Do you feel that in the air? The slight change of temperature and the way that the sun is starting to set earlier? Yep, Fall has begun. Well, at least theoretically, as it’s still a bit warm here in Minnesota. But school has started for our kids, Serena is planning a trip abroad, and Kate’s favorite season is on our doorstep. We also have a list of books we are looking forward to this month!
Serena’s Picks
Book: “The Thief and the Traitor Bride” by V. L. Bovalino
Publication Date: September 26, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I absolutely loved the first book in this series of stand alone romantic fantasies. “The Second Death of Locked” blew me away not only with its unique magic system and complicated political world building, but also with the lovely slow burn romance that leaned hard into all the yearning. So this has been down as a must read for quite some time. I’m definitely excited, but I will say that while I love second chance romance when done right, it’s also one of the harder romantic tropes to pull off well. Too often these love stories rely on miscommunication or some other nonsense to justify the original break. But as the first book was done so well, I have high hopes that the author can pull it off again here! If anything, I’m holding out hope for a few more glimpses of Locke and Keir here in this second book!
Book: “The Wretched Divine” by Adalyn Grace
Publication Date: September 26, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I had a bit of a messy break up with Grace’s last YA trilogy. I absolutely loved “Belladonna,” but from there the series took a steady nose dive culminating in what felt like a bit of a dumpster fire with the last book (especially because that third book started with such great potential!). But hope lives eternal, and I know that this author can definitely procure books that hit just right for me. This one does have a steep hill to climb as it is clearly telegraphing some of love triangle right from the start, but hey, that was one of the main perks of “Belladonna,” that the author had managed to write a love triangle that I didn’t hate! On the other hand, this triangle consists of what sounds like a blonde angel and a dark-haired demon. Hmm, wonder which one she’ll end up with?? But like I said, maybe she’ll surprise me! This is also a switch to an adult romantasy series, so I’m excited to see how Grace adjust her storytelling for an older audience. Definitely both nervous and excited for this one!
Book: “Scion” by James Islington
Publication Date: September 1, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I missed the initial hype train for this author. While I fully intended to get to “The Will of the Many” one of these days, I’m definitely behind the curve here. That being the case, I was excited to see that the author was releasing a new sci-fi/cyberpunk novel this month. What’s more, it’s a bit on the shorter side, so a great entry point to get a taste of what this author has in store! Based on the book description, this definitely has “Murderbot” vibes with the story following a quick witted, rather snarky body guard as he trails around behind expensive clientele. It’s looks like one of those cases where the style and tone of the writing will really be the make or break factor for reader enjoyment. However, I’ve really been living “Murderbot,” so if this manages to capture the same magic, sign me up!
Kate’s Picks
Book: “Something Followed Us Home: Tales of Latiné Horror” by Cynthia Pelayo (Ed.)
Publication Date: September 29, 2026
Why I’m Interested: This one has been on my list pretty much all year, and I was not only lucky enough to get a copy at ALAAC26, I also got to meet Cynthia Pelayo and tell her how excited I was to read it. This new horror collection showcases horror short stories by various authors from the Latiné diaspora, with many authors from all kinds of backgrounds and perspectives being centered. Some I’m familar with, others I’m not, and I’m very excited to take this one on!
Book: “Kiss, Slay, Replay” by Rachel Harrison
Publication Date: September 1, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Rachel Harrison is still a favorite horror author of mine, and one I love to recommend to people who want something spooky, but perhaps not super scary. And her newest book “Kiss, Slay, Replay” sounds like it’s a wedding based time travel tale that has vibes of “Happy Death Day” and “Groundhog Day”. Willa is excited to be involved in her best friend’s wedding. But the night of the ceremony, a killer wreaks havoc, Willa being one of the victims… But then she wakes up after being killed, and finds it is once again the morning of the wedding. This keeps happening, and Willa needs to figure out how to get out of the loop. It sounds like a lot of fun.
Book: “Mazywood” by Tananarive Due
Publication Date: September 22, 2026
Why I’m Interested: After loving “The Reformatory” and diving back into some older titles (and enjoying them as well), Tananarive Due’s newest book “Mazywood” is a top priority for me this month. A man goes to his family cabin in the California wilds, hoping to get material for a documentary about his grandmother, a famous Black actress in mid 20th Century Hollywood. But as he stays there, he encounters not only her anger and backstory (also told through flashbacks to her time), but also something lurking in the woods. Hollywood, racism, monsters, and a mystery, super compelling and I can’t wait to pick it up.
It’s hard to believe that it’s already August! Serena is home from her time out west, Kate is spending time at the cabin and by the pool (yep, she has her routines), and soon it will be time for the grand Minnesota tradition of the State Fair, signaling the end of the summer season. But it’s not time to say goodbye to the heat yet, and we have some books that we are looking forward to as the month starts the official summer wind down!
Serena’s Picks
Book: “The Lion and the Deathless Dark” by Carissa Broadbent
Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Why I’m Interested: It’s been a lovely time the last few summers, in that each year I can look forward to another entry in the “Crowns of Nyaxia” series. And I’m particularly excited for this one not only because, historically, the first book in these duologies has always been the stronger, but because we are finally diving into Septimus’s story! He’s been popping in and out of the series for some time, always hinting to some grand plan, so it’s about time we get to know what that’s all about! Further, it sounds like our new heroine, Kyrene, is the vengeful warrior type, one of my favorites. Can’t wait to check it out!
Book: “The Infinite State” by Richard Swan
Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I’ve been meaning to check out Swan’s original fantasy trilogy for a while now, as it’s been highly praised by other reviewers whose opinions I trust. But in the mean time, I was happy to receive this ARC and can now look forward to starting a brand new series with him! This one sounds like it will be some combination of science fiction and dystopian, two genres that I always mean to get to more than I do. Transitioning from writing in one genre to another can sometimes be a challenge, but I’m hopeful that Swan can pull it off!
Book: “The Art of Charming a Changeling” by Sylvie Cathrall
Publication Date: August 25, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I really loved Cathrall’s first duology. In particular, I loved the detailed, historical-feeling nature of the writing itself. That being the case, this is the perfect author to write a Regency-era fantasy romance! It takes a certain knack to master the tone of historical romances like this, but I’m confident that Cathrall will pull it off. Plus, you know, changelings and faeries are always up my alley! Will have to use much self control to hold off on this one until later in the month!
Kate’s Picks
Book: “The Unknown” by Riley Sager
Publication Date: August 4, 2026
Why I’m Interested: If it’s another summer, it’s time for another Riley Sager book! I didn’t really love his book last summer, but with “The Unknown” he goes back to his horror roots and I am incredibly here for it. An actress hoping for her big break is cast in a movie which has a supposedly true story about women who disappeared on a strange island. The director wants all of the cast to go to the actual island and live the way those women lived, performing seances and being cut off from the world, as a method exercise. But then the women start disappearing just like in the past. Sounds spooky. I’m thrilled we’re back to horror!
Book: “Back for Blood: Never Whistle at Night Part II” by Shane Hawk (Ed.) and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. (Ed.)
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I so enjoyed the first short story anthology of this series, and I was very excited to see that it has coming back with more Indigenous authors, more stories, and potentially more scares! “Back for Blood” is the same premise as the first one in the series with a number of Indigenous authors write horror, thriller, and dark fiction. With authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Tommy Orange, and Ramona Emerson I was already hooked, but I look forward to discovering new authors to add to my reading lists.
Book: “Devil Inside” by Clay McLeod Chapman
Publication Date: August 11, 2026
Why I’m Interested: YES, not only is there a new Clay McLeod Chapman book out, he is now going to delve into ROMANCE!….. Almost assuredly in a way that is VERY Clay McLeod Chapman-esque!! At least I hope so. After a man has a near death experience, he starts having visions of faces melting, everything he eats tastes like ash, and he wonders if he’s going crazy. He meets a strange women named Lilith, and while they have passion and chemistry, she seemingly ditches him…. Only to perhaps show up again later, but with a different face, though she seems to know everything about him and their connection. As he gets closer and closer to her, things keep getting stranger and stranger…. Look a join review of this one from us!
What books are you reading this month? Let us know in the comments!
Well, it’s summer in Minnesota once again, which means Kate is waiting it out in appropriately air conditioned spaces/poolsidewhile Serena has fled back home to the West Coast where it may be hot, but at least it’s a dry heat! But, of course, we have tons of great ARCs from ALA to check out and some new titles this month to look forward to!
Serena’s Picks
Book: “The Eye of Leviathan” by M. A. Carrick
Publication Date: July 14, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I really loved the “Rook and Rose” trilogy, so I was trilled when I heard the writing duo known as M. A. Carrick were going to be back with a new fantasy duology! This time, the story follows a changeling and his counterpart in an alternative Spain set during the Inquisition. After their last trilogy that was so full of unique world-building and character work, I can’t wait to see what they do when merging real historical events with fantasy elements. It’s a hefty read, coming in at nearly 500 pages, but I can’t wait!
Book: “The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy” by Brigitte Knightley
Publication Date: July 7, 2026
Why I’m Interested: On paper, I shouldn’t have enjoyed the first book in this series. In many ways, it sounded like yet another overly familiar “enemies to lovers” romantasy title, full of quipping characters and lackluster worldbuilding. But it just goes to show that you never know, and even tired tropes can be enjoyable in the right hands! Mostly, I enjoyed the humor of the first book, something that I think is almost the determining factor for enjoyment of these books for many readers. But it worked for me, for whatever reason, and I’m excited to see how it all wraps up here in the second half of the duology.
Book: “The Witch Below the Dreaming Wood” by H.G. Parry
Publication Date: June 21, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by this author, so I’m always excited when she puts out a new title. This one was particularly of interest, however, as it’s been a while since I’ve found an Arthurian fantasy novel that really works for me. I don’t know why I struggle with these sorts of fantasy novels so much, but Parry is a strong author, so if anyone could make it work for me, she might just pull it off!
Kate’s Picks
Book: “Fabulous Bodies” by Chuck Tingle
Publication Date: July 7, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Chuck Tingle is a must read author for me, as he’s had a streak of really creative and engaging horror novels. And his newest “Fabulous Bodies” sounds just as creative and outlandish as I’ve come to expect from him, this time following a fashion influencer who is also a grave robber, and who robs the grave of a famous rock star….. Who refuses to stay dead. The description is a bit vague (are we talking zombie? Vampire? Something else?), but that just adds to the interest on my end! Tingle always comes up with wild stories and I’m very stoked for this one.
Book: “The Intrigue” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Publication Date: July 14, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Another must read author for me!!! Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a genre hopping chameleon to be sure, though in “The Intrigue” she is returning to the Noir scene, with sex, lies, manipulation, and a 1940s Mexican backdrop. Ulises is a con artist who woos women and then steals their money, and while this has worked for awhile, the funds are starting to dwindle as the world grapples with war and a financial depression. But he thinks that maybe he can have one last big con on a lonely boarding house owner named Perla, who has a crafty niece named Inés. What Ulises doesn’t realize is that Perla isn’t as easily fooled as he thinks. I quite enjoy Moreno-Garcia’s works and I’m happy we have a new one this year!
Book: “Hot Girl Murder Club” by Ashley Winstead
Publication Date: July 14, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Boy do I love an addicted and soapy thriller and Ashley Winstead almost always delivers on those fronts. And in her newest book “Hot Girl Murder Club” we have a singer songwriter named Scout who accused of a murder she didn’t commit, and how her new notoriety must be overcome to not only clear her name, but also find some justice for her sister, who was murdered years before. I have found Winstead’s previous books very difficult to put down and this one just sounds like perfect summer reading!
What books are you reading this month? Let us know in the comments!
Well, forget spring, we’re straight into summer! At least if the last week of May has anything to say about it! While the extra sunshine and daylight is great, the return of the heat and humidity is…less so. Ah well! At least we have ALA at the end of the month. We also have a bunch of new titles to look forward to reading from the shade or, more realistically, the air-conditioned home.
Serena’s Picks
Book: “The Unicorn Hunters” by Katherine Arden
Publication Date: June 2, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Arden is a must-read author for me, so naturally this is at the top of my list. Beyond the fact that she’s such a talented author and could probably make any story work, this one sounds particularly up my alley! A historical fairytale that re-imagines the life of Anne of Brittany. Dark forests, mysterious magic, and what sounds like a solid romantic subplot! I can’t wait to check this one out! Plus, this cover is absolutely hitting it out of the park!
Book: “The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield” by Claudia Gray
Publication Date: June 16, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Every spring I get excited for the next entry into the “Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney” mystery series by Claudia Gray. There hasn’t been a singled misstep so far! I’m, of course, excited to see how the slowburn romance between our two main characters will progress, but I’m also excited with the new location and cast of characters we’re going to see in this one! Give me more Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet any day of the week! I can’t imagine two people less able to manage needing to be suspicious of house guests as potential murderers! Jane would simply say there must have been a terrible misunderstanding somewhere and no one is actually murdered! I can’t wait for this!
Book: “Endless Blue Beneath” by Shannon K. English
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Why I’m Interested: There have been some great mermaid stories recently, not least our recent book club book, “When the Tides Held the Moon.” So of course I was going to jump at the chance to now read a sapphic version of mermaids! The story follows a young woman who is shunned on land, only to find a new family and world deep beneath the sea. And, of course, a mysterious love interest. Plus, again, the cover art on this one is just amazing!
Kate’s Picks
Book: “You First” by Caroline Kepnes
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I am ALWAYS going to be interested in a Joe Goldberg story, I don’t care how creepy and terrible he is. And the wait for a new one is finally over as Caroline Kepnes is back with a new Joe book, this time taking us back in time to when he was a teenager! And to the first time he had a transformational obsession, I mean romance. Seventeen year old Joe meets Vail, an older woman who comes into Moody’s Books and sweeps Joe off his feet. Everyone has an origin story, even the stalker creeps, and seeing how Joe became Joe is sure to be a dark and sardonic ride.
Book: “It Came From Neverland” by Cynthia Pelayo
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I love Cynthia Pelayo’s dark fairy tale horror stories, and this time she is taking on a literary fantasy classic: Peter Pan! Wendy Darling is living in World War I London, teaching children and caring for wounded soldiers, and trying to forget how she and her brothers were lured away by a mysterious boy when they were children, only to find out that Neverland was a place where a monster lived. Now she is starting to see hints that Peter, the boy who stole her and other children, may be back to harm more kids. I love a dark retelling and Pelayo is always a macabre and emotional delight steeped in dreamy prose. This is sure to be a winner.
Book: “What Happened To Those Girls” by Carlyn Greenwald
Publication Date: June 30, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Mean girl antics meets “The Blair Witch Project”? Oh yes please! I love a soapy teen drama with girls being cruel to each other already, but when you throw in a horror twist it’s all the better. Emma is always the odd one out of her friend group, but it goes one step too far one night when her friends go on a camping trip that was her idea and leave her behind. But her friends are murdered on that trip, and Emma starts getting weird videos of the night they died. In order to clear her name, she teams up with one of the victim’s sister’s to discover who is behind it. I like mysteries too so it just sounds like a fun read all around.
What books are you reading this month? Let us know in the comments!
In Minnesota, Spring can be a little bit waxing and waning. It was a little bit of a cooler April, but we have hope that May will bring more Spring-y weather. And we also have Memorial Day weekend to look forward to, as well as our new tradition of book club weekend at Kate’s family cabin in Wisconsin! And with a new month comes a new crop of books we can’t wait to pick up!
Serena’s Picks
Book: “Seek the Traitor’s Son” by Veronica Roth
Publication Date: May 12, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I feel like I’ve had the opposite trajectory with Veronica Roth as many other fantasy readers. Others loved “Divergent” but still seem to be burnt by this author to this day based on the ending of that series (this book was selected by a book box for May and I was surprised by the number of people skipping it based purely on on having read “Divergent” a decade ago and still unwilling to give the author another go, now a decade later). On the other hand, I didn’t love the “Divergent” series and didn’t even finish it. I only later picked up another book by her years later, and that I absolutely loved, to the point that Roth is now an automatic read for me! I’ve had favorites for sure, but over the last three to four years, I can’t think of a single book by her that I haven’t enjoyed. All of this to say, I’m incredibly excited about her latest book, an adult dystopian romance novel that seems to be melding many genres all under one hat. Usually, this would be a cause for concern, but I have a good deal of faith built up in this author, so I’m confident that she will manage it well!
Book: “The Tapestry of Fate” by Shannon Chakraborty
Publication Date: May 12, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I’ve only been obsessively checking the Goodreads page for this book for the last several years! It feels like it’s been forever and a day since the first book in this series came out, and ever since I’ve been desperate to return to this world of pirates and magic! Most especially, I’m excited to yet again follow the tale of Amina, the oh so brave, oh so stubborn, oh so adventurous pirate captain. The story itself sounds like it will be introducing some interesting new magical elements, particularly the magical spindle she’s tasked with retrieving. There are a lot of “Odyssey” vibes coming from this one, and I can’t wait to see what Chakraborty does with it all!
Book: “A Curse of Beasts and Magic”
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Well, it’s a gender-swapped “Beauty and the Beast” story, so obviously I’m interested! However, it also sounds like this is an urban fantasy, which does make me a bit nervous. While there are urban fantasy stories/authors that I really enjoy, I also find there’s a certain style to the dialogue and inner monologues often found in urban fantasy that I particularly struggle with. It all comes off as either “try hard” or cringe-y. But, like I said, there are urban fantasy books that are also favorites, so I’m crossing my fingers that this will be another one of those!
Kate’s Picks
Book: “Bone of My Bone” by Johanna van Veen
Publication Info: May 26, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I have so enjoyed van Veen’s horror stories because of the unique takes on the genre that bring the reader to unique settings and time periods that aren’t seen as much in the genre. In her newest nove we go back to the 17th century in Germany, with a young nun named Sister Ursula fleeing her convent as war rages around her and into the forest, where she meets a peasant named Elsebeth. And as they try to survive in the woods they find a gilded skull of a Saint. The lore is that if you can bring a saint’s skull back to their body you will get a wish, which is a great motivator to the two women. But Ursula and Elsebeth aren’t the only ones who want the magic of the skull. And to make things worse, the skull itself seems to be talking to them. It sounds dark and weird, and I’m very into the concept.
Book: “Dead Weight” by Hildur Knútsdóttir
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I liked the strange dreaminess that was Knútsdóttir’s previous novella, with its mysteries kept close to the vest and a creepy growing dread. Because of that I wanted to read “Dead Weight”, the new novella from the Icelandic author. In “Dead Weight” an unassuming woman named Unnur is living a fairly solitary life until a random black cat wanders into her home. The cat’s owner Ásta comes looking, and the two women start up a friendship. But Ásta is in a, abusive relationship that only seems to be escalating, and both women find themselves in danger. It sounds nerve-wracking and I have high hopes.
Book: “Honey” by Imani Thompson
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Lord knows I’ve been vibing with the recent spate of ‘good for her’ stories we’ve ben seeing in the past few years, and “Honey” sounds like it’s going to be another interesting entry into the sub-genre. Yrsa is a Ph.D candidate who feels like she’s stagnating, while also dealing with the sexism that can be found in academia. After confronting a professor who had an affair with her friend and stole her work, the man dies due to happenstance… but it makes Yrsa realize that she likes the way the death of a bad man makes her feel. Thus begins a crusade against misogynists with murder and mayhem. It sounds pretty fun!
What books are you reading this month? Let us know in the comments!
Per our predictions from the last Highlights post, March was indeed a tricksy month, with the odd 50 degree days followed by a lovely snowstorm smack in the middle of the month. But sure, SURELY, April will be actually spring?? Right?? Either way, we always have our books to get us through the odd weather events. Here are a few we’re looking forward to this month!
Serena’s Picks
Book: “Burn the Kingdom Down” by Addie Thorley
Publication Date: April 7, 2026
Why I’m Interested: To be honest, this one wasn’t on my radar at all until I received an ARC in the mail unexpectedly. But a quick perusal of the book description revealed several tropes that I particularly enjoy! A revenge story built around avenging the death of a beloved sister, an unwanted engagement, and plenty of court politics set in a fantasy world. I also really like the unique cover art on this one, and am excited to see if the story lives up to the same high!
Book: “The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains” by Reena McCarty
Publication Date: April 7, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I’ve been chasing the high of the “Emily Wilde” books for a while now, so naturally this one stood out once I came upon it this spring. Aside from my normal interest in Fae/Faerie stories, I’m intrigued by many aspect of this book. A heroine who was stolen away as a child and spent one hundred years in Faerie before coming back to the human world and working as a sort of go-between? The entire concept of the Faerie world intersecting with the human one through the bureaucratic process of creating a business to run their bargains through? All interesting stuff!
Book: “We Become Darkness” by Grace Morrow
Publication Date: April 7, 2026
Why I’m Interested: As opposed to my first pick on this list, I’m interested in this one despite the cover. I’m not sure what is happening here, but I don’t love it. Character art is always a bit of a hard sell, but this one is particularly off-putting. Anyways, the story itself sounds interesting. It is yet another arranged marriage story, so that particular romance may be overrepresented this month. But it also features what sounds like a unique take on Vampyrs, so I’m excited to see how that all plays out here!
Kate’s Picks
Book: “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke
Publication Date: April 7, 2026
Why I’m Interested: The march of the tradwife thrillers/horror/satire continues, and this was the first one that actually caught my eye in this trend when it was announced a couple years ago. Natalie is an influencer with millions of followers, a perfect looking family, and a platform that espouses the joys and benefits of living a ‘traditional’ Christian lifestyle, even though she hides scandals behind a smug disposition. So when she wakes up one morning and finds herself to be an actual traditional wife on a farmstead in what appears to be the early 1800s, she realizes that perhaps the ‘good old days’ aren’t so good after all. I’m far from being sick of this kind of trad wife satire and this one sounds like it pushes many boundaries, so I’m very stoked.
Book: “Japanese Gothic” by Kylie Lee Baker
Publication Date: April 14, 2026
Why I’m Interested: After really loving “Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng” I was totally thrilled seeing that Kylie Lee Baker had a new adult horror novel coming out this year! And this one sounds like it’s a two time period time travel horror? In the present, Lee has to flee the U.S. after killing his roommate and ends up back in Japan, living in his father’s abandoned house. In the past, disgraced samurai Sen is hiding from Imperial soldiers in a house off the beaten path. Both of them are seeing the other over centuries. I cannot wait to see what Baker does with this one!
Book: “Molka” by Monika Kim
Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Another follow up to a horror novel I just loved! Monika Kim really stood out with “The Eyes Are The Best Part”, and with “Molka” she takes on voyeurism and stalking. Dahye and Hyukjoon have fallen into passionate love, but are caught in a compromising position on video. Then that video gets posted all over the internet, causing a scandal. Hyukjoon is wealthy and he can flee South Korea until the heat dies down. Dahye cannot. When she becomes the new target of another voyeur, she starts to find her rage overflowing, especially as her past secrets start coming out. Sounds salacious. I can’t wait.
What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!
In theory, March is the beginning of spring, but here in Minnesota, we are not fooled. The odd snowstorm could still easily come blowing through. But at the same time, we’ve also seen some lovely warmer days, even back in February! Spring is a tease, first and foremost. But while the weather is unreliable, books never are. So here are a few we’re looking forward to this month!
Serena’s Picks
Book: “Entwined” by H. M. Long
Publication Date: March 10, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Long has quickly become one of my “must read” authors, so I was incredibly excited to see that she was coming out with another book so shortly after finishing up her previous trilogy last summer! And this time the story moves to a fantastical version of the Gilded Age, which sounds absolutely fantastic. That cover alone would have drawn me in, but I’m very excited to see what new world and magic system Long will dream up next! Her books always have excellent lore, and can’t wait to see what’s in store next!
Book: “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me” by Ilona Andrews
Publication Date: March 31, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I’m so excited for this one! I really loved Andrews’ “Kate Daniels” series, but somehow, even knowing I enjoyed that so much, I’ve never actually checked out anything else by this author. And while I do enjoy a good urban fantasy, third world fantasy is my true fave, so I’m so excited to see her now tackling a portal fantasy story like this! I’ve been burned on this concept a lot recently (the main character suddenly waking up in the pages of their favorite novel), but Andrews is such a solid writer that I have high hopes that this one will break the trend!
Book: “Daughter of Crows” by Mark Lawrence
Publication Date: March 24, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Somehow I haven’t yet read a book by this author, though he is well-loved by many fantasy readers. So I was excited to see that he was releasing the first book in a new series this spring, the perfect entry point for a new reader. I will say, I’ve about read my fill of deadly magical schools, but as this author is so widely regarded, I trust that he will have something new to bring to the table. At the very least, I love the idea of a book that sees the Furies come to the forefront of its lore!
Kate’s Picks
Book: “Turn Off The Light” by Jacquie Walters
Publication Date: March 3, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I really liked Walters’s previous book “Dearest” so I jumped at the chance at getting to read her new ghost story “Turn Off the Light”. And this one sounds like it could be a little bit time travel-y as well, which is interesting? Two women living at different times in the same strange house experience terrifying things, and perhaps have to reach out to each other over time and space to figure out what’s going on. It sounds creative and compelling and I am very curious to see how it all shakes out!
Book: “You Did Nothing Wrong” by C.G. Drews
Publication Date: March 17, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Another haunted house story! This time involves a single mother named Elodie remarrying and starting a new beginning in a brand new home. Except that her son Jude, who is autistic, starts to complain of the renovations on the house, saying that it’s hurting the structure, and Elodie’s own secrets and darkness from the past starts to creep up. It sounds really suspenseful, though I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to steel myself for this one as a mother to a child who is presumed to be autistic. But it sounds compelling enough that I’m willing to give it a go!
Book: “The Curse of Hester Gardens” by Tamika Thompson
Publication Date: March 31, 2026
Why I’m Interested: I have enjoyed stories by Tamika Thompson in the past and the premise of this book was REALLY interesting to me. Because what if a haunted place wasn’t just a single house, but a community in general? And what if that ties into current social issues like racism, gun violence, red lining, and poverty? A Black family living in the Hester Gardens housing projects has experienced tragedy and loss. Mother Nona is hoping that her sons can escape the cyclical violence and desperation that contributed to her oldest son’s death. But while she has high hopes, strange things start happening that can’t be explained. This is one I’m REALLY excited for this year.
What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!
While it’s true that neither of us cover that many romances on the blog (there are, of course, exceptions, especially if you consider all of the romantasy Serena reads!), we do enjoy reading the genre from time to time! And with Valentine’s Day coming up this weekend we thought it would be fun to highlight some of the romance novels coming out this year that we are looking forward to! What better way to honor the holiday than a book list?
Serena’s Picks
Book: “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me” by Ilona Andrews
BookDescription: When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy and naked in a gutter, it doesn’t take her long to recognize Kair Toren. It’s a city she knows intimately from the pages of a famously unfinished dark fantasy series – one she’s been obsessively reading and re-reading, while waiting years for the final novel.
Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic and mayhem? Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the plot, the setting and the characters’ ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she’s coming to love – a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to return home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes – and attentions – of duelling princes, dukes and villains. This all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the ending she’s seen on the a cataclysmic war.
Book: “Seek the Traitor’s Son” by Veronica Roth
BookDescription: Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her. She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.
But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.
In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.
Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.
Book: “The Lion and the Deathless Dark” by Carissa Broadbet
BookDescription: Under an eternal night, the world has been ravaged by ten years of war between humans and vampires. Kyrene scrapes by as a bounty hunter, bearing a blessed sword from the goddess of justice. But in the wake of a devastating loss, Kyrene commits a crime that makes her a target for mortals and gods alike – and she is still desperate for vengeance.
Her only chance at survival – and revenge – is making a deal with her enemy, the silver-tongue vampire prince, Septimus, who offers her one final to slay the gods themselves.
Together, Kyrene and Septimus must hunt the ultimate marks, all while navigating a web of prophecies and curses. Septimus is calculating and mysterious, masking secrets bloodthirsty enough to consume them both. Yet, most dangerous of all, Kyrene finds an unexpected kinship in him.
But their growing attraction is deadly in a world where the only currency is blood. And Kyrene will stop at nothing to fulfill her ultimate to kill the goddess of vampires, even if it means sacrificing love for revenge.
Book: “Daggerbound” by T. Kingfisher
BookDescription: Four hundred years ago, three warriors were trapped inside enchanted swords, cursed to be immortal servants of whoever wielded the blade. One of them is the Dervish, a restless, fiery soul who hates his captivity and hates his wielders even more, but has never found a way to escape the sword’s magic.
Then one day, a disillusioned scholar named Learned Edmund is tasked with delivering the sword to a distant city, and, in the greatest of peril, draws the blade. The Dervish finds himself bound to a sweet, brilliant, and above all kind young man. And while he may be able to protect Edmund from bandits, cultists, dragons, and strange inhuman diplomats, he may find it much harder to protect his own heart.
Kate’s Picks
Book: “Star Shipped” by Cat Sebastian
Book Description: Simon and Charlie, actors on a long-running sci-fi show, can’t stand one another. Charlie is impetuous, outgoing, and basically feral, and Simon thinks he should have stayed in reality television where he belongs. They’ve spent the better part of a decade quarreling over the spotlight and pretty much everything else, and everybody in the industry knows it. Now that Simon’s contract is finally done, he can move to New York, start fresh with work he actually likes, and get away from Charlie.
Simon’s only problem is that people might assume he’s been pushed off the show due to being impossible to work with. And he is kind of difficult to work with. He doesn’t get along with people—unlike Charlie, who somehow tricked everyone on the show into adoring him despite some outrageously bad on-set behavior during the show’s first season. Simon would rather never have to see Charlie again, but reluctantly agrees to stage a very public friendship during the short time before he moves. When Charlie has to leave town to deal with a family emergency, this means Simon comes along. Their road trip brings Simon to places he would never have willingly chosen to visit—and he finds he’s actually not having a terrible time.
The more he gets to know Charlie, the more Simon suspects he’s underestimated his former coworker. Simon also realizes that after seven years, Charlie might know him better than anyone ever has. Even stranger, Charlie seems to be starting to actually like him, despite knowing him so well. Still, Simon is about to move three thousand miles away, so whatever’s starting between him and Charlie can’t really amount to anything… right?
Book: “Set Point” by Meg Jones
Book Description: Nothing fades faster than a former prodigy—and Inés Costa is dangerously close to disappearing. Once queen of the court, Inés is limping through qualifiers. And after losing her biggest sponsor to Chloe Murphy, the sport’s fiery new favourite, she and her bank account are running on fumes.
Chloe, known as much for her talent as her temper, is a top seed for the upcoming US Open. But thanks to broken rackets, code violations, and the inability to play well with others, her “favourite” status is slipping away.
However, when they are forced to share the same side of the court, and the world surprisingly doesn’t implode, Chloe makes an offer: she’ll fund Inés’s journey to the US open, but only if Inés agrees to be her hitting partner and teach her to keep a level head. It’s strictly business, but somewhere between practice drills and tour stops, the line between rival and something more begins to blur.
As the summer burns toward Flushing Meadows, their sizzling tension catches fire. With a trophy in sight and emotions running high, will their romance double fault at set point?
Book: “Devil Inside” by Clay McLeod Chapman
Book Description: After a traumatic accident that almost cost Jordan his life, he’s finally starting to feel normal again. Well, maybe not normal. Everything tastes like ash, and when he looks at the people around him, their faces start to melt. At least he’s not dead, right? His friends are doing their best to get him back on his feet, maybe find someone to talk to, perhaps even find someone to take his mind off his last failed relationship.
Then he meets Lilith. The two share an instant connection but after a wild and passionate night together, she ghosts him. Jordan searches the city for Lilith, desperate to see her again. But when a woman claiming to be Lilith shows up, wearing a different face but knowing intimate details about Jordan, he worries he’s losing his grip on reality. As he grows closer to this mysterious woman, he discovers that happily ever afters sometimes come at a cost. How far will Lilith take him, and how much darkness will he embrace to find love?
Book: “Unrivaled” by Rachel Reid
Book Description: A line has been drawn—and the hockey world is divided.
For the first time in their professional hockey careers, Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander have nothing to hide. For more than a decade, they kept their love a secret, but now they’re out, married, and even playing on the same team. The support is incredible.
Most of the time.
They’ve gotten a lot of love from fans who are thrilled for them. But some people in the hockey world are still reeling from their relationship reveal, and the backlash—led by popular hockey podcast Top Shelf and the #TakeBackHockey movement—is getting louder.
Ilya and Shane are finally able to stand together in the light, the way they’d always wanted. And now they might be facing their biggest challenge yet.
What romances are you looking forward to this year? Let us know in the comments!
We are in the midst of a deep freeze in Minnesota, with lots of snow, plummeting temperatures, and the lack of motivation to leave the house. I guess it’s okay that we have Valentine’s Day to look forward to for some romance time and hopefully lots of candy! And like always we have some new titles coming out this month that we can’t wait to read!
Serena’s Picks
Book: “Weavingshaw” by Heba Al-Wasity
Publication Date: February 26, 2024
Why I’m Interested: The cover alone, with all of its gothic-goodness, was enough to entice my interest in this one initially! And looking further, it seems that the story may also include much more than the standard spooky house with hidden secrets. For example, the main character can see ghosts and there sounds like there is a potential love interest who buys secrets for…reasons? Color me intrigued!
Book: “Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter” by Heather Fawcett
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
Why I’m Interested: So many reasons! Not least of which is the fact that the cover features not one, but many adorable cats! And, of course, the title itself promises a cat-centric story. Beyond that, its written by the same author as the “Emily Wilde” series, one of my favorite trilogies of the last few years, from start to finish. My only question has to do with the balance between “coziness” and plot, always a struggle point for me with this subgenre. But I have high hopes!
Book: “A Rose of Blood and Binding” by Claire Legrand
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Well, it’s the third and final book in this trilogy. And I have to say, my biggest emotion going in is probably trepidation. There were definite points I liked in the first two books, but I’ve also struggled a lot with the portrayal of the main characters, finding them more interesting as side characters, only to then get in their head and find a completely different person (both remarkably similar to one another, mostly fueled by some level of self-hatred). So, while I have really enjoyed what we’ve seen from Mara in other books, I’m also really worried that this will go the same route where an excellent character is watered down beneath layers of misery and gloom to the point that she’s no longer recognizable as the same person as the one in other books. We shall see!
Kate’s Picks
Book: “Trad Wife” by Saratoga Schaefer
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
Why I’m Interested: The trad wife/feminine alt right satire continues, and this time we are delving into pregnancy horror to go with the biting commentary! Camille is an up and coming trad wife influencer, though her engagement isn’t as high as she’d like and her husband isn’t as perfect as her social media implies. She tells herself that having a baby would be the perfect thing to fix their marriange and to boost her viewership, but conceiving isn’t coming as easily as she has hoped. So it must be divine intervention when she finds a weird old well in the woods behind her new house, and after wishing for a baby she finds herself pregnant after a very strange encounter with something otherworldly. Having a baby will surely fix all of her problems! Even if her pregnancy is weird and her urges are going to dark places… Sounds like a devilishly good time to me!
Book: “Maria the Wanted” by V. Castro
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
Why I’m Interested: Okay so admittedly Castro’s previous swing at vampire fiction felt pretty flat for me. But given that I have really enjoyed a lot of her other books I wanted to give her newest one a try, and now that the protagonist vampire is less erotic and more of an on the run thriller I’m more on board. Maria is trying to run away from some cartels that she ran afoul, but finds herself turned into a vampire whilst on the lam. Now she wants to find out what it means to be a vampire, and how she can survive in this new form. Especially since now some violent vampire thugs are on her tail as well. I have hopes that this vampire tale from V. Castro will work better and the description gives me hope.
Book: “Nowhere Burning” by Catriona Ward
Publication Date: February 24 2026
Why I’m Interested: I haven’t been as enthralled with Ward’s horror novels in the past, but I have told myself that after taking a break from the past couple I need to give it one more go in case a new premise just clicks for me. And the premise of this book is DEFINITELY interesting, feeling like a weird mix of Lost Boys and Charles Manson. Riley and her brother Oliver are running away from home, hoping to find a new home at Nowhere, a ranch once run by a strange movie star that is now a colony of feral, unrestricted children. It sounds like the freedom Riley is craving. But something else is on the ranch property, and the children who live at Nowhere are far more dangerous than Riley ever anticipated. It sounds culty and weird, and I am totally into it.
What books are you looking forward to this month? Let us know in the comments!
There are always so many books to look forward to each year. So in this post, we tackle the impossible task of choosing some favorites that we’re most excited about in the next twelve months!
Serena’s Picks
Another year’s worth of books to look forward to, and, as always, I had such a hard time narrowing this down to only five titles. All of these happen to be books by authors whose books I have already loved, but there are also a bunch of debuts that look incredibly interesting! Some standouts (these include debut authors and also authors who I myself haven’t read yet) are “Weavingshaw” by Heba Al-Wasity, “Daughter of Crows” by Mark Lawrence, “Thistlemarsh” by Moorea Corrigan, and “The Geomagician” by Jennifer Mandula. There are also a bunch more books coming out from favorite authors of mine that didn’t make the dedicated list, and some of those would include “Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter’ by Heather Fawcett, “A Trade of Blood” by Robert Jackson Bennett, “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me” by Ilona Andrews, “The Eye of Leviathan” by M.A. Carrick, and “Entwined” by H. M. Long.
Note: Yes, this first one is a sequel to a book I haven’t yet reviewed on the blog! But that review should be coming here in the next two weeks and, spoiler alert, I absolutely loved it!
Book: “The Half-Hearted Queen” by Charlie N. Holmberg
Publication Date: March 3, 2026
Book Summary: Nym never told Prince Renn she loved him. And now, as a captive and political pawn to the ruthless King Nicosia, Nym finds herself guarding more than her forbidden feelings for Renn as the kingdoms of Cansere and Sesta clash and the bloodshed of war rages. Nym’s connection to Renn is more than just romantic—it’s magical, and King Nicosia will stop at nothing to find Renn’s weakness and claim the kingdoms as his.
Now Nym must find a way to escape the cruel and twisted fate of imprisonment as she faces the unimaginable horrors and dangerous secrets hidden within King Nicosia’s palace walls. With the succession of kings on the line and a dangerous prophecy unfolding, Prince Renn faces his own impossible choice. The future of the throne hinges on a political alliance that means forsaking his love for Nym. If he can’t fulfill his destiny and unite the kingdoms, King Nicosia will destroy them all.
Book: “Wolf Worm” by T. Kingfisher
Publication Date: March 24, 2026
Book Summary:The year is 1899 and Sonia Wilson is a scientific illustrator without work, prospects, or hope. When the reclusive Dr. Halder offers her a position illustrating his vast collection of insects, Sonia jumps at the chance to move to his North Carolina manor house and put her talents to use. But soon enough she finds that there are darker things at work than the Carolina woods. What happened to her predecessor, Halder’s wife? Why are animals acting so strangely, and what is behind the peculiar local whispers about “blood thiefs?”
With the aid of the housekeeper and a local healer, Sonia discovers that Halder’s entomological studies have taken him down a dark road full of parasitic maggots that burrow into human flesh, and that his monstrous experiments may grow to encompass his newest illustrator as well.
Book: “The Tapestry of Fate” by Shannon Chakraborty
Publication Date: May 19, 2026
Book Summary:Amina al-Sirafi thinks she’s struck gold. Tasked with hunting down magical artifacts for the council of immortal peris, she can savour the occasional adventure on the high seas with her cherished criminal companions while still returning home to raise her beloved daughter.
But when Raksh, the spirit of discord with whom she is reluctantly wed, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina is charged with a seemingly impossible quest: steal a spindle capable of rewriting fate from a mysterious sorceress on an island no one can escape.
Forced to leave her daughter, Amina finds her mission almost immediately thrown into peril. But deadly storms, an erratic poison mistress, and old enemies are the least of her worries. For the peris’ story is unravelling, hinting at a far deadlier game whose rules Amina must swiftly puzzle out. A game that sets her against an adversary more cunning and powerful than she has ever faced.
A game that not everyone on her crew wants her to win.
Book: “The Unicorn Hunters” by Katherine Arden
Publication Date: June 2, 2026
Book Summary:Anne of Brittany was a child when her realm was invaded, her home besieged, and her royal father driven to his death.
Now her treasury is empty, her land occupied by her enemies, and she is ordered, under threat of renewed war, to become queen of her conquerors and marry the King of France.This marriage means her country’s annexation. But Anne promised her father that Brittany would never be conquered.
Defiantly, she betroths herself in secret to France’s greatest enemy. But in a world where courts may spy on each other by magic, there is only one way to solemnize this illicit union.
Anne takes her court deep into a legendary forest, where the court diviners’ skill cannot reach. The world thinks they are only a hunting party, coursing after unicorns. But that is a lie, a trick, a feint. No one in living memory has seen a unicorn. All Anne wants is this secret wedding, which is her only hope of salvation.
But when against all hope a unicorn appears and a stranger out of legend stumbles from the trees and falls at her feet, Anne is plunged into a world of enchantment where a doomed sovereign might find the power to change her own and her country’s destiny—or be lost in the shadows forever.
Book: “The Art of Charming a Changeling” by Sylvie Cathrall
Publication Date: August 25, 2026
Book Summary: On her first day working in the prince’s galleries, art conservator Florrie Hyverfell discovers that the most famous portrait in the collection is not only a fake-it’s also inhabited by Vern, a fairy trapped in the forged painting.
Tracking down the stolen original is the only way for Florrie to save her job and for Vern to escape his canvas. Yet as they journey to a famed fairy museum to find the missing artwork, Florrie finds herself taking more than an art historical interest in the changeling painting’s charming inhabitant.
Kate’s Picks
It’s always fun to look and see what books are coming out in a new year, and given that this year is already off to a crazy start (derogatory), I have been enjoying setting time aside from current events to look and see what kinds of stories I can dive into when the time comes. And while it’s true that a lot of my most anticipated books of the year are authors I have a solid love for already, there are a few new authors that are also catching my eye. It’s always hard to narrow it down to just a few choices, so some honorary mentions are of course in order. On the horror front I’m excited for “Maria the Wanted” by V. Castro, “The Curse of Hester Gardens” by Tamika Thompson, and “Molka” by Monika Kim. For thrillers my eyes are on, “The Unknown” by Riley Sager, “The Intrigue” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and “Hot Girl Murder Club” by Ashley Winstead. And I can’t forget that Jennette McCurdy has her debut fiction novel “Half His Age” coming out too!
Book: “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke
Publication Date: April 7, 2026
Book Description: My name was Natalie Heller Mills, and I was perfect at being alive.
Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers behind the scenes, her kitchen hiding industrial-grade fridges and ovens, her husband the Republican equivalent of a Kennedy? What Natalie’s followers—all 8 million of them—don’t know won’t hurt them. And The Angry Women? The privileged, Ivy League, coastal elite haters who call her an antifeminist iconoclast? They’re sick with jealousy. Because Natalie isn’t simply living the good life, she’s living the ideal—and just so happens to be building an empire from it.
Until one morning she wakes up in a life that isn’t hers. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Her kitchen is warmed by a sputtering fire rather than electricity, her children are dirty and strange, and her soft-handed husband is suddenly a competent farmer. Just yesterday Natalie was curating photos of homemade jam for her Instagram, and now she’s expected to haul firewood and handwash clothes until her fingers bleed. Has she become the unwitting star of a brutal reality show? Could it really be time travel? Is she being tested by God? By Satan? When Natalie suffers a brutal injury in the woods, she realizes two things: This is not her beautiful life, and she must escape by any means possible.
A gripping, electrifying novel that is as darkly funny as it is frightening, Yesteryear is a gimlet-eyed look at tradition, fame, faith, and the grand performance of womanhood.
Book: “Japanese Gothic” by Kylie Lee Baker
Publication Date: April 21, 2026
Book Description: October, 2026: Lee Turner doesn’t remember how or why he killed his college roommate. The details are blurred and bloody. All he knows is he has to flee New York and go to the one place that might offer refuge—his father’s new home in Japan, a house hidden by sword ferns and wild ginger. But something is terribly wrong with the house: no animals will come near it, the bedroom window isn’t always a window, and a woman with a sword appears in the yard when night falls.
October, 1877: Sen is a young samurai in exile, hiding from the imperial soldiers in a house behind the sword ferns. A monster came home from war wearing her father’s face, but Sen would do anything to please him, even turn her sword on her own mother. She knows the soldiers will soon slaughter her whole family when she sees a terrible omen: a young foreign man who appears outside her window.
One of these people is a ghost, and one of these stories is a lie.
Something is hiding beneath the house of sword ferns, and Lee and Sen will soon wish they never unburied it.
Book: “It Came From Neverland” by Cynthia Pelayo
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Book Description: Peter Pan meets Stephen King’s It in this twisted horror retelling of a classic childhood fairytale set during WWI.
1914, Wendy Darling works by day as a school teacher and by night, she assists soldiers who have returned home from the Western Front. There is one mysterious patient who despite all the care they’ve given him, is in a deep sleep, unable to wake up. One night, when he murmurs the words “Peter Pan,” Wendy is thrown back to a darker time, one that she wishes she could forget.
When one of her students goes missing, it brings back memories of when children went missing and were later found murdered in London many years ago. Wendy believes that Peter Pan, the entity that she believed killed those children, is back. She and her brothers had a close encounter with Peter Pan, after all. But her brothers only remember Peter Pan and Neverland as a fantasy of childhood games.
When another child goes missing and signs start to point to Wendy, Scotland Yard digs into old reports, finding that Wendy knew the names of all the children who had been killed. As Wendy tries to prove her innocence, she also has to find a way to stop Peter Pan once and for all.
Book: “You First” by Caroline Kepnes
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Book Description: How did Joe Goldberg become Joe Goldberg? What led to his first love…first obsession…first kill? Find out in the highly anticipated prequel to New York Times bestselling author Caroline Kepnes’s hit You series, which inspired the blockbuster Netflix show.
Joe Goldberg is ready for his life to start. He’s seventeen years old, working in Mr. Mooney’s bookshop, falling in love with every girl on the subway all while wondering who will be the one. He knows what he A woman who will force him to get his GED, go to night school, and make something of himself. But who would ever fall in love with him?
Then he spots MISSED CONNECTION, NYC Bookstore Babe.
Someone is looking for Joe. And that someone is Vail Gunderson, a production assistant with a passion for rom-coms. The only she’s twenty-four, which means that Joe has no choice but to lie about his age…and, naturally, nearly everything else in his life. Joe thinks he’s found true love, but when Vail needs more convincing that Joe is her happily ever after, he’s determined to convince her…no matter what it takes…
With her incisive and darkly comedic prose, Caroline Kepnes captures Joe poised on the edge of manhood, entering the vicious, dog-eat-dog New York dating scene for the very first time, and buffeted by forces that will determine what kind of man he will become—and how he will write his own twisted love story.
Book: “What Feeds Below” by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne
Publication Date: October 6, 2026
Book Description: The darkness isn’t empty. It’s hungry.
At the edge of the City of the Void, a massive chasm extends miles into the earth, its treacherous terrain overrun with vicious monsters and carnivorous plants. For orphaned best friends Petra and Jade, guiding treasure-seeking tourists down into the Void is the only way to earn enough to pull themselves up out of the slums for good.
Petra prefers to play it safe and take jobs only in the Void’s upper levels, where the dangers are better understood, while Jade wants to risk a descent to the deepest and most mysterious Sixth Layer. Because the deeper they go, the better the payout, and the sooner their dreams can become reality. Their friendship is Petra’s whole world, and Jade’s approval means everything—so Petra agrees to do it Jade’s way.
When their job goes wrong and Jade is lost in the Void, Petra must plunge deeper than she’s ever dared to save her friend. But she doesn’t know the truth of the Void . . . or what really waits for her in its depths.
What books are you all looking forward to this year? Let us know in the comments!
The Library Ladies 