17 New Books That I Know Will Make You Want To Start A Book Club ASAP
Hey, everyone! My name is Morgan, and I'm back with another roundup of books that I can't get out of my head. If there's one thing I like to yap about it's novels — the latest, greatest, and hidden gems.
I'm a sucker for a good thriller novel, so don't be surprised if that genre shows up a lot on this list. I'm also looking to dip into fantasy a bit more, so if you have any recommendations (of any genre) you'd like to tell me about, I'm patiently waiting.
Enjoy!
1. Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: Rusty is a retired judge seeking a fresh start with his fiancée, Bea, at their peaceful lakeside home. Their tranquility is shattered when Bea's son, Aaron — on probation for drug possession — disappears, only to return with a questionable story about a failed camping trip with his troubled girlfriend, Mae. When Mae is later found dead, Aaron is arrested for her murder. Desperate to save her son, Bea pleads with Rusty to return to the courtroom and defend Aaron. As Rusty takes on the case, he grapples with a deeper question: can the justice system he once served truly deliver fairness to those deemed guilty from the start?
2. The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
Atria Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Synopsis: Cate Kay is a wildly successful author of a bestselling book trilogy turned blockbuster film series — but she doesn't actually exist. Having kept her true identity hidden for years, Cate has avoided the spotlight, haunted by a past she's tried to outrun. As a young woman, she and her best friend Amanda dreamed of escaping their troubled homes for Hollywood, but a tragic event the day before their departure shattered those plans. Ever since, Cate has lived under different names, forging a new path. Now, a shocking revelation forces her to confront her past, leading her back home in search of closure and self-acceptance.
3. I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming
Penguin Random House
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Synopsis: Dorothy Valentine is close to earning her PhD in wildlife biology when she's suddenly attacked by a lion — only to be abducted by aliens moments later. In a desperate escape, she and the lion, now her unlikely companion, Toto, crash-land on a planet filled with dinosaurs. Rescued by the mysterious and attractive alien Sol, they soon team up with Lok, an equally alluring but possibly dangerous war criminal. As the trio navigates their bizarre new world, battling prehistoric creatures and uncovering the truth behind their fates, Dory finds herself torn between returning to Earth and embracing the wild, steamy adventure unfolding before her.
4. Saltwater by Katy Hays
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis: In 1992, Sarah Lingate is found dead beneath the cliffs of Capri, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter, Helen. Though suspicions swirl around the wealthy Lingate family, her death is ruled an accident, and every year they return to the villa to reinforce that narrative. But on the 30th anniversary of Sarah's death, the family arrives to a chilling surprise — the reappearance of the necklace she was wearing the night she died, forcing them to confront long-buried secrets.
5. Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
Penguin Random House
Genre: Psychological thriller, Domestic fiction
Synopsis: A routine domestic flight takes an extraordinary turn when an enigmatic woman — later dubbed 'The Death Lady'— reveals to passengers exactly when and how they will die. At first, her predictions seem like an eerie party trick, but when one, then two, then more of her prophecies come true, the passengers realize this is no coincidence. As six people grapple with their looming fates, they must confront the ultimate question: if you knew your time was running out, how would you live? Blending mystery, humor, and existential questions, Here One Moment explores destiny, free will, and the illusion of control in an unpredictable world.
6. Wicked Darlings by Jordyn Taylor
Genre: YA, Thriller
Synopsis: Aspiring journalist Noa has always lived in the shadow of her sister, Leah — so when Leah dies under mysterious circumstances, Noa feels an unsettling mix of grief and relief. But when she uncovers a lead suggesting Leah's death wasn't an accident, she embarks on a dangerous investigation. To find the truth, Noa infiltrates the glamorous yet treacherous world of Manhattan's elite, getting entangled with the wealthy Avalons and their web of secrets. As she digs deeper, she must decide whether she's willing to risk everything — including her own safety—to uncover the truth, or if she'll meet the same fate as her sister.
7. Everything Is Poison by Joy McCullough
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Synopsis: Carmela Tofana dreams of making a name for herself at La Tofana Apothecary, her mom's apothecary in Rome. She finally gets to prove herself when she turns 16 by working alongside her mom in the shop, where she learns about the remedies she conjures up and the non-medical advice she offers to her clients. But not everything is what it seems. There's a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and it surrounds the women who will do anything for those in need.
8. Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours
Macmillan Publishers
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Synopsis: Sariyah Lee Bryant has a unique gift — she can sense what people need. But when she helps her friend Deja right before she mysteriously disappears, Sariyah begins to question whether her ability is more of a curse. Determined not to let Deja become another forgotten Black girl, she and her friends take matters into their own hands, investigating the disappearance while juggling personal struggles, including her mother's job loss and her brother's health issues. Desperate for money, Sariyah starts using her gift for cash — only to realize it may not just lead her to Deja, but also put her in the same life-threatening danger.
9. We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Synopsis: Lila Kennedy's life is a mess — her marriage has crumbled, her daughters are struggling, her house is falling apart, and her career is spiraling. To top it off, her elderly stepfather has seemingly moved in without warning. Just when she thinks she can't handle it anymore, her estranged father — who abandoned her for Hollywood 35 years ago — shows up at her doorstep. Though his arrival feels like the last thing she needs, Lila soon discovers that even the most unexpected family connections can teach her valuable lessons about love, forgiveness, and what truly makes a family.
10. You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego
Penguin Random House
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: Aspiring writer Mila del Angél seizes the opportunity to host a secluded writing retreat at the private manor of the mysterious author J.R. Alastor. The guest list? Six thriller authors — experts in deception, misdirection, and murder. Under the guise of literary games and trope-driven challenges, Mila has her own secret agenda: plotting a murder. But when an unplanned death occurs, she realizes she's caught in a deadly story she didn't write. Trapped on the island as a storm rages and the body count climbs, Mila must outsmart a killer who knows every trick in the book — before she becomes the next victim.
11. The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Synopsis: Nine years after war shattered her family, Àn'yīng is determined to save her dying mother in a world where ravenous demons roam and eternal night looms. Her only hope lies in the Immortality Trials — deadly contests that grant survivors a pill of eternal life. Armed with her crescent blades and practitioner skills, she enters the competition, knowing few make it out alive.
Yet someone is secretly helping her: Yù'chén, a powerful and mysterious rival with hidden motives. As the Trials unfold, Àn'yīng realizes the immortal realm harbors dark secrets, and trusting Yù'chén might mean either her salvation — or her downfall.
12. Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone
Simon & Schuster
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Synopsis: At a lavish publishing party, Ofosua Addo, a Ghanaian heiress, meets Cole Drake, and their playful flirtation leads to a kiss that leaves a lasting impression on both of them. However, Ofosua's commitment to her Ghanaian heritage and a marriage arranged by her family takes precedence over any feelings for Cole. But when her dream wedding turns into a public fiasco, Ofosua finds herself navigating heartbreak and a journey of self-discovery. Just when she needs him most, Cole reappears, and the two must confront whether their rekindled connection can break through the pressures of tradition and her family's expectations.
13. The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Synopsis: At 16, Nora Holtzfall is the daughter of Walstad's most powerful heiress, with control over both the country's wealth and magic. Despite this, Nora has always felt like an outsider. When her mother is found dead, the Holtzfall fortune and power are up for grabs, leading Nora into the Veritaz — an intense magical competition to determine the family heir. This year, however, there's an unexpected competitor: Lotte, the illegitimate daughter of Nora's aunt. As Lotte enters a dangerous world of family intrigue, Nora uncovers that her mother's death was no accident — it was murder. To solve the mystery, Nora turns to Theo, a reporter who despises her family. Meanwhile, Lotte is on a quest to uncover the identity of her father, but the competition and her growing feelings for Theo complicate everything.
14. Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang
Atria Books
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Synopsis: Julie Chan, a supermarket cashier with little to her name, suddenly finds herself thrust into the glamorous world of her late twin sister, Chloe VanHuusen, a famous influencer. After discovering Chloe's mysterious death, Julie seizes the opportunity to step into her sister's life, adopting her luxurious lifestyle and social media persona. But as Julie immerses herself in Chloe's influencer world, she uncovers dark secrets behind the seemingly perfect life, including the unsettling truth about Chloe's death. As she navigates a weeklong retreat with Chloe's influencer friends, Julie realizes she may be the next target of the dangerous forces at play.
15. The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis
Penguin Random House
Genre: Historical Fiction, YA
Synopsis: Set in the summer of 1910, More Than This follows the lives of four young Black women in Chicago — Ruby, Olivia, Amy-Rose, and Helen, as they face challenges that will forever change their futures. Ruby's engagement is jeopardized by a damaging rumor, while Olivia, committed to social justice, is forced into an arranged marriage instead of reuniting with her love, Washington. Amy-Rose is pursuing her dream of owning a salon but finds herself back in the arms of her first love, John Davenport. Meanwhile, Helen is determined to move past heartbreak and bring the Davenport Carriage Company into the modern age, even if it means working with a stubborn racecar driver. Inspired by the real-life Patterson family, this novel portrays the journeys of these four women as they navigate love, ambition, and a rapidly changing world.
16. While We're Young by K. L. Walther
Penguin Random House
Genre: Romance, YA
Synopsis: Grace, Isa, and Everett were once an inseparable trio, but their complicated love lives have strained their bond. Grace secretly loves Everett, who once dated Isa but broke her heart, while Isa has been secretly seeing Grace's brother, James. With graduation approaching, Grace plans an unsanctioned senior skip day in Philadelphia to mend their relationships. She enlists Isa to help "kidnap" Everett, all while avoiding James, who suspects something is up. The day is filled with adventurous moments like climbing the Rocky steps and crashing a wedding, but as their secrets collide, they must face the emotional fallout and see if their friendships — and hearts — can survive.
17. Say a Little Prayer by Jenna Voris
Penguin Random House
Genre: Romance, LGBTQ
Synopsis: Riley left her church a year ago when she realized it had no place for a bisexual girl like her. However, when the pastor shuns her older sister for getting an abortion, Riley's frustration boils over. After slapping a girl who insults her sister, Riley is sent to church camp for spring break as a punishment. The only upside is that her best friend, Julia, will be there too — despite her father, the pastor, running the camp. Instead of adhering to the camp's virtues, Riley decides to rebel by embracing the seven deadly sins, hoping to show the other campers that sometimes breaking the rules can be for a good cause. But her plan hits a complication when she begins falling for the pastor's daughter.
Have you read any of these books? Or is there a book you've read recently that you're really excited about? Meet me in the comments and let's chat about it!
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