Wallbrook's debut has been one of the best mystery surprises of 2025.

Professor Daphne Ouverture's titles are as intriguing as this mystery. An assistant professor of European history, a scholar of modern French imperialism, and a (self-titled) semi-professional rambler on the horrors of colonial medicine, she leads a quiet academic life.

But when a colleague—brilliant but insufferable anthropology professor Sam Taylor—is murdered at the top of our story, Daphne finds herself tangled in a dangerous game.

There is so much to love about Daphne, but one of the most intriguing aspects of Daphne's character is her photographic memory. This ability becomes key to the mystery when she recalls that Sam sent her a cryptic text in French referencing a book that has now mysteriously vanished from her library.

As Daphne brilliantly pieces together the puzzle, she realizes that personal and institutional history has a way of repeating itself and that some secrets refuse to stay buried. It's a page-turner!

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From the author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder comes a gripping adult debut with a killer premise: Jet Mason has seven days to solve her own murder... before it happens.

After surviving a violent attack on Halloween night, doctors warn that a head injury will soon turn fatal. With her time ticking down, Jet must revisit old relationships, expose hidden secrets, and outwit a would-be killer with nothing left to lose.

Sharp, twisty, and emotionally charged, this novel offers everything fans love about amateur sleuths—raised stakes, unreliable allies, and a ticking clock that won’t wait.

Release Date- 22 July 2025

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Set on Chicago’s vibrant South Side, this deliciously witty debut blends homicide with a dash of romance and a whole lot of flavor.

When a neighborhood lothario drops dead at table two of her soul food café, Savvy Summers never expects her sweet potato pie to be the prime suspect.

With her restaurant’s reputation crumbling and the press circling like vultures, Savvy—along with her spirited assistant Penny—sets out to solve the mystery herself.

Release Date- 29 July 2025

In a cozy Santa Barbara bungalow complex just steps from the beach, a group of quirky tenants becomes unlikely detectives when their landlady confesses to a murder they’re sure she didn’t commit.

What begins as a case of neighborhood drama quickly turns into a full-fledged amateur investigation with a sculptor, a playwright, a finance bro, and an anxious agoraphobe forming the most endearing sleuth squad you didn’t know you needed.

When Finlay’s partner-in-chaos, Vero, gets slapped with theft charges and house arrest, Finlay heads straight to Maryland to clear her best friend’s name because if there’s one thing these accidental sleuths have learned, it’s how to sniff out trouble and survive it together.

With sorority secrets, threatening notes, and a vanishing alibi in the mix, this sixth installment brings the same blend of twisty mystery, sharp humor, and ride-or-die friendship fans adore.

Release Date- 10 March 2026

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Kirby Cornell's life is already a mess when a chilling message lights up her old group chat: Everyone in the group chat dies. It's creepy enough on its own—except it's from a roommate who's been dead for a year.

Now someone is resurrecting the past and picking off her old friends one by one, forcing Kirby to untangle a tangled web of secrets, guilt, and a second-rate serial killer who may not be so dead after all.

Release Date- 9 December 2025

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When Sierra Angelos enters season five of The Escape Game, a televised competition built around high-stakes escape rooms, she’s not just playing to win.

She’s playing to uncover the truth about her sister’s murder.

As the puzzles grow more dangerous and clues point to something far more sinister, Sierra and her fellow contestants realize the game isn’t just for entertainment—it’s a deadly hunt for justice.

Fast-paced, full of sabotage and secrets, this young adult thriller is a twisty ride perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying and Only Murders in the Building—with a locked-room vibe and a countdown clock you won’t want to stop.

Release Date- 7 April 2026

Fans of The Good Place will find much to love in this surprisingly philosophical story pitting good against evil.

Thea can transfer life years between people—an ability that quickly spirals into a full-blown ethical dilemma when she redistributes time from the dangerous to the deserving.

What begins as a righteous mission grows more tangled with each choice, and this story's emotional depth caught me off guard.

This plot unfolded in such unexpected ways, and by the end, I was in tears, both from the emotional payoff and the way the author brilliantly tied everything together.

St. Barth’s may boast a murder rate of zero, but that stat doesn’t hold up once Audrey Collet arrives. Blackmailed by her eccentric billionaire ex, Audrey finds herself on a luxury island estate surrounded by secrets, scandal, and suspects.

When a foot washes ashore in the Everglades and a birthday dive ends in death, Audrey realizes the person extorting her isn’t the only danger in paradise.

Trapped on a yacht with seven potential killers, she must solve the murder before she becomes the next body to surface. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie with a modern, sun-soaked edge.

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When book-loving Mia Crawford takes a long-overdue vacation to a private island resort, she expects her biggest decision to be which book to read next—until she discovers cryptic notes scribbled in the margins of a mystery novel.

As the clues begin to point toward a missing guest and the resort’s glossy perfection starts to crack, Mia is drawn into an investigation filled with suspects, secrets, and a dangerously charming bartender.

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When Cath discovers that her late mother had secretly booked tickets to a staged murder mystery week in the English countryside, she impulsively decides to go in her place.

What begins as a quirky getaway in a small Peak District village turns into something deeper, as Cath and her two fellow amateur sleuths—an overwhelmed birding shop employee and a romance author in a rut—find that solving fake crimes might just help them face the real mysteries in their lives.

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When college student Jane Sharp plunges into the online world of amateur sleuthing after her father’s death, she finds comfort in chasing cold cases with fellow internet detectives.

But when a series of shocking murders rocks a small town in Idaho, Jane’s obsession turns deadly. As she digs deeper into the Delphine killings, it becomes clear that the truth is more twisted than she imagined. Told in the aftermath of the case, this chilling novel explores the blurred line between solving a mystery and becoming part of it.

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You'll know immediately if this book is for you from the opening line:

"The missing boy is ten-year-old Alfie Risby, and to be perfectly honest with you, he's a little shit."

Florence Grimes is in a rut after the collapse of her promising girl band career. Instead of pursuing her dreams, she's delivering overpriced balloon arches to influencer events. But in her heart of hearts, Florence knows Mariah had a comeback. She, too, will find her Emancipation of Mimi moment to begin her singing career again.

Just as she is about to have her comeback interview with a promising lead in the music industry, an incident at her son's private school changes everything.

Alfie Risby, a problematic classmate, becomes a field trip partner with her son on a nature excursion. But when they return to school, the teachers realize that the pair is now down to one, and Dylan is the last person to have seen him.

Later, when Florence finds Alfie's backpack hidden in Dylan's room, she discovers a diary tucked inside with a chilling entry that says, "Dylan Palmer said he's going to kill me."

She realizes she must put her music career on hold, get rid of this backpack, clear her son's name, and discover what REALLY happened to this mini heir to a frozen food empire.

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Vera Wong is back and as meddling as ever in this follow-up to the hit Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

Vera Wong’s teahouse is thriving, her matchmaking skills are unmatched, and life is good, but wouldn’t another murder make things more exciting?

When a young woman seeks help finding a missing friend, Vera stumbles upon a case file about the mysterious death of influencer Xander Lin. Online, he had it all, but in reality, no one seems to know who he truly was.

Determined to impress her future daughter-in-law, Officer Selena Gray, Vera launches her own investigation. But as every clue leads to another dead end, she’ll need her signature meddling (and a few cups of tea) to crack the case—before the killer strikes again.

I haven't met a Jess Kidd book that I haven't loved. This new cozy mystery is the first in the Nora Breen Investigates series and a fun new writerly direction for Jess Kidd fans to follow.

In 1954, Sister Nora Breen's quiet world is upended when her former novice, Frieda Brogan, suddenly stops writing.

Masquerading as a guest, she settles among the eccentric residents, quickly realizing she's not the only one harboring secrets.

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When Nova Davies moves to the quaint Cornish village of St. Tredock, she hopes to quietly settle into life with her fiancé's family despite her overbearing mother-in-law's wedding meddling.

But after taking a job at the local community center, she finds herself at the helm of a book club filled with an eclectic mix of members, from studious teens to cantankerous retirees.

Just as she begins to bridge their differences, disaster strikes: £10,000 meant for the center's roof repair vanishes, a book club member disappears, and a murder shakes the village.

Now, with suspicion falling on their beloved club, Nova and her fellow bookworms—led by a Miss Marple-obsessed octogenarian—must channel their inner sleuths to uncover the truth.

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These beloved TV icons get a delightful whodunit makeover in Murder by Cheesecake, a nostalgic and laugh-out-loud mystery featuring the ladies of The Golden Girls.

When Rose's niece plans a wedding in Miami, her Norwegian American relatives descend upon Florida, sending her stress levels soaring.

But family drama takes a backseat when Dorothy is arrested at the bridal shower—accused of murder after a man from a VHS dating service turns up dead, face-first in a cheesecake.

Determined to clear Dorothy's name, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia band together, proving that friendship (and a well-timed quip) can solve anything.

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When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, a charming and tenacious widow digs into the case to unmask the real killer in this twisty, page-turning whodunnit—the first book in a cozy new detective series from the acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last.

With sharp intuition, a meddlesome aunty streak, and help from old friends and her spirited granddaughter, this new novel sounds like a page-turner.

But as she unearths long-buried secrets, she realizes the truth may be more dangerous than even she ever imagined.

Nita Prose returns with another irresistible mystery in The Maid's Secret, blending an art heist, a long-buried family secret, and a touch of romance in a captivating whodunit.

When the Regency Grand Hotel hosts an episode of Hidden Treasures, head maid Molly Gray is stunned to learn that her late grandmother's beloved display egg is no mere trinket—it's a priceless Fabergé. But before she can fully grasp the revelation, the egg vanishes, setting off a chain of threats, investigations, and shocking discoveries.

As Molly races to uncover the truth, her grandmother's long-hidden diary emerges, unlocking secrets that reach back decades and tie her family's past to the very heart of the mystery.

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A retired nurse, expert cake maker, and sharp-eyed sleuth, Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet Birmingham suburb, since emigrating from Jamaica in 1960.

With decades of nursing experience, she's unafraid of anyone, and can uncover secrets with a glance.

When a man is found dead in one of the Pardner network's homes, an influential group of Black investors, Miss Hortense, steps in to investigate.

However, when a Bible quote found by the body brings unsettling memories of a traumatic past, she must dive deeper into long-buried secrets.

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By day, Joe is a buttoned-up hotel accountant. By night, they transform into Misty Divine, a dazzling star of London's drag scene.

But when Misty's beloved drag mother, Lady Lady, is found dead beside a poisoned box of chocolates, the spotlight turns on Misty and her fellow queens as the prime suspects.

Determined to get justice and unwilling to let the police's biases cloud the case, Misty launches her own investigation. But in a world of glitter and glam, a killer lurks in the wings, and Misty Divine won't stop until she finds out who's behind the crime.

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Julia Mann, a sharp-tongued ex-actress with a knack for making enemies, has a problem. There's a dead body in her swimming pool, and the cops are convinced she put it there.

(Not an unfair assumption, considering she's already done time for murder once.)

Enter Natasha Mason, a by-the-book investigator who meets Julia at an AA meeting and can't help but get involved.

What starts as a reluctant partnership turns into a wild investigation through Hollywood's glitzy underbelly, from burlesque clubs to country clubs, with a supporting cast of showgirls, cat burglars, and shady agents.

But will they find the real killer before Julia lands back behind bars?

This captivating debut mystery, a Reese’s Book Club pick for September 2023, was written by former NASA engineer Nina Simon while her mother was undergoing cancer treatment, a heartfelt collaboration to pass the time together.

In this charming and heartfelt whodunit, an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths—a sharp-witted grandmother, her determined single mother daughter, and an inquisitive teenage girl—team up to solve a shocking murder.

Lana Rubicon, a formidable Los Angeles real estate mogul, is forced to slow down after a cancer diagnosis lands her in a quiet coastal town with her estranged daughter, Beth, and granddaughter, Jack.

Just as she struggles to adjust to her new reality, their world is upended when Jack discovers a dead body during a routine kayaking trip.

Now, three generations of strong-willed women must set aside their differences and uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.

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In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends—Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron—meet every Thursday to investigate cold cases as part of their quirky Thursday Murder Club.

Their sleuthing is mostly a harmless hobby until a local developer is found dead under mysterious circumstances, and the club suddenly finds themselves at the center of an active murder investigation.

Armed with sharp wit, decades of life experience, and a few unexpected connections, the four retirees take it upon themselves to solve the case—much to the frustration of the local police.

As they dig deeper, they uncover secrets that some would prefer to stay buried, all while proving that age is no obstacle when it comes to cracking a mystery.

Ingrid, a 29-year-old Ph.D. student, is struggling to finish her dissertation and drowning in student debt.

As her funding runs out and the deadline for her research on renowned poet Xiao-Wen Chou approaches, she discovers a mysterious note in the archives correcting her conclusion about the location referenced in Chou's famous poem.

Intrigued, Ingrid embarks on an unexpected investigation with the help of her best friend, Eunice, whose wild K-Drama theories may hold the key to unraveling the truth.

Jennifer Kim's deadpan delivery in the audiobook adds a layer of humor as she leads us through her coming-of-consciousness narration. If you love satirical novels, lean into this one!

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Gwen Turner is just trying to navigate the horrors of online dating—ghosting, bad pickup lines, and the occasional awkward first date. But when her matches start turning up dead, Gwen realizes she's swiping through a serial killer's hit list.

As the body count rises, Gwen takes matters into her own hands, determined to unmask the murderer before she becomes the next victim.

Packed with red herrings, laugh-out-loud moments, and a clever spin on the dangers of modern romance, Don't Swipe Right is a binge-worthy thriller for fans of Scream.

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Daniel has a rare disease that limits his movement, but nothing gets past him especially when he witnesses a woman's abduction from his front porch.

He decides to take his story to Reddit, where he begins a conversation with the captor. As he discloses more and more, Daniel is convinced he might be the one to help solve the case, but it is tough to convince the police that you have valuable information when you can't speak or move.

Trust me, the characters in this novel are unforgettable, as are the laughs.

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Looking for a really great audiobook to indulge in? The narration on this smart murder mystery delivers in spades!

In this wildly entertaining series, struggling novelist Finlay Donovan finds herself in a bizarre mix-up at a Panera Bread. While discussing the plot of her next suspense novel with her agent, a nearby eavesdropper mistakes her for a contract killer—and offers her a job.

As a financially strapped single mom, the offer is shockingly tempting. After all, what better way to research a thriller than by accidentally living one?

Packed with sharp humor, witty banter, and an unexpected (and hilarious) partner-in-crime, this book delivers nonstop laughs and twists that will keep you flipping pages (and giggling) all the way through.

Stephanie Plum is broke, jobless, and desperate enough to take on a new bounty hunter gig despite having zero experience.

Her first assignment?

Bring in Joe Morelli, a charming and infuriating cop-turned-fugitive who also happens to be the guy who broke her heart years ago. Determined to prove herself, she dives headfirst into a world of car chases, eccentric criminals, and one very mysterious (and dangerously attractive) bounty hunter named Ranger.

Fast-paced, hilarious, and filled with quirky characters, this is a classic in the amateur sleuth genre, with 31 novels to dig into in this series.

Get ready to laugh a lot because Vera Wong is my new favorite meddling older protagonist! She’s up to date on all the latest TikTok trends and never misses an opportunity to dish out unsolicited advice... whether people want it or not.

Vera keeps busy running her struggling tea shop in San Francisco’s Chinatown, humorously named Vera Wang’s World Famous Tea House (because, hey, brand recognition matters).

But when she stumbles upon a dead man in her shop clutching a flash drive, she does what any self-respecting amateur sleuth would do. She swipes the evidence and takes the case into her own hands, convinced she can outsmart the police.

As she investigates, Vera unexpectedly finds herself forming deep connections with her customers, forcing her to juggle detective work with her growing friendships.

If you’re craving a charming and cozy mystery, the audiobook of this novel is delightful.

Ernest Cunningham follows the family rule: he always tells the truth. And the truth is, everyone in his family has killed someone.

When a family reunion at a remote mountain resort turns deadly, Ernest finds himself caught in a classic whodunit, complete with an isolated setting, a rising body count, and a web of long-buried secrets.

As tensions mount and accusations fly, Ernest must use his knowledge of crime novels (and his own family's dark history) to unravel the mystery before anyone else meets an untimely end.

Dark humor, twists, and a protagonist who feels like a hardboiled detective trapped in the wrong novel make this an unforgettable read.

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Precocious 11-year-old Flavia de Luce has a passion for chemistry and a knack for solving crime.

When she stumbles upon a dying man in her garden, she's determined to uncover the truth even if it means outwitting the police, her father, and her nosy older sisters.

There are twelve beloved books in the Flavia de Luce Series to read if you fall in love with this fun character.

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When bestselling author Alan Conway dies under mysterious circumstances, his editor, Susan Ryeland, is tasked with finishing his latest manuscript—only to discover that the story within its pages mirrors the very real murder of Conway himself.

As Susan dives deeper into the manuscript, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets, lies, and potential motives. The more she reads, the more she finds herself drawn into a puzzling investigation that seems to blur the lines between fiction and reality.

Molly Gray isn’t like everyone else. Her world is guided by strict routines, a love of cleanliness, and a deep devotion to her job as a hotel maid at the prestigious Regency Grand. She takes great pride in restoring each room to perfection, finding comfort in the order of it all.

But when she discovers a wealthy guest dead in his suite, Molly’s carefully structured life is thrown into chaos.

Due to her unusual demeanor, she quickly becomes the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With the help of a few unlikely allies, Molly must navigate a world of secrets, deception, and hidden agendas to clear her name and uncover the truth.

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Lila Macapagal's fresh start running her aunt's Filipino restaurant takes a deadly turn when her food critic ex-boyfriend drops dead... right after a meal at the café.

With her family business on the line and the cops eyeing her as the prime suspect, Lila must devise a plan to clear her name.

This story is sweetly satisfying and, at the end, filled with some fun recipes for replicating a few of these great dishes that you are reading about.

Four strangers sit in the Boston Public Library when a woman's scream shatters the silence. As they rush to investigate, they discover the body of a woman in the library’s reading roo,m, setting off a chain of events that will forever link them together.

The story is told through the perspective of author Hannah, who is working on a novel inspired by the real-life crime, using the voices of the four strangers—Freya, Cain, Whit, and Marigold—as characters in her fictional work.

As the lines between reality and fiction blur, the characters begin to unravel not just the truth about the crime, but also dark secrets within their own lives.

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Five years ago, Andie Bell was murdered, and everyone knows who did it. The case is closed, except Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't convinced.

For her senior project, she re-examines the case, uncovering secrets the town would rather keep buried. But as Pip approaches the truth, someone wants to stop her—at any cost.

This young adult series is excellent on audiobook and you can binge the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series on Netflix when you finish the book!

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This novel made me fall in love with Simone St. James.

Carly Kirk never believed in ghosts until she takes a job at the eerie Sundown Motel in search of answers about her aunt's disappearance decades ago. But something sinister still lingers in the motel's halls, and Carly's investigation may put her in the same danger her aunt once faced.

This mystery had a very Hitchcock feel to it and I loved the layering of all the guests stories and how they intertwined with Carly & Viv's story. It's a ghost story isn't too scary, but has just the right kind of creepy vibes for any reader.

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Set at an elite prep academy, two students, Devon and Chiamaka Adebayo, are selected as senior class prefects. This coveted spot holds notoriety in their school and puts them in the running for its valedictorian. 

After this announcement, the two start receiving threatening messages from someone who identifies only as Aces. What begins as a harmless prank evolves into dangerous threats that lead the two to realize that these pranks are rooted in a dark history at their school that they could have never expected. 

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College student Joe Talbert, is assigned to write a biography of a stranger as part of his English class project. He chooses Carl Iverson, a dying Vietnam War veteran who has spent decades in prison for the brutal murder of a young woman.

As Joe begins to interview Carl, he uncovers inconsistencies in the story and starts to suspect that Carl might not be guilty after all.

Becoming more entangled in the case, Joe must confront his own painful past while racing against time to bring justice to a man who may have been wrongfully convicted.

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When Claire's husband is brutally murdered, she uncovers shocking secrets about his past—ones that link him to the disappearance of her sister decades earlier. As she digs deeper, she realizes the truth is darker than she ever imagined.

As a lover of horror films and fiction, this book is the first book that has absolutely terrified me and kept me up with nightmares at night...and I loved it. Slaughter perfectly crafts each character so skillfully that it is as though you are watching a film.

Dark, psychologically twisted, evil, and graphic, the tale is gruesome and horrific and kept me on the absolute edge of my seat from the opening page.

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This novel is a wildly propulsive debut where two Harvard undergrads drop out with a biotech pitch that promises to reverse aging.

As ambition calcifies and funding pours in, the partnership behind the project begins to erode. Think Theranos, but a story far more interested in the cost of genius.

Taylor's background as a Harvard graduate in Chemistry and English adds authenticity to the lab and startup scenes, whether the characters are titrating over a petri dish or commanding the floor at a TEDx talk.

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At Frost, a small college in Massachusetts, the women’s cross country team is training relentlessly for the 1992 New England Division Three Championships, but their hopes are threatened by star runner Kristin’s hidden secret and erratic behavior. Team captain Danielle is determined to help Kristin regain her confidence, even as she struggles with her own unresolved past.

Narrated by six team members, the girls must transcend their individual circumstances as the final meet approaches and run the race with each other—and for each other.

Release Date- 26 August 2025

At an elite university, a power-hungry sophomore and a spiraling adjunct professor both find themselves seduced by The House—an exclusive sorority where ambition looks like perfection and success demands sacrifice.

In this darkly delicious campus novel, Blake skewers wellness culture, academic politics, and girlboss feminism with biting wit and twisted glee.

Release Date- 21 October 2025

Dubbed "The Eights" after the row of rooms they share, Beatrice, Dora, Otto, and Marianne find strength in each other as they defy the odds stacked against them: grief, trauma, buried secrets, and a society eager to remind them they don't belong there.

Joanna Miller's debut pulses with female camaraderie and quiet rebellion, casting a warm light on a forgotten sliver of history where young women carved out space for their voices—sometimes at significant personal cost.

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Professor Daphne has a photographic memory, a sharp tongue, and a colleague who just turned up dead. This perfect debut mixes campus politics, mystery, and race with flair and bite.

Fans of Queenie will appreciate her astute observations on campus culture and racial bias, all delivered with the same wit and nuance that make Daphne such an engaging protagonist. 

Release Date- 1 July 2025

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In 1959, Freda heads to Fisk University, full of hope, ambition, and a desire to shape the world. Thirty years later, her daughter Tulip is navigating the politics of a corporate career in Chicago.

This dual-timeline novel pulses with intergenerational tension, as both women confront what it costs to succeed as a Black woman in spaces not built for them. Deeply moving and personal, with a campus story at its core.

A young Brazilian woman adjusts to life at a liberal arts college in snowy Vermont while maintaining a fragile but fierce connection with her mother back home.

Separated by oceans and illuminated only by the glow of a laptop screen, the two forge new rituals of love until the promise of spring forces each to reckon with what they've lost, and what they might let go.

Andrés is a writer, a striver, and—maybe—a liar. After faking his way into an elite writing fellowship for "systemically marginalized voices," his past starts to unravel, putting everything he's built at risk.

Set in the snobby, name-droppy world of campus-adjacent literary spaces, this debut is razor-sharp, deeply funny, and refreshingly uncomfortable.

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Set in a crumbling art college during the 2011 recession, this debut follows four creatives as they navigate aesthetic politics, betrayal, and the impossible business of turning life into art.

Angress prompts readers to contemplate the nature of creativity, its intended audience, and the evolving concept of success in art. If you are passionate about the art world, this is a powerful exploration that I count among my favorites on creativity.

Competitive, prickly, and satisfyingly cerebral.

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This novel is a dizzying, emotionally rich portrait of two women whose friendship and creative life began in art school. Their first animated film is a raw, unflinching hit—but illness, grief, and long-held secrets threaten everything.

Readers should appreciate such an ambitious debut, as Whitaker not only writes the book but also the animated movie plots that unfold for these animators. It is unlike anything I've read, and I loved the exploration of a female partnership carving its place in this artistic field.

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Connell is popular. Marianne is not. But when they meet in secret in a small Irish town, something shifts—and keeps shifting as they follow each other to Trinity College and beyond.

Rooney captures the ache of growing up, growing apart, and never quite letting go. This is the perfect campus novel for anyone who’s loved quietly and too hard.

An unnamed professor is sick of her husband's affairs—until her fixation shifts to a charismatic new hire. Twisted, smart, and full of discomfort in all the right ways.

Certainly filled with unlikeable people, I found myself chewing on this one many days after I finished it. What does it mean to be a feminist in the world of "wokeness"? You'll either love or hate it. I fell into the love camp!

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At fifteen, Vanessa thought it was love. At thirty-two, she isn't so sure. This takes a devastating look at grooming, memory, and the narratives we cling to when we don't want to believe we were victims.

Alternating between Vanessa's past and present showcases the complications of sexual abuse as she comes to terms with the fact that her story wasn't a love story. It is astounding to me that this is Russell's debut, as the emotions she layered into these characters are done so beautifully and believably.

Horrifying and unapologetically written.

Sam and Sadie meet in a hospital and reconnect at Harvard, where they build a video game empire and leave a complicated legacy. At its heart? The tricky love story of a friendship that never quite becomes romance but never stops being love.

Zevin writes each of the games for this company in beautiful and intricate ways so that each feels fully fleshed out from idea to execution. One world she built, in particular, left me in a puddle on the ground.

PhD candidate Olive Smith doesn’t believe in love—but when a fake-dating scheme with a grumpy (and absurdly attractive) professor spirals into something real, her carefully managed academic life starts to implode.

Hazelwood’s viral debut is nerdy, flirty, and campus to its core, set in the pressure-cooked halls of a STEM grad program.

Ella's fast-tracked political career takes a pause for a Rhodes Scholarship—but her carefully planned year at Oxford detours into unexpected romance and gut-punch revelations. It is a tender, clever story that sneaks up on you with emotional depth and literary charm.

Julia Whelan is a beloved fixture in our audiobook lives, and it was an honor to interview her to celebrate Thank You For Listening and discover more about her process. I hope you can tune in!

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Maurice wants literary fame—badly. So badly, in fact, he'll steal stories from anyone foolish enough to trust him. A delicious satire about ambition and academic parasitism.

Boyne writes, perhaps, the most unlikable character ever. I think it is a tribute to his clever storytelling that you have to keep reading. This novel achieves this by telling the story through different narrators, which keeps the reader on their toes. I loved this 5-star reading experience.

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Annika is brilliant, socially anxious, and finding her way at the University of Illinois. This quiet neurodivergent love story unfolds in two timelines: young love, and what happens when you try again.

Graves rounds out her story with beautiful supporting characters that help Annika navigate the world in really incredible ways. I may have teared up in a few places in this sweet read.

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Jonas is a prodigy, accepted to Brown at sixteen—but when he leaves home without telling his two mothers, his quiet rebellion sets off a chain of reckonings. Told through shifting timelines and perspectives, this campus-adjacent novel explores the uneasy weight of family legacy.

Skip any synopsis to avoid spoilers, but know that this book's themes are significant for book clubs. I adored Jentry's earnest quest to discover who he was and enjoyed this as an audiobook experience.

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A ten-year college reunion cracks open a murder that never healed—and the six former friends who never really moved on. Winstead combines nostalgia, obsession, and twisted ambition in this dark academia thriller, where no one is as innocent as they appear to be.

You will enjoy this tightly woven plot and the complex motives of each character. Winstead delivers on one of the most solid thrillers I've had the pleasure of reading.

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I loved this dark, razor-sharp campus novel where chronic pain and theatrical revenge collide. When college theater director Miranda Fitch is overruled by her students and peers, she strikes a mysterious bargain that turns her life—and the production of All's Well That Ends Well—into a surreal and vengeful unraveling.

Awad's unapologetic story explores the complexities of revenge in medical settings that gaslight women and the haunting consequences of seeking validation in a society that dismisses invisible illnesses. It was angering and healing.

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From suburban Texas to an elite graduate program, two former high school best friends chase the same dream—and the same prestigious fellowship. One comes from money, the other barely scraped her way in, but both are fluent in indie films, ambition, and the subtle art of reinvention.

As faculty favoritism blurs ethical lines and their friendship warps under pressure, the question isn’t just who will win—but who they’ll become to get there.

Set aside reader expectations of this being a thriller, but prepare for a slow-burn mystery with a diabolical ending. My Brilliant Friend fans will love this one. I couldn't put this book down.

Anita Hemmings has the grades, the poise, and the secrets to blend in at Vassar in 1897—until her roommate, the daughter of a powerful family, gets too close.

Based on the true story of the first Black woman to attend Vassar College by passing as white, this historical novel is a page-turner layered with social tension.

In a dorm at the University of Arkansas, RA Millie is just trying to pay rent—but gets tangled in the life of a visiting professor. Reid dials into the awkwardness and friction of college life with sharp humor and class commentary that goes down smoothly.

Despite the plot feeling less eventful than anticipated, Reid's sharp class observations kept me turning the pages. Having spent time in Fayetteville for many work projects, I was impressed by how authentically she portrayed the city and its people. 

Assigned to interview a stranger for a class project, college student Joe Talbert picks a dying convict—and accidentally uncovers a decades-old murder mystery—tense, compassionate, and book-club gold.

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A PhD candidate in East Asian Studies uncovers a shocking secret in the archives and inadvertently triggers a campus-wide reckoning. Outrageous, satirical, and razor-blade funny.

The protagonist openly ponders the nuances of racial language, questioning whether it's racist to label white people as white while simultaneously unaware of the blatant microaggressions surrounding the Asian experience every single day.

Jennifer Kim's deadpan delivery in the audiobook adds a layer of humor as she leads us through her coming-of-consciousness narration.

Scarlett is a professor—and a serial killer. She's carefully methodical and only takes out men who deserve it. But when her latest plan falters, another student's story starts to catch up with her.

Fargo's narrative weaves these stories together in a propulsive story you won't be able to put down. 

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A failed writer and college professor is forced to reckon with the mother who abandoned him—now at the center of a national scandal. Hill's sharply funny debut bounces between '60s campus protests and modern malaise with biting insight and a plot engine that's one hell of a ride.

Hill's chapters read like a series of short stories from Samuel's childhood. One of my favorite scenes is when a student cheats and then justifies it in a way that only a Millennial could, making my sides split with laughter. I will read anything this man writes.

If you've somehow missed this dark academia staple—fix that. A tight-knit group of classics students chase beauty and meaning—and unravel into something much darker.

I unlocked my literary badge for this one last summer. This novel has been featured on the Book Gang Podcast more than any other book and has inspired numerous writers and guests who have visited our show, so I had to know more. I loved it!

Cath is starting college, but her anxiety—and obsession with the Simon Snow fanfic world—makes letting go impossible. It is a gentle story about growing up, writing yourself bravely, and the ache of diverging from your twin.

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College, bookstores, bad decisions—Rachel thought she was just falling for her professor. Instead, she and her best friend James find themselves in a messy, magnetic tangle of secrets, class, and coming-of-age. Smart, hilarious, and quietly devastating.

What I loved about this was its reflective nature. Rachel's new adult viewpoint shapes the story, allowing her to see her immaturity, vulnerability, and manipulation. She also isn't entirely sure if the world was that fixated on her saga or if it was just because she only thought about herself, something we all can relate to. 

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Barrett's first day of college is a disaster—and then it repeats. She's trapped in a time loop with her least favorite classmate, and it turns out they might be the only ones who can break it.

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Two gorgeously voiced narrators bring Happy Land to life in audiobook form, elevating this tried-and-true author's incredible storytelling through her immersive, dual-timeline narrative.

Inspired by the true story of a lost kingdom built by freed people in the hills of North Carolina, it's a transporting tale with a beautiful modern timeline rooted in reclaiming their land and lineage.

Dolen's rich historical research informed this sweeping novel, even uncovering a few historical inaccuracies for the town's residents along the way! It is a gorgeous celebration of the Black legacy and an intriguing reclamation of forgotten American history. She really stuck the feel-good ending!

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Lulu Mayfield might seem like your ideal postwar housewife—gelatin molds, polished silver, and all—but beneath the starched perfection is a woman unraveling. As postpartum depression and buried trauma collide, a new neighbor moves in, and Lulu's fixation grows into an obsession.

Is Bitsy a threat or just a mirror? Church expertly blends paranoia, gaslighting, and the impossible standards of womanhood into a taut psychological portrait that the author promises will surprise her seasoned readers.

I can't wait to dig into another book from one of my favorite authors!

Release Date- 4 November 2025

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You don't need ruby slippers to be swept away by Before Dorothy—Hazel Gaynor's latest is a gorgeously rendered prequel that reimagines the life of Aunt Em long before the twister.

Emily and Henry have made a life in the warmth of the community of Liberal, Kansas, and among the harsh beauty of the prairie. Their lives hold a precarious and hopeful purpose until tragedy strikes, and their orphaned niece, Dorothy, lands on their doorstep.

What begins as the family's hopeful Midwestern story soon digs into the emotional grit of the desperate choices we must make when the world tilts sideways. The Dust Bowl may rage outside, but it's the storm brewing in Emily Gale's heart that gives this book its punch.

Readers who love character-driven historical fiction with heartache and hope in equal measure will find much to savor here.

Kristin Harmel returns with another emotional stunner, this time following an aging jewel thief whose glittering legacy hides a devastating wartime loss.

When a long-lost diamond resurfaces in a museum exhibit, Colette must confront the night that shattered her family and the sister she has never stopped mourning.

What unfolds is a sweeping story of resistance, memory, and a woman brave enough to trace the tangled threads of a past she's spent decades trying to forget. Harmel beautifully balances suspense and heart, making this a standout for fans of character-driven historical fiction with a mystery that earns its payoff.

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In The Eights, four young women arrive at Oxford in 1920, stepping into a world that was never built for them and daring to claim it anyway.

Dubbed "The Eights" after the row of rooms they share, Beatrice, Dora, Otto, and Marianne find strength in each other as they defy the odds stacked against them: grief, trauma, buried secrets, and a society eager to remind them they don't belong there.

Joanna Miller's debut pulses with female camaraderie and quiet rebellion, casting a warm light on a forgotten sliver of history where young women carved out space for their voices—sometimes at significant personal cost.

Camille Di Maio's Come Fly With Me offers a stylish, heart-forward escape into the jet-set world of 1960s Pan Am stewardesses—but it's more than just sky-high glamor within the pages.

Through the stories of two women from vastly different backgrounds, Di Maio peels back the glossy façade of the era to reveal the resilience and risk behind their pursuit of independence in these stewardess roles.

With immersive detail gleaned from real interviews and a twist that lands with emotional heft at the story's end, this is a perfect book club pick for readers who crave rich historical fiction with a strong feminist core.

I loved the immersive audiobook experience for this novel and included it in this month's buzzy book reviews, which we offer to show patrons monthly.

This novel had my pulse racing and my heart breaking in equal measure. When a tragic accident shatters the quiet of a Dorset farming village, it sets off a reckoning decades in the making.

Beth thought she'd put her past behind her—until Gabriel, her first love turned bestselling author, returned to town with his son. The death of a beloved family dog may seem like a small event, but it cracks open the fault lines in Beth's marriage, her memories, and her choices.

Toggling between past and present, this story unfolds with the simmering tension of a courtroom drama and the emotional weight of a long-buried love story. The rural setting is so vivid it practically dirties your shoes.

Perfect for fans of slow-burning literary romance. It's one I've been pressing into readers' hands all year.

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Wilkerson's story centers on Ebby Freeman, who, as a child, witnessed an unspeakable act of violence against her brother that altered the course of her life and shattered her family's life forever.

Decades later, the echoes of that day still reverberate, not just in the scars left behind but in the enduring mystery surrounding the shattered pieces of a treasured family heirloom. This stoneware jar brought North by an ancestor who endured unimaginable hardship encapsulates her lineage, harboring secrets that could help Ebby move forward.

With the author's signature lyrical prose, she deftly captures the lingering impact of generational trauma and the unyielding strength of familial bonds through shifting timelines.

My Zoom chat with the author is available for streaming, where we discuss the novel, including spoilers.

The Women on Platform Two explores the quiet courage of women fighting for control over their own bodies in a country where that autonomy was once outlawed.

Set in 1970s Dublin, where contraception is criminalized, and in modern-day Ireland, where one woman questions what motherhood means to her; this story weaves two generations of women together in a legacy of resistance.

With rich emotional texture and a plot inspired by real-life defiance, Laura Anthony's debut honors the bravery of those who made the choice possible while reminding us the fight is never really over.

Inspired by true events, this debut is both a tribute and a reminder: the personal is always political, and progress is never guaranteed.

Renee Rosen's Let's Call Her Barbie rewinds to the smoky boardrooms and bustling design studios of 1950s America, reimagining the origin story of the world's most iconic doll and the complicated people who made her possible.

Ruth Handler's radical vision wasn't just a plastic doll; it was empowerment in miniature form, meant to shatter the limits of what girls could imagine for themselves.

Told through the lens of a bold creative team racing to launch a doll that resembles a woman and dares girls to dream beyond motherhood, this novel resonates with the unmistakable weight of Barbie's incredible legacy.

This historical fiction story shimmers with the drama of the stage and the grit of wartime sacrifice, capturing a heroine whose spotlight fades just as history demands more from her than applause.

When Broadway star Calla Connolly lands in a North Carolina army camp instead of the French front, a bout with the Spanish flu, a stolen tour, and a government secret upend everything she thought she wanted.

What unfolds is a story of unexpected reinvention as Calla trades marquee lights for military bandstands, fame for purpose, and perhaps, grudging duty for a deeper kind of love.

Rich with WWI detail and romantic tension, this novel strikes a poignant note about how women navigate the call to serve in a world determined to confine them.

Inspired by a little-known historical bond across enemy lines, this story follows Libby Steadman, a mill owner trying to survive in the shifting no-man's-land of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

When Libby discovers a Union officer abandoned and broken in a neighbor's house, the decision she faces could mean treason—or salvation.

As she secretly tends to the wounded soldier, the question of loyalty becomes more than a political issue. It becomes personal. What unfolds is a riveting and emotionally charged tale of survival and what it means to be humane in inhumane times.

Fans of Cold Mountain will find themselves swept up in this taut, beautifully researched drama from one of historical fiction's most assured pens.

This stunning and unforgettable debut seamlessly blends historical fiction, a ghost story, and a coming-of-age narrative that echoes the best of classic literature.

Set in Alabama on the cusp of the Civil War, the novel follows 16-year-old Junie, an enslaved girl whose love of reading and sense of self are both tested when she's threatened with being sent away from the only home she's ever known.

As Junie begins to unravel the truth of her sister's death—and the illusion of her safety—she's pushed onto a perilous journey toward freedom.

Inspired by the author's own family history and enriched by her educational background, Eckstine writes with a confident pen.

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A nearly forgotten footnote inspired this beautifully rendered historical novel in Canadian history. Set in the 16th century, it follows Marguerite, a young noblewoman exiled to a remote island after a forbidden romance with a nobleman enrages her guardian.

What begins as a tale of betrayal and survival soon becomes a profound story of resilience and faith. Marguerite is stripped of privilege and forced to endure the harshest elements that rival a reality show season of Survivor.

Goodman's prose is both lyrical and raw, capturing the brutality of nature and the quiet strength of a woman determined to endure. This immersive escape is a standout.

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Todd's riveting debut sheds light on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, whose Institute for Sexual Science offered hope and healing for trans individuals in the early 20th century.

Through the eyes of Bertie, a trans man at the institute, we witness the tragic dismantling of Hirschfeld's life's work when Hitler comes to power, erasing the progress made in a single, violent sweep.

Todd's dedication to documenting his trancestry and heartfelt storytelling illustrates how easily progress can be undone and disturbingly repeated.

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Augusta, a spirited pharmacist's daughter from 1920s Fordham, grew up surrounded by her father's secret remedies—until her mother's sudden death brings Aunt Esther's mysterious homeopathic potions into the household, stirring both miracles and mischief.

Now in her eighties and full of life, Augusta reunites with Irving, her long-lost love, at a retirement community—their reunion bubbles with laughter, tender secrets, and the bittersweet magic of second chances.

Loigman's warm tribute invites you to savor every moment—this novel is pure joy from start to finish.

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This novel spans over a thousand pages, so I recommend it for book clubs that want to savor a book together over a few months. Somehow, this gem made its way into my mom's group book club, and we all completed it when our kids were small. That says a lot about how page-turning this read is.

Tom lost commission on a home that he was to build and began to roam England seeking work. With his family starving and the loss of his wife during childbirth, he abandons his infant, forging a new path for himself with a woman named Ellen and her son Jack.

It is when Tom finds shelter at a church that his life is never the same again, as he finds work repairing the fire damage on the building and discovers his new world shapes around this church in surprising ways. It's a riveting story, with themes of good and evil, that enchanted me from page one. This book ranks among the top ten I've ever read.

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This quietly powerful novel peels back the layers of a lifelong friendship forged in the crucible of 1960s nursing school.

When Clara and Abby bury their mother, BettyKay, they expect grief—but not scandal, and certainly not Kitty Deveraux, a silver-screen star who crashes the funeral with a cryptic button and an even more unbelievable backstory.

Through dual timelines and Kitty's unapologetically glamorous storytelling, the sisters discover a woman they never truly knew: their mother as a daring nurse, a loyal friend, and someone who kept a complicated history close to her chest.

Fader deftly navigates themes of sisterhood, sacrifice, and how the stories we inherit shape who we are. This one is all heart, with a touch of old Hollywood glitter.

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Dark, decadent, and utterly dazzling, Fingersmith is a gothic masterwork built on betrayal, desire, and mind-bending plot twists. In Sarah Waters's capable hands, every corset and candlelit corridor hums with tension. What begins as a slick Victorian con spirals into something much more emotionally tangled—and wildly surprising.

Sue and Maud's evolving relationship is the beating heart of the novel, layered with longing, deception, and unexpected tenderness. And when you think you've figured it all out—Waters pulls the rug out from under you. If you love historical fiction that's smart, suspenseful, and delightfully subversive, this one's a must.

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Brit Bennett delivers a powerhouse family saga that lingers long after the final page. This novel explores how identity is both inherited and chosen and what is lost when one severs ties to the past.

Through the diverging paths of twin sisters—one living as a Black woman, the other passing as white—Bennett examines the ripple effects of their decisions on the subsequent generations.

Bennett assuredly takes readers on a journey through the twins' contrasting experiences as they integrate into very different communities. It's a propulsive, emotionally layered narrative that questions the cost of reinvention and the unshakable pull of home.

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See takes us to a remote Chinese mountain village where Li-Yan and her family work as tea farmers. Unlike most girls, Li-Yan is encouraged to attend school, and her parents believe she is intelligent enough to focus on her education rather than farming.

When she becomes pregnant with a child out of wedlock, she decides to give them up for adoption because it is a tradition in their culture to kill these children.

After discovering that the love of her life is not as he initially appeared, she courageously forges a new path for herself, bucking traditions by pursuing education and cultivating her own business, all while never giving up hope of finding her daughter again.

Carter Sickels delivers a devastatingly beautiful portrait of family, shame, and resilience in The Prettiest Star, a novel that will live in your bones long after you finish.

When Brian returns home from New York to rural Ohio after an AIDS diagnosis, he finds himself in stages of refuge and rejection with the people who raised him.

Told through multiple perspectives—including Brian's, his sister's, and his mother's—this novel doesn't shy away from the painful realities of the 1980s AIDS crisis but also offers grace, nuance, and moments of unexpected tenderness within this unforgettable family.

The audiobook experience is exquisite, with a multi-cast narration that perfectly encapsulates this small-town story.

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Kelly Rimmer delivers one of her most emotionally resonant novels yet in this beautifully layered dual-timeline story, which made my Best Books of the Year list.

In the modern timeline, Alice is barely keeping it together—balancing the exhausting demands of raising an autistic child, a husband who doesn’t see her efforts, and a grandmother whose hospital stay brings a long-buried story to the surface.

That story takes us to 1940s Poland, where young Alina believes she’s destined to marry her best friend Tomaz. But everything changes as Nazi occupation encroaches on their rural village and threatens to tear apart everything she holds dear.

This novel is about the things we carry—both inherited and chosen. Rimmer stitches it all together with heartbreak, hope, and characters that linger long after the final page. Your book club will love this story.

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Hattie McDaniel made history with her Academy Award win for Gone With the Wind, but beyond that monumental night lay a world filled with challenges.

This powerful, immersive narrative sheds light on her relentless push against Hollywood's rigid boundaries, a fight often unseen by the public. It feels as cinematic as her career, from fiery clashes with the NAACP to romantic entanglements and a bond with Clark Gable that defied societal norms of this era.

Tate's writing captures Hattie's complexity and her pursuit of more meaningful roles. I highly recommend the audiobook, as Lynnette Freeman delivers an immersive experience that brings Hattie's magic to life for the reader.

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Harlan, a gifted Black jazz musician, finds himself swept up in the dazzling energy of the Harlem Renaissance before his life takes a devastating turn when he is captured and sent to a Nazi concentration camp.

McFadden's storytelling is raw and unflinching, exposing the brutal realities of history rarely seen — the persecution of people of color during the Holocaust — while also illuminating the fierce resilience of one man's spirit.

This novel will break your heart and hold it tenderly, capturing decades of pain and hope with haunting beauty. This story solidified Harlan as one of the most special characters I've read.

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There is a certain richness that comes with great Southern storytelling, and Wingfield's is one of my favorites.

Samuel Lake, his wife, Willadee (Moses), and their three children find themselves back home in Arkansas after Samuel loses his job as a minister. When tragedy strikes, the family bands together in unlikely ways and finds that their faith is challenged to the core, even as one of God's most faithful.

The book offers the story of spunky Swan Lake (yes, her family did name her that), an unlikely little boy that the family takes in as their own, a town villain that has made it his life's mission to make their family's life miserable, and Toy, Swan's uncle, who becomes her unlikely hero.

Wingfield magically weaves together an incredible story that will stick with you long after you close the book.

In 1956, Marion Brooks is a nineteen-year-old with a seemingly predictable future. But, when she spontaneously auditions for the famed Radio City Rockettes, she takes a daring leap toward a fantastical life as a performer, leaving behind her expected suburban existence.

Meanwhile, a notorious bomber nicknamed the "Big Apple Bomber" is terrorizing the city. As the police struggle to catch the culprit, they turn to young doctor Peter Griggs and his radical technique of psychological profiling.

Unexpectedly pulled into the search for this serial killer, Marion realizes she must take a terrifying risk.

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A surprisingly fierce feminist anthem, this novel is one of my favorite books of the year.

When young noblewoman Marguerite is betrayed and stranded on a wild island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, she's forced to trade lace and luxury for fierce survival. Alongside her loyal nurse and a forbidden love, Marguerite battles harsh winters, bears, and isolation in a gripping story of endurance and unexpected faith.

Rich in historical detail and raw emotion, Goodman's Isola is a powerful tale of courage and transformation that lingers long after the final page.

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Emma and Justin meet on a quirky subreddit dedicated to doomed relationships—and discover they share the same bizarre dating curse: every ex they break up with goes on to find their soulmate.

To break the cycle, they plan a summer fling on the charming island town, where Emma's traveling nurse assignment offers the perfect three-month window for a relationship designed to fail. However, as they navigate personal challenges and unexpected emotions, their arrangement becomes more complicated than anticipated.

The reader will have much to work through with these characters, but if books like Kennedy Ryan's romances appeal to you, this sits nicely in that wheelhouse for Emma's self-discoveries as she processes her past traumas.

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This juicy debut is pure, wicked fun. Think Big Little Lies meets White Lotus, set in an exclusive Fire Island community where the gossip is mean and the murder is messy.

The story follows a privileged crew of New Yorkers who descend each summer to drink, gossip, and flirt with disaster—and each other. Their tennis whites are crisp, but their marriages are crumbling. Long-held resentments simmer beneath rosé-fueled brunches. And when a body turns up on the boardwalk, the intrigue takes a dark, delicious turn.

You won't root for these characters, but watching their secrets unravel is the exact kind of salty summer indulgence that pairs perfectly with sunscreen and a drink in hand. It was a biting romp that I couldn't put down last summer!

This heartwarming fantasy brings Linus Baker, a meticulous government caseworker, to an enchanting and unusual orphanage on a magical island.

As he grows fond of the extraordinary children and their endearing caretaker, the story beautifully explores finding found family in the most unexpected places.

If you need a great audiobook to listen to while you put together jigsaw puzzles this cozy season, I recommend this as a great family audiobook experience!

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What if your favorite childhood author invited you back into the world you once used to escape?

That’s exactly what happens to Lucy Hart, a teacher’s aide with a makeshift Etsy shop, a heartbreaking bond with a student she’s trying to adopt, and a dream wrapped in the pages of a long-lost book series.

When a mysterious contest emerges offering the only copy of a long-awaited new story, Lucy finds herself back on Clock Island—this time not as a runaway but as a competitor.

With riddles to solve, rivals to outwit, and a once-great author pulling strings like some literary Wonka, the story unfolds like a love letter to those of us who’ve clung to books as lifelines.

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This indie gem from human rights lawyer-turned-author Milena McKay blends dark academia, forbidden romance, and a slow-burn mystery that will leave you breathless.

When closeted teacher Sam encounters a captivating stranger during a night out, she never expects to see her again—let alone as the new headmistress of her conservative New England girls' school.

But Magdalene Nox, sent by the board to restore order, is that very woman, now tasked with enforcing regressive policies that threaten the school's inclusivity and soul.

The elite academy on an idyllic island is facing financial ruin and ideological decay, threatening the futures of its marginalized students, the livelihood of its progressive faculty, and a love story full of aching restraint and barely spoken desire.

Abby Craden's Earphones Award-winning narration elevates the audiobook to a must-listen experience.

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Dane Huckelbridge stuns with Castle of Water, a sharp, tender survival story that sneaks up on the reader.

When a plane crashes in the South Pacific, two strangers—an artist-turned-banker and a new bride—must learn to survive both heartbreak and each other. Huckelbridge brings humor and tension to even the most mundane tasks, layering in flashbacks and inner monologues that feel intimate and alive.

The rich character development is the beating heart of this story, as these two characters seem to leap off the pages.

The audiobook narration is phenomenal and highly recommended for the perfect summer escape.

The enthusiasm for this book is unmatched, especially among readers I know and trust, and the audiobook narration, narrated by Sarah Naughton, offers a rich experience for listeners.

Anna had planned the sailing trip with her fiancé. But after his unexpected death, she sets out alone from Fort Lauderdale on the journey they were meant to take together. When grief threatens to drown her, she hires Keane, a seasoned sailor with struggles of his own, to help her navigate to Puerto Rico and beyond.

What unfolds is part travel adventure, part healing journey, as the two slowly open up to one another while island-hopping through the Caribbean. This tender story balances loss and romance beautifully, all against the backdrop of sun-soaked harbors and salt-streaked sails.

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If you love enemies-to-lovers rom-coms with a tropical twist, Shipped delivers.

Marketing manager Henley Evans is all business—until her company sends her on a Galápagos cruise to compete for a promotion with her work nemesis, the annoyingly charming Graeme.

Forced off their screens and onto the same boat, Henley and Graeme discover there's more to each other than passive-aggressive emails and Zoom tension.

With stunning island backdrops, witty banter, and a surprising amount of heart, this vacation romance becomes a smart workplace comedy about ambition, assumptions, and what it really means to connect.

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The Island of Missing Trees surprised me with just how much heart it held—and how much a fig tree could make me cry. Shafak tells a love story shaped by war, loss, and exile, narrated in part by a tree that remembers everything its human characters try to forget. Lush, lyrical, and layered with longing, this novel lingers in all the best ways.

I regret not reading this book on audiobook for many reasons, including how I would have loved to hear the narrator's voice and learn about the unfamiliar words, regions, and local cuisines mentioned in the pages. However, if you read this one on paper or digital, there is a convenient glossary that I didn't know was there until I finished. 

This laugh-out-loud romantic comedy whisks readers aboard a week-long wedding cruise through the Greek Isles, where tradition and fate collide.

Moti's eccentric Indian family believes she's destined to marry the next man she meets—and when that man turns out to be Nikos, the dreamy chef on board, things get complicated fast.

As Moti navigates meddling relatives, goat-related mishaps, and a growing attraction that defies expectations, she finds herself questioning what fate really means—and whether love might be less about destiny and more about choice.

Sparkling with wit and warmth, this Mediterranean romp serves up lush scenery, big laughs, and irresistible heart.

Brennert's unforgettable novel follows Rachel Kalama, a spirited young Hawaiian girl whose ordinary childhood is upended when she's diagnosed with leprosy and exiled to the island of Molokaʻi.

What begins as a story of loss—being torn from her family, her future, and the life she dreamed she transforms into something profoundly hopeful.

Brennert brings Rachel's journey to life with such warmth and depth that the community she builds and the joy she finds despite her circumstances feel both heartbreaking and affirming.

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E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars is a tightly written, emotionally charged story about grief and the lies families tell to protect themselves.

Each summer, Cadence Sinclair returns to Beechwood Island, where her wealthy family keeps up appearances at all costs. But after a mysterious accident leaves her with memory loss and chronic pain, Cadence starts to question everything she once believed.

Her bond with Gat—a boy who challenges the family's quiet rules—pulls her deeper into a love she isn’t sure she can trust. What she uncovers will change how she sees herself, her past, and the people closest to her.

If you love it, you can dive into the prequel with Family of Liars!

If you’re craving a coastal escape with heart and just a little bit of mystery, this Colleen Oakley book will fit the bill perfectly.

When journalist Anders Caldwell arrives to cover a small-town cakewalk, he stumbles into something stranger—a community quietly pretending that one resident’s lost husband is still alive.

As his podcast secretly chronicles the story, his relationship with Piper shifts from curiosity to connection, and he’s forced to ask himself what kind of story he really wants to tell.

Full of quirky islanders, unexpected tenderness, and just enough tension to keep you turning pages, this is a summer read with heart.

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This dazzling YA debut standalone fantasy transports the reader to a magical island reminiscent of Prohibition-era New York, inspired by the allure of Moulin Rouge!

Luxe Revelle is a performer in her family's fantastical show, and she finds herself caught in a dangerous game when she agrees to pose as the girlfriend of the son of Charmant's wealthiest family. In exchange, she hopes to save her family's struggling livelihood.

Just as this arrangement unfolds, Jamison enters her life, bringing with him a mysterious past. As Luxe and Jamison grow closer, they begin to uncover the secrets of the island. However, the consequences of their hidden truths could ultimately shatter their worlds.

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This cult-classic novel was a self-published work that developed a following and, later, a book deal.

Escape to an uncharted island with this captivating castaway tale that will keep you turning the pages until the early morning hours.

In this gripping debut novel by the author of The Girl He Used to Know, a tragic plane crash strands an English teacher and her student on a remote island in the Maldives.

As they navigate the challenges of survival and forge an unlikely bond on an uninhabited island, the story explores the complexities of a LATER blossoming age-gap relationship and the resilience of the human spirit.

Suspend your disbelief, pop a bag of popcorn, and be transported with a love exploration that The Perfect Find fans will love. This was the perfect tropical island escape during a long winter in Indiana.

When Eleanor Bennett passes away, she leaves her children, Byron and Benny, with a mysterious inheritance—a Caribbean black cake and a voice recording that reveals a captivating tale of a young swimmer accused of murder.

As Byron and Benny embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind their mother's story, they must confront their own identities and rediscover the bonds that tie them together.

Woven between the present-day narrative of 2018, Wilkerson skillfully delves into Eleanor's captivating past, transporting readers to a vibrant Caribbean island in the 1960s, reminiscent of the enchanting spirit of Jamaica.

Marisol Ferrera has grown up hearing her grandmother's stories of pre-revolutionary Cuba—glamorous, complicated, and irrevocably lost. When she travels to Havana to fulfill her abuela's final wish, she stumbles into more than just a heritage trip.

As she begins to unearth a love story that was silenced by politics and betrayal, Marisol is drawn into her own dangerous entanglements with a journalist who challenges her understanding of Cuba's present.

Cleeton nails the dual timelines, allowing readers to live through the heartbreak of 1950s Havana while grappling with the contradictions of its modern-day counterpart.

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Hula invites you to the lush island of Hilo, Hawai‘i, where three generations of women navigate the delicate balance between heritage and self-discovery.

Hi‘i, a proud Naupaka, dives deep into the art of hula, hoping to unlock family secrets and find her true place in a community bound by ancient tradition.

Told through the collective voice of a resilient island community, this debut beautifully weaves dance, culture, and legacy into a rich, unforgettable story.

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Set on the idyllic Isle of Skye off the coast of Scotland, Woolf's stream-of-consciousness style immerses readers in the intricacies of human thought, capturing the essence of our innermost musings.

With its groundbreaking narrative technique and evocative portrayal of isolation, this thought-driven novel offers a tranquil escape where readers can truly feel transported to an island enveloped in the beauty of its prose.

Get ready for a dark and twisted wedding on a secluded island in this atmospheric thriller that will keep you guessing until the shocking end. 

In this Agatha Christie-esque tale, tensions rise as secrets, resentments, and unexpected alliances emerge among the glamorous guests. 

With impeccable planning and picturesque surroundings, this wedding is meant to be flawless, but as the night unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems, and the celebration takes a sinister turn that no one could have anticipated.

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Best friends Summer and Leo navigate the elite circles of California's wealth by relying on their skills as con artists to survive. 

But when a high-stakes scam goes awry, and Leo mysteriously disappears on a private island, Summer must unravel the truth and confront the dangerous consequences of their actions.

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When a group of British schoolboys crash-lands on a deserted island, their attempt to govern themselves spirals into a chilling descent into savagery. Golding's iconic novel strips civilization down to its bones, revealing how thin the line is between order and chaos.

It is a brutal, thought-provoking read that continues to spark debate decades later and would pair beautifully with The Lost Story.

This swashbuckling classic kicks off when young Jim Hawkins discovers a pirate's map and sets sail in search of buried treasure. But danger quickly surfaces as a mutinous crew and the cunning Long John Silver complicate the voyage.

Packed with tropical islands, cryptic clues, and treacherous twists, Treasure Island defined the pirate adventure genre as we know it. Stevenson's vivid storytelling still crackles with tension, making it an enduring favorite for readers of all ages.

Jacob Have I Loved is a beautifully tender coming-of-age story set on a remote fishing island during World War II.

Sarah Louise lives in the long shadow of her gifted twin sister, struggling to find her own voice and sense of worth amid sibling rivalry and hardship.

This Newbery Award winner is a story that reaches beyond middle grade to touch anyone who’s ever felt overlooked but fiercely determined.

With its rich character development and beautiful arc spanning childhood to adulthood, this book leaves a lasting impression on the power of finding oneself.

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