enter India Dashwood, his sister's best friend and the best stress management coach in the state — and the woman Yash spent one perfect night with a decade ago.

Out July 6

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13. Island Queen by Vanessa Riley

Island Queen by Vanessa Riley is the must-read historical novel of the summer. Inspired by the real life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, the novel tracks the story of a woman named Doll who was born into slavery, but ultimately ends up as one of the wealthiest landowners in the West Indies.

Out July 6

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14. The Lost Girls by Jessica Chiarella

More than 20 years after her sister's mysterious disappearance, Marti's life is still devoted to finding her via her hit true crime podcast in Jessica Chiarella's twisty The Lost Girls. But when a woman reaches out to Marti about a case that could be connected to her sister, she begins to fear the answers she might finally find.

Out July 6

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15. Out of Character by Annabeth Albert

Nerd culture, a charity event for kids, and a whole lot of messy history bring former friends Jasper Quigley and Milo Lionetti together again in Annabeth Albert's swoony rom-com Out of Character. When Milo turns to Jasper for help with a charity event, Jasper is initially reluctant, but as they work together to create a magical night for the kids, their true feelings for one another come bubbling to the surface.

Out July 6

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16. The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller

Set during one life-changing day in July, The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller chronicles one woman's internal struggle as she reckons with her decision to sleep with her childhood sweetheart while her husband and family enjoy a quiet evening at their holiday home. As the day wears on, Elle contemplates the past and the future as she tries to decide whether or not to tell her husband the truth.

Out July 6

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17. Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby is a searing story of two fathers on a quest to enact justice on behalf of their slain sons. Ike and Buddy Lee both struggled to accept their sons' marriage when the young men were alive, but with such a monumental loss hanging over their heads, the ex-cons set out on a journey to bring down the people who murdered their boys.

Out July 6

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18. Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson

Leah Johnson's Rise to the Sun is an ode to the healing power of music and love. Set against the backdrop of a music festival, the story follows Olivia, who is desperately trying to escape for one magical weekend before her senior year starts, and Toni, who is following in her late father's footsteps in hopes of processing her grief. Soon, these two young women realise they're in a unique position to help each other process the traumas of the past, and maybe even find the strength to forge a fresh start for themselves, too.

Out July 6

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19. Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy

Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy is an unusual, but mesmerising coming of age tale about a young woman who leaves home to become a Playboy Bunny in Lake Geneva, WI. Her decision leads to sexual exploration, new friendships, and a love triangle that ends in tragedy in this story about one woman's journey of self-discovery.

Out July 6

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20. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Inspired by East Asian folklore, Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim is a gripping fantasy novel about a princess with a stolen voice on a quest to save her brothers. After losing control of her magic during her betrothal ceremony, Shiori'anma's stepmother steals the young woman's voice and turns her brothers into cranes. Now, she'll have to form an alliance with a paper bird, a dragon, and her ex in order to rescue her brothers and bring her stepmother down.

Out July 6

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21. Summer in the City of Roses by Michelle Ruiz Keil

Summer in the City of Roses by Michelle Ruiz Keil is a beautiful story steeped in magical realism and the heady reality of self-discovery. During their first summer apart, brother and sister Orr and Iph discover what they're passionate about as they go on a quest to find their way back to each other.

Out July 6

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22. The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue

Rachel Donahue's Gothic-tinged mystery The Temple House Vanishing will keep you guessing until the last page. Told through alternating viewpoints, the novel explores the disappearance of a student and teacher from an elite and remote boarding school. And yes, this one will leave you guessing right up until the last page.

Out July 6

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23. Vessel by Cai Chongda

Cai Chongda's memoir Vessel is a clear-eyed examination of the author's time spent keeping his father's gas station open, working his way through university, and eventually becoming the editorial director of GQ China. Along the way, he opens up about the chasm that develops between him and his family, whom he supports, and his attempts to bridge the gap between tradition and progress.

Out July 6

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24. Where It All Lands by Jennie Wexler

Where It All Lands by Jennie Wexler is the teen version of Sliding Doors. Told in two different timelines, the story reveals how one coin toss could drastically change the course of three people's lives is this tantalizing story that asks what might happen if you could go barreling down the road not taken.

Out July 6

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25. China Room by Sunjeev Sahota

Told across two timelines, Sunjeev Sahota's China Room is an epic story about family secrets and the struggle to break free from the people and systems who try to hold others back. In 1929 Punjab, Mehar is struggling to deduce who she's married to after she and two other women are married to three brothers in a single ceremony. Then, decades later in 1999, a young man moves in with his uncle as he works to get his addiction under control, only to find the home's china room has been locked for years.

Out July 13

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26. The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

Grady Hendrix's latest deconstruction of the horror genre takes on the final girl trope in The Final Girl Support Group. For over a decade, five women who survived unthinkable horrors have met with a therapist to piece their lives back together, but when one of them goes missing, the other four quickly realise they have yet another fight on their hands.

Out July 13

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27. A House Full of Windsor by Kristin Contino

A royal obsession and a family's overstuffed closet full of secrets are at the centre of Kristin Contino's smart and heartwarming novel A House Full of Windsor. Sarah has long tried to keep her mother's obsessive hoarding of royal memorabilia a secret, but now that her brother has submitted their mom to take part in a reality show, Sarah and the rest of her family are going to finally have to confront the painful past they've been trying so hard to ignore — and on TV of all places.

Out July 13

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28. How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton

A horror novelist and a cheerful party planner have the weirdest meet cute ever in How Sweet It Is by Dylan Newton. While Kate is known for planning ultra-romantic weddings, she can't say no when her best friend asks her to put together a famous horror writer's book launch party. But what she doesn't expect is to catch feelings for the so-called "Knight of Nightmares."

Out July 13

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29. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Schitt's Creek fans, this is the romance read for you. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey follows a Hollywood darling who is cut off from the family fortune and exiled to a small town in hopes that she'll finally learn some responsibility. However, at least one sexy local is ready to send her back to Hollywood as soon as possible.

Out July 13

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30. The Lost and Found Necklace by Louisa Leaman

The search for a family heirloom is at the centre of this gem of a rom-com. In The Lost and Found Necklace by Louisa Leaman, a woman named Jess is ready to settle down with her boring, but sweet boyfriend when she's drawn into the hunt for a necklace that's been passed down from woman to woman throughout her family's history — and into the orbit of the man who's not quite ready to give the heirloom back to its rightful owners.

Out July 13

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31. The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney Grandison

The Right Side of Reckless by Whitney Grandison is a star-crossed teen romance about second chances and defying expectations. After making a series of bad choices, Guillermo Lozano is ready to stay on the straight and narrow, but when sparks fly between him and perpetual good girl Regan London, all bets are off.

Out July 13

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32. The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam

Tahmima Anam turns her keen eye toward skewering startup culture and exploring what the future of religion might look like in the digital age in her terrific new novel The Startup Wife. When husband and wife team Asha and Cyrus create an app that replaces religion, they quickly become superstars. But as the adoration disproportionately falls on Cyrus, Asha begins to wonder if their relationship can survive when she's being pushed out of the narrative completely.

Out July 13

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33. Such a Quiet Place by Megan Miranda

Megan Miranda's latest domestic thriller, Such a Quiet Place, takes place in a tight-knit community that's rocked by a murder. When the woman accused of the crime returns to Hollow's Edge as if nothing ever happened, neighbours begin turning on neighbours in this unsettling story of a neighbourhood on the brink of chaos.

Out July 13

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34. The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass

Between being a medium and dealing with the racist teachers at his school, Jake Livingston's life is more than a little bit complicated in The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass. Jake thinks things might be getting better when Allister, a new student who catches Jake's eye, arrives at the school, but the presence of a vengeful ghost quickly makes crushing on the new boy the least of his problems.

Out July 13

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35. The Therapist by B.A. Paris

The Therapist by B.A. Paris follows a young couple as they move into the perfect gated community only to discover that something terrible happened in their new house. Now, Alice can't quit digging into the life of the therapist who lived there before them, even though her neighbours would much rather forget the past.

Out July 13

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36. A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan

A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan is a bold, wild ride that takes on our collective dependence on social media head on. When unhappily married couple Remy and Alicia run into their Instagram obsession Jen in the flesh, the duo are elated when she invites them to the Hamptons. However, once they begin spending time with Jen in real life, resentment and jealousy bubble to the surface leading to a horrifying turn of events.

Out July 13

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37. What Is a Dog? by Chloe Shaw

It's no secret that dogs can make us better people. But in her memoir What Is a Dog?, Chloe Shaw takes things a step further by pondering what lessons we can learn about striving to be our best selves by reflecting on all of the beloved pups who have touched our lives. In the wake of her dog's death, Shaw looks back on all of the canine companions she has had in her life so far, and reflects on how they've helped her grow as a human.

Out July 13

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38. While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory

A Hollywood romance blossoms in Jasmine Guillory's steamy and swoon-worthy While We Were Dating. At first, ad man Ben and movie star Anna's flirtation is just meant to be a bit of fun. But when a family emergency makes them realise their feelings are real, they'll have to decide if they're ready to let the rest of the world see that they're falling for one another.

Out July 13

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39. XOXO by Axie Oh

An aspiring cellist spends one magical night exploring Los Angeles with a boy from Korea in Axie Oh's XOXO. But what Jenny doesn't realise until her mother moves her halfway around the world, is that the boy in question is actually an international K-pop star — which means their romance could jeopardize both of their careers if word gets out.

Out July 13

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40. The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig

There's no way around it: The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig is terrifying. But it's also a story about the power of a family's love. Set in a Pennsylvania mining town where something dark is always lurking, the story follows a little boy and his parents as they find themselves caught up in the ultimate battle of good versus evil.

Out July 20

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41. False Witness by Karin Slaughter

Defence attorney Leigh's life seems to be perfect from the outside in Karin Slaughter's False Witness. But there's a darkness in her past that's just waiting to be exposed by her new client — a man she has no choice but to defend if she wants to protect herself and her little sister.

Out July 20

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42. For Your Own Good by Samantha Downing

A teacher only wants what's best for his students in Samantha Downing's pitch black satirical thriller For Your Own Good. As Teacher of the Year, Teddy believes it's his responsibility to guide his students through the world, even if that means defying their snobbish parents or teaching them a few hard life lessons along the way. Everything he does is for their own good, after all.

Out July 20

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43. Isn't It Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

Lyssa Kay Adams's Bromance Book Club series continues with Isn't It Bromantic?. This time around, it's Vlad's (better known as the Russian) turn to find his happily ever after, and for him that means wooing his wife and defying expectations by writing his very own romance novel.

Out July 20

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44. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

The rise of the Ming Dynasty's founding emperor is reimagined in the sprawling and striking epic She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan. When it's foretold that Zhu Chongba has a fate of greatness, his sister is told she has a fate of nothingness. But everything changes when Zhu is killed, and his sister assumes his identity and his destiny.

Out July 20

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45. A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe

A Woman of Intelligence by Karin Tanabe is the kind of historical fiction novel you can get lost in. Set in 1954, the story follows Katharina, a woman who seems to have it all: a gorgeous husband, healthy kids, and an apartment on Fifth Avenue. But Katharina yearns for more, which is how she ends up living a double life as an informant for the FBI.

Out July 20

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46. Goldenrod by Maggie Smith

Even if you don't usually read poetry, the lyrical and touching poems in Goldenrod by Maggie Smith are sure to capture your heart. Smith has a way of turning the mundane into the profound, and in the process, she'll astound you with her brilliant insights into modern life.

Out July 27

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47. Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl

At the centre of Heartbreak for Hire by Sonia Hartl is an organisation that specialises in taking entitled men down a few notches. Brinkley Saunders is one of the company's employees, and she has no regrets about the work she does . . . at least not until one of her former targets becomes the first male heartbreaker in the office.

Out July 27

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48. Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron

What begins as a bit of snooping turns into a dangerous obsession in Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron. With her life falling apart around her, Cassie takes a temp job sorting through a large corporation's emails. Among the emails is a private correspondence between a seemingly perfect wife and husband, who Cassie can't stop herself from fixating on.

Out July 27

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49. Love Next Door by Helena Hunting

Love Next Door by Helena Hunting is a perfect beach read (or front porch swing read). The story follows Dillon, who returns to her small hometown to join the family business, and ends up falling for the infuriatingly handsome man who lives in the cottage next door.

Out July 27

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50. The Man Ban by Nicola Marsh

Swearing off men is easier said than done in The Man Ban by Nicola Marsh. Food stylist Harper has spent the last 12 months focusing on herself, but when sparks fly between her and a frustratingly arrogant doctor, she decides a meaningless hookup isn't breaking the rules (although developing feelings for said hookup most definitely is).

Out July 27

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51. Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

An Easter dinner turns deadly in Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena. When Fred and Sheila Merton are brutally murdered, their adult children appear to be heartbroken. But appearances can be deceiving, and it's entirely possible one of them is responsible for the death of their parents.

Out July 27

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52. The Silver Blonde by Elizabeth Ross

The Golden era of Hollywood provides the backdrop for Elizabeth Ross's lush YA historical fiction tale The Silver Blonde. At 18, Clara wants nothing more than break into movie editing and score a date with the young screenwriter Gil, but life becomes complicated when she stumbles across a murder scene and becomes embroiled in a mystery.

Out July 27

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53. Small Favours by Erin A. Craig

Small Favours by Erin A. Craig will give you chills no matter how hot it is outside. The small town of Amity Falls is isolated from the outside world, which leads to quite a bit of boredom for Ellerie Downing. However, when the long-rumoured creatures that lurk in the woods surrounding Amity Falls begin making their presence known to the residents, Ellerie will yearn for the quiet days of boredom she used to loathe.

Out July 27

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54. When We Were Strangers by Alex Richards

In When We Were Strangers by Alex Richards, a young woman named Evie struggles to process her grief after her father's passing. Complicating matters further is her discovery that her father planned to leave her mother for his pregnant receptionist. In hopes of clearing her mind, Evie joins a photography class that leads her to confront her family's secrets so she can truly begin to heal.

Out July 27

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